In the center is a huge wooden desk, large enough to sit ten people around easily. The front is carved with the image of Sparda, and behind it in an opulent chair sits the man himself. Credo steps through the room and gives a bow, pleased that Nero follows suit, and as he straightens he frowns to see Eder is sitting in a chair to the side. "Your Grace," he says, keeping his eyes straight ahead, "I have brought you young Nero."

Credo turns with his hand out, and he must clear his throat to get the boy to step up. "Your Holiness," Nero says wide-eyed.

"Won't you have a seat?" the old man offers with his hand extended. They both take chairs opposite of him, and Sanctus leans forward, hands folded on the desk as he looks Nero up and down. "I've heard many interesting things about you, young man," he says. "Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

Nero glances at Credo, who arches a brow. "Nothing to tell, really. Your Holiness."

Sanctus takes a long moment before replying, "I understand you are living in the orphanage. Are they treating you well there?"

Credo thinks of the threadbare blankets and the sharp tongue of the mistresses for any childlike behavior, but thankfully Nero has the wits to say, "It's fine. I'll be aged out soon."

"Just in time to join our knights," Sanctus smiles. "Why do you wish to become a guard?"

"Uh… I'd be good at it, I think?" He glances at Credo with a shrug. "Credo and Kyrie's dad always talked about me training for it, and showed me how to use a sword and everything. Dunno if I'd be good at much else really."

Credo winces internally, but Sanctus gives a little smile. "You were very close to him, yes?"

Nero nods. "He was nice. Took me in when he didn't have to."

"Mm hmm. Any reason in particular?"

Credo frowns at the question. What did that have to do with anything? But Nero, now loosening up, answers, "Like I said, he was a good guy. Must have seen something in me, I don't know."

Sanctus nods, his smile a bit wider. "Seen something indeed." He glances down at the paper on his desk, and Credo can feel his heart picking up speed. "Tell me about that little incident in the woods. I want to hear all about it."

"Sure! See, I went down there, because I heard Kyrie had taken some of the kids for a walk and I wanted to see if she needed help. Sometimes Joseph gets cranky when he's tired and I figured I could carry him if he was being whiny. I think I got kind of lost though, because the next thing I knew, I could hear Kyrie screaming, and when I got to her and the kids, there was this huge lizard thing—"

"We call it an Assault," Eder interjects, speaking for the first time.

Nero nods. "Yeah, so the Assault was going after her and I just… jumped between them."

He hesitates, and Credo glances sideways. Nero swallows visibly, wiping his good hand on his pants. "So what did you do?" Sanctus prompts.

"I killed it," Nero replies, his tone growing serious. "Gave it two shots with Blue Rose then finished it off with Red Queen."

Sanctus' brows lift. "Blue Rose and Red Queen?"

"Yeah! Sorry, my uh… Blue Rose is my revolver." He reaches into the holster at his side, which Credo notes curiously is now in a position for his left hand to retrieve it. "It's a double-barrel, my own design."

Sanctus gestures to the desk, and Nero places it carefully down after checking the safety. The vicar does not touch the gun, but simply leans forward to examine. "How curious," he comments.

"Revolvers are not permitted in the guard, young man," Eder says.

Credo shoots him a look. "They are permitted. Just unusual." He turns back to Sanctus and says, "Nero has learned how to use a sword. Red Queen is the sword he normally carries."

"Yeah, but it got damaged fighting the Assault thing." Nero takes the gun back and holsters it. "I'm hoping to get it back soon. That son of a bitch had this plate of armor—"

"Nero," Credo hisses. "Language."

Nero has the good sense to stammer an apology, but Sanctus merely chuckles and waves his hand. "It's alright. I was young once, if you can believe it." He tilts his head and examines Nero closely. "You must be very strong to have faced a demon all on your own. Before you reached the area, it had taken out three of our men. One of them died from his injuries. Have you always possessed such strength?"

Nero glances at Credo nervously, who only gives a slight incline of his head. Honest and succinct, he tries to project. "Uh, I guess?" Nero answers. "I mean, I can hold my own."

"You reached Kyrie before the demon could," Eder adds. "You managed to pull your gun, cock the hammer, and pull the trigger in a matter of, what? A second or two? Your reflexes are impressive."

"Thanks," Nero replies.

