Chapter 10: Torture / The Tree By The Lake

He landed right in front of the altar, in the same position as he looked in the painting right above him.

The church made his voice echo.

“You, bishop, are dead. You have violated the sanctity of my religion. Dragged my face through the mud for your own petty gains. We’re going to make sure this excommunication hurts. A lot.” Evan said, pointing at him.

“Really? Of all things, you choose a Jojo pose for the painting of our literal god? How did I never notice that.” Eldridge said, dropping down

“It’s art. Hey, wait a minute. How do you know about Jojo.” Evan asked

“Oh. I have access to the internet.” Eldridge said

“I’ll ignore that Information for now. Fingers or toes first?” Evan asked

“Maybe we should drag him down to the basement?” Eldridge asked

“Is it because of the people? It’s because of the people, isn’t it. Hey. You lot. Leave.” Evan said

They stared at him in awe

“NOW.” Evan said

They all left quickly

“Is this the part where you use a phrase from the show?” Eldridge asked

“Nah, I ain’t that cringe. I like it, love it even, but posing is all I need.” Evan said

“But it’s fine, right? Just yell it out.” Eldridge said

“But I refuse.” Evan said, turning towards the bishop

“Hey! Not like that! Ugh. Why can’t you be like the other Evan. More childish. Not this….monster.” Eldridge said, gesturing at Evan

“Well, sorry. As we have established quite well, I am NOT Evan. Shit, I broke one of his fingers accidentally. Oh. I was wondering why it was so quiet. When did you gag him?” Evan asked

“When I got in. You were busy posing, I was doing the work. Like usual.” Eldridge sighed

“Thanks, I guess. You’re our little miss information extractor, What do you think should be next? We need ‘information’ from him, right?” Evan asked, smiling

“Oh, but Evan. He’s gagged, whatever shall we do?” Eldridge asked, grinning wickedly

“Let’s find out if he can scream through this gag. Maybe we can find out what his answers are if he screams loudly enough.” Evan said, a wicked gleam in his eye. He created various torture tools using creation mana.

“Have at 'em, Eldridge. Imma go take a walk. Get some food, maybe. This seems like it might take a while.” Evan said, yawning

“Yeah, yeah. Shoo. I can’t enjoy the fun parts with you here. Your lecturing interrupts the beautiful screaming.” Eldridge said

Evan left

He went to a lake, and looked out at the peaceful water. Bodies of water always seemed to calm him.

“I’m guessing she’s going to take at least the rest of today. Maybe even tomorrow. Ah. Shit. People will recognize me, won’t they? Aha! Idea!” Evan said

He made a paper bag and scissors, cutting two eye holes into it

“Why not just make it with the eye holes already cut out?” A voice asked

“Gah!! Oh. Hi. Well, I didn’t really think of that.” Evan said

“Why are you able to just make stuff out of thin air?” The voice asked

“Because I’m using magic.” Evan said

“Are you able to make food, by any chance?” The voice asked

“Hm. What’s your name, firstly?” Evan asked

“Oh. Willow, sir. It’s nice to meet you.” Willow said

“Indeed. You look thinner than a tree branch, though. Where are you from, kid?” Evan asked

“The alley.” Willow said

“Where’s that?” Evan asked

“Oh. It’s a part of the slums. Just a really really bad part of it.” Willow said

“You don’t seem to be asking for that food for yourself. What’s the story?” Evan asked

“Family, sir.” Willow said

“Hm. Yep, fine. Bring me there. I guess one good deed for the day will be done. Maybe that will balance out my luck.” Evan said

“You believe in luck? Aren’t you god?” Willow asked

“Huh? Wait, you knew? Why are you able to speak so calmly with me… wait, that does explain why you called me sir, I guess.” Evan said

“Family is more important than religion to me right now, sir. I apologize for my lack of faith.” Willow said

“Jeez. This is kinda how I would rather other people think like. Taking me as important, but caring about the people and world around them as well. You don’t need to apologize. You’re basically the perfect image of what I think my believers should act like. Well, what I’ve seen at least. Is it this alley here?” Evan asked

“Yes, sir. I’ll show you the way. I appreciate your support. How much food will you provide for them?” Willow asked

“Hm? Oh. I was going to put a temporary food source for you guys. That way you can even share and still be fine. It’s only going to last for 3 months, and provides around one large meal every 3 hours per person. Do some sort of math with that, up to you. I’ll also add stuff to make it so people don’t swarm the place for food. You guys should be fine then. I’m too lazy to think about any other solution.” Evan said

“We’re here.” Willow said

The dead end they walked into was full of horribly injured and awfully sick looking children, as well as a couple of adults.

