Miss Appraiser And Satan's Gallery
Chapter Five Season 2: Hollow Saint

Over the next few days, Riz and John examine the paintings and sculptures in the painting studio and church.

However, they were unable to find any suspicious distorted paintings. The demon that killed Petron was also nowhere to be seen from that night.

Riz and John are on their way back after sneaking into the storage building next to the studio at midnight to check out the paintings stored there. John muttered with a complicated look, "Should we return to the capital for now?".

“We can't go back yet. We haven't found anything, either the distorted painting, the devil, or the contractor. "

Riz looked at John, who was guiding his hand, and shook his head.

“However, it will be difficult to stay here any longer. Because we had the support of the Milton family, no one said anything on the surface, but even the priests began to suspect whether or not we came here for a different purpose. "

"That's right."

He didn't think it would be this difficult.

They only needed that demon — if he could find the distorted painting where the demon lived then everything would be resolved. It's easy to say that and the reality is different. Because of their location within the church, their search time was limited. There were many people who came and went and there were many people who suspected them. Once they get one piece of information, they need more information. Riz's physical endurance was also a burden.

As long as there were still humans, their emotions would intersect with the number of people there, and like a spider web, a complicated relationship would be created. For Riz who is a lazy young lady locked away, this place is very confusing.

John stared at the night sky where the clear crescent moon was hovering.

"I'd like to ask you, just in case, but if we temporarily backtrack from the demon quest, are there any artists you'd like to bring back from the art gallery owner's point of view?"

Riz was confused to answer. His eyes unintentionally looked at his feet.

“... If we talk about painters who can draw interesting works if their expertise can slightly pursue their interest, then there is one.”

Julius's?

"Yes." Yeah."

Other artists were outraged because he gained a reputation outside of his expertise. It was indeed a big side for him, but Riz didn't think he was just that. However-.

Heart hurts. Right at this stage, he was not at the point where he wanted to urge him into the contract no matter what.

If he stayed long then he would only cause unnecessary chaos. That's not a good thing.

Riz knows that but his priority is John. He came here determined to be hated by others.

“Not because other artists have nothing to see. Each of their works has a sparkle somewhere. "

“But the seed potential is small?”

“Much smaller than new painter I already have in art gallery.”

"I saw."

As Riz willed his gaze from the ground, John muttered that in a tense voice.

That is if talent is something that can be gathered.

“Collected?”

“It's like making a flower basket. Although it did not look much when there was a single one, after collecting a hundred then it became beautiful. ”

Artistic talent collection?

Riz wondered if he might try to comfort her? That's an interesting expression. Riz smiled.

Right after that, he blinked. Artist collection.

Unbeknownst to him, he stopped moving.

Riz stared at the periodically placed bonfire. But his consciousness is elsewhere.

There are 16 religious paintings adorning the Room of Peace. Each has a motive based on the apostles that appear in the Bible. If someone is talking about the relationship between them then that is all. It's not like 16 pieces tell a single story or are designed to show the bigger picture if arranged correctly like a puzzle piece. Yet…

“Hey, I've heard this from Father Greco, but if you interpret the distorted painting in a broader sense then it could be a statue or a John?— hymn”

In the middle of his question, he realized that John was also standing still as if his attention was fixed on something.

"What's wrong?"

"There's a sweet smell from a while ago."

He looked around suspiciously.

“As fruity or cake scent?”

No, it seemed like John said it while shaking his head slightly.

It was the appearance of someone whose mind was not here, probably because he was concentrating on figuring out the source of the smell.

"For something that smells good to me ... Is this the smell of human blood?"

"Blood?"

Riz's face froze hearing that dangerous word.

It was about one past midnight, when the priests were sleeping. There was a bonfire burning around the church and studio to drive away the wolves, but this area was a bit far from the city on the plateau so the darkness was very deep.

"Miss, don't leave my side."

"Good."

Riz squeezed his hand. If they were like this, then he would not forget them even in the darkness.

John shows a little surprise and looks at their connected hands and Riz's face in turn, but he ends up smiling wryly.

Riz looked around while holding his hand firmly.

Do you know where that smell came from?

When she asked him this, the corners of his lips curved in irritation.

Unfortunately, I can't show it exactly.

Does the devil not have a good sense of smell? They are a bit like dogs.

“Right now, you're thinking of something disrespectful, aren't you?”

"Not everything."

“I will say this: it is a matter of terrain. The land has small hills and the city side is generally higher. Therefore, the wind direction is easily disturbed. "

John glared at him and pushed his glasses with his hands.

