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LVlll

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

Legally, beastmen and humans were not treated equally. This was also true in academia. Even the Panthea National Academy was composed entirely of beastmen students. Educational institutions available to human children were limited.

The invisible social barrier between humans and beastmen had persisted as deeply rooted as the history of the Empire.

“This might be the only place in the Empire where humans and beastmen can sit together: the academy chapel. It’s somewhat ironic since the staff and students are all beastmen, and they didn’t bother to make separate seats for humans.”

Marcel’s words made Elysia nod bitterly.

“Indeed. It was strange and fascinating.”

Elysia scuffed the dirt with the heel of her shoe and muttered awkwardly.

Meanwhile, she suddenly thought of him. In this empire’s customs, she wondered if there would ever be a day when she and Hadeon could sit together publicly.

Probably never in my lifetime.

Elysia’s eyelashes trembled. Except for official events or the duke’s private estate, she always had to stay a step behind him, only able to gaze at the duke’s back. At night, she might share a bedroom with him, but come morning, she would have to be content with just glimpsing him from afar, seated in a high place, and remaining in the shadows.

It was her predetermined place and fate. Nothing could change it by her hand. Unconsciously, she clenched her pale hands together.

Marcel, who had been silently watching her, suddenly spoke up.

“Miss Elysia, you seem to be very devout.”

“Oh… not particularly. I’m just an ordinary parishioner.”

Elysia hurriedly replied.

“If you’ve heard rumors about me, you might already know. I come from an orphanage. At the orphanage, if you didn’t attend chapel on Sunday mornings, you were punished by being locked in the attic and starved all day. If a child gave good worship, they would sometimes receive sweet treats only available on special days like Thanksgiving or the monarch’s birthday. I was always the one receiving treats. Of course, compared to the devout faith of others, my faith is just a drop in the ocean. Those memories were so strong that even now, when I’m struggling, I find myself going to the chapel.”

After finishing her words, Elysia blinked unconsciously.

It was the first time she had spoken about her orphanage life to Marcel. Elysia was surprised to find herself lowering her guard around him.

“If you’re interested in the Empire’s religion, you must have heard of the Great Temple of Ragnos.”