I doze with you in front of the mirror, with rouge fingertips
This hand unexpectedly showed weakness and blocked your lips
I made a promise with you that day
And now we can't remember it
Why don't I have wings to float in the sky,
like the wind, like the clouds?
Why don't I have wings to sink into the all-enveloping night,
like the stars, like the moon? Ahh
Assassination?
There are rumors of a vampire group
intent on taking your life during your travels abroad.
Your current visit to Carthage places you quite near the Empire,
making it perfect for them to take action.
Cease your tour and return home immediately.
I appreciate your advisement, Brother.
However, I cannot do as you wish.
Uncle's incident in Rome has really put the secular lords on edge.
This tour is meant to quell those concerns on behalf of His Holiness.
If I dared to hastily return home at a time like this...
Your Eminence!
Afire has broken out on the premises.
Sister Esther is on her way there now.
Afire?!
Freeze!
Who are you?!
I said freeze, Terran! Or do my words not make sense?!
A vampire?!
"Vampire"?! Ignorant Terran!
A cowardly ape such as thou wouldst call me a monster,
after I've come to deliver an imperial decree?!
Did you say imperial decree?
Then does that mean you're an Imperial-
Damn you, Terran!
Acest nebun! A se face greseala!
The Vatican couldn't be trusted after all!
Wait!
Stop shooting!
Target lost. Stop orders received.
Your Eminence!
Are you all right?!
Yes...
Ion.
Oh, it's thou, Radu...
Where did you get that wound?! Did you not meet with the Terran?!
The foolish Terran ignored me and shot me with a silver bullet...
Silver?!
It must be removed immediately...
Endure it, tovaras.
Don't move.
Even a fire broke out, of all things... That's why they-
Don't speak.
Were it not for Her Majesty's orders, I would've killed them all...
Good work with the incident in Venice.
Our joint investigation with Asta-san also formed ties with the Empire!
There's another one...
Another chance to build relations with the Empire has presented itself.
Eh?
It came in contact with us. In the form of an imperial decree.
An imperial decree?
From the Empress?
Carthage is full of Imperial dummy companies,
and their buildings are used as a base.
So principles and business are two separate things...
Last night's vampire is undoubtedly hiding out there.
Is what Sister Kate said, right?
Well, uhh, yes, but...
Well then, Sister Esther. Please remain on standby here.
Caterina-san let you accompany me as contact personnel.
You're arresting a vampire, right?!
I'm not.
Then what are you going to do?!
I'm sorry. I can't talk about it until the details become clear.
But you're dealing with vampires here! It will turn into a fight!
In my five months of training, I've learned how to cope with danger!
- I won't get in the way! - Esther-san!
Just stay here. I'll contact you if anything happens. Got that?
Carthage control tower.
This is aerial warship Raguel, of the Vatican Inquisition Congregation.
We will be landing at your airport.
It isn't festering. The bacillus in your blood appears to be reactivating.
To think such a minor injury could immobilize me...
I feel almost as frail as a Terran!
Silver is poison to us Methuselahs...
Just accept it and rest.
Now what? The meeting was a failure.
Are you returning to the Empire as soon as you're better?
For us imperial noblemen, Her Majesty's orders are absolute.
So I will give it another attempt.
Then there is something I must tell you.
What is it?
That fire... it may have been set by imperial hard-liners.
Hard-liners?!
There exists a faction that frowns on Her Majesty's imperial orders.
It's likely they set the fire when you were about to meet the cardinal.
Then that is all the more reason I must honor Her Majesty's will.
But you despise Terrans!
Surely you sympathize with the hard-liners?
Imperial orders are absolute and inviolable;
I cannot go against them.
All I can do is hmbly carry them out.
Then I have nothing else to say.
Say, are you thirsty?
Oh, now that you mention it...
I'll go make some.
We have been ordered here by Cardinal Medici
to deal with the attack on Your Eminence.
This is our first time meeting like this.
I am the head of the Department of Inquisition, Brother Petros.
This is my second-in-command, Sister Paula.
The Knight of Destruction and the Lady of Death, I do believe...
Brother was certainly thoughtful to send you...
Thank you.
Still, three aerial warships... That's a bit much for a show of force.
With all due respect, the attack on Your Eminence
poses a serious challenge to the Vatican.
It's only proper that the full might of the Dept. Of Inquisition be used.
As we already have a good idea where the vampire is hiding out,
we will commence our operation at once.
Where did you get this information?
I'm afraid I cannot answer that.
Naturally, Your Eminence's safety is top priority.
Please wait in the embassy for a while.
That was quick, Radu. Didn't thou remember to add sugar?
Thy tastes are-
You're-
Filthy Terran!
Freeze.
You okay, Ion?!
Never mind me, Radu!