He was quite arrogant and it seemed like it was frustrating if he was deemed unable to do something. Previously, after he had judged the tea he brewed was terrifying, he immediately began to study it vigorously.

He has a sweet side. Riz moved forward while grinning at his inner thoughts.

But then there was the fragrant smell — no, the smell like raw iron that suddenly drifted. A light flashed on the edge of his vision at the same time.

“…? John, that building over there. "

His mouth was blocked half of his sentence by him and Riz stiffened.

"Shut up."

He half brings Riz closer to this building where small tools and figurines used to make sketches are placed. All the buildings connected to the studio were built somewhat similarly. They have a dome roof and one floor height. Both the ceiling and the walls are made of stone.

When they reached the walls of the building, they could see that a portion of the round stained glass windows had broken. The light comes out of there. John drew his face closer to the missing piece and peered inside.

For a moment he froze. Then he immediately retreated from the broken window and, as if nothing had happened, said with his eyes, "Now, let's go back to our room".

Riz also asked with his eyes, “Did you see anything suspicious?”. John shook his head indifferently as if to say, "Nothing in particular", and tried to pull Riz away. Coincidentally, all this time, he had still covered his mouth with his hands.

He was obviously trying to hide something. Riz pulled his hand from his mouth and returned to the stained glass window.

John immediately grabbed her arm in a panic to keep her away, but she was late. He saw what was happening inside. Riz murmured, “Ritual blood?”.

John again pressed his hand to Riz's mouth in a hasty motion.

It was an abnormal sight. The candles were arranged in a circle and, inside, there was a crowd of beautiful women around a large chair with strands of pearl layered and tied to the backrest.

The women only had a thin cloth wrapped around their genitals; they were basically naked. They looked like goddesses depicted in religious paintings. Sainthood is more pronounced than lust.

They draw blood from one part of their body. Looks like some of their flesh has been gouged out.

Beside them, there were men in red hats as if they were watchmen. These guys are studio artists. Drake and Director Knox were also there. Riz felt like he didn't see Julius.

The men were holding knives used to paint oil paints in their hands. His heart is pounding. It didn't look like a healthy meeting.

Riz peered through the stained glass window once again.

Drake picked one of the beautiful women and grabbed her arm. That is ******* red-headed, Ella.

Drake sat him in the pearl chair and a little over his chest— he attached the knife to the part of his flesh that had been gouged out. From there, red blood dripped like crushed fruit. Knox caught him with a silver cup.

Ella shivered and cried. It seemed like she was crying more out of fear than pain, yet she did not try to run away. He remained silent like he was trying to withstand some sort of ordeal.

She wiped her tears with one hand and, coincidentally, looked Riz in the eye. Riz rewinds his face from the stained glass window.

John pulls Riz's arm and tries to leave this place again.

However, he suddenly became stiff. As he changed the direction of his feet, he seemed to have lightly kicked a kind of small tool placed on the wall to throw away. As he kicked it, a kind of cylinder fell down with a honking sound.

"This is…"

What he kicked was a copper can lid.

With the lid open, small rock fragments flew out from within.

Riz ransacked his mind suddenly. It was a familiar copper can; he was sure this was in the painting studio, and it contained a painting tool. He saw something similar the other day.

He remembered! It was a can with herbal tea. Drake took it as a refresher and that one was smaller in size. If he remembers correctly, Drake says it was prepared by Navi.

This reminded him that, even in the painting studio, Navi seemed to be the one cleaning the medium-sized copper cans.

This is part of the statue that the devil broke.

John took a piece and said this in a soft voice.

“Not wrong. This is the part of the flute that the apostle statue holds. The olive pattern is identical. "

As Riz turned his gaze to the copper can on the ground—

"Mrs? What are you doing there?"

A cheerful voice, incompatible with the darkness of the night, echoed.

John and Riz turned around quickly.

There stood Navi with a curious expression and a lamp raised in one hand. The other hand holds a round basket with hard bread and is packed with small copper cans.

The boy looked at them strangely and then, as if consciousness was coming at him, he smiled.

“Oh, do you pray at night? But the wolves came out around this time so dangerous— "

Riz hurriedly stuck an index finger into his mouth while covering his mouth. John reprimanded him at the same time with a soft voice, “Diam”.

But it seems too late. Navi's voice was heard all the way to the inside of the building as it suddenly became noisy.

Drake and the others run out before Riz and John can escape.

