Vatican

"So this is the Vatican Church…" Valerie muttered under her breath.

It's been three days since they departed from Italy. She was anxious that she's gonna enter the most holy place in the world but when Cao Cao assured her that he had a failed safe plan, she pushed down her anxiety.

The hero descendant used some strange spell on her that can mask her Sacred Gear, according to him, it was given by some powerful geezers as he called them.

It didn't bother her much though, she was thankful that someone is capable of hiding her Longinus. When she learned about Sacred Gears, she knew that a lot of people would covet her ability.

The Vatican for example.

The fact that the supposed Apex of Humanity was accompanying them added some worries to her.

You must know that even her father, King Tepes was afraid of the name Vasco Strada, not just him but even Queen Carmilla as well.

She even remembers that they use the name of the Apex of Humanity as a bedtime story to make the other young vampires sleep, something about that if they didn't sleep, they'll get vaporized by the Vatican's Evil Killer.

Just by those stories, it was enough for her to be scared. Is Vasco really a human? He is more of a God in his tales.

In any case, her problem about her race and Sacred Gear have been solved, she just needed to do this, she needed to find him after all.

Her childhood friend.

"Woah.." The Dhampir heard the nun's voice. She turned around and saw Asia looking at the massive church from far away with sparkling eyes.

She chuckled. For a believer, being at the Vatican is probably the best thing that could happen to them.

Glancing at Cao Cao, she saw that he has the same neutral face, as if the Vatican is not that special in his eyes.

That makes her wonder, where did Cao Cao come from? Her companion shouldn't come just from a random faction, those skills he showed and knowledge he have are not something found on the streets.

At first, she thought that he was from a large family supported by a large faction, but after seeing his actions, she concluded that's not the case.

His survival skills are proof of that.

Although she's not repulsed by him, that does not mean she trusts him. At most, it's only a surface level of trust, she still doesn't know what her 'friend' wants.

People like him who have unknown motives are the ones who are hard to predict.

With that Holy Spear, he could make the Vatican worship him, one of the reasons why she didn't worry much on going to the most holy place in the world.

She may not be knowledgeable about Sacred Gears but as someone who grew up in Europe where Christianity is highly popular, she has her own knowledge related to the church, especially that her father was always hostile to the latter.

But even then, with all this privilege, he didn't bring out his card but instead, took the hard way. Some people may think that he got off easily but they forgot that he fought the Apex of Humanity, someone that was even feared by other factions in his prime.

'Just who are you Cao Cao?' The Vampire Princess glanced at him once again, which he returned with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes and set her sight to the massive church they were walking to.

She still has time.

—

'What's up with her?' Cao Cao mused in his head.

He already knows that Valerie is weird, not that he expected much anyway, her experience in the Tepes Castle is enough to make him think that.

Still that gaze as if she wants to devour him whole made him kind of weird, maybe she's hungry?

Shaking his head, the hero descendant looked at Asia who had a big smile on her face. This must be a dream come true to her.

"Young Cao Cao, what do you think?" He heard the old priest's voice.

He knew he's talking about the Vatican.

"It's good from here, I can feel the people enjoying their life here too." That was the truth, with his Senjutsu, he could feel that there's no negative feelings as he walked in the streets.

The people here do admire and worship the Church.

Hearing this, Vasco chuckled, it was rare for someone to comment about the common people. Most of the time, it was about the Church's appearance or the famous figures such as himself.

The last time he heard this kind of comment was from Dulio and that was years ago.

Sighing, he looked at the church once again, they were getting close.

He knows that the church has done some atrocious deeds and even if they are punished, it wouldn't mean that they are forgiven.

They are still on thin ice and as much as he wants to take action himself, a civil war is not what they need.

As the Cardinal Priest of the Vatican, this is his job.

—

They entered the massive Church and as expected, it was big, like really big, they didn't hold back from making the entire structure.

There are also biblical scriptures around the place, various paintings and arts portraying the story of the Bible.

What captured his attention however was the huge art in the ceiling. From the looks of it, it's the Archangel Michael banishing Satan or in this case, Lucifer to hell.

Cao Cao chuckled, this is an example of history that can tamper a lot of information.

He doesn't know if it's the same in his old world but in this world that's not clearly the case, Michael didn't "banish" Lucifer in this world but the Bible here says it.

It's bullshit but it's not his place to pry, it's their faction's history not his.

"Your Eminence, these are…?" A nun who looked like in her late 20s asked.

"Griselda, this is the Holy Maiden Asia, as for the other two, they are Cao Cao and Valerie." The Apex of the introduced the trio.

Griselda's blue eyes flickered, she knew the name of the Holy Maiden who possessed the Sacred Gear Twilight Healing but what about the other two?

As they were talking, Cao Cao wasn't looking at Griselda but instead the young girl beside her.

The young girl has blue hair with green fringe on the side and brown eyes. She was also looking at them, specifically Asia.

"I see… so they want to be an Exorcist?" He heard Griselda's surprised voice.

"Indeed, I can vouch for them. I even tested them myself." Vasco laughed. He only tested Cao Cao but he already knows that the girl with him possesses something special.

He can feel her light even when she tries to hide it.

As for Asia, it doesn't need to be said, her healing capabilities alone are enough.

"Oh before I forgot, everyone, this is Griselda, one of the strongest Exorcists in the Vatican, she's also training some new exorcists."

Griselda smiled at them and introduced themselves, "Hello children, I'm Griselda Quarta and this girl right here is Xenovia Quarta, I hope you can get along."

The three of them also responded politely with Asia's cuteness capturing Griselda's attention.

"Awwww, so you are Asia. How cute!" The nun didn't hide her doting expression.

"U-Ummm.." Asia stuttered, clearly not used to the sudden show of affection.

"Ahem, Griselda I want you to help me train them. They have potential that will surely aid the Vatican if polished." Vasco cleared his throat and asked the nun.

Griselda nodded. There was no need for refusal. It was already Eminence Strada who asked, it would be rude of her to refuse.

She also didn't mind training other children. In any case, if they don't have the aptitude, she would persuade them to stop but since it's Eminence Strada who already vouch for them, their talent shouldn't be bad.

She really didn't like that they have to train children into warriors but most of these children want it themselves, either from feeling indebted or because of their admiration for them. It doesn't really harm anyone and since the higher ups don't really disagree, those children can receive training.

Still, they're children. In her view, they should be enjoying their life away from training or even life and death battles.

As someone who stood as a mother figure to other children, it hurt her that they have to resort to this.

Griselda sighed. It's hard to be a teacher.