For some reason, just thinking of the earlier scenarios that had transpired caused my whole body to shake. I wasn't angry. I just found it hard to understand.
'I'm not wrong.'
Of course... it was natural to want to help people.
'He doesn't know anything.'
No one lived in the slums because they wanted or chose it. Every one of these people had their own sad stories to tell.
Some have not been contacted by guilds or clans, while others had become disabled from hunting in the past. Some were driven to the streets because of sick family members, while others were simply unable to find work.
In other words, society has led them to this place.
Lindel, the Holy Empire... No, this entire continent itself is wrong.
This was a society that did not know how to care for the weak. It was a selfish community. Although they promised welfare benefits to most of its citizens, the poor did not receive any.
On this continent, where people only worked for their interests, someone had to step forward.
"It will be dangerous."
"No, it won't be dangerous."
"Well...As a priest, you have the freedom to choose how you think. However, it would be good to have a minimum of safety devices. I don't know when and how something will happen."
"Why do you think so?"
"Rather, I want to ask why you don't think the same."
"The reason you don't understand me is because you're not looking at them properly."
"My answer is the same. Rather, it is you who is not looking at them properly. There are not just those who are poor and need help. Who needs help are those who try to stand up, not those lying down."
"I don't want to hear that kind of talk anymore."
"Yes, yes, fine. I'll stop."
"Then, I will just leave as you said. I want you to keep what you promised."
"Yeah. Whether or not. By all means, goodbye."
It was not even worth answering him. Even if I were to accept his offer and act as one of the slums' people, nothing would change.
I didn't even have to respond to such a non-playful offer. Nevertheless, I had one reason as to why I was willing to enter the slums alone.
'I wasn't wrong.'
I wanted to prove to that man that I wasn't wrong. There was certainly a difference between simply watching from a distance and breathing and living with them.
There was an old couple who had given me thanks while weeping for help, and there was a little child who plucked me some flowers in return for my help.
I'd seen so many things that this man hadn't for nearly two years. The people and I had spent a long time communicating and talking together.
As I continued to step forward, I could slowly feel the atmosphere getting darker.
What was wrong? I always walked down these streets and was very familiar with it, but I could feel that something had changed.
It was the time of the day to eat, yet no one openly loitered around the streets. This place is always the same.
I could feel the familiar, unpleasant smell of the slums fill my nostrils, but I had long since adapted to it, so it did not bother me anymore. As I continued walking around, the helpless people I had always helped came into view. Some of them were chatting, and the rest were just looking around the area.