“Mistress... Why are you here !?”

Drake asked this in panic. Then, seemingly realizing he was still holding a blood-stained blade, he immediately dropped it.

John looked at her and moved Riz to stand behind her.

“Riz, reverse.”

Drake realized John was wary of them so he waved both hands.

“M-Mister, you misunderstood. We are performing a sacred ritual. "

"Bloody rituals are sacred?"

John continues to stare at Drake and the others without lowering his guard and, with one hand, signs Riz to "escape". Slowly Riz retreated as instructed, trying not to stimulate the artists. The sight of Drake pressing a knife into Ella's wound burned his eye.

He doesn't know what they're going to do now.

“We only imitate the Last Supper in the Bible! Our blood is wine and our flesh is bread! "

Drake pleaded to them with a heart-wrenching look, and the others nodded with faces of despair. John did not let go of his vigilance and cornered them in a cold tone.

"I saw. So you offered the blood and flesh of these women to the false god who gave 'miracle' to your painting. "

Everyone looked at John. Riz included. False gods? Who is he pointing at?

“T-they are not false gods..!”

“What else should I call a demon pretending to be a god to get blood and flesh?”

Saying that, John slowly directed his gaze to "her".

Right, Navi?

"Hah-huh!?"

Navi was blown away when her name suddenly. Riz was shocked too. Fake navi?

“There's the smell of blood from your mouth. You've drunk the blood of these women, haven't you? "

John grabs Navi's shocked head with one hand and pushes her down violently. Before the boy could return to himself and struggle, his left arm had been twisted. There was no doubt or affection in the act.

Navi's face wrinkled and she screamed horribly. A large amount of blood poured out from the rotated spot. Riz doesn't know what he saw. The conversation until now also flew from his mind. John raised his hand to the human body—

“What you have done to Saint Walham.”.

“Are you trying to defile a risen saint !?”

“A-what happened? He ripped his arm open with his bare hands! "

Drake and the others, who were shivering and freezing, shouted in a hoarse voice.

Riz repeated the word "Saint Walhalm" as he blankly reflected this unnatural sight in his eyes.

Why did Drake and the others see Navi and call her "Saint Walhalm"?

That's the name of the church. It was named after beekeeper Bille Walham.

—Navi is the resurrected Saint Walhalm?

John called it a fake. Sense gradually returned to him along with a sense of heat. John would not hurt a man without meaning.

In that case, Navi's real identity is ...

"Fuck."

Riz looked at Navi who was shouting and muttering this.

It must have been drowned by the screams of Drake and the others, but Navi suddenly stopped crying and turned around. There was no anger or fear on the boy's face. It seemed like he lost his soul and turned into a puppet.

From the twisted part of the arm was a black lump, blood dripping out. That lump is the face of a wolf.

“Saint Walhalm !?”

Drake raised his voice in surprise and fell in place like he lost all strength. The women, who timidly looked out of the building, opened their eyes wide and shouted one after another.

The skin on Navi's body broke like a crack in a pillar. The women screamed louder.

A bloodied wolf threw "the torn skin of Navi" and landed lightly on the ground.

The wolf glared at Riz and howled, "Devil befalls the perverse."

Then, glittering gleaming fangs covered in saliva, it leaped towards him.

Riz can't move. Although he was used to seeing strange things more than normal people thanks to John, it was not like he could fight with weapons.

As he stood there frozen, unable to even close his eyes, his vision was suddenly blocked by the black wall.

No, it's not a wall but black wings.

“Joh—“

His body became weightless. John quickly lifted Riz up and soared into the air, dodging the wolf attack. He retreated into the distance and lowered Riz.

Riz stared at the things growing on John —'s back on the black wings.

Liars. It wasn't four wings, it was two wings..No, when he took a closer look, there seemed to be two more wings like long tail feathers? He was confused to the point that he was trying to escape reality by thinking of something like this.

The wolf snarled and attacked them again. This time John did not escape; he turned his body nimbly and kicked the side of the wolf. Then, as the wolf leapt in the air and hit the ground, John dropped a nearby campfire on it. He grabbed one of the legs from the broken campfire basket and stabbed it through the head of the wolf trying to get up.

The wolf screamed and then disappeared. No more than a few seconds had passed since being attacked to completion. It was an aggressive attack to the point of beauty.

—Isn't John too strong?

John's lack of compassion, Navi's true identity, and Drake's rituals and others. Since he had witnessed shocking events in quick succession, he was extremely dazed. Only his heart beat until it exploded.

