--The Gallows' Pendulum--
Raito came back to cognizance only when the sermon ended and they had to make their way to the perimeter of the sanctuary, towards the Chancel gate. As ornate as everything in this Cathedral, the copper gate was made to replicate gold, the blossoms of Penrose worked into it appearing to continue on forever within a spiral of optical illusion.
Rene was the one to greet them.
And instead of leading them up the stairs through the nave, he opened the chancel. He allowed Raito to enter first, even going so far as to hold the small gate open for him.
However, the stare he aimed at both of them quickly betrayed any sort of semi-politeness he may have shown.
………………………………….
«Avez-vous un saint que vous aimez plus en particulier, M. Grigoriy?» (Do you have a favorite saint, Mr. Grigoriy?) Rene inquired in the middle of Raito's conversation with Father Ignatius.
So far into the morning, L had sat quietly for an hour, listening to Raito and the Father going back and forth, with the occasional snippets from Rene.
L turned an uninterested gaze on the man. It did not seem like he would acknowledge Rene with an answer, so when he did respond, it was unexpected.
«Oui, un de mes préférés serait l'apôtre Nathaniel. Il est sceptique à l'égard de la venue du Messie et c'est ainsi que quiconque d'assez intelligent devrait agir face à une nouveauté. Il questionne et enquête.»(Yes, one of my favorites would be the Apostle Nathaniel. He is skeptical about the coming of the Messiah and therefore does what any intelligent human being should when faced with something new. He questions and investigates.)
«Ah, mais inévitablement, il voit la vraie majesté du Messie. Avez-vous d'autres raisons pour l'aimer ainsi?» (Ah, but inevitably he sees the true majesty of the Messiah. Do you have any other reasons for why you like him?)
The brusque manner in which Rene was questioning L assured Raito that he did not really care for the detective's answers and more for anything that would embarrass him or Raito in front of the Father.
Unfortunately for the vicar, second to L's intelligence, was his utter incapability to be embarrassed.
To put it bluntly -- L had the shame of a prostitute.
«Il est le patron de ceux qui crée quelque chose à partir du néant. Je travaille beaucoup avec mes mains.» (He is the patron of creating nothing from something. I work a lot with my hands,) L fibbed, glancing over at Raito with a barely there smirk, shame of the prostitute at work.
«Voilà une bien jolie peinture de l'ange Michel.» (That is a lovely painting of Michael,) he then pointed out abruptly.
Raito turned to see a grand fresco of the Angel Michael on the wall adjacent to the cathedra, the Renaissance style depicting him as a fiery and handsome youth, blond hair shining as much as the coat of mail adorning him. His sword was unsheathed and his wings were gloriously spread out to encompass the armies under him, as he trumpeted the beginning of war with an accusatory hand at those opposite to him. The other side pitch black with demons and dragons.
«Il est le protecteur de la Mère Marie, donc sa présence dans cette cathédrale appelle à la paix de tout ceux qui viennent prier la Vierge.» (He is the protector of Mother Mary, so his presence at this cathedral summons peace for all of those who come here to pray to the Virgin,) Father Rene said, his admiration for the painting visible. «Nous les avons toujours vu peints ensemble, alors à nos yeux, ils semblent inséparables : la Madone qui représente l'essence même de la pureté et de la gentillesse, ainsi que l'archange qui brandit l'épée afin de combattre du côté du Bien.» (We have always seen them portrayed together, so in our eyes they are inseparable, the Madonna who is the essence of purity and gentleness, and the Archangel who will take up sword and shield to fight for the forces of good.)
«J'apprécie beaucoup le fait que Michel est le saint patron de la justice et de la chevalerie. Toutefois, nombreux artistes le dépeignent d'une façon très violente, puisqu'il est l'ange de la guerre et de la mort. Je crois que l'aspect sanglant de sa nature a été spécialement fait pour créer une image saisissante. Ne le croyez-vous pas?» (I enjoy the fact that Michael is the patron saint of justice and knighthood. However, most artists portray him in a very violent fashion, because he is also the Angel of war and death. I think the bloody and gory aspects of his nature make for a very gripping image. Don't you think so?) L turned towards Father Ignatius, bringing him into the discussion.
