章節 8: Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Vasco looked at the two suspicious people in front of him. The young man kept Asia close to him in case he attacked. With 1 look at the young man and girl one thought entered his mind. These two were dangerous, he could feel it in his old bones.
The young girl didn't have any signs of training in martial arts so that ment she's either a magician or sacred gear user. She was not as dangerous as her companion.
The boy was a martial artist and a good one at that. His body seemed relaxed but to an experienced eye it was tense like a snake who was ready to strike at any moment. His finger tense tells me he is skilled at using a weapon. Not only that Vasco sensed the boy's mana level which is quite high meaning he's well versed in magic. Finally Vasco senses the natural energy flowing through him. Martial arts, magic and senjutsu all in one opponent made Vasco wary.
A lot of people in the supernatural world, especially supernatural races tend to focus on one thing. Be it magic, natural powers or sacred gears. Not many train outside their respective choice in terms of combat power. The only ones who tend to develop skills outside their preferred choice of combat prowess are the experienced ones who know that having a few cards up their sleeves is a necessity. This boy didn't have the air of a veteran, that means he's one of the view youths who understand how truly dangerous their world is.
Not only that he seems to recognize who he was and how outclass he is. That means he would most likely use Asia as a hostage. Vasco sighed internally. Vasco never thought that he would encounter such people near Asia. It was one of his jobs as a Cardinal to check on all the holy maidens of the Church, to see if they were safe or adequately protected but Asia has never been in any kind of danger since she has awakened her Sacred Gear. Of course all the factions keep an eye on her like they do all holy maidens but Asia, despite her possessing a rare Sacred Gear, has never been threatened before mainly because her Sacred Gear has no combat application. It was the complete opposite of Jeanne who he had to protect from assassination and kidnapping attempts since she was a young child.
He just wanted to visit his sugarcoated granddaughter and spend time away from the Vatican right now. After the appearance of the current wielder of the True Longinus caused a massive uproar within the Church and Heaven.
The Seraphs and all Church members were tasked to find out any clues about Abel. Yet after a month searching there was nothing. Vasco wasn't surprised by this. One doesn't attack and kill thousands of low class vampires along with a few hundred nobles without a way to hide from them. Especially after mocking the vampires with his chosen alias.
No one heard of this Abel before a month ago. It was not hard to deduce the name was an alias. Vasco had to admire the cleverness of the name. Naming himself after the brother Cain murdered was certainly a way to mock the vampire further. After all Cain was the Sire of all vampires and the ancestor of the Tepes and Carmilla. He was cursed by God with the Mark of Cain and God damned him with vampirism so that he could never die as a punishment for the murder of his brother. To think that thousands of years later, another Abel would avenge the death of his namesake by attacking Cain's descendants. It was certainly ironic but this 'Abel' was causing him major headaches with the higher-ups yelling at him to find him. So he took this opportunity to be away from them and go see Asia. After hearing about 2 suspicious people taking Asia out to the city and how the nuns were hypnotized. He decided to confront these people.
"Asia dear, why don't you go back inside to wait for me ? I wish to talk with your new friends." He asked gently to the young girl who was babbling happily.
"H-Huh ?" she said in confusion and looked back uncertainly at the young man.
"Go back inside Asia, we'll be back soon." The young man said, putting a reassuring face in front of the girl.
"Y-you promise ?" She asked hesitantly .
"I promise."
"Okay big brother." Vasco blinked at the familiar term used for the young man and narrowed his eyes further.
He was surprised that the young man would so readily let Asia leave as she would have been the perfect hostage to confront him who is considered to be a monster among men but what was more surprising was how attached Asia became to the young man. His theory that she might have been brainwashed like the others at the church might be true after all.
After Asia left, Vasco was finally left alone with the two of them and asked the question that he had been eager to ask.
"Who are you ?" He asked bluntly.
The young man looked back stoically stroking the fur of the strange cat hiding in his gakuran and the woman next to him looked disinterested in the conversation entirely.
"My name is Cao Cao and my companion here is named Valerie Von Einzbern." Cao Cao stated
Vasco raised an eyebrow at his name. "It is an honour to meet a man such as you, your Eminence Strada. You have been an inspiration to me since I was a young child."