“This is familiar... Is the main body still hiding in the distorted painting?”

John cleaned his hands as if he had completed a single task.

"-DEMON!!"

Drake who was dazed like Riz, suddenly pointed at John and shouted.

John tilted his head at the accusation. It felt strange as if he said he saved Drake, so what did he do? Carefully Riz approached John and pointed his back in silence.

No matter how one looked at it, it was a demon wing. It's pitch-dark.

“... Oh, this? It's problematic. They appear unconsciously. "

John flapped his black wings and fixed the position of his glasses with a solemn expression. His wings disappeared quietly and it seemed like he was feeling a little disorganized.

Riz was about to call out to her but then he heard footsteps running here.

“What was that shout just now !?”

The one who looked out of breath was Julius. It seemed that he was working in a painting studio; his hands were holding a brush and he had an apron wrapped around his waist that was stained with paint.

He seemed to have noticed the screams of Drake and the others and quickly ran over.

However, how did they explain this chaotic situation? Riz is confused and suddenly sees Julius from top to bottom. Does he know about Navi's true identity? Or the…

“What does everyone— do?”

Drake raised his voice as if to cover up Julius' question.

“Everyone saw it too, right !? This demon killed Saint Walhalm! "

—What do they mean?

Of course, John is a demon and he kills the man they call "Walhalm", but he can't ignore Drake's way of saying that. Riz tries to get out but John stops him. He looked at Drake, crossed his arms, and then looked disappointed.

“You must know that it wasn't Walhalm, right? Of course, it was also not a boy named Navi. "

“A-what did you say when you killed that saint...!”.

“I understand your desire to push responsibility onto me. After all, the existence that you trusted and obeyed was actually an evil demon that used you. "

The expressions of Drake and the others became severe. But John did not stop.

“Satan has settled on the painting you all painted. It was supposed to mislead people and wreak disaster, but it has been misunderstood as the 'message of God' by devout believers. "

It is similar to interpreting a painting. Depending on the appraiser's consciousness, the painting could be a masterpiece or a waste.

“Thanks to the magic painting that told you in advance about the impending disaster, you can avoid it — that's what you all believe in. The devil uses that psychology. "

“John, rather than taking advantage.. wouldn't it be more like being stuck in adoration?”

When Riz accidentally interjected, John raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

“There are words written on my room door. I thought, isn't that a threat to worship him as a God? "

After Riz experiences the danger of falling down the statue, there is a threat to acknowledge the demon as a God if he wants to protect himself from disaster. That's why Riz didn't die.

It also gained strength, had made a contract with someone, and did not need to run from John anymore. Instead, didn't it think about killing the familiar John, destroying his desire for revenge, and then enslaving John?

“Ah, do you mean she lived decadently, feeling comfortable being adored by humans? How foolish. "

John chuckled and looked back at Drake and the others who were shivering.

“You said you imitated The Last Supper? Did you equate the flesh and blood of these women as bread and wine and peel them little by little? Do you hear the sweet whisper of what if you offered this sacrifice to God then you would be given revelation and given glory? ”

John, saying something too clearly isn't good.

Even so, Riz could not scold him for being curious about where he was going.

“However, the demon squeezed the flesh and blood gathered from these women as if it was really bread and stretched it, creating 'Navi'. It outlines plots such as the resurrection of Saint Walhalm, who delivered the great word of God. Aah, if more flesh and blood were sacrificed then it would probably settle an adult than a boy. If the foundation is human flesh and blood then it is not strange I do not pay attention to the smell. "

John showed a cruel smile that matched the devil's smile.

“That means all of you here have made a contract with the devil. No wonder his strength was growing. "

There was a loud thumping sound. The women who had been clinging were all sitting loudly on the floor.

"Mr. Drake and the others said that if we cooperate with their rituals then our living conditions will improve. ”

Ella muttered this with a voice that almost disappeared.

Julius, who was dumbfounded, threw his brush and ran towards him.

"The ceremony…!? Ella, what exactly are you doing? I got the impression you gave your body to them to get money to buy medicine— wait, you got hurt !? ”

Ella held onto Julius' outstretched arm and lowered her head.

“We give our blood to the devil, not a messenger? Julius, if I listen to what you say and stop— "

No, Drake yelled that he was wrong with a stiff face.

“Do not be fooled! The real demon was the man who came from the capital. Didn't he grow black wings? That's proof that he's contaminated! "

"That's right, the demon killed Navi .. It killed the resurrected Saint Walhalm."

