POV: Darius

"Urgh, I'm here again?"

"Doctor! He's awake!", I hear one of the nurses screaming.

"Quick, fetch a rope before he runs off again!"

Doc, keep such jokes to yourself.

"Could you stop shouting? My head hurts already enough!"

The doctor comes over and performs a quick check-up, "how are you feeling?"

"As I said my head hurts a lot. What happened this time?"

"I was hoping you could tell me, Darius. You've been out for a whole day. Well, a few hours more than that, it is evening right now and you were brought here around noon."

Did I really run into a vampire progenitor there or was that just a bad dream? Please be the latter. We're in no shape to deal with such a legendary creature. Especially if my suspicion is true and Therese has betrayed us...

No, that was clearly a dream. There's no way I would be alive after a hostile vampire bites me. That's simply not possible.

"Did the one that brought me here not say anything?"

"Nothing in particular. Though among them was the silver one, Jared. He said he had something to talk to you about."

Wait, so it wasn't a dream? ...what is going on here?

"When will I be released?"

"I'd like to keep you for another week here but knowing you you'll disappear on me if I take my eyes off of you."

The last time I ignored his orders I almost died, I should really do what he says for once.

"...I promise I'll stay put AFTER I take care of a thing or two, doc."

"*sigh* You're impossible, you know that? At least stay in bed for today and when you leave on your trip take some escorts with you - and not the duty derelict kind from yesterday!"

"Yeah, I'll do that. Thanks."

"I swear... each and every time you're here you make me question my oath", he shakes his head and leaves.

The next day around noon I get visited by some of my men. I again order them to accompany me. After I discharge myself to the nurse's chagrin we make our way to the vault.

Despite everything, I have a plan to deal with the progenitor. I've spent most of the time I was awake thinking about my options and this is the only one I can see. Though I don't like the consequences of that plan either. But given what I have to deal with it is still the lesser of two evils.

"Darius?", Marc greets me in the vault, "I thought you're still getting treatment in the medical center?"

"I am, well, I'll go back there later. I just must deal with something important first."

"Can't you leave that to Therese?"

Even if she wasn't potentially a traitor this is a burden I have to bear myself.

"No, that is too important to leave to anyone else. I must do that personally."

"Alright, so what can I help you with?"

"I need a specific artifact from the vault - can you give me the inventory list so I can check where it is?"

The redhead scratches his beard, "uh, sure. I hope you've prepared the paperwork for the retrieval of such a high-class item?"

"...I'll do that once I'm properly discharged by the doc."

"Darius, whatever will we do with you... I guess it is that important?"

"Yeah, it is. No way around it."

"Fine, whatever. Just make sure you actually finish the paperwork this time. Let's see... here's the list."

"Thanks. So it is... in that section."

"What are you looking for... wait, that thing?"

"Exactly. The banishment crystal."

"I haven't heard of a big undefeatable monster appearing - what do you intend to use it on?"

I can't tell you that old friend. Your lips are even looser than mine and I can't risk the target getting advance warning or panic breaking out, "sorry, Marc, but that is above your paygrade."

"That's... I hope you know what you're doing."

"So do I."

Marc leads me to the indicated item and confirms that I've retrieved it, "there you go. Now don't do anything dumb with it. This is the last charge it has. The other two charges supposedly got our people through some pretty nasty situations in the past. Whatever you plan to do with it, make it count."

"That is the plan."

Is this really the right thing to do? I'm making our problem someone else's problem instead. They don't deserve it but I've no other option if I want to save my people...

If God wasn't ok with me doing that he wouldn't have left the crystal with us. And there's always the chance the target world isn't even populated in the first place.

I've no one I can talk with about this, have I? Therese seems to be compromised. Maggy would probably hate me for condemning other people. Most others wouldn't dare to go against my judgment no matter how wrong I am, I need better advisors...

Maybe god will listen... Therese said he doesn't respond to us anymore but if she deceived me about the vampire who is to say if this is true either... I guess there's no better opportunity to confirm it than now.

I leave the vault and return to my escorts, "now, then men... wait where did everyone go?"

Didn't I tell them to wait? We really need to work on discipline here. Well, fine, no matter, I can go alone if I have to.

The walk to the church is uneventful. Despite everything going on the atmosphere in the fortress still feels the same as before. Seems like no one else knows of the terror of a progenitor lurking among us. That is fine by me, I'll happily forgo any event of mass panic.

