The Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors are, by definition, enemies of humanity.
Consequently, those associated with the 'Mystery' harbor a deep-seated vigilance regarding their movements, constantly and meticulously observing whether they manifest or fade from the world.
This was especially true for the Holy Church, an organization that rejects all 'demi-humans' and Mysteries that do not serve the preservation of mankind.
Thus… the Burial Agency, the Holy Church's elite cell of anti-vampire specialists, could not ignore the existence of an individual who had successfully purged multiple members of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors in less than a decade.
"Even if he was an extra, there was Michael Roa Valdamjong, whose abilities certainly placed him in the danger category; the vampiric doctor of chaos, Nrvnqsr Chaos; the 'Vampiric Forest,' Einnashe; the Predatory Duke, Stanrobe Calhin… and now, the Night of Wallachia, who was just erased. Setting aside Vlov, who was eliminated by Arcueid Brunestud personally… while it is difficult to say you vanquished all of them purely by your own hand, having eliminated five members of the Twenty-Seven is enough for the Burial Agency to grant you a formal audience."
"To be honest, in terms of raw power… your faction has grown large enough to be considered a pillar of the Three Great Powers."
Ciel Elesia confirmed that the phenomenon known as the Night of Wallachia had reverted to being a regular 'Dead Apostle.'
Zephia Eltnam Oberon, stripped of the curse of the Night, was now merely an ordinary—albeit powerful—vampire. Furthermore, as he held the position of Director of the Atlas Institute, he fell into the category of 'exceptions' that the Holy Church found virtually impossible to purge under normal diplomatic circumstances.
Therefore, from the Holy Church's perspective… the 13th Ancestor, the Night of Wallachia, had effectively been suppressed under the leadership of Karma Kirigaya's 'faction.'
"Contact will likely come from the Vatican in the near future. Of course, the negotiator won't be someone as lofty as His Holiness the Pope…"
"It'll be Narbareck, I assume. That crazed sadist."
"…It is truly lamentable that I cannot deny that."
"Because it's the truth."
"In any case, we will initiate contact. In the meantime, I shall pray that you do not cause any more… conspicuous incidents."
With those words, Ciel vanished into the wind. Merem Solomon looked as though he wanted to remain by Arcueid's side even if it meant shedding tears of blood, but between Arcueid's stern refusal and the matter of her other subordinate, 'Gransurg Blackmore,' he ultimately decided to return to the Holy Church.
"By the way, I should probably handle those two factions at some point."
"The Black Princess faction? Or the White Wing Lord?"
"The White Wing Lord for starters… and the Black Princess as well. Even without Primate Murder, the Princess herself is an incredibly formidable being. As for the White Wing Lord, he is essentially a more direct 'Threat to Humanity' than she is."
"…So, what, are you planning to start a war?"
"No, nothing that extreme. But I still believe the influence of the Dead Apostles needs to be weakened. Even if it's small fry like Vlov, if they are ranked among the Twenty-Seven… it means every single one of them contributes to the weakening of the Foundation of the Human Order."
"Fine, fine~ Then since I'm fully resurrected, maybe I should go say hello to my sister?"
"I suppose I'll pay a visit to Monaco for the first time in a while. I wonder if that old geezer still keeps my VIP pass active."
"Oh, and Zephia. If you have nothing better to do, head back to the Atlas Institute and put out a search warrant for your daughter. If you've lived for five hundred years, surely you have something to trade with Atlas? You are their next Director, after all."
"…I have no rebuttal. And to think I was once the 13th rank of the Dead Apostles."
Well, being the 13th of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors isn't exactly a low position… but what can one do?
The people standing in front of him were the Physical Mightiest on Earth (physically) and a wielder of both the Third and Fifth Magics. When the bosses give orders, you follow.
*
Exactly one week after Ciel Elesia returned to the Vatican, a letter arrived, written on parchment and sealed with high-grade wax.
"'We hereby invite you to the 391st Canonization Hearing. Karma Kirigaya, Third Magician, 73rd recipient of the Crown Rank'… They certainly sound like they know everything already."
"What do you think? Are you going right away?"
"Of course I must go."
