Kojo and Yuki entered the chapel premises, greeted by the gentle murmur of prayers and the sweet scent of incense. The bells had just began to ring to signify the end of the day and the attendants were busy going about their business. Kojo with his hands in his pockets followed Yuki as they moved to go inside.However Kojo noticed that the nuns who the passed as they walked through the corridor and even those who were busy stopped to cast surreptitious glances at Kojo.
(Did you take a shower today)
" Eh? What did I do this time"
( Cause the way they're looking at you,I'm sure your 'aura' is the reason for the ' change in atmosphere')
" What are you tryna say?"
( I dunno. Maybe.....you kinda stink a little....)
" I do not!"
The nuns were however unconcerned about that. The tank top was a bit tight and outlined his abs and chest muscles as he moved. They bluched as they stared at him.
Yuki noticed the nuns' looking at Kojo and and rolled her eyes.
"Kojo, it's your outfit."
Kojo looked down at his black tank top and fingerless gloves that almost reached his shoulders.
"What's wrong with it?" He asked.
Yuki smirked. " It's not exactly an appropriate attire as there are teachings that promote modesty and proper covering of the body."
" Oh?"
( You sure it's not because he smells Yuki.)
" I do not smell!" Kojo yelled.
He sighed and stretched out his right hand using his Arcane Threads. White webs shot out of his fingers and wrapped around him forming a thigh length sleeveless white jacket.
" Better?" He asked.
" It'll do" Yuki responded.
(Meh)
They approached the bishop's study chamber. Yuki went to knock on the door and a voice told them to come in
"Ah, Lady Yukio. I wasn't expecting you. And this fine young man must be Atari Kojo.Welcome.Please have a seat."Rigarde greeted them warmly directing Kojo to sit across from him on his desk. Yuki however stood by the door and stood with her arms behind her back.
" Standing on business." Kojo muttered to himself with a faint smile. He looked around. The study was well illuminated by candle light and filled with ancient tomes and relics.
" Are you perhaps interested?" Rigarde said, trying to start small talk.
" Well I do finde these intriguing.But,I did not come here for small talk.Please, let's dispense with formalities," Kojo said taking in the bishops appearance. A priestly apparel well trimmed beard,spectacles and even though he was in his middle aged appeared quit handsome. "What's this about, Bishop?" He finally asked.
Rigarde smiled. "Directness, I like that. Mr.Kojo, I'd like to extend an invitation for you to join our church."
"Join the church? As in?" Kojo asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes, I have observed that you are an incredible warrior not only skilled in fighting but your mental capabilities are worth mentioning."
" Why does it feel like everyones calling me dumb today" Kojo wondered.
Rigarde continued. " Now I'm not saying you should quit your duties as champion and come to Ezkanur. No. You've already saved this country from two attacks already. Who knows what would have happened if you weren't present . However your works lack faith. Faith that can only be attained once you familiarize yourself with the teachings of our goddess."
" I understand that there are other gods aside the goddess Shrena." Kojo asked.
" Yes there are other deities whose attributes can be found in our doctrine. They are however mostly worshipped by other religious groups or have been completely lost to time. Even then ,it's should be known that our goddess is the ruler of all other dieties and gods. With her protection,not even a Demonlord can harm you."
Rigarde spoke with such reverence and devotion that Yukio couldn't help but nod. She didn't know that The Bishop would try to convert Kojo to the faith personally but she was happy that Kojo would be coming over to her side.
Kojo on the other hand was bored with the bishop speech and was battling hard to stop himself from yawning.
"With the goddess's blessing," Rigarde continued, "Your abilities will grow exponentially. You'll have access to our sacred texts, and—"
"Benefits aside," Kojo interrupted, "I have questions about the recent attack."
Rigarde nodded. "Of course. Ask away."
"How did the chapel remain unaffected?" Kojo inquired.
Yuki looked at him.
"Ah, a fortunate coincidence," Rigarde began. "You see, our chapel is situated atop a nexus of holy energy—"
" That would be true. But I've encountered holy magic before." Kojo Interrupter pointing at Yukio
" And I didn't sense any from this place as at that time."
Yuki opened her mouth to speak up, but Rigarde raised his hand, stopimg her."
Kojo continued.
"I investigated the city's sewer system and I found that all the large tunnels that would be large enough for the monsters,no,mutations to navigate through. These tunnels just coincidentally happen to be intersecting beneath the chapel but were blocked by an enchanted fence."
"I've heard your cincers and I assure assure you, Kojo, the seal is a smile baracadw in place to prevent unauthorized access. Some individuals might seek to exploit our resources and harm our congregants nothing more. As I was saying,the church is a holy place placed under the goddess' protection and as such no one cursed can come through.
" Cursed?" Kojo repeated.
"A being tainted by Curse Magic."
"Curse Magic?" Kojo repeated.
"Yes," Rigarde explained." Don't you know about it?"
" I do" Kojo quickly answered as Sysia explained.
(It's a destructive form of magic feeding on the user's essence. Practitioners sacrifice fragments of their soul, sanity, or life force for power.)
Kojo listened intently as Rigarde elaborated on the differences between Curse Magic and holy magic.
"...Holy magic heals and strengthens," Rigarde concluded. "Whereas Curse Magic corrupts and destroys. Generally speaking the maajin he Maajin are an example of the corruption that comes with someone is using Curse Magic."
" I would make sense if the mutations that attacked the other day were Maajin or even related but I didn't sense any holy nir cursed magic from them. It was like thier bodies,no their souls had been altered and warped into those monstrous forms through external influence." Kojo thought to himself. Sysia agreed.
( Curse magic is still magic after all and requires some level of skill to be able to use. But those monsters were mindless beasts that just knew how to destroy. They lacked the cognitive ability to do any of this so you're theory is right. And if they truly were forced to take on those forms to be used as puppets...)
" Then someone is pulling the strings."
Rigarde continued bringing Kojo back from his thoughts.
"Your unique abilities make you an ideal candidate. With our guidance, you can help uncover the source of these attacks."
Kojo leaned back in his chair. "And what makes you think the goddess's blessing will enhance my abilities?"
Rigarde smiled. "The goddess chooses her champions wisely, Kojo. Your potential is undeniable."
"Thank you, Bishop," Kojo said, standing up. "I appreciate the offer , but Ill have to decline for."
Rigarde's expression remained calm. "I expected as much. You're a cautious one."
" It's more like I don't want to many people to be able to boss me around." He said stretching.
" Then I'll see you later." Kojo said ,walking out of the room with Yuki.
" Salon" Rigarde said as the door closed behind them.
" I'ma head home" Kojo said with a yawn as they exited the chapel. It was already night and the moon had risen to a significant height in the sky.
" Alright. Then I'll see you later" she said as Kojo walked out. He waved from behind and put his hands in his jacket pockets as he left the chapel.
Within his chamber Rigarde planned. He was able to get a rough idea of how smart Kojo was.
" He's a smart one. I never did expect him to thoroughly investigate the matter but I played my cards right and cleaned up the loose ends. Those fences in the sewers actually are protecting the chapel but they are also protecting the entrance to my underground laboratory. It would be troublesome if he'd found out about that. I'm lucky he didn't press further." Rigarde thoyg as he got up from his seat and went to stand near a window.
" If he has accepted to become a member of the church, keeping and eye in home would have been easier and even though Lady Yukio outranks me, she'll still obey my authority as a priest. I would be able to control him through her but it can't be helped at this point." He looked up at the moons in the sky.
" Atari Kojo. " He said." You're in the way of my dreams. I guess I'll have to find a way to deal with you." His lips forming a sinister smile.