The Father did not seem to know where to start on that one, realizing this, Raito suddenly laughed to ease the sudden tension in the room. «Grigoriy a vu bien trop de films d'horreur, ces dernières semaines.» (Grigoriy has been watching too many horror movies for these past few weeks.)
«Je vois» (I see,) Father Ignatius chuckled.
L did not laugh along. Instead, he continued to be talkative. «Saint Matthieu est un autre de mes favoris.» (Saint Matthew is another favorite of mine.) He was staring at the pulpit across from them, the evangelist sign of the man, lion, ox, and eagle decorating each corner.
«L'humain mal guidé qui, jadis, inspiré par un ange, écrivit l'Évangile. Qui pensez-vous était l'ange? ...Peut-être un Saint Michel déguisé?» (The once misled human inspired by an Angel to write the Gospels. Who do you suppose that Angel was? Maybe it was Michael in disguise,) L said thoughtfully.
That made no sense, but okay. Raito eyed L suspiciously and decided to change the topic. «Là n'est pas la question, Grigoriy. Ils ne sont jamais mentionnés ensemble, tout les deux.» (I don't think that's the case, Grigoriy. They're never mentioned together.) Raito smiled to show the Father that he was humoring his "bodyguard." However, that smile did not last long, not when L suddenly cut him off.
«En es-tu sûr? J'entends parlé d'eux tout le temps.» (Are you sure? I hear about them all the time) L said, again with absolutely no expression on his face. Raito wanted to hit him.
«Je pense que Grigoriy nous a fait perdre le fil de la discussion.» (I think Grigoriy got us all off topic.) Raito nudged L in the arm a little harder than he should have in front of the priests.
«Pas pour le moins du monde.» (Not at all.) Father Ignatius turned to address L directly. «Je peux dire que vous être très connaisseur de tout ce qui est en lien avec la Bible. Par chance, seriez-vous catholique?» (I can tell that you are quite knowledgeable of the Bible. By any chance, would you be Catholic?)
L titled his head. «Non, je suis athée.» (No, I'm an atheist.)
And ensues the chirping of crickets
Raito felt the urge to groan out loud.
«...oui, mais peut-être qu'un jour, tu retrouveras ta foi.» (…yes, but maybe one day your faith shall be returned,) Rene interjected. Then he swiftly turned green eyes on Raito who had his mask of pleasantry firmly fixed in place after that bit of staggering genius from L.
«Et qu'en est-il de vous, M. Nikolai?» (And what would you be, Mr. Nikolai?)
«Je n'appartiens à aucun ordre religieux, Père René.» (I do not have a religious order, Father Rene.) Raito stared down at his hands. «Puisque que j'ai encore à en découvrir une qui me convient, mais je suis très intéressé par le catholicisme.»(As I have yet to be moved by one, but I'm very interested in Catholicism.)
«Ah, et quels sont vos intérêts à propos du catholicisme?» (Ah and what interests you about Catholicism?) Rene questioned, Father Ignatius looking on intently.
«Le Péché Originel.Je crois en la détermination à laquelle nous nous appliquons pour nous purger du mal, à commencer dès notre plus jeune âge – Je pense que c'est inculqué par la discipline juvénile. Cela démontre aux enfants qu'ils doivent se battre pour leur foi. Non seulement pour leur foi puisque ce trait peut être appliqué à leur vie future, mais aussi pour leur morale et leurs interactions sociales. Cela leur donne la chance de grandir en tant qu'adultes sensibles.» (Original Sin. I believe the devotion that is put into ridding oneself of that sin, starting early in life -- I think that instills discipline within children. It shows them that they must work hard for their faith. But not only for their faith since this trait can be applied to their future, to their work ethic and their social interactions. It gives them the chance to grow up into sensible adults.)
«C'est tout à fait vrai.» (That's very true,) Father Rene agreed. He did not seem as hostile towards them as he had a few minutes ago. Something in Raito's words must have appealed to him.