At the church I'm welcomed by a surprised nun, most people know who I am but I'm a rare visitor here. Forget rare, I never go to visit here unless I have to. Way too busy with my job.

The nun accompanies me to the altar to pray.

I kneel down and try to pray for forgiveness for what I'm about to do. I've made up my mind; I will not ask for permission, I have made my decision and I will not ask anyone else to take responsibility for it. I just want to ask for those that will suffer from my decision to be granted the mercy I was denied. God, if you're still listening I beg of you to look after them.

I didn't get a response last time I prayed here either but that is a different reaction... I've no idea what that message means exactly but at least it lends credibility to what Therese has said about us being abandoned.

The nun asks me, "did you find the answer you were looking for?"

"No, well, I got as much of an answer as I expected. Actually, I got a strange message. No idea what to make of it."

"I was afraid of that. It has been that way for quite some time now. I apologize, I should've warned you."

"It is fine. I know that it is outside your control and you didn't do it on purpose. God works in mysterious ways, as they always say."

If he still works for us that is...

"I'm grateful for your understanding."

Hmm... maybe one of the head priests is in and can say something about the other rumor.

"I would have some business with the head priest, I'd like to speak with him. Is he available?"

"I'm afraid not. Would you like to make an appointment for some other time with him?"

"Yes, please."

"Then if you'll excuse me for a moment, I have to check when he's next available. It won't take too long."

"Sure, I'll wait here."

With that, the nun leaves me alone to my thoughts.

I still have doubts that my plan is the right thing to do but I know no alternatives. I have the choice between guaranteed doom for my people and possibly condemning people I don't know. In the best case, that other plane is just not inhabited.

It doesn't matter how often I repeat all of those excuses to myself I'm still about to do something I can't forgive myself for.

I'd happily give my own life if it meant getting rid of that monster but I'm no match for such an ancient evil. Even the youngest progenitor should be over 2500 years old at this point if the legends have even the faintest trace of truth to them. Even if he was the greatest slacker in the world there's no way he isn't strong enough by now to overpower everything we can throw at him and then some... at best we can drive a progenitor off by boring it to death...

Moments later a different nun approaches me, a quite a bit younger one, "commander Darius?"

"Yes, that's me. Say, do I know you? You seem quite familiar."

"I don't think so but you may know me because I've...  been chosen as the 'Holy Maiden'. I'm Lucia, nice to meet you."

My big brother's...? No, that's meaningless thanks to the nobles. Poor child...

"No, the pleasure is all mine. How can I help you? I'm just waiting for the other sister to get me an appointment, until then I'm free."

"Yeah about that. Sister Elaya has gotten held up so I'm here to deliver the requested information. The high priest would be available on the third day from now at 1400, is that ok with you?"

"If that is the earliest he has time for me then I'll have to be satisfied with it. Thanks."

"I'll pass that along then."

Lucia seems to wait for me to either say something or leave, "is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Maybe. Does your church still offer council? This old man... needs someone to talk to."

"Sure, I can do that. Please follow me then, I think the room of spiritual stride would be better suited for such a discussion."

"Fine by me."

We go to one of the rooms further in the building. Lucia knocks but no one answers, "looks to be free now. Come in."

The room seems unchanged from when I was last here years ago. It is still brightly lit and has a wooden statue of their patron saint welcoming people with open arms. At least they spare me the appalling wine the head priest offered me back then.

We sit down and Lucia starts the session, "now what issue can I help you with?"

"I'm not sure how to begin with that. By military regulations, I'm not even allowed to talk about it  with anyone that isn't already in the know but that is something I need to get off my chest if that is fine with you."

"Sure, I understand. Don't worry, anything that happens in here is treated confidentially. I'll take it with me to the grave if I must."

"Thanks. So, I'll have to use a banishment crystal on an ancient evil soon. This is a monster humanity can't defeat as we're now. Oh, sorry, are you familiar with that particular artifact?"

"Yeah, I've read about it. So what's the problem then?"

"I'm making our problem the problem of a lot of innocents, condemning them to most likely a painful death."

"I'll repeat myself: so what's the problem?"

What is this girl saying? Countless innocents will die by my action!