The so-called Canonization Hearing was nothing but a pretext.
A chartered plane to Italy, prepared within half a day using the Einzbern family's wealth, immediately whisked us to Rome. There, we were greeted by Ciel, dressed in her relatively tidy nun's habit.
"Welcome, Karma Kirigaya-san… and Arcueid Brunestud, along with the Fifth Magician. Wait, hold on. What is this lineup?"
"For now… they are my security. Shiki-kun came along as well."
"Ah, he is welcome… No, wait. That's not the point. Kirigaya-san, have you lost your mind? Bringing a True Ancestor into the very heart of the Catholic world… Do you have a death wish or are you just insane?"
"Oh, come now… Considering the Burial Agency might seize and torture me at any moment, I need at least basic protection."
"…I suppose I can't deny that. Regardless, talking in a crowded area is difficult, so let's move elsewhere."
"Karma~! Then Shiki and I are going to go see the sights in Rome~!"
Arcueid suddenly linked arms with Shiki Tohno and began walking excitedly toward the airport exit.
"Don't forget to meet at the airport in three days!"
"OK~!"
"…I thought you said they were your guards?"
"Well, nominally."
Ciel sighed as she watched the True Ancestor walk away.
"I have a limousine prepared. Please, get in."
It was evening by the time we arrived, and the area outside the Rome airport was shrouded in darkness.
Inside the limousine, Ciel handed me a bottle of water and listed a few points of caution to observe within the Holy See. She spoke as if issuing a warning to Aoko-neesan.
"As you know… we cannot allow a magus—let alone a Magician—to enter the Holy See."
"I know~ To be honest, we only came along to keep watch in case anything happened upon arrival."
"…You're surprisingly reasonable about this."
"In truth, you lot are the ones in danger. Remember what the True Ancestor Princess said about meeting in three days? If Karma doesn't walk out to that airport in one piece within three days, the place known as the Vatican will vanish from the face of the Earth forever."
As Aoko-neesan radiated a chilling bloodlust, Ciel gripped Black Keys—produced from God knows where—and entered a combat stance.
As the tension between the two escalated, I let out a sigh and used Shinra Tensei to push them apart.
"Phew, if you two just fight like this, what am I supposed to do? Honestly, Arcueid wouldn't destroy the Vatican just for fun. Well, she certainly might if I don't show up… but it's not as if they'll just scream 'You're a magus, die!' and attack me immediately, right? Not after all the Dead Apostles I've killed."
"…That is true."
"It's called Mutually Assured Destruction. Everyone is just on edge because the Clock Tower did some annoying things recently…"
Ciel remained silent.
They likely knew. They knew that I was the one who had recently dropped a meteor on the Clock Tower simply because they had threatened my family.
"Love and Peace. Love and Peace. Peace is the best, isn't it?"
"You truly leave me speechless."
Ciel lowered her head in exasperation.
* *
Aoko-neesan decided to sightsee around the buildings outside the Holy See, while I followed Ciel's guidance into Vatican City, walking slowly behind her.
Nervous from my earlier warning, Ciel didn't say a word until we were deep inside. Finally, she looked at a magnificent structure and spoke.
"…This is the Apostolic Palace."
"It certainly is… massive. I suppose 'grand' is the right word?"
"I will not be the one guiding you further."
"Hm? I thought the person who knew me best would be the guide."
"…Please do not forget that from the Burial Agency's perspective, Kirigaya-san, you are still a potential enemy."
Ah, I see. So they need someone who can suppress me just in case? Is that it?
"My chances of winning a fight against you are low. The 6th seat, Agaleon, the 4th seat, Mr. Dawn, and even Caren Ortensia would have no chance of victory against your pure Mystic Eyes… As for Merem-senpai, who is objectively stronger than I am, he cannot be sent because he is a Dead Apostle himself. Therefore, the 3rd seat shall be your guide."
"…The 3rd seat?"
Wait a minute. If I recall correctly, the 3rd seat was…
"Sister Kiara Sessyoin. Since she is Japanese like you, it was decided that you would communicate well."
…Aah. I didn't think I'd achieve my primary objective quite this easily.
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