Holy Orders: America’s Most Overqualified Exorcist

"That's the whole story," Madison said, arms crossed.

Jenny nodded quickly, still shaken.

"Yeah… if Miss Montgomery hadn't been there, I might've died."

Madison tilted her head slightly, clearly not used to being thanked.

Gideon stroked his chin thoughtfully.

He had already pieced together everything from the two of them, and the doubts in his mind were now gone.

At first, he had suspected these witches were attempting to summon some kind of demon through their combined ritual.

But now…

He stepped toward Gary.

"Hey! Human—your skills aren't bad," Gary suddenly spoke, his tone shifting again.

"If you let me go, I can give you anything you want."

Before the sentence even finished—

Another voice burst out from him:

"Shut up! Without my permission, you don't get to come out!"

Gideon ignored the internal struggle and instead focused on the dark sphere behind Gary.

Even though he had already used Holy Eye Suppression to lock down the spiritual particles around him—

A stream of corrupted energy was still leaking from the channel behind him.

And judging from Gary's condition…

The entity possessing him was gradually gaining control.

And Gary himself?

Completely unaware.

"Kid," Gary said again, this time regaining control,

"since you're from the Church, you should know how those Rosicrucian witches treat clergy."

"I'm from the Mage Association. On the surface, we cooperate with the Church. Not long ago, we even worked together to deal with a haunting in Philadelphia."

He paused deliberately.

"And from what I know… this whole 'combined witchcraft' thing is meant to go against the Church."

"If you help me, I wouldn't mind having a priest as an ally."

Madison glanced at Gideon, subtly taking a step back.

Across the room, Zoe had already stood up, staring at him—struggling to accept that they might be on opposing sides.

"In a few moments," Gideon said calmly,

"your body will belong entirely to that 'evil gentleman' inside you."

"What?" Gary frowned.

"Heh… you're quite perceptive, human."

His expression twisted again—the entity resurfacing.

"Tell me," Gideon continued,

"you summoned this thing yourself, didn't you?"

"You'd better think carefully before answering."

Gary regained control once more.

After a moment of hesitation—

"…Yes."

"Good."

Gideon nodded.

He had already inspected the entire hall, ensuring there were no hidden contingencies.

"Even if you can do something now," the entity sneered,

"it's already too late."

Gary's pupils turned pale yellow, and the evil aura around him surged violently.

But then—

His expression suddenly changed.

Shock.

The dark energy began collapsing—

Faster than it had risen.

"You… how are you able to touch the realm of rules?!"

From the entity's perspective—

The channel it had painstakingly opened was being stitched shut by countless shimmering threads.

And the one responsible…

Was the priest standing before it.

That channel existed at the very foundation of the world.

Only demons—or higher-dimensional beings—could even perceive it.

Humans shouldn't be able to detect it, let alone interfere.

Could it be…

This priest was backed by something divine?

Its tone changed instantly.

"Human… we have no real enmity."

"You can take these women and leave. Let's treat everything that happened as a misunderstanding."

Gideon smiled faintly.

"Since you're backing down…"

Gary's eyes lit up.

There was hope.

"…that just proves you don't have any other tricks left."

"…"

Madison twitched slightly.

"…Did he trick me like this before too?"

"Damn you, human! I won't forget this!"

"Sure," Gideon said calmly.

"My name's Madison Montgomery. Don't forget it."

Madison froze.

"…Wait, what?!"

At the same time, Gideon drove the shimmering threads forward, sealing the final gap in the channel.

A small black vortex appeared midair—

And instantly swallowed the dark sphere along with all surrounding corruption.

Silence returned to the hall.

"Hey! Why did you give it my name?!"

Madison stared at him in disbelief.

"Sorry," Gideon shrugged.

"I'd rather not have a possible demon remember me."

Then why me?!

Madison clenched her fists, veins popping.

"…Calm down. This might be a trap. Don't fall for it…"

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to settle.

"Sir… from the Church…"

Gary, now fully conscious again, forced a smile.

"Thank you for saving me… could you let me go now?"

He was met with looks as if he were an idiot.

His heart sank instantly.

Meanwhile, Gideon walked over to the unconscious witches.

They weren't in danger.

Just drained of vitality and affected by residual corruption.

He activated the exorcism array he had prepared.

