Faith and Heresy
Elisanne: This must be the village in the Mistell diocese where Tobias was dispatched.
Elisanne: I pray I can find something here which might prove his innocence.
???: Look there! See that halo she wears? She's with the Church!
Elisanne: Hmm? Who's there?
Villager 1: You Ilia types got no business in this here village!
Elisanne: No, wait! Listen to me, good people! I have not come here to cause you ill!
Villager 2: We've no need of your Church here. Now leave before you can't walk!
Elisanne: Wait! I only wish to—
Villager 1: Shoulda listened to me, girly. Haaaah!
Curran: ...You okay?
Elisanne: C-Curran? Why are you here?
Curran: I'll fill you in on the whole story later. Right now, we gotta split—and fast!
Curran: *pant* Okay, we should be safe now.
Elisanne: My thanks, Curran. But if I may ask again, what brings you to this place?
Curran: Same thing that brought you, I imagine: I'm looking for the truth.
Curran: Tobias isn't telling anyone the most important part of his story.
Elisanne: You mean WHY he attacked the dragon?
Curran: That's it. The higher-ups just wanna light him up and get it over with, but I never could leave a mystery unsolved.
Curran: Because if you know the truth, the truth shall bet your peas!
Elisanne: ...Er, yes. Right. Regardless, I believe I understand why you are here.
Curran: Thanks for not... You know. Making a big deal of that last bit there.
Curran: Anyway, what's your take on that village?
Elisanne: A den for heretics, mostlike. They set upon me the moment they saw my halo.
Curran: I don't blame you for thinking that, but these folks have actually never been accused of heresy.
Curran: In fact, until recently, they welcomed both priest and Paladyn with open arms.
Elisanne: Then why have they suddenly branded the Church as their enemy?
Curran: It started when Tobias was arrested.
Curran: Once that happened, their stance on the Church changed overnight.
Curran: That's why I thought I might learn something here, but... Well, it's hard to learn when you're busy running for your life.
Curran: Forget filling me in on what happened— they won't even let me into the village. I'm a bit out of ideas here, to be honest.
Elisanne: Actually, I may have an idea. Might I speak with Tobias again?
Curran: Wait. You're not thinking of...
Elisanne: If we cannot get information from the villagers, we've no choice but to get it from the man himself.
Curran: Only inquisitors are allowed to speak to people charged with heresy.
Curran: Buuuut...this sounds like our only option. And if anyone can get that bird to sing, it's most likely you.
Curran: Still, are you sure you want to do this? If the higher-ups learn about this plan, we're both gonna be in a world of hurt.
Elisanne: I seek only to know the truth of this matter, and accept the consequences of my action.
Elisanne: Besides, I...I owe him.
Tobias: I've been assigned a new inquisitor, eh?
Curran: That's right. Anyway, I'll just let the two of you get acquainted.
Tobias: I apologize for wasting your time, inquisitor, but I have nothing to tell you that I haven't already told your comrade in arms.
Tobias: So I suggest you lea... YOU!
Tobias: Explain yourself, Elisanne! What are you doing here?!
Elisanne: I have just returned from that village.
Tobias: !
Elisanne: What happened there, Tobias?
Tobias: ......
Elisanne: They are attacking members of the Church. Has the whole village turned heretic?
Elisanne: Or is this related to the conflict between the conservatives and perditionists?
Tobias: That village has nothing to do with our conflict, and no bias towards either side.
Tobias: And even if they were a village of perditionists, they would have no reason to help me.
Elisanne: Is this related to the time you saved me?
Tobias: Idle speculation benefits none.
Elisanne: I know you well enough to think there is more to this story. Above all, you have ever wished for the happiness of everyone.
Elisanne: So if you are claiming to have become a heretic, I reject that notion utterly.
Tobias: Tell me, Paladyn: What is heresy to you? What constitutes a proper faith?
Elisanne: That is no mean question.
Tobias: Indeed. If it were, the Church would not be divided as it is now.
Tobias: Still, this division has taught us one thing: Faith is not constant.
Tobias: To enact change, one must discard old traditions. That is why I took up my blade.
Elisanne: Then you attacked that dragon because of some new faith?
Tobias: Beliefs that take the lives of the innocent must be cast aside, or we shall never know true happiness.
Elisanne: What beliefs are you talking about? What is your ultimate aim here?
Tobias: ...Very well. As you swore to aim for the same ideals as me, I shall tell you.
Tobias: Now come. Make yourself comfortable, and let me tell you of lives stolen away by outdated and rotten beliefs...
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