Yes, Oscar was afraid of losing his freedom. But even more than that, he was afraid of the church.
The Holy Church of Ehit... They followed a doctrine that stated humans were above all other species, and preached that humans should reign supreme. Almost all the humans on the continent were followers.
Those who were discovered to have the power to use magic from the age of the gods, or special magic that only monsters could use, were considered to be god’s descendents and taken under its protection.
By force, if necessary. Oscar would suffer the same fate if he revealed his talents.
The Holy Church was as powerful as an entire kingdom. In fact, the leader of the Elbard Theocracy was the Holy Church’s Pope. Alone, Oscar would never be able to escape their grasp. Even if he could, there was no telling what they would do to his family.
Miledi gave Oscar a knowing smile.
“Escaping from the Holy Church wouldn’t be easy. No matter where you go, they’re around. In every kingdom, in every village, their taint can be seen.” She practically spat out those last few words.
“Of course you’re scared. I mean, think about it. They’re supposed to be in control of just one country. But look, wherever you go, there are temples all around. Every country takes them in, and they even let them dictate national policy.”
“H-Hey, You can’t just say that out—” Oscar nervously looked around.
Insulting the Holy Church was tantamount to suicide. If anyone had heard Miledi say that, she would have been executed without question.
But Miledi didn’t stop.
“Even when countries are at war, if the Holy Church says something they stop right away. And when there’s peace, a word from them can start a war. We’re too worried about being branded heretics to do what’s right, or even what’s legal. We’re taught that Ehit’s will is supreme and things like love and justice are secondary. In fact, they may as well not matter at all.”
“M-Miledi...kun...”
Miledi turned back to Oscar, her bright blue eyes looking directly at his own. There was a clarity in them, mirroring her own unwavering resolve. Oscar inadvertently gulped.
She gazed at him for a few seconds, then smiled.
“O-kun. You must have realized how twisted this world is. More so than the kings of this world, you fear the so-called righteous Holy Church. That’s why you hid yourself. So that they wouldn’t hurt your family in an attempt to get to you.”
Normally when someone insulted the Holy Church they were instantly decried as a heretic. The reason for that was because if you didn’t, you too would be considered a heretic. Unless you were particularly close to the blasphemer, you had every reason to turn them in.
But Oscar didn’t call her out. Shaken as he was, he didn’t want to stop Miledi. Because she’d said the things Oscar had always thought, but never had the courage to say.
Miledi was overjoyed to finally have met someone who wasn’t a blind believer in Ehit. Emboldened by Oscar’s silence, she continued.
“I belong to a certain organization.”
“Organization?”
“Yes. A world where people live by the law, and by their own morals. A world of order and justice. A world where everyone is free to speak out against injustice. Where people come together to discuss what’s right. Where different opinions and ideas are valued instead of suppressed. A world where people can be free. That’s our organization’s goal.”
“Are you planning on starting a new religion or something?” Oscar only just managed to keep a look of incredulity off his face. He congratulated himself for keeping enough composure to retort with a joke.
Still, her words had shook him to the core. The ideals Miledi’s organization espoused meant that they were basically rebels. A gathering of heretics who denounced the Holy Church’s rule.
This was no joke. She was inviting him to an organization that had effectively made humanity its enemy.
“Do you think we’re a gathering of crackpot terrorists or something... Ahaha, well, I guess you’re not entirely wrong.”
“Please leave.” Oscar responded to Miledi’s lighthearted comment with a flat refusal.
“Sorry, but my answer is no. I promise I won’t tell anyone about this, so please don’t ever come close to me or my family again.”
He spoke quietly, but his expression was dead serious.
Miledi stared at Oscar for a few seconds before quietly replying.
“I see...” She turned on her heel and walked away. Her retreating figure seemed exceptionally small to Oscar.
It was hard to imagine a little girl like her was fighting against the world. What on earth drove her to make such a suicidal choice? Maybe she’s just crazy... It would be easier for Oscar if that were the case.
That way he could convince himself her words hadn’t moved him.
“Oh yeah, could you tell everyone the food was delicious?”
“I will.”
Miledi glanced back and smiled at Oscar. Then, without another word, she vanished into the darkness of the night.
It was as if she were nothing more than a spirit.
Oscar clenched his teeth, only just keeping himself from saying something.
They’d never see each other again. And that’s for the best, he kept telling himself.
The next day...
Miledi showed up at Oscar’s workplace.
“Hello, good citizens of the Orcus Workshop! I’m the world renowned idol, Miledi! Where’s my cute little O-kun?”
A number of hard-faced craftsmen stared in confusion at the girl who’d just shown up at the back entrance. It seemed she’d forgotten her manners in the womb as Miledi brazenly strode past the confused craftsmen without so much as an “excuse me.”
“Wow, I should have expected one of Velka’s big three workshops to be this amazing. The country is known for its technology after all. There are master craftsmen everywhere~” Miledi exclaimed in wonder as she looked around the workshop.
At the back of the workshop, Oscar was struck dumb. He’d expected never to see Miledi again. Wanting to avoid being seen, he quickly hid himself.
He was glad there’d been enough orders today that he could hide behind his pile of finished work.
Wh-Wh-What on earth is she doing here!? He adjusted his glasses repeatedly.
The craftsmen looked at each other, wondering who this girl was.
Though she was grinning like a fool, her expensive clothes marked her as a noble, or at least someone rich. Normally, anyone who barged into the workshop like this would be thrown out, but Miledi was so blatant about it that the craftsmen hesitated.
Especially since if she was some noble’s daughter, then they couldn’t afford to be rude to her.
Just as someone ran off to get the chief, a young man stepped forward. Though he was a noble himself, he wrung his hands like a groveling merchant. Ping was never one to let slip an opportunity to make important connections. He smiled as flatteringly as he could.
“Miss, what is it you need? Perhaps I could be of assistance. Ah, excuse me for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Ping Waress, son of Viscount Waress.”
“...Hi! I’m Miledi.” Miledi observed Ping carefully for a few seconds, but then broke out into a smile again and introduced herself.
The onlookers could easily tell that this smile was fake, however.
“Miledi, was it? A beautiful name to suit a beautiful person such as yourself. Pardon me for asking, but which family do you hail—”
“Does that really matter?” Miledi was still smiling, but her eyes were cold. Even an idiot noble like Ping got the message.
Ping hurriedly tried to smooth things over and regain her favor.