Chapter 98: Sacrament
Every house and family harbors secrets that must not be revealed to outsiders.
–William Makepeace Thackeray
Well, at least the immediate crisis has been averted.
Mycroft may have a peculiar personality, but his abilities are impeccable, and he knows how to reward merit without bias.
Having owed me for this incident, I can call upon his aid whenever I need it in the future.
“Anyway, now we can relax and enjoy the ball. It wouldn’t have been possible without your ingenuity.”
“Now that you say it, I finally feel a sense of accomplishment.”
“Crossing Her Majesty was… I hope you handle it well.”
Watson looked at me as if I were a madman carrying a bundle of straw into a fire pit (especially when that madman is her friend).
Perhaps, in her mind, I am someone who constantly engages in dangerous acts despite warnings, akin to a suicide hopeful. While I generally only take on what I can handle, I honestly do not wish to cause Watson any more worry.
I should consider wisely avoiding risks in the future if necessary.
If it truly becomes necessary, that is.
‘Still, thanks to driving the priest away, I succeeded in making myself known to the attendees.’
Even with a casual glance around, I could see renowned martial artists from Britain and abroad mingling on the first floor of Buckingham’s annex.
However, instead of approaching and speaking to me directly, people only watched with intrigued expressions.
Was it because Her Majesty was still nearby, or did they think they needed to observe me more first?
Even though I haven’t made my nickname or name known yet, I’ve certainly made an impression.
Before my regression, I wouldn’t have cared about such vain fame, but things are different in this world.
Since I’ve set my goal to capture Moriarty and bring him to the court of heaven, I must utilize anything that can become my strength, be it connections or whatever.
In that regard, the disturbance caused by the Zion Clan was more of a benefit than a hindrance to me.
In particular, I think the greatest achievement is that it did not ruin Watson’s official debut into high society following the Debutante Ball.
My only worry is that the fact I’ve learned Demonic arts might one day reach the main base of the Zion Clan, leading Exorcists or Inquisitors to storm into Baker Street, but unless the Vatican loses its mind, they won’t attempt anything beyond an ambush in England.
“More importantly, now that the situation has settled, shouldn’t we head up to the second floor? It seems other attendees are starting to move.”
Just then, Watson, who had been looking around, tugged at my sleeve and said,
“Well, I don’t think we need to rush. It seems there’s still an interesting spectacle left to see.”
I had a task to resolve before joining Watson upstairs in the ballroom to dance.
“Is it alright if I watch too?”
“Of course.”
I signaled Watson to follow me, then approached the young deacon of the Zion Clan, who was trying to slip away from the awkward situation, and reached out to put a hand on his shoulder.
The Queen’s Guards, who had gathered by now, were also glaring at the young clergy from behind me, exuding an intimidating aura.
“Why is this junior brother in such a hurry to leave?”
When I spoke teasingly, the deacon, who looked about three or four years younger than me, turned his head with a flustered expression.
Platinum blonde hair cascading down to his chin.
A beardless face giving him a youthful appearance for his age.
Fierce eyes that hint at a wild temperament, yet the glasses lend him an intellectual air.
But such a disguise can’t hide one’s innate nature.
“It’s a rare opportunity, why not have a dance before you leave.”
I suggested politely to the deacon, who seemed to harbor a fierce disposition akin to the old priest, to stay at the palace.
“What sort of Exorcist dances? I came to pay my respects, and now I must take my leave.”
He blatantly ignored my invitation with an annoyed expression.
Came to pay respects, did he? He spins a tale even a child wouldn’t believe.
“Do not refuse, stay a bit longer.”
“…No, thank you.”
Whether he was a disciple or a master of that man, thinking he could leave the palace without cleaning up after the crazy old man caused such chaos is foolish.
He clearly knows nothing of reality.
Or he’s shameless beyond measure.
“I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave. Then-”
-Smack!
The deacon tried to brush my hand away slyly, but I was quicker to execute a submission.
I firmly grabbed his shoulder and pointed to the lifeless body of Baron Drake sprawled on the floor with my other hand.
“Even if the palace servants handle the corpse, as a warrior of the Zion Clan, you don’t intend to leave that ominous aura lingering, do you?”
The deacon looked at me with an incredulous expression, his eyes wide open.
“That… You know, to properly handle Demonic Qi, you’d have to bring in a priest from the main temple to conduct a ritual.”
“Ha. Is that really true?”
It was a plausible lie that could easily deceive someone who didn’t know better.
In reality, the corpses and traces of demons were considered quite a nuisance throughout Europe, and the Zion Clan was making a fortune by charging hefty donations to clean them up.
“Don’t joke around. For someone like you, a martial artist of your level with a sharp mind to boot, unless you’re a complete country bumpkin, there’s no way you wouldn’t understand. Unless…do you not have that?”
