"Istvan is in an uproar." Dietrich said.
"Effect,I see..." Mana said, drying her hair and coming out of the shower.
"Radcon's death was just waiting to happen." Dietrich said. "You're the Star of Istvan, you know."
"Bishop..." Mana looked at the picture of Bishop Laura.
"Mana. This star mark of yours is a symbol of hope from God!" Dietrich persisted.
"God gave me this star?" Mana queried.
"Listen, Esther. God gave you this star mark. Please use its sparkle to lead this grey city of Istvan to the light of a peaceful spring!" Dietrich said. "I always thank the Lord that I met you!"
"OK!" Mana said, finishing putting on her black-out gear and strapping on her weapons, then whispering. "I'm sorry, Bishop! Someone has to do it...Please watch over me!"
xxx
"My, how forlorn..." Abel said. "I heard a Sister would be here to pick me up, but where could she be?"
Abel meandered around the square.
"It sure is gloomy..." Abel pointed out. Is this what the "Pearl of the Danube" looks like?"
"I'm told it was a city worthy of the name prior to Armageddon." Came a voice in his earpiece.
This was the voice of Sister Kurai, his partner. At the moment, she was working for the enemy in order to give them an edge.
"Forget pearl, it's more like a rock on the roadside." Abel grumbled.
"It's hardly surprising." Kurai laughed at him. "This sovereign city of Istvan is a buffer zone between the Vatican to the west and the Empire to the east...A void between the human and vampire worlds, basically. If one side intervenes, the balance between the two will fall apart. I assume you know what that would entail?"
"Yes... I am here to find the star to keep that from happening." Abel confirmed.
"Well, I'll be on standby." Kurai stated.
"Well, I guess I should..." Abel looked around. "I know! I'll splurge and take a taxi!"
He checked his pockets.
"Four dinars? Four dinars, yet again?! O Lord, why is it always four dinars?!" Abel cried.
"Get back here!" A child chased after a ball. "Mister! Could you get the ball?!"
Abel picked up the ball.
"Over here!" The child said.
xxx
"You must be tired from your long trip to the Empire, Your Lordship!" Kurai bowed. She was dressed not in her traditional nun's habit; as she was undercover, she was wearing the clothing of Gyula's troops, and her long hair braided on top of her head.
"Yes." Gyula said. "Did anything happen while I was away?"
"Actually... Someone shot and killed Colonel Radcon." Kurai admitted.
"I see." Gyula said.
"Your Lordship!" Kurai said. "We've caught a suspicious character!"
"U-umm, as you can see, I'm just a simple, harmless priest!" Abel persisted.
"Take him away." Gyula said.
"Yes, sir!" Kurai said.
"Eh?!" Abel said. "That's so cruel!"
"A portrait of my wife." Gyula said.
"Umm, could you please really believe me? I'm just a simple priest..." Abel said. "My name is Abel Nightroad; I'm here because I was transferred to your Church of St. Matthias. You could verify my identity with the Vatican, if you'd like."
"Knowing that you're a priest from the Vatican is more than enough." Gyula said. "So, I'd like to explain the rules for working in this city as a priest."
"Rules?" Abel said.
"Indeed. Your predecessor lost her life because she broke the rules." Gyula said. "Now that you're in Istvan, do not forget that you're under my control... The control of a Methuselah that your Vatican so greatly abhors."
"I consider you all as equal human beings." Abel said.
"Equal human beings?" Gyula said. "My wife said the same thing...Basically, these are the rules, priest. I despise the church. But as it serves to control the Terrans it must remain functional. You are my hostages against the Vatican. Living as hostages, there's no way to wish for hope, but the church's existence, gives hope to the Terrans...Do you understand?"
"Gyula-sama." Kurai said.
"What?" Gyula said.
"An escort from the Church of St. Matthias is here for Father Nightroad." Kurai said.
"We'll be there shortly." Gyula said.
"It would seem I've been transferred to one heck of a place..." Abel said.
Sister Mana entered, dressed now in her nun's habit. "I'm Sister Mana! I've come to get Father Nightroad!"
"Umm, it's nice to meet you, Sister Mana!" Abel said.
It's nice to meet you, Father Nightroad. Let us go!" Mana said.
Xxx
Gyula pulled Kurai aside. "Don't take your eyes off the priest."
"Status?" Gyula looked over to Dietrich, who was working on the computer.
"I'm done with the hardware. I'm checking the software now." Dietrich said. "I'll be done shortly."
"Good." Gyula said.
"About Colonel Radcon..." Dietrich said.
"Merely the usual Terran struggling. It's of no real concern." Gyula said simply.
"What's wrong?" Dietrich said, stopping his work.
"I'm sure you have your own feelings about it as a Terran, but don't worry; I won't bring harm to you." Gyula said. "I can't revive the star without you, after all."
"How did things go at the Empire?" Dietrich asked.