Talks with the Vatican have broken down!
This is their answer!
Yes, it would seem so.
Drop the knife, please.
Father...
You her accomplice?!
I am not here to arrest you. Go o.
You disobeyed orders, Esther-san.
I-I only...
...wanted to help you, Father...
Selfish assistance is a real nuisance. Keep that in mind from now on.
I will.
My apologies.
You're noblemen of the Empire, yes?
I'm Abel Nightroad, a member of a special branch of the Holy Office.
My superior, Cardinal Caterina Sforza, has sent me to protect you.
Protect?!
I am Ion Fortuna of the New Human Empire,
Childe of Moldova and Count of Memphis.
I've come to deliver an imperial decree.
I am the Baron of Luxor, Radu Barvon. An Imperial investigator.
Imperial decree?
So I take it you're here
to meet my superior at the negotiating table?
Yes, that was the idea. But I cannot trust ye after all!
Ye fired upon me last night, and today ye bargeth in here!
No, no, that was a mistake on our part... You see-
Look out! Get down!
W-what was that?!
- It's the Department of Inquisition! - The Department of Inquisition?!
No, Esther-san! It's bright daylight outside!
The windows are shaded! There is no need to worry!
Though, if we take a single step outside dressed like this...
...this sunlight will burn us to death immediately.
Is there any way out of here that's away from sunlight?!
The underground waterway leads to a coastal cave.
There's an escape boat ready there.
No, Radu! We cannot trust them!
Your Lordship! I swear that we-
Silence! Terrans are all the same!
They spout lies, then strike at us when our guard is down!
Ion!
Do this, then. I will trust in them, and you will trust in me.
Do as you like.
Then you two escape at once.
Sister Esther here will take you to Cardinal Sforza.
Eh?! M-me?! What about you?!
I'm going to hold back the Dept. Of Inquisition.
All by yourself, Father?!
I'll buy as much time as I can. You keep them safe.
Understood! Please be careful too, Father!
Priest! What are you doing here?!
Uhh, I was just thinking about taking a swim!
Would you like to join me?
You do realize we are the Department of Inquisition?
Oh, really?!
Thanks for working hard on such a nice day as today!
- Seize him! - Understood!
- Bastard! - Stay still!
Wait, Deputy!
Chief!
Despite his appearance, he is a dispatch executor.
Leave this to me. You go search the premises.
Yes, sir...
Your name, please.
I'm Abel Nightroad, of the Holy Office.
And who might you be?
I am Petros, head of the Department of Inquisition.
Some call me Brother Petros, the Knight of Destruction.
At present, I am searching for the one responsible
for the attack on Cardinal Sforza.
As a member of the Vatican, you'd be wise to assist in our holy duty.
- No thanks. - What?
Unfortunately, I, too, am searching for the one responsible.
I ask that you butt out of this.
Then you insist on deliberately standing in our way?
The Lord guides me, and my sword accompanies me!
As such, by the Lord's help, I shall be victorious!
If you insist on obstructing my divine duty, then I have no choice
but to walk over your corpse! Prepare yourself, dispatch executor!
I thank you, Nightroad or whatever.
I've always wanted to butt heads with one of you dispatch executors!
Now! Seize him!
Halt!
This is a divine duel between just the two of us!
No one is to lay a finger on him!
Umm, I appreciate you being fair, but could we call it quits now?
There'd be no fun in getting injured over something like this...
- Frightened, Nightroad?! - Eh?
- Enough talk! Have at you! - Eh?!
Prepare to die!
Curse you, Nightroad!
Hold on, now! Let's stop this already!
Quit scampering away and fight me fairly!
Tovaras! Does your wound hurt?!
I'm all right. Let's hurry ahead.
Will Father Nightroad be all right?
T-this guy is insane!
Oh no!
- You did it! - Well done, sir!
Yes.
He couldn't have survived that fall.
What a reckless fool, taking on the chief like that!
That's enough!
He, too, lived for God and the Church.
Forgiving his actions and praying for his soul after battle
is the very duty of those who serve God.
Now then, everyone! Resume the search!
Hunt down the accursed vampire that attacked the cardinal!
I know this will not remain forever
However, it's beautiful
Your eyes, hands, and your warm smile
They're my treasure
It's hard to forget
I wish there was a solution
Don't spend your time in confusion
I'll turn back now and spread
My broken wings- still strong enough to cross the ocean with
My broken wings- how far should I go drifting in the wind
Higher and higher in the light (My broken wings)
Still strong enough to cross the ocean with
My broken wings- how far should I go drifting in the wind
Across the sky, just keep on flying
(What's falling from the sky is not rain... )
Next time- Episode 13: The Ibelis II. "Betrayal Blaze"
Let thine eyes be not diverted.