Narce took out a cross from inside his cassock and kissed it. I felt the area where I stood fill with Divine Power.
I held up my Staff and opened my mouth.
—who gave himself for us to purify us for himself a people peculiarly his own.
Kwaaaang—!
As I shot Magic Power into the sky, finely shattered Divine Power rained down from all directions.
If stars were to fall from the sky, this would be the sight. The white Divine Power reflected off the building walls revealed as the Primrose Path's disguise magic lted away.
"Who's there!"
Kwaang—!
Before the words finished, Narce slamd his Staff onto the ground. A sharp, piercing whistle sound filled our ears.
It was still 2 AM.
Normally, no bar would be closed at this hour, but as I had seen with my own eyes before, this place was different. As light stread into the dark alleyway, guards poured out from it.
And, as soon as they saw us, they stopped in their tracks.
"...Priests?"
"From where are you assigned..."
Instead of answering, I whispered low.
—Unless Yahweh keeps the city, the watchman's wakefulness is in vain.
"...!"
Kuung—!
The sound of people falling echoed consecutively.
"Let's go."
I passed them and entered deeper into the street.
Here and there, a few guards popped out and lashed out with Wands. Each ti, I swung my Staff and recited the sa Spell as before.
—Unless Yahweh keeps the city, the watchman's wakefulness is in vain.
Kwaaang—! Kwang!
Unlike earlier when he rely watched, Narce launched an attack at them.
A loud boom erupted from the clash of barriers and Magic Power. As he attacked, I cast the sa Spell, and only then did the guards fall to the ground.
Seeing their reactions, I said.
"It seems they've already heard the Spell we're using."
"Hmm, they would have been~"
If the opponent is prepared, the magic doesn't work properly.
But if I were to cast magic only by thought without opening my mouth, there would be disadvantages associated with that as well.
Fortunately, they were rely small fry, so even with simple cooperation, their defense was broken, and there was no issue.
Perhaps thanks to having dealt with the previous ones, no one appeared for a long ti as we advanced.
As soon as I thought that, footsteps eerily began to approach.
I stopped walking.
"It suits you well."
In the street, now only dark as the light from the Divine Power we had shot faded, a voice filled with interest was heard.
"Are you going to a masquerade ball? There won't be any won looking to do anything with soone wearing clerical robes."
Ludovika Schneider slowly walked out of the darkness.
I tilted my head and asked.
"Is that advice from experience? As expected, a priest is different."
"......"
Ludovika Schneider chuckled lightly and turned her head. Then, looking back at , she said in a gentle tone.
"Shall I hear your circumstances for once? You surely didn't co for the second test looking like that."
"I thought if you knew we were in the sa boat, I could easily break down your wall."
"Did we have a wall between us?"
"......"
Such a line... I didn't realize it when I was saying it myself, but being on the receiving end leaves speechless.
Ludovika Schneider looked up and down from my feet and said.
"I had no idea Mr. Jeremiah was feeling a wall with . For so reason, I feel more of a psychological wall from this appearance."
"You're not worried about excommunication, are you? Don't worry. I'm open anyti."
"You should worry a bit about excommunication."
With that, Vitriol was upon right before my nose.
Kwaang—!
I shifted my left foot back one step and lightly swung my Staff.
I just did as I usually did, but...
'Fast.'
It was a fast and heavy attack.
He wasn't called Excellency for nothing.
As if to prove that she didn't intend to attack , Ludovika Schneider raised her hand and tucked her Wand into her waist holster after I defended.
Narce's eyes widened, seemingly finding it interesting that Pleroma would lower their weapon in front of an enemy.
It wasn't hard to recall why Ludovika Schneider imdiately put away her Wand.
'She wanted to see my Divine Power directly.'
She must be trying to confirm if I'm a real priest.
Ludovika Schneider, who had been observing intently, muttered.
"So, this is talent that Roman Catholicism got first... But just a priest?"
She spoke calmly.
"Why don't you co to instead? I can raise you to a higher position."
"I'm sure you could."
Ludovika Schneider raised an eyebrow at my words.
"Because Ms. Alia Schneider is a Monsignor."
"......"
Ludovika Schneider's lips curved upward slowly.
I had already checked her Status Window before.
