Walking around, Jackson's eyes were in full combat mode. Tracking even the falling snowflakes as Bahamut cheerily walked behind him holding up an umbrella to herself. Wearing nothing but her extremely revealing lingerie and a thin bra that only covered her areola and white skimpy panties, she’d merrily get close to him, smiling at the man whose face was as serious as can be.
Looking at his eyes as she peeked over his shoulders, the Dragon could notice the man was trying his best to be in a zen state. Not to be fooled by the bodily needs of Man and the tendencies of lust as he looked onto the park and the Holy See Offices. The large white structures have multiple storeys high and gated windows on the sides where the entrance to the backyard lay.
“Muehehehehehe…” hearing her, the Knight could only swallow his soul as he quickly turns around from the right side. Avoiding her as he continues his patrol around the middle part of the city under the cloudy night sky. With the stars nowhere to be seen nor the Moon and its Satellite. It gave him the perfect concealment as even the well lit alleyways couldn’t help but hide his shadow and silhouette. But the Dragon tailing him made it hard to do any sneaking, constantly peeking in front of him from his shoulders or trailing at his sides. With each look, the Dragon’s expression only got more and more devious, with her sharp metallic horns even growing and revealing itself on her Human form.
“Oh come on, Master. Don’t you wanna look at me?”
“If I do, I might not be able to detect whoever tries to do anything. I swear to God, I’ll peel their eyes off with a toothpick.”
“Ahahahahaha! Oh I love this version of you Master. Don’t worry, there’s no one out here but the two of us.”
She then jogs past him and walks in front of him. Stopping the man right in his tracks. With bare legs and feet, she did a swirl like what Elizabeth and Alana would do to impress him. The man couldn’t help but react. His cheeks blushing red as he turns away and once again starts walking back to the park. The Dragon only got more bold as she noticed his obvious natural reaction to such a beautiful body.
The man was utterly defenseless against her. A match up of epic unfairness as all he could do as try and try to turn his eyes away from her allure. Though she didn’t wield it as devilish and methodical as Elizabeth with her equally attractive nature. Bahamut’s more natural and unforgiving relentless attacks were just as devastating. Like a Dragon who had spotted its prey and would stop at nothing from getting its meal for the day.
“Ahahahaha! You are so easy, Master!”
“S-Shush it! How can I not get turned on when you're looking like that?! And again! Wear something when you're going outside!”
“Well… what can I say?”
Lifting her arms over her head, revealing her armpits that were as clean as could be, without any marks or blemishes, her body was akin to art in the form of a human. A body only given to those blessed by the best genes a human could give to a living being. Kicking snow to him, her soles had no splits or ridges. It was completely clean and like that of a newborn. With skin that has never made contact with any hard work or dirt.
Jackson breathed in and out. Slowly catching his breath as Bahamut continued to tease and laugh in front of him. His gaze was still stoic but he couldn't help but look at her, even with every fiber of his body going against him and his brain's wishes and would constantly train his eyes on her. “Sheesh. Why is she like this? Tsk. Her body is like it's been carved by the Gods with the help of its Angels. The sculpture of the woman you’ll never get but in a dream in Human form.” as he slaps himself, his eyes still end up looking at her. “Bwahahahahaha! Master! Look at you and your reactions! More! More! More!”
Her loud voice rings out the empty street. With Jackson just sighing and trying his best to find his inner peace as she needlessly twirled around him. Joyfully teasing and relentlessly attacking the man with her inhuman looks.
“What’s happening here?”
Hearing a familiar voice, he turns around and sees it was Captain Julianne. Wearing her usual set of curvy plate armor, the blonde haired woman tilted her head. Her left hand on the pommel of her sword.
“Goddess? What’re you doing behind Sir Jackson?”
Paul then tilts his head also and then looks at Bahamut. She was beet red and her arms were together, she hid her entire body behind the man's stocky body with broad shoulders. Leaning down to make sure only her horns would be seen. Peeking through the neck of the man.
“.... Ahhh… we were just going around the city visiting and such.”
“Is that so? One of my grunts called for me and said a person was seen in the park. I guess that was you Sir Jackson?”
“Heh heh heh, yea that was me. Just looking at the city’s history and such.”
“At this time? I recommend you head back home Sir Jackson. The floating lamps need to be renewed, at the break of the Sun, the city workers in their black robes should already be busy setting them up.”
“Well… that would also mean more people you know? Seeing the nightlife here, I’d rather travel at night. Little people and little problems I could encounter.”
“But please do be careful. Goddess Bahamut may not need the thick clothing we are wearing, but if something was to happen to you. I wouldn’t be able to respond. Freezing to death is the biggest killer in all of the wars and battles that have occurred in this region.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I am all fine. Thank you so much though for checking up on me.”
“And her Goddess? Is she stricken with some illness? Her face seems strange… I also never saw her horns before." The Captain then tries to peek behind the man. Jackson was caught off guard by her swiftness but with the help of Bahamut, he had managed to move his body just in the nick of time to block her view of the Dragon. “Ah-ahh…. Just carry on now. Ahahahaha, she’s just not in the mood to talk to people… Ahhhh, what were you doing again, Bahamut?”
“I was mapping out the city’s underground lairs. The air changed directions and I smelled Master.”
“I apologize then.” She put her right hand on her heart and bows. “But please be careful that the old Curate Underground Fortress is still yet to be fully mapped as it has traps and magic we’re still not fully accustomed to yet.” The young woman with her pretty face just sees the horns of the Dragon behind Jackson nod and she smiles.
“Also, Captain. what is that building for?”
“It’s the main office of the Holy See, Sir Jackson. It's also an orphanage, barracks, training facility… and it's where the Bishops of Janishaire resides.”
“Ohhhhh… that explains the guards and the style and such. Alright, thank you. I can’t believe you're still on duty at this time. Does the Holy See pay for overtime?”
