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But I'm not such a cruel man... so shoot.

Just who is Cecelia?

Was she... born a fallen angel?

Colorful imagination, Ezell.

But it's not as mysterious as you think.

Cecelia's mixed-blood, that's all.

What? That's not possible... A Sankta's mixed-blood child can't be a Sankta!

There are very few cases of Sankta mixing blood with other races... but it's not rare enough to alarm the Lateran Curia...

You know the reason perfectly well, then.

Offspring of Sankta and other races don't become Sankta.

A Sankta and Feline's child turns out Feline, a Sankta and Forte's child turns out Forte.

Mixed Sankta offspring don't get their halo and wings of light when they say their first word, and they can't empathetically sense other Sankta.

To put it simply, they won't have any of the Sankta's distinguishing features. Without exception...

That's the generally accepted wisdom, anyway.

Cecelia is an exception.

She's a Sankta who shouldn't have turned out as one.

My second question is, should Cecelia is taken to the Basilica, how the Lateran Curia will... treat her?

I don't know.

Don't give me that look, Ezell. If I was going to lie to you, I'd feed you a much kinder one, no problem.

But the reality's what you see. Cecelia is an 'exception.' I couldn't tell you how the Pope is going to handle this.

But this Holy Father of ours... I don't know what impression you have of him, but, well.

At least, as I'm given to understand, he's not known to use extreme methods.

And look at how cute Cecelia is. How hardhearted would someone have to be to harm her, right?

Third question.

I cannot entirely trust your answers... I wish to accompany Cecelia to the Basilica.

Um, is that a question?

Sorry, but that's the one 'question' you'll have to forgive my answer on...

Oren, what are you doing here?

Oh, Fiammetta... Hm? Seems like you're in a bit of a mess.

None of your business.

No need to get worked up. Care to sit down for a cup of tea?

Enough of your jokes. Why are you here? Mostima never mentioned you were our support.

Well, Velliv didn't give me an official order either.

And personally, I'm more than willing to help, yeah?

Mostima says there's another group after the little girl, and you've already run into them. Is that right?

More or less.

After I heard from the Notarial Hall that Ezell cut his signal, I figured you might get intercepted. If you were to get caught out by the enemy, we'd end up losing the girl, no?

I don't know why Mostima isn't here to help you, but if she's pinned down, I figure I'll be doing her a favor.

After all, it's not every day I get the opportunity to have the two of you in my debt.

A few hopeless stragglers can't stop me.

'A cautious crew sails for ten thousand years,' Fiammetta. Velliv's going to have a hold over you at this rate.

Oh, that's a Yanese proverb. In other words, safety is born of caution.

Stop trying to show off, Oren. You're so annoying when you talk like that.

I'm not kidding. I at least got to express my goodwill. The rest is up to you.

Or, do you perhaps need me to escort you, my sweet Fiammetta?

No need. Goodbye, Oren.

Executor Ezell, hand over the girl.

It is in your best interest to comply.

Your name is Fiammetta, right? Seniora Fiammetta, I have a request.

Let's hear it then.

No sudden movements. There's no telling how I might react.

I know it was suspicious of me to go against Richele's orders and turn off my terminal, but...

Believe me, I haven't betrayed Laterano.

The reason I didn't follow the Hall's exact orders was because I didn't want anything to happen to Cecelia... And, I made a promise to her.

And how is that my problem?

Please just let me accompany you to the Basilica with Cecelia. If the Lateran Curia wants an explanation for this situation, wouldn't it be more convenient to have me around?

You're getting ahead of yourself. If you think you'll be able to influence how the Curia will handle this situation–– You'll want to disabuse yourself of that.

Going one step further... If you're thinking you could take the girl away if you don't like what the Lateran Curia plans to do with her...

Not gonna happen. Not in your wildest dreams.

I wouldn't dare. I'm well aware of the Basilica's Gun-Knights.

I am a Lateran executor, after all. I was concerned before because I didn't know what was happening with Cecelia, or exactly who was after her...

Now that I understand, I will comply with your arrangements.

Alright.

Um... Your name is Cecelia? Can you walk?

Ezell...

Cecelia, I can carry you, if you're too tired.

I'll carry her. You're too slow.

(*whispers*) Mister Ezell, I...

Don't worry. Everything will be okay.

Executor Ezell Pastore went to 7-265 Via Thervatius in Pagus Stevonus this morning to verify an identity, record a will, and retrieve a patron firearm.

Around noon, Ezell appeared in Stevonus Central Hospital, taking in an eight-year-old Sankta girl and departing in an unusual manner.

The resident of 7-265 Via Thervatius, Pagus Stevonus, Feoria La Porta, died of illness this morning and the body was moved to the Ecclesia Requietum.

Only one individual is registered to 7-265 Via Thervatius, and the census pagus also records only one individual residing there.

An investigation of twenty years of maintenance records at 7-265 Via Thervatius revealed that a basement had been added seven years ago, with contractor documents indicating that the space would be for storage.

This is a file photo of Feoria La Porta and surveillance footage of the girl that Ezell took to the hospital.

You must've already reached a conclusion about where the girl came from.

Additionally, according to the report submitted by Ezell this morning, Feoria La Porta did not leave a will or an advance directive. The reason is quite clear: she hoped to avoid contact with the Notarial Hall.

It is reasonable to infer that Feoria La Porta knew her time was short and sought to secure a future for her daughter.

It is currently impossible to determine whether Ezell is the object of Feoria La Porta's entrustment, but based on Ezell's background, the probability is low.

Combined with the information sent back by Fiammetta, the more likely trustee should be...

Astray.

Mostima, is this the reason you stayed behind in the Basilica?

Just temporarily.

Don't be so uptight, Vel. Cream puff?

Phew. Luckily, we went for the more conservative option.

It would've been awkward if Fiammetta walked in on me getting rid of the Notarial Hall's men.

Enough of your excuses. I'd avoid saying too much to that executor, if I were you. Cecelia's already on the Guide's side.

That's just one executor, Patia. Things haven't gotten so out of hand that I need to get personally involved.

Plus, I think that executor's concerns are simple enough. He found the pity within him to cause his heart to waver, and couldn't bear to see a sweet little girl suffer.

Now that we understand him, it's only a matter of time until he comes over, no violence necessary.

If only Fiammetta hadn't shown up so soon...

That is to say it's your fault for not stopping Fiammetta, Patia.

I...

Just kidding.

But, I do take pity on that one's luck. What was a little old thing is now very complicated... That's what happens when you get ahead of yourself.

Is this, too, a trial given to us by the great and mighty Lateran?

Are you a believer again?

A true believer wouldn't say something like that. Those sorts, who treat hardships as trials, they turn it all into... a blessing from fate?

There are quite a lot of believers like that around the two of you, aren't there?

I'd take them over self-serving Sankta like you any day.