To know the answer to the questions. We are going on our path. The path to find our answers. The only one who gave me an answer.
We walk through the nighttime town. It is past midnight, a new date is started as the clock strikes more than 12 A.M of the new date. Everyone is sleeping.
"I have a question"
Beatrice stopped her steps and my brother took out a cigarette from his mouth to blow the smoke.
"What is it?"
"How far has nobody woke up? I am sure that the sounds of those strikes and clashes should have woken up the whole city but it doesn't look like that's the case. Before I pulled into this battle, I had felt earthquake"
"All the answers of your questions would be given once we reach our destination"
Yusuke threw up the cigarette.
"You know what? It's dangerous for some girls to walk around in the middle of night. I wouldn't take any sort of responsibility if any of you got killed. I will protect my little boy, Kazuya"
"I don't think he needs any of your protection now. He is wielder of divine sword"
I look at the divine sword. She had taken the form of a human. Oh yeah, superhuman girl who can become a sword.
"You girl. What is he saying? I didn't quite understand"
Yeah. This girl is not talking to Kazuya. From that moment on, she took up the form of a human. She is keeping her eyes on my brother like he is some sort of a big criminal or greatest evil produced by humanity. There is something going on which my mind is not able to understand.
"Godkiller is saying that you cannot protect your owner"
"Watch your mouth, you filthy human! How dare you try to question the skills of the divine sword?!"
We have to cross the bridge in order to enter the territory of foreign residence. Beyond the bridge. Beatrice leads us.
"I am sure you had seen this church several times"
"Yes. I had seen it several times whenever I went to visit Senpai"
Whenever I think about this part of Japan. It gives you the feeling of Western world. When you think about this, this part of the city looks more of a different world. Tight streets and big complex buildings and homes. A different world compared to the world I belong to.
At the center are all of the paths. The roads which can lead you everywhere. At the center is standing a giant church like a tree whose roots are spreading everywhere. Same can be said for this church which is built at the center of this town.
"Woah! It's amazing"
It is the first time that I am looking at the church at this close range. It was built around the same time as the school, so I can say that this church is as old as the city. The architectural style is Romanesque, in the shape of a Latin cross.....the cross which is at the top of its peak is very similar to the Kuppelkreuz(dome cross) on the Berlin Cathedral. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. There should be about 20 to 30 people at least to keep this big church clean.
"I will remain here"
"Me too"
Both the divine sword and godkiller said this thing at the same time. She glared at my brother.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I only come here because you are my master. I can return to my original form if I want but the best idea is that I stay here. If by any chance, an enemy attacks us while we are in the church. We need someone to slow down the enemy, so backup can easily come. So, I will wait outside"
Suddenly, my brother pulled out a gun from his pants. This gun is not the same gun which he used against Vlad. It is an ordinary gun. A desert eagle and point at the head of the divine sword.
"You talk so much nonsense. Speaking chivalry codes like those morons you are the lap dog of teachers. Heh! You were saying a lot of crap back when we were walking like I will protect my owner and all of those illogical things . What happened to that motivation?"
He slid his gun to her lips. A true art of pervert. Even in this situation, this dude is not leaving his perverted nature. At least, I know that he is a pervert from birth.
I am sure that she is not going to back down from this challenge.
"Watch your tongue when you are talking, mortal. You, wretch! Your wickedness will not go unpunished. I am giving you one chance to repent your sins or next time, prepare to meet your end"
Before a fight can break out between them. Beatrice comes between them.
"We are allies here! We both got one common person who is connected to both of you. I am an ally of Yusuke-san. Godkiller is the elder brother of Kazuya who is the owner of the divine sword. So by this connection, four of us are allies. We need each other in order to survive this war!"
Both of them back down. She is still glaring at my brother. Beatrice is strong if she can push away and dominate my brother. Or——My brother is letting her do this.....I don't wanna know what type of girls he prefers.
I put my hand on the shoulder of the divine sword. I give her a smile.
"It's okay. I understand your point of view. I am just happy that you have come to support me so far!"