She continues, "if god didn't want you to do this he wouldn't have left the artifact in your charge, right? If it wasn't in his grand plan he wouldn't have given us such a tool."

This is the same excuse I made up for myself but it still feels wrong...

"No, Lucia, I make that decision, I bear the sin; I will not push the responsibility for it on god, he has already enough on his plate."

"Still you should put more trust in him! If God is as good as the scripts claim then the artifact will not dump the monster on some defenseless innocents. I'm certain the target world is either not populated or at least capable of dealing with it better than we are."

"Is that truly what you believe?"

She hesitates, "...yes. I don't know if God has planned for everything but at least in this case, I'm certain everything will be fine. No more innocents will come to harm than he intends to."

This is a dangerous way of thinking. I'm not comfortable with leaving it to something like fate or a divine plan like this but do I really have a choice? I think I don't.

"Thanks. I think my path is clear now."

"Glad to help", she smiles so brightly I wouldn't be surprised if that would melt undead like the sun.

"I think that is all for today."

"Sure, then let me escort you back outside."

We go back outside and she wishes me farewell.

Initially, I planned to go back to the clinic now but there is something else I need to figure out. I go back to my office. Luckily Therese is out today.

I check the personnel files. The vampire is in Chloe's group and her dungeon schedule is... tomorrow around noon. Already tomorrow? Suspicious timing. Is that a final sign from above? No matter, tomorrow everything will be decided.

What happens if I should fail... I don't want to find out. I MUST succeed. I just must. Any alternative outcome is unacceptable.

I'll execute my plan tomorrow and then... let the people judge me for it. If they so wish I'll retire or...

---

POV: Eva

Congratulations, Gzeph. This time you've done it...

"Hey, Eva", Vladalaja greets me as she enters my little office.

She's been recalled prematurely because her boss is now suspended at the very least and someone has to take over Gzeph's work.

"Hey, V. What can I do for you?"

"I honestly don't know. I was just recalled but no one has told me what is going on. I only know that my direct boss Gzeph has done... something and is now in custody, his boss is in the hospital and his replacement is currently in an urgent meeting."

"Oh yeah, there... was a lot of trouble. Gzeph has punched his boss in the face, deservedly if I may add, messed with some critical configurations and allegedly sabotaged some other things. Now we have a full-on investigation on our ass."

Seriously, why did I report on Gzeph... I just wanted to get him to stop overworking himself to death and now... we have this mess on our hands... I really didn't think this through, did I?

"Ok, slow down. What did Alex do exactly to deserve that?"

"He somehow managed to get the big bosses to shut down the main transmigration machine. Of course without any plans for a replacement routine or anything. 'Coincidentally' that was on the same day Gzeph finally found a volunteer for his little pet project. He was not... ideal but given the circumstances the only one we could send. Seriously, I wouldn't blame anyone that told me that boss jerk was working for the enemy. All of his 'little' incidences are too much for mere incompetence."

"That is... quite a bit to take in."

She has to digest the info for a moment, "okay, and what is that about sabotage Gzeph has supposedly committed?"

"I'm not privy to the full extent of the accusation. The only thing I know for certain is that he has changed something with the compatibility filter config. That much he has already admitted."

"Just a changed filter shouldn't warrant that much chaos. Do you think someone is trying to frame him?"

"Quite possible. Though he isn't exactly the most law-abiding person, I'm certain that he is still doing what he thinks is best for the greater good."

"Yeah, that sounds about right. Say, Eva, do you have any idea how his plan is progressing despite... Alex?"

"Gzeph said it is better to assume the main plan has already failed."

"Before or after passing out from overwork?"

"Inbetween."

"*sigh* right, do you think he'll learn his lesson this time and starts relying more on other people?"

"I'm not seeing any flying pigs, so no. That is if he gets out of this in one piece."

"Figures."

"Gzeph has given me a quick rundown on what his alternate plan is. But given my position, I can barely help with that. And his suspension cuts us off from several important pieces. Would you be willing to help as well? I assume you'll be temporarily tasked to fill in his job so you should have access to most of the critical infrastructure."

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I trusted him but hearing that he supposedly sabotaged everything... I need to hear the accusations and his side of the story first. If he should really be guilty I don't think I could trust what plan he has come up with, sorry."

"No, that is totally fair. We can continue that discussion once you've made up your mind, right?"

V nods and leaves the room.