Alia Schneider
Favorability 6 [Conquerable (Stage 3/5)]
I wondered why her Favorability was already that high without any Traits, but it wasn't an extrely high number, so there was no need to overreact. I didn't even know the exact type of emotion.
Anyway, it's good that it's good.
Especially today, even more so.
"A Monsignor is just below a Bishop, the highest rank among priests. Considering most remain as ordinary priests, she must have achieved great rit, be a direct delegate of the Pope, or have exceptional skill..."
I stopped folding my fingers and looked at her, finishing my sentence.
"Or be in charge of important matters. That must be it."
"You know a lot. I'm also tempted by that ability of yours."
Ludovika Schneider snapped her fingers and laughed.
"More than that, do you know that people like you are called Lustmord in the Empire? Perhaps I should say it in English for you to understand. Soone like you being a Catholic priest, I still can't believe what I'm seeing."
"......"
Of course, I know.
What it ans... doesn't matter, anyway, she wouldn't say that thinking I genuinely don't know.
The important thing is, my intention worked.
Coming here, I said that Jeremiah, not Lucas or Nicolaus, should wear the priest's robes. There were two objectives in total, and one has already been t.
Ludovika Schneider believes Jeremiah Caetani is a priest.
She must not have the slightest suspicion that I might be Nicolaus.
The ti when it's okay to be found out is later. It should be when I finish the task and can fully deal with Ludovika Schneider.
I roughly organized my thoughts and uttered a line most fitting for Jeremiah.
"Judging like that without trying is too much..."
"Exactly words like that warrant excommunication."
Ludovika Schneider, as always, shrugged off my words as nonsense.
"However, no matter if it's Mr. Jeremiah, if you damage the property of Primrose Path like this... it will beco difficult to help you take the test in the first place."
"Property, you say."
"Putting the guards to sleep without warning is touching our property. As the person in charge of this street, my relationship with the Chairman also becos awkward."
At the ntion of the Chairman, I fell silent.
Ludovika Schneider asked.
"Let's be honest. Did you co to kill ?"
"......"
When I didn't answer, Ludovika Schneider spoke as if she had expected it.
"No, you didn't. Yes, step back at this point. This is not a problem you can handle."
"You are kind."
"I'm advising you as one human to another. Whatever your real na is, whatever kind of person you are, there is no one who can defeat Gregorio. In the end, only you will suffer the damage."
Right now, he and I were not enemies. I knew that.
Why? Pleroma wants to eliminate the Chairman, and I also want to eliminate the Chairman. Perhaps Ludovika Schneider perceived that the Holy See had influenced .
Whether the Holy See is behind or not, there is no reason for Pleroma and I to kill each other now that we have a common enemy.
That's why Ludovika Schneider didn't attack further and imdiately put her Wand in her holster.
However, hearing sothing like this from Pleroma felt different from just imagining it.
"Saying that, why are you here?"
"Everyone our 교단 sends to the front lines is expendable. From the standpoint of the 교단, I too would be expendable to the Chairman."
"......"
To know that and still be affiliated with Pleroma... as expected, their way of thinking is difficult to understand.
No, perhaps that's why she isn't stopping .
If she were soone loyal to Pleroma to the bone, she would have just killed , but since her life would be guaranteed and she might gain so benefits if the Chairman disappears, she is leaving be.
"Apart from that, if you try to kill , you will have to face the entire Diocese of Brandenburg."
It seems this side doesn't have a self-destruct magic on them.
A wiser thod. Perhaps she is connected to the person who gave her rebirth, or an important figure in charge.
Maintaining Jeremiah's tone, I answered playfully.
"Are you thinking such things when you've agreed to do business with ? That's a truly terrible idea."
"......"
Ludovika Schneider smiled.
As if she had made up her mind, she inhaled and pulled out her Wand, transforming it into a Staff.
From that expression, I could tell that she had decided to help us.
"This place is above Space Magic. Did you know?"
"I know."
As I walked here, at so point, magic began to be laid out on the ground.
So, I'm now in a completely different space.
"I won't necessarily ask how you know the Chairman and why you are trying to attack that side. Just as you aren't telling many things. And besides, it would be good for if the problem I was struggling with gets resolved."
"Yes. Thank you."
It wasn't particularly sothing to be thankful for, but I roughly replied that.