«Les enfants doivent bien étudier pour leur confirmation et faire pénitence régulièrement. Ils viennent à comprendre ce que signifie la responsabilité ainsi qu'avoir une meilleure vision de ce qui est bien et de ce qui est mal.» (The children must study hard for their confirmation and attend penance regularly. It impresses upon them responsibility and a better sense of what is right and what is wrong.)
Raito glanced over at the confessional booth propped up against the same wall that the choir inhabited, the dark mahogany wood polished and shining dully in the lowlight cast over that portion of the church.
Father Rene noticed his fascination, as did everyone else, since Raito was now staring at it candidly and broadcasting his thoughts with that solemn look on his face.
«Cela peut sembler trop direct,» (This might be forward of me,) Father Ignatius started. «Mais j'ai l'impression que... vos péchés sont bien trop lourd à porter, seul comme vous l'êtes, il y a toujours des oreilles prêtent à faire part à une confession.» (But if you feel that… your sins are too heavy to bear alone, then there are always ears to listen.) He looked over at the booth with a smile. «Je comprends qu'il y a un maximum à ce que l'homme peut faire pour son prochain, mais même le plus simple geste peut redonner espoir.» (I understand that there is only so much that we humans can do for each other, but even the smallest lift gives hope.)
Raito made it seem like he needed some time to compose himself. He stared sadly at his knees in the mean time, garnering the full sympathies of Father Ignatius.
«Est-ce correct? Je ne suis pas catholique.» (Would that be alright? I'm not Catholic.)
«Non, c'est acceptable. Dieu aime tous ses enfants.» (No, it's fine. God loves all his children,) Ignatius said. «Mais» (But) he interrupted, «Je ne peux vous donner l'absolution. L'évêque m'a imposé un congé de mes devoirs confessionels. Je m'en excuse... mais voudriez-vous bien le faire pour moi, père René?» (I cannot give you Absolution. The Bishop has put me on break from my confessional duties. I apologize… but would you do this for me Father Rene?) The priest turned to his associate and the man accepted almost a little too quickly.
Standing up, Raito cast a stare over at the detective. It was understood that he could not follow Raito into the booth, so L would have to wait here for his return.
A thing that did not sit too well with him.
Luckily there were cameras and audio devices set up. But watching the confessional booth in the hotel room, L had noticed that there was an easily overlooked error in the setup…
Raito excused himself from the two of them and followed after Father Rene.
He slipped into the compartment fit for the confessor, while the Father took his place behind the lattice screen, the booth smelling of dusty flowers, parchment and polish.
There was a kneeler for those who did not want to sit on the small bench, a crucifix placed on the white grille, and a red rosary entwined into the separator between parishioner and priest.
Instead of sitting on the bench, Raito kneeled down on one knee on the raised portion of the floor.
Why did he do this?
Simply because the camera that was placed above would have a hard time catching his face from this position than lets say if he had sat on the bench, where the camera was positioned at just the right angle to keep track of his expressions.
Raito bowed his head, bangs falling over his eyes and so further concealing his countenance as he began to whisper the Act of Contrition.
"Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen." (O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.)
It was a preferred rule that speech within the Confessional booth should be whispered to convey shame and not spoken in one's normal voice
And it was this understood law that would keep the audio devices from picking up his voice.
Since this was a building open to the public and frequented by thousands each day, the bugs that were set up could not be too sensitive to noise, as this would make the recordings heavily distorted.
So instead of running that risk, Wedy had tuned them to noises sixty decibels and higher, sixty being a normal mode of conversation, and therefore sacrificing everything below, including whispers, which were only fifteen decibels.
Not to mention that Wedy had been given a very short notice for this project, and to bug the entire Lourdes grounds -- to bug five acres of land, equaling 217,800 square feet, all of which were encompassed by an enormous Cathedral and thirteen maze-like chapels that sprung from this one structure…
Wedy and Watari had been stretched too thin, so in each building, there was only three cameras set-up for a broad bird's eye view of the inside, with the occasional device planted in a strategic spot.
It was safe to say that this strain in staff and abundance in area limited the efficiency in surveillance. Something that Raito would naturally take advantage of.
Resting a hand on the lattice, Raito let his fingers touch the red rosary.
