The Vindicators arrived at Rome Ciampino Airport, the bustling atmosphere contrasting with their focused mission. As they collected their luggage, Noah looked around, a question in his eyes. "Did anyone plan our transport to Vatican City?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I've arranged a private transport to pick us up. It should be here soon," said Cyrus, who had meticulously prepared for the trip. His confidence was reassuring.

Ji-Eun, her eyes gleaming with excitement, added, "I can't wait to see the Vatican! I've read so much about its history. Cyrus, you really thought of everything."

"Remember, we're here for a mission to find the Sword of Light. If time permits, we'll explore a bit," Cyrus reminded them, staying focused on their objectives.

As they walked out of the airport, Elliot lagged behind, struggling with the bulkiness of his unusual weapon, the cordless vacuum cleaner. Noah, ever the playful one, called back sarcastically, "You need to move faster, man! We're all waiting for you!"

Elliot, trying his best to keep up, responded with a breathless chuckle, "I'm trying my best, Noah. This thing's heavier than it looks."

Cyrus, always the mediator, interjected, "You two cut it out. We've still got time."

Their private transport arrived, and a chubby Italian man stepped out of the car, his friendly demeanor immediately apparent. "Are you Cyrus Thorne?" he asked in a thick accent.

"Yes, I am," replied Cyrus.

"My name is Mr. Giovanni. I am your private driver. There's a total of four of you?"

Cyrus nodded in agreement. "That's right."

"Come, let me help you with your luggage, and you can all board the car," Mr. Giovanni offered kindly. As he lifted Elliot's luggage, he grunted, "Oh, this is heavy," mumbling to himself as he loaded it into the car.

The team started to board, and Ji-Eun, with her characteristic mix of innocence and intensity, said, "Thank you, Mr. Giovanni. It's our first time here, and we hope to learn more about Rome."

Mr. Giovanni smiled warmly. "No problem. Welcome to Rome! Let's get you to the Vatican safely."

As they settled into the car, Noah couldn't help but tease Elliot one last time. "Elliot, next time, maybe pack lighter?"

Elliot laughed, shaking his head. "Not a chance. This vacuum might just save us one day."

With everyone finally aboard, the car set off towards the heart of Rome, the ancient city's charm slowly enveloping them as they drove towards their next adventure.

"Where are you guys from?" asked Mr. Giovanni, trying to strike up a conversation with his passengers while navigating the bustling streets of Rome.

"We're from the United States," replied Cyrus. "We haven't booked any accommodation yet. Maybe you could recommend something?" he asked, hoping for a local's insight.

"And we haven't had dinner either. Could you suggest a good Italian restaurant?" added Elliot, his stomach growling at the thought of authentic Italian cuisine.

Mr. Giovanni chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You came to the right person! Is there any particular place of interest you all are keen on visiting?"

"We're planning to visit the church of the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light. Do you know any accommodations or eateries nearby?" Ji-Eun asked, her excitement palpable.

Upon hearing the name of the order, Mr. Giovanni's eyes widened. "Are any of you not feeling well?" he asked with genuine concern. "The church is famous for miracle healings of unknown sicknesses. Many travelers come here seeking cures from the order."

"No, we're not ill," Cyrus reassured him. "We're searching for the Sword of Light. Have you heard anything about it?"

Mr. Giovanni chuckled, shaking his head. "You're joking, right? Those are just myths. But I can tell you more about the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light and introduce you to a nearby inn."

"Please do," Cyrus urged, his curiosity piqued.

"The Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light is a highly influential group within the Vatican City community. They are known worldwide for spreading spiritual enlightenment and engaging in various charitable works, education, and the defense of faith. They uphold divine laws and principles with a strict hierarchical structure and rigorous discipline."

"Sounds like they hold more power than the government," commented Elliot, intrigued.

"Indeed," Mr. Giovanni confirmed. "Their influence over spiritual and temporal affairs is so profound that even the government is wary of intervening in their matters. The Order is particularly famous for its ability to cure unknown illnesses, attracting visitors from all over the world."

"That makes it sound like seeing the Order is more effective than visiting a scientifically proven doctor," Elliot mused. "I suppose everyone would prefer that over an official clinic if it's so miraculous."

"Indeed," Mr. Giovanni agreed. "However, the Order claims there's a long queue, and the church's strict rules for miracle healings often require significant donations or luck in a draw. To participate in the draw, one must also meet certain donation amounts. It's not easy to secure a session for a miracle healing."

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"Wow, this sounds so commercial. Isn't the Order supposed to help everyone?" Noah asked, unable to understand the rationale behind the Order's arrangements.

"They claim donations and offerings are proof of loyalty to the Order, showing members' dedication by parting with their assets to support the church. It also helps filter out the truly devoted from those less committed based on their contributions," Mr. Giovanni explained.

"That's utter nonsense," Noah said angrily. "They're just using that as an excuse to operate like a commercial entity."

"Calm down, Noah," Elliot said, trying to pacify him. "There are things in this world we can't control." Noah folded his arms and fell silent, but his frustration was evident.

"We're almost there. I'm taking you to a local inn called La Dolce Vita, which serves excellent Italian food and has accommodations near the church of the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light," Mr. Giovanni announced.

Mr. Giovanni stopped in front of a two-story building with a weathered sign that read "La Dolce Vita." The place looked modest and somewhat shabby, with an eerie wind blowing against it, causing the shutters to creak.

"Hey, Mr. Giovanni, are you sure we're at the right place? This place looks deserted and probably has a low rating," said Noah, skepticism clear in his voice.

