Chapter38

"...Can I come in, dear Great Holy?"

While she was sitting down at her table in her dark office, Johanna heard a knock at her door. She closed her eyes, taking a calm look. She didn't need to ask who it was...she already knew about it. So she just declared.

"...You can, Sophia."

The witch smirked then penetrated into the room. The clock pointed 11:00 pm, but for Johanna, time wasn't so important. While the mad scientist came closer, Johanna realized that she waz holding a book at hand.

"...Did you come there for the reading?" Johanna pointed with a tone which sounded ironic to Sophia.

Sophia shrugged, but kept her crooked smile on her face. "...Don't play like you didn't recognize the title, Johanna."

Johanna glanced at the title. Indeed, even if everything was darkness around her, she could distinguish it by one glance.

The Other Side of Holy Office of Index.

"I see...that's why you came to see me." Johanna said, not that surprised as Sophia thought. But she should have expected it.

"I wonder about something...Magda." Sophia asked, with a mysterious tone. "Between monsters, we should help each other."

"..." But Johanna already expected her question.

"Why did you want to stay anonymous when you wrote this book?" Sophia asked. "I thought that you won't lose any chance to make Index the real dominant of this world too."

Johanna turned back to her. Then, checking into her eyes, she guessed that Sophia already knew the answer to this. But actually, she only wanted to mess up with her again. So she replied.

"...You aren't human anymore, Sophia Measley." She smirked back to her. "...but you should guess that all humans wouldn't like to know about their fate beforehand." Johanna then paused. "...after all, life is made to be unknown, but exciting adventure for each of us."

Sophia pointed. "...Except for you, Magda."

Johanna just turned to stare at the candle which illuminated her face. And for Sophia, it made the Pope more ominous than usual.

"I would never guessed that you were compassionate, Johanna...even if compassion means something else for you." She then came closer to her. "...you already gave many doubts about your thinking to people who could read this."

"Humans are so...unexpecting after all." Johanna just responded.

"Maybe...but let's imagine if they heard about the others worlds...their others themselves." Sophia said, with a kind of irritation in her voice. "...they couldn't live by knowing about their others fates too. That would be too unbearable for them."

Johanna closed her eyes, taking a pensive look.

"...they know about what they want to know. But that's better if they didn't." she paused. "...At times, God hides us any truth which aren't good to hear. That's why there are much mysteries around us."

Sophia crossed her arms, mocking. "...but you know a bit about these mysteries. And you give more by writing these kind of things."

However, this time Johanna didn't reply anything else. She was lost in her prayers actually now. Sophia sighed. When she had such a look, that's was impossible to talk with her more. However, beford leaving, she warned her.

"Anyway...your precious Balor would be soon close to you" Sophia observed her reaction in smiling. "...Georgius is on the way of leaving for Shanghai, along with his fellow members."

Johanna stayed still silent, but Sophia could see a dark smile on her face. Then Sophia added again.

"...you must be happy. Maybe you could both get ride of them and let's having Balor for all yourself. But...once again, that's all up to Fu there."

Johanna just turned back to her to this sentence.

"...I don't want getting Balor for myself." Johanna said, with a serious tone. "Balor belongs to God and this world too." She paused. "...then as for Georgius...his fellow members still have the possibility for the redemption...they just have to be corrected and be put on the right path."

Sophia hypocritically smirked to this again. "You're truly a monster...Magda"

Then she turned around toward the door to leave the room. She didn't wish to her about her answer about it, but she could guess it. Then Johanna quietly replied, hiding her smile into the shadows.

"I know...that's why God needs me."

Then, she blasted on the candle, putting her into the complete darkness now.

"...You had been a bit too cold, Georgius-sama." Samson told to his leader.

The two were now the only ones left in the lounge. These news had taken aback the others members, and each of them had left for their own business. Benedictus and Scholastica had left for their own home, while Elaine closed herself into her room. Emotions were apparently too much for her, even for a pregnant woman. Samson hoped that his best friend could realize how much it was difficult for her, and he shouldn't be so severe to them. As for Sebastianus, he left for a check at Sophia's place. But they could guess that everyone was preparing for the mission yet to come, which was more complicated than others...as it involved Thule. And Misao was already aware of it for very long, even before the others. However, Georgius hoped that she wouldn't come too, as it didn't involve her either. That wasn't her fate after all...

"...I know." Georgius said, recalling about his argument with Elaine from earlier. "...but they aren't children anymore. Elaine, as for the others, must learn to make the good choice, and choosing what the most important is for them."

Samson nodded, agree with him.

