Chapter 322: The Reliquary
"…More than a decade ago, a horrific murder took place inside a residence in Nerima Ward.
The victim died under gruesome circumstances, yet investigators found no signs of forced entry. To this day, the police have been unable to identify the primary suspect.
Furthermore, in recent years, anyone connected to the case has died under mysterious circumstances, forcing authorities to abandon any deeper investigation.
According to reports submitted by the local church, a seminary student was once assigned to handle the matter, but the individual disappeared without a trace.
In the years that followed, monks, onmyōji, and other spiritual practitioners attempted to investigate the incident, but none produced any results…"
As Gideon read through the dossier, his brows gradually knitted together.
"Nerima Ward…"
"This isn't Sadako, is it?"
There was no mention of videotapes or televisions anywhere in the report, making it unlikely that the culprit was the infamous ghost herself.
Yet oddly enough, Gideon almost hoped it was.
After all, during the events in the Holy War Land, Sadako had also been captured and dragged there by the evil spirits.
Although the two of them had never interacted directly, Gideon had inadvertently ruined the spirits' plans, allowing many of the hunters who hadn't yet been controlled to escape their grasp.
No matter how one looked at it, he had technically saved Sadako's life.
Perhaps, out of consideration for that favor, she might be willing to cooperate.
If that happened, there'd be no need for a violent confrontation.
Everyone could walk away satisfied.
Of course, whether "Miss Sadako" had actually returned home was another matter entirely.
For now, it remained nothing more than wishful thinking.
According to the assignment details, the team's handover with the local church was scheduled for three days later, meaning they would depart the following day.
After finishing the dossier, the group held a brief discussion before dispersing to prepare supplies for the mission.
---
That night.
Vatican City.
Within the residential district of the Holy Families.
A hidden underground passage stretched through the darkness.
Dressed in a black robe, Ambrose Rossi walked alone through the tunnel.
More than ten minutes later, he arrived before a wooden door.
Knock. Knock.
The door slowly creaked open.
A broad-shouldered clergyman appeared in the doorway.
"Raise your hands," the man said in a low voice.
Ambrose said nothing. He slowly raised his hands.
After a thorough search, he was allowed through the wooden door.
Beyond it stood a lavishly furnished house. Warm golden light illuminated the thick carpets that covered the floor.
Following the burly guard, Ambrose made his way to a private room where several people were already waiting.
He did not dare raise his head. Instead, he immediately bowed deeply.
"May the Lord bless you, my lords."
"You've arrived," one of them said. "We were just discussing how Jolan handed the position of Deputy Commander of the Clergy Corps to an outsider. That position should have been yours."
Ambrose lowered his gaze.
"Perhaps His Excellency has his reasons."
"Hmph. Reasons?"
The man snorted coldly.
"Ever since returning from the Holy War Land, Jolan has become far too reckless."
Another person nodded in agreement.
"Rules that have existed for thousands of years are not so easily broken."
"Bishop Matthew, it's time that His Excellency learned to face reality."
Ambrose bent even lower.
"I will carry out your instructions, my lords."
---
The following afternoon.
Clergy Corps Headquarters, Vatican City.
Gideon arrived early.
Ever since being unexpectedly appointed Deputy Commander, he had stayed indoors from yesterday until now to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Even basic supplies had been purchased through Sid and the others.
As a result, he still had no idea what the position actually entailed.
Jolan had not assigned anyone to brief him.
In fact, the man himself had vanished.
Gideon had effectively been left to fend for himself.
Fortunately, nobody had come looking for trouble during that time.
Now that he was finally about to leave the Vatican, he found himself more than a little eager to depart.
Before long, the sound of metal clanking echoed through the corridor.
John appeared in the doorway, his familiar iron chain wrapped around his waist and a cloth pack slung over his shoulder.
"Sid and the others aren't with you?" Gideon asked.
John shook his head.
"After delivering your supplies yesterday, I haven't seen them either. Maybe they're running late."
The two could only continue waiting.
As time passed, Gideon grew increasingly puzzled.
This should have been one of the busiest departure periods for Clergy Corps teams.
So why were there only two people here?
Just as he was about to ask, another figure appeared at the entrance.
"Bishop Ambrose? What brings you here?"
John sounded genuinely surprised.
Ambrose smiled politely.
"The Holy See sent me to deliver sealing equipment to teams heading into the field."
He produced a wooden box and opened it.
Inside rested a beautifully crafted metal cross.
"This is a Reliquary Seal."
"Special sealing arrays have been engraved upon it. It can suppress the power of particularly dangerous evil entities."
Gideon examined the item.
Its craftsmanship was exquisite.
Complex runic engravings covered the surface, and it radiated a faint aura of holy power.
"Once you locate the target, make sure it is sealed within the reliquary."
"That is the only way to ensure the material remains uncontaminated."
Gideon's expression became slightly strange.
Contaminated?
Since when did evil entities need protection from contamination?
They've never exactly been clean to begin with.
Yet John showed no reaction whatsoever.
Apparently, this was standard procedure within the Clergy Corps.
"Because mission danger levels have increased dramatically," Ambrose continued, "these reliquaries have been enhanced with special rites."
"They can unleash roughly three times their normal sealing power."
"However, that power can only be activated once."
His expression grew serious.
"So remember: use it only after you have confirmed the presence of the actual evil entity."
Once he saw both men carefully store away the reliquary, his tone softened again.
"Well then, gentlemen, you should be on your way."
"You wouldn't want to miss your flight."
"We're still waiting for three teammates," Gideon replied.
At that, Ambrose lightly slapped his forehead.
"My apologies. Has no one informed you?"
His expression became apologetic.
"That oversight is mine."
Gideon raised an eyebrow.
"Innocent, Sid, and Calvin have all been temporarily reassigned by the Holy See."
"They won't be participating in this mission."
Gideon frowned slightly.
The announcement had come completely out of nowhere.
"Oh, praise the Lord."
John visibly relaxed.
"It's wonderful news that Innocent isn't coming."
"Bishop John, I'm standing right here."
Ambrose laughed helplessly.
The two immediately began exchanging jokes at Innocent's expense.
The atmosphere became surprisingly lighthearted.
Is this kind of thing normal?
Gideon wondered.
The Clergy Corps seemed to undergo personnel changes far too frequently.
"Father Gideon."
Ambrose suddenly addressed him directly.
"You've probably heard some of the rumors."
"But if Lord Jolan made this decision, he must have had his reasons."
"Your achievements in the Holy War Land are evident to everyone."
"To be honest, I believe you're more suitable for the Deputy Commander position than I am."
Looking into the man's sincere eyes, Gideon was genuinely surprised.
He had fully expected some kind of forced confrontation or political provocation.
Instead, Ambrose appeared remarkably magnanimous.
Since the other man was showing such grace, Gideon naturally had no intention of causing trouble.
"I actually have reservations about the appointment myself," he admitted.
"Once this mission is complete, I plan to discuss the matter with His Excellency personally."
Ambrose smiled warmly.
"Your humility is admirable."
"May the Lord watch over you both."
Gideon crossed himself in response.
The two then bid Ambrose farewell and departed the headquarters.
After they left, the smile gradually faded from Ambrose's face.
His expression became utterly calm.
He waited silently for a while longer before disappearing into the corridor.
---
One day later.
Nerima Ward, northwestern Tokyo.
A taxi pulled over at the roadside.
Gideon and John stepped out and closed the doors behind them.
...
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