Chapter 6

Chapter 006. Erased History

Mikael glared sharply back and forth between Johan and the Chapbook.

“How can something like that even exist?”

“You're not denying it. Can I take that as proof that it's true?”

Johan smiled brightly.

Feeling as though he was gradually being dragged along at Johan's pace, Mikael stepped toward him threateningly.

“Answer my question first. Is that book a holy relic?”

“A holy relic… I'd like to call it that, but it isn't something left behind by a saint.”

Just as Johan said, Mikael couldn't sense any special energy coming from the book.

Bang!

Mikael slammed his fist into the back of the pew.

“If it isn't even a holy relic, then who the hell could've left a record like that?!”

Seeing the deep dent Mikael had left in the backrest, Joon-gon could no longer stand by and watch.

He grabbed Mikael by the shoulder.

“Even if you are an Apostle, I will not tolerate any more disrespect toward the bishop.”

Joon-gon stepped between them like a bodyguard protecting an important figure.

“Stay out of this, lackey.”

Mikael wasn't about to back down either and tried to brush Joon-gon's hand away.

Just as the confrontation between the two was about to escalate, Johan raised a hand.

“Haha. That's enough, both of you. This is a conversation between the two of us. I would prefer that neither of you commit any further discourtesy.”

Joon-gon still seemed unwilling to back down.

But Johan spoke first.

“Zion, I understand that you're angry because the Apostle laid a hand on your daughter, but didn't Zion make a mistake as well? We can discuss any punishment for that later. For now, please wait.”

“…My apologies.”

At Johan's firm rebuke, Joon-gon relaxed.

He lowered his head toward Mikael in something resembling a bow before stepping back.

Mikael was somewhat surprised that Joon-gon had backed down so obediently, but the conversation that followed was more important.

“Whatever. Just answer my question. Who left that record?”

Stroking his beard, Johan answered casually.

“Hmm. Who could have written it? Perhaps a woman who made her living with a sewing machine. Perhaps a farmer struggling to survive another year. Or perhaps a knight who survived the final battle.”

A lie.

Mikael had been the last survivor of that final battle.

And what he had sensed at the time supported that fact.

No one survived Lourdes.

Johan had apparently meant it as a light joke, but Mikael's expression darkened.

Johan gave an awkward laugh.

“Haha. Please don't take it so seriously. To tell you the truth, we obtained this book by pure chance ourselves. And once a revelation was added to that, there wasn't much reason to question it further, was there?”

Johan offered an explanation, but Mikael wasn't going to let it go that easily.

“I won't be satisfied until I see it myself. You told me about it because you wanted me to see it anyway, didn't you?”

Mikael held out his hand for the Chapbook.

Johan slipped it back into his sleeve.

“Showing it to you isn't difficult, but didn't I already tell you? This is my bargaining chip.”

“What do you want?”

“Before that, how much of your power has returned?”

Mikael nearly cursed out loud.

The fact that Johan so casually mentioned something that should have been difficult for anyone but Mikael himself to know irritated him.

“…You really do know everything, don't you? Roughly thirty percent, if I'm being generous. Even so, I can easily deal with demons up to the intermediate level.”

“Hmm. Is that so? Then it might still be too much for you right now.”

Crack.

Every word coming out of Johan's mouth seemed to get on Mikael's nerves.

The man spoke like a snake flicking its tongue.

Mikael's cheek twitched.

“Shut up and get to the point.”

“Oh! Of course. Then I'll skip the unnecessary details. The servants of the Seven Deadly Sins have begun establishing their rule over the world.”

Johan said it casually.

But the meaning behind his words was anything but casual.

The servants of the Seven Deadly Sins.

That meant the 72 Demons.

Seventy-two demons acknowledged by the demons who represented the Seven Deadly Sins.

Each one was practically a great demon commanding an army of Hell.

They had been among the greatest obstacles Mikael had ever faced.

Not all of them are actually on the level of great demons, but this is still going to be annoying.

Among the 72 Demons, some had simply gained recognition because they happened to please one of the Seven Deadly Sins.

“Many demons have already taken root in the world. At this point, it wouldn't be strange for any demon to appear anywhere at any time.”