“Are you sure these kids aren’t dead?” Evan asked

“Yes, sir. They are still alive.” Willow said

“I can’t watch that, ew. I’ll just heal them. Some of that stuff looks pretty nasty. Unlike the original me, I’m actually quite squeamish.” Evan said, snapping his fingers

Every person in a miles radius was healed

“Oops. I set the area of effect a bit too large. Ah, whatever. It worked. Here, this is the stuff I promised to provide.” Evan said, yet again snapping his fingers

A table and box appeared. The inside of it was odd, and almost indescribable.

“Yeah, okay, so. Stick your hand into that, think of a meal, and it will provide you with all of the food. You might have to reach in multiple times if you get something that has another plate. Cornucopias are weird so I opted for this. A normal box. Clever, right?” Evan asked

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate the help.” Willow said

“Well, this is what you hoped for, isn’t it? You’re quite shrewd, you know. If you’re fine with it, I would love to hire you. Wait... no way… You planned for that, too, didn’t you. If so, that’s even better.” Evan said, grinning

“Yes, sir, I did indeed approach you with that intention. I’m assuming you don’t mind me asking if you can shelter my family as well, correct?” Willow asked, smiling

“I’m surprised someone like you wasn’t scouted already. Did nobody understand how clever you are? Odd.” Evan said

“No. It’s quite simple. Anybody who would be able to give me an opportunity would never come down here. This is the worst part of the slums. I never got a chance, until I met you.” Willow said, shaking her head

“Mhm. Yeah, that sounds about right. I’m probably the only one who would give you the opportunity. Did you know I would be there?” Evan asked

“I heard about you appearing in a church around here with a partner. From what I’ve read, I guessed what you would do. Something about an evil church worker, then leaving the partner to do the rest of the work after starting the job. After that, from what I’ve read about your semi whimsical nature, I figured you would head out for a stroll. If so, I used all of the locations you relaxed at in the books as references to figure out where you would probably go. You are usually depicted as someone who likes to relax and watch the sunset over a lake, or something similar. Occasionally the ocean, but there isn’t one close to here. And this is the only lake around. You were the only person there, and it was quite obvious. So I guess you could say that I knew, yes.” Willow said

“You can put a lot together from a little information. What if I wasn’t there, or even here at all?” Evan asked

“Well, the person I heard the information from isn’t one who lies often, so their word was solid. You are already up on all of the fliers due to your marriage with the lady Saint. So I knew you actually were out there somewhere. And I figured the only reason you wouldn’t be at the lake was if you didn’t know about it. Assuming you entered the city from the gate, you would have seen or heard about it already. So that wasn’t likely.” Willow said

“What about me helping you?” Evan asked

“Do I really need to answer that? I already said that I read the stories about you. Due to the incredible amount of detail included with a lot of them, I concluded that they were probably accurate. You also seemed nice when I first talked to you.” Willow said

“How about me hiring you, and providing for your family?” Evan asked

“You and the lady Saint are getting married, correct? I assume that most of, if not all of the people who work for you two would immediately stop and worship you. So somebody who can talk with a clear mind is something you probably needed. I can also help with quite a large variety of jobs. Anything you need me to do, really. I’m not good enough to have hoisted myself and my family out of this hellhole, but I could at least provide for them by learning and doing multiple jobs. I gained quite a few sets of skills from that over my short life.” Willow said

“And why exactly did you not just abandon them? You could have quite easily survived, no, thrived on your own if you left. Unless you had met me, you wouldn’t even have a few years left to live. Even my healing didn't fix how skinny you are.” Evan said