“If only. I would be working day and night, Sir Jackson. I am merely doing night runs and patrols.” Looking around, she then walks to him and gets on the tip of her toes. “I’ve heard rumors recently that some keys had clay molds on them. I cannot be dilly dallying.” Jackson’s eyes then flared up as he turned to the direction of the Holy See Offices. He then rubs his chin as he starts to think once again.
“I-i-is that so? Carry on human. Me and my Master must go.”
“Of course, Goddess. Sir Jackson, if you may excuse me.”
“Go on ahead, sorry for wasting your time.”
She walks back to the main building, breaking their line of sights with each other. Jackson turns around and looks at Bahamut. Her arms were crossing her breasts, squishing it as she held herself.
“Are you… nawwww… Ahahaha…. AHAHAHA!” he holds his tummy, looking at the completely blushed Dragon. “Oh man! This must be the first time I ever saw you like this!” With a big wide smile on his face, the Dragon couldn’t help but stumble on herself as he tried to recoup some words to utter at the man who was on the verge of tears. “It’s-it’s a weird feeling, Master! I never felt this before!”
“SO YOU ARE! Ahahahah! Look at you. See? Didn’t I tell you to wear something more proper?”
“Y-You try wearing something as bare as this! It barely covers my breast and my back is exposed to the world…! But… I kinda get why the Bloodsucker did that to you on the train… your reactions might be worth the trouble… heheheheh…”
“Who didn’t listen? Who didn’t listen?” He then pinches her cheeks, making the Dragon frown as she puts her hands near her chin. “See. Didn’t I tell you to wear something more appropriate? Don’t go thinking you can do what Elizabeth does. That woman is as methodical as it comes. She calculates everything from the sway of her seams to how the future will look at her. Just be yourself, Bahamut.” He then lets go of her cheeks and the Dragon started to caress the area as she pouted. “You have your own style in making me react. Perfect that and believe me, it will make Elizabeth have a run for her money.”
He then stretches and looks around. “Rumors ehy? And clay molds on keys. Heh. She wants us to get involved, don’t she?” He then walked to the direction of the park and at the cross intersection, looked at the Guards on stand by. “Now that’s why they were freezing their asses off at night. Seems like they will have visitors.”
Hearing him, the Dragon then sniffs the air and then thumps at the cobblestone sidewalk.
“Wait, Master.”
“Hm?”
She sniffed the air even more. After a second, she pointed to the left of him. Her finger tracing someone jumping over a high wall and then stopping behind something. It then reverts back to another position. Doing it four times as her eyes closed fully. Their trail then stopped right at the direction of the Holy See itself. Jackson then looks at the front of the building and sees the Guards were still there. Standing at ease as one of the sneezes. “What?” He then turns back to the Dragon whose fingers retract to her hand. “I can sense five mages… no. Their walking is slow and agile. They also have a plan. Master, I think these are Assassins.” she then opens her index finger once again.
He turns to look at where she’s pointing, which was somewhere on the bottom right section of the Offices. Seeing that she was still pointing at something, and it was slow and deliberate, he comes to the intersection and sees Holy See’s main office and the Guards haven’t reacted nor done anything. The mausoleum-like building had three floors and Bahamut’s slender finger was directly pointed at its rear section that was cordoned off by walls and guards.
“Didn’t she say it also serves as Barracks?” He then looks to the Dragon and she nods. “They're going for her. Bahamut, let’s go.”
“Alright! Let’s go Master!”
She opens her arms to him. Like a Mother waiting for the embrace of her child, the Dragon God was beaming as her hands gestured for him to come to her warmth. Waiting for the hug.
“Eh?”
“Come now Master, don’t tell me you can fly.”
“I mean… but with what you're wearing?”
“We already performed the natural obligation to one another many times, Master. I don’t get why you're still so reactive to it. You’ve seen me naked so many times by now.”
“W-Well… what can I say? I am a man after all… and you know, my reactions can be-”
“Come on now Master. We’re wasting time.”
“Dammit! Okay!”
He then walks to her. His back facing the Dragon as she hugged him tightly. Her large breasts were squished at his back, making the man visibly emote with a big wide contented smile on his face. His eyes seemingly tell that he is in nirvana and is enjoying the true pleasures of life at the moment. “Ready Master?”
“Ohhh yeah… that feels n-NIIICCEEE-!”
She jumps and immediately reveals her Dragon wings. The heavy armored forelimbs were flapping silently, taking only occasional wags to maintain their altitude and hover.
“Where are they at?”
“They came through the back Master. They sneaked through the rear building and-”
A harrowing scream was then heard on a concrete building situated across a large open garden behind the Religious office. The Guards on the front immediately ran inside as some lights opened inside the building.
“Land us there!”
“Wait Master, they have detection magic and a barrier. I need to find a way to disable it without alerting their mages. If I were to fly directly in there, I’d have to overload the barrier and it’d spot all of us.”
“Then… how did they get in without getting spotted or stopped by the barrier?” the Dragon nods at the notion and starts flying around, closely observing the layout of the large concrete building. It seemed more ancient than the ruins they passed back in Schon as it had a larger area behind its front one. This one has more of a style of a lodging with a canteen and a fountain garden separating the two. “I see it!” She then flies above a lower corner of the main walls, just by the edge of the barrier she sees and sets something off. A marking on the alleyway was a sigil of sorts and upon activation, they flew in without alerting anything. The magical barrier imposed on the grounds seemingly nonexistent as they waltz in.
With this, they landed on the rear as the snow was loudly exposing their position. Running to the left of the concrete building, they see a Nun holding a little girl whose bleeding profusely. Around the crying woman with her hand open was a pile of chopped wood. Dropped to the ground unceremoniously as a green shine with a golden outline was being emitted from her body. Trailing off to the little girl. “O Great Deus Vrax, Aid me with your power and may I bring this wound to close. I pr-pray so that she may live a full life…” She was repeating it constantly and was biting her tongue and lips. The healing, having no effect on the gaping dagger shaped hole that pierced her abdomen.
