Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 166

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 166

The Church Nation, Vatican.

Once called the Vatican City State, it evolved into a nation to protect the southern Italian Peninsula during the chaos of the Great War.

Regardless of one’s belief in God, no one could deny that it was one of the most influential powers in the world.

And I arrived in that Church Nation aboard the Russell family’s private jet.

Ron, who got off with me at Vatican International Airport in western Italy, asked as he gathered his luggage.

“Is this your first time visiting the Church Nation, Young Master Lee Cheol?”

“Yes, the Soongmoo Yi family makes it difficult to leave except for martial arts training.”

In my past life, I wandered through many countries and regions to avoid the family, but I never came to the Church Nation even then.

“What about you?”

“Actually, it’s my first time too. So, I’m a little excited.”

“What’s there to be excited about?”

“Young Master Lee Cheol! We’re not just here for sightseeing, but we’ve received a formal invitation! And from the main branch!”

“Well, to be exact, I received the invitation, not you.”

“Th-that’s true. But still, we might get to meet the knights and mages of the Vatican.”

Ron’s eyes sparkled as he clenched his fist.

“The Papal Secret Service is too secretive to meet, but there’s the Holy Magic Division, the Eastern Cross Knights, the Holy Cross Knights… and above all, since Serena is a disciple of Saint Christina, we might be able to interact with the Paladins! Aren’t you excited, Young Master Lee Cheol?”

“I’m excited too.”

I smiled at Ron and fell into thought again.

I said that, but my thoughts weren’t really leaning towards excitement.

It was because of the stories about the six nights I heard from Henry, and thoughts about the Vatican’s intentions.

After that, we went through some procedures and went outside through the gate.

And we were able to meet a rather welcome figure.

“Kim Cheol-hyun… no, Lee Cheol-nim [a Korean honorific]. It’s been a while.”

Serena was standing upright, waiting for us with an unwavering posture.

* * *

Ron and I exchanged greetings with Serena.

Serena had a stoic expression without a single smile.

But neither Ron nor I felt unpleasant.

Because we knew she was just awkward at expressing her emotions.

“It’s been a while, Lee Cheol-nim. Lord Ron.”

“Yes, have you been well?”

Serena paused briefly at my greeting but soon replied.

“Yes, Lee Cheol-nim, you seem to have grown even more. As has Lord Ron.”

“You flatter us. It seems that Lady Serena has grown noticeably as well.”

Ron smiled and responded to Serena’s words.

I narrowed my eyes at the expression Serena briefly showed.

“Is something the matter?”

I asked, looking at Serena.

Serena’s eyes flickered slightly.

“No. I was just sorry that we invited you, but I ended up being the only one to greet you.”

“…….”

It was an obvious excuse, but I didn’t bother to ask further.

Even if something was really wrong, it wasn’t a story to be told in this place.

“I don’t really care about that. I’ve already been in contact with Cardinal Rosario, so I know. It’s not an invitation that can be publicly announced.”

“…I’ll tell you the details later. The vehicle is ready, so would you like to go that way?”

With that, Ron and I headed to the capital of the Church Nation, Vatican City, with Serena.

The city of the Church Nation boasts a long history.

Everywhere was full of buildings that held traces of history, and saints and religious symbols were in place.

There were quite a few people who seemed to be travelers as well as residents on the streets.

Well, it was like a mecca of Western Christian culture, so it was understandable.

The vehicle stopped, and we arrived at a small mansion located on the outskirts of Vatican City.

“You can stay here during your stay in the Church Nation. The training grounds have barriers installed, and there are many security facilities inside, so you don’t have to worry about security. For today, please relieve your fatigue.”

Serena activated the facilities inside the mansion.

Soon, a strange magic flowed through the large mansion site. It was a power that the Vatican called holy magic.

It was a bit excessive, even for the safety and security of guests.

“I will be acting alongside you during your stay in the Church Nation. Please feel free to tell me if you need anything.”

“Then I’ll unpack my luggage. Unlike Young Master Lee Cheol, I had to carry it myself.”

Ron glanced at the trinket pinned to Eun-ha, seemingly envious, and walked into the mansion.

“Young Master Lee Cheol must be tired after the flight, so hurry…”

“I think I can hear the story now.”

I interrupted Serena and made eye contact.

Serena flinched.

‘This person is too obvious,’ I thought.

“Now that I’ve come to the Church Nation, I have no intention of backing out. Just tell me comfortably. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lee Cheol-nim.”

“It’s all over your face, Serena-nim.”

Serena hesitated and touched her face, then slightly averted her eyes.

“…Face? I don’t know what you mean.”

“Serena-nim, you’re not good at lying. Your voice is trembling too.”

“Ugh.”

Serena bit her lip and lowered her eyes.

I didn’t say anything and just stared at Serena.

After a while, she finally drooped her shoulders.

“Seo-hyun told me to be careful in front of Lee Cheol-nim, and she was right.”

Serena smiled bitterly as if she had given up.

