After eating this stuff for so many years, although he had never witnessed the cooking process, he had somewhat gotten used to it.
If he ate just a little less, he could probably endure it.
But the Church was extremely frugal - even their pre-meal prayers included verses about not wasting food. So after finishing one bowl, it wasn't over; everything in that large pot had to be completely consumed.
Even if Norton served himself smaller portions, after multiple servings, he still ended up with a painfully distended stomach.
Already feeling somewhat nauseous, breathing in the foul air, until he saw the "strawberry tart" within the church grounds - he truly couldn't hold back any longer!
The food in his stomach surged straight up his throat!
Norton bent over, staring at the "strawberry tart" (feces) stuck to grass blades in the corner, feeling the swelling in his belly, completely unable to endure any longer.
"Ugh... ugh..."
The sound of vomiting echoed from the corner.
"Ah, I actually quite liked him.""Norton? Even after being raised in captivity to this extent, he still maintains impure thoughts. It seems his previous behavior must have been an act."
Father Mia stood in the highest attic of the church, dressed in white priestly robes, looking down with deep regret at Norton vomiting repeatedly in the cathedral corner below.
Beside him stood an elderly man wearing black bishop's robes, currently watching the vomiting Norton below with gloomy eyes.
Beside him stood an elderly man wearing black bishop's robes, currently watching the vomiting Norton below with gloomy eyes.
The elderly man in black bishop's robes was the Church's low-ranking Bishop Rosen. His status meant nothing in the Papal States, where above him were high-ranking bishops, archbishops, and cardinal archbishops.
But within the Holy Lord Cathedral, he was already the highest-ranking person.
Father Mia looked down at Norton with deep regret, his words full of pity.
Father Mia looked down at Norton with deep regret, his words full of pity.
"Isn't it a waste to use Norton for sacrifice? The one above likes this kind of beauty with some self-awareness the most. Wouldn't it be better to offer him up?"
Actually, he did show some humanity.
If Norton were offered up, what awaited him would be hellish torture. It was said that no one had ever walked out of that archbishop's room standing.
Rather than letting young Norton suffer such torment, it would be better to simply burn him to death in the 'Ascension' ceremony.
"In that case, have people prepare for the Ascension Ceremony in two days." Bishop Rosen turned away with a gloomy expression.
"In that case, have people prepare for the Ascension Ceremony in two days." Bishop Rosen turned away with a gloomy expression.
Being chosen as a sacrifice for the Ascension Ceremony was the greatest honor for all Church personnel - the lifelong pursuit of countless missionaries and nuns.
The Ascension Ceremony was the most sacred and sublime ritual within the Church. The main purpose of this ceremony was to offer devoted servants to God.
But unfortunately, although Norton had some mental health issues, he ultimately possessed a truly free soul.
"Creak......"
The wooden door was pushed open by Norton. Having vomited everything in his stomach, Norton weakly entered the wooden cabin and sat down on his somewhat fishy-smelling bed board.
His complexion was extremely pale - partly from hunger, partly from today's psychological impact.
Human life was as cheap as grass - although he had recognized this over the past twenty years, witnessing it before his eyes still made it difficult to adapt.
The main reason was that he didn't want to become grass whose fate was controlled by others.
He didn't want to be captured and slaughtered like livestock at any moment, all for some ridiculous and absurd reasons.
Like damn Church rules, Church ceremonies...
But Norton was useless! After being raised in captivity for twenty years, not only had he failed to learn any special skills or knowledge, he had almost forgotten most of his original abilities and knowledge!
Even if he wanted to escape, he'd starve outside, or be executed for breaking rules, or caught and killed by the Church... might as well just stay put here.
At least if he paid attention and didn't violate Church rules, he could avoid work within the Church and peacefully remain a missionary.
But, one should always have a backup plan.
"I'll secretly store some food first. If something really happens to me someday, I can run anytime, increasing my survival chances!" Norton clenched his fists, making his decision.
Norton thought for a moment, stood up from the bed, and prepared to go to the Church cafeteria to get some black bread.
But where to hide it was also a problem - the missionary robes had no pockets for carrying things, and he couldn't bring anything out if he found something to store it in.
Missionaries underwent searches by Church Knights both when leaving and returning.
Norton thought about it and decided to endure some discomfort for his brother - he'd hide food in his crotch when the time came. It might pick up some odors, but it would still increase his chances of survival.
Thinking this, he opened his door preparing to go out.
However, as the wooden door opened...
Norton thought about it and decided to endure some hardship for his brother - he'd hide food in his crotch when the time came. It might pick up some odors, but it would still increase his chances of survival.
Thinking this, he opened his door preparing to go out.
"Holy sh..."
Norton was startled by this suddenly descending great sword, barely stopping the curse words in his mouth, his gaze shifting to the expressionless face behind the great sword outside the cabin.
With the sound of a blade cutting through air, a great sword suddenly appeared blocking the room's entrance, precisely blocking Norton's path.
Church Knights!
Norton's heart jolted with alarm.
Damn it, could it be that while lost in thought, he had accidentally spoken his inner monologue out loud?
Otherwise, the Church Knights had no reason to bother a lowly missionary like him!
Norton's heart suddenly jolted with alarm.
But before he could speak, a voice sounded from outside the door.
"The Ascension Ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow. These are the books Father Mia wants you to read." The brief words came from beside the doorway. Only then did Norton, who had been badly frightened by the Church Knight, notice another missionary standing beside his doorway - the same one who had delivered books to him a couple days earlier.
Looking at the finely crafted steel armor emitting cold intent from the missionary before him, and the great sword blocking the doorway that was even as wide as his own arm, Norton felt his heart grow cold, unable to generate any thought of resistance.
"From now on, you cannot go out, you cannot eat - prepare for the upcoming Ascension Ceremony." The more the missionary spoke, the more intense the jealousy in his eyes grew. The malice in his gaze seemed like he wanted to devour Norton alive right there in the wooden cabin, which left Norton somewhat bewildered.
Did I offend him somehow?
Norton accepted the books, his mood growing heavy.
He hadn't heard of the Ascension Ceremony before - it was probably something only missionaries were qualified to participate in.
He didn't care about any ceremony, nor did he have any faith in this world's damn God. What made his mood heavy was that he couldn't eat today or tomorrow - this was rather difficult for someone who had just emptied his stomach completely.
But difficult or not, he had to endure it - after all, the Church Knights' great swords weren't just for show.
"Whew!" Norton let out a long breath, shifting his attention from the jealous missionary, then hugged the books and walked back into the room again.
He didn't care about any ceremony, nor did he have any faith in this world's damn God. What made his mood heavy was that he couldn't eat today or tomorrow - this was rather difficult for someone who had just finished vomiting everything in his stomach.
Otherwise, the next one struck down by a great sword might be him.