Confessions and Calculated Gambits
Eventually, Medici and I ended up conversing in the confessional room, separated only by a weathered wooden partition that had long since rotted away.
For him, there probably hadn't been any other options. The trump card he'd prepared to pressure me—Vatican—had been rendered utterly useless by my own scheme.
"This is our first meeting before tackling Mount Etna, and you're already scheming from the start, Don Medici."
"……It seems there's a misunderstanding. Those kids were simply here to protect me. So don't worry too much about it. You've dragged the Vatican into this secretive affair yourself, haven't you? I'd like an explanation for that."
Ah, turning the arrow back on me, is he?
It wasn't unexpected. If I were in his shoes, I'd have latched onto it too.
But.
"Isn't it obvious? That's why I went to such lengths to bring them here."
"……What?"
As long as I explained that it had been my intention from the start and gave a solid reason, it would be fine.
"You've investigated Mount Etna for so long—you must know better than I do what's there. It's not some ordinary monster, but a pseudodeity."
Through the narrow gap, I caught a glimpse of his pupils trembling at my words. Maintaining a poker face to withhold any reaction was admirable, but…… his opponent was the wrong one.
Mount Etna was a dungeon I'd raided countless times in the game. That's why I could immediately judge that this lineup had zero chance of conquering it. And why they'd failed all this time.
"What does that pseudodeity have to do with the Vatican?"
"You're aware that Catholic awakeners inherently possess the basic ability 'Idol Worship' against other faiths, right?"
Idol Worship. A foundational skill for Catholic awakeners, granting bonus effects and increased damage against gods and followers of other religions. Perfectly fitting, considering religious history.
And this ability varied greatly between individuals. The title of Inquisitor was reserved for those who exhibited the strongest effects.
One of the positions Mikaela had once held.
In other words.
"The Vatican escort sent for me is a former Inquisitor. In fact, he's now the Knight Commander. Can you imagine how much firepower that alone adds?"
I thought I'd explained it coherently, but he scowled, clearly dissatisfied.
"Hmmm……."
"But do you really think the Vatican would sit idly by if our operation leaks to them?"
"There's no rule saying they have to get involved."
"……What?"
No wonder Italian mainland mafias bolt at the mere sight of the Vatican. They cower preemptively, even though the Vatican has no intention of touching them.
"Mount Etna is classified as a 'dungeon' under international law. It's only been left alone because, like Dante's Inferno, it's deemed too difficult or high-risk to raid."
And we exploit that.
"Don Medici. How many guilds do you run? Mobilize a few, form an official raid team, and challenge Mount Etna publicly. Even the Vatican couldn't intervene then."
No matter how powerful the Vatican, they can't infringe on guild rights. A perfect plan.
"……If we do that, the whole world will know we're raiding Mount Etna."
"What crime is that? We'll claim conquest rights, pay taxes, and participate openly. Or are you afraid of opportunists trying to muscle in?"
His expression told me everything. This guy had planned to swallow the rewards whole for the Medici family from the start—no sharing.
That's why I needed to drag this above water. For my safety.
"And how do you plan to participate? If the Calione heir surfaces, you'll be in a bind too."
"No worries there."
I already had a couple of aliases prepared.
"Now it's just your choice, Don Medici. So, what'll it be?"
──The choice is yours.
* * *
"──That's why we must always be vigilant, ever striving, ever striving to avoid sin!"
"……Sister. What are you doing?"
Emerging from the confessional, I spotted Mikaela passionately preaching from the pulpit. Below her, Don Medici's men clasped their hands, chanting "Amen" repeatedly.
"Ah, Calione Junior. Did your talk go well?"
"Yeah, more or less. But this……."
"Oh, these folks seemed like devotees, so I gave a short sermon. No matter where we stand, to the Lord, we're all in the same place."
She wiped sweat from her brow, her usually impassive eyes shining brighter than ever.
"……Ah, yes. Let's head out. We need to talk privately."
"Yes!"
I knew Catholic heroes got stat boosts from mass, but seeing the buff in action was new knowledge.
Wrapping up the Medici family summit, I returned to the hotel and explained the events, suitably filtered, to Mikaela.
"……So. You're planning to raid Mount Etna?"
"Yes."
"With those mafia folks? The Medici family?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"For a powerless old man and the children who'll be tomorrow's hope?"
(No lies there. I qualify as tomorrow's hope, right?)
"Even so, the scale feels massively inflated……."
She trembled, reaching into her inner pocket.
"……Composing a hymn?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes. A melody just struck me."
This woman. Terrible at acting.
"But isn't it dangerous?"
"Pardon?"
"Mount Etna is a dungeon even our Vatican's elites failed to conquer. Raiding it with mafia? I doubt it's feasible."
Her assessment was spot-on. Mount Etna was an impregnable fortress that had repelled the Vatican's best multiple times. Teaming with non-heroes like mafia? Natural concern.
But.
"Do you know something, Sister?"
"……?"
"When I set out to hunt Fafnir, Bishop Augustus of the Jeju Diocese said the exact same thing."
"Ah."
That was a party without me.
Her eyes sparkled briefly at my story, then she shook her head.
"But that's different. I've seen the reports—that place had a holy relic specialized against Fafnir."
Still dead-set against me getting involved elsewhere. I get her role now.
Time for phase two.
"I'm disappointed, Sister."
"……Pardon?"
She stared, bewildered by my sudden words.
"Did I ask you not to report to the Vatican? Or to commit blasphemy?"
She flinched hard, like a secret exposed.
Handling characters like her is simple.
──Throw a tantrum that she has to protect me, so she must come.
──Or poke her values.
"Will you ignore the countless lambs who've suffered from Mount Etna's outbursts?"
"The people near the volcano struggle daily because the Vatican abandoned the raid."
Our target: the active volcano called a powder keg, Mount Etna. A disaster that's shrunk Sicily's population just by existing.
And I pitch going there.
"For others. For our neighbors. Only by tackling what everyone calls impossible can we walk the path of trials the Lord spoke of, as true pilgrims."
Framing it as sacrifice for others, not me.
"The path of trials. Pilgrims……."
"Exactly. Can we call those who seek only comfort 'pilgrims'? You've grown up watching them, Sister—those who sacrifice and expend themselves for others."
Turning my scheme into her vision.
She clasped her hands, eyes closed.
"……Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me."
"Yes, just like when I faced Fafnir."
I watched her reaction for a moment.
"As expected of Calione Junior. Your thoughts are worlds apart from a mere mortal like me."
She approached, grabbing my hands firmly, head raised.
"I've forgotten…… the resolve I once made to dedicate this body to the Lord."
Aaah…….
"Calione Junior. Please, grant me the chance to join this holy crusade?"
She was fully ignited now.
* * *