The Maestro's Workshop and the Cathedral Confessional
“Looks like you’ve all had quite the ordeal.”
As the truck ground to a halt with a screech, Ludovico greeted us with pitying eyes.
“We ran into a bit of trouble on the way.”
Was it from that explosion earlier and the rough driving? Smoke was already billowing from the engine, accompanied by strange creaking noises. Elena, the truck’s owner, stared at it in a daze.
“Aventador!!”
...The truck’s name was Aventador? Impressive. Really impressive.
“I’ll get you a new one, so don’t be too sad.”
“......Pardon?”
“Should I really buy you an actual Aventador?”
“To be honest, it was getting old anyway. I was thinking of replacing it soon. This thing’s a piece of junk.”
And just like that, the (former) Aventador was discarded in an instant.
Ludovico scratched his head as he watched us.
“At least you all seem to get along better than yesterday... But who’s the lady with you?”
His eyes widened slightly at Mikaela, who was climbing down last from the truck. Probably because her outfit screamed, “I’m from the Vatican.”
“She’s my bodyguard, sent by the Vatican.”
“......Your bodyguard?”
“Yeah. Probably to keep an eye on me and make sure I don’t cause any trouble.”
As I said that and turned, I caught her flinching. She stared at me with eyes demanding to know how long I’d figured it out. Come on, it was obvious to anyone—why act so shocked?
“I see. Well, for someone like you, it’s no surprise the Vatican’s taking an interest.”
He turned to Mikaela, extending his hand with a grin.
“I’m Ludovico Marco, an old man making shoes in this little town. It’s an honor to meet someone who serves God.”
Mikaela slowly raised her small hand to grasp his rough one.
“......I’m Mikaela. It’s an honor to meet Italy’s national treasure, the man called Maestro.”
Had he thought she wouldn’t recognize him? Ludovico looked mildly surprised at her response, then burst into laughter. “Kahat!”
“You’re too kind with the flattery. Still, it’s an honor to be recognized.”
“The cardinal overseeing me wears the Maestro’s shoes. I’m well aware of your skills and legends.”
So that’s how she knew—someone she knew owned one of his creations.
“I’m embarrassed now. Come on, everyone, let’s head inside. I haven’t seen the interior myself yet, and I’m dying with anticipation.”
Led by Ludovico, we all made our way to the workshop. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary old building with no changes. But as the door clicked open and we stepped in, a completely different interior revealed itself.
“Wow......”
The space, once lit by a few old bulbs, now gleamed with full LED lighting. The floor was tiled in marble, and the display cases stocked with the finest materials available.
“Grandpa! It’s like a totally different world!”
She beamed as if it were her own project, darting around to inspect everything.
“Maestro, take a look around too.”
“Ah. R-right.”
He, who’d been standing frozen, finally started wandering, taking it all in.
“......Ha. No wonder my bank balance dropped more than expected. Now I get why.”
Last night, more money had vanished than planned. He’d clearly gone for top-grade everything. Those machines looked brand new, and that, and that...... How much did all this cost? He’d gone on quite the shopping spree.
Hahat hahaha!! Even a Maestro like him was laughing that hard—the quality must be top-notch.
“Sister, why don’t you take a look too? First time in a workshop like this, right?”
I turned to where Mikaela was and caught her scribbling furiously in her notebook.
“Sister?”
“Ah, yes.”
She hastily pocketed the notebook and pretended to browse. Ah...... So that’s her observation report on me? I felt like teasing her a bit.
“Mind if I ask what you were just writing?”
I asked with feigned curiosity, and she averted her eyes frantically.
“Nothing at all. Just a hobby...... H-hymn! Composing hymns.”
“Ah, I see.”
Who composes hymns in a place like this? But I let it slide—for now. At least I knew it was in a notebook.
Moments later, he approached with a fully satisfied grin and grabbed my hand.
“Sometimes you feel like someone sent by God himself. How does everything fall into place so perfectly the moment you arrive...... Truly, truly grateful!”
He was thrilled with the setup I’d provided. As expected, artisans do care about their tools—that saying was a blatant lie.
“Glad you like it.”
Of course he should. The cost alone could’ve bought a mid-sized company. But I didn’t regret a penny. I already knew: properly crafted gear held value enough to buy a corporation—or even a small nation.
“I hope these facilities let the Maestro create some truly exceptional equipment.”
Yes, truly exceptional equipment.
──For me.
