In conclusion, Joanna bought the church.
She couldn’t resist the advantages of a cheaper price compared to other buildings and the large space she could utilize.
Most of all, the large underground space where multiple people could live was appealing.
After packing up at the inn, Joanna headed to the church’s basement with Emily and Thomas.
Thomas, who came down the stairs at the corner of the church instead of the collapsed floor, looked up with a puzzled expression.
“It looks like a pretty sturdy building, but… why did the floor collapse?”
“I heard from the neighbors that some kind of fight broke out.”
“Really? Judging by the state of the floor, it looks like someone pretty violent must’ve been involved.”
“……”
While overhearing their conversation, Joanna looked around the basement.
She hadn’t had the time to explore it when she visited to deal with the villain.
Impressed by the surprisingly spacious area, Joanna communicated her thoughts to Dantalion.
‘The basement is pretty spacious.’
The food storage with a cool atmosphere, private rooms separated by underground levels, and even a kitchen and bathroom.
It was a space that couldn’t be described as merely a small church’s living quarters.
It would have been impossible to expand the space to this extent with the budget of a small church.
But when you think about it, it wasn’t that strange.
[ Hmm, it wasn’t an odd thing considering it was a rather sizable group. ]
Ironically, it’s common for money to be swept up in illegal activities because it’s illegal.
In a world where the concept of black money didn’t yet exist, it wouldn’t have been strange for Malon to hand a large sum of money to a tight-lipped contractor and expand the building.
Perhaps it was a kind of welfare for his subordinates, who couldn’t walk around the streets openly.
‘Villains aren’t usually stingy when it comes to handling people.’
Slowly taking in her surroundings, Joanna unpacked her belongings in a suitable room.
The drawing of Dantalion, the wanted poster, the Jjangbosal’s sermon notes…
She neatly organized items she couldn’t casually take out at the inn, smiling without realizing it.
“Indeed, there’s no feeling like being at home.”
“Personal space is precious. The fact that you can put your things wherever you want is an undeniable advantage.”
Having finished tidying up, Joanna left the room.
Just then, Victor, who happened to be passing by the hallway, spoke to her.
“Miss Joanna, I’ve contacted the contractor who will handle the repairs.
The upper floors are fine, but the lower ones were well-maintained, so there shouldn’t be any major issues…”
“Is there a problem?”
Victor adjusted his glasses with a troubled look.
Once he confirmed that the other two were not around, he led Joanna to the basement’s third floor.
Unlike the other floors, which felt lived-in, the third basement was filled with junk.
However…
“There’s no dust, even though it’s full of junk.”
“Yes. Normally, such storage rooms would have dust because they’ve been left neglected for so long.”
Despite being a mess, it was surprisingly dust-free.
The floor was even cleaner in some areas, as if it had been frequently visited.
Following the clean floor, Victor traced his hand along the inside wall of the storage room.
Click!
One of the bricks he touched moved inward.
After a brief sound of machinery, a rattling sound came from a nearby bookshelf.
When the empty bookshelf was moved aside, a hidden door appeared.
Inside the door was a path leading into thick darkness.
It didn’t just look like an ordinary space; a musty smell of earth filled the air.
The fact that the wind was blowing meant that this passage was connected to somewhere.
When the door was closed, there was a click as the lock engaged.
Once Victor confirmed that the door didn’t budge, he spoke with a serious face.
“It seems the previous owner wasn’t an ordinary person.”
“Could purchasing this building cause problems?”
At Joanna’s question, Victor nodded.
It wasn’t common for someone with the wealth and power to create a secret passage to just disappear overnight.
Even if it had to do with criminals, the existence of a secret passage opened up endless possibilities for the worst-case scenario.
What if it’s connected to something as vile as demon worshippers?
“If you give me more time, I can find a better property.”
“I appreciate the consideration, but you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Really?”
Though unseen, Dantalion nodded as well.
At least in this city, there were no villains who could harm Joanna.
However, Victor, unaware of this, was deeply concerned.
How could he not worry, when rogue elements might target such a good-hearted lady?
“Well, still, just to be sure, I’ll inform the captain of the guards.”
“There’s no need for that…”
“Don’t feel burdened. Increasing the patrols is an easy task for the captain of the guards.”
Despite Joanna’s attempts to stop him, Victor’s resolve remained firm.
After seeing Victor off, Joanna returned to her personal room with a reluctant expression.
She then opened the notebook that she had hidden in her drawer.