A complete purification.

Not long after—

Quentin slowly opened her eyes.

She sat up, the coat draped over her chest slipping down.

Realizing her neckline was exposed, she quickly covered herself.

"I… didn't die?"

She looked around.

The other girls were waking up as well.

At the center of the hall—

The new assistant stood calmly.

Jenny was beside him.

And Gary—

Was standing opposite them, smiling obsequiously.

"What… happened?"

Quentin pressed her forehead.

"The corruption on you has been cleared," Gideon said.

The witches immediately checked themselves.

Nothing remained.

"…You saved us?" Quentin asked.

"That's not important."

Gideon grabbed Gary by the arm and dragged him forward.

"This guy did something to you earlier."

"Now…"

"He's yours."

He shoved Gary onto the ground.

"No—NO! You can't do this!"

"My father is Augustus of the Mage Association! One of the strongest candidates for Supreme Mage!"

Gary panicked, his voice trembling.

"If you take me with you, I'll give you anything! I'll even be your servant!"

"Hey! Don't leave me—!"

But Gideon had already turned away.

The witches slowly surrounded Gary.

"Ladies… beautiful ladies…"

"I sincerely apologize for everything…"

He forced a smile.

They stared back at him—

Cold.

"AAAAAHHHHH—!!!"

As Gideon reached the doors of the hall—

The screams echoed behind him.

He didn't stop.

He pushed the door open.

"Are the girls alright?!"

A figure rushed toward him immediately.

Gideon looked up.

Blonde hair. Pale skin. Sharp features.

Fox.

Her face was filled with urgency.

"You're too flustered, Fox."

Fiona leaned against a pillar, exhaling a stream of smoke.

"If this gentleman walked out unharmed, it means the problem inside has already been dealt with."

"Hmph. If anything had happened to them, your ritual would've been affected too," Fox snapped.

Gideon smiled faintly.

"The evil spirit has been dealt with. The instigator has also been captured."

"You may go in now."

Fox visibly relaxed.

As she rushed past him, she mouthed a silent—

"Thank you."

"Finally, the nuisance is gone," Fiona straightened.

"Now… we can talk business."

"Any daughter would be hurt hearing her mother say that."

"My life belongs to the Rosicrucian Order," Fiona replied coolly.

"She's known that for a long time."

She stepped forward, then glanced back.

"Or would you prefer having this conversation where everyone can hear?"

Gideon shrugged.

And followed her.

Third Floor — Fiona's Room

"So…"

Fiona sat down, crossing her legs elegantly.

"Mr. Gideon, from the Church."

"Who do you serve?"

"And why have you infiltrated my academy?"

"You already know I'm from the Church," Gideon replied.

Fiona shook her head.

"I know the Church."

"They're arrogant. They would never come into enemy territory, endure humiliation… and certainly not save witches."

"Maybe I'm just an exception."

Gideon shrugged.

Fiona raised her hand.

At once—

Sharp objects in the room lifted into the air, surrounding him.

"Then you chose the wrong destination for your trip."

Gideon remained calm, completely unfazed.

Fiona raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You're not afraid of death?" she asked coolly.

"You're standing in front of the Supreme Witch—the most powerful witch in all of North America."

Gideon smiled faintly.

"If you truly intended to kill me… why invite me up here in the first place?"

Fiona studied him for a long moment.

Then, with a subtle gesture, the floating sharp objects in the room dissipated.

She poured two glasses of wine herself.

"You were able to handle a threat close to demon-level on your own," she said.

"That alone proves your strength."

"And since you managed to infiltrate the witch academy… you must have your own purpose."

She picked up one of the glasses.

"I do value your strength, and I'm willing to discuss cooperation."

"But…" her gaze sharpened slightly,

"until I understand your background, I cannot trust you."

Gideon stood and walked to the window, falling silent.

Fiona took a sip of her wine, watching him patiently.

After a moment, Gideon turned back, as if he had made up his mind.

"I'm not from the Church," he said.

Fiona gave a small nod.

"Go on."

"Have you heard of the Wings of Vengeance?" Gideon asked, looking directly at her.

Fiona's expression shifted slightly.

"A group that worships fallen angels," she said.

"They've been behind several child trafficking cases in North America recently."

"…So you're one of them?"

