Veronica and Andre from the Vatican
Veronica and Andre from the Vatican
"Ugh... This child is brimming with the power of the Holy Spirit...!"
Two Westerners, a man and a woman, appeared out of nowhere. In this chaotic world, just the fact that they still had their wits about them was enough to catch my eye—but their actions went even further.
The man called Andre was on guard, gripping pistols infused with mysterious power, while the woman in something like a nun's habit hugged me, sobbing. ...Why on earth?
I didn't even have time to protest before I was enveloped in her arms, her ample bosom pressing against my chest as a bonus. Not that it mattered right now.
Who the hell are these people?
"...For now, this area seems clear. Looks like these believers sacrificed themselves."
"Ahh... They all sacrificed themselves for this child...?"
"...??"
The two of them spouted nonsense I couldn't follow. The woman stood slightly and offered tearful prayers to the now-corpse believers.
"Thanks to your sacrifice, we could save one child from this sinful world..."
"More importantly, a space this pristine. Even in a small country, the believers' piety must run deep."
...Now I got it. They thought the space I'd created was made through these believers' sacrifice. From their perspective, it made perfect sense—and that was the problem.
The place I'd been was a church with a pastor and his flock. They'd been deep in prayer, infected by the laughter, so holy energy lingered all over their bodies. Above all, the subtle holy aura emanating from Jijong and the sacred relics was key.
It hung in the air like mist, making it look less like I'd orchestrated everything myself and more like the believers had selflessly built a sanctuary for me.
Hmm.
I considered correcting them but quickly dismissed it. From their speech and attire, they were clearly religious folk—not your average believers, but ones closer to the Anomaly Management Bureau or mages, versed in the anomalous world.
The fact they'd made it here unscathed from a city overflowing with laughter proved it. And I had a foolproof way to confirm.
"...Jijong, are these your followers...?"
I whispered, and Jijong fluttered softly in my arms. Affirmative.
If Earth Religions I, tied to every faith on the planet, gave the nod... that sealed it.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
The woman asked, fussing over my hair with a worried look.
You're the one who messed it up hugging me.
But since it was well-intentioned, I didn't stop her. Plus, this wasn't the library.
I shook my head to answer her question.
"I see. Thank goodness... At least we saved one soul..."
She pulled a cross from her bosom and began praying. She seemed genuinely devout.
"Veronica. So what now? The ones who made this aura are dead."
"...You're right. I thought they might be the other dispatched colleagues since we lost contact with the Vatican..."
The Vatican? So they were sent from there. And Veronica... she had a bit of a saintly vibe.
Assuming I couldn't understand, they switched to a foreign tongue. But with some trick from Jijong, I followed instantly.
"When was the last contact with the Vatican?"
"Yesterday. But even then, it seemed the Vatican was already in trouble."
"Sigh... Maybe the Pope and the Saintess have entered the Grand Vigil?"
"...Honestly, it doesn't seem likely. This bizarre phenomenon blanketing the Earth... even those two under His protection would be in danger."
"If only the Grand Vigil succeeds, we could turn this around."
"But even if Earth and humanity are restored... the damage would be catastrophic."
"True. So in the end, we need to link up with the Anomaly Management Bureau."
Anomaly Management Bureau! A familiar name slipped from their lips. They were looking for it too.
"Veronica, we need to find someone from the Bureau, anyone. If they initiate the Restoration Protocol, great—but since we got hit, it's unlikely they're all fine."
"Right. We had a rendezvous spot with the Pioneer Division Chief... but there's a problem. What about this child? This world's too alien for them."
"In a world like this, do we really need to hide? If they pull off the Protocol right, everyone forgets anyway."
"...You're right. In this apocalyptic mess, since we saved this child, we have to take responsibility to the end."
With that, Veronica approached with a gentle smile.
"Listen, it's dangerous here, so you should come with us."
"...?"
I stayed silent, and Veronica started interpreting my bond with the believers however she liked.
"...I know these people were precious to you, your saviors. That's why you must live on. But this place is too dangerous."
I made a thoughtful face at her words.
Clap!
I clapped for Jijong. It slipped from my arms and reached out from behind them, stroking their heads.
"H-heck...!" "Guh...!"
They rolled their eyes back and passed out in seconds. That bought me time to chat with Jijong.
"Wanna go with them? They're looking for the Bureau too."
Flutter. Flutter.
"Yeah. Sounds like they—or at least the Vatican—have a way to reset Earth."
From their talk, both the Bureau and Vatican had similar rituals. But Jijong claimed ignorance of their "Grand Vigil."
"Huh? You don't know? It's a prayer, so it should be for you."
Flutter. Flutter.
"...It might not be for you?"
Flutter. Flutter.
"...?"
Jijong explained: The Grand Vigil was a prayer to itself yet not itself. What did that mean? Then its title hit me.
Earth Religions I. Volume 1 implied at least a Volume 2.
...A ritual for another Jijong? I was curious about that other book's identity, but it wasn't urgent.
"Anyway, I'm curious about this Restoration Protocol too... Let's go. Might be a long trip."
This journey promised plenty of gains. With the Laugh Encyclopedia's owner taunting me, I'd reach it somehow and get revenge.
Flutter.
Moments later, as Jijong withdrew, they woke.
"...?" "...?"
They froze, checking themselves. Did they realize they'd blacked out? But Veronica soon spoke softly to me.
"So, come with us. We'll protect you for sure."
"...Veronica, didn't you feel something just now?"
"Pardon? Feel what?"
"...Never mind."
"Argh, right at the key moment. Anyway, as I was saying..."
"Sure."
"Really?!"
"Yes."
I nodded readily, and Veronica beamed. She really was nun-like, devout as they come... sword at her waist aside.
And the man, Andre... his beard stood out. Casual suit, ponytail, dark stubble lining his jaw.
...He really from the Vatican?
He looked more mafia. But the sacred relic-like aura from his twin pistols confirmed it.
"Andre, let's get out. This holy zone's eroding."
"Yeah. But the car from the Korean cathedral's toast."
"Hmm... Ah! We'll use these."
Veronica grabbed the relics I'd been using.
"Still got power left—I'll bless them with more prayer."
They prayed, charged the relics with energy, and headed out with me.
The sky was still clear. Problem was the horrors swirling in it.
Outside, they told me to wait, scanned around, and approached an illegally parked car amid the litter.
Crash!
"Amen."
...Just 'Amen' make carjacking holy?
They placed relics around the vehicle, forming a mobile barrier. But would it hold? The enemy had toyed with us despite Jijong.
"Ready to roll? ...Oh! Andre!"
Veronica tapped the driving Andre, then looked at me sheepishly.
"Um, we don't have spare earphones for the child!"
Earphones? Now I noticed—they both wore them. I'd assumed seamless talk meant no need...
...And listening closely, sounds leaked: prayer mixed with eardrum-shattering music.
This is... prayer remixed with heavy metal?
That was their coping method.
Aryaaaaaaaaa!!! Amennnnnn!!!!
"Or I could pray alone and give you my earphones..."
No way! I dramatically collapsed.
"Ahh! The child's fainted...!"
"Might be for the best. Probably couldn't handle the earlier stuff. Just plug their ears lightly. Keep the earphones on."
"Such good music, though..."
What are you talking about...!
While I faked unconsciousness, the car slowly pulled out. Destination: the Anomaly Management Bureau, location unknown.