[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke
Chapter 309: Saintess’ Mercy

Chapter 309: Saintess’ Mercy

Much to his disappointment, there was little of value to overhear.

The people, both men and women were talking about their devotion and admiration for the Saintess, their voices trembling with gratitude for the divine grace she had bestowed upon them.

If not for her, they all would be rotting in jail due to their sins. Their varied accents of speaking told Xion that most of them were not from the North.

"Y’know, lad? When your child’s cryin’ for food, who gives a damn about right and wrong?" the burly man beside him muttered, dragging over a worn, splintering chair. "That’s what I thought too, when I nicked bread from some noble’s kitchen."

He chuckled, but the sound was hollow. "Twenty lashes, lad. Twenty. If not for Her Holiness, I’d have died in that pit."

Xion’s heart skipped a beat. Twenty lashes in this world might as well have been a death sentence.

Even if one’s body could endure the pain, the aftermath—the infections, the weakness, the pain—usually couldn’t be overcome.

Xion’s grip on the bread faltered before he forced another bite.

"I am going to meet my family soon after the confession. Do you think they will be happy?"

The burly man had such bright light in his eyes as he eagerly asked.

Xion could tell that this person was in dilemma; whether his family would accept him, a thief, or not. But more than that was the sheer happiness of meeting them again.

Xion gulped down the last crumb before nodding. "They surely will."

Those words were enough to make the burly man laugh loudly. "You think so? I think so too!"

The others were not any different. All of them were here to confess and be rid of their sins before joining the society.

As they had said, if not for Her Holiness, one way or another, they would end up in a coffin.

And Talia, the Saintess, had orchestrated it all.

It was a clever scheme, Xion had to admit. The common folk loved her for it. Her image would gleam like something pure and divine in their eyes.

And truthfully? Her efforts were helping these people. That much couldn’t be denied.

Xion should’ve been glad. He wanted to be glad.

But his sixth sense was a tingling way too fiercely. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he was also a sinner and was supposed to be tied to the same altar.

He really hoped that this was it.

"What about you, lad?" the burly man asked, slapping a meaty palm on Xion’s shoulder. The impact nearly sent him flying off the chair.

A woman nearby let out a sharp gasp, snatching his arm to steady him. "You brute! Can’t you see he’s barely skin and bones?"

The burly man grinned as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Didn’t expect him to be so frail."

Frail meant no work and that would ultimately result in no food. A slow starvation. His eyes lit up with belated understanding. "Ah. You are starvin’. That explains it."

Xion took a slow breath and answered before anyone could ask again. "Married someone from the upper class."

He was joking, but it was also a kind of truth. Ultimately that was what had led him to this situation.

The lady even gently patted his back. "They are always like this. Promising a great future and then abandoning us because of our dirty blood. But what can we do? The best thing is to stay away from such people."

Xion chuckled softly. Darius was anything but a bad person. "Yeah, I will make sure to find a better person next time."

The commotion outside had grown louder by now. There were heavy footsteps frantically running in the hallway. Their echoes synced with Xion’s pounding heart.

How was he supposed to get out of here? There were no windows in the room, nor could he sneak out like before.

[We just need to hide until the ban is lifted.] The system spoke with a panic-laced voice. It couldn’t allow such a nice host to get hurt. Who else would buy things for it?

Xion was the only one willing to spend the hard-earned Merit points on the upgrades.

Just as the system was spamming the complaint box of the lord system, asking for urgent help, the door swung open.

Two fully armored guards stepped inside.

"All the sinners are advised to stand in line and follow us to the confession room."

Everyone stumbled to their feet. Even the elderly man who had trouble walking leapt up with surprising speed. That way, they would be able to confess earlier and be free to meet their families.

Someone helped the old man shuffle to the front of the line.

Xion barely had time to react before the kind woman beside him tugged him to the center of the row. He murmured a faint ’thank-you’ while clutching the edge of the blanket tighter.

Two rows walked behind the one guard while the second one followed at the end.

[Maybe we should confess too. Pretend to be one of them. We can plan the next move later.]

Xion agreed silently. As long as he was still breathing, there was hope.

The group was escorted outside to a row of oxcarts waiting by the main gate. Just as Xion placed a foot on the edge, a gruff voice called out.

"You there. Why are you hiding your face? Do you think Saintess would be happy to see you like this?"

Damn it!

If he showed his face, he was afraid Talia might go crazy from happiness.

[...Host, let’s buy a luck-increasing potion the moment we get out of this.] The system’s sudden serious tone made Xion’s lips twitch.

At least, his tight shoulders relaxed.

"He’s here ’cause he bedded someone’s wife. Poor lad’s too ashamed to show his face!"

The guard looked at the burly man who was grinning like a fool and then at the robe hiding the small frame.

He was only instructed to get all of them to the place. What state they were in wasn’t his concern.

The moment Xion settled into the cold wooden cart, he allowed himself a tiny breath of relief.

For now, at least, he was safe.