Cao Cao, like the Hero of Chaos during the era of 3 Kingdoms in China. Is this man a descendant of his.
"A peculiar name so tell me what are your intentions in regard to Asia." Vasco asked again.
"We have no ill intentions regarding Asia. I simply wished for her to heal Valerie here." Cao Cao answered calmly.
"You do not need an entire week to heal someone." He countered.
"Valerie had a mental sickness. A prolonged exposition to Twilight Healing was needed."
"Twilight healing cannot cure sickness of the mind." He said thinking that he had him.
Cao Cao smirked. "Then you clearly do not know the full capabilities of this Sacred Gear."
Having enough of this charade he decided to end this. "I know that you used mind altering magic on the inhabitants of the church."
"They were annoying, always crowing like parrots that Asia needed to heal everyone, that it was her duty to God. Putting such a burden on the shoulder of such a small child is disgusting so I simply made them ignore us. I simply wanted Asia to have fun." Cao Cao growled in irritation.
Vasco, of course, knows of the treatment of Asia in this church and has warned them several times to give her more freedom but it seems that they didn't listen. He empathised, really he did, he never liked the way the higher up treated these young girls as if they were not human. However it was still not a reason to do what he did and it was clearly not the only reason. He was hiding something and if he had to guess it had something with the girl next to him. He had seen enough, it was clear that he needed to take them to the Headquarters to interrogate them more thoroughly.
"Be as it may. You still used mind altering on unsuspecting humans. I'll have to take you both to the Vatican for interrogation. If you refuse I will have to use force."
Cao Cao stilled and prepared himself for combat. "I'm afraid I can't do that." He said as he summoned a gigantic halberd and took a fighting stance
"Force it is." He said simply and took a battle stance.
(***)
'Fuck my luck!' I thought to myself as I grabbed the Sky Piecer.
I reinforce my body with reinforcement and total conteration breathing. I activated the runes I sewed onto my clothes granting me another layer of protection. Touki then surrounded my body. My muscles felt as if weights on them were taken off.
A funny thing about touki I learned about during my experimentation with it is it literally turns off my body's limiters. Which increased my strength tenfold. Which allowed me to use techniques that could be considered physically impossible.
I used soru to get behind Vasco. I coated my halberd with enough touki to destroy a 10 inch thick steel beam. I swing my halberd at Vasco's head with extreme speeds of an Ultimate class opponent that very few could see. But Vasco blocked my attack with just 1 finger.
I was shocked only for a moment before I immediately geppo to create distance between me and Vasco. Vasco raised an eyebrow at me while at me with an appraising look.
If that doesn't work then I'll try something else. I focused a touki to the tip of Sky Piecer and fired a touki version of Getsuga Tensho. Multiple Getsuga Tenshos were coming at Vasco but with a casual flip of his fingers dismissed my Getsuga Tenshos. If physical attacks won't work on him then let's try magic.
Magic circles appear at the tip of my spear. Each magic circle contains a different runic arawry. I immediately swung my spear in the air. Countless fireballs formed in the air and were shot at Vasco.
I know those attacks will do nothing against Vasco. All those attacks had done was create a small smoke screen with Vasco unhurt in it. But that was all I needed was a small divergence to set another rune sequence in one of the magic circles I placed on my spear.
I coated my spear up with as much touki and natural energy as I could. And once the smoke cleared to see Vasco undamaged as I expected. I threw my spear with all my strength and it threw faster than I could blink.
Vasco immediately sensed the danger of my attack. Since natural energy if wielded correctly it could bypass anything even the strongest of touki's. So Vasco, using his speed, dodged my attack. But a moment after I have thrown my spear I begin crafting hand signs for my next move.
Once the spear landed on the ground I slammed my right hand and shouted, "Wood Style: Nature's Cage." Countless trees covered in runic arrays appeared around Vasco and they started draining his lifeforce.
I was hoping the cage would hold for at least a minute but Vasco destroyed it with 1 punch. I predicted that much so I had something for that. "Explosions!" I shouted as another runic array appeared on the broken wood and started to glow.
"BBBSSSSSHHH!!!" A miniature explosion with Vasco in the center of it. When the smoke cleared I saw Vasco dusting off his right shoulder.