Knox acted foolishly and agreed with Drake's words.

“Someone brought Fathers here !!”

“Keep this demon!”

Riz panicked to hear the words of the artists who did not accept the reality. Everyone was just in pain and felt like giving up all responsibility to John.

It was as if he would let them do as they wished! Riz grabbed John's arm and ran.

“Riz, if you run then your body will—“

“Now is not the time!”

First, they had to flee and then make a plan.

Behind them, Drake and the others shouted "Don't let them escape, chase them".

Riz could hear footsteps chasing them right after. An easy miracle did not happen and with just a little breath Riz started to choke.

Anger and frustration flooded in. He wanted to do something to this burdening body. Can't you at least let him run to the city on the plateau? Every day he crammed expensive drugs into his body, but did not improve at all. In that case, what can he do to satisfy this body and restore its health?

There's no hope. If this continues, they will soon follow.

“You're at your limit, aren't you? Stop."

"I'm alri—"

He began to cough in the middle of his answer.

This is why I told you not to run!

In the middle of the road, John rudely lifted her up. He checked the position of their pursuers and then ran into one of the buildings.

The smell of pigment pierced Riz's nose. This was the warehouse where the art supplies were placed; its appearance and structure were about the same as a painting studio. In the corner was a chair where the dress was hung.

It seemed like the women took off their clothes here and prepared for the ritual, so there was also one lamp placed here. Thanks to that, the interior of the room can look dimly lit.

John lowered Riz to the floor and knelt in front of him. Riz clung his hands to his chest while breathing hard. His head hurt a lot and even now his heart seems to be jumping out.

“You sweat a lot. You must not stay here and you must immediately rest your body. "

“... John, enough about me, go somewhere, safe.”

"What did you say?"

“I will, cheat them well.”

"Are you an idiot? You sacrificed yourself to save me? "

John spoke in a stiff voice.

“Please don't underestimate me. I can protect myself without you sacrificing yourself. I just need to kill everyone. "

"I don't intend to be a victim."

"… Stop talking. Let's lean in here. "

Riz borrowed John's arm and waited for the buzz in his ear to subside. He wanted to stand up immediately but his body did not want to listen to him. His eyes blurred and his consciousness turned like melted paint.

“It's okay, Riz. Breathe out slowly. "

Sweat drenched his forehead. He can't breathe. His body was expanding and there was a terrifying feeling that he was about to explode.

As he closed his eyes and endured the pain that invaded his body, he heard the voices of Drake and the others from outside the building. Some people approached. Daddy's! Right here!" “The devil kidnapped madam” “We have to exterminate it quickly—“. His mind was pushed forward because of their voice. At least he's got to get John moving. If he stays, he'll be found soon.

Riz tries to push John's arm, but does not move.

"John, go."

"... After all, I only need to be given to them so that, at least, your status will not be judged."

He shook his head and he stroked as if to calm him down.

Riz awakened his consciousness, which was almost engulfed in darkness, and desperately thought.

He didn't want to give John to anyone.

Besides, he didn't really plan on sacrificing himself.

Any choice will lead to unhappiness.

He doesn't want a future like that.

Riz will live as himself and John will live as “John Smith”. He would confine himself to an art gallery and immerse himself in the world of painting while occasionally being played around by his mother, Virma. He loved such joyless and peaceful days. He doesn't want to let go.

—So what can he do to protect those days?

Now that things were like this, they couldn't just capture the demon that killed Petron and hand it over to Greco.

He has to do something about Drake and other people trying to blame John. They will try to catch John at all costs to hide their own guilt.

—O 'God, he will continue to go to church in the future as well, apart from looking for a good man, so please let him move his body, even just one more hour is no problem.

“... John.”

“Do not talk. Wait here for a while. I'll chase away that annoying creature. ”

He grabbed John's sleeve as he tried to get up. He can't let her go. He felt he really intended to kill Drake and everyone. Contrary to his appearance, this demon turned out to be extremely extreme in some ways.

“Riz, you don't have to think about anything.”

“Tung..”.

As his hand gently removed, his dizziness became stronger and he was pushed forward like that, almost banging his head against the ground. It was like his head was pierced by countless needles.

“Can you disobey !?”

John hurriedly propped up Riz's body and leaned him against the wall behind him.

“Do not do anything and hide somewhere.”

“You're chatty, Mistress.”

