Chapter 111 - 108: Honorary Cardinal

Chapter 111: Chapter 108: Honorary Cardinal

"Man, I forgot about my clothes. They're totally ruined." Ricky scratched his head, gazing around at the rags that were his clothes.

"I guess I'm just gonna rock with just a single pair of shorts." Ricky muttered, picking up his shorts that had survived the aftermath of Rachael.

Walking out of the room while rubbing his bare stomach, Ricky realized that he could really go for some bacon and eggs then wondered if this castle even had a kitchen.

'No, they have to have a kitchen, right?' Ricky thought, trying to convince himself there had to be some kind of weird kitchen hidden around the castle as he started walking around, checking every corner.

However, it didn't take long for Ricky to realize he was completely and utterly lost while searching for the kitchen.

"Alright, so I've found like eighteen bathrooms but zero kitchens, got it." Ricky muttered to himself, shrugging as if it made any sense as he couldn't help but laugh at how absurd his own words sounded.

"And now I'm on my third staircase, why do you even need more than one staircase?" Ricky seemingly complained, spreading out his arms while talking to himself in a passive aggressive way since he was literally starved.

"Is that-"

"Chores, just the man I wanted to see," Ricky called out, spotting him as he walked down the winding gothic staircase.

Chores was anxiously pacing back and forth at the side, clearly lost in thought and not even paying attention to his words.

Ricky raised an eyebrow, continuing down the stairs, but Chores didn't acknowledge him as he kept pacing, lost in his own world.

Finally, Ricky reached him, standing right in front of the nervous man before speaking up.

"Boo!" Ricky suddenly appeared next to Chores, who was lost in his own thoughts.

The sudden presence made Chores jump, his entire body flinching as he stumbled backward, eyes wide with shock.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ricky laughed in a maniacal tone, watching Chores grab his chest and take another two steps back before letting out a sigh.

"Slick, you scared me." Chores heaved out, taking a second to collect his thoughts while Ricky laughed at the side.

"What's up man, why are you pacing around as if waiting for your STD results after going no condom in a stripper?" Ricky slung his shoulder around Chores, patting his chest as the gentle giant gave him a weird look.

"A stripper-what, no I just-"

Sigh

"Slick, sorry I've been so busy but with moving my workshop and all, then with going back to New York it's just a lot." Chores sighed out, side eyeing Ricky while wanting to say something but closing his mouth again.

"Funny enough, that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about." Ricky said, his tone casual but carrying an underlying weight as Chores immediately felt his stomach churn, a sense of unease settling in.

The thing that scared Chores the most was being thrown away; discarded like an old, useless tool.

It was why he had secluded himself for so long, why he'd worked tirelessly to prove his worth.

He had to make himself indispensable, always hovering in the background, anticipating every need, trying to anticipate what was expected of him before anyone could voice it.

He'd spent so much time making sure he was useful that he'd convinced himself that if he wasn't, there would be nothing left for him.

No place.

No purpose.

But now, standing there in front of Ricky, Chores felt all that work, all that effort, unraveling with each word that came out of Ricky's mouth.

It was a suffocating weight in his chest, like the ground was slowly crumbling beneath him.

For a brief moment, he questioned whether everything he had done to earn his place meant anything at all.

What if it was never enough?

What if Ricky had already decided he was expendable, just like everyone else who he had ever tossed aside?

Chores stomach twisted, and he forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat, but it didn't help.

His hands were clammy, and his mind raced, desperately searching for a way to turn the conversation around before it turned into something he couldn't undo.

"I want to form a manufacturing company that makes household wares and commodities, but more than that, I want you to come work for me." Ricky said, his tone firm and straightforward with a wide smile, showing that he wasn't going to toss aside him aside and instead pull him even closer to his inner circle.

But to Chores, the words didn't land the way they were intended and instead, they felt like a distant echo, warped by the noise in his mind as his brain struggled to make sense of it, as if his ears had betrayed him.

"Slick, I swear I won't hold you back so please-what?" Chores' eyes squinted in confusion, his expression unreadable as he tried to make sense of Ricky's words.

"I want you to come work for a company I'm going to start. What were you thinking?" Ricky repeated again, his words hanging in the air, cutting through any doubts or lingering fears in Chores mind.

Chores, still caught off guard, shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, the movement slow and unsure.

"N-Nothing, sorry."

"It's alright, man." Ricky said, his tone softening with a low humble chuckle.

"I know it's a big adjustment, especially since you've been my muscle until now. But after seeing how well you handled things with the alchemists, I'd really like you to come work with me at my future company." Ricky gestured, his eyes scanning Chores with a mixture of appreciation and anticipation, watching as the gentle giant stood speechless, at a loss for words.

"I know how much time you've put into creating, and I admire the lengths you've gone to." Ricky said, his shoulders lifting in a casual shrug.