"Not to mention," Eder continues, "having the wherewithal to know what to do. From the report I read, you shot the demon directly into its skull, causing a massive blood loss. Even if you hadn't stabbed its heart afterward, it would have died. You also knew where to strike it to kill it cleanly, even if you did miss the first—"

"Excuse me," Credo interrupts. "Can you get to the point? I'm sure His Holiness has many important appointments."

Eder smiles and inclines his head. "Fine. Nero, who taught you how to kill demons?"

Credo feels his blood run cold. So that is where this is going? That information is closely held within the Order, and it is well known that his own father had trained Nero in the use of a sword. Is he looking to use the boy to slander their family? But Nero has been instructed to answer truthfully, so he winces waiting for him to name his father. His mind races as he tries to figure out a reason that will move the suspicion from them, wondering what his father was thinking, giving this knowledge to someone as unpredictable as Nero.

To his surprise, Nero says, "Nobody taught me."

All three men turn to look at him, and Nero shrugs. "I just knew I guess."

"You just knew?" Sanctus asks. "You must have heard it somewhere, or learned it from a book?"

"Nope," Nero replies. "I saw the lizard thing and just moved. It just happened."

Sanctus and Eder exchange a subtle glance. "Well then I'm even more impressed," the vicar says. "I see a very bright future for you, Nero."

Nero beams, and Credo lets out a slow breath. "Thanks, Your Holiness," Nero says with a grin.

"Before you go, I must ask something delicate." Credo tries not to sag in his chair as Sanctus places his hands on Nero's application. "I understand you were abandoned as a baby. No one has ever been able to trace your parentage?"

"No, Sir," Nero replies.

Credo notes the slight blush on his neck and interjects, "The orphanage did its due diligence in searching for his parents. Many concluded that it was a visitor to the island, not one of its inhabitants."

"That was never the official conclusion," Eder says.

Credo scowls, spying the way Nero's expression twists in embarrassment. "Does that matter though?" he asks, his voice going up in pitch. "I mean, if I don't know my parents, can I not be a guard?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Credo hisses. "Having parents is not a prerequisite. And I'm not sure what that has to do with the application," he adds, looking back and forth between the two men.

"Just one more question." Eder smiles. "I see you have not yet recovered from your injury fighting the Assault. Are you certain you'll be able to complete the physical tests if you are not healed?"

Nero grabs his right arm, holding it tightly against his chest. "I'll be fine," he insists. "I feel fine, it's just… just kind of sore is all."

He is clearly lying, but the others do not question it, so Credo makes a mental note to inspect his arm closer later. "That's all I have to ask," Eder says with a nod. "Your Holiness?"

"I have heard enough." Sanctus waves towards Nero. "Run along now, and let us talk to Credo."

"Yes, Sir." Nero stands awkwardly before giving a quick bow to Sanctus. He nearly trips running out the door, and it slams shut behind him, making Credo wince.

He turns back to Sanctus who is chuckling to himself. "What did you think, Eder?"

"It's possible. I'm not convinced, however."

Credo frowns. "What's possible? Convinced of what?"

Eder gives him a cold smile, but Sanctus answers, "What we tell you now only a few members of the council know. And honestly I'm only sharing this information with you because we will need your assistance in the coming weeks."

Nodding, he sits up straighter in the chair. "You have my word, Sir."

Sanctus nods. "Very good. The Order is preparing to bring the word and works of Sparda to the world. In order to do that, we will need to make a grand gesture. There are certain protocols we are preparing in order to make that happen."

He pauses as if to gauge Credo's reaction. "How can I be of service?"

"For now, keep a close eye on Nero. A very, very close eye. It is possible we will need to use him in the near future."

Something in the way Sanctus says those words have his nerves on edge. "Use him, Sir?" Credo asks. "How?"

The two exchange a glance again, and Eder says, "Did you know that Sparda had a son?"

"A son?" He frowns and thinks of the texts he has studied. "No, I didn't know that. When did you discover that?"

"Not long ago some artifacts were found that are believed to belong to Lord Sparda." Credo nods; everyone knew that the Order had discovered some items that could be traced back to the savior, but what exactly no one could really say. "Based on the accounts we have gathered, they were left there by accident, after an incident that occurred nearly sixteen years ago."