“I, the master. Listen to what I'm saying. "

“Don't be arrogant for thinking you're the master. Get enough rest. Next time you open your mouth in vain, I'll pick you up and fly over it. "

The difference between his words, which were spat out, and his soft hands as he stroked his cheeks was extremely cruel.

“I, want you to stay, as an appraiser, 'John Smith'. I want to be with you, John. So, whatever happens.. ”.

“I told you not to open your mouth. Do you want to fly in the sky? ”

“If only John was my husband. I carved that desire in my heart over and over again. "

“-“

“If that is the case, then I'm sure you'll touch my cheeks every day, right? Every night, I can sleep while hearing good night— "

John's eyes widened and he pulled his hand back from Riz.

As he pressed his hand against the floor, so that the upper part of his body did not fall down, his fingertips touched something. It was a round container. There are similar shaped objects lined up.

A stinging smell floated around there. For a moment, he forgot his shortness of breath and stared at the container.

Is this.. paint?

There's a color on the lid. The one closest to her was red and next to her was blue. Outside is white. Riz blinked his eyes. There's a lot of paint placed there.

“—John.”

"How many times have I told you not to talk?"

John says this in a strong tone and backs off before Riz can catch him and stand up.

“I'll be back soon. Don't move and wait here— Riz, what's with those eyes. What are you trying to do? Although your breath is heavy, somehow your eyes are moving.. Wait, what is it? Cat?"

“Very rarely paint mixed with limewash and metal. The color is bright and opaque. "

Inspiration came down to him. The state of pain was still there but the energy returned to his body. It seems like God granted Riz's wish.

“Riz? Why do you open the lid. This is not the time to play around with paint — stop. Do not try to carry such heavy items. Put it down right now. "

Despite reprimanding him, John somehow took a step back with a frightened look, as if he had a bad feeling.

He is a vigilant devil.

“John, I have a request. Can you take out your wings for a second? ”

"What?"

"Please."

Riz smiled. He tries his best to make it quickly pass — smooth, so that he is not rejected.

He blinked, as if overwhelmed, and then materialized his wings with an extremely hesitant attitude.

“.... What do you want to do see my wings at this time?”

“Reverse... Yes, like that. That's good."

“What the fuck? I don't understand at all. Scary face. ”

“Do not worry, do not be afraid. It won't hurt. ”

What's not?

“Develop your wings more. Yeah, yeah, that's amazing, John. If possible, can you squat so far— ah, there. Keep that position and don't move. Make sure your wings are open. ”

After Riz made the restless John face forward and half crouched down, he lifted the container with all his might. This was the first time in his life he had lifted such a heavy object.

The color of the paint she held in both her hands was white.

“Riz — you cannot..”.

John said in a tense voice as if he was guessing something.

“Do not move, John.”

"Hey wait. Just a minute."

"I can't wait anymore."

“No, really, wait! Stop…!"

I want to defile you with my hands.

And with lots of white paint.

“RIZ! I will apologize for everything until now! So, please, don't it— !! ”

Riz did his act before he could turn around.

SPLOOSH. He forcibly dumped the pigment all over his black wings.

Joy filled his body. Oh no, it feels so good.

Unlike Riz who was lightened, John actually froze.

Angels succeeded.

“... Impossible... what has been... do...”.

One day he would like to paint John's current expression.

If he used one of his expressions then, yes, his eyes had less light compared to the head of the sheep that had just been decapitated.

Then Riz asks John, who is dead, to pick him up and head to the cathedral while keeping him from being found by Drake and the others.

Maybe it was because of doing a good job, or making a miracle from God happen, but his breathing became much better.

Their goal is the Room of Peace.

“It took a long time but I think I have found a distorted painting.”

“……”

“This must be a certain painting in the Room of Peace.”

“……”

“Symbol of blasphemy means it can be a letter as well. First of all, letters are variations of images. "

“……”

John did not respond.

His eyes are really dead.

Riz deliberately tried not to look back. Well, the white was conspicuous and entered his vision no matter what he did.

“Not the distorted paintings that hide among these 16 paintings, but the 16 paintings are all distorted paintings. It comes from your words, John. ”

"… Mine?"

He finally answered but his voice was low.

“You mentioned artist group. Also, Drake was and everyone made a contract with that demon. "

“And how about that? Aah...my wings are stiff.. ”.

Her voice was very dangerous but Riz pretended not to notice it.

“16 The painting forms the words grimoire.”

"Hows it? If you're wrong then I'll cover your whole body with paint.