She stayed silent.
"Heh? Did I say something weird?"
"It is my honor to serve such a positive master"
"All right. Then I will be going"
"Yes. Please do not let your guard down whomever you will encounter in your path, your grace"
We entered the church. It is a large, impressive chapel.
Now, I get why Senpai always says that one can get lost in this church if he is an outsider.
"Beatrice, you told me that we are here to meet someone who can give us every detail on this so called war"
"Yes. He is the one and only who can give us perfect and accurate information. Also, he is the only one who can explain you everything about this war in much better manner"
The church looks like a dead place at night. No candle was burning, there was no source of light in this big space. The only light which is coming here is moonlight from the windows.
The Church should be a holy place and a safe place. But, this one gives me horror movie scenes.
"Beatrice. Is he a priest?"
"You can say yes. He is the father of this church but his personality is not one. Let me give you a good advice, stay away from him as much as you can because you don't want someone like him to be close to you"
For this priest, we are the spawn of the devil. Even our powers are demonic. I saw that monster. Vlad Tepes. A historical figure who is celebrated as a hero of Romania. He was a person who used fear and terror as weapons to strike death upon his enemies. For holy priests like him, we are demons. For them, the only magic in this world that exists is the love of God which is given to chosen ones who are later referred to as holy saints or holy maidens in history.
"Are you sure that the priest is on our side?"
"Yes. He raised me after my brother's death. He found me in the destruction that happened 10 years ago. He is like my teacher. Despite living together, I still wasn't able to grasp his character. He is worse than even perverts. I wished that I didn't met him in my life"
"Who is the priest? What is his name?"
Before she could answer anything. Footsteps echo in the church.
"Oh, my feelings are a little bit different. I thought that my little sweet Alighieri loves the Father like me"
He must have noticed our entry. Is he trying to make a dramatic entry at the stage?
He has long, straight blonde hair that falls past his shoulder. His sharp yellow eyes gaze at us. His smile is subtle but eerie. He wears a high-collared black priest's robe. A golden cross pendant hangs around his neck.
"Why did you come here, my little sweetie? Are you getting any trouble in this war? Tell me——I will help you with it"
He is way too tall!
He first looked at Beatrice and then his gaze shifted to me.
"Interesting. I like him. Is he a new player in this war or a pawn of someone? First, you didn't take my calls and when I came back from Mexico, you didn't come to visit and right now, you bring a guest without my permission to the church during midnight!!"
He yelled at us. He is still studying me. He is looking at me like some sort of rat who will experience the dangerous experiments of pain from him.
He pointed at me.
"What is your name, kid?"
"Nakajima Kazuya"
He gave me a smile. It is not a smile. It is a grin which is telling me that I caught myself into the biggest shit.
"Nakajima.....huh? Where did I hear this name before? My memories are vague but——are you somehow related to Nakajima Yusuke?"
"He is my brother"
"Blood related, cousin or is there a bigger story on how you are the brother of godkiller?"
"I am adopted"
He is still smiling at me. Not for a single second, his smile is fading from his face.
"I am Otto Johann Anton Skorzeny"
He revealed his name. Without realizing, I step back. This priest has a presence that makes the air around him feel heavy. The weight on my back turns into a chill.
This name seems familiar to me, like I heard it somewhere.
"You are——"
This team, Beatrice speaks.
"——Yes! He is the same Otto Johann Anton Skorzeny. He is also Austrian except he is not Austrian painter who failed in art school and then paint the Europe with the color of red"
"Mein Führer, he was a great man. A man with a great heart. He was very charismatic person and a great leader"
Should I raise my hand in response to his words? Are we going to start new propaganda?
"I bring him here for you to put some words in his mind, so he can understand his current situation and at which position he is standing"
Priest walked up to the altar.
"So, you are another candidate of god?"
"Even worse. He summoned a golden sword out of nowhere"
The priest slowly smiled as if he met someone pleasant. His smile——it makes me—–
".....I see. This is a problem. He is holding biggest role in this war"
"But as the law of the universe always says beginners get the most difficult role. Teach him from the very first step, will you?"