* * *
“Calione Junior. Where to this time?”
In the Uber I’d barely snagged, as I silently checked my phone en route, Mikaela spoke up first from her quiet seat.
“Off to work.”
“Alone this time?”
“Not alone. You’re with me, Sister.”
“True, but couldn’t you at least tell me the destination?”
Where we were going. It wasn’t hard to guess why she was so fidgety about it. We’d applied for eight Ubers to get here; the last one I’d doubled the fare on just to secure.
“Just think of it as meeting an acquaintance.”
“......An acquaintance?”
Yeah. An acquaintance. We’d gotten familiar, even chatted—so yeah.
Just then, the car slowed to a stop in front of a market.
“This is as far as agreed. Get out quick.”
The driver spoke like he couldn’t wait to flee. I handed him double the fare as promised, then got out with Mikaela. The car vanished in a flash, leaving us alone in this deserted district.
“Calione Junior. What is this place?”
“An old market from back in the day. Now that commerce has shifted, regular merchants don’t operate here.”
“So no shops at all? Then why come here?”
“We’re not here for ‘regular merchants.’”
“Pardon?”
Leaving her confused expression behind, I headed deeper into the market. Passing the empty plaza into the alleys, signs of life began to stir. Stalls and people emerged, and finally, realization dawned on Mikaela.
“......Black market.”
“Yes. The second largest in Sicily.”
(The largest is the one run by Calione, in the port city of Messina.)
“Just my presence here as a servant of God is drawing a lot of stares.”
“Yeah, can’t be helped. These folks are all dodging the government’s eyes to do business. It’s illegal from the start.”
Indeed, people along our path shot wary glances or hid their faces. Even in Sicily, the Vatican’s influence was clear.
“Ah, there. The meeting spot.”
We arrived at a rundown church: crumbling walls, shattered mosaic windows, moss-covered ruins.
“......Here?”
“The guy we’re meeting is Catholic. Seems to like cathedrals for meets.”
(More precisely, to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.)
“A fitting spot for us, wouldn’t you say, Sister?”
Inside the abandoned cathedral, the nave held more people than usual, all waiting.
“Calione Junior. Long journey—well done.”
The only one seated rose and called my name.
“Don Medici. You really love churches, huh?”
“Haha! You’re one to talk! Didn’t expect a Vatican sister, though.”
He’d stationed spotters at the entrance, anticipating I wouldn’t come alone. Even knew it’d be a sister. And I planned to milk this situation for all it was worth.
“Let me introduce my companion. Sister, this is Don Medici—one of Sicily’s godfathers and the Don of the Medici Family.”
Her eyes shifted to him. After a moment, she bowed slightly.
“A servant of God. I am Mikaela.”
“And captain of the Holy Vatican Empire’s Holy Knights, 0th Order.”
“What?”
Don Medici blinked, as if he’d misheard.
“You heard right. Captain of the Knights, right? Currently...... my bodyguard. After you, Sister.”
I plopped down beside him, brushing past the nave. He’d staged the atmosphere and guards to intimidate me—predictable. But...
You never saw this coming.
Who’d expect me to bring a Vatican Knight Captain as backup? If things went south here, Medici’s side would be utterly disadvantaged. They couldn’t touch someone with Vatican clout, no matter who they were.
“Haha. A sister as Knight Captain? Good one.”
“Would I drag a cross-wearing woman here to scam you? She’s honored to stand with us—don’t slight her, Don Medici.”
She hadn’t declared herself yet, so he assumed it couldn’t be true. But I wove her honor and truth into it, forcing his acknowledgment.
“......My title of Knight Captain was bestowed personally by His Holiness the Pope. Doubting it would be unwise.”
And there she went, stepping up for her and the Pope’s honor. Now, to the Medici men here, I’d look like:
The Calione heir moving with the Vatican.
And to Mikaela, I’d seem:
Calione Junior scheming with the Medici clan.
──A perfectly advantageous setup for me. A smile crept onto my lips.
“Now, shall we talk as discussed? Confessional, perhaps?”
* * *
[Confirmed acquaintance with Ludovico Marco, Italy’s national treasure artisan. Completely overhauled his workshop this time. As expected of the Calione heir—loaded with cash haha──── Almost got caught. Will be more careful with logs from now on. Starting hymn composition as alibi. Feels like I can pull it off.]
[P.S. Received reply from Father Francesco: Stick to the report format. No memory of learning report writing, so will study starting today.]