Chapter 48

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on March 9, 2025

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Since the existence of light, darkness has been present.

If there is a heaven, there is a hell.

If there are good people, there are those who commit sins, and if there is war, there is peace.

And in this world, there exists common knowledge that one should know, and secrets that one should not know.

The records of the exorcism rite fall under the latter. Every conversation held during the exorcism is documented, but this is absolutely never made public.

This is to protect those who suffered from being possessed by demons. When one becomes possessed, it is not uncommon for them to confess private secrets or shameful sins due to the influence of the demon.

And naturally, having this information disclosed to others would be extremely shameful.

After Priest Camilla and Priest Peter were possessed by demons, the exorcism performed on them was kept secret for that very reason. Within the academy, the only ones who knew the truth about the incident were myself, Sub-priest Sofia, and Chancellor Damian.

However, there was no escaping the fact that we had to admit the weakened Priest Peter and Priest Camilla to the academy district hospital.

It may be fine now, but the story of the two priests lying in their sickbeds would quickly spread throughout the entire academy. Rumors are difficult to control with human effort, much like trying to block a crack in a dam with one’s hands.

In essence, no matter how much one tries to stop it, rumors inevitably circulate, whether they are false or true.

I decided not to concern myself with either. Professor Esther had subtly inquired about what was happening, but the only word I could offer in response was a single phrase.

That nothing had happened that day, at that place.

“See you later!”

“Yeah!”

Suddenly, a youthful voice broke my thoughts. I stopped watching the line of ants crawling in a row and lifted my head.

In front of me, two students, appearing to be first years, waved goodbye to each other. I watched them as I lit a cigarette.

Hoo—.

The refreshing scent of mint filled my lungs. After watching the students for a moment, I raised my head and stared vacantly at the billowing cigarette smoke.

Today was a day without classes. There were no urgent tasks that needed handling, so I sat on a bench in the courtyard, leisurely smoking as usual.

Just moments ago, Sub-priest Sofia, who had been taking a walk with me, had suddenly remembered a task that needed addressing and returned to the professor’s office. I gazed at a small cloud floating alone in the sky.

“…The weather is nice.”

I turned my gaze and admired the blooming cherry blossom on the bench. A cool breeze brushed through my hair. That sensation felt quite refreshing.

“Excuse me.”

As I blankly stared at the cherry blossoms, someone sat down beside me. I focused on smoking without turning to look at them.

The glowing tip of the burning cigarette was dim. Shifting my focus from the cigarette end, I saw the cherry blossoms blooming vigorously behind it.

“Did you come from the Cathedral?”

I asked while looking at the cherry blossoms falling from the sky. The person sitting next to me paused, seemingly choosing their words carefully.

As the silence lingered, and the cigarette I was smoking transformed into a short butt.

“I came from the Papal States.”

“……”

Finally, I lowered my eyes. An unnamed elderly cleric was looking at me with a gentle smile.

“…Who are you?”

Even with my question, the old cleric merely gazed at me with a kindly smile. I sensed an unusual current in those eyes.

After staring at me for a while, the old cleric silently produced something from his pocket. I received it in a daze.

It was a somewhat luxurious-looking envelope. Just from the feel of it, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

“What is this?”

“Brother Benedict.”

“……”

The old cleric called me by my baptismal name, adding the term “brother” at the end. Normally, one would address by surname first, followed by their title according to rank.

And then, I noticed the small brooch on the cleric’s chest.

A beam of light radiating from all directions, and a cross placed on top. In the center was engraved the finger of Saint Andreas.

“Are you a member of the Order of the Little Brothers?”

The cleric quietly nodded. He still maintained his smile.

The Order of the Little Brothers. It is an organization directly under the Papal States that specializes in tracking down demons and their worshippers.

Even among fellow clerics, they never frivolously use others’ names. They only speak of the name given to them under the Lord’s grace, which is their baptismal name, and do not acknowledge a hierarchical relationship among priests.

Therefore, clerics belonging to the Order of the Little Brothers effectively have no rank. While there is a rank bestowed by the Papal States for the sake of appearances, it is never uttered aloud.

Their skills in exorcising demons are exceptional, and especially the knights of the Order of the Little Brothers, who have directly dealt with demon worshippers for a long time, are stricter than anyone when it comes to punishing demon worshippers and apostates.

I had heard of the reputation of the Order of the Little Brothers before, so I naturally crushed the cigarette butt in my hand as easily as water flowing.

“What is your baptismal name?”

If the cleric belonged to the Order of the Little Brothers, it would be proper for me to align myself with their traditions as well. The cleric smiled pleasantly and answered.