"——Oh, I see, I see. That's how it is, huh?"
Father Skorzeny laughed. This conversation is making me feel uneasy.
"First, let me put some words into your mind. You are one of the candidates of god"
"Candidate? I don't think I am religion person"
"Yes. It doesn't matter if you are a religious person or not. You are one of those candidates who hold the potential to become a god"
Huh? God? Become a god? The priest's words don't make sense to me. His words confuse me more. I thought that he would clear my doubts but here, he is giving me more doubts. I have one doubt. What type of diet do Nazi follow in order to get taller?
"So, let's get to the straight point. My child, Nakajima Kazuya, you are dragged into a war. A war between the candidates that are chosen by God himself"
"I am not understanding anything. I don't know any of those things"
"Well, it means that you can become a god"
Again with this becoming god bullshit. I am just a human. How can I become omnipotent being called God?! What type of priest would say that you can become a god when they hate the concept of many gods.
"I think it is pointless to clear your misunderstanding. You are not getting my point. The magic that you are using is a magic of miracle. A miracle which can make you a god"
"Miracle?"
"This place is a stage whose only purpose is to give birth to a new god. So, humans are selfish and inhuman, indeed. But, we are not committing these acts because we want to.....it is just a ritual. A ritual where only one God can stay. It is the same concept as Abrahamic religion, where only one God can exist. There is only one Supreme, not so many"
That's almost something that makes sense, but doesn't make sense. It is impossible to become a god. Even if we say that somehow humans are able to obtain the power equivalent to God by some illogical thinking just like in comics. The biggest question would be, how will the human mind replace the godly mind?
"Hear, O mortals: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. This is the philosophy of war. There is only one lord in the universe. No other can become him. In the end, this war is pointless one can say because God who is sitting on the High Heaven looking down upon us. Even if one candidate survived in this all-out war——we don't know what will happen to him after he face of against his Creator"
"Then why is such a war happening? Also, how can you become a god?"
Before Father Skorzeny could have spoken more, Beatrice spoke at midpoint.
"Well, Kazuya——"
"Oye!! Speak in manner. Don't you know how to talk to people who are older than you?"
"Huh? What?"
The priest signed in sadness.
"I am sorry that I wasn't able to raise her correctly, young man. She becomes rebellious day by day. I never thought that she will turn out to be a punk"
"Why are you shifting topics on me?! I need your help to explain things to him without putting a burden on me!"
Priest laughed at the situation.
"So, back to the topic, the magic we are using is just a formula. Formula to become god. It is magic who transcend this world(mortal realm) and step into heaven(divine realm). The magic which is inside your DNA. You can say that it is a gift of God. Once you awaken as candidate, you automatically able to use this magic"
"Magic? What type of magic? You mean that golden sword? And those weapons?"
"No. This is a different type of magic. You can say that it is the next step to become closer to godhood. You merge two magic into one magic which allows you to get closer to realize the true nature of God(universe). The magic you awaken with is to devour souls"
What.....magic? Souls? But, how? This is the most inhuman act. Devouring soul.
"I know that it is the most abnormal thing that can be heard by someone who belongs to the normal world. You are just a normal citizen of this world. You don't belong to the dark side of this world but yet, you get dragged into this battle regardless of your will or not where victory is survival and loss is death. When you eat the souls of those you kill, the stronger you get and more lifespan is given to you. The thing is that these souls can be used for resurrection too"
A question raised in my mind.
"Did anyone ever become a god?"
He smiled. His smile is giving me chills. Now, I get it why Austrian-German people ruled the Europe back in 1942"
"It never happened. This war had started from the back in days when human civilization was still growing. From that time to the current time. Everything changed but war for this hadn't settled yet. Humanity is strange"
"Then why are we doing this?"
"It is inevitable. Once you drag into this war, you got only two choices: kill or be killed"
"I don't like both of those options"
Victory is the only option here. Defeat is unacceptable here.
I have to win!