About a dozen young children and several adults had gathered in the cathedral.
The children wore surplices, while the adults were dressed in robes so deep that their faces couldn't be seen.
Though anxious, the children remained silent.
One by one, children were being taken to a separate room.
The boy thought it would probably be his turn next.
Just before, a dragon-girl from the same chamber had been taken away.
After a longer wait than before, a robed man called for the boy.
"Follow me."
The boy stepped forward, intimidated by the man's oppressive manner.
Outside the cathedral stretched a long corridor.
Having always been confined to the same room, the boy was captivated by his first glimpse of the outside world.
"Walk faster, don't stop."
Once again, the man's low voice suppressed the boy's curiosity.
Looking up, the boy saw the man was already far ahead.
Nodding slightly, the boy hurried on his short legs to keep up.
The man continued without adjusting his pace. After passing through the corridor and descending a staircase, they entered an underground area lit only by candlelight.
The man walked straight past a destroyed door at the entrance to the underground and entered the room next to it.
Following the man through the door, the boy saw several robed adults and one person whose face was visible. The boy felt he had seen this face before. If he recalled correctly, the adults called him "Priest."
The man who had brought the boy moved to the wall, leaned against it, and fell silent.
"...?"
Before the boy could voice his confusion, the adults other than the "Priest" restrained him.
A sense of danger alarmed the boy.
"S-stop."
He raised a small voice of resistance.
The "Priest" stepped forward as the boy's arms were held firm. The boy had a bad feeling.
"Stop!!"
"...Bring him to the altar."
The adults obeyed the "Priest" and took the boy to the back of the room.
"Stop, sto—mmph!"
"Open your mouth."
The "Priest" grabbed the boy's jaw and forcibly poured something into it.
It was terribly cold, with a foreign sensation like drinking iron flowing down his throat.
Probably, this shouldn't be swallowed.
"Ugh, bleh!"
"You brat!"
When the boy forcibly coughed to expel the drug, it splattered on the "Priest's" face, mixed with saliva.
The "Priest" wiped his wet face with displeasure and struck the boy without mercy.
Restrained by the adults, the boy took the full impact, his vision flickering.
The boy was about to cry from the pain, but his body was already experiencing changes.
"Ah...ah..."
Perhaps the drug he couldn't fully expel was taking effect, as the boy's consciousness became foggy and his speech slurred.
"Tch."
"Priest... hurry up."
The man leaning against the wall urged him.
"I know!"
The "Priest" turned back, grabbed a distorted knife enshrined on the altar.
When unsheathed, its beautiful white blade was revealed.
Gripping it tightly, he began to chant prayers.
"'Doubt him not, for he is the unseen one.'"
"'Doubt him not, for he is the unseen one.'"
"'Doubt him not, for he is the unseen one.'"
"'Doubt him not, for he is the unseen one.'"
"Wha...?"
The men in the room chanted along with the "Priest's" words.
These words were easily imprinted on the boy's hazy consciousness.
"'Defy him not, for he is merciful.'"
"'Defy him not, for he is merciful.'"
"'Defy him not, for he is merciful.'"
"'Defy him not, for he is merciful.'"
"De...fy..."
The man holding the boy's arm rolled up his sleeve and presented his right arm to the "Priest."
"'Desire him not, for he is far noble.'"
"'Desire him not, for he is far noble.'"
"'Desire him not, for he is far noble.'"
"'Desire him not, for he is far noble.'"
"Far...no..."
The "Priest" slightly raised the corner of his mouth in excitement, but felt nothing for the boy before him.
"'He is the one who gives all and takes all.'"
From there, only the "Priest" chanted the prayer.
"'Here and now, you are granted life.'"
"'Your true name is...'"
The "Priest" raised the knife.
"'###.'"
A name was carved into the nameless boy.
The boy closed his eyes—