Just from the attack on the cathedral, Mikael could easily imagine how much the demons' influence had grown.

And if one of the 72 Demons appeared, it would be nothing short of a disaster.

Mikael narrowed his eyes at Johan.

“So? You want me to stop those bastards for you? Even though that's supposed to be your job?”

“Apostle, I would be grateful if you simply thought of it as caring for the Lord's lambs.”

“And if I refuse?”

For some reason, Mikael didn't like the thought of being pushed around by Johan's unpredictable words.

“That won't happen. Fate says that while you are dealing with your own problems, you will inevitably end up helping us as well.”

Johan answered with a confident smile.

Mikael opened his mouth, only to find himself speechless.

He didn't know whether Johan truly was a saint who had received divine revelation.

But at the very least, it seemed God wanted Mikael to be like a lion cub thrown off a cliff.

“Ha… unbelievable.”

Mikael changed the subject for a moment and steadied himself before presenting another option.

“Fine. Then let's do it like this instead. You help me. I'm not the one helping you.”

If Mikael wanted to remain in proper condition, he needed to find Helena.

And if he wanted to find her, he couldn't allow himself to be dragged around by the Exorcist Association.

This was his alternative.

“Of course. Is there anything you require?”

“There will be another war against the demons. Before that happens, we need to gather knights and priests who can fight alongside us.”

Preparing to fight demons was something Mikael knew well.

But the modern world was a blank page to him.

If he wanted things to proceed smoothly from here, he needed their help.

“Priests? Ah! You mean clergy.”

“Clergy?”

Thinking about it, Mikael had always called them priests in the broader sense, while everyone else had referred to them specifically as fathers or clergy members.

Johan answered Mikael's question about the distinction.

“You're not exactly wrong. The meaning has simply shifted somewhat compared to the past. 'Clergy' is now the broader term, while those among the clergy who are given specific duties are generally called priests, or more specifically, fathers. Since people usually just use 'priest' or 'father,' the broader term has started to sound somewhat old-fashioned.”

“I see.”

Mikael nodded.

But the word past made him feel strangely lonely.

It reminded him that, in this modern age, he was an outsider.

While Mikael was taking in the changes of the era, Johan was thinking over his proposal.

“Hmm. Knights and priests who can be mobilized for war… That is rather difficult.”

Johan adjusted his glasses.

“Unlike in the past, possession of weapons is restricted in the modern world. So when it comes to knights…”

Is that why this era is so peaceful?

If people couldn't freely carry weapons, then there wouldn't be sword fights breaking out in the middle of the street.

That was probably good for ordinary citizens.

For Mikael, who needed knights, it was inconvenient.

“If knights are difficult, then you can at least properly support me with priests, right?”

He could find people capable of combat while learning more about this world.

If necessary, he could even train them himself.

But devout priests would almost certainly belong to the Church.

That meant he would need the Vatican's help—or at the very least, Johan's.

“Hmm… I'm sorry, but I can't give you a definite answer. Even if I am considered a saint, this isn't something I can casually decide with the authority of a mere bishop.”

Mikael clicked his tongue.

Apparently, even a saint didn't have as much influence as he'd expected.

That's troublesome.

He began wondering whether he would have to search for traveling priests like in the old days, or personally gather people who shared his beliefs.

Then—

“How about this instead?”

Johan seemed to have thought of something.

“For now, don't you need to earn the trust of the other brothers as well?”

“You want me to prove myself?”

It wasn't wrong.

When gathering people, there was nothing more effective than proof and trust.

“Exactly. If you do that, wouldn't many people follow you according to Heaven's will? The Holy See itself might even decide to act.”

The Holy See.

Just as Johan said, if the Vatican stepped in, it carried more than enough weight both politically and religiously.

Even if Mikael couldn't gain their full support yet, accepting their help until his power recovered seemed like the wiser option.

However—

“Looks like you want something from me.”

Johan's lips kept twitching with that sly smile of his.

Mikael didn't like it.

“Yes. In that case, how about we make a verbal 'mercenary contract'? That would make it much easier for us to officially support you.”

So this is what he wanted.

Johan wanted to tie Mikael to the Exorcist Association.

