Reborn with my killer's looks-Chapter 41: Lies are told for a reason

Sister Jewel nodded. "The archives are yours to access. The Trinity will escort you."

The Blue Reaper inclined his head. "Thank you."

As the four of them moved toward the corridor leading down to the archives, Vice-Magister Idris caught Strategos Zelda’s arm.

"Keep an eye on him," Idris said quietly.

Zelda’s green eyes gleamed with amusement. "Oh, I intend to."

The archives beneath St. Helena Cathedral were vast and ancient.

Stone corridors stretched into the darkness, lit by floating lights that drifted like lazy fireflies.

Shelves upon shelves of leather-bound tomes and sealed records climbed toward the ceilings, their spines marked with faded gold lettering.

The air smelled of incense and old paper.

Calvin led the way, his new watch strapped to his wrist.

Luna walked beside him, and Josephine brought up the rear, her hand resting on her rosary.

The Blue Reaper trailed behind in silence.

"I know what the seventh seal is," he thought.

Casted by the Prime Twelve, a binding that sealed the Diavolo; the strongest variants to ever exist a thousand years ago.

"But I’m not here for that."

They reached a reading chamber lined with manuscripts and diagrams.

"This section contains everything we have on the seventh seal," Luna said, gesturing to a shelf. "Historical accounts, theological interpretations and the symbol analysis."

"Thank you." The Blue Reaper scanned the room. "I’ll need some time alone to review this, you guys go check the other section of the archives."

Josephine frowned. "We can help"

"That won’t be necessary or is it that you just don’t trust me."

The question hung in the air.

Calvin exchanged a glance with Luna. "We’ll be just over there if you need anything."

The Trinity stepped into another section of the archives, leaving the Blue Reaper alone.

He waited until their footsteps faded, and then he made his move.

The sacristy was in the eastern wing, past two locked doors and a corridor that technically required clearance.

The Blue Reaper bypassed both locks. He reached the heavy oak door and slipped inside.

The sacristy was simply Sister Jewel’s private sanctum. A desk sat against one wall, shelves lined with religious texts, a small altar in the corner.

Candles burned softly, their flames dancing to the sound of the wind.

The Blue Reaper held out his palm.

A portal opened, blue patterns spilling across the floor.

An Echo stepped through and Azzuri’s soul stared out from behind it’s glowing pupils.

"You remember the plan?" the Blue Reaper asked quietly.

The Echo; Azzuri nodded, his head bobbing awkwardly.

"Find whatever it is the Magister of the Golden chalice thought convineinet to keep away in her office about the St. Helena massacre ."

Azzuri growled softly in acknowledgment.

The Blue Reaper raised his hand to send the Echo into the office.

"Blue Reaper."

He spun.

And Zelda stood in the doorway, arms crossed and one hip cocked.

From the Blue Reaper’s height—albeit just a 5’10, he got an angle that gave him a direct unavoidable view down the front of her scandalously cut vestments.

The white fabric was held together by a single pendant at her chest, exposing her midriff and a generous amount of cleavage.

The Blue Reaper immediately looked at the ceiling.

"What are you doing here?" Zelda asked in a suspicious tone.

The Blue Reaper gestured vaguely. "Exploring. I decided to take a little tour round the Golden chalice."

"Uh-huh." Zelda stepped closer, her hand drifting toward the whip coiled at her hip. "And you just happened to wander into Sister Jewel’s private chambers without permission?"

The Blue Reaper’s mind raced.

She was a strategos ranked toppler and If this escalates into a fight, it won’t be easy.

He glanced down, carefully avoiding her cleavage and focused on the pendant holding her vestments together.

It was a small silver piece, engraved with a symbol: a cross intertwined with a fish and a trinity knot.

"That’s the Ichthys Triquetra," the Blue Reaper said suddenly. "The symbol of the Holy Trinity woven with the Ichthys, the fish of Christ. Fourth-century design, originally used by Roman Catholics to identify safe houses during persecution."

Zelda blinked. "You, you really know your history huh."

"I just find religious symbolism interesting." The Blue Reaper kept his tone casual.

Zelda’s suspicious expression softened. "Most people don’t even recognize the Ichthys Triquetra, let alone know its origins."

"I may be a shady vigilante, but that doesn’t stop me from studying when I get the chance."

Zelda giggled and her hand moved away from the whip. "So you actually studied the Golden chalice history?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Some, but I’d love to hear more from someone who lived it."

Behind him, Azzuri’s slipped through silently, padding across the stone floor and disappearing into the office.

Zelda’s eyes lit up. "Well, if you’re genuinely interested, I suppose I could give you a proper tour. The cathedral has relics most people never get to see."