«Bénissez-moi mon Père car j'ai péché.» (Bless me Father for I have sinned.)
«Quels sont vos fautes, mon enfant?» (What are your sins, my child?)
Raito bowed his head even lower, his fingers now clutching onto the red rosary and a smile creeping over his face.
«J'ai tué un homme.» (I've killed a man.)
He raised his head, stared at the man through the lattice screen in front of him and something on his face made the priest gasp.
«Actuellement… j'ai tué plusieurs hommes.» (Actually… I've killed many men,) Raito whispered, leaning forward into the lattice so his forehead was pressing against the white birch wood, his gestures appearing repentant for the cameras behind him.
«J'en ai tué des milliers – tous des pêcheurs qui n'auraient jamais dû voir la lumière du jour. Je les ai jugés et tous tués.» (I've killed thousands -- all sinners that should never see the light of day. I have judged and killed them all.)
Face going a deathly pallor, Rene continued to stare through the thin lattice at the person on the other side. A state of shock had reduced him to utter silence, silence that his heartbeat or his breathing could not even break. He pressed his fingers against the cool wood below the screen, ready to push himself away, but his limbs were stiff with terror, unmoving.
«Je vous en prie, entendez ma confession, mon Père.» (Please hear out my confessional Father,) Raito said, voice and face suddenly devoid of any cruelty. He even smiled kindly, as if they were meeting for the first time.
For some reason, the kind expression seemed even crueler than what the priest had glimpsed at only seconds before.
«Qui – au nom de Dieu, qui êtes-vous?» (Who – who in God's name are you?) Rene hissed out, voice finally breaking free, but so weak and small that it was as if he had never spoken at all.
Raito had tangled his fingers in the rosary, hand steadily pulling on it until the wood straining under the pressure creaked, the knots in the strings snapping free and the beads scattering down to the floor in a wash of red.
«Votre nouveau Dieu» (Your new God.)
Raito dragged his fingers down in the wake of that chaos, head dipping back down to the floor in a display of piety for the camera, while whispering pointedly, «Vous voulez le cahier que Ignatius possède, et bien, je peux vous le donner.» (You want the notebook that Ignatius has, well I can give it to you.)
The priest's eyes widened. Raito pointed to the floor and the man cast his eyes downward. Fear making him turn his gaze whichever way this person wanted; only to keep them closed in the end, as the panic in his chest grew, inching up in a choking slither.
«Vous le voulez, n'est-ce pas?» (You want it, don't you?) He heard that sickly sweet voice drip through the lattice, slender fingers sliding through the spaces in the wood so they were right in front of his face, smelling of expensive cologne and soap. «Ou ai-je mal jugé vos intentions à propos du Père?» (Or have I misjudged your intentions for hanging around the Father?)
Rene closed his eyes even tighter against that fragrance. «Vous devez être le diable.Seul lui peut ainsi lire le cœur des hommes…Êtes-vous le diable? Dieu du ciel...» (You must be the Devil. Only the devil can read a man's heart like this... Are you the devil? God in heaven…) the Father began to pray, but Raito fixed him with a wintry look that stopped him cold.
«Le Malin ne déverserait son courroux sur les pervers,» (The devil does not bring judgment on the wicked,) Raito clarified tersely and leaned his face closer to the lattice. «Je juge les criminels, et si vous m'écoutez, vous aurez vous aussi le pouvoir de les juger.» (I judge criminals, and if you listen to me, you shall have the power to judge them as well.)
"Kira…?" the man whispered and gazed at him, but quickly averted his eyes when he caught the utterly malicious expression reflected back at him.
Such a horrible expression that would have thrown grown men to their knees, reduced heroes to cowards, kings to paupers…
It was vicious, because it knew no restraint, like a child plucking the wings of a butterfly. Rene shivered and bowed his head even lower.
«En tant que Dieu, je suis bien miséricordieux de ne pas vous tuer.» (I am a merciful god for not killing you,) Raito stated. He had to make this man fear him, respect him and love him all in the same breath, as a true god would expect of his subjects. It was the only way to completely control this man. To have what he finally wanted. «Vous avez envoyé vos hommes après moi.» (You sent your men after me.)
