Shinji Matou at Your Service

"Guardian knight? What a nostalgic title. Becoming the princess's guardian knight isn't a simple task..."

Merem snatched back the report and carefully read the subsequent parts.

"Hmm... summoning the Crimson Moon, dispelling phenomenons... independently killing Zepia... While this strength may not match the dull-witted Black Knight and White Knight, it barely qualifies him to protect the princess."

"You're not angry?"

The girl's tone carried a hint of surprise.

"Why should I be angry?"

Merem retorted.

"Isn't it great that the princess has found a qualified guardian knight? Someone to take care of her, someone to protect her. It makes things easier for me."

The girl was speechless again.

Earlier, he had acted like a lovestruck innocent boy, yet now, the princess with another man, he wasn't even a bit jealous and was genuinely happy for her. Indeed, human thoughts are hard to understand for a Dead Apostle.

The girl decided not to trouble herself further and decisively changed the topic.

"Do you think Zepia was independently killed by him? Look here, the intelligence department has marked it as questionable. Even without the phenomenon, Zepia is still an Ancestor."

"It's not a matter of belief, it's a certainty. Look here—"

Merem pointed to a line in the battle description passage.

"—The princess summoned the Crimson Moon. With her current state, this is her limit. Without anyone else's help, this is the only answer."

As a direct Dead Apostle of the Crimson Moon and collaborator of Arcueid, Merem was well aware of Arcueid's current condition. Thus, even though all major forces that knew about the Night of Wallachia being eradicated credited Arcueid for the main effort and doubted Shinji's prowess, Merem did not doubt it.

"So you're saying this guy named Shinji Matou already possesses Ancestor-level strength? According to the data, he's only fourteen?"

"This is the interesting part about humans. Despite being clumsy and having various issues, they possess infinite potential—if it weren't so, humans couldn't have become the world's masters."

At this point, Merem finally displayed the maturity and experience befitting his identity.

"Moreover, how do you know the intelligence is accurate? It clearly states behind Shinji Matou's name: Clock Tower, the headquarters of the Mage's Association. It's not surprising if they manipulated the information to deceive the Holy Church."

"That's indeed possible."

Hearing this, the girl also realized.

"The Mage's Association, which has been at odds with the Holy Church for so many years, can cultivate such a monster. This fourteen-year-old might just be a disguise; he could be a monster like you."

"A monster... perhaps. Whether he's a monster or just fourteen, this person is worth noting. We might encounter him in the future. Besides, I have another suspicion. This guardian knight who suddenly appeared beside the princess might be connected to the Second Magician. He... sigh."

Mentioning this elder who truly stood at the pinnacle of the world, Merem sighed helplessly. The master he admired, the perfect and mighty Crimson Moon, whom even the Son of God he once was could not defeat, was destroyed by Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, who was still human at the time. And he, along with other servants, had no way to retaliate, not even a thought of revenge, due to the overwhelming disparity in power. Although also one of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors, every Ancestor knew that Zelretch, like the Primordial One, existed on a different dimension.

"The Second Magician... what are the chances?"

The girl's voice also grew more serious.

"I said it was a guess, so of course, there's no certainty. But the director passed this report to me, hoping I'd investigate this knight's background."

"So, I'm your observer? After all, only the director and I know your true identity and your relationship with that woman."

"It's mutual observation. The director wouldn't make it that easy for you."

Members of the Burial Agency were a bunch of eccentrics. To prevent them from not taking tasks seriously or going rogue, the organization had a unique task mechanism. One person executes the task, another monitor, and if any deviation is suspected, there is punishment.

The benefit of this system was that it kept these monstrous members in check, preventing major trouble. The downside was obvious: the elite-oriented Burial Agency had even fewer hands. Thus, mutual observation came about.

As the name suggests, mutual observation meant members had different tasks but close destinations, each monitoring the other.

At this point, Merem smiled and glanced at the girl.

"Still haven't figured it out? The princess leaving the castle is a significant signal. For many years, she has only left for one reason."

"You mean Roa!!!"

The girl's previously gentle expression instantly turned ferocious.

"Yes, the only thing that can wake her up is Roa—squeezing every bit of value out of us, the director knows how to play her cards."

"But you won't refuse such a task, will you?"

"I won't. Roa must die, and it must be by my hand. For my father, my mother, for everyone who died at my hands, for everything that happened to this body..."

"Neither will I. So, let's just say thank you to the damned director for this one time."

The cold killing intent emanating from the girl starkly contrasted with the Merem's gentle smile, making the atmosphere in the room increasingly eerie.

"First, we head to Japan to meet the author of this report... Riesbyfe Stridberg, captain of the Vestel Shield Knights. She's a celebrity within the Holy Church and has some connection with you as well."

"What connection?"

"You both have killed the same number of vampires and are both experts in the use of sacred texts. There's a saying among the higher-ups—that you two are the twin stars of the Holy Church's new generation. You must have heard that."

"I've heard it, but it's meaningless. I joined the Burial Agency for two purposes: to kill Roa and to atone for my sins. Nothing else matters."

"Such a life would be very dull. I don't want to say the dead are gone, but your life is far from over."

"My life ended the moment I was possessed by Roa."

The girl's expression was indifferent, her eyes desolate.

"Still so stubborn."

Merem stood up, seemingly losing interest.

"Suit yourself. Ciel, finish up your current work and then we'll depart. I remember your previous task was to evaluate a candidate?"

"Yes."

"I heard this candidate voluntarily applied."

"Yes."

"Haha, it's been years since we've seen someone so eager to court death. Didn't you tell her that previous candidates either went mad or were tortured to death?"

"I did, but she insisted, and she's only one step away from success, as long as she can pass the director's test."

"So, you've already approved of her? Interesting, interesting. What's her name?"

"Caren Hortensia, the dark nun who sold her soul and body to a demon."