“I’ll help!”
“E-Eh?!”
She turns to see a suited man rushing to her. He immediately reached for his pocket, bringing out a bandage. “Hold down the wound. I think the weapon was cursed! Dang! This is a star shaped one!” a little bit confused, the Nun quickly got herself together and tried to stop the bleeding. Getting the bandage on the wound as he turns to the Dragon.
“Bahamut! Can you heal her?”
“Step aside Master. Let me see.”
He opens some space for her, kneeling down and checking the little blonde elven girl. The patch of white snow below them was covered with her blood. “Hm. I can work with this.” placing her hands on the girl's chest and head, a golden sparkle was emitted and the child opened her eyes with life as the wound and even the Ministerial Servant clothing she wore also got repaired. Making it seem like it was not only made recently, but also washed with extreme care. Slowly, the Elven girl opens her eyes fully and sees the Nun holding her so eagerly. “S-Sister Alva?”
“Oh my! May Deus Vrax guide us! Oh my! You are alive!”
“Ehehehehe. In the knick of time. Come on Master, I sense where they went.”
“Wait. Sister, can you tell me if this place can be broken into?”
“No. It's impossible. All the locks are enchanted and can only be tampered with blessed keys. Who are the both of you?”
“We’re tourists. Please hide for the night. You seem to have intruders inside.”
“Eh? Could they be going for Seiness? But she just got sent here a few months ago! Captain Julieanne was already so worried for her!”
“Maybe. But for now, keep your head low.” he then turns to the equally large building behind the main office. “Is this the Orphanage?” Sister Alva just nodded and he observed the front door where she burst out and the litter of chopped wood around the Elven girl and the pool of blood coating the white snow. But Bahamut was facing the other way, to the main office itself. “Well well well… smart move by your Bishops but whoever ratted them out knows far more than anyone.”
He stands up and Bahamut nods to him once again. She starts to run towards the office as he follows the barely cloth woman with a pair of large breasts that would peek from her slender body and a perfectly shaped rear only covered by a white panty. Rushing through the rear door, it was oddly silent. The large room full of books and parchment was empty and all the lamps were devoid of oil. “Here Master!” she turns left, running nonstop as her feet flapped through the marble flooring of the building. Unbeknownst to them, they’ve passed the corpses of multiple guards, all carefully hidden within the shadows that not even Jackson’s sharp eye could catch them. “Dang! Where did everyone go?!”
Following her to the stairs, they reach the second floor and she stops before hitting the hallway. Inside the complete darkness, the Dragon pointed to the left. Paul then reveals the Glock that was holstered inside his suit jacket. Lifting it up to the level of his face, he swiftly turns the corner and only sees the faint image of a dark cloth running to the end of the hall and making a sharp left.
“HALT!”
Turning around slowly, he meets Julianne who had the tip of her sword at his face.
“So you are the intruder?”
“N-No.” He lifts his hands up. Surrendering.
“Ah. Sir Jackson?! Why are you here?!”
“Oy. Put that sword away from Master.”
Coming out of the darkness, the cloudy skies open up and into the blue light from the foreign Moon that seeps through the large windows as Bahamut. Blushing fully, she stared at the Knight Captain with intent to kill.
“Goddess!... and what are you wearing?”
“D-Don’t ask me that! It was supposed to tease Master!”
“G-Goddess. This is a holy building.”
“You think I don’t know that! The fact that I am even showing you my body this bare is already a travesty! Just sheath that sword already!”
“Ah, of course.”
Without question, the Captain follows the Dragon’s orders.
“Well. That was fast.”
“Goddess Bahamut speaks with her heart. She wouldn’t lie… And I’ve seen what she could do. I’d rather not fight that.”
“Hah-hah. You hear that Master.”
Paul then grazes her red ears, making her shudder. “EEK!” the cute wail she let out was akin to a normal human.
“Ehhhhh… even a Goddess can make sounds like that.”
“FO-FORGET THAT! MASTER!”
“AHAHAHAHA! I never saw this side of you before, Bahamut. Sorry, I just had to do it.”
“Grrrrrr! I wish for Steak! Many steaks when we return!”
Julieanne then looks at Bahamut from her toe to her hair. The woman was barely clothed, the lingerie she wore had the design of small Void roses on the thin strings that attached the tiny bra she wore and the transparent camisole that did nothing to hide her curvaceous stomach. Even the woman couldn’t help but feel attracted to her as the Dragon God did her best to hide her body with her arms and hands. “Ahem. Goddess, could you bear with my disrespect and may you don something else? This is a Holy Site.” Bahamut just slowly retracts herself to the behind of Jackson. Her eyes steely and with an intense killing intent as her cheeks were fully red and her mouth in a zigzag.
“Can we deal with this later ladies? There’s literally intruders here.” Julieanne then suddenly walks up to him and grabs his collar. Even though her height barely reached his nose, the woman was upfront with herself, her gauntlets racking loudly as she put her face near his. Almost as if to feel his very breath. “How many?!” The man just lifted his hand and flexed all five fingers.
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“Bahamut counted five. All of them are assassins.”
“Okay! Then that means they fell for the trap!”
“What trap?”
“I intentionally misguided the map layouts for where Priestess Seiness would be at. She’s not in the Nobles quarters of this building… but it's also concerning as only high ranking members would know that.”
“Really? Alright. Where can we intercept them?”
“Hmmmm… seeing how fast and professional they are, they’ve probably already found out. Their next best bet would be the third floor. We should wait there!”
“Okay, let's holler up then.”
“H-ho-holler?”
“Don’t mind it woman. Master and his words are strange sometimes. You get used to it.”