«Je...» (I...) Rene stuttered out. «Je pensais que vous étiez L. Vous alliez prendre le cahier. Je devais faire quelque chose. Ce...» (I thought you were L. You were going to take the notebook away. I had to do something. That thing…) Rene closed his eyes. He could feel that gaze on him, fierce, like the burning of suns. «Cet instrument... Il n'y a rien comme tel dans ce monde. Cette église tient quelques miracles, mais ils sont tous simplets si on les compare à ce livre… ce livre. Je dois l'avoir.» (That thing… there is nothing like it in the world. This church has miracles, but they are measly in comparison to that book… that book. I must have it.)
«Alors vous désirez ce pouvoir?» (So you want the power?) Raito asked, eyes boring into the Father until the man could stand it no more and looked him in the face.
Raito softened his features and let his hands drop from the screen to sit demurely in his lap.
«Allez, vous pouvez bien me le dire.» (You can tell me.)
That soft voice again lilted into the distance between them, and Rene so confused at the unexpectedness of it, felt his heart bared, like a veil swept aside to reveal what was hidden. It was so easy to listen to it, to open up to it…
«Non, pas seulement le pouvoir,» (No… not just the power,) Rene confessed. «Je comprends l'intenntion de Kira. Le déluge. L'incommensurable déluge de l'Ancien Testament que vous avez lu Kira purifie la Terre de tous les indésirables – tout cela en n'impliquant pas les innocents. C'est ce que je veux. Je veux qu'il juge. Il est... Kira est Dieu.» (I understand Kira's intent. It's the Flood. The mighty Old Testament Flood that you read about. Kira is wiping out all the undeserving – and he's doing so without getting the innocent involved. I want that. I want him to judge. He is… Kira is God.) Rene hung his head. «Il représente la deuxième venue du Messie.» (He is the second coming of the Messiah.)
That's exactly the kind of thing that Raito wanted to hear.
Smiling benevolently at the priest, he placed his hand gently on the screen separating them. «Vous comprenez. Vous n'avez aucune idée à quel point cela me rend heureux. (You understand. You have no idea how happy you've made me.
«Je veux juste un monde où il n'y aura que de bonnes personnes. Les cieux m'ont béni par ce don et je désire seulement le partager avec ceux qui possèdent la même envie de changement. Pensez-vous que c'est si mal de ma part?» (I only want this world to be a place where only good people live. The heavens blessed me with this gift and I want only to share it with those who wish to change this world as well. Do you think that's wrong of me?)
«Non, bien sûr que non.» (No, of course not,) the Father quickly replied. «Vous êtes le sauveur.Vous avez sauvez tant de personnes de la mort, de la douleur. S'il vous plaît, s'il y a quoi que ce soit que je peux faire pour vous – vous devez me le dire.» (You're the savior. You've saved so many from death and pain. Please… if there is anything I can do for you – you must tell me.)
Perfect. Oh God, it was just so perfect.
Raito restrained the smile begging to lay claim to his features. Instead he poignantly clenched his hand to his chest and lowered his eyes. «Je suis persécuté par plusieurs, Père René. Par plusieurs. Par ceux qui ne veulent être jugés pour leurs crimes. C'est dur, mon Père. Même pour moi, qui doit supporter le poids de leur haine, de leur corruption…» (I am being persecuted, Father Rene. By many. By many who do not want to be judged for their crimes. It is hard, Father. Even for me to bear the burden of all their hate, their corruption…)
The awed face of the Father made Raito want to break out into laughter.
«Que voulez-vous que je fasse? Si je peux aider...» (What would you have me do? If I can help you in any way...) Father Rene begged.
«Je suis présentement persécuté par le vrai… L.» (I am currently being persecuted by the real… L.) Raito whispered the name even lower, letting the utter contempt for the person rise to the surface.
«Sauriez-vous qui est L, Père René?» (Would you like to know who L is Father Rene?)
«Qui?» (Who?) The man hissed.
