A Tale After Four Lives - Volume 1: Receiving The Reward Chapter 27 27: Interrogating A Bishop

Somewhere in Rome.

Space strangely warped before two people appeared, they were Alex and Aura. Alex looked around for a while before setting off in a direction. He was heading towards the Vatican city situated inside of Rome.

Crossing into the Vatican city Alex didn’t stop and headed for the closest church he could find, it was an exorbitantly large church, built in an Italian Renaissance style.

Staring at the church Alex could only think of how beautiful it was, a true masterpiece of architecture. Standing in the massive court outside the church Alex spotted numerous priests going back and forth among the numerous tourists.

Walking forward towards the church Alex saw more and more priests and deacons moving about there were even a few praying, after some time Alex finally found one he might be able to use dressed a little differently.

“Robe, check. Hat, check. That’s a bishop alright.”, Alex mused to himself before heading towards the bishop that was coincidently walking into a restricted area in the church. Alex closely followed the bishop, ignoring the guards which “conveniently” ignored him.

Alex followed the bishop for a few more seconds until they were out of eyesight. With a snap of his fingers Alex secured a barrier around the area, it wasn’t large or powerful but would make people unconsciously avoid the area and keep noise inside out. With a few quick steps, Alex grabbed the bishop by his robe before pushing him against the nearby wall.

The bishop was completely shocked not expecting such brought handling all of a sudden. Alex not giving the poor bishop a chance spoke, “The Holy Sword Project, where is it being held.”, Alex asked the bishop.

The bishop just stared at Alex for a while before speaking, “Please son you are in the house of…”, Alex covered the bishop’s mouth before he could finish his sentence.

“I will ask again for the last time where is the Holy sword project being held”, Alex said releasing the bishop’s mouth, but grabbing him by the jaw. The bishop looked frightened but still answered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I have never heard of such a thing.”

“Ok, then where is Ach Bishop Valper Galilei?”, Alex asked.

“Who?, I’m sorry young friend but I don’t know who you are talking about”, the bishop said.

Alex’s eyes flashed as he saw something in the bishops, he was lying. “I will give you one more chance to answer willingly if you still refuse I will have to take more drastic actions”, Alex said threateningly.

The bishop looked shocked, “You would torture me?!” he said in disbelieve.

Alex smiled at the bishop sending a shiver down his smile, “Oh, perish the thought, my dear holy man, I would never do something so pointless, your faith would never allow you to break, but…” Alex smiled even wider as it turned cruel, “no matter how much you struggle nothing can stop me from taking what I want from you very soul and believe me the pain of doing so is thousands of times more severe than what I could ever do to your flesh.” Alex said his words were like sharp needles pricking the heart of the bishop.

“I-I, sight,” the bishop sighed before hardening his eyes, “I will never tell you”, his eyes filled with righteousness. Seeing the bishops glare Alex could only sigh in regret, of all the bishops he could have grabbed it had to be a truly righteous one. With a slight motion of his hand, the bishop lost consciousness.

Carefully putting the bishop on the floor in a sitting position making him lean against the wall, Alex gave the bishop a good look. The man before Alex was quite old, probably in his seventy’s, his hair grey and his face marred by time with many wrinkles.

Alex placed his hand on the bishops head, “I will make this as painless as possible”, he spoke softly at the bishop then chanted, “animam quaerere(Soul Search)”. Alex closed his eyes as he looked through the bishop’s soul, from the day he was born everything he knows or has forgotten Alex saw everything, from greatest accomplishments to darkest secrets. In just a few seconds the bishops entire lifetime of memories have been seen by Alex, “Got it”, Alex said opening his eyes.

Alex turned to Aura who has been silent the entire time, “What are you thinking”, he asked, approaching her.

“What, are we doing here Master, you haven’t told me anything” Aura said, unsure of what to make of the situation.

“Children are being experimented on and we are here to find out where that place is and stop it”, Alex said.

“Then he…” Aura said viciously looking at the old bishop, “He knows nothing”, said Alex alleviating her anger, “but he knows where the person responsible is.” turning back to the bishop Alex spoke again, “he is of low ranking, not qualified to know any details, even then I don’t believe the church is wholly in the know about what is going on, this bishop only knew that Valper was busy with an important project and where it was taking place”.

“Where?” Aura asked she seemed worried about the children, that was the kindness found in all light elementals, wanting only to heal and help.

“As a bishop, he didn’t know the precise location but he knew of the general location somewhere in Switzerland”, Alex said stretching out his hand towards Aura, “Shall we?” he asked.

Aura didn’t accept it immediately but turned towards the unconscious bishop, she pointed towards him as she sends a bit of light towards the bishop, as the light touched him his wrinkles started receding and his skin became healthier, he looked as if he had become twenty years younger. With that, she turned towards Alex smiled before taking his hand.

“Next stop, Switzerland”, Alex said preparing to teleport towards the country.

“Let’s go,” aura said

Space twisted and as it returned to normal the duo disappeared.

…

Not long after the duo disappeared the barrier Alex sat up disappeared, and a lone deacon found the bishop. The deacon immediately ran towards the bishop, trying to wake him up.

The bishop’s eyes slowly opened as he stared bleary-eyed at the deacon, his only thoughts, “I’ve got to stop drinking,”