The Water Magician

The incident occurred six nights after the French Fleet docked at Von City.

Knock, knock.

Stefania knocked softly.

"Come in."

A small, but clear response from inside, which surprised her as she hadn't expected an answer.

But she quickly changed her mind.

The one inside was the Pope, and at the same time, a vampire hunter.

"Your Holiness..."

"Ah, it seems we are surrounded."

In the darkened bedroom, Graham was already dressed and sitting on the bed.

His usual staff was, of course, by his side.

"There are vampires among those surrounding us."

"What...?"

Stefania was taken aback by Graham's observation.

The inquisitors, who were on high alert around them, hadn't grasped that much yet.

Yet it was shocking that Graham, who hadn't left the bedroom, understood this so clearly.

"The followers of Vira Church... the human believers are of no concern."

"The target is the vampires?"

"It would suffice to strike down the object of their faith. That alone will shake the hearts of the believers, and they will eventually come to their senses."

Graham stated confidently.

"But..."

"Founder Nyu-sama championed the freedom of faith. Even if the object of faith is a vampire, it would be quite excessive to kill people for that reason, wouldn't it?"

Graham said with a smile.

"Of course, if they come attacking with weapons, kill them without hesitation. If not, it's fine to let them go."

"Yes."

"If they awaken from their faith in vampires... there may be some who lean toward the doctrines of the Western Church. They might become potential believers, in a sense."

Graham said with a wry smile.

However, Stefania, who appeared to be frowning, seemed unable to agree entirely.

"Well, the problem is the vampires. There should be about forty of them?"

"That many!"

"The top of the church, the Pope, is within reach. It's only natural that they'd try to kill the Pope at such an opportunity."

There was not a hint of fear on his face.

Graham spoke as he laughed.

Rather, it was those protecting him who were likely more tense.

Of course, Stefania was no exception.

"But if something were to happen to you..."

"Don't worry, Stefania. I won't die that easily. You know this, right?"

"Yes..."

Yes, that was perhaps a secret known only to Stefania within the Western Church.

Graham's secret.

But still...

"Stefania, relay to the inquisitors. Even if they are vampires, there is no need to forcibly defeat them; only deal with those who enter the building. We only need to buy time."

"Yes."

"This battle, time is on our side."

Most inquisitors are better suited for combat in buildings or areas with obstacles rather than in open spaces.

Even against vampires... they should be able to fight evenly, at least against those below count status.

They have trained to gain that much strength.

However, this is not the battlefield.

The main event is still ahead.

But before that, I want them to gain experience facing vampires.

"We will engage in battle after making all the necessary preparations."

Graham murmured.

Graham and Stefania moved to the dining hall on the first floor.

This was the command center, as it was the largest room in the 'Western Droplet Inn.'

"It seems about two hundred Vira believers are lurking around the Western Droplet Inn."

"What about the Von Church?"

"Currently, there are none at the church."

"You managed to draw everyone to me, the Pope. How honorable."

After receiving a report from one of the inquisitors, Graham smiled slyly.

"It seems the lurking Vira believers are in contact with each other, but we don't know when they will make their move."

"That's fine. It looks like our preparations are almost complete, doesn't it?"

Graham confirmed the information and asked Stefania as she walked toward him.

"Yes, Your Holiness. They say positioning will be completed in two minutes."

"Good. Everyone prepare."

As Graham said this, the inquisitors nodded.

There were also clergymen present who were not suited for battle.

However, they too were part of the expedition to subjugate the vampire Marquis Shionka.

Those who held the deepest faith and wished to fight under Pope Graham.