“To explain it simply, you may act freely, but when we request your assistance, you help us. In return, we provide whatever support the Apostle requires. You may terminate the agreement whenever you wish. Does that arrangement displease you?”

“No. If that's all, I'm fine with it.”

Mikael decided to accept.

He didn't know what benefit the Exorcist Association would gain by having him under contract, but the arrangement wasn't bad for him either.

This much is fine. Actually, while I'm adjusting to this world and recovering my strength, hunting the demons the Exorcist Association finds would probably be useful.

Mikael raised his eyes and glared at Johan.

There was still something Johan hadn't answered.

“But you bastard, you're trying to slip past the important part, aren't you? What about the Chapbook?”

As the conversation had moved on, the Chapbook had nearly been forgotten.

“Surely you don't think a clergyman like me would lie. Especially not to an Apostle. If you faithfully fulfill our mercenary agreement from now on, I'll give it to you as a bonus.”

Johan didn't mention an exact date.

He didn't demand that Mikael kill a specific number of demons either.

There were no detailed conditions at all.

He was definitely planning something.

“Hmm…”

Mikael thought for a moment.

“Fine. We'll do it your way.”

It seemed Johan was determined to keep Mikael tied to them somehow.

Trying to take too much without giving anything in return would obviously invite trouble, so Mikael decided to compromise here.

“Excellent. Think of it as me taking out a little insurance. Haha. Now then… you'll also need somewhere to stay, won't you? And you'll need a way to contact people, so please take these.”

Johan pulled a phone box and a card from beneath the altar.

“A mobile phone and a credit card. I've included instructions for using the phone, so read them when you have time. You can use the card for your travel expenses.”

The rectangular device called a mobile phone was one of the things Mikael had asked Joon-gon about during the car ride.

From what he'd heard, it was a light and convenient tool that made communicating information extremely easy.

It would definitely be useful.

“Instructions… Fine. I understand the phone, but how do I use this card?”

“When you buy something, simply say you're paying with that card. Although I'd appreciate it if you didn't spend too much…”

Johan hesitated.

Then he suddenly let out a hollow laugh.

“Our finances are already somewhat unstable because of certain people who keep causing trouble. Hahaha…”

Simple to use.

And practically unlimited money.

That last part especially pleased Mikael.

He looks like he'd be good at business, but he's surprisingly careless. Handing over something this valuable so easily.

Mikael turned the card over in his hands while wondering how he could use it to hurt Johan's wallet—and his heart—as much as possible.

“I'll make good use of it. But I don't need a place to live. I've lived among the lower class before. I can find something myself.”

If the Exorcist Association provided his residence, they would obviously be able to monitor his every movement.

He wanted to avoid anything that might interfere with his future actions.

“Is that so? Even then, we'll assign one of our people to accompany you. Wouldn't that make adapting to the modern world easier? They could also prevent any accidents before they happen.”

“I'm asking just in case… You're not talking about that one, are you?”

Mikael frowned and pointed at Joon-gon.

It was obvious that if Johan intended to send Joon-gon with him, Mikael was going to refuse—politely or otherwise.

“Haha. Calling a person 'that one' is rather rude. In any case, Father Kim Joon-gon already has many responsibilities, so it would be difficult for him.”

Mikael nodded in relief and rose from the pew.

If he refused even this, it would only make him look suspicious.

Besides, having someone teach him would certainly make adapting easier than trying to figure out everything alone.

“I didn't mean to do it, but since you woke me up, I'll take care of one demon for free. I already found one on the way here.”

“Oh! If you would do that, I couldn't ask for anything better. Are you leaving immediately?”

“Of course. What would I do by staying here any longer?”

Mikael turned and headed toward the entrance without hesitation.

Joon-gon, who had been waiting nearby, opened the door.

“Take care. Ah, and you, muscle-head. Try to calm that temper of yours.”

“…I'll handle myself. Mind your own business.”

What pride.

Then again, what could a youngster possibly know?

Their warm farewell, which had begun like friendly advice, ended with Mikael raising his middle finger at Joon-gon.

By the time Mikael stepped outside, the moon had begun to appear in the sky.

Keep hiding well, you little rat.

Mikael stretched his body.

For some reason, he had a feeling tonight was going to be a very long night.