I gritted my teeth. All my attacks were casually dismissed which got on my nerves. I knew there were monsters in this world that could obliterate me with ease. My fight with the vampires was an uphill battle but I still fought on even with 3 ultimate class opponents. But seeing how techniques I recreated countered so easily really pissed me off.
"Hm." Vasco hummed as he looked at his thumb before cracking a small smile.
"Tell me, young man who trained you?" Vasco asked
"The King of Monkey and the Great Sage Equaling the Heavens." I said
"I was unaware that the old monkey had a human student in this day and age. Though that does explain your prowess." Vasco said
"Does that mean you will let me go?" I asked hopefully.
"No, I still have questions for you young man. So you will be coming back with me to the Vatican." Vasco said my hope disappeared in an instant. "My turn young man." Vasco said as he disappeared from my sight for only a mini-second before I felt a fist in my gut.
"Urrrgghh!" I flowed backwards in a blink of an eye. I landed a few feet away from Vasco.
"Strong touki, runes sewed in clothing and strengthening magic. Not many youngsters would go out of their way for defense." Vasco said as he walked towards me.
I tried to get up but my body was not listening to me. 1 hit from the strongest man in humanity ranks was enough to take me down?
I grinded my teeth in anger. How was I supposed to fulfill my dream when 1 hit from 1 of countless monsters in this world was enough to take me down? Even if I did use my entire arsenal the outcome would not change.
I looked at Valerie and Kuroka who were both shaking in rage. Kuroka was ready to attack Vasco and I shook my head. Even if we all fought him we would die against him. Better to run.
"Tell me boy what do you fight for?" Vasco asked
I blinked at him, "What?"
"A young man like yourself must have a goal to strive for if you reached, low-class ultimate at your age. So what is it?" Vasco said
"To protect the weak and innocent of our cruel world." I said
"Innocent? Huh." Vasco said
I begin gathering up magic for me, Kuroka's and Valerie get away. I'm sorry Asia but looks like you will be alone. But I promise I will see you again. Before I could use the True Longinus to distract Vasco to escape I heard a familiar voice called out.
"Big brother !" The voice of a young girl in panic was heard.
I looked at the side to see Asia Argento running at me with tears in her eyes. She came near me and immediately activated her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing to heal me from my wounds.
"What happened ? Father Strada, why did you hurt Big brother ? He did nothing wrong !" Asia asked the Cardinal with anger in her voice. An emotion completely foreign for someone like Asia Argento.
The Vasco Strada, the most badass man I have ever seen seemed to panic for a moment and tried to explain. "I-"
He was interrupted by the cute angry puppy known as Asia. "Is it because of the people of the Church ? Did they say bad things about Big Brother ?! Don't listen to them, they were most likely lying like they always do."
As Asia continued to scold The Violence of Heaven in her own cute manner, I felt Valerie come sit next to me and felt Kuroka nuzzling my cheeks to reassure herself that I was alright.
"Master, Are you alright ?" she asked with no emotion in her voice as I stroked Kuroka fur but I could see concern in her eyes.
"Mew ?" Kuroka seemed to ask the same thing.
"I'm alright, it's just a bruise." I lied but I could feel my body getting better with the use of Twilight Healing.
Vasco coughed in his palm and I looked back at him as Asia stopped lecturing him.
"Asia dear, I'm sorry I hurt your…your big brother but it was part of the test." He said trying to reassure Asia.
What, what test ? I thought dumbfounded by what he said.
"A test ?" Asia asked with a tilt of the head.
He nodded vigorously. "Yes, Cao Cao's test to become an exorcist."
"Oh." Asia opened her mouth."And did…did he pass ?"
"Of course he passed, with flying colours in fact." He said with a smile.
"Yes !" Asia cheered and hugged me tightly. "Congratulations Big brother !"
"Indeed, congratulations young man and welcome to the Order of Exorcist."
I looked back and forth between the two of them in shock.
"What." I said again but out loud this time. I could see Kuroka on her back laughing while looking at my face.
Asia then stopped cheering and looked deep in thought and then she nodded resolutely.
"Father Strada ?"
"Yes, Asia ?" He looked at her curiously.
"I've been thinking a lot these past few days and I decided on something." She said slowly.
"What is it ?" He asked and I looked at Asia in confusion.
"I want…I want to become an exorcist." She said with a little hesitance but she seemed resolute.