“How dare you speak ill of my parents. It’s a duel to the death.”
“No. I’m not talking about parents, I’m referring to common sense.”
Common sense. What a convenient word.
The common sense referred to here is that if you want to erase the traces left by a demon’s death, it’s difficult without making a large donation to the Zion Clan.
There’s a reason this social norm has spread.
Demonic Qi is akin to a deadly poison to Orthodox martial artists.
Among them, leftover Demonic Qi spread at the site where someone who practiced Demonic arts died is known to be more dangerous than typical Demonic Qi because it’s energy that has escaped the owner’s control.
Leftover Demonic Qi is so dense that it doesn’t disperse into the air but pools like a puddle, so it’s not affecting those gathered in the palace right now, but it can’t be left alone.
While typical Demonic Qi can be removed by using certain Kung-Fu to blow it away, leftover Demonic Qi is an exception.
If it comes in contact with the body, countless could spiral into a Bad Trip.
Therefore, when a demon died at a critical transportation hub, people had no choice but to painfully donate a large sum to the Zion Clan to request the removal of residual Demonic Qi.
Father Brown killing Baron Drake inside the palace likely involved such calculations as well.
The story that Zion Clan Exorcists deliberately ended lives on private property or at key transportation points held weight for these reasons.
“Removing residual Demonic Qi is an impossible secret for other practicing clans. If you understand, begin the application process properly. Given the location, we’ll charge more than usual, so don’t forget to prepare a generous donation.”
The deacon snapped in an irritated tone.
Trying to extort donations from the Anglican King while bringing several Lily Swordsmanship practitioners into the palace?
Absolutely not.
“Hmm…”
Father Brown, notorious in the martial world, displayed a fiery temper that made him seem anything but dignified.
The young deacon following him was surprisingly frivolous in his speech and actions, unbefitting a Catholic clergyman.
Most importantly, when I grasped his shoulder and probed his Qi Frequency from up close, I felt no significant presence.
His level was probably between second-rate and first-rate.
Many attendees were glaring at the deacon, burning with anger over the recent incident involving the Zion Clan warriors.
If not for the strict rules of the Forbidden Palace, he would have been beaten to a pulp by now.
If this person had reached a level where I couldn’t gauge his skills, it would be a different story.
Conclusion: anyway, there’s no problem with taking a slightly tougher stance now.
“That’s not going to work. You caused this mess, so take responsibility and clean it up.”
“What?”
“It’s not necessary to use the Palace’s budget to clear up the residual Demonic Qi when a Lily Swordsman of the Great Zion Clan is right here.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Unless the brothers trained in Exorcism come, it’s impossible. It’s useless talking to me, an outsider. If you understand, let me go; I have mass to attend.”
The deacon remained shameless to the end.
“Hey, let go of me. I’m really getting angry.”
“I can’t let you go as long as you keep lying.”
“Me?”
Her Majesty had already disappeared somewhere with her maidens, and the unexpected commotion had drawn everyone’s attention to the deacon and me.
Some of the more perceptive ones caught the word “lie” and were listening intently, not missing a single word of our conversation.
“Someone following Father Brown wouldn’t be without ‘that’.”
“Ha, ridiculous. Really. What do you think I’m carrying?”
“I’m talking about something that can erase residual Demonic Qi without your precious rituals.”
“…?!”
There’s no need to be considerate when I’m being treated like a fool.
Above all, you caused a ruckus in the British palace, so you should pay the price.
“Why not sell it as usual? The paper scraps that have supported your grand deception and luxurious cathedral.”
“Sell? Are you calling me a merchant? I’m a clergyman, you lunatic.”
As expected, the priest’s response wasn’t pleasant.
A straightforward insult, unbelievable coming from the mouth of an Illusionist1.
The Brolly Saber2 clenched in my right hand was trembling with rage.
“Do you think I’m unaware you’re not a clergy?”
But seeing him feign innocence to the end, it was clear the deacon was a Lily Swordsman with deep training.
Even the dictionary has the phrase ‘as morally pure as lily-white’3, doesn’t it?
However, knowing the truth that his sect is hiding, whatever he says only brings a smile to my face.
So, even if my voice is a bit louder than usual, it’s not my fault.
“A Zion Clan priest without an Indulgence Talisman? How does that make any sense?”
Indulgence4 Talisman.
The moment the words left my mouth, the young deacon’s previously cheeky face turned cold in an instant.
The church built of paper crumbles today.
The time has come to expose the Vatican’s ugly secrets to the world.
- TL/N: A person who practices the Illusory Sword. ️
- TL/N: Umbrella Sword ️
- TL/N: An idiom that describes someone who is innocent and free from corruption or wrongdoing ️
- TL/N: An indulgence is a grant by the Pope of remission of the temporal punishment in purgatory still due for sins after absolution. ️