Running to the third floor, Jackson guarded the main hallway with his gun while Bahamut guarded the entrance of the Bishop's office and Julieanne on the stairs. The blonde Knight had her sword out as the man trained his gun on the farthest open area, his eyes squinted and finger on the trigger. His other hand was ready to make another mag from within his coat while the Dragon stopped guarding her area and started to pounce around the floor.
The two then looked at her, constantly veering from left to right, as if to follow something. “Don’t tell me… they're inside the walls?” the Dragon didn’t reply, merely going back and forth till she stopped at an area far from him and out of his line of sight.
After a few minutes of waiting, Bahamut’s feet could be heard running towards the two who were in close proximity to one another.
“They're coming through a room on the right. Seems like Master was correct. They were indeed inside the walls, in the hollow parts of it.”
“Eh? That’s a secret passage!”
Jogging to a door next to the large ones that leads to the Bishops. The trio could hear rummaging. But no sounds of walking or even any traces of breath.
“Master, their robes are hiding even their presence. The molecules in the air aren’t even alerting me of their presence.”
“Just what type of assassins are these?! Aren’t they a bit over equipped for this job?” Bahamut and Jackson then turn to Julieanne who was also thinking to herself. Upon feeling the intense gaze of the two, she faced them with a courageous look. “It's just a hunch… but whoever inside the Church that is against the Pope’s new ruling might have contacts with Dark Guilds and Brotherhoods… or even the Crusaders.”
“Just what we need. Bahamut, you ready?”
“As always, Master.”
“Alright.”
He twists the doorknob and immediately lets go. A sharp fang shaped dagger pierces through it. Without a single doubt, the man unloads his Glock dead face on the wooden door. The bullet holes let the light from inside the room to the dark empty hallway. Without care, the Black Dragon opens the door to the point it rips it out from the frame. The power she showed was the complete opposite of her human body.
Inside, one dead robed assassin was on the ground and four more ready to strike. With two of them wielding polished metal staff. The Dragon dodged the oncoming strikes of silent electricity, the only thing they could hear was the landing as books were set on fire. Julieanne rushed in to stab the one standing on the corner near the door and Paul shooting at the one farthest in the back. To their surprise, the assassins had amazing agility, to the point of having the ability to dodge the bullets even in the tight room and made it hard for the trained blonde Knight to even land a hit. Even though her Longsword was more than enough to do the job in such a tight space.
She chuckled at her opponent who had a short knife in its hand, the robed intruder having enough skill to fight her sword with such a short weapon. Focusing on the tip of her sword to make her expose her sides. But Jackson with his gun kept it and its friends busy with a hail of bullets while the Dragon went to town with the other two. Completely tearing them apart while burning the other one to ashes.
The Death Knight immediately notices the eyes of the surviving ones looking at the trap door on the corner. “Not on my watch!” he charges in. Joining on the chaos as the Bishop who was next door felt the ruckus, the frightening sounds of gunfire and ran out to the hallway wearing only his blue striped Pajamas. “What in Deus’ name is happening here?!” He arrives at the personal room to see the blonde Captain fighting two assassins. A seemingly youthful woman with long black hair wearing the skimpiest clothing he ever saw in his life devouring someone and a man wearing a coat and an unknown suit trying to shoot two of the assassins as they both stood on the trapdoor. Masterfully dodging their daggers and magic attacks.
“Oh Holy God of Man and Dragon, give me your guidance and give me the power to control the air. RESTRICT AIR!” A mighty gust of wind came from nowhere, whirling like an angel and stopping everyone from moving. The very air molecules around them are as stiff as a rock. Creating a pocket of stopped air that outlines their body.
Everyone in the room was frozen, all except the woman who was busy tearing apart the assassin. She just stopped after a few seconds of silence, turning to the Bishop who was looking down on her from the main door. “Oh? Is it over?” She then fully turns around and stands up to see a teenage man blushing beet red at the sight of her. “WHAT IN THE NAME OF DEUS VRAX ARE YOU WEARING?!” One by one, the assassins grasped something on their free hand, burning their bodies clean and nothing remained. The Bishop then raises his hand and closes it. Making them able to move once again.
“Oh man, phew. Thank you sir.”
“And who are you? I don’t remember seeing anyone wear such an ensemble around here.”
“Jackson. Here’s Bahamut.”
“Bahamut? The Goddess you mean?”
“Yo.”
The woman just lifted her right hand with an empty expression. She then walks back to the hallway. Tip toeing over the dead body of the assassin the Death Knight shot with his handgun.
“And who are these?” Captain Julieanne catches her breath as she walks back to the man in pajamas. Bowing respectfully then kneeling. “Assassins, Bishop Rival.”
“After the Priestess… I presume?”
“Yes. They headed straight to the second floor and rummaged through it. They knew the map layout we had set out.”
“Haaaaa… I expected this would happen. But I didn’t know it’d be this fast.”
“Who are these people anyways? They were fairly well equipped.” Jackson then squats over the dead robed man. The dark cloth absorbs the light alongside its gloves. Removing the hood, they are greeted with an Elf. One whose ears were long and pointy. Far longer than that of a Wood Elf. With a handsome youthful face, the man's eyes were closed shut, never to open once again.
“What…?”
“He’s a high elf.”
“Are they involved?”
“Maybe. Bishop Rival, if you may dismiss me. I must call upon the guards.”
“Of course, of course. And call the Nuns. I need my reading room cleaned up. You two, come with me.”
“Eh? Me?”
Pointing to himself, the Bishop nods. “The Goddess too, I have much to ask.” following the man to his room. It had a large enough space to fit an entire barracks of soldiers. Inside the concrete and stone, with even expensive marble tiles on the floor was a King sized bed with multiple cabinets of varying sizes and a desk with a Lightstone lamp. Everything was well kept and the man even had his own fireplace that’s fully stocked with wood that doesn’t seem to burn to ash.