Gideon raised an eyebrow.

So they're already infamous… that makes things easier, he thought.

Outwardly, however, he shook his head.

"I must correct you, madam," he said calmly.

"Angels will descend upon this world eventually. All of us are destined to serve them."

Fiona tilted her head slightly, clearly unimpressed.

"If that's the case… then there's nothing left to discuss."

Her tone turned cold.

"Anyone who serves evil is an enemy of ours."

Trying to pressure me into revealing more? Gideon thought.

A woman who could sacrifice her own subordinates would hardly care about "human unity."

"Well then," he said lightly, turning toward the door,

"I apologize for the disturbance."

He had just stepped out—

When Fiona's voice rang out behind him.

"Wait."

Gideon stopped and turned back, silently waiting.

"You claim to be from the Wings of Vengeance," Fiona said, narrowing her eyes,

"yet you can use the Church's power."

"And from the moment you arrived, you've avoided explaining your true purpose."

"In that case… how am I supposed to believe you?"

Gideon shrugged.

"I can't prove it to you."

"As for my purpose…"

He stepped back into the room.

"We're looking for a saint's remains."

"And you… happen to have a clue."

"Remains…" Fiona's eyes flickered with suspicion.

She had only shared information about the energy conduit with the upper ranks of the Order—and the Voodoo faction.

If someone had leaked it—

It had to be one of her own.

Traitors…

Her fists clenched slightly, though her expression remained composed.

"And what do you intend to do with it?" she asked.

"That doesn't concern you, Supreme Witch."

Gideon casually picked up his wine glass.

"But I can assure you—its purpose is to oppose the Church."

"In that regard, our interests align."

"If you're willing to hand over the remains," he continued, raising his glass slightly,

"the Wings of Vengeance would be more than happy to assist you—within our capabilities."

"What do you think?"

Fiona crossed her arms, lowering her gaze in thought.

Gideon didn't rush her.

The remains are located near the energy conduit, she thought.

Once the ritual begins and the potential successors are eliminated…

No matter what he's planning, I'll have time to deal with it.

She looked up.

"I'm willing to agree."

Gideon raised a brow.

"Oh? There's a condition?"

Fiona sighed lightly.

"You may not know this, but the combined witchcraft ritual must be performed at a fixed location to seriously damage the Church."

"And that location… is where the remains are."

"So?"

She spread her hands.

"So… the remains are not currently in my possession."

"I see," Gideon said thoughtfully.

"Which means retrieving them won't be easy?"

"Exactly."

She nodded.

"Only when those girls complete the ritual training can I open the passage to that place."

"Unfortunately, after Mr. Gray's interference, their magic has been significantly drained."

"It'll take time before they're ready."

Gideon's eyes flickered slightly.

So it's basically settled.

"Oh? Then how can I assist the witches?" he asked, sounding concerned.

Fiona studied him carefully.

"I've heard… that on your very first day, you managed to refine dark materials to 80% purity?"

"That's correct," Gideon replied calmly.

"Only our side can achieve that."

"I thought so," Fiona smiled faintly.

"If someone your age could do that alone… it would be terrifying."

Gideon simply smiled, offering no reply.

Fiona dropped the pretense.

"In that case, here's my proposal."

"I'll provide you with a large amount of dark materials."

"You refine them to at least 80% purity."

"Once the witches recover and complete the ritual—"

"We'll go there together."

Gideon frowned slightly.

"I have to go too?"

"Of course."

Fiona stepped closer.

"The remains have been preserved for a long time. Moving them carelessly could damage them."

She looked him straight in the eye.

"Your organization wouldn't want to receive nothing but a pile of broken bones… would it?"

Fiona didn't know—

Gideon already knew exactly where the remains were.

He pretended to hesitate.

Then nodded.

"…Fine. I agree."

Fiona smiled.

"Then we have a deal."

Clink—

Their glasses touched.

A Few Days Later — Morning

Two buses were parked outside 1132 Royal Street.

A group of young witches had already gathered at the academy entrance.

Fiona watched as the girls boarded the buses one by one.

She turned to head toward her own car—

But suddenly paused.

An unexpected figure stood before her.

"Miss Marie of the Voodoo Coven…" Fiona said, a faint smile forming.

"What a rare guest."

…

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