MIDNIGHT PRINCE: Empire of Sin



"So, what do you want?"

『 Name: Oscar Rodriguez

Affiliation: Hunter Association/Vatican

Alias: none

Race: Human

Age: 38 』

『 Name: Susanne Brown

Affiliation: Hunter Association/Vatican

Alias: none

Race: Human

Age: 27 』

Sitting outside in a park with a beautiful clearing, Adam spoke coldly as he looked at the normal people walking around, jogging or simply having fun.

"Haha, sorry to disturb you."

Oscar gave a small laugh but Adam had no care for it. He could easily see how they were wary of him and it was the same for him.

This was one of the reasons why he had not invited them to his house.

In the supernatural world, the house was no different from a sanctuary and even if one did not create a ward, a natural ward would appear over time. This kind of ward was rather strong against supernatural creatures. But the moment you gave someone the permission to enter your house, the ward would never block that person again.

This was more apparent against Vampires who were unable to enter uninvited in a house.

Cecilia obviously did not just rely on the natural wards to protect the house and had many powerful ones but letting a hunter enter in the heart was no different from giving them an access key.

In the end, the one to speak was Susanne.

"Firstly, I would like to apologize. The first time we met each other, we had to hide our name and identity for security reasons. But now…We can say it. The both of us are part of the Hunter Association as well as the Vatican."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Silence pervaded for a while and in the end, Adam couldn't help but ask, "I am supposed to be impressed?"

It was a genuine question devoid of any desire to mock or insult them. She had revealed her identity with such grandiose flair that he wondered if he should have clapped or something.

"*Ahem* Sorry. Forget it."

She seemed so embarrassed that Adam couldn't help but chuckle. He could see why Viktor had been smitten by this woman. She was rather cute all things considered.

"Anyway, I am Susanne Brown and this is my partner Oscar Rodriguez, we have recently integrated the Vatican and you could say that we receive our first mission."

"I suppose that this mission is related to me?"

"Bingo."

Oscar snapped his finger in acquiescence and took out a letter from the inner pocket of his suit.

"This is an invention of the Saintess. She wishes to prepare a reward for those who helped during the events that day."

'The Saintess, huh.'

Adam remembered what happened on that day when the saintess summoned a field to protect them from all danger.

Her power aside, she was definitely a very interesting woman to speak to. It was rare to see people that were genuinely good in this whole dirty world.

"There will be a celebration during Christmas to pray for the soul of the departed but the Saintess expressed her wish to see you in advance. She also apologizes for not coming personally. But as the saintess, her position could rarely be free of surveillance."

'Hum…' Adam mused. The church was a mysterious place. The divine power it possessed could create a great deal of damage to the world.

Adam was thankfully not weak to divine power, unlike creatures like vampires or undead, and obviously…Demon.

Having a relationship with the church could be useful for the future. But the problem was about how close he could become and what the reaction would be once his secret was revealed.

"Okay, very well. What kind of reward though?"

"We are not privy but it will at least be a wish to the church or make them act in your place when needed."

'Hum…'

"Very well. Let's do it. What about Viktor and Natasha?"

"Vik already refused the reward as he considers that he did nothing. As for the woman named Natasha…I do not know how much you know about her. But her father refused the gift as well."

'Vik, heh? Seems like all they needed was a good sex section.'

He decided to keep those rather crass thoughts to himself and focused on the other information given.

Natasha's father was the Alpha of her wolf pack and also the leader of the company under their family name.

Why did he refuse?

'This seems rather interesting.'

"Very well, let's go."

"Huh. Right now?"

"There is a better moment than the present."

The two agents exchanged glances with each other before finally nodding.

"Thanks for accepting to follow us."

They came with the expectations of being once again chased away. So this feeling was pretty nice.

—--

[Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels — Los Angeles]

When Hae-Won pulled into the parking lot of the Cathedral, she walked out with her son following behind her.

She had given the excuse of going to buy more clothes for him and this had been more than enough.

"What is this place?"

"A place where we can talk with God."

"Ohhh?"

"The one Dad, I mean Father, talk about?"

Hae-Won gave a complicated smile, "A slightly different one."

She didn't know if it was too soon to talk about religion to her son. But she hoped to at least baptize him before her husband did so.

This was just a meager consolation on her part. But there was little she could do short of trying to flee with her son.

Sadly, she knew that such action would only end in her death.

When she finally reached the door and could see one of the nuns walking around, she stopped her.

"Hello, sister."

"Oh. Madam Kang. It has been a while since your last visit."

Hae-Won smiled. One of the advantages of being a big donator was being instantly recognized like this.

She nodded," I wonder if Bishop Eric is present? I would like to ask him something."

The nun gave a complicated smile but before she could answer, a young and melodious voice interrupted them.

"Ex-Bishop Eric had been sent back to the headquarter for the rekindling of his faith."

The moment Hae-Won heard this voice. She felt a sensation similar to what happened when Cinder spoke. Only even stronger.

It was like all her worries suddenly evaporated as if they had never existed in the first place. As if the world was alright and nothing bad could happen.

Turning in the direction of the voice, Hae-Won's eyes widened as her eyes landed on the young girl. It should have been someone ten or twenty years younger than her but the feeling of grace, maturity, and the benevolent smile on her face, made it seem like she was facing something almost otherworldly.

It was a beautiful young woman with long pinkish hair and pink crystalline eyes. Hae-Won wondered if such color was even possible but it seemed so natural on her it was hard to believe it was anything but.

"Hi! My name is Elysia."

Elysia crouched down and gently patted the head of Hae-Won's son. The poor boy seemed transfixed as he looked at Elysia with his mouth open wide.

"You are very beautiful."

"Fufufu. Thanks for the compliment and you are a very handsome fellow as well."

She smiled even more brightly at the proud expression on the boy's face and stood up to face Hae-Won.

"In place of the Bishop, I will take care of all ceremonies. How may we help you?"

Hae-Won fidgeted a little. "I wish to baptize my son. Is it possible?"

Elysia's smile never left her face, "The love of God is endless and we will always accept new brothers and sisters."

It was only after turning around and motioning them to follow her that the smile vanished from her face.

'Did you feel it?'

[There is no way I would not feel it. The boy has a Sacred body. He could become a Saint and house a celestial entity in his body.]

Elysia nodded. She had been so surprised when she felt the power from the body of that boy.

The only problem was that this was not a Natural sacred body but rather an artificial one.

The creation of a child with a sacred body needed a great power of faith and many important rituals as well as material filled with faith.

It wasn't the kind of thing a small religious group could afford to do.

What the hell was going on?