"Young man, don't judge the appearance of this inn," Mr. Giovanni replied with a knowing smile. "They have authentic Italian cuisine here, and the hosting is exceptional."

"Yeah, right! I don't see anyone around. It looks haunted too," Noah said sarcastically, his tone dripping with disbelief.

"Trust me, young man, this is a good location and it's near the church of the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light, which Mr. Cyrus wanted," Mr. Giovanni reassured them.

"Let's trust the local," Cyrus said firmly.

"You're the leader. I got nothing to comment," Noah muttered as Mr. Giovanni began unloading their luggage from the car. Just then, a young girl emerged from the inn, her face lighting up at the sight of guests.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/6d/Maria_with_a_sad_expression.png]

"Mr. Giovanni, you brought guests!" she exclaimed excitedly. The young girl, Maria De Luca, had brown hair tied back neatly, expressive hazel eyes, and wore a simple blue dress that highlighted her slender, almost frail build.

"Maria, how are you! This inn has great food and service, so why shouldn't I recommend it?" Mr. Giovanni said warmly.

"Yes, I will do my best!" Maria replied with a friendly smile. She immediately began helping with the luggage, her small frame struggling with the weight of two large suitcases.

Cyrus couldn't stand seeing the poor girl carrying the heavy luggage by herself. "Come, let me help you," he offered, stepping forward to take his own bags.

"No, you shouldn't. You are a guest," Maria insisted politely, still smiling.

"It's okay, I will help him!" Ji-Eun interjected, snatching Cyrus's luggage from Maria. It was obvious she was jealous of Maria when Cyrus offered his help to her.

"Alright, you can help me," Cyrus said, not entirely sure how to respond to Ji-Eun's sudden assertiveness.

"Ji-Eun, can you help carry mine too?" Elliot chimed in, grinning.

"Mine too, if you don't mind!" Noah added, both of them teasing Ji-Eun.

"No! Both of you carry your own bags to the inn!" Ji-Eun snapped, passing their luggage back to Noah and Elliot. "Take pity on the poor girl, you two."

"Argh, why doesn't this inn even have a bellboy?" Noah grumbled as he reluctantly picked up his suitcase.

Mr. Giovanni chuckled at the group’s antics. "You'll find that the charm of La Dolce Vita lies in its homely feel and the warm hospitality. Now, let's get you settled in and then you can enjoy some of that authentic Italian cuisine I mentioned. I hope you all get to find what you are here for, and wishing you all the best!" he added as he drove his car away from the inn.

As they walked into the inn, it was as empty as expected. There were no other staff in sight except for the young girl, Maria. She seemed to be the only one working here. The café within the inn was dark, with the lights turned off to save electricity. Despite its humble appearance, the interior was clean and had a pleasant environment.

"Do you think we got scammed into a tourist trap by Mr. Giovanni?" Noah whispered to Elliot, casting wary glances around the room.

"Yeah, it looks too quiet here," Elliot replied, sharing Noah's suspicion.

Maria quickly moved behind the reception counter, her demeanor professional yet warm. "Hi, may I know how many rooms you all need?" she asked, looking at Cyrus.

"Just two rooms will be enough. One for the lady and one room for the three of us," Cyrus replied.

Ji-Eun interrupted, "Cyrus, I can share my room with you. Don't you think three people in one room is too small?"

"No, we are fine with this arrangement," Cyrus said firmly, signaling Maria to proceed with the registration. "Just curious, are you the only staff in this whole inn? I don't see anyone else," he added, his tone both inquisitive and concerned.

"Yes, I am the only staff here, but I promise you the service will be top-notch," Maria said with a determined smile. "Please don't leave, I promise our service will be good," she pleaded, fearing that her comments might drive the visitors away.

"Where's the boss?" Noah asked, shocked at the revelation that the entire inn was run by just one person.

"The boss is not around. I am the only staff here," Maria admitted. "But please trust me, I promise you the rooms are clean, the food is good, and the service is excellent," she continued to plead, her eyes earnest.

"Cyrus, do you want to consider another place?" Elliot asked, skeptical about the quality of service with only one staff member.

"No, we will stay here. I believe in the girl," Cyrus said, feeling a surge of pity and respect for Maria's determination. "You can pass us our room keys."

"Thank you," Maria said, visibly relieved. She handed the room keys to Cyrus and Ji-Eun. "Before you go up, could you please order your dinner? I can start preparing it while you settle in," she asked. "I promise we use the freshest ingredients."

Noah, still in disbelief, asked, "Are you the chef too?"

"Yes, I am," Maria replied, her smile unwavering.

"You seem to be doing everything yourself. It must be hard on you," Cyrus said, admiring her dedication. "I'll have the Risotto Di Mare."

"I would like the Spaghetti Alla Carbonara," Elliot said, choosing something simple and safe, still unsure of Maria's skills.

"One Pizza Italia, please," Noah ordered, choosing something complex to see how she would cope.

"One Insalata Cesare," Ji-Eun ordered, opting for a simple salad as she was watching her diet.

"Your food will be ready in one hour. Please go up, settle down, and have a shower," Maria said in a pleasant tone, smiling warmly.

The Vindicators, placing their trust in Maria, moved upstairs to their rooms to settle in. The humble inn, despite its initial appearance, began to feel more welcoming, thanks to Maria's earnest efforts and the promise of a good meal. As they unpacked and prepared for dinner, they couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and curiosity about the stories this quaint little inn held.