"That's true...but you don't know everything." He paused. "...that's always difficult to choose the most important...when it's about a loved one."

Georgius nodded to his sentence. It looked like Samson had a point there too.

"After all, you can think the same...when it comes to Misao too."

Samson could guess that Georgius actually thought about her too, and it didn't surprise him. After all, she was the one that Georgius treasured the most...as he secretly did too...deep down in his mind.

But...Georgius mustn't know about his most important person...he knew that was selfish, but it could break their friendship after all. And he didn't wish it.

Georgius then sighed, trying to change of topic.

"Nevertheless...I would need Sebastianus or even Elaine for coming at Fu's place...after all, these two already met him. They would know what kind of man he is."

Samson frowned.

"...If he already got ride of it...how would we find it?"

Georgius sighed. "...Index is the most important. If he got ride of something that could threat the world...We would be forced to act as the Punishment Squad. I think that even a Thule member like Fu Manchu already knows about the real risks, by facing Index..."

Samson nodded in agreement. But a thought still spared his mind.

"...Elaine would never accept to stay apart if Sebastianus is involved in a dangerous mission."

Georgius guessed that it would be a problem too. But now, more he thought about it, more he considered that it would be safer if the entire team was part of it, as he needed the most of people for this mission. He had no right to the mistake.

"...the best would be Elaine thinks more about the situation as its risks as well. If she wants coming with us so much, I don't prevent her. But...we couldn't protect her either, even if she has a child inside her."

Samson goggled, completely stunned by his best friend's words.

"...No way. Will you definitely let her going with us? Despite her pregnancy...?"

Georgius nodded. But it didn't mean that this decision thrilled him too.

"...Maybe Sebastianus would convince her better than I could do. But yes...that's my own decision indeed. As hard as it is..."

"...Georgius-sama..." Samson tried to say, but no words actually came out of his mouth for replying to this.

He knew that they were leaving in two days, for a long trip. So, they had no time to waste for taking all decisions...and Samson could see that even a saint like Georgius had his own limits as well.

While they were talking, they heard a noise behind them. When they turned around, they could see Elaine who was leaving her own room. She had noticed their presence, but she chose to avoid Georgius and just headed for the kitchen, taking something to drink.

"Are you okay, Elaine?..." Samson asked her, a bit worried. She actually seemed so pale and sick, even after having taken a rest. Nevertheless, Elaine just shrugged, as if she didn't care of it.

"...I'm fine, Samson..." She sounded a bit irritated by Georgius' s glare on her. "...just pretty tired of these awful feelings."

Georgius sighed. "...You're definitely still a child, Elaine...You can't even decide of the best for you."

Elaine fiercely glared at him, ignoring the pain which invaded her body. Nevertheless, Samson who could feel that it would lead to another argument, just gave a warning stare to her, inviting her to think before acting. Elaine then just turned around for the front door, ignoring the rest.

"Where are you going?" Samson asked her.

"...Taking some breath..."

And Elaine avoided to finish her sentence, which ended by "...away from you."

While she was walking around the yard, Elaine felt some tears coming back in her eyes, that she dried almost immediately before they could fall. She then stared at her belly with a sad look, as for wondering what she had to do. Maybe Georgius was right...maybe she was definitely a child by taking such a decision like this. She knew that wasn't reasonable at all...leaving along with the others in this state. But she couldn't let Sebastianus going in alone, especially by knowing the risks from Thule. That was something that they couldn't revive again, after these times of nightmare during these months.

"...God...is definitely a monster." She mumbled. If it existed as much as everyone said, she wouldn't get all these troubles there. That was a bit coward from her to search for a responsible, but that's all she could do now. She just sat down on a slab, stroking her belly with a pensive look.

"Elaine?"

Elaine then turned around, her thoughts being cut in by the voice calling up at her.

"Sebas?"

Sebastianus was actually surprised to see her outside at this hour, especially after what happened earlier with Georgius. "What are you doing there?"

Elaine raised one eyebrow, not understanding why he was so surprised to see her around. That wasn't like she was a stranger or anything else. Nevertheless, she didn't want to begin another argument, especially not with him. She just crossed her arms, taking a nonchalant tone to hide her bitterness.

"...I was waiting for you. I thought that the check took a bit much time." She then paused, unsure if she must kept on. "...Then...I needed to be alone for a moment."

Sebastianus nodded, understanding what she meant. "I'm sorry if it turned on like this, with Georgius-sama."

Elaine just shrugged. "You're for nothing. I...I just didn't expect it. I didn't expect what Georgius-sama could say..."