"They're as stubborn as ever." Gyula complained. "Apparently, they won't support our rise to action, no matter what. But I'm sure their tune will change once they see this thing's power. Except..."
"Except?" Dietrich said.
"A Vatican priest came today. They could be aware." Gyula said.
xxx
"I apologize for having so very little, Father!" Mana said, bowing.
"No, no need to apologize! Nothing tastes bad on an empty stomach!" Abel pointed out, then stopped. "No, no! I didn't mean that your cooking was bad or anything! I just hadn't eaten since morning and had no money to buy anything, so I was famished all day..."
"Oh... I'm sorry I was so late picking you up!" Mana apologized again.
"You certainly seem busy..." Abel said, then noticed a picture of Bishop Laura. "My predecessor?"
"Bishop Laura Vitez." Mana said. "Ever since I was little, she treated me kindly, like a real mother."
"Real mother?" Abel said.
"I grew up in this church." Mana said. "I'm told my father entrusted me to the church when I was just a baby. To me, this is my home, and my mother is the bishop. She was a very kind and proud believer! But..."
Xxx
Mana stood in front of a group of rebels.
"It can never be forgiven! Until now, the Vampire of Istvan...the Marquis of Hungaria...has pretended to submit to Vatican rule while controlling the municipal assembly as his puppet all the while!" Francesco said. "But neglecting the city's situation would be a great disgrace to us!"
"Then let us resolve the situation, Brother." Lady Kiana of Sforza said.
"Yes! The reason I have gathered you here today is to ask for your approval for a resolution. As earthly agents of God's will, there is but one thing for us to do! Combine our military forces! If we're to mobilize our military, we first need absolute proof that the Marquis of Hungaria wields the city's true power." Francesco said.
"We can completely crush Istvan at any time we wish, but can we really mobilize our forces without justification?" Kiana said.
"Combining them is acceptable." Francesco said.
"But our balance with the Empire only remains because Istvan exists." Kiana said. "We must act cautiously..."
"Is that how you plan to postpone this issue?!" Francesco said. "Sources say the marquis has also made contact with the Empire! There is no time to waste!"
xxx
"How disgraceful... Even after all that food I ate earlier..." Abel said, collapsing in a pew.
He didn't realize that Dietrich and Mana were talking.
"Gyula has made finding Radcon's killer the city police's top priority." Dietrich said. "But their investigation hasn't reached here, so don't worry."
"So Gyula's next?" Mana said.
"Are you all set?" Dietrich asked.
"Yes. I worked hard all day to be ready!" Mana confirmed.
"Alright. We'll do it just like with Radcon. I'm sure it'll go smoothly." Dietrich said.
"Mana-san... You've...killed someone?" Abel looked at her, coming out from the pew.
"To avenge the bishop!" Mana defended. "Please don't stop us, Father!"
"Who are you?" Abel looked at Dietrich.
"My name is Dietrich." Dietrich said. "Gyula murdered my family..."
"And he understood how I felt..." Mana said emphatically. "I wouldn't have been able to kill Radcon without him!"
"I see..." Abel said softly.
"Mana. I think I should kill Gyula I can still get close to him!" Dietrich said.
"No! There's no need for you to get your hands bloody, too!" Mana exclaimed. "I'm the one who started this!"
"Please wait!" Abel said standing in front of her. "Don't do it!"
"Move, Father!" Mana shouted.
"I said don't!" Abel tried again.
"Father..." Mana said.
"I know how you two feel I know all too well!" Abel said. I know how it feels to want to get revenge for a loved one's murder! But even so, murder isn't right! Revenge doesn't solve anything! Instead, let's figure out what to do for pride and freedom! I'm certain those who perished would like that much more!"
"You're too soft, Father..." Abel said.
Suddenly the church doors burst open and there was gunfire and Dietrich was shot.
"Dietrich!" Mana cried in anguish.
"Don't take it personally." Kurai said. "His Lordship's orders..."
"No!" Mana shouted, gripping Dietrich's body. "No! Let go! This isn't right! No! I... I killed him! It's all my fault!Dietrich, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Mana Ningyo!" Kurai said. "You're under arrest for\Nthe murder of Colonel Radcon!"
"W-wait a minute! You can't just..." Abel said.
"Hey, now! Get back!" Kurai said.
"Mana-san!" Abel cried.
"It's alright, Father. I killed a man. It's what I deserve." Mana said.
"Even so..." Abel said.
"But I don't intend to give up until the very end..." Mana said.
"Please wait!" Abel said. "If you're going to take Esther-san, then take me, too!"
"Father... Why?" Mana said.
"Why? Well, because..." Abel said. "Because I'm on your side."
"Ready!" Kurai pointed her guns at the two. "Fire!"
"Noooo!"
Xxx
Gyula looked up at the portrait of his wife.
"Soon, Maria..."