The sacred halls of the Apostolic Palace stood eternal and unmoved. Marble pillars rose like silent sentinels, golden light filtering through ancient stained glass windows in solemn, unchanging patterns. Even as monsters stirred in the shadows and the world teetered on the brink of catastrophe, the heart of the Church remained a bastion of unyielding authority.
Today, however, tension thickened the air like incense smoke.
A young priest hurried down the corridor, his footsteps echoing too sharply against the polished floors. His breathing came in ragged bursts, and his hands trembled around the sealed report he carried.
Azravael… eliminated. Rairen… killed too? By one man?
He swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead as the massive doors to the inner chamber loomed ahead.
How do I even begin to tell them this?
The doors swung open on their own.
Inside, the atmosphere grew heavier. Rows of high-ranking Church officials stood in rigid silence, their faces carved from stone. At the center, seated upon an elevated throne-like chair, was the Pope himself. His fingers were interlocked, his expression calm—yet his eyes held a sharpness that could cut through steel.
The priest stepped forward and dropped to one knee, lowering his head.
"Your Holiness… we have received confirmed reports regarding the individual known as Raphael Arzenon."
The silence that followed pressed against every chest in the room.
The Pope did not move, but his gaze shifted.
"…Speak."
The single word filled the chamber like divine command.
The priest kept his head bowed, unfolding the report with shaking fingers.
"Within the past eleven weeks… Raphael Arzenon has eliminated the entity known as Azravael."
A faint ripple passed through the assembled officials.
He continued, voice growing quieter. "And most recently… he has defeated and killed the Dead Apostle-level threat—Rairen."
This time, the silence cracked. A bishop stiffened visibly. Another clenched his jaw so tightly the muscle stood out.
That level of existence doesn't just fall…
The priest forced himself to keep speaking. "Based on the collected data… his growth rate is considered abnormal. His current threat level has been reassessed to… extreme priority."
The Pope closed his eyes slowly.
Two high-tier entities erased in less than three months… Rapid growth. Unknown origin. Unverified capabilities…
His fingers tightened against one another.
Unacceptable.
His eyes opened once more—sharp and decisive.
"Then there is no need for further deliberation." His voice carried absolute authority. "Deploy the Church Knights."
A bishop stepped forward instinctively. "Your Holiness—mobilizing a force of that scale will require preparation. At minimum, we estimate—"
He swallowed. "—twenty hours to assemble and deploy an effective force."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
The Pope leaned forward slightly. "Twenty hours…?"
The bishop froze.
Why do I feel like I just made a mistake…?
The Pope's gaze hardened. "In twenty hours… how much further will he grow? How many more will fall?" He exhaled once, controlled and final. "No. Reduce it. Fifteen hours. Prepare them in fifteen hours."
"…Understood."
The Pope leaned back, his expression returning to calm serenity. But his eyes remained cold and focused.
Raphael Arzenon… An anomaly that grows beyond control… Then you will be corrected. Before you become something even we cannot contain.
Outside the Vatican gates, Sora Starfall stood conducting her morning blessings. The gorgeous young woman in her early twenties possessed long, flowing blonde hair, striking blue eyes, flawless skin, and an hourglass figure that drew admiring gazes from the crowd. As the High Priestess, she wore a practiced mask of kindness and empathy.
"Good morning, my beloved people! The Church loves you all—so do I. Amen!"
Her voice rang out with fake warmth and gentle authority.
One of her loyal subordinates, Mike, approached and knelt before her. "Saint Sora, there is an event going on. It would be better if you stay in the Capital."
Sora turned to him with a sugary-sweet smile. "Can you tell me about this event, Mike?"
Mike glanced at the crowd. "It's better if we speak in private. Something the public shouldn't know."
Sora maintained her benevolent expression as she addressed the flock. "Ah, it seems our beloved Mike has urgent matters to discuss! Worry not, my dear flock—the blessings of the Church remain with you always." She made a graceful holy sign before stepping aside with him.
Once out of earshot, her tone shifted, laced with subtle command. "Well? Speak quickly. My time is precious."
