Chapter 3 - Going To St. Carta's Monastery
"Okay, okay, the mission is clear—but what about my reward?" Roy muttered, exasperated.
Though he had received the Stigmata, the system was immediately sending him against a high-ranking demon like Valak.
He thought of other transmigrators in similar stories who became overpowered almost instantly—his own situation, by contrast, felt like a cruel joke.
Still, the mission was now official.
Sighing, he glanced at the luggage he had packed and set it aside.
If he truly meant to deal with the demon nun, he couldn't just run off.
He needed a plan.
Roy settled on the sofa, recalling every detail he remembered about The Nun.
If the story remained the same, Sister Irene and Father Burke would manage a temporary fix.
But the system demanded he banish Valak for good—leaving no chance for possession.
Avoiding the scenario where the demon secretly inhabited someone's body might be the key.
If Valak never took control of another host before its defeat, Roy's mission might be fulfilled.
With that in mind, Roy decided to seek out Sister Irene and Father Burke.
After pulling on a light coat, he stepped outside.
***
The village was abuzz as Roy walked down its main street.
Locals, dressed in simple, homespun clothing, clustered along the dirt road, craning their necks to get a look at the newcomers.
Roy pushed through the crowd until, at last, he caught sight of two figures surrounded by the village chief and other community elders.
A single glance revealed which one was Sister Irene: a beautiful, gentle-faced young woman in a pristine white habit.
She radiated a purity and refinement that stood out starkly against the rustic surroundings.
Next to her stood a middle-aged man in black priest's vestments, presumably Father Burke.
The village elders appeared to be briefing them on recent events.
As Roy studied the pair, a familiar voice called from behind him.
"Hey, Roy!"
He turned to see Frenchie, who had managed to slip up beside him unnoticed.
Before Roy could reply, Frenchie grinned.
"Weren't you leaving town this morning? So, what are you doing here now?"
Roy rolled his eyes. "Can't I just be curious? It's my first time seeing a priest and nun from the Vatican."
Fair enough.
In a deeply devout area, Vatican clergy commanded enormous respect—at times, they wielded even more authority than local officials.
Frenchie followed Roy's gaze. "You've got a point."
"So that's the nun from the Vatican, huh? Wow… If I could marry a girl like that, I'd happily trade ten years of my life."
Roy scoffed. "Nuns take lifelong vows of chastity. Quit dreaming."
Typically, after at least five years of baptism, a candidate applied to become a nun, then spent six years in a novitiate.
Once fully professed, she took her lifelong vows and remained married to God, never allowed to marry another.
Anyone who made it that far into the sisterhood was devout beyond measure.
But then Roy remembered something: Irene might not be a fully professed nun yet—at least not in the story.
Before Roy's thoughts could wander further, the village chief waved Frenchie over.
Frenchie excused himself from Roy and scurried to join Sister Irene, Father Burke, and the chief.
The conversation was too far away for Roy to overhear, but it likely concerned how Frenchie discovered the hanged nun and his role as their guide.
Shortly thereafter, the chief dispersed the crowd.
Frenchie, Sister Irene, and Father Burke prepared to leave for St. Carta's Monastery to investigate.
Roy, who had been watching from a short distance, stepped forward to intercept them.
Frenchie noticed Roy approaching. "What's going on?"
Roy drew a breath. "Take me to the monastery with you."
"What? You, too?" Frenchie looked stunned.
Roy had been warning him off this very morning—and now he wanted to go himself?
Roy nodded. "Yeah. I just want to see it for myself. Maybe I can help."
Frenchie turned to Sister Irene and Father Burke. "Sister Irene, Father Burke—this is my friend, Roy. He'd like to accompany us to the monastery. What do you think?"
Sister Irene's bright eyes shifted to Roy, curiosity evident but no immediate judgment. She waited for Father Burke to decide.
Father Burke regarded Roy cautiously.
Initially, he meant to refuse; he suspected something truly sinister in that monastery, and bringing an ordinary civilian was unwise.
Yet, just as he was about to say no, his expression changed.
It was as though he sensed something.
After a reflective pause, he broke into a mild smile.
"If that's your wish, come along."
With Father Burke's approval, Sister Irene and Frenchie had no objections.
Thus, the four of them climbed into Frenchie's delivery wagon and set off for St. Carta's Monastery in the mountains.