Chapter 002: Sins of a Child

Living a "sheltered" life meant that the young seven year old girl was more than excited to see new places through the window of a carriage. Part of her wished to be out there, playing with the children who ran freely at the side of the road, but she knew not to be greedy. Asking for something was asking for trouble.

It was a lesson that her father repeatedly made sure she knew well.

When their carriage finally rolled to a stop she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed; knowing that the brief freedom she'd seen was halfway done. Though that vanished as soon as she saw their destination for the trip. Sitting in awe at the beautiful building that proudly stood in front of her.

She couldn't help wondering how many people it took to make something so big, how many steps were within the massive spires, where the glass came from and so on. Her golden eyes (proof of her descent from the royal family) practically shining at the sight. Not that her father paid any attention to his daughter.

"Finally there…"

The duke clicked her tongue while mumbling about "why the priest couldn't come see him" as the door was soon opened by the coachman. Carl Strauss didn't even so much as look at his daughter as he stormed out. Strutting towards the awaiting clergyman while adjusting his collar.

Fortunately the coachman was a little better as he at least held out a hand to help the small girl down off the ledge. Although he wasn't exactly gentlemanly about it. It is often said that the servants pick up the habits of the master and one could see it in how the coachman practically dragged her down.

Being used to such harsh treatment allowed her to quickly get her feet under herself. Who didn't seem to enjoy it was the holy worshipper who looked past the duke to see that scene - a frown on his face at the treatment of who was a little girl. His face appeared more wrinkled as he clearly was late middle-aged.

A clean face that did nothing to hide his displeasure; something that the duke saw while assuming that the priest was looking at him.

As such he finished adjusting his collar, brushing his torso, while giving a smile.

"Sorry for being late and taking up so much of your time for something so minor as blessing my daughter on her awakening day, sir priest."

Hearing the duke as he walked up; the priest quickly got his facial expression under control to show a forced cheerful smile. Laughing lightly at the duke's comment. Showing that he didn't mind waiting for the (in)famous noble. Known across the land for his strength, war accomplishments as well as his bigotry.

"I certainly don't mind waiting for one as prestigious as yourself - especially when we have been blessed with weather as great as today. Suppose I couldn't offer you and the young miss something to tide you over from your journey? There is no reason to rush too and from."

His voice was kind and showed no malice.

Although, despite his words obviously being directed towards the duke, he couldn't help having his eyes wander towards the little girl who tried to catch up. Clearly unwilling to break her "noble grace" as she walked over. Even if her father was unwilling to slow himself down to match the pace he forced on her.

That was completely being ignored by the duke who chuckled in response. Moving his hand to slap the good natured priest's shoulder whose smile only became more strained as time went on. Mercifully the awkward scene soon ended as the duke took his hand back.

"There is no need to waste such worry on my daughter, nevertheless, I certainly wouldn't say no to the chance of knowing one as wise as yourself a little better."

The poor holy man's brow twitched as the thick faced nature of the noble.

Still he knew it wasn't exactly his place or power to interfere with matters as they relate to a regular noble let alone as prominent as a duke. He knew many clergy didn't care about that, though. Regardless he condemned those who muddied church & state as it could influence how faithful they were.

Nothing corrupted faster than wealth & power.

As such he refused to actively use his position as an archbishop to directly interfere with matters of nobles else he lost his true purpose. Bringing his hands together to offer a prayer. Trying to fortify his will and purge himself of any desires… Even if he found his gaze shifting to the girl once more.

Taking a deep breath as he parted his hands with a renewed passion being clearly expressed on his face via his smile & eyes. A fact that made the duke very happy. Believing his presence alone as well as kind words had greatly impacted the man in front of him.

"Well, I'll stop wasting daylight and bring you two into a private room where you can be comfortable as I apply my blessings onto the little miss Strauss."

Offering his smile towards the little girl who shyly bowed her head while performing a curtsy.

"Now, please, follow me."

Seeing a little girl's behaviour so stiffly did make his smile dim but he refused to show such to the duke in fear of how he'd take it.

Guiding the two deeper inside with poise that fit his position; many lower members of the church smiled brightly while bowing to him. Many thanked him for this or that. Of course he simply waved them off as he didn't see much reason for them to thank him… While also not wanting them to catch the duke's ire.

Soon enough the three of them found themselves in a lavish room that was clearly suitable for even a king to stay.

