Chapter 24

Italy.

The day before the Rating Game.

Sitting on the veranda of an establishment near the Vatican, I looked at the conversationalists across from me, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the surface of the table. Fou was with me, too. He was sitting upright on the table and chewing a croissant enthusiastically, holding it with his little paws.

- It's nice to meet you again, Mr. Archaman. - said Vasco and took a sip of tea from his cup. And it looked as ridiculous as possible when the overweight old man sipped from a cup the size of his finger.

- I'm only here because your visit to Kuoh would cause too much fuss," I shrugged, "And I understand Miss Griselda's presence, but what the hell is the archangel doing here?

- Am I being a nuisance? - Gabriel asked with a pout on her face that looked cute.

- Please do not express yourself in Lady Gabriel's presence, Mr. Archaman. - Griselda said in a stern tone, looking at me intently.

My eyebrow twitched, but I remained silent and took a sip of my coffee.

Why am I here? Merlin informed me that the Church, more specifically Vasco Strada and Griselda Quarta, had begun actively searching for me, and showing up to them without using disguises was foolish. And having found me, they wanted to pay me a visit at my home in Kuoh, which would have made the demons very nervous. So I decided to visit them myself, for that way there would be less trouble.

What about Riser? That bastard completely hovered when he found out about me! No matter what I said to him, he just kept quiet and nodded purely on automatic!

So I had to give up and leave. Of course, I left a note telling him not to say anything to anyone, and a forced contract, just in case. It's pointless to erase the memory, because sooner or later this fact will come out.

- So, - I started and took the croissant that Fou was chewing, which made him yelp and, climbing on my head, started beating on it with his paws, and then took a bite - Why didn't you sit still, and you started looking for my humble personality? Just so you know, we would have met in the future.

- And we would have, if it hadn't been for Lady Gabriel. - Vasco replied.

- Excuse me?

- Lady Gabriel has... special sight that allows her to see into a person's soul," Griselda said, still glaring at me. And my eyes widened as I realized what she meant to say - She arrived at the last moment as you were leaving, and was able to see who that black knight was...

- Sir Lancelot," the archangel finished for her and continued in a sad tone, "One of King Arthur's most loyal knights. May I ask how he is? And why he was... like that?

Yeah... I should have just put up a closed field... well, and used a disguise. Uh-huh-uh.

- Alive and well. Why was he like that? Magic. - I said no. And I didn't lie, because I don't know if she can recognize lies. And the Servants are a manifestation of True Magic.

- Tell the truth, Mr. Archaman. You cannot lie to Lady Gabriel. - Griselda added. Well, as was to be proved.

- He's not lying. - said Gabriel - He's just not telling the truth.

О? Now this was getting interesting. Both in the anime and in the anime, Gabriel is an innocent and naive girl without a drop of anything negative. And the fact that she realized what I wasn't telling her suggests that she's not so innocent and naive.

- But that's all I'll tell you. - I shrugged.

Gabriel made a pouty face again, and Griselda wanted to say something, but she was stopped by Vasco's glare.

- In any case, knocking out a Knight of the Lake in an instant isn't something a Kuoh Academy nurse can do. We've checked the information about you and didn't find anything to hold on to," he started in a grandfatherly tone and looked at me, "Who are you, Mr. Archaman? Not even Lady Gabriel's gaze could penetrate your defenses and see your soul.

- Why the interest, Your Eminence? The only time we've ever interacted was with Lancelot. And while I am not your friend, I am not your enemy. - I asked, propping my hands on my head and crossing them.

- You are strong. And even if Lady Gabriel cannot see your soul, she has stated with certainty that you are a good man and possess the holiness of the Saints. So we would like to invite you to join the Church. And I will personally assume your guardianship.

 Heh. The Church is offering SOLOMON to join itself... How... funny.

- Hahahahahahahahahaha...," I laughed wildly. So much so that my eyes even started to water.

Griselda twitched in annoyance, and Vasco, although still smiling kindly, I could see a bit of misunderstanding in his gaze. And Gabriel...

- Mou... It's not that funny..." she mumbled, trying to look serious, which made her even cuter.

- May I know the reason for your laughter, Mr. Archaman? - Vasco asked, when I had almost calmed down.

- Hahaha... I apologize. I just remembered a joke. - I started and wiped my tears.

- A good joke, please note. - added Goetia.

- Anyway, my answer is... - I paused dramatically, building up the anticipation - Of course not!

