"This is the first founder of this church. He was overly pious; according to records, he always smashed his face to the ground to show his devotion." The priest pointed to the painting; the man's face in it was very square with a large nose, and his eyes looked quite strange.
"Unfortunately, he was killed by a black knight. Luckily, he left his name behind—his name is Mozgus."
"Whoa! He must have been really pious!"
Yeah, pious to the point of superstition, smashing heretics' heads with the Bible.
"And here are NPCs 2, 3, 4, 5, and then this priest who taught me a few things before leaving."
Oi oi oi, skipping everyone to jump straight to that priest?
"He also gave me this outfit. Too bad I didn't get to talk much with him, but I saw him often hanging around with a big blond guy." The priest chuckled awkwardly.
"After that, he went to the prison to preach some stuff. Sadly, he died killed by a child. Truly tragic." The priest wiped his tears.
Why do they all die in such weird ways?
Archer stood not far away, watching her Master and the priest chat about everything under the sun.
Nothing worth hearing—just church history and 7749 bizarre Jesus stories, like Jesus fighting the authorities and rooming with Buddha, or even unrelated tales of Buddha punching some Japanese god while Jesus watched.
Utter bullshit!
"Now, the branches in Japan and France seem short-staffed. My colleague in Fuyuki died because the Holy Grail War there was intense, and the one in France was defeated by a homunculus and a Ruler Servant. Oh, life is so unfortunate..."
"I still remember that mapo tofu... And that white-haired guy with justice ideals but not an Emiya..." (Ah yes, Shirou but not Shirou.)
"Your life really is unfortunate. Observing this Grail War isn't easy..." Lily said with sympathy.
"Yes, being a Grail-observing priest isn't easy. We have to watch gas explosions take innocent lives, and we can't do anything. I wish we could join the war, use the Grail, and wish for a peaceful world," the priest said with emotion.
"As expected, priests are so trustworthy!" Lily said excitedly.
"Yes, very trustworthy," Archer could only smile.
Yep, definitely trustworthy—priests, even outside the Nasuverse, have ideals that are... the pinnacle of humanity.
"Oh, it's almost noon, and time is short. Why don't you head out and prepare for tonight?" The priest said to Lily.
"Oh yes, thank you for sharing so much info. I don't know how to repay you."
"Just fight on. Repayment can wait."
"You're truly a saint!"
So Lily and Archer prepared to leave as Judas wished.
"Oh, one more thing!" The priest called out, making Lily and Archer stop and turn back.
"Do you believe in evolution?"
A weird question.
"Yes? Oh no, I forgot—you guys might be against evolution stuff!" Lily said worriedly.
"No worries! I think evolution sounds better than us being made in God's image."
"Really?"
"Yeah, because it shows humans aren't that different from other creatures—we just have too much ego to admit it."
"...?" Archer raised an eyebrow at the priest this time.
"Life is precious, but that's just a human saying because it involves humans. What about other creatures? They have lives too, right?"
"Sometimes I wonder: if evolution had gone a bit differently and smart animals evolved instead of humans, how would they treat us?"
"That's why I love evolution—it shows all creatures start from the same line."
"All lives are equal; humans just have too much ego to accept that..."
"Humans and animals are one. Even in death, it doesn't make much difference."
...
...
"Goodbye. Come back anytime you need healing or Command Seals restored~" The priest waved goodbye to Lily and Archer.
They left, but Lily was still lost in thought.
"Master."
"H-Huh? What is it, Archer?"
"Don't overthink what that priest said. It's just his perspective."
"Oh, um... I know. It's just... his view reminds me of some company."
"A company?" Archer was puzzled.
"Yeah... PETA."
Oh... That... Yeah, kinda similar now that you mention it.
"But the difference is PETA is hypocritical in every action—kidnapping and killing animals with dumb excuses, backed by powerful people despite netizens hating them."
"While his way of speaking... It's like humans and animals are no different; death is just death as a creature, not 'human death' or 'animal death.' But human ego won't accept that."
"So I think... That priest is definitely anti-PETA! Meaning he's a really good guy!!"
...
Whoosh...
The wind tousled Archer's hair; her face froze, utterly speechless at her Master's genius-level logic.
...Maybe letting her meet that priest so early was a very, very bad idea.