Vasco and my eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you…are you sure ?" Vasco asked carefully and I nodded vigorously at what he said.
"Asia, Are you doing this to be with me ?" I asked in turn worried that she is making such a life changing decision to follow me.
"Y-Yes I am sure and it is true that I wish to be near big brother however it is not the only reason." Asia nodded rapidly. "I learned a lot about the outside world from big brother, about the good and the bad. He told how he wished to protect the innocent so that they could live in peace without being threatened by the supernatural world and this…this resonated with me." She looked at the palm of her hands. "All my life, with these hands, all I did was heal again and again but I wish to do more. I do not want to simply heal these people who were hurt but I also wish to save them with my own two hand. I want…I want to become a hero like big brother and for the first time of my life I have a dream. It is not something I am duty bound but something I want for myself. So please your Eminence, Big brother take me with you." She finished while bowing at her waist.
I was frozen in shock and it seemed to be the same for Vasco Strada. We blinked owlishly and Vasco started to laugh hysterically.
"Hhahahaha, ah to be young again." He said and looked at Asia warmly. "Very well, Asia Argento, I accept your candidacy to become an exorcist."
Asia smiled brightly and hugged Vasco and then me.
"Go pack your things, you little rascal. We'll be leaving soon." He chuckled.
"Wait." Valerie interrupted and Vasco looked at her questioningly.
"Yes, Valerie Von Einzbern is it ?" He asked.
Valerie nodded. "I wish to become an exorcist too." She asked.
"Oh and why is that."
She looked at me. "My master is a magnet for troubles so I need to become strong to protect him." She said in a monotone and I sweat dropped at what she said even though it was pretty much true.
Vasco ignored entirely the way she called me and chuckled. "That's a good reason as any. Truly I am blessed on this day. I recruited a powerful young man and two candidates with enormous potential."
Asia cheered. "I'm happy that we are going to become exorcists together, Miss Valerie." Valerie nodded and Asia took her hand with hers while Kuroka jumped on Asia's arms." Help me pack my bags, Miss Valerie." She asked brightly.
"Okay" And then the three of them left toward the church.
I stared at their retreating back and wondered what the hell just happened. Asia Argento, the healer of the series, becomes an exorcist. Is this some kind of parallel universe? Wait, it is already a parallel universe with my presence. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. This was not important for the moment. I'll talk to Asia later. What was important was the man chuckling in front of me.
"Vasco Strada or should I call you a lying old man instead," I called out with a frown and he looked at me. "What the hell was that earlier? Test, what test? You fully intended to capture me."
"I did not lie," He smiled pleasantly. "It was truly a test. Of course it became a test only after you introduce yourself as the disciple of Sun Wukong."
"What do you mean ?" I asked in confusion.
"A few weeks ago I received a letter. Imagine my surprise when I saw that it was a letter from the Monkey King telling me that his disciple planned to come to the Church to become an exorcist. Of course I didn't know who you were at first and I fully planned to beat you to half death and bring you for interrogation." He explained and I sweatdropped at the brutality.
"And because I am his disciple, I became suspicious ?" I asked, frowning at the show of favoritism.
"Of course not but I realized first that I might have misjudged you as I know that the Old monkey would never take a bad person as a disciple. So I tested your skills, your resolve and finally your ambition and you passed all of them with flying colors." He said while smiling.
"So…I am an exorcist just like that." I asked skeptically.
He raised an eyebrow. " I am a cardinal and the greatest exorcist of all time. If I want someone to become an exorcist then they will be a second later no matter who they are and besides making you get through the exorcist training would have been a waste. From what I've seen, you can be considered to be among the top ranked exorcists as you are now. It's not everyone who can fight evenly with me." He said confidently.
"Evenly, my ass." I grumbled still sore about my defeat.
Vasco gripped my shoulder." Hoh, don't be like that you've fought extremely well for someone so young. You have the potential to surpass me, I'm sure of it." He assured me with a smile and I looked away embarrassed at the compliment coming from someone I admire.
"In fact, I've decided to train you personally. The Monkey King trained you well but you still have rooms to grow in other fields." I looked back and paled at Vasco Strada who had the sweetest smile I have ever seen on the face of an old man. A smile that chilled me to the bones .
Fuck.
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