Azrael was sure that something was fishy. They were missing something, a crucial piece of information.

Of course, he could be wrong. Perhaps that the devils really didn't appreciate that she fell in love with an exorcist. He didn't have enough information to completely deduce the circumstances. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think that the world revolved around him and that all his ideas were right.

What's more, investigating more wouldn't necessarily be good for him.

His position in the church was weird. Technically, he was the highest-ranked in the church on earth. But officially he had no rank and was unknown to most. Only those in the Vatican knew him, with the other only knowing about his existence and his title.

Those old men in position were already wary of him. If not for the fact that his shitty geezer held so much power and that his mother family was also rather high ranked then, perhaps he would have been fed to the wolves long ago.

Then again, if his father didn’t hold so much power he wouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place. He would simply be given a high but powerless title like those other children.

Finally, watching the man who seemed so broken and tired, he allowed a little pity to appear in his heart.

This was a man, who, out of duty killed his own subordinate and most likely close friend despite the pain in his heart. Was it something commendable or something to loaf?

This was really a deep question. One he couldn't answer.

As a person, he found the fact of killing one own friend to be something abject and repulsive no matter what the reason. But as an exorcist? Exorcists were basically soldiers. As a soldier discipline was paramount and was above all feelings.

As such, from this point of view. Shidou action was perfect.

*Sigh*

If he, who was an outsider was into such a dilemma, he could only imagine what a man as kind as the one before him should feel,

"M. Shidou. Firstly I must say that I am very sorry for how I have treated you today. As a junior, this is a very shameful matter. "

He slightly bowed his head, he wasn't above doing so. He admitted that he had been a little rough in his treatment. Shidou became a little flustered at seeing someone so respectable bow to him,

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“No...No...Your highness, you do not need to bow. Please raise your head.”

It was only after he heard this that he accepted to raise his head. He felt no shame in bowing to someone who is technically of inferior status. Of course, he would never do so in public, for obvious reasons, but he didn’t mind doing so in private,

"Secondly, I will be honest with you. M. Shidou. Your actions were truly deplorable on a personal level. But, as an exorcist, you did your job beautifully. Do not grieve. Held your head high. The past is the past. Drowning in guilt is nothing more than a waste of time. The dead cannot be revived… Well *Cough* *Cough*, technically they can but we do not have the power to do so."

The power to resurrect the dead was indeed possible. But from what he knew, the sacred gear, no, the Longinus able to do so, the [Sephiroth Graal], was in unknown hands. No. It wasn’t even known if it had found a user in this era.

The original God of the Bible created the Sacred Gears as part of his system to enact miracles on Earth. It has been stated that certain individuals with Sacred Gears have grown to become very powerful and influential and that a large number of the people who have had their names etched into history, were most likely Sacred Gear possessors.

Only humans or human hybrids can be born with Sacred Gears.

Aside from the normal Sacred Gears, there are the Longinus. Longinus are unique top-tier Sacred Gears, each having multiple abilities compared to a normal Sacred Gear which only has one, and has the power to slay Gods. This class of Sacred Gears are also known as the tool that destroys God. There are 13 Longinus in total.

The holy grail, [Sephiroth Graal], was one of those Longinus and alongside the Holy Spear [TRUE LONGINUS] and the holy cross [INCINERATE ANTHEM] were the three holy relics of the church.

The ironic thing was that none of those three holy relics were in the possession of the church at the present time. Shidou Touji and Azrael were aware of this situation.

This awkward cough, which brought even more awkward thoughts, dispelled a little the previously somber atmosphere, making it warmer and brighter. Deciding that it was better to change subjects, Azrael asked

“M. Shidou, tell me. Now that this has ended, what do you plan to do?”

Shidou lowered his head, frankly, he was lost, he wondered if he should simply leave the church or perhaps the country. Finally, he gathered his resolve and said,

“Your Highness, even though it might be a form of escapism, I think that I will leave Japan with my family and go live in England.”

A kind smile appeared on Azrael,

“M. Shidou, for what it is worth, you have my benedictions. I hope that you’ll be able to overcome your nightmare and become a new man.”

Shidou bowed deeply while seated,

“I am very thankful.”

Azrael waved his hand in dismissal,

“You can go. I am sure that you have many things to arrange. Also, your daughter, Irina, has a rather high potential. If you wish, I can write a recommendation later, so that she receives the best training possible.”

Shidou, simply bowed, words escaping him.

Afterward, he rose from his seat and decided to leave the library. Just as he reached the door,

“M. Shidou.”

A voice stopped him in his track, he turned to face Azrael, curious about what he had to add,

“Happiness must be grabbed by one's own hands. No one can help you become happy. But, your family can help. M.Shidou, I know people whose families were destroyed because of hidden feelings of guilt. Irina is a bright and pure girl. Never forget that even when facing the greatest adversity, you MUST show a smiling face to your children. This is your duty as a father.”

He paused a little before continuing,

“People cannot change the past. All we can do is accept our own actions. If you still wish to be burdened by your sins, let it show in your future actions. It is your choice how to perceive something that has already happened.”

Shidou Touji paused a little, he knew that more than anything, the young boy in front of him was talking from personal experience. As such, he did not answer, but the firmness in his eyes was enough for an answer.

After leaving the library, he saluted Diethelm who stood by the door and began to walk away. He had things to prepare and a family to make happy.