Nicholas was walking around the museum. The meeting between Hellsing and the Vatican was set to take place any moment. Nicholas knew it would have a lot of chest-pounding and would almost trigger a shoot-out. But ultimately, nothing would actually happen.
He was more interested in the artwork. Standing beside him was Haddie. She severed two purposes being there. First, by being part of a couple on a date he stood out less. Second, he could use her to feed and sustain himself better until he could grab someone local. She held his arm and said, "Thanks for bringing me here. It's nice to experience a change of scenery after so long. Plus, I've been meaning to ask you about some of your latest additions."
They walked down the halls and were admiring the paintings. Nicholas asked, "What questions would that be?" Haddie looked hesitant for a moment, then she said, "After your last outing, you collected a number of girls. Vickie Vale, Roxy Rocket, Red Claw, and several others. They all seemed like regular women with maybe a spitfire attitude. Then there was Mary Dahl. A adult trapped in the body of a child. You made a deal with her and gave her the body she dreamed of. My question is, why?"
Nicholas thought about the question and the vagueness of its nature. Then he said, "I don't understand the question. Are you asking why I would use my power to grant her desire, why I didn't simply ignore her, or are you asking why I didn't claim her as is?"
Haddie let out a sigh and said, "Listen, I love you. We all do that choose too, and we've come to accept that you sustain and feed yourself through vigorous and intimate physical contact. So, the last thing we want to worry about is you starving yourself because the only food available isn't in a appropriate form. Granted, I am glad you have some restraint and are not grabbing everything in sight, but you're no longer human. Don't concern yourself with the moral high ground if you don't have too. We understand that it's better if they choose to be with you. And that is what we prefer as well."
Nicholas continued to listen to Haddie explain her feelings. Then, when she's done, he said, "I understand. I'm sorry if I worried you and the others. Sadly, I have no control on who ends up in our home or where I can go gathering. But I promise I won't do anything unnecessary that would put me in danger." She pulled him close and kissed him. Out of the corner of his eye, Nicholas spotted Father Anderson walking down the hall. His mood was bitter, obviously he saw Alucard and wasn't able to confront him. Nicholas decided to say, "Excuse me! Do happen to know where I can find the painting Heaven's Punishment?"
Anderson stopped and turned. He said, "I'm sorry no. I don't think I've even heard of that one." Haddie responded, "Oh, it's an impressive piece depicting a virtuous knight slaying a great evil. At first glance most people think the punishment is being inflicted on the devil but it's actually the knight who was punished."
Anderson got a curious look and was completely ignoring Nicholas. Anderson said, "I'm curious. Why do you say the virtuous knight was punished when he was only do the Lord's work?" Haddie answered, "Well there is the trick. It might have been in Heaven's name, but it wasn't at their orders. The knight resorted to violence and was stained with the very evil he was trying to destroy. To truly be rid of an evil, sometimes you have to do the impossible and grant them forgiveness. After all, if God doesn't want it but the Devil isn't done with it, then the true evil will never stay dead."
Anderson got a serious look on his face. The wheels were clearly turning as he walked away without responding. A few minutes after he left, Haddie whispered, "Did I do well?" Nicholas responded, "Well enough, I hope Anderson figures out what he needs to do."
Haddie then asked, "Why can't you do it yourself?" Nicholas sighed and said, "Sadly, certain requirements are needed that I simply don't possess. Now, let's enjoy the rest of our date."
...
Anderson sat in his hotel room with Yumi and Heinkel. He was going over every recorded attempt to kill the monster Alucard or better known as Dracula. Almost every known method has been used. And every time he came back.
Then Anderson asked, "What happens to the soul of someone who is consumed by a vampire?" Yumi and Heinkel looked at each other wondering if he was serious. Then Heinkel said, "They are held captive by that vampire until it is destroyed then they are rendered to judgment by the Almighty God."
Anderson responded, "Correct. Now, suppose a vampire had lived for so long and collected so many souls that they could in fact hold on to those souls and in turn use them bribe the devil so they could resurrect themselves." Yumi responded say, "Are you talking about Alucard?" Then Heinkel added, "That would make sense and explain why no one has been able to permanently kill him. Why are you pondering this?"