“... That's one stanza from the grimoire. Ashiki koto ooi ni sakae yo, aoki uma yo hai to shi wo make. Evil thrives, pale horses scatter ashes and death. "

"Is that? Do you want me to give you paint now? "

“... The reeds swayed under the winter sky, a man and a woman stood under an apple tree, a girl played a harp, the apostles spoke under a tent, workers carrying heavy luggage, a red-headed flower girl walking up a hill and a flock of swans, people suffering from plague, blessing angels descending on the window sill at night, the, animals gathered around the blue spring, a saint and an old woman stood beside the pear tree, horses ran through the fields, monks illuminated the darkness, ashes falling on the ruins, and a, a city whose doors were closed and afraid of disaster, foreign merchants who sold salt, and farmers sowed seeds in the fields. "

“Ooh? In other words, you also want to cover Julius and his artists with paint? ”

“... John, do you know about homonymous images?”

"Homonymous picture?"

“For example, a simple explanation would be 'naked' and 'bear' or 'spruce' and 'fur'... basically images that can replace each other like that.”.

John turned his gaze to the 16 paintings.

“Ashiki koto ooi ni sakae yo. 'Ashi' is a reed. 'Ki' is a tree on an apple tree. 'Koto' is a harp. 'Ooi' is the tent cover. 'Ni' is the suitcase. "

What should be noted in the picture Julius is neither the red-headed flower girl nor the goose. Things to see are hills, “saka”.

"E" is an epidemic. "Yo" is night. Like this, it will be “sakae yo”.

There are also literal paintings. Blue spring pictures, horse pictures, and ash pictures.

"Shi wo" is salt, and this is an easy-to-understand symbol. In the Bible, salt means death. The Dead Sea in the holy land has a lot of salt content and there are no living creatures there. That's where the association came from. There are actually many religious paintings depicting the salt city.

The last sentence, “make”, is a painting of farmers sowing seeds.

“Homonymous images have long been used by people who cannot read or write. They use pictures, not words. ”

Riz pointed to the swan painting.

“The paintings that adorn this Chamber of Peace happen to line up in order of grimoire phrases. Clockwise— Ashiki koto ooi ni sakae yo, aoki uma yo hai to shi wo make. Evil thrives, pale horses scatter ashes and death. "

It happened when he said all that.

“- !!”

The girl, the angel, and the animal in the painting glared at Riz hatefully. Ash fell, the farm withered, and the old woman screamed and clawed her hair. The plague struck violently, the harp let out a discordant sound, the apple withered, the pear exploded with insects, and the spring became muddy. The horses neighed, spitting flew, and foreign merchants became skeletons. Then the light from the monks disappeared and they cast a curse. "Death comes" they said in a flat voice.

“Aah, that's you. Not wrong anymore. The devil killed Petron. "

John whispers.

“I want to meet you.”

The monks inside the painting rolled their eyes back to their heads.

Then there were eyes like peeled grapes. It was wet and blood vessels flowed through it ...

“No matter why you killed him. There is no meaning behind the devil killing people. "

John suddenly changed completely from before and showed a calm expression.

“However, that useless old man was my foster father. He carefully mashed manners at me, gave me knowledge, and made me drink disgusting soup. What are you going to do about how I can't drink that old man's disgusting soup anymore? "

Riz's eyes widened at John's words. His whole body is paralyzed. It seems like he received divine revelation and he understands the truth now.

Right now, he was looking at John's heart.

There must be love and sadness.

“—Because, right now, I am in an unprecedented horrible mood. Poor you. ”

John looked at the bee demon, which was the size of a lion, who came out of the painting, and smiled with great pleasure.

Riz, while trembling, quietly averted his gaze.

John displays the brutal fight of being a demon, as he says.

It seems like a minute has not even passed.

As he stood there stiffly, there were alarming and painful screams with the sound of things tearing, dropping, throwing, and splattering. Finally, it became quiet.

“... Riz, it's over.”

He fearfully turned around and saw John standing there with a pocket watch in hand and a fresh expression on his face. He definitely did not see his white wings, which were stiff due to the dry paint.

“Did you kill him?”

“No, I tore it into small pieces and closed it in a watch. Ah, when the devil is on the verge of death, he can come back to life for as long as one bone remains. One day."

He had only heard disturbing words there but he probably intended to say it was successfully captured. He will take an optimistic view. For now, Riz was relieved.

If John kills him then they won't be able to hand him over to Greco.