The archbishop acted like a simple acolyte as he was more than happy to pour tea for a little girl who was both shocked & grateful for the action. Even making sure to put a few biscuits on her cup plate. Not above making her feel guilty if she didn't eat them if it assured she'd get to enjoy them.

That duke just expected acts like this so didn't seem to take careful note of the extra attention he gave.

"Now I suppose I should get on with the blessing."

"Indeed, no need to waste any more of your time, you must be a very busy man!"

He was more than happy to pray for a child who was in such a dim situation. As such he truly wasted no time in holding his hands together while interlocking his fingers - closing his eyes as he silently muttered a chant under his breath. In no time a mysterious aura exuded from him only to flow into the little girl.

"Quickly open your status page girl while the kind priest is wasting his time on you!"

"R-right!"

Finally speaking up for the first time since they arrived; holding her own hands together as she wished for an ability even remotely as strong as her fathers.

Her wish was earnest so the priest believed it should come true.

"Status!"

That was when everything went wrong.

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Elizabeth Strauss

<| Herald of the Origin of Sin; The Divine Demon of the Primordial Blood |>

Vitality: G

Strength: G

Defence: -G

Dexterity: G

Agility: -G

Intelligence: -B 

Wisdom: C

[SIN: 0] 

Straus Divine Demon Summoning [✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦]

Allows The User To Summon Their An Entity Who Has Been On The Doorstep Of Death After Seven Total Years. The Cost Of Summoning Is Reduced To 1.5015015% The Original. After Summoning The User Of The Skill Will Be Inflicted With A Curse Inflicting The Summoned Target.

Summon: [ShE Is wAiTiNg iN HeR CoFfIn]

{+}

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The Strauss family had long been known for their powerful summon capabilities - often marked by their ability to share the power of their summoned creature. Sometimes going as far as to share the damage taken by their summon vise versa. Yet something like that… Had never been seen.

One look at her stars was enough to clue Elizabeth in that something about her skill was strange; plus she found it strange that her intelligence & wisdom was so high.

"I-I only heard of one ever appearing at a time but… H-how can such a sweet child be cursed by our merciful god with ten total death stars?"

Looking up at the two adults revealed all she needed to know about those four sided black stars totalling an astonishing number of 10. That kind priest's face contorted into complete displeaf and a level of confusion that made it seem like his world was crashing down. Her father…Looked furious.

He didn't even wait for the archbishop to speak nor give any pleasantries to someone who was only slightly inferior to him in status. Standing up while grabbing Elizabeth's arm with such intensity that she thought he was going to tear it off her.

"W-wait!"

It was only at the request of the highly regarded archbishop that her father stopped his rampage yet it was clear by his flaming boar-like expression that it wasn't voluntary. If not for the other man's high status it was likely he would have killed the priest himself. Though the archbishop wasn't one to tremble in fear.

He quickly made his way over only to take a knee in front of the girl (even if he was trembling) one look in his eyes revealed the height of his terror.

Still he tried to make the kindest smile he could but anyone could see that it was forced & obviously rushed as if he wanted to spend as little time as possible. Resting his hands on the girl's shoulders. Even if his grip was no bigger than that of her fathers; making the girl shake with fear.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay here with kind big brothers and sisters like me?"

His eyes seemed so desperate that she instinctively wanted to take a step back which was enough of an answer for her father. Snorting as he began to drag his daughter away while ignoring the priest. The girl was shocked to see such a pious man literally falling over his own feet as he desperately tried to catch up.

Still he wasn't fast enough on his feet to catch up to the duke who was wasting no time in dragging his bewildered daughter who was forced to hold her tears of pain back.

He literally chucked her little body into the carriage without care that all the wind & some spittel all but escaped from her as her back impacted the other side. Screaming something at the driver only to jump in himself a moment later. Slamming the door closed as he glared towards the coughing girl like a stranger.

"Those with one star are scum of our society who are only suitable for the cheapest labour but at least they are still members of society. Trash like you don't even deserve that. No member of my family will be caught with a four point star and I'd kill you myself if not for that bitch's bloodline!"

His words came out as a growl while she could only look up to him in shock.

"I don't know why you are a freak among freaks yet it doesn't matter why you have so many of those disgusting death stars; you got a curse not a gift!"

She could only silently shiver while his words seemed foreign to her - she simply couldn't understand anything in her current state. Her ex-father didn't seem to care either. Before she could say anything she was picked up by her collar like trash and thrown out of the moving carriage.