Mike lowered his voice. "There is currently a massive vampire uprising happening. 900 million people around the world have been turned into vampires. Because of this event, the Pope has ordered all Church members to stay in the Capital to avoid being affected. There is also a group of 300 vampires outside the city gates. If you had stayed out there any longer, you would be in danger. Let's leave the city before those vampires fully destroy the gate." He handed her the paperwork from the Pope, confirming every word.
Sora's fingers tightened around the parchment. Her composure flickered with irritation before she tucked a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear and sighed airily. "How inconvenient. And here I was planning to visit the eastern nobles next week…" She folded the document crisply and handed it back. "Still, better than dirtying my robes with peasant blood. Lead the way, Mike."
As they moved toward safety, she cast one last glance toward the city gates, her lips twitching into something cold and amused. Though… if Yuno were still alive to see his 'peace' crumble so spectacularly? Now that would've been entertaining.
Mike continued, "Also, the Holy Sword Caliburn has teleported somewhere around Britain. The Pope sent two knights to retrieve the weapon so it becomes one under Church dominion."
Sora's eyes gleamed with sudden predatory interest. "Caliburn? The legendary Holy Sword?" She let out a soft, melodic laugh that failed to reach her eyes. "How… fortuitous. Tell me, Mike—who exactly did the Pope assign to retrieve it? And are they competent, or merely disposable?" Her voice dropped to a silky murmur. "After all… it would be such a shame if something were to… delay its return to Vatican hands. A weapon like that belongs with someone who knows how to wield power properly, wouldn't you agree?"
Mike answered, "The Pope sent Omega Heinriel, the 5th strongest Holy Knight, and Yukio, the 3rd strongest Holy Knight. But currently, two Dead Apostles have delayed their arrival."
Sora's fingers drummed lightly against her robe. A slow smirk curled her lips. "Oh? Two Dead Apostles stalling our precious knights?" She exhaled in mock sympathy. "What a terrible tragedy… Almost as if fate itself is ensuring the sword remains unattended." She pivoted toward him, eyes alight. "Tell me. If I were to request an 'emergency blessing' for those poor knights… say, under my personal supervision on their journey back with Caliburn—who would question it? The Pope trusts his saintess's devotion, doesn't he?"
Mike replied, "Yes, but that won't be necessary. A mage stepped in and defeated both of the Dead Apostles singlehandedly. This mage had the power to resurrect all 250 million people killed in Britain, and he already healed both knights. The only confusion is that we in the Church don't understand how this mage is so powerful or how he achieved what he did. We teleported the two knights to a random location with the Caliburn sword."
Sora paused, intrigue flashing across her face. "A mage, you say? And this mage—does he have a name, or merely 'power and miracles'?" She resumed walking, voice deceptively light. "What I find more curious is where Caliburn ended up. You said it was teleported randomly? To some unknown location?"
Mike nodded. "Yes. The mage did have a name. I believe he said his name was Raphael Arzenon."
Sora Starfall stopped moving completely, left in shock. She knew that name. Raphael had been her first lover back in middle school when she was fourteen. He had been three years younger, an absolute simp she had used for fun before cheating on him with a more powerful man and discarding him as a weakling. Now she was being told he had risen to such power? It left her speechless.
Mike noticed her reaction. "Saint Sora Starfall, is something wrong? You look speechless for some reason. Do you know that name?"
The blood drained from Sora's face. Her carefully constructed mask shattered for a fraction of a second. "…Raphael… Arzenon?" She repeated the name slowly, voice hollow. A flicker of panic and regret crossed her features before she forced a strained laugh. "Oh, how nostalgic. We were… acquainted once."
Her mind raced. That pathetic little simp I discarded like trash now wields power beyond even the Church's reach? Power that could resurrect nations?
"Mike," she said suddenly, sweet venom returning to her tone, "be a dear and find out exactly where Raphael is now. And where Caliburn landed. After all… old friends should reconnect, don't you think?"