Jackson just tilts his head at it, the strange wood seemingly not even fully burned at all as it kept the entire large room warm and habitable. Though its size shouldn’t even be able to heat up a fraction of the area for a fireplace of its expanse.
“Please, sit down there.”
Like two children that the principal has caught. Bahamut and Paul sat down next to it. The Knight appreciated the leather armchair while the Dragon was already drinking the bottle of milk on a stool next to her seat.
“Bahamut…”
“Please, drink as much as you want, Goddess.” The cold air between them was awkward. But Jackson remembers what Julieanne called him and he stumbles with his thumbs at first but then opens up.
“Uhm… Bishop Rival right?”
“Just call me Rival.”
“Okay. Uhm, Rival. What would the High Elves be after?”
“We cannot fully say that yet. For all we know it might’ve been a High Elf assassin brotherhood. Those daggers aren’t normal at all. Only used by those truly trusted and can perform as much as they are priced to pay.”
“Then, who could be after Seiness?”
“Many. The Holy See has always been known to have many divisions within it. Though I do have an idea. I may need to take time in undoing the knot that has been tying itself for over a year now since the reports of the End Times have started to circulate within the confines of the Church.”
“Wait… you knew… or have a direct idea of when it will happen?” Jackson then leaned forward while Bahamut just kept to herself. Stylishly crossing her legs as the two men talked. “Of course we do. Saint Berthal and many other Universities built by the Church all work together to make accurate predictions.”
“Then… this whole Seiness thing has been happening for a while then?”
“Well… some time. But I cannot fully say much. But know this, we may have our predictions but it may not always be true.”
“But you’ve formally announced it's coming though.”
“Yes. We were already having bouts of debates two years ago. The coming of the Outworlders only solidified it.” The Bishop then stands up and goes to one of his numerous bookshelves. His finger would skim past the spines of numerous olden texts and take the thickest one of them all and push it out. Rather than carrying it, the book levitated as he calmly placed it on the small table. “I take it that the Outworlders are also curious about our affairs. That is only natural for you all. You are living here with us now.” he then opens it and it stops at a note on the middle section of the book.
“But be not weary.” He then takes it and starts to write its contents in English. To much of Jackson's surprise. His handwriting was elegant and stylish, and most of all very eligible. As if it's someone who has lived in Earth his entire life. “If you look closely, the End Times do not last long.” taking the note, Jackson could see the first ever End Time. Labeled as Zero lasted for a hundred years. But then the First one only lasted for twenty, the second ten, the third five. With a question mark, the upcoming Forth one only had One put into it. “As you can see, the Known Gods at first stumbled and took some time to adapt and create methods to suppress the End Times.”
The Bishop then leaned back to his chair and crossed his legs too. His hands open and the man has a smile on his face with a professional stature even though he still had his pajamas on. “But ever since Deus Vrax came, the End Times were able to be stopped and prevented far quicker. The coming of you Outworlders may put a final end to this… what was that idiom again?”
All the while, Jackson was looking at the note. Constantly rubbing his chin as he read it again and again. Like a broken record, he stared down on the years of the End Times and how it all gradually became faster and faster to pass.
“Ah yes, the final nail to the coffin. Please, do tell your fellow kin from the other world that the Holy See does not intend to do anything concerning you or your people. Do not interfere. There is no need to bring a Goddess to the table for a game this small.”
Jackson then reaffirms his stance. Fixing his suit and wiping his shoulders. “No. We’re here to actually help.” the Bishop then nods. “Ah, I see. Interesting.” He then puts his hands together. Closely observing the two. “And what authority do you wield, Sir Jackson?”
“I am a General.”
“A General? They’d send a General and a Goddess for a task like this?”
“Yes. I am actually in command of the Central Joint Armies and came here personally to make sure the Pope passes the new law to allow Beast people in the Holy See.”
“... … Just how important is this to you, Outworlders?” seeing him hit the nail in the head, Jackson then rests his back on the leather chair and opens his hands. “To a degree, it's very important. One that may make it or break it for us.”
“Hmmmm… though I am not a fool and I know the Pope wants to do this so that we may have a meat shield to be used against the hordes of the Underworld. I…” he then points his finger at Jackson. “I cannot seem to get a good read on you Outworlders. At times, you seem to be innocent puppies, harmless and always joyful but next thing I know you’d be waging wars continents over and committing crimes that would take the most strongest of magics like it's nothing.”
Jackson then fixes his coat once again and just relaxes his body as he breathes out.
“Interesting though… this might be just what I need. We both have the same objectives at the end of the day, so why not corporate?”
“Correct. It seems that you are very smart, Bishop Rival.”
“Of course. Us Blue Robed Priests and Bishops are born of Nobility. I have been thought of this art of speech since I was a mere peon.” He stands up and opens a wardrobe, the wood etched with detailing and takes an expensive looking red clergy robe. Hiding behind some blinds, he changes to his official attire and comes out looking like a dignified man of a well known religion. Sitting on the rightmost chair with Bahamut in the middle, he observes the two once again as he makes a sigh.
“Goddess. Your ensemble please. I’d rather not have someone many people revere to be wearing such clothing in the premises of a Holy Site.”
“... Can I use your blinds?”
With a little blush. Bahamut stands up, one hand over her breasts and another on her pelvis.
“Of course.”
She runs behind it and a golden sparkle could be seen.
“Wow, she truly is a Divine being.”
Emerging, the woman was back in her classic black gown and with a veil and dragon crown.
“Amazing. Such an attire, you could sense the history and past. It's an embodiment of its primordial owner. Beautiful, if only I could hire an artist to paint this Holy image.”
“Thank you.”
“Please. Do as you wish. I am merely a Bishop.”
“Ahem.” Jackson then clears his throat.
“So, about that cooperation?”
“Ah, but before that, I seem to have gotten ahead of myself in my excitement. What brought the two of you here?”