Sebastianus then came closer, sitting down next to her on the slab. Actually, he thought it was better to look up into her eyes for talking to her.

"But maybe it would be better for you" He said. "...Even you, you can see that isn't safe either."

Elaine frowned. "Don't act like Georgius, please...I already got it. But I wouldn't change my decision, no matter what."

Sebastianus tried to reply something to this, but finally preferred to stay silent. He then observed Elaine from the corner of his eye, wondering if she was that decided as she said so much.

"...By the way..." Elaine said, taking a rather awkward tone. "...I'm sorry for earlier...I did sorta snap and...I didn't know what I was meaning anymore."

Indeed, he also recalled how she broke down earlier in front of him, after her argument with Georgius. That was an uncommon reaction, different from Elaine of usual. Even if he could understand her reasons, he didn't expect her to act like this either.

"...Do you think about Golvas again, Elaine?"

Elaine turned around toward him, surprised.

"...Why are you saying this?"

"...You're usually more cheerful and resisting...I never saw you that bitter, even in the hardest moments." He pointed out, staring into Elaine's eyes again. "...you're like that after that Golvas attacked us..."

Elaine looked away from him, as this question made her ill at ease. He was partially right actually. Recently, she became easily more irritated, even for the slightest. Golvas recalled her some bad memories that she preferred to bury inside her, and forgetting. That's why probably the reason...but honestly, she didn't know. There were others events which made her like this...Thule, the trip on the way...as for her pregnancy and Index's reaction when the kid would be born too. She felt the envy to confess her feelings to Sebastianus, as they were together for long enough. But she didn't know if he could understand this. And she didn't want to bother him either.

"...I'm like this because I'm tired of everything, Sebas." Elaine just said, with a colder tone. "...Even the strongest ones need to pause at times. Everything is falling on us without any other warning...and the fact that Georgius-sama told me that I would be apart of this mission is too much for me."

"He only wants to help you, Elaine." Sebastianus tried to stand up for his leader, but it didn't convince her.

"Like if I care!" She cried out. "He only cares for his mission, and I would be a burden to him if I came too. Then, if he wanted to help me, he would do everything to not making me in bad situation with Index as I'm pregnant of a child."

"..." Sebastianus stayed silent, then took a pensive look to her words.

Elaine then added, with a bitter tone.

"...I don't know what to do anymore. I'm forced to go on mission, as I committed too much mistakes. If Index knew about my state...I wouldn't escape from the Holy Trial. Georgius is a Saint, he knows it better than anybody else."

"...You're for nothing" Sebastianus tried to reply to this. "...I'm in fault too."

Elaine turned back to him, and realized that she made him ill at ease, according to the tone of his voice. She looked down, ill at ease.

"...You're for nothing, Sebas." She said, with a softer and reassuring tone. "...I'm the one who had this child inside of me. I had a selfish envy, and I was too happy to care about how you could feel about this..."

Sebastianus looked at her, with a rather surprised look on his face. But Elaine just sadly smiled to him.

"...I'm not naive, Sebas." She said. "...I'm so sorry for this, as I know that wasn't what you wanted the most first."

"..." Sebastianus then shook his head, as for showing he was agreeing with her words.

Elaine then paused, keeping her smile on her face.

"...But you don't have to worry." She said, trying to reassure him. "...You have nothing to blame yourself, so Index won't do anything to you for this. I would be the only one to be put on this trial."

However, Sebastianus quietly shook his head, as it didn't make him better actually. Then, Elaine put her hand on his, trying to smile this time.

"And to be honest..." She added. "...I'm relieved you aren't put in either. Indeed, that's better if I'm the only one there."

"...No, that isn't better." Sebastianus frowned.

Elaine smiled a bit to this sentence. Then, he turned back to her, trying to search for the best way to say what he had in mind for a moment.

"...Tehehe. At least, there is one who cares about me there." Elaine sadly chuckled. "...I realized that except you, nobody seemed to be particularly concerned about my case..."

Sebastianus sighed loudly. He thought that there would be another way, but he must admit it. He must saying this. He had to...even if it could shock everybody else.

"...Elaine." He began to say.

"Hm?"

He sighed again. Why did he feel that awkward? There was some worse situations that he already faced. Missions that Georgius gave to them were a lot more dangerous, and he would be right to feel unsure in accomplishing it...But that was the contrary there. He always felt sure in a mission, and unsure there...

Maybe because it was the very first time for him. He never did it before actually.

"...you know. I thought about it during one moment..."He paused. "But I felt that it would be the best for each of us."

