Why does the Church have a Bakery?

"That is one big chunk of rock," Sans commented looking at the marble columns that decorated the front of the enormous church.

In the center of the city was a circular square, cleared many years ago by one of the first settlers of the area. At the far end of the bustling central square lay the building, the second largest one in the city. Only the king's castle was higher, and that had the disadvantage of being out of town and on a hill, Ketsueki remembered. This church had always been number two, but not through lack of effort.

"Sorry Sekundobosu, can't go through the square," Their black robed escort gestured towards the small booths that had been set up nearer to the building. All around the square fire, burning. But here, there was an eerie sea of calm as people raced up to the booths in ones and twos, often with possessions in tow or a loved one in hand. There would be a brief moment of discussion with the figures at the counter, before a short prayer in praise of the Brand was declared, and a small muffin was handed over. There were ancient metal racks filled with them, Xitlaly noticed. And from the confections she could sense the same essence that they were seeking.

"What are they doing with that stuff?" Sans gasped as she watched a human woman eagerly bite into the muffin, acting like she hadn't eaten in days.

"There's no... no monster girl is coming near them." Xitlaly pointed out, as a bee girl zoomed past the booth without even stopping, the light and fire of orange in her mouth, and a generalized come hither expression on her face.

The loud peal of a bell rang from the church, and suddenly every figure cloaked in the raiment of the holy Brand stopped moving. They all came to attention and faced the church, each procuring a small prayer book from where they had secreted it. A second bell rang, and the entire group began to chant along, along with the mass of people in the square.

"When the Servants of Sin Shall Rise..."

Everyone in the square breathed simultaneously as the chant echoed through the square. The only sound was that of far off screams and fire. But here in the square there was none of it, none of the fear or chaos, just the chanting, all in unison.

"Take up the Brand against them..."

"This way Bosu," their escort gestured to a small Tavern on the edge of a square with a large sign on it that proclaimed the place "Closed until further notice".

The trio entered the ramshackle building, trying to ignore the man being vigorously pleasured by another bee girl in the alley. His expression was one of pure bliss, as was hers. Sans shuddered as she felt the blight stronger than it ever had been. She ached to simply reach out and smash the abomination that was being foisted on the people, but she had to keep herself in check. She didn't understand fully why, but it was important to her friends, and that was enough for her.

"And know that their temptation has no power..." The chant continued, slow and methodical. It was in unison, eerily timed with the ringing of the bell from the church. The voices echoed through the abandoned tavern as Ketsueki pushed aside boxes and aided the small man in revealing a small hole in the wall. From within a small chittering sound could be heard before it vanished completely.

"If I said I had a bad feeling about this, would it be too cliche?" Xitlaly murmured, looking at the passage. She wouldn't have to crawl at least, but still, the uneven rock wall and feel of cool moisture that emanated from it was not inviting at all.

"And the Brand shall wipe them free of sin..."

"Why not, we're all thinking it, you're just saying it," Ketsueki shrugged, "At least you two aren't going to have to duck."

"And they shall serve the Brand forever, Letzdoolench."