«Il se cache sous le nom de Grigoriy. Grigoriy est L.» (He is posing as Grigoriy. Grigoriy is L.) Raito let the frustration show on his face. «Cet homme est vil, m'emprisonner et m'obliger de faire tout ce qu'il veut. Il m'a même poussé à jouer dans le dos du bon Père Ignatius pour avoir le cahier entre ses deux mains impures, alors…» (That man is wicked, capturing me and making me do whatever he wants. He even has me trying to trick the good Father Ignatius so he can get his dirty hands on the notebook, then…) Raito let his voice crack. «Alors quand je ne serai de plus d'aucune utilité... il me tuera.» (Then when I am no longer of any use to him… he will kill me.) Raito clenched his hand tighter on the fabric of his shirt, his knuckles going white and his face stricken with "distress."
«Est-ce bien ce que vous désirez? Me voir mourir, devenir un martyre et que ma cause soit perdue à cause de pêcheurs comme lui qui ne souhaitent révéler au monde qui ils sont réellement.» (Do you think it's right? That I will die, become a martyr, and my cause will be lost because sinners like him do not wish to be revealed for what they are.)
«Non, c'est horrible.» (No, it's horrible.) The Father seemed to take personal offense. «Vous ne déservez rien de cela.» (You don't deserve this.)
That's right. He didn't deserve any of this. «C'est pourquoi...» (That's why...) Raito said hopefully. «C'est pourquoi je pense que quelque chose devrait être fait à propos de L.» (That's why I think something must be done about L.)
«Oui. C'est la seule façon de s'occuper de ce genre de personne.» (Yes. It is the only way to deal with his type,) resolutely and without hesitance, the Father came to his conclusion, or rather was nudged to this end by a helpful hand. «Tout ce que vous désirez de moi, je vous l'offrirai.» (Whatever you need of me, I will give it.)
«J'ai remarqué que vous avez de nombreux disciples.» (I've noticed that you have followers,) Raito began, getting to the point. «Ces hommes, vous sont-ils entièrement loyaux? À vous et à votre cause?» (These men, are they completely loyal to you? To the cause?)
«Il n'y a aucun doute que chacun de ces hommes est totalement dévouer à Kira. Demandez et ils vous servirons.» (There is without a doubt that every man in my group has the utmost devotion to Kira. Ask anything of them and they will serve.)
Raito bit his lip to hold in the terrible welling in his chest.
«Donc... ce que je désire d'eux est de prouvez leur loyauté envers moi. Avec l'Avent qui approche, Lourdes devrait être plutôt occupée avec la fête de la Nativité. Le Père n'aura aucun temps pour une rencontre, alors je pense que nous pourrons le voir seulement au Nouvel An. (Then… what I want is for them to prove that loyalty to me. With Late Advent approaching, Lourdes is busy for the Nativity festival. The Father will have no time for these meetings, so I expect we will see him in the New Year.
«À notre prochaine rencontre, je pense que le Père me révélera la location du cahier, et s'il exprime encore un petit doute, je suis certain que vous viendrez à mon aide.» (On our next meeting I believe the Father will be disclosing the location of the notebook to me, or if he is unsure, I am certain you will help him along in this opinion.)
«Le Père ressent certainement un attachement envers vous. Même si je lui ai demandé de nombreuses fois de ne pas vous donner le cahier, il persiste à vouloir vous l'offrir. Il est constamment en brouille avec l'évêque. Il semble réellement fatigué de son devoir et j'ai bien l'impression qu'il espère bientôt retourner à une vie normale.» (The Father has taken quite a liking to you. Even though I have asked him countless times to keep the book, he is persistent to give it to you. He has also been constantly running into trouble with the Bishop. He is truly weary of this business and I am certain he wishes to return to his normal life.)