Elaine raised one eyebrow. "...What do you mean, Sebas? I never saw you like this..."

And to be honest, she had a bad feeling about this as well. But she let him keeping on, as hard as it could be.

"...That isn't only because of everything happening recently." Sebastianus said, looking away from her. "...I feel it's time for us to move. We had been like this for a long time enough, and as we have a child on the way..." He paused. "...things will be different from now. We don't have to be wrong, and I think you already know this."

Elaine felt there was something behind his words. Then, looking down on her belly, she cautiously asked him, with a trembling voice.

"...so, Sebas...what do you plan to do?"

Sebastianus didn't look up back at her immediately, but he knew that he would have to do eventually. So, taking a long breath, he turned back toward her then asked her, as quickly as he could.

"...Why wouldn't we get married?"

Elaine didn't understand first. Or rather, she understood but she wasn't sure if she heard well. So when Sebastianus finished his sentence, she just stammered, feeling suddenly ill at ease.

"...Huh? What...what did you just say?"

She wanted to be sure, but Sebastianus still repeated.

"...Yes, indeed. I actually meant this... I asked if we should get married there."

"...!"

Elaine goggled, just staring up at Sebastianus without saying anything. Did she hear well? Was it really Sebastianus who asked her...no, he must joke. However, as hard as she tried, she didnt sense any hint of mock in his eyes.

"...Are you serious?" she stammered, still taken aback by the shock.

Sebastianus nodded. "...Yes, indeed." He paused. "...I thought that if we're married, it could be easier for everyone. Then, maybe Index would be less severe toward you in this way."

"..." Elaine just stayed open-mouthed. She wanted to say something, but no sound came out of her mouth. Actually, she had waited for this for so long...she even never thought that Sebastianus would actually...ask such a question like this to her. And now, now it happened...she wasn't sure of the way of reacting without sounding like a dumb.

"...That's a proposal...? Are you sure of this...?" She asked again, wanting to be sure of this by herself.

He stayed quiet, but at last, he nodded to this. "...Possibly."

He thought about it for long enough. To be honest, he never guessed to say these words once either. But indeed, he thought that it would be better in this way.

As Elaine stayed silent, he just turned back to her, and quietly asked her. "...so. Do you want this or not?"

But now that Elaine was definitely sure that he didn't tease her and that was actually serious...she had no hesitation about her answer. Then, without other any warning, she jumped on him to hug him by throwing her arms around his neck.

"Yes. Yes. YES!" She repeated, hugging him tighter. And Sebastianus could see that her frowned face from earlier turned into a big and happy smile now. "That's so...I'm so happy!"

"Be careful...you are strangling me." He responded. But actually, he smiled too. That was a faint smile, but he thought that he had made the good choice.

Then, when Elaine released him, Sebastianus could notice that some tears were running down on her face. But this time, it wasn't some tears of sorrow. They were tears of joy actually.

"...you know..." Elaine said, trying to dry her tears. "...I thought that you didn't care about it enough for proposing me..."

This time, he sighed, unsure of the response. "...I didn't know either."

But Elaine was satisfied of this, and hugged him again before kissing him right on the lips. She then stroked her belly tenderly, a happy smile on her face.

Nevertheless, Sebastianus still had a thought in his mind, then asked her.

"...Now...I think you would be fine with Index now..."

Elaine raised one eyebrow. "...what do you mean?"

He then stood up, ready to come back home. "...Now that we're engaged. I guess you won't have any trouble with Index anymore...about the fact that you are pregnant."

"..."

Elaine then took a pensive look, as she actually didn't think of it.

"...nothing forces you to go on mission anymore. You won't be put on any trial, even if you don't go along with us." he clarified, observing her reaction.

Then Elaine shrugged. "I'm sorry, Sebas...but even such like a proposal won't change my decision...no matter what, I would go with you."

"..." He frowned. That wasn't actually the answer he would have liked to hear. But...Elaine was too stubborn. He would have hoped that she considered this decision in another way. "...are you sure of this?"

Then she smiled, before taking his hands in hers. "Indeed. I don't care about what Georgius has to say for the slighest." She paused. "then...As the old saying said: for better and for worse."

Sebastianus nodded, thinking she was maybe right about it. Then, Elaine asked him, with a soft voice.

"...By the way. When will we say to the others that we're engaged now?"

"..." Sebastianus shrugged. "...I would prefer not right now actually, Elaine."

"...Okay..." She smirked, with an innocent smile.

But Sebastianus could guess that when she got this smile, it would mean that everyone would know this before tonight.