As the sun set, the alleys of Itaewon glowed as brightly as daytime from the lights spilling out of every shop.

With every few steps, Mikael heard a different song.

There wasn't a single street without crowds.

“This place is pretty filthy too.”

The first thing that caught Mikael's attention was the environment.

Half-eaten food, discarded trash, cigarette butts—

The streets looked completely different from the city scenery he'd seen during the day.

“There are all kinds of races here too.”

As he passed groups of two or three people, Mikael heard countless different languages.

There were Black people, white people, and people from many other backgrounds.

A few of them made eye contact with Mikael.

But after feeling the pressure coming from him, they quickly looked away.

“Everyone's clothes certainly have personality. Hmm? Isn't that person cold?”

It was autumn, and the cold wind was slowly beginning to blow.

Vintage clothing, sheer outfits, and other modern fashion styles were an incomprehensible new world to Mikael, a man from the eighteenth century.

“Not that I'm in any position to criticize other people's fashion. Why does everything cling so tightly? This is unbelievably uncomfortable.”

Mikael wore a black mock-neck sweater and tight cotton pants.

Clearly uncomfortable, he kept pulling the fabric away from his body and letting it snap back.

“Haah…”

“That bastard Johan. There was nothing wrong with wearing my cassock. Why did he have to interfere?”

Before Mikael left for Itaewon, Johan had clicked his tongue upon seeing Mikael's loose-fitting cassock.

—

“Wait! Why don't you change your clothes? If you go outside like that, someone's going to take a picture of you and put it on social media.”

“What are you talking about? A cassock is the most devout attire there is!”

“If you'd like the entire world to discover your identity, feel free to go dressed like that.”

—

After saying that, Johan had Joon-gon make Mikael change his clothes.

The problem was this thing called a sweater.

For someone from centuries ago—especially someone who had lived among the lower class like Mikael—it was incredibly uncomfortable.

Once this is over, I'm getting myself some new clothes. Seriously… Hmm?

Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Mikael turned through several alleys.

But with every turn, the crowds seemed to grow thicker.

The music also became louder and more chaotic.

The whole place was packed.

At this rate, even with the Holy Spirit guiding him, he could end up wandering around as though trapped inside a maze.

Typical trick for that little rat.

It was a barrier.

Just as priests could create barriers, demons could form barriers of their own.

There's an old saying—if you want to hide a tree, hide it in a forest.

Judging from the surroundings, the demon had apparently chosen to hide itself among crowds of humans.

“Ha. That bastard is as cautious as ever.”

Mikael scratched his head roughly and continued following the Holy Spirit's guidance.

“Someone who walks in without knowing anything would probably wander around forever.”

The barrier was designed so that anyone who had not been invited would gradually be pushed farther away from their destination before ever reaching it.

“Still, this shouldn't be a problem.”

Having identified the key points of the barrier, Mikael stepped forward and let himself disappear into the crowd.

Sniff. Sniff.

“Left here. Right over there.”

As people brushed against him, Mikael made sure to step on certain spots and grind his foot against them.

Each time he stepped on one of those places like hidden switches, the seemingly endless crowd gradually began to thin.

The barrier was a form of illusion.

“Hey! Stop pushing!”

“Did you just hit my shoulder?”

Of course, some of the people were real.

But Mikael slipped away smoothly before any of them could grab him.

Tap!

“Was that the last one? The smell's mostly gone too.”

The places Mikael had stepped on were weak points in the barrier.

It was a simple type of barrier that could be broken merely by erasing the markings placed at those weak points.

With his exceptionally sharp senses, Mikael had tracked the demonic scent coming from those marks and passed through the barrier.

“Is this the place?”

Beyond the barrier, he arrived at his destination.

An illuminated acrylic sign reading V.F hung above a bar.

Beside it was a staircase leading underground.

From the faint presence of several people inside, it seemed the establishment was still operating normally.

Is it hiding down there?

Following the Holy Spirit's guidance, which pointed downward, Mikael descended into the basement.

Step.

Step.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, a glass door leading into the bar stood before him.

At the same moment, the Holy Spirit's guidance came to an end.

Mikael's lips curled into a sinister smile.

“It's been a while. I think I'm about to see a familiar face.”

He grabbed the door handle and pulled it open.