«Alors au premier jour de janvier, je veux que vous amenez la moitié de vos fidèles à Lourdes. Seulement les plus loyaux et les plus sûrs. Amenez-les ici et faites-les attendre dans une des chapelles de l'aile est. N'importe laquelle, mais ne venez pas près du bâtiment principal. Dites leur de vaquer à quelques missions, mais faites interdire toute discussion à propos de nos plans pour Lourdes. Choisissez un endroit à l'extérieur pour leur en parler, ainsi que pour annoncer ma présence, mais je vous prie, ne changez point l'habitude que vous avez de venir ici chaque semaine afin d'envoyer vos hommes après nous. (Then on January first, I want you to bring half of your followers to Lourdes. Only your most loyal and trustworthy. Bring them here and get them to wait in one of the eastern chapels. I don't care which one, but do not come near the main building. Tell them to go about their business, but forbid them from talking about the plans within Lourdes. Choose a place outside the grounds to inform them of my presence and my plans, but please do not change your routine of coming here once a week for discussion or sending your followers after us.
«Quand le temps sera bon et que le Père m'amènera à l'endroit où il garde le cahier, car je suis positif qu'il le cache ici, j'ai besoin que vos hommes viennent à la cathédrale principale. Postez une sentinelle à l'entrée, comme vous l'avez fait antérieurement, afin que vous sachiez quand approcher. Quand vous nous verrez entrer, fermez la cathédrale. (When the time is right and the Father brings me to the place where he is keeping the notebook, for I am positive he is keeping it here, I need your men to come to the main Cathedral. Post a lookout at the entrance, as you did prior, so you will know when to approach. Then when you see us enter, close off the Cathedral.
«Vous prendrez le cahier à la suite. Ne vous alarmez pas si je me débats et, surtout, ne dîtes rien à vos fidèles sur mon identité. Pour tout ce que je sais, ils croient que je suis L. Vous devez les garder à l'écart. Et informez-les que vous voulez L capturé. Et pendant ce temps...» (You will take the notebook from me. Do not be alarmed if I struggle and please do not enlighten your men to my identity. For all they know I am L. But you must keep them in line. Inform them that you want L captured. And in the mean time…)
Raito smiled. «Pendant ce temps, vous tuerez le vrai L, puisqu'il n'est rien d'autre que mon garde du corps. Fusillez-le, poignardez-le, peu importe. Seulement, soyez certain qu'il ne respire plus quand les portes ouvrirons de nouveau. (In the meantime, you will kill the real L, since he is posing as nothing more than my bodyguard. Shoot him, stab him, do whatever. Just make sure he's not breathing by the time those doors are opened again.
«Vous et vos hommes devrons aller vous cacher ensuite et vous prendrez le cahier avec vous. Nous devrons nous quitter, mais après quelques semaines où j'aurai restauré mon innocence et repris la place de L, alors là je vous direz quand commencer le jugement. (You and your men shall need to go into hiding afterwards and you will take the Father's notebook with you. We will have to part ways, but after weeks have passed and I have fully restored my innocence and taken over L's station, then I will instruct you to start judgment.
«Je comprends que je vous en demande beaucoup. Vous devrez abandonner votre vie en tant que prêtre ici… mais vous gagnerez tellement plus à travers cette épreuve – le pouvoir de changer ce monde corrompu, de le modeler en tant qu'idéal, de prouver votre foi et votre amour…» (I understand that I'm asking a lot of you. You will need to give up your life as a priest here… but you will be gaining so much more through your hardship -- the power to change this corrupt world, to shape it into the ideal, to prove your faith and love…)
«Pour un homme d'église,» (For a man of the cloth,) Rene began emotionally, «C'est un acte de dévotion ultime que de répandre Sa volonté, d'abandonner tout ce que je possède pour l'amour de Lui. En tant que servant de Dieu, je ne peux espérer une meilleure voie.» (It is the ultimate act of devotion to carry out His will, to give up everything in my life to show my great love for Him. As a servant of God, I can wish for no better path.)
Rene piously bowed his head towards him, and then as if to further seal their agreement, he gave him Absolution.