- But why? - Vasco asked perplexed.

- Hahahahahahahaha... - I had another fit of laughter, which made Griselda couldn't stand it.

- Why are you laughing?!

- Why are you laughing?! - My laughter abruptly disappeared and my face took on a stoic look - Do you really want to know why?

- Uh-huh. - Gabriel nodded awkwardly, seeing my sudden change in mood.

No, she's so damn naive and innocent. It's like she's a child, not an archangel.

- I'll start by saying that the Church is bullshit.

- How do you-" Griselda started to object, but was again stopped by Vasco.

- Explain, please. Why do you think so? - Vasco asked sternly, and his kind gaze changed to a hard one.

I wonder what Grandfather would say to that? Heh. He's probably the most loyal servant of God on principle.

- God is good and merciful, right? - I began, to which I received nods - Then why does the Church, which is God's raft on earth, preach violence and murder?

- Hmm? - Vasco raised an eyebrow.

- The Church makes a clear distinction between good and evil, saying that its words are definitely good and all others are evil. And any member of the Church is good and merciful, and most importantly, can't be wrong," I continued and squinted my eyes, "Take Project Holy Sword, for example. The Church is simply recycling children into weapons. And all for the sake of goodness and mercy. I wonder why that's the case?

- But it wasn't approved! - Griselda said confidently, Vasco remained silent, and Gabriel lowered her gaze.

- It was under consideration," I added, "Why wasn't this project discarded immediately? Throughout history, the Church has dictated its rules, right? And what does Ms. Archangel have to say about it?

- I... Father said that people should choose their own destiny. And... And that we shouldn't interfere...'' she said sadly.

Heh. What a load of crap... I understand the Age of Man in the Nasuverse, where it's exactly as she just said. It made sense there, but here? When demons and gods still walk among humans? What a load of crap.

- Oh, is that so? But isn't Heaven supposed to protect the innocent? Supernatural beings walk this earth and nightmare the hell out of people and you just watch from above? Gods, dragons, demons, and a bunch of other various similar beings quietly intervene and you can't? What a load of crap.

- But the Church protects them! - Gabriel jumped up from her chair.

- At the cost of the lives of others, I might add. Children, for that matter. And the methods she uses are questionable, to say the least. Who in their right mind would give a girl of sixteen a sword and send her out to kill? - I said in a measured tone, to which I received a stare from Griselda and stern - from Vasco - I understand if it was a voluntary desire, but voluntary-coercive? That's just ridiculous. "You have a gift, so you're coming with us to slaughter demons," huh? Well, well, well.

The cardinal and the nun stared at me in silence, not knowing what to say.

- N-but..." Gabriel tried to justify the Church in a trembling tone, but I interrupted her.

- I'm not saying you had to personally do anything, but a couple hints here and there would have made things better, right? Angels and archangels only do God's bidding, and the Church only follows the path she herself deems right, only occasionally following the orders of Heaven. Isn't that so, Your Eminence? After all, you've seen it all with your own eyes.

- I... You are right. - After almost a minute, he answered and sighed.

- Your Eminence?! - Griselda looked shockedly in his direction. To which he only remained silent.

- And you're suggesting I join the Church knowing all this? Your plan is crap, to say the least," I said, still keeping a stoic expression on my face, "If the Church changes, then I might consider your offer.

- Who are you to speak in such an arrogant tone? - Griselda asked sternly, comforting Gabriel, who had tears on her face at my words and confidence in them. But the archangel did not turn away and looked at me, studying me.

I didn't answer and looked into Gabriel's eyes, shutting down my soul's defenses for a microsecond. And the ten rings hidden by my gloves and magic flashed with power for that brief moment. But it was enough, for I saw recognition in her gaze. Her body froze, and her trembling hand rose and pointed in my direction.

- You...

- I'm leaving. This conversation is over," I stood up and shoved my hands in my pockets, "And please don't visit Kuoh unless there's an urgent need, like stealing holy swords, for example.

- What are you-" Vasco wanted to ask, but I had already teleported home.

After scanning the Vatican, I couldn't find anything like the Excaliburs, which means they've already been stolen.

And Gabriel? If someone already knows about me, it's time to be more forthcoming. I wouldn't be surprised if the entire council of archangels showed up at my house.

I grinned.

We'll see how that goes.

-0-

A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.

My Patreon: Patreon.com/mirzael

You'll be able to read more chapters there.