episode_0048
by fnovelpiaSince the beginning of light, there has been darkness.
If there is heaven, there is hell.
Where there are good people, there are sinners, and where there is war, there is peace.
And, in this world, there are common sense things you should know, and secrets you shouldn’t know.
The records of the exorcism rituals fall into the latter category. The conversations that took place during the exorcism are all recorded, but they are never made public.
It is to protect those who have suffered from being possessed by the devil. When a person is possessed, the devil often makes them confess their personal secrets or shameful sins.
And of course, it would be extremely shameful for this to be revealed to others.
The fact that Priest Camilla and Priest Peter were possessed by demons and that they were exorcised was kept secret for that reason. Within the Academy, only Deacon Sophia, myself, and General Damien knew the truth about this incident.
However, it was unavoidable to admit Father Peter and Father Camilla, whose bodies were weakened, to the Academy District Hospital.
It may be okay now, but the story of the two priests lying in bed will probably spread throughout the academy in no time. Word of mouth is hard to stop with human power, like trying to stop a cracked dam with your hands.
The point is, no matter how hard you try to block it, rumors will eventually spread. Whether they are groundless rumors or true stories.
I decided not to care about anything. Professor Esther asked me slyly what was going on, but I could only give her one word in response.
That day, nothing happened there.
“See you later!”
“Yeah!”
Suddenly, a young voice broke my thoughts. I stopped watching the line of ants crawling in a single line and raised my head.
Ahead of me, I see two students who appear to be first-years waving at each other and saying goodbye. I watched them and lit a cigarette.
Phew—.
The invigorating scent of peppermint filled my lungs. After looking at the students for a moment, I raised my head and stared blankly at the billowing cigarette smoke.
Today was a day without classes. Since I didn’t have any urgent work to do, I sat on the bench in the schoolyard like I usually do, smoking a cigarette leisurely.
Deacon Sophia, who had been walking with me a little while ago, suddenly remembered something she had to do and went back to her professor’s office. I looked at the small cloud floating alone in the sky.
“… The weather is nice.”
I turned my gaze and looked at the forsythia blooming on the bench. A cool breeze swept through my hair. The feeling was quite refreshing.
“Excuse me.”
As I was blankly staring at the copy flowers, someone sat down next to me. I didn’t look back and focused on smoking a cigarette.
The burning end of the cigarette was hazy. When I turned my focus away from the end of the cigarette, I saw a bunch of peach blossoms in full bloom behind it.
“Are you from the Cathedral?”
I asked, looking at the falling azalea flowers. The person sitting next to me closed his mouth for a moment as if trying to choose what to say.
As the time of silence grew longer, and the cigarette I was smoking became a short butt.
“From the Vatican.”
“… … .”
Only then did I lower my gaze. An old priest whose name I did not know was looking at me and smiling gently.
“… Who are you?
Despite my question, the old priest simply smiled kindly and looked at me. I sensed an ominous current in his eyes.
The old priest, who had been looking at me for a long time, took something out of his bosom without saying a word. I took it without thinking.
It was a rather luxurious-looking envelope. I couldn’t hide my embarrassment because I could tell at first glance that it was not ordinary.
“What is this?”
“Brother Benedict.”
“… … .”
I stared blankly at the old priest who called me by my baptismal name and then added the word “brother” at the end. Normally, it would be correct to call someone by their last name first, and then add the title according to their rank.
And then, I discovered the small brooch on the priest’s chest.
A ray of light shining in all directions, a cross placed on it, and the finger of Saint Andrew engraved in the center.
“Are you a member of the Little Brotherhood?”
The old priest nodded quietly. He still had that smile on his face.
The Order of the Little Brothers. It is a group directly under the Holy See that specializes in hunting down demons and their worshippers.
Even though they are clergy, they never call others by their names indiscriminately. They only use the baptismal name, which is the new name given to them by the grace of the Lord, and they do not recognize the hierarchical relationship between clergy.
Therefore, priests belonging to the Order of Friars Minor do not actually have ranks. There is a rank granted by the Holy See for the sake of appearance, but they never mention it.
Their skills in exorcising demons are truly top-notch, and the knights of the Little Brotherhood, who have long been directly dealing with demon worshippers, are more strict than anyone else in punishing demon worshippers and apostates.
I had heard well of the reputation of this little brotherhood, so I naturally threw the cigarette butt in my hand onto the floor like running water.
“What is your baptismal name?”
If they belong to the Little Brothers, it is right for me to follow their traditions, the old priest replied with a pleased smile.
“This is Matthew. Brother Benedict.”
“Father Matthew. What brings you here? Well, actually, I can guess the reason… .”
“Brother Benedict, you have done a truly wonderful job.”
Are they even talking to each other?