‘Has Lee Seo-hyun already made friends with Serena?’ I wondered.

The Seo-hyun she’s talking about is the eighth, Lee Seo-hyun.

I advised her to go to the Vatican, but it seems she’s doing quite well.

Anyway.

“I’m worried about what that kid said. She wouldn’t have said anything good.”

“I told her to be careful because it seems like you’ve learned mind reading. And… um, never mind.”

I don’t know what that Lee Seo-hyun said, but one thing is for sure, it wasn’t a compliment.

Serena looked at me with slightly trembling eyes.

“…Have you really learned mind reading?”

I chuckled.

“Of course not.”

“Th-that’s right. I’m sorry.”

“Anyway, I think we’ve had enough small talk. Will you tell me the story?”

I took a light breath and looked into Serena’s eyes.

“Why is it so secretive and cautious, and what do you want from me, and what are you hiding, Serena-nim?”

But Serena still hesitated, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly.

I waited for her to speak.

And slowly, Serena opened her mouth.

“There is a traitor in the high ranks of the Church Nation. My teacher… no, Saint Christina has been seriously injured.”

* * *

The Vatican, the capital of the Church Nation, is considered the safest city in the world.

It is known to have the most holy relics in the world, and it is also home to numerous armed groups, including the Paladins.

In the center of such Vatican is ‘St. Peter’s Basilica’.

A sacred place among sacred places that distinguishes those with impure hearts and irreverent minds, and purifies misguided beings.

It was a place that remained intact even in the flames of the Great War, with only the outer walls slightly damaged.

And a man in a priest’s robe was walking in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Originally, access to the vicinity of the Basilica was not allowed at night for security reasons, but even the knights, mages, and general soldiers patrolling for security did not stop his walk.

Rather, they politely greeted him and expressed their respect.

“…Lord.”

The man stood at the entrance of the Basilica and captured the scenery in his eyes.

The moon was bright, but the light did not reach the man’s face.

There were many lights in the square in front of the Basilica, but the man’s surroundings felt even darker.

“I want to make a confession. Father.”

A woman with a smile approached the man.

The man narrowed his eyes and said in a low, heavy voice.

“Do it properly.”

“Ah, that’s right. Is this how you do it? In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

The woman made the sign of the cross and grinned.

“It’s my first confession, so it’s very fascinating. Ah, am I supposed to confess my sins? But what could be considered a sin….”

“Confession is not a joke. It is to confess your sins before the Lord.”

“Hmm, but I can’t think of anything that I would consider a sin. I actually came to deliver a message.”

The woman twisted her lips again. It was more of a sneer.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Ah, is my expression strange? This body is not yet fully adapted, so it may be awkward. Please understand.”

The priest frowned.

The priest, looking at the woman’s distorted face as if she had a disease or disability, sighed and offered a prayer.

“…Lord, please forgive this lost lamb. He does not even know his own sins.”

“Haha!”

At the priest’s words, the woman burst into laughter.

“Anyway, you guys are really good at wearing ‘masks’. How do you do it? I don’t think I could act like that. I think you guys are crazier.”

“…….”

“Well, let’s finish the story first. Saint Christina won’t be able to use her power in this matter. I’ve taken measures.”

The priest looked at the woman with slightly surprised eyes.

The woman grinned.

“Now it’s your turn. How long will it take to suppress the Pope’s forces?”

“A month. That’s enough.”

The conversation between the priest and the woman was not a conversation to be held in front of the Basilica.

But they were talking comfortably without lowering their voices, as if they didn’t care.

As if no one could see their secret meeting.

The woman shook her head.

“Hmm… well, I’ll believe it for now.”

“Is that the end?”

“Well, for now?”

“The gracious Heavenly Father, the lost…”

The priest made the sign of the cross and recited the Act of Contrition [a prayer of repentance].

The woman waved her hand as if she was annoyed and stepped back.

“Ah, that’s enough. I have to make more dolls, so I’ll be going.”

The woman turned towards the square and walked away.

Then, she suddenly stopped and said to the priest.

“It seems that Lee Cheol of the Soongmoo Yi family has arrived.”

“…….”

At those words, the priest paused for a moment.

“Hurry up. Hehe! Our goal is the underground secret vault, but your goal is that black object, right? What are you going to do if that black object disappears, like the saintess’s prophecy?”

The woman finished speaking and moved again.

Swish.

The priest put his hand into his pocket and took something out.

It was a mask.

A mask that seemed to be modeled after a dragon.

It had horns on its forehead, vertically torn pupils in the eye area, and was entirely covered in scales.

No, if you look closely, it wasn’t an ordinary mask.

It was closer to a taxidermy.

The texture of the skin and the texture of the horns were alive, as if it were made of real dragon skin.

The priest fiddled with the surface of the mask.

-Krrr.

Something like an animal’s cry was heard from somewhere.

It was impossible to know exactly whether it was heard from somewhere else entirely, whether it rang from the mask, or whether it rang from the priest’s throat.

The priest continued to fiddle with the mask before turning his body.