January 13 – Five snakes, seven flowers, traded for 21 gold coins.
January 17 – One snake, five flower buds, traded for 10 gold coins.
January 21 – Nine flowers, traded for 17 gold coins.
*
It was a transaction amount that couldn’t be associated with just ordinary snakes and flowers.
Joanna focused her eyes on the notebook, honing her divine senses.
Thanks to her training, she no longer needed Dantalion’s help.
Soon, ink began to spill from the pages of the notebook.
The ink, now resembling a living snake, slithered across the floor and guided Joanna down the corridor.
Following the trail of ink, Joanna arrived at the bookshelf on the third basement floor.
After confirming that the ink was passing beneath the bookshelf, Joanna felt along the wall and pressed a brick-shaped switch.
Once again, the door opened, and the ink continued to flow beyond it…
“Well, I guess it’s better to check it out.”
“I have no intention of forcing your will,” Dantalion answered indifferently to Joanna’s question.
He had already shared all the abilities that could be immediately useful, so there was no need for further involvement.
Understanding this as permission, Joanna tore a part of her notebook and wrote a note.
[I’ll be stepping out for a while. -Joanna]
If Emily found this, she would likely understand the situation.
After leaving the note, Joanna stepped into the darkness beyond the door.
Whoosh!
A flame rose from the palm of her hand.
Relying on that small light, Joanna made her way into the passage.
The secret passage was labyrinthine and spacious enough to transport items using a cart.
Walking aimlessly was more exhausting than expected.
Once she confirmed that there were no signs of anyone nearby, Joanna cautiously spoke.
“What do you think the items written in the notebook are? They couldn’t just be ordinary snakes and flowers.”
“What do you think they are?”
Dantalion answered with a question of his own, but Joanna paid it no mind.
After a brief pause, she responded.
“Could they be dangerous substances, like drugs? Both snakes and flowers can be used as ingredients for medicine.”
Her answer was more based on experience than mere speculation.
She had often encountered such items in the temple of Albert, who was consumed with seeking vile pleasures.
However, Dantalion shook his head.
“Not a bad guess, but that’s not the answer.”
“Do you know the answer, Dantalion?”
“You cannot judge a sinner without knowing what crimes they have committed.
Once you become more familiar with handling divine power, you’ll be able to discern the sins of others.”
However, he had no intention of telling Joanna the answer.
Before long, Joanna arrived at the end of the trail and stared at the door in front of her.
Through the door, she could smell a foul odor that could not be blocked, along with a dry, cracked voice faintly reaching her ears.
Confirming the presence of a villain with her divine power, Joanna slid her sword through the gap in the door.
Scrape!
The heated blade instantly cut through the lock beyond the door.
Surprised by the flimsy locking mechanism, Joanna felt a sense of confusion.
Was such an important item really being stored so poorly, despite being written down separately in the notebook?
Click.
When the door opened, Joanna directed the flames toward the source of the voice.
Her flames illuminated the darkness and revealed the owner of the voice.
“Why…?”
Inside a narrow cage, resembling an animal’s pen.
A man and a woman, covered in wounds, were breathing erratically and staring at her.
Seven people in total were abandoned, unable to move, inside the cage.
At that moment, the girl with the smaller frame, able to move, met Joanna’s gaze.
“Eek…! P-Please don’t hit me!
I’ll eat and drink whatever you give me! I won’t look for my mom!
I’m sorry! I’m sorry!!!”
The girl appeared to be around 7 years old.
The girl, hunched like a dog, shivered as if she were sick.
Even though pus-filled blood oozed from untreated wounds on her arms and legs, she didn’t show any signs of pain.
Frightened by the light, the girl couldn’t bring herself to look at Joanna’s fire and lowered her head toward her own shadow.
“A snake is often used as a metaphor for the male genitals. And a flower usually symbolizes a woman in any world.”
“Then the flower buds…”
Flower buds, flowers that haven’t bloomed yet.
Realizing the meaning, Joanna felt a deep sense of disgust rising from within.
It was like she had swallowed a living insect, and she felt as if parasites were crawling beneath her skin.
But stronger than all those feelings was one emotion.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
It was pity, it was empathy.
Joanna saw her past self in the girl.
The girl who could only offer silent prayers that could never reach anyone.
For that girl, Joanna gently embraced her body.
At that moment, the warm kindness she had longed for, at least, reached this child.
Without a word, she held the girl tightly.
To be continued.