"I’d appreciate that."

She smiled, genuinely smiled and gestured for him to follow. "Come on. I’ll show you the Crypt of Saints first. It’s incredible."

As they walked, the Blue Reaper’s mind remained focused on the Echo now loose in Sister Jewel’s office.

Inside the sacristy, Azzuri’s moved on all fours, his claws clicking softly against the stone.

The office was meticulously organized. Everything had a place.

Azzuri sniffed the air, tracking the scent of old paper and ink.

The filing cabinet was against the far wall.

He padded over and nudged the handle with his snout.

It didn’t budge.

He tried again, harder this time and the drawer slid open slightly.

"Yes."

He hooked a claw into the gap and pulled.

The drawer opened fully, revealing rows of neatly labeled files.

St. Helena massacre... St. Helena victims... There.

He pulled the file out carefully with his teeth.

The door opened and Vice-Magister Idris stepped inside, muttering under his breath. "Where is it? I could’ve sworn she kept it here..."

He began rifling through desk drawers with frantic movements.

Azzuri’s mind raced.

"I’ve got to hide, But where?

He focused, and a portal opened just beneath him.

Azzuri dropped through just as Idris turned toward the filing cabinet.

From inside the Zone, Azzuri watched through the portal’s shimmering edge.

Idris pulled open drawers, searching desperately.

"Where is it?" he muttered. "I could have sworn she kept it here. I need those files from the Nemesis sighting a year ago..."

Azzuri’s Echo ears perked up.

"Nemesis sighting? What the hell is he talking about?"

Idris cursed, slammed a drawer shut, and stormed out of the room.

The door clicked closed.

Azzuri waited a moment, then slipped back through the portal into the sacristy.

He grabbed the file he’d found earlier

Marcus Chen, Achusoi, Former Test Subject, Azzuri Innovations

And padded toward the door

He sent a mental signal through the bond.

"I’m done."

Zelda was mid-explanation about the significance of a particular stained glass window when the Blue Reaper suddenly straightened.

"I appreciate the tour," he said, "but I should return to the archives. The Trinity will wonder where I’ve gone."

Zelda pouted slightly. "Already? We were just getting to the relics."

"Perhaps another time."

She stepped closer, looking up at him through her lashes. "You know, I wonder who’s hiding behind that mask. You’re so well-versed in the teachings... if you ever decided to repent, I’m sure Sister Jewel would welcome you into the Golden Chalice with open arms."

The Blue Reaper inclined his head. "I’ll keep that in mind."

"Do." She smiled, then stepped aside. "Don’t be a stranger, Blue Reaper."

He walked past her looking all calm and composed

But on the inside,

"Azzuri, please tell me you got it."

Back in the archives, Luna spread diagrams across the reading table.

The symbols of the seven Diavolo stared up from the parchment. They were as terrifying as they were beautiful.

Nemesis – A skeletal hand holding balanced scales, wrapped in chains of judgment.

Typhon – A spiral of storm clouds and stars.

Chronos – An hourglass shattering into infinite fragments.

Erebus – An eye within a void, pupil-less and all-consuming.

Nyx – A crescent moon dripping shadow like blood.

Tartarus – A collapsing tower, with its bricks turning to ash and dust.

Hecate – A three-headed serpent coiled around a poisoned cup

Calvin leaned over the table. "Each one represents ."

Luna adjusted her glasses. "Death, chaos, time, darkness, dreams, rot and corruption."

Josephine pointed to the symbol of Nemesis. "They called you the one who bears the mark of Nemesis. Nemesis is one of the seven Diavolo, the embodiment of death and dark matter."

The Blue Reaper’s eyes widened behind the mask.

He stared at the skeletal hand holding scales, chains wrapping around the bone.

The mark of Nemesis.

Meanwhile, back at Hailee’s luxury condole, stepped out of the bathroom, wrapping a silk robe around herself.

She poured a glass of wine and walked out to the backyard, settling onto a lounge chair beside the pool.

The night air was cool, too cool.

"This," she murmured to herself, "is how your late twenties are supposed to be enjoyed."

She took a sip, savoring the quiet.

Then she set the glass down without looking away from the water.

"Professor Thadeus," she said calmly. "To what do I owe the invasion of my privacy?"

He stepped out of the shadows at the edge of the garden and stood beneath the hedge.

"I apologize, Vice Magister Cross. But this is about....."

"My brother," Hailee interrupted. She turned to face him with an expression as cold as the weather on her face. "I thought I warned you to stay away from him."

Thadeus hesitated, his hands clasped nervously. "I have. But something’s happened."

Hailee’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Start talking."