“Bahamut was mapping out the underground section of the city when she detected a strange group of people entering through the rear of your compound.”
“Thank Deus Vrax that she was here. If Seiness was to be taken out, the Pope’s already questionable power might finally break.”
“And the body?”
“We’ll send it to the barracks and have it examined. I know for sure this goes far deeper. For something like this to be orchestrated, it cannot only be the Holy See. There must be more to it.”
“Deeper as in someone inside or outside?”
“A bit of both, maybe.”
“That’s pretty bad… But I get it, the Elves and Humans don’t want the Beast folk to join right?”
“You speak true. I presume this is because you have seen the protests and the untruthful rumors being spread about them? Or… that you’ve also gone around the city first? Hmph.” The Bishop now in his proper ensemble looked intimidating, the Crimson and Blue mending together to create a terrifying then authoritative look. Jackson was caught out of the style, used to seeing older and wrinkled men wearing such an outfit than someone who seemed to be years younger than him. “You did good. How has the city been?”
Even though the man was young and fresh, with untainted skin of a Noble blessed with the best genes, he talked as if he had already aged a good forty years and was worthy of his title and rank.
“It's been wonderful. Though I can’t fully appreciate it yet. But, I do see the paintings and the color hiding under the snow and ice… I also don’t think the rumors are untruthful… To some extent.”
“Why so?” The Bishop then swirled his fingers and the note flew back to the book and it closed. “I was raised by a woman who had come from a Werewolf tribe here in Geraldia. She had the ears and a tail of a wolf and stood towering over even the Knights that serve my family. But she was arguably more talented in being a mother than my birth mother.” he then stands up and makes the book levitate and fly back to the shelf where he pushes it in.
“I… I went through Schon and had met the less ideal versions of the Beast folk. They also gave Bahamut and her piglet friend such a hard time.”
“Ah, but you’ve seen it first hand haven’t you? How strong and powerful are these creatures? That pigman. Like many of the offsprings of the first Demon King. A bastardization of the Known Gods creations. But yet, they were also given the gift of emotions through the Outer Gods power. Their bodily functions may be less than ideal and at times, malfunctioning giving them less years to live than your average Human even. You cannot help but notice the humanity that still lies within them…” he then returns to his seat. Crossing his legs once again and looking straight at Jackson.
“They were all once Human too. Sadly, a far cry from what you’d call normal. Mon’krol as he is called is the God of Man and he never shy away from helping the other Gods. Thus Goddess Forrus came to him and asked him to help her make her own people to tend to her creations." He then swirled his fingers once again and a cabinet opened alongside a leftover pitcher of water and a teabag. It all came together before reaching him and it arrived, a tea was ready. All he needed to do was heat it with his own magic.
“They both succeeded, marking the birth of the Elves. Yet what about the others? Those specifically made for certain areas and terrains and… what would you call it in your language… ahhh… yes! Prototypes?”
“And… exactly where did the Demon King enter the conversation here?”
“Where? It was when the Elves knew of her superiority, better than Man and more so of the Beast men, they drove everyone out of Geraldia. Though Humans and our innate desire to fight made us stay, the Beast men weren’t as lucky. Being driven back to Schon where they were originally birthed.” He then rims the bottom of his tea cup, the liquid instantly heating up and steam already appearing from it. “My caretaker was one of those. Her ancestors became natives due to their natural fighting ability. These Wolf people call themselves Elids. In Common, it means Lycan.”
Jackson then leans forward and starts rubbing his chin while Bahamut. Bored, stood up and started going around his room. Needlessly touching things and picking up random objects that’d glimmer. In one spot, she spots a large mirror that has a gem on its top and would try to reach it. But her Master would take a peek at her on every occasion, preventing the Dragon from biting or stealing anything.
“Her lineage was known to be so strong and incredibly swift with the sword that no one else managed to beat them. Have you been to Schon in longer than a week, General?”
“I have. Months actually. I was fatally wounded there too.”
“Then you’ve indeed seen it first hand? These things they call Rogues?”
“I indeed have. Permanent Werewolves as we’d call them.”
“Amazing isn’t it? Why do you think the Demon King wanted them as his foot soldiers? Have you fought one?”
“It was… crazy. I needed to dump multiple bullets from my Python Revolver to take one down for good. I think autopsy from corpses states they had multiple lungs, hearts, extra joints at their limbs, and can even heal faster when their adrenaline is running. Making them tankier, faster, and more agile.” the Bishop then leans forward the same as his as the man drank from his tea. “Then, you are already far more educated than most Nobles in this matter. Indeed I am impressed by you. Even though you’ve seen them in such a state, none of their humanity is shown, no hate is within your eyes. Truly, you are an exemplary adventurer and leader.”
“I-i guess so. But I can’t truly speak on the matter. Though our stance is clear, I’ll say it once again. We want to help the Holy Pope in this matter and make it see the light.”
“And help I need more, way more. I believe you and your Goddess partner may help. I shall write this as the first official cooperation between the Outworlders and the Humans of Threa.”
“Ahhhhhhh… exactly what do you want us to do? I am a General, but I can’t really move Army Corps on a big map and such. I still need to call people and set things up.” Bishop Rival shrugs as he chuckles. “Generally, please don’t look at this within the lens of a soldier. Look at this within the lens of someone who just wants to help. An Adventurer.” He then sets down his half finished tea as he stands up and notices Bahamut has picked up a Sapphire from one of his drawers.
Jackson notices this and immediately jogged to her. “Bahamut! No.” she became dejected and slowly returned it. “Aahahaha, I can’t believe a Goddess would be so entranced by mere shiny rocks. Though I must say the brooch you wear around your neck is a wonderful ornament, Goddess.” hearing this, the Dragon turned around and walked to him. Putting it right up his face.