Mike replied, "Yes, absolutely. I will have the other Church members try looking for this Raphael Arzenon mage who could be a threat."
Sora forced a brittle smile. "Thank you, Mike. Just remember—subtlety is key. This… former friend isn't someone to underestimate."
Mike asked, "Do you want him dead or alive?"
Sora hesitated, conflicting emotions—fear, anger, guilt, uncertainty—warring inside her. Finally, she schooled her face into cool detachment. "Alive. He needs to be useful first, and we can't use a corpse." She exhaled sharply. "Just find where he is and keep him contained. Understood, Mike?"
Mike used his scanning technology. "He is currently within the city of Misaki Town with someone else."
Sora's gaze narrowed. "Someone else, you said. Can you identify this person? Who is Raphael currently with?"
Mike looked closer. "It is a female named Sion Eltnam Atlasia. She is an alchemist of Atlas located in Egypt, one of the three main branches of the Mage's Association. She is a genius scientist who excelled within Atlas. She was given a position equal to the representative of Atlas at an extremely young age. This is the individual Raphael Arzenon is walking with right now in Misaki Town."
Sora's jaw clenched. An alchemist prodigy from Atlas walking side by side with my former lover? A bitter laugh escaped her. "Raphael with an alchemist genius. Who's next? A Holy Grail-wielding demon?" She caught herself, eyes narrowing. "You're sure the mage is Raphael, Mike? Absolutely certain?"
Mike confirmed with absolute certainty, "Yes. Omega Heinriel, who is Raphael Arzenon's best friend, confirmed it was him. His appearance is different, but his personality and behavior were exactly the same. Something the other mages in Britain also confirmed."
Sora's composure faltered again. "Personality… the same as when we were children?" She shook her head. "He was a weak, pathetic little boy. His magic couldn't amount to more than a few sparks. How could he suddenly have such power? How could he be walking with that alchemist?"
She exhaled sharply. "Mike, how fortunate that we have an in with him. After all… I doubt Raphael has forgotten me. Arrange a meeting. If he's truly unchanged…" Her gaze drifted toward the distant silhouette of Misaki Town.
Mike added, "Physically Raphael Arzenon isn't the same. Based on past data, he looked average before, but now he looks like a supermodel. He has many women trying to flirt with him, but he has mostly stayed distant, choosing to focus on the vampire threat. It's something even Omega Heinriel found confusing. He couldn't understand how Raphael had also changed physically and questioned if he was a different person. But the moment he saw Raphael's behavior, he instantly recognized him as Raphael."
Sora absorbed the information, a tight feeling building in her chest. Supermodel… and surrounded by admirers. A pang of jealousy flared before she crushed it. "He was never unattractive… just normal. Nothing special."
She turned, determination hardening her features. "I must see him for myself."
Then a realization hit her like ice water—Akane Tohsaka, her once-shy rival. While I abandoned him for Yuno… did he actually crawl back into her arms? A cruel smirk twisted her lips. "Mike, find me Akane Tohsaka first. If that mage has any weaknesses left… they'll be there."
Mike received a messenger bird with a letter and opened it. "I got a message from the Pope. He has rejected your order of keeping Raphael Arzenon alive. He has ordered all the Church Knights to kill Raphael Arzenon on the spot at first sight."
Sora's blood ran cold. The Pope's direct interference was dangerous. Panic flashed across her face for a split second before she locked it down. "So His Holiness has decided he's a threat?" She exhaled slowly. "Mike, how long do we have before they mobilize?"
Mike answered, "At least fifteen hours from now."
Sora's mind sharpened. Fifteen hours. A race against the Church's wrath. "Good. Prepare my fastest horse and a small escort—not too conspicuous. I'm leaving for Misaki Town now." A sly smirk tugged at her lips. If the Pope wants him dead… then I'll just have to reach him first.
Meanwhile, back at the Church, Omega Heinriel entered covered in blood. His hollow eyes fixed on Ciel as he asked coldly, "Has any new report of this Vampire War come in?"
