Mabel Kiara.
Though the name was only similar, based on what Kischur had said about her being a "natural saint," Avia could only guess that the prophesied savior—Sessyoin Kiara—had somehow descended more than a thousand years ahead of schedule.
But judging from what the Magus Marshal said, Avia could now make sense of the mystery that had troubled him for so long: why had the Church started to rot from the year 300 AD onward? Most likely, it was due to that "abnormal saint," Kiara.
"Sorry for going on about all that unrelated nonsense," Kischur said.
Still, he smiled brightly as he continued:
"Anyway, after I was defeated a century ago, the only future nodes I could observe were the year 419 AD and a vague reference to Britannia. All other nodes vanished entirely. Lord Avia, to be honest, I can't say for certain that you're the one, but since you're the one chosen by Altrouge, then perhaps you are the will of the planet at this point in time."
Altrouge silently stared at the Magus Marshal before casting a suspicious glance at Avia. She clearly didn't see any logical connection between her personal choice and the will of the planet.
But Avia understood. In Tsukihime R, it had already been made clear: only when Altrouge and the twelfth-century-born Arcueid resolved their rivalry could the victor be crowned the true "ONE"—the Ultimate One of Earth.
After all, a half-blood between a True Ancestor and a Dead Apostle was still, in some sense, a creation of the planet.
"Well, whether I am or not doesn't matter. I was planning to strike at the Church anyway," Avia said without hesitation, as if he'd long made up his mind.
"Hahaha! That's great. In that case, I'll be off. If Mabel catches me, it won't be pretty—I'll be drained dry…"
Just as he had arrived with the sound of his voice, he now departed with it as well.
Once the energetic white-haired old man had left, Avia and Altrouge fell into a long, silent stare.
What should have lasted a few seconds stretched into four or five minutes with no end in sight.
The white magical hound lay sprawled on the ground, seemingly sapped of energy—clearly dispirited by its master's earlier indifference.
The black-haired girl radiated an aura of mystery that made her seem difficult to approach. Her presence alone made her feel out of place in any setting, like a foreign object.
To be honest, even though Avia knew the Princess's appearance and body were those of a fourteen-year-old, he couldn't help but feel like he'd seen far too much already.
Knock knock knock.
There was a knock at the door—someone was coming.
With a cold sigh, Altrouge stood up, glanced at Fou without a word, and the white magical dog leapt up to open the door without needing to be told.
"Princess, we have a problem—we've been exposed."
The man with blond hair stood before them, breathless and with a strange twitch to the corners of his eyes. Only then did Avia recall—wasn't this the Dead Apostle they'd met in the labyrinth? The one who claimed to survive by buying blood from hospitals?
But judging by his familiarity with the Black Princess, he could only be that White Knight. The Crimson Moon had the Black and White Winged Lords; the Black Princess had her Black and White Knights.
And just as Avia suspected—
"What happened, Vlad? Why were we exposed? Haven't we been hidden well these past few years? And there haven't been any signs of the Church's presence either."
Altrouge's voice was calm. Perhaps because she had already introduced the unconscious Avia earlier, the White Knight didn't seem surprised by the human in his master's quarters.
"Well, a member of the Royal Guard—a Dead Apostle currently surviving by begging—happened to receive alms from the Church today. But due to having gone without blood for too long, he lost control and vomited all over the Church cleric. He was forcibly detained for a physical examination, and, well…"
To be honest, the White Knight had never seen such an inexplicable incident in the disciplined Royal Guard. It felt like they'd been cursed or something.
"No blood? I thought they used animals… I see." Altrouge's usually indifferent expression finally showed a frown. "Has the Church already sent people to capture us? Tell everyone to evacuate, now."
"That's just it—they haven't. The Dead Apostle has already been released," Vlad replied, shaking his head. "The cardinal of the Constantinople Cathedral who's been confronting Rizovol said they wouldn't hunt us down and has given permission for us to leave. They just hope that before leaving the Eastern Roman territory, you, my lady, will agree to a meeting."
Rizovol Sturlut—the Black Knight—one of the oldest of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors and a guardian of the Black Princess.
The White Knight continued, "Though the cardinal's words sounded nice, both I and Rizovol believe that under no circumstances should you appear before those people. It would be best to relocate and lie low to avoid the Church's blade."
Clearly, what Vlad said was the most rational plan.
However, Altrouge glanced around the furnishings of her room and shook her head.
"Have the Guard withdraw from the city. As for that cardinal, tell him I'll attend the meeting."
"But, my lady…"
"No buts."
"...Understood. Rizovol and I will do everything in our power to protect you."
After Vlad left, the Princess had the white magical hound perch on her shoulder. Then, turning to the long-silent Avia, she said:
"Kischur says you're important. I personally don't care… but if you really can stand against the Church, I'll try to protect you as much as I can. So—are you coming with me?"
"If the Princess could be a little gentler with me, maybe I'd follow willingly," Avia teased, lifting his spear and smiling at the white magical hound playfully baring its teeth from her shoulder.
"Is that so? I'll keep it in mind as reference. I'll try to be a little gentler with you, human."
There wasn't a single trace of gentleness in her voice—only her usual coldness.
But she didn't seem to care how Avia responded and simply began walking toward the door.
"..."
Just as she reached the doorway, the black-haired girl suddenly seemed to recall something and stopped. Then she turned back.
"I'm leaving now, so you'd better keep up, Avia."
She said it as naturally as anything else.