“Right? Right? This was Master’s emerald upgrade material but it has a different shine to it! It's my most treasured one in all of my collection!” seeing her other self, the Bishop just turns to the man who just shrugs and smiles at him.
“P-P-Please, follow me.”
The Bishop then opened the door with his magic, the pale Nun they met before was standing there.
“Oh! Sister Rain, how may I help?”
“I came here to report a child has been attacked.”
“WHAT?!”
“B-But the Goddess Bahamut had healed her. It was Tealie, she was stabbed in the abdomen. Her Goddess was just in time and healed her.”
“Why Tealie? Was she doing the leftover dishes once again? How did she end up getting stabbed?!”
“Yes Bishop. She was… but she noticed the fire in the ophangage’s fireplace wasn’t enough and went out to get more firewood. It seems that she’s been very unlucky today.” Sister Alva almost faints in recalling the very recent memory, needing Jackson to help her stand straight up.
“I already scolded that girl about overworking herself. Later, I shall talk to her. Be sure to give her a new set of robes. Goddess, Sir Jackson. Please follow me.”
The Sister with her fully clothed body got on her knees and hands together. “Thank you Goddess. I shall be sure to raise a statue of you in the Orphanage. It’s the least we can do.” the Dragon merely had a smirk under her veil as they walked through the hallway and to the corner of the building. There were numerous guards everywhere, and Captain Julieanne was chatting with other Knight Commanders as they looked over to the dead body of the Elf.
His gear was laid to rest on the hallway as a Priestess prayed over his dead body. The Knights on the other hand were looking and inspecting his gear. Jackson stops and hearing the squeak of his shoes, they turn around to notice the Bishop. Prompting them to all take a knee and lower their heads.
“I see this is our enemy. Knight Commander Heraldous, be sure to keep better tabs at the premises. Ask for more guards if need be.” The man with a large scar going from his forehead down to his neck merely says one sentence. “As you will, Bishop!” He then fixes his crimson vestments as he kneeled down to check the corpse of the Elf.
“A High Elf? Hmph. This isn’t good. Having them involved to this extent?” Captain Julieanne then steps forward. “Bishop, if I may?”
“Speak.”
“I believe it's better for us to not jump to conclusions. Their part of some high level Dark Brotherhood. Anyone within the Church High Ranks could easily do this.”
“Then our problems just became ten times worse. So be it. Continue to investigate and report anything to me.” He then turns to his back to see Jackson has picked up the dagger and is closely inspecting it. He then returns it and checks the Elf’s darkened leather armor, underneath it being a chainmail that’s infused with the shirt and an extra plate that’s been penetrated multiple times by bullets. “What’s your opinion on the matter, General?” hearing him say such a word, the Knight Commanders all turn to face Jackson.
Feeling their intense gazes, Jackson just clears his throat while squatting. Fixing the itch on the middle of his nose, the man just turns to them with a smile. “Y-Yeah, Dark Brotherhood, probably. Though I won’t make any conclusions just yet. I believe these people aren’t just normally sent.” they then all face their bodies towards him as he continues.
“Bahamut smelt them far too close and they knew where the Magic Barrier’s boundaries were.”
“Huh? How?”
“They had a Sigil to sneak through it right behind the furnace wall you use to heat up the Orphanage. On the corner inside some bushes.” hearing this, grasps could be heard while Julieane just tilted her head as she listened to the man. “The way they also came in here, they knew the layout and how the guards rotated. I believe they’ve been planning this for some time now.”
He then stands up and puts his hands in his pocket while Bishop rubs the area below his nose. “Captain Julieanne, I want you to up the perimeter guards.”
“As you will! Bishop!” He then turns to the two. But before he could speak, the blonde Captain walks up to Jackson. “Sir Jackson, may I ask of you? It's something personal.” Bahamut immediately peeks from his shoulders and lightly growls. “Ahhhhhh…. Oohhh… uhhhh…” he scratched the back of his head as the pretty Captain with her cute face was close to his. Making him blush lightly now able to see her up close and personal.
She had such a light complexion to her, as if she was born for royalty. An absolute eye candy from even far away and up close, she’s as if an innocent doll that knows how to wield a weapon with extreme efficiency. “Goddess, please? It’s going to be quick.” The Dragon then slowly lowers herself as she goes around Jackson and crosses her arms as he stands next to Bishop Rival.
Underneath her veil, Captain Julieanne could clearly see her sneering expression underneath. Her golden eyes under it also didn’t help to express anything but a slight anger and annoyance. She then bowed and excused herself from the other Commanders as she brought Jackson to a corner of the building. Not too far but also not close enough for the echo to ring long enough for them to be heard.
“How was it?”
“Hm?”
“What did the Bishop say?”
“Seems like he's pretty down for it.”
“Down?”
“I mean, he is willing to cooperate with us.” The Captain then jumps and does an elegant twirl. “YES!” her arms then fully extended as he had a big smile on her face. Jackson only stood in silence, taking in the moment as the stoic Captain looked so eager and like a normal everyday girl. “That was a nice twirl. Could give Alana a run for her money.” hearing this, she immediately stood straight up and adjusted her plate armor. “Ahem, I apologize for that.”
“What’s your history? That was a pretty nice twirl. Did your village teach you that?”
“Hm? Village?”
“Yeah, doesn’t the Holy See make peasants and commoners into Knights?”
“Ah, well. The past doesn’t matter. What matters now is our jobs. Good job Sir Jackson. You said you were planning on visiting the University right?”
“Yeah.”
“Hm. If Bishop Rival fully accepts you and shares the same sentiments, I will be more than willing to help you in your journey!”
“Ohhhhh, so you can get me into the University?”
“Yes! But you must secure the Bishop's express permission, first.”
“Alright, alright.” he then extends his hand and the Captain remembers what the Shine Guards players also gestured to one another and to her. She then accepts his hand and the two gladly shakes their arms. “I hope we may work together in the future. I’ll be looking forward to it. Alana has told me only good things about you. Don’t mind Bahamut.” The blonde woman with her ponytailed hair just nods and smiles as they return to the Bishop.