Ciel's cold gaze swept over him, taking in the blood. Without hesitation, she tossed him a clean white cloth. "Clean yourself up. You're tracking filth across sacred ground."
She opened a metal cabinet and pulled out several urgent reports. "No good news," she said flatly.
Omega sighed in dissatisfaction. "Still no good news, huh."
Ciel skimmed the dossiers—massacres in Vienna, Berlin under siege, entire battalions wiped out. The Church had lost seven Executors this week alone. Her jaw tightened slightly.
Omega made a quick phone call to Raphael. Inside Raphael's Inner World, Cielux sensed it and mimicked his voice. "Oh yeah, Omega. I'm kind of busy right now, but based on my perfect analysis, I can say the vampire conflict has something to do with time travel—something I bet you were already theorizing. But I will send you the rest of the information through blueprint transfer." She ended the call.
Raphael, still heading toward Gilgamesh's location, asked confusedly, "Were you speaking to someone just now?"
Cielux grinned playfully. "No, Master. It's just your imagination."
Raphael sighed and accepted the answer, continuing onward.
Back at the Church, Omega received the information. Pain flared in his head from the informational overload before fading. He put his phone away, dazed. "Well, at least I now know why the current vampires aren't as easy to defeat as any past vampires of old."
Ciel looked up. "Why?"
Omega explained honestly, "You know how there is a hierarchy among Dead Apostles and vampires in power. A Dead Apostle Ancestor named Rairen gave 900 million normal vampires a power boost, making them all equal to high-level Dead Apostles. This is why the Church hasn't been able to defeat this army yet."
Ciel's breath hitched for a fraction of a second. 900 million vampires… powered up to High Dead Apostle level.* Her mind raced through the grim logistics. The Church's forces would be annihilated.
Omega continued, a little hesitant. "Me and my friend have a theory, but we don't know if this is 100% true or not yet."
Ciel stepped closer, voice urgent. "Speak."
Omega replied with absolute seriousness, "There is a possibility that this Dead Apostle threat only came to be because of time travel. My friend fought Rairen and told me Rairen was 5,000 years old. But that shouldn't be possible since the Crimson Moon only came to Earth around 2,000 BC. Rairen has been around longer than that. So we have a theory that Rairen or his leader potentially time-traveled back to a point even before the Crimson Moon arrived in order to gather more power than any vampire in history."
Ciel froze. The implications were terrifying. If true, Rairen wasn't just ancient—he was a temporal anomaly.
Omega added, "Rairen is already dead, but his leader is still alive, commanding the army."
Ciel's eyes darkened. "Who is it? What's their name? Their origin? Anything at all."
Omega sighed. "My friend didn't tell me the leader's name, but he told me he had a telepathic conversation with the leader and declared he will kill the leader himself."
Ciel asked urgently, "Your friend—is he strong enough? Strong enough to actually kill something that commands an army of High Dead Apostles?"
Omega answered honestly but with doubt, "Well, my friend was the one who defeated Rairen, so it might be possible."
Ciel's posture shifted with a flicker of hope. "Where is your friend now? And when does he plan to move against this leader?"
Omega replied worriedly, "The only issue is my friend is a mage, and you know how the Church feels about mages."
Ciel's expression soured. "I don't care if he's a damn mage. If he kills that leader, I'll personally thank him."
Omega laughed nervously. "Yeah, tell that to the Pope. Since the Pope is currently more concerned with trying to have Church Knights go after my mage friend and killing him than actually looking for the vampire leader."
Ciel's eye twitched. "I'll handle it. If any of our knights so much as look at your mage friend wrong… I'll shoot them myself."
Omega said, "Currently there are fifteen hours before the Pope sends those knights after Raphael Arzenon."
Ciel grabbed her coat and checked her Black Keys. "Where is Raphael now?"
"Raphael Arzenon is in Misaki Town."
Ciel nodded once and strode toward the door, sending a command to all Burial Agents in the area: Do not engage with Raphael Arzenon. Every second counted. The Pope could burn—she would ensure this mage survived long enough to end the nightmare.