Rather than answering my questions, the old priest only spoke what he wanted to say. It was unusual that he spoke in short, choppy sentences, perhaps because he had no other words to offer.
“Is that a great job?”
“That devil. The devil of the Academy.”
“… It was a natural thing.”
“Excessive humility is not a virtue. Brother Benedict has been doing a great job of exorcising the demon that has been chasing us in our Order of Friars Minor for a long time.”
It was a slightly awkward compliment. I looked away and nodded.
“Yes, well… . Deacon Sophia was a great help.”
“So, I’d like to make a suggestion.”
I looked at Father Matthew. His eyes, which had been closed softly, opened slowly.
“Brother Benedict, would you like to join our Order of Friars Minor?”
“… … .”
It was a rather random story. I stared blankly into his eyes.
Her clear, unblemished eyes were looking at me. Her gray-white eyes were filled with deep wisdom accumulated over many years.
“That seems like a very confusing proposition.”
“I’m sorry. I spoke too hastily.”
Father Matthew, who had been laughing heartily, opened his mouth again.
“As you may know, His Holiness the Pope himself has ordered silence on this matter.”
“Is that so?”
“Would you like to check the documents?”
I opened the luxurious envelope as Father Matthew had said.
The first thing you see is the top of the document with the name “Vatican” written in large letters. The very end is decorated with the Pope’s official seal.
It was an official document from the Vatican. I read it slowly.
“… This is.”
To summarize briefly, leaving out the cumbersome details, it was an official document that left aside what had happened to Priest Peter and Priest Camilla, and strictly kept silent about the possession and exorcism.
I put the document down on my lap and looked at Father Matthew. He was still looking at me with a smile.
“So, what does this official document have to do with my membership in the Little Brotherhood?”
“Brother Benedict. Look at the last line.”
The last line of the official document. I turned my gaze there.
– Silence is golden, and a holy tongue is a blessing from the Lord.
“Isn’t this just a phrase you want to keep quiet about?”
“Brother Benedict. What that phrase means is that all the things mentioned in the document will be treated as if they never happened.”
“… … .”
“And that also means that there is no compensation given to Brother Benedict for this incident.”
Father Matthew’s expression hardened a little, as if he was not happy with this decision, even though it was none of his business.
“Neither the promotion of rank nor the monetary compensation. The official position of the Vatican is that it will not recognize any of it and will not remember any of it.”
“… Is it only the Lord’s mercy?”
“There is only the Lord’s mercy.”
Priests who successfully exorcise a demon possessed by a possessed person are still not known to the public, but internally, there has been a shift toward some level of reward being given.
For example, it could be in the form of psychological counseling, financial compensation, an audience with the Pope, or extra points for moving up in rank.
What Father Matteo said was to rule out all such possibilities.
I understand. Two priests directly dispatched by the Vatican, yet they are possessed by demons.
This was not a decision simply made with public criticism in mind. The Vatican ultimately decided to protect the two priests.
“That is why I am making a suggestion to you, Brother Benedict. If you come to our Order of Friars Minor, you will receive a reward other than a promotion in rank.”
I stared into space for a while. Father Matthew waited silently for my answer.
And the decision didn’t take long.
“Father Matthew, I will remain in the Academy.”
“… Brother Benedict. No one will remember.”
“I know.”
“No one will know about this. The Vatican will acknowledge the official exorcism, but they will not acknowledge Brother Benedict’s work. Is that enough for you?”
“I am aware of that too. But, Father Matthew.”
I looked at Father Matthew. He had already wiped the smile off his face.
“I didn’t do it just for the reward.”
“… … .”
Father Matthew opened his eyes wide. He looked at me with a surprised expression for a moment, then quickly smiled his first warm smile again.
“… Of course, I am even more tempted. Are you really not interested in joining our fraternity? I will write you a letter of recommendation.”
“I’m sorry.”
Father Matthew also knew that I would refuse, his smile remained unchanged.
“Hehehe… That personality is truly the grace of the Lord.”
“You are too kind.”
“Brother Benedict. Even if no one remembers, I will remember.”
“Thank you. Please do not write it in your diary or essay.”
When I made a joke, Father Matthew laughed and leaned back on the bench. The atmosphere was completely relaxed.
“Father Matthew.”
“Did you call?”
I hesitated for a moment to continue. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to ask this.
“There’s one thing I’d like to ask you personally.
“Ask me anything. If this old man can answer, I’ll answer it for you.”
However, now was the only chance to get closer to the truth.
“The reason why I don’t get any compensation, you know.”
“Yes.”
“Is it related to the first parish priest of the Chaldean Imperial Academy, Priest Father Giovanni?”
Father Matthew’s expression hardened a little. I swallowed hard and continued.
“What on earth happened to him?”
The mystery surrounding Father Giovanni.
I had a gut feeling that it was time to find out.
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