"Sixteen years ago?" Credo's brows go up as he looks back at Sanctus. "What do you mean?"

"There is a city in which a mysterious tower was raised, and demons poured from its doors for three days and three nights," Sanctus replies. "But there was a man with a sword who drove the evil back, with a red coat and silver hair. His fighting techniques are similar to those described in our texts. Since Lord Sparda is the only being who has saved humanity from the demon scourge, we can only conclude that he is the son of Sparda himself."

Credo's mouth drops open for a moment before he quickly closes it. "You don't think—"

"It could not be Nero, as he was just an infant at the time," Sanctus says.

"But the timeline does work," Eder continues. "And considering the artifacts were left on the shore the same time a child was left at the orphanage… well by your own evidence, Credo, Nero could be connected."

He shakes his head. "It's impossible. Nero, related to Sparda? There's no proof!"

"The timeline. The unusual hair." Eder leans forward in his chair, his smile widening. "His uncanny ability to kill demons. Or was that something your father taught him? I would never have believed such a respected man would share sensitive Order information with a boy."

"He didn't!" Credo jumps to his feet, his heart racing. "My father dedicated his life to the Order, as have I. There is nothing he could have done to betray us!"

"Credo," Sanctus says quietly, and he whirls on the vicar. "There are some circumstances of which you are not aware. We tried to shield you and your lovely sister from the truth."

"What truth?" His blood pumps furiously, his emotions churning at the accusation. His father had been a revered member of the council. Hadn't he?

Sanctus lifts his chin as he says, "Your father was speaking out against the Order. He was brought into some… sensitive information, and threatened to betray us. His views on bringing the world into the age of Sparda did not align with us. We wish to guide the world into an era of peace and happiness. He did not. In fact, he wished to end the Order."

Credo's breath catches in his throat. "That… that can't be true," he gasps, his mind whirling. "My father? No, no, he—served Sparda—"

"I'm afraid it's true," Sanctus says gently. "The accident that claimed his life and the life of your mother was his own evil doing. He unleashed the demons onto the world and was killed by one of them before our soldiers took them down."

"No." Credo goes pale, his hand shaking as he reaches out to lean on the vicar's desk. "No!"

The world tilts a bit as his legs go weak. It can't be true, but Sanctus would not lie. He is the voice of Sparda himself, and incapable of any falsehood. Eder is by his side, helping him sit, and despite his dislike for the man, Credo allows him gratefully. "Now you see," Eder murmurs. "If Nero is involved, or if your father corrupted him somehow, he needs to be watched. Already the boy is using a gun as a weapon, and his skills outmatched three men without training. He is dangerous, but under our guidance, our influence, we can make him a tool for good."

Credo nods. His only thoughts, however, are of Kyrie: Kyrie leaning in to speak to Nero as they eat dinner, Kyrie excitedly knitting Nero a scarf for winter, Kyrie pressed against the pantry door as she returned Nero's demanding kiss. "I see," he stutters. "I will… I will watch him." He looks up at Sanctus, who inclines his head. "I will train him myself. And if he threatens the Order or anyone in Fortuna, I will deal with him personally."

Sanctus smiles. "Very good. I am glad you are on our side."

Credo takes a deep breath and murmurs his thanks, sliding back into his chair. Memories of his father war in his head with this revelation, and he pictures him and the time he spent with Nero. Nero, who was a scrappy and ill-behaved boy at the orphanage, who would shoot paper balls during service and get Kyrie covered in mud with their antics. He never understood why his father would take such an interest in him, but it all makes sense now.

"Come back tomorrow, Credo," Sanctus says. "There is someone I'd like you to meet. One of our scientists who has been studying the artifacts we found. His name is Agnus."

Nodding, he takes his cue, standing to give a bow before heading out the door. On the walk home it all turns in his mind, trying to make sense of his parents' betrayal. Why would they release the demons? Why would they speak against the Order? It makes no sense, but Sanctus wouldn't lie. He couldn't.

When he reaches the house he shares with his sister, Credo takes a moment to gather himself before going inside. He must keep this secret from Kyrie, protect her from the terrible truth. And Nero… he must be watched, and kept close while kept away from Kyrie. He wonders briefly how he will do it, but if it means hurting them both, so be it. Credo will do his duty to the Order, and keep them all safe.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to let me know what you thought!