He thought he was holding himself back well.

"If I take this thing to the capital, then the charges against me will be dropped and I will be able to continue to spend my life confined to you again."

"You're gonna be covered up with me?"

“Except me, who else can keep a dangerous woman who will splash paint on the devil?”

“You are right.. Yes, no one but you.”

“True? ...... Heavy wings. Didn't they harden because of the paint? If I don't wash it, I won't be able to pull it. "

Riz almost laughed out loud at John's solilokui which was filled with sadness.

As he desperately held her back, he saw many footsteps approaching them.

That's Drake and the priests.

—John did his best. Now, turn.

The stage was already set; she would display the acting skills she learned directly from her mother.

Riz took off his robe and pinched his cheek with all his might, making his eyes water.

John, who was sadly fiddling with his wings, looked at him in surprise.

"I saw the devil come in here."

"Pastor Mile, please remove that thing."

The voices of those people were heard and then, after that, the door of the Peace Room was opened.

“That's it, the devil !!”

Drake shouted in excitement. Those gathered were Drake, Knox, and the artists who participated in the ritual earlier. Then there were some priests, including Mile. Everyone had a weapon or holy tool in their hands.

“Mistress, did you not get hurt—“

“Aah! Thank you very much, angel !! ”

Riz interrupted Drake, who was about to run, and stated this loudly.

He clasped both hands in front of his chest and, opening his eyes wide, floated down to kneel at John's feet.

“You protected me from the demons hiding in this church.”

“Riz, what's with that very monotonous voice.” John's desperate mutter was also cut off and Riz continued in a high voice.

Father, this angel saved Lord Drake and the others from the devil.

Huh!? The artists looked at each other and were very confused.

Even John, who was supposed to be his ally, sent them a puzzled look, as if to say "What's wrong with this woman?". He is a demon who does not understand.

“Oh no, terrible devil. Oh, I'm so scared. ”

Mile and the other priests walked over quickly as if they wanted to say "This is different from what we expected!".

“Please listen, Dad. This cunning devil turned into a boy named Navi to deceive us. However, this angel mercilessly tore off his arm and stab—. ”

“M-Madam, please wait, it's not true—“

This is the complete truth!

Riz sealed Drake's objection again and grabbed one of John's hands as he stood there dumbfounded. He pressed his hand against his cheek and directed his gaze at everyone.

“Isn't that true, Mr Drake and all? My words are not lies. ”

“-“

The artists are silent.

“Because of your 'holy painting', this angel appeared and destroyed the devil. There's no mistake, right? ”

They don't answer. They are confused as to whether they should take the "truth" he proposes or not.

Riz continued further.

“This church is protected by angels. Father Mile, you must be happy with that as well, huh? You definitely don't collect donations and tolerate the artist's rituals while slightly realizing that it's a 'false revelation', right? "

Mile panic.

"There's no dirty desire at all here, huh?"

“Nona Riz, a-what are you talking about?”

“Ah, I have a letter here from my brother, Daniel. Maybe I'll ask him to come from the capital— “

Mile relented. Really, Riz wonders what kind of relationship she has with her brother.

At that moment, he heard someone running.

“Mistress, are you safe !?”

The one who appeared was Julius, and he had a farming tool in his hand. It seems that he was in a hurry because he was worried about Riz and John.

“Huh, Mr. John, um— things behind you..”.

Covered in a tragic but brave air, Julius' gaze stopped on John's back and he became mute.

A brief silence happened to everyone.

“… ..I'm an angel.”

John said in a low voice, completely incompatible with angels. His voice contained only hatred and curses.

“Angel?… You !?”

John pushed his glasses up with his fingertips out of Julius' astonishment and spat them out hatefully.

“No matter how you look at me, I am an angel, right?”

No angel has such an evil face.

However, Julius was someone who could read the atmosphere. He looked quickly between Riz and John's faces and nodded awkwardly, “Uh, erm, yes, b-really, angel…? Alright". John gave up on his despair and spoke.

“I'm like a guardian angel Riz.”

“Don't say something like that.”

John forcefully raised Riz as he commented without thinking. He might just seem like a demon who came to kidnap a woman, not a guardian angel.

But angels and demons are the same as paintings. It changes depending on who sees it.

For Riz, John is the equivalent of an angel. Something like that.

John turned his clear gaze to everyone without mercy.

“I sealed the demons hidden in this church. Everyone here can clean up the rest by themselves. ”

The artists dropped their weapons.

The angels have no mercy.