«Merci, mon Père.Votre foi m'éblouie. Je n'étais certain que vous croyiez mes paroles, mais en preuve de ma position, je vous demanderais de bien vouloir regarder le ciel lorsque vous quitterez cette église. Regardez vers les cieux, vers les clochers de la façade ouest. Là vous verrez ce qu'aucun homme normal peut voir. Seulement ceux qui sont bénis avec le pouvoir céleste.S'il vous plaît, n'ayez crainte, mais soyez même heureux.Car celui qui sera sur le toit de l'église garde ces murs sacrés. Les protège comme le font les gargouilles de Notre-Dame.» (Thank you Father. Your faith astounds even me. I was not sure that you would believe my words, but as proof of my position, I shall ask you to look up at the sky when you leave this church. Look up at the heavens, at the spires on the west façade. There you will see something that no mortal man may see. Only one that is blessed with the power of heaven. Please do not be afraid, but be joyous at the sight. For the one on top of this church guards these hallowed walls. Protects it as the gargoyles of Notre Dame.)
There would be absolutely no question of his identity if this man saw Rem.
To conclude his business with the priest, Raito added, «J'ai l'impression qu'un grand poids a été ôté de mes épaules.» (I feel as though a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders.) He clasped his hands together in final prayer, fake tears slipping down his face and making his mirth that much felt for the Father.
Raito stood up from the prie-dieu, parted the red veil, and stepped out of the booth, a gentle hand wiping away the last remnants of his tears, as he made the sign of the cross and recited, «Au nom du Père, du Fils et du Saint-Esprit.» (In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.)
"Amen."
…………………………………….
L watched Raito carefully as they both walked to the outskirts of the grounds, their tailers following them yet again from a reasonable distance.
"Has Raito-kun been crying?" he asked simply, waiting for an answer.
Raito started at him, as if he was surprised that he'd noticed, but L thought that strange, since it was apparent from the way he had exited the booth and the state he had met both the Father and him in.
"Mm…" Raito smiled self-consciously, or what was a good facsimile of it. "I didn't think – well I suppose I got a tad too emotional in the booth. I've read about confessionals, but to experience it first hand…it's quite different. It's frighteningly personal."
L eyed Raito even more closely. "Father Ignatius also noticed your tears. He seemed very touched by them." It was good that the priest was so moved. It meant Raito was doing his job and getting the Father on their side. However, Raito was acting as if his crying could not be helped.
L would have believed him if he had conjured up tears to get some sympathy from the man, as Raito looked like the type of person who would be great at fake-crying, but the assertion that he was not acting…
…It bothered L. Because it confused him.
He tried not to swing back and forth in his theory of Raito being Kira. There was just too much evidence racked up against this one person. All the pieces fit perfectly together…
Except for that one rule that distorted the overall puzzle. That one rule. If only it never existed, then Raito would surely be Kira.
But that was not the only variable he had to take into consideration, as Raito's behavior was always dynamic. Never static and continuously disturbing him, making him doubt and question…
"How did Father Rene react? I feel sorry for him. It must be very hard to see Raito-kun cry and believe you were the one that caused it."
Raito again gave him an almost embarrassed look. "He… tried to console me."
"So he is not a total cad," L concluded.
"...no, I guess not," Raito answered, pausing at the word cad.
"Hmm… but how lucky he is to have seen you cry" and adding bluntly only after he was directed with a disbelieving look from Raito, "It must be quite a sight."
Raito stared back at him, whether he was upset at the implication or angered by it, made little difference to L.
"Let us hope that I never do something as irredeemable as making you cry. That would ruin my day."
Raito said nothing. L scratched the side of his face. If he continued to prod Raito, there was a good chance he would either be ignored or slugged into a snowdrift.
"Would Raito-kun like some ice-cream?" he asked, despite the below zero weather they were walking through. "Two scoops of his favorite kind should cheer him up after having such a rough day."
1. Cathedra – The Bishops throne, adopted by the church from the Roman Emperors. It symbolizes the authority of the church and it is from this that we get the word Cathedral.
2. Prie-Dieu – A kneeler with a cushion. It literally translates to "Pray God."
3. Nathaniel – (means gift of God) One of the Twelve Apostles, who is described as initially being skeptical about the Messiah coming from Nazareth, saying: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" He is the patron of leather workers; neurological diseases; plasterers; shoemakers; tanners; trappers; twitching; and whiteners.
6. Matthew - Another of the Twelve Apostles. His Evangelical symbol is the man. He is also the Patron of bankers, bookkeepers, guards and security forces.