The Baron, Viktor Orion, was a cruel man.

It didn't take long for the news of his actions to spread like wildfire. The kidnappings of innocent children and his vicious acts against them– made the people at the Capital rally for justice.

Viktor was a disturbed individual who takes pleasure in hurting others, especially children. He reveled in their cries of pain and his power over them.

However, there was only so much that the common people could do. Without the help of nobles and high-ranking citizens, then actions such as those would be ignored.

They only executed Viktor's aide as he was not a nobleman despite his wealth, it would be a different case when it comes to the baron.

The Saint was the one who took the public's side.

"Those children would not rest until the right punishment is given." He appealed.

The people trusted his every word, eager for justice. Sorin was their hope that in the future, the commoners and nobles would receive the same righteous justice for their sins; a world where there would be no disparity.

The empire's hunters had agreed with the Saint and even appealed to the Emperor to punish the Baron.

Sorin stood in the middle of the crowd as they awaited his speech. Both hunters and common people alike had gathered to listen to him. The Saint's mere presence garnered the people's attention towards him.

His white cloak with ornate gold trimmings fluttered through the gentle breeze, the sun casting a gentle glow on his figure.

"People of the Eden Empire, I am so glad to see you here today." His smile was warm and kind as he spoke. His voice resonated through the air and the hearts of the people listening to him.

"We are all here today to seek justice for the innocent children who had suffered under the hands of Baron Viktor Orion. Their lives were cut short just for the man's earthly pleasure." The saint's gaze was unwavering, filled with burning determination and sadness for the children.

"It is not only that, but we must fight against those who abuse the vulnerable. Those who do not use their power for the common good."

The crowd was silent, intently listening to the words of their beloved Saint.

"In the eyes of the Divine beings, we are all equal. Every life should be valued the same and deserves protection, it is not our status that determines our fate." His words were resolute, filled with vindication that everyone listening held on to them.

"Yet, we find ourselves getting swayed by the allure of power. Is it, not our job to fight for justice? For what is right?"

"My dear people, it is our duty to preserve peace. Divine punishment will come to those who do not listen to the will of the Gods."

Sorin ended his speech with a prayer, divine magic gently soothing the uneasy souls of those who were listening to him "As the subjects of the divine beings, we should always stand for compassion. The oppression of the weak should be destroyed."

The people and hunters applauded his speech, a newfound determination running through their veins as the imminent punishment of the Baron was determined, and also the nobles who abused their power should fear the justice coming their way.

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Sorin's image as the Saint, a brighter future for the empire.

Sorin could only see an empire raze to the ground, one where no soul could ever cry out for help.

***

Sorin returned to his chamber after the speech, his heart hammering inside his chest as cold sweat dripped down his forehead. The door slammed close behind him as he stood frozen in the middle of his room–

"Disgusting."

The word came out like poison from his mouth.

The faces of the hunters through the crowd, their faces etched with such hypocrisy flashed before his eyes. The people he had sworn to protect, those who had betrayed him as he died a foolish death.

His facade of kindness had already crumbled as his vision blurred with tears. His hands curled into a fist, trembling with an emotion that he buried so long ago.

Then it crushed him, his room spun with colors as he sunk to his knees. His hand clasped around his mouth automatically. He took a shaky breath "It's disgusting." he echoed.

It felt sickening. Like his a gaping hole was left festering inside his soul– these were the people who deceived him with their hollow promises. The memories of his past mistakes were so hauntingly vivid inside his mind.

"Disgusting." He shakily stood up from the floor, allowing himself to mourn the loss of his past self.

"Disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting."

He didn't realize what he had done, the books that were neatly arranged on his shelves were littered on the wooden floor. The items on his desk clattered around as he slammed his fist down.

Sorin let the vile emotions consume him. Destroying and ruining everything that he could reach.

"I hate them. Those pests." he snarled, demonic magic flickering on the tip of his fingers "It hurts so much that it's sickening."

The vase on the side table shattered into pieces at the pressure of his magic, causing a loud sharp sound to echo through his room.

"Lucifer." He whispered the name so reverently, the name that had given him solace. Sorin paced the room, each step filled with venomous resentment.

『My dear Saint.』

Sorin's mind raced with cruel thoughts, his hatred suffocating him. A sensation that felt like barbed wires tightening around his thoughts. He paused as he locked eyes with Lucifer who now stood beside him.

His gaze softened when the blonde-haired woman slowly wiped the tears off his face.

『Hatred is such a vile emotion... yet it's what drives you forwards, my saint.』

Lucifer trailed her eyes on the books and shattered glass on the floor, as she picked up one of them. Her smile twisted as she read the title of the book.

『Tirant lo Blanch. A book so human it reminds you of what you've lost.』

Her golden eyes shone fondly when Sorin's expression contorted "It reminds me of what was stolen away from me and what I will never be." his voice was firm, the shaking had finally subsided.

Lucifer tilted her head and let out a small chuckle as if she found humor in Sorin's words.

『That's it, you're not human anymore. Why are you so worked up now?』

Sorin blinked, pausing to think for a moment but his thoughts were shattered when Lucifer gently brushed a stray hair from his face, looking so dismayed.

...Why was he so mad?

Sorin bit his tongue when realization dawned on him– he was angry at himself for feeling disgusted toward humans. A flicker of guilt from his older self in the depths of his soul.

Guilt, what a ridiculous notion.

"They never felt guilty when they killed the ones I loved."

『They never felt an ounce of remorse when they killed you, my Saint. Not once did they ever think of you as worthy of it.』

A growl was ripped from his throat, that inkling of his past self, the values that he had upheld up until his death. They never proved anything to him. That they were worthy of salvation.

"I know that Lucifer." he hissed "Don't remind me."

'Foolish, foolish Saint.' Sorin thought to himself. His need for revenge burned brighter inside of him as memories of himself from the past kept flashing inside his mind like a broken record.

He was about to say something to Lucifer when the door of his room suddenly swung open. Sorin whipped his head immediately to the intruder–

Lili stood frozen outside his room, her face that of worry and fear, as she clutched her chest "Y-Your Holiness, I'm sorry for interrupting." she trembled.

How could Sorin let Lili see him like this?

He composed himself, straightening his posture, and gave her a practiced smile. Sorin ignored the tears still trickling down his cheeks "I'm fine, Lili. I'll call you later."

Lili stood in the same place, eyes focused on the mess inside Sorin's room"B-but your room..."

"It's fine."

"Your Holiness,"

"Get out, Lili."

The harshness in his voice must have started the girl as she nodded her head, closing the door in front of her with a resigned expression.

Sorin couldn't help but feel his heart drop "...I'll apologize to her later."

Lucifer smiled knowingly at him.