Chapter 8: Holy Communion

Sunlight at noon cast dappled shadows on the simple floor of the Twilight Church’s refectory.

The air was filled with the wheaty aroma of freshly baked bread and the light scent of vegetable soup.

Bai Jin followed Lilith here, her steps somewhat unsteady.
Upon smelling the aroma of food, the hunger in her stomach felt like a dull knife scraping against it.

From yesterday’s tea party until now, she hadn’t had a single drop of water.
Bai Jin was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

The refectory was spacious.
The long wooden tables were filled with the clergy of the church, all waiting quietly for Lilith’s arrival.

And in front of everyone was an identical meal: a bowl of somewhat oily soup with a few vegetable leaves and beans floating in it, a few evenly sliced pieces of rye bread, and a small white block that was probably cheese.

Lilith walked straight to the front and sat down at a relatively separate table.
Bai Jin, as her attendant nun, was arranged to sit opposite her.

A kind-faced middle-aged nun brought over two portions of the same food as everyone else and placed them gently in front of them.

After Lilith said a prayer, “Praise the Holy Blood,” and everyone followed with a devout shout, they began to eat.

Bai Jin’s gaze was fixed on the few pieces of bread.
They were neatly stacked in a large communal basin, clearly from a whole loaf that had just been sliced.

Watching the other nuns take slices of bread from the same plate, and Lilith also casually picking up a piece, tearing off a small bit, dipping it in soup, and putting it in her mouth.

‘Lilith probably wouldn’t drug everyone, right?’
Realizing this, Bai Jin’s tense nerves relaxed slightly.

“Grrr…”

Bai Jin’s stomach protested.
Her gaze shifted downwards, her face flushed.

She also picked up a piece of bread.
Her fingertips felt the rough texture, carrying the warmth of being freshly baked.

Bai Jin copied the others, tearing off a small piece and chewing it slowly in her mouth.

The coarse bran rubbed against the inside of her mouth.
The simple, unadorned wheaty flavor mixed with her saliva, instantly awakening her body’s primal craving for food.

Hunger was like a bursting dam; she could barely control the urge to wolf it down.

The piece of bread in her hand was stuffed into her mouth in one go and swallowed without being properly chewed.
Unsurprisingly, Bai Jin choked.

That bland vegetable soup became incredibly precious.
Bai Jin gulped it down without even tasting it.
The warm liquid slid down her dry throat, bringing a hint of comfort.

Lilith ate slowly and methodically, but the corner of her eye never left Bai Jin.
She noticed Bai Jin’s every little movement, and the corner of her lip curled up.

“It seems yesterday’s experience taught you a lesson.”
Lilith’s voice was not loud, just enough for Bai Jin to hear.
“You know how to distinguish what you put in your mouth now? You’re starting to look a bit like Sister.”

This light praise stung Bai Jin’s heart like a needle.
Her eating motion paused for a moment, and a sense of humiliation surged up.
She bit down harder on the bread and swallowed it silently.

The atmosphere in the refectory was quiet but not oppressive.
The nuns conversed in low voices about their afternoon work schedules, with the occasional light clatter of utensils.

Bai Jin glanced briefly at the nuns around her.
She was surprised to find that the gazes directed at Lilith, besides the due respect of etiquette, also contained a deeper emotion.

It was like a trust and reassurance one would have for a family member.

When an elderly nun saw that Lilith’s soup bowl was almost empty, she very naturally got up to refill it for her, her movements practiced and concerned, as if caring for her own late-rising daughter.

Lilith just nodded slightly, without saying much.

A few young novice nuns nearby secretly watched Lilith, their eyes filled with pure admiration and trust.

When Lilith’s gaze inadvertently swept over them, they would immediately lower their heads, their cheeks slightly flushed with a shy joy.

Bai Jin felt a strong sense of absurdity.
These nuns who spent their days and nights together, was the pure, flawless, and trustworthy Saintess in their eyes really the same person as the pathological girl in the dungeon last night, who frantically demanded death energy and treated her as a plaything?

Or was Lilith also wearing a mask of holiness and innocence in front of them?

“Your Holiness.”
A novice nun who looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old timidly approached with a small plate, on which were various kinds of cut fruit pulp.

“This is an offering received by the kitchen today. It’s very fresh. Would you… and this new sister like to try some?”

Her gaze lingered on Bai Jin for a moment, with obvious curiosity, but more so with envy at being able to be so close to the Saintess.

Lilith looked up at her, her face showing no expression, but her eyes softened.

She didn’t speak, but picked up a piece of fruit with her fingertips and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly and letting out a rising “hmm” sound, indicating her approval.

The little nun immediately looked as if she had received great encouragement, her eyes sparkling.

But then Lilith picked up another piece, not eating it herself, but casually, with a sense of bestowal, brought it to Bai Jin’s lips.

“Open your mouth.”
The command was concise, allowing no argument.

The refectory instantly fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Several gazes, especially that of the little novice nun, shot towards Bai Jin.

The envy in those gazes almost materialized.
To be so close to the Saintess, and even be fed by her own hand! What an honor!

Bai Jin’s body stiffened.
The piece of fruit, so close, exuded a sweet fruity aroma.

Lilith’s fingers were so close to her lips that the memory of those cold fingertips inflicting pain on her last night instantly returned.

Bai Jin felt like a pet being fed, with Lilith declaring her ownership in front of everyone.

Under Lilith’s calm yet oppressive gaze, surrounded by those envious stares, Bai Jin’s lips trembled slightly, but in the end, she opened her mouth.

The cool fruit pulp was placed inside.
Lilith’s fingertips seemed to inadvertently brush against her lower lip, sending a shiver through Bai Jin.

Then came the bitter juice with a hint of sweetness, filling her entire mouth as the fruit pulp was crushed.

“Tastes good. Share the rest with everyone.”
Lilith commented, as if she had just been feeding a kitten or puppy.

Bai Jin mechanically chewed the nameless fruit pulp in her mouth, but couldn’t taste a single thing.

The surrounding whispers and envious gazes had all turned into silent mockery, beating against her fragile self-esteem.

Lunch ended in a strange atmosphere.
Lilith stood up, and Bai Jin followed suit, returning to the Saintess’s room.

The previously luxurious, noble-style large bedroom now seemed much emptier, with only simple, plain wooden furniture remaining.

Lilith let out a small yawn, a trace of weariness on her face.

“I’m going to take a nap.”
She took off her wide priest’s robe, revealing the simple white chemise underneath, and walked to the bed to sit down.

“As for you…”
Lilith casually picked up a thick book from the bedside table, its cover branded with a complex crimson crest and a cross pattern, and threw it towards Bai Jin.

The heavy book came flying with a whoosh.
Bai Jin subconsciously caught it and saw the title at first glance.

《Holy Blood Bible · Basic Doctrines and Royal Court Laws》

“Before I wake up, study up on some common knowledge, and the rules of the Royal Court. Don’t be like an idiot and embarrass me.”

Lilith’s words were harsh and direct.
After speaking, she paid no more attention to Bai Jin, lay down directly, and pulled the thin blanket over herself.

She closed her eyes, and her breathing soon became even and long, as if she had already fallen asleep.

Bai Jin looked down at the book symbolizing the Holy Blood in her hands.
She actually understood that she knew nothing about this world and needed to learn about it, to learn about this so-called Royal Court.

She walked over to a lone chair by the window and sat down, took a deep breath, and opened the heavy cover.