“It is Matthew. Brother Benedict.”

“Priest Matthew. What brings you here? Though, I can imagine the reason….”

“Brother Benedict, you have done quite an admirable thing.”

“Are we really having a conversation?”

Instead of answering my question, the cleric was only speaking about what he wanted to say. Perhaps not having a way with words, he spoke in short cuts, which was peculiar.

“An admirable thing, you say?”

“That demon. The academy’s demon.”

“…That was to be expected.”

“Excessive humility is not a virtue. Brother Benedict, you have successfully exorcised a demon that we in the Order of the Little Brothers have been tracking for a long time.”

It was a somewhat awkward compliment. I averted my gaze slightly and nodded.

“Yes, well… Sub-priest Sofia’s help was significant.”

“And so, I would like to make you a proposal.”

I looked at Priest Matthew. The warmth in his eyes slowly opened.

“Brother Benedict. Have you considered joining our Order of the Little Brothers?”

“……”

That was quite an unexpected subject. I stared at his eyes.

His clear eyes, free of any stain, were directed toward me. In those grayish eyes resided a profound wisdom accumulated over many years.

“That seems to be a very surprising proposal.”

“I apologize. I may have spoken too hastily.”

Priest Matthew, who had been chuckling, opened his mouth again.

“You may not know this, but this matter has been directly commanded to be kept silent by His Holiness the Pope.”

“Is that so?”

“Would you like to check the documents?”

Following Priest Matthew’s words, I opened the luxurious envelope.

The first thing I noticed was a document with the name Papal States written in large letters at the top. At the very bottom was the impression of the Pope’s seal.

It was an official document sent from the Papal States. I slowly read through it.

“…This is.”

To summarize succinctly, excluding the cumbersome embellishments, it was a document stating that the incidents involving Priest Peter and Priest Camilla would be left unmentioned, and that the facts of possession and exorcism would be strictly kept quiet.

I placed the official document on my lap and looked at Priest Matthew. He was still smiling as he gazed at me.

“So, what does my joining the Order of the Little Brothers have to do with this official document?”

“Brother Benedict, look at the last line.”

I turned my gaze to the last line of the document.

– Silence is golden, and the holy tongue is the blessing of the Lord.

“Isn’t that merely a phrase wishing for silence?”

“Brother Benedict, the meaning of that phrase is to treat everything mentioned in this document as if it never happened.”

“……”

“And that means there will be no rewards for you, Brother Benedict, resulting from this incident.”

Priest Matthew’s expression stiffened slightly as if he was displeased with this decision, even though it wasn’t his affair.

“There will be no promotion in rank, nor any financial compensation. The Papal States will neither recognize any of it nor remember anything; that is the official stance.”

“…Is there nothing but the Lord’s mercy?”

“There is only the Lord’s mercy.”

Usually, a priest who successfully exorcises a demon from a possessed person may not have their accomplishment publicly known, yet internally, some form of reward is generally provided.

For instance, it may be in the form of psychological counseling, financial compensation, an audience with the Pope, or additional points for rank elevation.

The words spoken by Priest Matthew completely excluded such possibilities.

I understood. It was surprising that two priests sent directly from the Papal States, ended up being possessed themselves.

This decision was not merely made with the public’s criticism in mind. The Papal States ultimately decided to protect the two priests.

“Therefore, I am making this proposal. Brother Benedict, if you decide to come to our Order of the Little Brothers, you will receive compensations that exclude rank elevation.”

I stared at the air for a while. Priest Matthew patiently waited for my answer.

And the decision did not take long.

“Priest Matthew, I will continue to stay at the academy.”

“…Brother Benedict. No one will remember you.”

“I know.”

“No one will acknowledge this incident. While the Papal States will formally recognize the exorcism records, they will not acknowledge your achievements. Is that truly sufficient for you?”

“I am aware of that as well. However, Priest Matthew.”

I looked at Priest Matthew. He had already erased the smile from his face.

“I did not do it merely for the sake of reward.”

“……”

Priest Matthew opened his eyes wide. He stared at me with a stunned expression for a moment and then back to his original warm smile.

“…As expected, you are quite tempting. Do you truly not wish to join our brotherhood? I will write you a letter of recommendation.”

“I apologize.”

Priest Matthew seemed to know I would refuse, yet his smile remained unchanged.

“Haha… That disposition is truly the Lord’s grace.”

“You flatter me.”

“Brother Benedict, even if no one remembers, I will remember.”

“Thank you. But please do not record it in your diary or essays.”