"Thank you? We just happened to agree. Returning to the main point, you might not know this, but the Chairman is tracking us. The problem is that I am superficially on friendly terms with the Chairman. Since he will think I am fighting you, only one of you should leave this place when you exit."
The other person presumably plans to pretend to be fighting Ludovika Schneider.
Speaking of which, the Chairman is tracking us. Choosing baptism was a good choice.
I cleared my thoughts and asked a question to which I already knew the answer.
"And what about you while that happens?"
"Don't you know that I know best what and where everything is here?"
"......"
"In my opinion, that's also why you aren't attacking . Just as I am doing."
Ludovika Schneider smiled confidently and said.
Indeed, she wasn't in that position for nothing. I had inwardly wondered if I should achieve what I wanted by threatening her like I did the Pleroma mber in the assembly, but my judgnt was lacking. Her situational awareness is highly comndable.
I smiled.
"Monsignor Alia. I have a request for you."
***
Kwaaang—!
I slamd my Staff onto the ground.
A different Magic Power than before swirled on the floor. I felt the Space Magic breaking.
Ludovika Schneider's Space Magic was set up so seamlessly, that even if I broke it and ca out, the place I stood should be the sa as where I was before.
But it wasn't.
Unlike before, the light from the streetlights illuminated the path.
What did this an?
"Mr. Caetani."
A deep voice was heard from behind .
Things were flowing according to plan.
Even as I thought that, I felt a jolt of electricity go through my heart. I ran my thumb over the spot where my fingernail would have been and felt the sensation of bone. Wittelsbach's Magic Power, realizing my core had beco incredibly unstable, suppressed the core. All of this was a montary change.
I took a breath and slowly turned around.
Leaning on a cane, dressed in a luxurious dark blue suit... an old man with snow-white hair was looking at .
He kissed the cross necklace near his core and slowly raised his head.
Then, he smiled and asked.
"Do you know ?"
It was the sa question as before.
But my answer would be different this ti.
I simply smiled and said.
"Don't you know the answer?"
"Hahaha!"
The Chairman let out a hearty laugh and muttered.
"Yes, indeed I do."
No one spoke, and the sound of the wind could be heard loudly.
Staring at in silence, he opened his mouth.
"Now that you have t the one who gave rebirth in Him, let introduce myself again. I am Abraham. So call the Chairman."
"......"
"Though I'm sure you already knew that."
Wrong.
It wasn't '' he gave rebirth to, but rely the owner of the body he is currently using through baptism.
He lightly tapped the ground with his cane, and the surrounding space changed into a large room.
"You can put down your Staff and sit. Since nothing is solved by using violence, it would be better for us to resolve things through conversation."
He continued as if sothing had just occurred to him.
"Ah, or do you know this as well? There are no other intentions. I truly just want to talk."
I knew. Since he hadn't drunk blood, there was no point in getting my consent.
Then why?
'To get information, of course.'
To know how prepared I am, and whether or not he can deal with using the weapons he has prepared.
It doesn't end there.
There must be one more new purpose.
He looked leisurely out the window and continued speaking.
"Although I cannot offer you tea, please sit. By the way, closing the street early like this is good. It was a semi-forced early closing, but in the end, I was able to et you even sooner, so I am satisfied."
"The search and seizure losses must be significant."
"Indeed. Thank you for understanding."
I just sat down and smiled.
He brought up an unexpected topic.
"Mr. Jeremiah, do you know about Sodom and Gomorrah?"
"You know my na."
"Of course. How could I not know a guest who has co to our street? So, your answer?"
"Is there anyone in this country who doesn't know?"
"Hahaha! You're right."
He nodded and looked out the window.
"They are cities of sin ntioned in the Bible. Reading their contents from a modern perspective, it's truly maddening from beginning to end."
"Your choice of words isn't very proper for soone who seems to be the opposite."
"Can you say I'm wrong? And to build rapport, you need to use similar language, Mr. Jeremiah."
He was referring to the image I had built at Primrose Path.
I shouldn't be fooled. I don't expect him to believe based on that image.
"Although it should be read in the context of the era, primarily we can see how close the level of human consciousness was to savagery. Of course, the Bible talks about the history of savagery from beginning to end. If it weren't for humanity's savagery, Christ would not have died in insult and sha."
Up to this point, it was sothing I could grudgingly accept.
But I knew what would co after this statent.
