"At that time, Sera came to the church and prayed. I also knew what kind of situation she was in. She stayed late until everyone left. Then she bowed her head and requested me to teach her to read and write.

“She did not cry. She did not ask for help. She asked for knowledge.”

I asked, “Why do you want to learn?”

She said, “I want to live.”

“Aren’t you here to pray for salvation?”

“Will God save me if I beg for his help all day?”

“I did not know what to say.”

“Why is he not helping the people outside? Aren’t they praying for salvation?”

“…..”

I was tongue-struck by the words of a teenage girl.

Then she continued,  “To begin with, why would he even help me?”

“I believe God helps those who he thinks are worthy of receiving his help.”

“I do not know if I am worthy enough to receive his help.”

“Then how can I show him that I am worthy enough?”

“What makes me worthy?”

“As she was speaking, I was attracted to her eyes. Her eyes had a mysterious depth.”

With only a few sentences, she made me question my beliefs and my actions.

“Sir Priest, I am not one of the gods chosen. I don’t know if I am deserving of God's protection. So, I can only try my best.”

“If God exists and you say that he helps others, then I believe that he is helping others, I believe that he is doing so through people like you.”

She bowed her head and said, “So, please teach me. So that I can find a way to save myself.”

Despite her request, her tone did not sound like that of a peasant girl. But it held some unknown depth and authority. Some kind of noble quality. I had goosebumps, and I stopped breathing. Unknowingly I agreed to teach her.

She learned from me how to read and write. She had difficulty learning but improved quickly. She must have practiced a lot. One day she came to me with a letter and some written documents in her hand, requesting me to send them to the viscountess. In later months, she also borrowed many books from my collection in the church. But after her pregnancy and learning about her family, she stopped coming here. She must have been in despair. She again came here after she received her title as a baroness.

Hearing Sir Benedict's story, Kevin remained silent. Before he could say anything, Benedict continued, “The baroness has previously requested me that she has some favor she needs from the church. She said she will come in 3 days after she dealt with some matters to discuss it. Meet her and see for yourself what kind of person she is.”

Kevin nodded, seemingly in deep thought.

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