Anderson let out a sigh, then he said, "Because this revelation has brought to possibilities of permanently killing him. First, I wait until his defenses are laid bare and every soul in his possession can be purged. Or, more simply, I could perform Last Rites and send him to the maker where no number of bribes could be used for a resurrection."
Yumi and Heinkel were left speechless. Heinkel was the first to say something. "Are you insane!" She yelled. "It's pure blasphemy to even consider letting a monster like that into Heaven!" Anderson retorted, "And when did we become God!? For isn't only the Almighty who has the right to deny who can enter Heaven?! This is our responsibility at the church! To deliver as many souls as we can to our father in Heaven, but for no reason other than pride have both bishops and priests condemn souls to Hell! When you consider this simple truth, it's no wonder that we lost the trust and influence we once had had."
Anderson's sudden outburst left Heinkel without response. Then Yumi said, "We're not rewarding a monster, we're saving every soul he holds captive." Both Anderson and Heinkel looked at Yumi. Then Heinkel let out a sigh and said, "I guess I can get behind that." The tension left the room. Anderson went back to his research and the others waited for the phone call telling them their next assignment or simply being told that it was time to return home.
....
Nicholas was laying in his assigned room; Haddie nestled against his chest. Alucard, Seras, and Mr. Bernadotte were preparing to go to Rio de Janeiro to find clues to the Millennium Group. Intergra already asked if it would be worth the effort, and Nicholas responded with, "They are already expecting you, but if you go, you'll at least remove a few pieces off the board."
Intergra took that information he provided and decided it was worth it. A knock at the door caught his attention as he heard Walter on the other side say, "Your presence is required in the Sir Intergra's office." Not even waiting for a response, Nicholas could hear Walter leaving.
After getting dressed, Nicholas went to Intergra's office. She was sitting at her desk patiently waiting. Once Nicholas got close enough, she asked, "What is the Millennium Group's ultimate goal?"
Nicholas, slightly surprised by her sudden impatience answered, "It largely varies between two of three objectives. First and foremost, their main goal is to kill Alucard. Second, some of them want a never-ending war where they can kill without restraint. But there are some that want nothing more than to die in glorious combat and to put a end to their miserable unlives. However, there is one exception to this. The individual simply known as The Doctor. He wants to unlock the secret of Alucard's power and mass produce it. He is the one who's been creating those cheap imitation vampires you had to deal with lately."
Intergra listened carefully to Nicholas's answer, her face betraying no emotion. Then she said, "Speaking of those imitation vampires, there are few stragglers left to deal with. By our count there was at least three more to deal with, but they simply disappeared. Now it's possible that the Millennium Group disposed of them once they served their purpose, but I want to be sure. I need you to look into it and confirm that to be the case."
Nicholas responded, "That shouldn't be a problem, I'll know the answer to that in a few minutes." Intergra looked genuinely surprised, and then she said, "I don't know what surprises me more. The fact that you didn't already know the answer or how quickly you can learn it."
Nicholas looked at Intergra and said, "It would be an incredibly boring existence if I knew everything about everything... And yes, the vampires in question are piles of ash. I assume they served their purpose once the Valentine brothers attacked."
Nicholas then added, "Will you be needing anything else, my lady?" Intergra's eye gave a slight twitch but other than that gave no reaction. Then she said, "During the attack you had two large human looking monsters destroying anyone who attempted to access to the third floor. What are they, are there any more like them, and can you summon them anywhere?"
Nicholas responded, "In that order. They are my Knight and Oni. Yes, I have access to more like them. Technically yes, I can summon them anywhere, but I limit myself to keep an eye on them otherwise, they will do their own thing, and I don't really care to send them that far."
Intergra turned around and said, "That will be all." Nicholas left and returned to his room.
...
Intergra sat her desk. She was thinking about the information she was just told. How much was true? Was any of it true or was it all lies. Then she noticed the setting sun. 'Alucard and the others must have arrived by now.' She thought as she got up ready to leave and go to sleep.
Then she wondered about her relationship with Alucard. How he would do whatever he wanted as long as it didn't stop him from completing the assigned task. Also, how she would let him because he got results. Though she would never admit it out loud she does sometimes forget that he not a man but a monster.
She pushed those thoughts aside for now. A new emergency would and demand her full attention soon enough. Best thing is to get some sleep while she can.