“You…. are asking why I didn’t abandon them? That’s the easiest answer out of all of them. They’re my family. If anyone thinks for even one second that I would abandon them, even my calm demeanor would probably break. Sir.” Willow said, scowling

“I never said you would. You're a logical person, obviously. You should have easily seen what staying here meant. You abandoned logic to care for your family. I’m saying, in other words, I respect that. Rather than curiosity at this point, I think having you for your dedication alone would be a good idea. Even if we took away how clever you are. But you are clever. And kind. Kind enough to be stuck here, clever enough to not be taken advantage of because of it. Willow. You were right. I am indeed looking for someone like you. I would love it if you would join me.” Evan said

“Yes, sir. Gladly.” Willow said, her expression becoming more serene and graceful. A slight smile seemed permanently stuck on her still dirty face.

“We have a lot to fix… gimme a second.” Evan said, fiddling with some stuff

“Yes. Do you need me to do anything, sir?” Willow asked

“Yes, hold onto this, and tell the woman you meet to help prepare for….. 1,2,3,6,8.. 8 people who are severely malnourished. Wait, 9. You, too.” Evan said, sticking a hat on her head

He teleported her to the castle, right next to Holly

“Ah. I assume you are the lady Saint? You look just as beautiful as you do in the pictures. No, even more so. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Willow. Your husband has chosen to hire me, and has asked me to inform you of the arrival of approximately 8 malnourished people.” Willow said, bowing

“OH MY GOOD EVAN! Oh. Oh, dear. Well, hello th-he hired such a young child to do the job? And one that’s barely skin and bones, at that? Um…..” Holly said, startled

“Ah. Apologies. My name is willow, and I have chosen to work for you and your husband of my own free will. I believe that Evan will work on the terms of employment when he has time, so for now, all that has been decided is the care that will be provided to my family. To be honest, that, and a stable enough pay, are all I really need. I should be able to live a normal life off of that. Getting back on track, however. I will repeat, your husband has asked me to inform you about the arrival of 8 malnourished people. I believe he would be asking to provide food for them. If you need me for anything else, just ask.” Willow said

“Ah! Right. Hey, Kail, can you prepare food for them? You can bring it to the dining hall, I’ll try to move them myself. And that’s an order, by the way.” Holly said

“Yes, ma’am.” Kail said, rushing off

Slowly, one by one, 8 people appeared.

“Hm. Willow, do you mind helping me take them to clean up? You look like you need a good bath, too.” Holly said

“Yes, ma’am” Willow said, helping the others stand up, and following Holly to the bath

“This is the bath, Willow. I’ll get Kail to help you with everyone else.” Holly said, panting

“Ma’am, are you all right?” Willow asked

“I’ve had… quite a bit of exercise, recently. I’m still a little winded.” Holly said, looking away, blushing

Kail returned a few seconds after

“Lady saint, the food is being prepared.” Kail said

“You’re an incredible knight. Your physical abilities are amazing for someone your age.” Willow said, inspecting Kail

“Thank you, I train daily so as to be prepared at all times to protect the lady saint.” Kail said

“What about the times in which you’re training?” Willow asked

Kail thought for a moment

“Apologies, I’m not the smartest. You lost me.” Kail said, scratching his head

“What a simple person!” Willow laughed

“Hey! I try my best!” Kail said

“You don’t need to worry about brain power anymore. I’ll probably be with you as well, from now on. It’s nice to meet you, Kail. I’m Willow.” Willow said

“Oh, it’s nice to meet you. But if we’re at the bath, shouldn’t you be clean?” Kail asked

“You’re going to help us drag the others into the bath to help them get acceptably clean, so as not to dirty the table.” Willow said

“Um…” Kail replied

“Sigh. They aren’t clean. The table will get dirty. We are taking them to the bath to fix that. You will be helping me.” Willow said

“Oh. Then why are we still here?” Kail said, rushing off

Willow sighed, smiling.

"So this is my new life? It's better than I ever even hoped for." Willow said

The rest of the people had been brought over to the bath.

They were all properly bathed, and new clothes for each of them were prepared. Just in time for dinner.