Lucas sat down opposite the Archbishop, showing none of the reverence Skye had earlier. His expression remained calm and indifferent.
"So," Lucas said, looking at him, "what kind of matter requires a Purple Cardinal to come in person?"
The Archbishop studied Lucas for a long moment. He showed no surprise at Lucas's sudden appearance. Given his position, he had seen more than enough supernatural phenomena—and they had done their homework on Lucas beforehand, fully aware that he possessed extraordinary abilities.
"Young man," the Archbishop said slowly, "this matter can only be explained after you come with me to meet someone."
He did not beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.
"I need to know the details of the commission first," Lucas replied flatly.
He had no intention of indulging the Archbishop. Just because someone asked did not mean he would comply. Customers might be gods—but this man was merely a servant of one.
"Very well."
The Archbishop paused briefly, then continued.
"Half a month ago, during the Battle of New York, we received an exorcism request. In a small town near Pennsylvania, a young girl was suspected of being possessed by a demon. We dispatched three priests to perform the exorcism. None of them returned alive."
He took out several photographs. They showed the three priests and the possessed girl.
Lucas picked them up and examined them. The girl's skin had already begun to ulcerate; even without any knowledge of exorcism, it was clear she had been tormented by the demon for quite some time.
He then looked at the photos of the priests' corpses. Their eyes were completely charred, as if burned by flames. Strange runes had been carved into their faces, their limbs twisted at unnatural angles, mouths agape in expressions of extreme terror.
"I don't understand," Lucas said, tossing the photos aside and looking at the Archbishop.
"Exorcism has always been the Church's responsibility. Why come to me? And for the record, I don't perform exorcisms."
Vatican City was hardly lacking in capable individuals. There was no reason they should need him.
"You're right," the Archbishop replied calmly. "Exorcism is indeed our duty. But this time, the demon is exceptionally powerful. We sent three separate teams, and none survived. Their deaths were identical—ritualistic. This was no ordinary possession."
He put the photos away and met Lucas's gaze.
"So what? Are you saying there are demons even the Vatican can't handle?" Lucas asked.
He didn't truly know the Vatican's real strength, but as God's earthly representatives, he had assumed their capabilities were formidable.
The Archbishop shook his head.
"It's not that we cannot deal with it—it's that the cost would be too high. The possessed girl has now been transferred to a convent, but the demon remains rampant. We've decided to cooperate with independent exorcists outside the Church to deal with it together."
Lucas frowned. The Vatican cooperating with civilian exorcists? In their eyes, those people were usually frauds or heretics unworthy of acknowledgment. This was highly unusual.
Seeing his confusion, the Archbishop explained,
"Our manpower is insufficient. For reasons unknown, since the Battle of New York, demonic possession cases have been erupting worldwide. Our forces are stretched thin, and the new generation of exorcists has yet to fully mature. We have no choice but to seek outside assistance."
"I'm not an exorcist," Lucas said decisively. "You've got the wrong person. I don't perform exorcisms."
He was a demon hunter—fundamentally different from an exorcist. He did not "save" victims.
Lucas had always followed one rule: kill, not redeem. If he intervened, the possessed girl might not survive either.
"You previously forced Blackheart back into Hell," the Archbishop said. "This time, you only need to seal the demon back into Hell as well."
Clearly, the Church knew about Lucas killing Blackheart.
"So you did investigate me," Lucas said coolly.
"I'll take the commission—but let's be clear. I only handle the killing. Everything else is none of my concern. Don't come looking for me afterward."
His meaning was unmistakable.
The Archbishop nodded.
"Agreed. You will only deal with the demon."
"Good. Then let's talk about payment," Lucas continued.
"What are you offering?"
The Archbishop showed no displeasure at Lucas's bluntness, nor did he attempt to sway him with faith or divine rhetoric. He could tell Lucas was not a believer—perhaps he didn't believe in God at all.
The Archbishop took out his phone and handed it to Lucas.
On the screen was an image of a gold coin. On one side was an armored knight holding a sword; on the other was a cross-like symbol, narrow at the center and broad at the ends.
"Skye, look this up," Lucas said, passing the phone to her.
Skye scanned the image into her computer and began searching immediately.
Less than a minute later, she had an answer.
"A Knights Templar coin?"
Lucas looked at the screen, which detailed the coin's origin, value, and symbolic significance.
"Correct," the Archbishop said.
"A Knights Templar coin. This one is newly minted, not an original from the twelfth century—but its authority and meaning are identical. It is fully recognized by the Church."
The Knights Templar coin originated when the order was first established in the early twelfth century. There was a fixed number—nine coins per generation—symbolizing the nine founding knights. They were not currency, but honors, akin to medals of merit.
Yet the coin carried immense power.
Beyond being a symbol, it granted its bearer unconditional access to support from any church worldwide—food, lodging, resources, transportation—everything. Present the coin, and the Church would open every door.
Moreover, the coin itself was a consecrated artifact used in exorcism. Every tool involved in its forging had been blessed by the Vatican, and the coin was cooled in holy water personally consecrated by the Pope.
Each generation followed the same process. When a bearer died, the coin was buried with them and never reclaimed. Only after all coin holders of a generation passed away would the Vatican mint a new set.
Every Knights Templar coin was unique—and coveted by the world's elite.
"The Vatican is being generous," Lucas said, visibly surprised.
"You're actually offering a Knights Templar coin? What kind of demon did you provoke—don't tell me Mephisto himself has shown up?"
The more he understood the coin's value, the clearer it became: if the Vatican was willing to part with this, the situation was far from simple. Chances were, many lives had already been lost—and many more were at stake.
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