“May I guess what this was about?” Jackson just shrugs and Rival nods. Ignoring it and continuing down the hallway where they make a right turn. Disappearing from the scene completely and all they could hear was the echo of their shoes.
The hallways were just as stylish as the rest of the building, having marble tiles and sculptures littered about the place. It seemed beautiful and every corner of it had white or blue paint and on top of each door was the Holy See’s Sword Cross. Deus Vrax’s mighty weapon watches over every entrance and exit.
They then had to go into a room sandwiched between hundreds more and to their surprise, it had staircases on it. Walking to it, the path led them to a well lit attic that’s clearly been well taken care of as not a pint of grime or dust was present. They were greeted with three doors upon the stairs. Taking the left one was a large room and in the bed sleeping was a lightly tanned girl with wolf ears on top of her head and a tail that’s slowly wagging outside the blanket.
She didn’t seem any different from your typical Human, except for her more obvious wolf-like features.
“This… is Priestess Seiness.”
Her room wasn’t much to go by but it had all the amenities a person would need, she even had her own workstation and in the corner, wrapped in sheets. Jackson and Bahamut both notice her metallic staff. Though the darkness hid most of her features and made it seem like she was just another normal girl, the Bishop held his hand up a candle and it automatically lit up the wall lamps. He then sat on the bed and gently placed his hand on the teenager’s forehead and neck.
“This is the young one we found who can do something not many can…”
“So this is the girl that’s supposed to be used by the Pope?”
“Yes. She’s the instrument that will prove to everyone that even the Beast folk are blessed by Deus Vrax. She isn’t the first, but the past has been long tainted and modified by the other Bishops and even Cardinals. Deus Vrax’s group consisted of all the Species, you know?” He then checked her temperature and the man breathed a sigh of relief. “We never knew it was possible to be done again, but she can perform a special Healing Ritual. Though the Beast men are known for their intense Mana output and input, the Healing Ritual of Saint Braxis is one not many can do so wilfully, it requires the help of Deus Vrax himself to cast.”
“What’s she gonna do? Perform that miracle of sorts in front of thousands?”
“That is correct, Sir Jackson. If Deus Vrax truly favors someone. He will part some of his divinity and allow them to not only heal entirely cut limbs but also fix swathes of lands that've been overtaken by the Veins of Hell. Though I am blessed enough to not see such a deviant creation, many ancestors had and only Saint Braxis has found a way to fully heal the land that’s been afflicted by it.”
“Veins of Hell..”
“Yes. their flesh like tendrils that grow on the soil.”
“I know…. Bahamut, when she was walking around it. It’d rescind back to the soil.”
“Impressive… how did you even come across such an accursed thing?” He then stands up, facing Jackson straight in the eyes. Not letting him avert his gaze. “Let’s just say we kinda fucked up somewhere and summoned something that wasn’t supposed to be here.”
After a bout of silence, the Bishop just sighs. “So even in a world full of Humans, we’re still a victim to our natural instinct of uncovering things we shouldn’t.” Though all Jackson could do was breathe a sigh of relief seeing his calm demeanor return alongside his softer side.
“The Veins retreat because she is divine. A true Goddess, the veins that corrupt the land would not dare touch her lest they want to be burned.”
“Interesting… this is very interesting. So if Seiness can perform that, then she’s a strong person or something? Or incredibly talented and seen by your God personally?”
“Blessed. General Jackson. Blessed by Deus Vrax with his power. That to us is the biggest indicator of your worth. The Pope for example has trained for fifty long years of this. He can only bring forth a miniscule amount of Deus Vrax’s favor.”
“I see. This is some objective you have planned. But please, just call me Jackson or Sir Jackson.”
“And this is where you come in. I’d like to pay for your services. Are you a Guild?”
“We are. We also have those ID plates.”
“Good! Give them to me and I shall stamp it with the Cardinal’s approval. That should give you a hefty amount of coins. You will be officially hired by the Church as a Mercenary group. Rejoice, not many are given this title. But the power of a Goddess is an undoubtedly powerful tool. If one of my Knights or a person of the Church dare stop you, show them the stamp and they’d leave you be. It will also allow you to enter restricted premises without trouble.” Jackson’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, immediately reaching for his pockets when he remembers something. “Well?”
He then turns to himself as he looks up to the ceiling and remembers the lecture the Priest gave him about his Dragovh Adventurer ID.
“Well… it's not going to be easy…”
“Hm? Why is that?”
“We kinda… have… two more members...”
“Ah great. Please bring them along too.”
“And… it's in Dragovh…”
The Bishop facepalms but nonetheless, he opens his hand to him. “No worries. As long as you haven’t registered it yet, it should be no problem.” he then stumbles on himself as he also remembered the species of the other two. “Rival… may I ask… but what’s the policy of the Church when it comes to Non Human mercenaries being hired?” the Bishop just puts his hands into a fist and places it on his hips. “What?”
“I mean… what’s the entire stance of the Church on that?” Rival just sighs as he brings them outside where he leans on the frame of the door. “It varies from place to place. But here in Janishaire, as long as it's not Vampire or a Native High Elf, we won’t mind.”
“Yes but the thing is… their…”
“Their?”
“V-va-vam…”
“Vampires?”
“Yes… their Vampires.”
Bishop Rival then facepalms once again. “Oh Holy Deus Vrax, is this some test for me to overcome?” as he looked up to the ceiling and the single candle lamp strung about by thin chains dangled. “Haaaa… and also, I’d like to speak to you about the UN’s Outpost in Chamilos.” Jackson tilts his head and proceeds to look at Bahamut.
“Chamilos is like Downtown, Master.”
“Ah. Right, I’ll see what I can do with that then.”