"Now we have developed enough to acknowledge sin and strive to escape from it, but there are still those who live in savagery. The inhabitants of Sodom are among us."
When I didn't respond, he continued quietly.
"It seems you think differently. Savagery is nothing special. All the inhumane acts happening at Primrose Path belong to the realm of savagery. Now that I've said this, I think you wouldn't be so one-dinsional as to ask how savagery operates within the principles of a market economy, would you?"
"Please continue."
"I maintain the business of Primrose Path for the harmony of humanity, but sympathizing with the custors' values is a different matter. For example, just because I feed fruit to monkeys doesn't an I have the mindset of a monkey. It's possible to work just with the knowledge that 'monkeys like fruit'."
I smiled at the taphor, which had beco sowhat more explicit than in the previous tiline.
To think that soone who could speak with such precision before would co out like this.
As I guessed from his sudden bringing up of this topic, he doesn't intend to have a long conversation with either.
"Similarly, I supply prostitution to Old Humanity, but that doesn't an I think like Old Humanity. Prostitution is..."
"An act that tests the lowest limit of humanity, perhaps."
"......"
Gregorio slowly turned his head and looked at .
He also grasped the signal I sent and nodded.
"Perhaps we can move with one mind. I do not agree with the question of whether prostitution is ethically right. It is perhaps a question on which the fate of my business depends, but as New Humanity and a pioneer, and as a businessman utilizing the Empire's infrastructure, I cannot help but think ethically."
Even though I didn't answer, he asked and answered on his own.
"Then you might want to ask why I operate Primrose Path. It is to prevent the savagery of Old Humanity from spreading to us."
He slowly tapped the ground with his cane and continued speaking.
"Humanity is weak. Perhaps we bipeds could only catch rabbits without fire or weapons. We who were perfect prey for lions when alone began to form groups as a survival strategy. It is no coincidence that a weak animal that only ate marrow scraps from bones left by predators beca the dominant species on Earth."
He continued.
"Groups were one of the factors that allowed us to reach the position of apex predator, and humans still rely on groups to live. However, there is a fatal problem here. Groups take away individual thought. They hinder individual reflection and align their thoughts to fit the group's rules. If a group calls blood water, it is water from that mont on."
"......"
"Does my logic seem like a leap? Consider the countless economic system concepts and nationalistic ideas pouring out in our society. How do these shallow ideologies and philosophies kill their own kind? Those who call blood blood are destined to be killed by the group."
I didn't answer.
There was no need to agree or refute.
Because I knew what conclusion he was leading to.
"Breaking the stability of a group and rebelling ans the group's division, and if a group divides, they will die in the wild. Old Humanity, whose instincts overwhelm reason, cannot help but choose such irrational group managent thods based on survival instinct."
"Now this is a leap."
"Do you think so? You shouldn't look for evil far away. The countless ordinary people who do not think for themselves and mistake the group's goals for their own desires are evil by their very existence. But they don't even know they are evil. How utterly sinful is this?"
He let out half a sigh and looked out the window.
"Savagery is the history of Old Humanity. They still live in evil, only waiting for an opportunity to usurp God's throne. It was because we rational ones guided those swayed by instinct that they barely survived without being annihilated. Now imagine giving that place to Old Humanity."
"......"
"You clearly know what would happen. They are designed to slaughter their own kind for the illusion of the group and be captivated by that false euphoria. And the ones who achieve that are not leaders, but clowns."
"Familiar words."
"My business is to help Old Humanity remain in their place, to help them acknowledge their insufficient abilities and be true to their nature. If not, they will aim for a position unfitting for them and eventually lead everyone to ruin."
What he said was no different from before.
He argued that to prevent the ergence of Old Humanity leaders, internal conflict should be exploited or Old Humanity should be engrossed in entertainnt and amusent. Although he didn't use those exact words, since he called it 'this kind of activity' while kicking , it wouldn't be vastly different.
The Chairman looked at my face and said softly.
"You cannot hand fire to a child who has not yet grown up."
"......"
"I am impressed by your talent. It seems you could help achieve my goals. Will you join ?"
He wore a confident smile.
He was acting more human than before.
In this tiline, one of his goals is to bring over to his side.
I looked into his transparent gray eyes and slowly opened my mouth.
"Shall I?"
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