"I just want to see how far you can take this talent, how far we can take this." Ricky let the words hang in the air, aware of the potential to build something that could dominate the market with all the items in his inventory.

Chores couldn't help but offer a small smile in response, the possibility of something bigger starting to sink in.

"I-I'm thankful, truly." Chores stammered, bowing his head as Ricky chuckled softly, reaching out to tap him on the shoulder.

"Actually, now that you're here, I've got some blueprints. I'd like you to look over and see how feasible they are for construction. Wait, hold on a second." Ricky paused, then moved toward his storage.

The mist around him swirled as he entered, reappearing moments later with a single blueprint in hand.

Ricky handed it to Chores, who took it delicately, his eyes widening as he examined the intricate details.

"This is a-"

"Reusable steel-insulated mugs." Ricky said with a conspiratorial grin, almost proud of the fact.

"Don't tell anyone, but this is the kind of product we're going to sell once I patent it, when we get back to the States." Ricky tapped the blueprint, a knowing smirk crossing his face as he was already picturing how he'd get filthy rich off this blueprint scanner and the items in his inventory.

Ricky had spent countless hours pondering the venture he would pursue, his mind running through endless possibilities.

After much deliberation, he finally settled on producing high end commodities as he had access to so many advanced designs, products far beyond what this era's technology could comprehend, and he knew just how valuable they would be.

But before moving forward, Ricky wanted to patent each one, ensuring they were protected.

More than that, though, he needed to be certain he could fully trust Chores with the idea, especially with something so potentially lucrative.

"I'll guard it with my life and although my workshop is currently being condensed by the warlocks, I can get back to you in two-no, one week." Chores hurriedly said, and Ricky nodded, holding up a thumbs up.

"Alright, I'm expecting good things, Chores. Don't let me down." Ricky said as he walked away, forming a gate with a wave of his hand before stepping through it.

"I swear Slick, I won't."

Meanwhile In the Vatican,

Ricky stepped through the portal, clad in his Black Knight attire, ready to claim his long-awaited honorary title.

"R-Black Knight!" Father Sebastian, who had been calmly combing his hair, leapt to his feet in shock as Ricky quite literally trespassed into his room.

"Oh, come on, Father, you can call me Slick or Ricky." Ricky said with a light hearted chuckle, walking up to the priest as Father Sebastian chuckled warmly as they shook hands.

"On behalf of the church, I'd like to thank you, first and foremost, not only for defeating that horrid Dracula but also for freeing Abraham." Father Sebastian said, his smile tinged with sadness. Ricky's own smile faltered slightly in response.

"I know he wasn't the most noble person but-"

Sniff

Father Sebastian's expression faltered, his hand trembling as it moved to his side since despite his cheerful words, the pain of losing Abraham, his closest friend, was undeniable.

"I know father, I honestly don't hold anything against Abraham." Ricky looked with an unreadable expression, watching him slowly regain himself.

"I'm just going to miss stealing his flasks," Ricky joked, earning a small chuckle from Father Sebastian despite the heaviness in the air.

"You know, I met Abraham during my missionary trip to Romania," Father Sebastian said, letting out a light sigh before turning back to Ricky.

"Before, the Van Helsings were a very closed-off family, rarely interacting with the church. But after the massacre, Abraham was left with only one surviving family member." Father Sebastian said with a knowing smile, revealing that he had been aware all along.

"Rachael, I know." Ricky rubbed his forehead, the headache returning as the holy man chuckled.

"Yes, well, Abraham found my missionary group after traveling four days through a storm, all while carrying the barely breathing Rachael," Father Sebastian said, his smile tinged with deeper sorrow. Ricky gazed at him in silence for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh.

"Then you healed him and you became best friends-" Ricky sped up the conversation but Father Sebastion laughed heartily.

"No, actually, Abraham tried to rob our caravan and ended up stealing one of the decorative carriages, with me still in it." Father Sebastian admitted, a faint chuckle escaping as the memory surfaced.

"It was only after he punched me in the face that he allowed me to try and heal the young child, which I managed to do before a better remedy finally appeared." Father Sebastion counted with a wry smile.

"But even then, to save Rachael's magic and life, I had to fracture his son's implanted core even further to not only save Rachael's core but his life." Father Sebastian said quietly, his voice heavy with the memory, as Ricky frowned in understanding.

"About that, how did Abraham even survive after having his heart ripped out? I mean, how is that even possible?" Ricky asked curiously, recalling the large scar he had seen on Abraham's chest long ago.

"It shouldn't have been possible," Father Sebastian replied quietly, remembering that stormy day as Abraham endured so much pain that day yet still crawled away alive.

"He should've died, but he didn't or couldn't for that matter. Abraham knew he couldn't leave that poor child alone, and I revered him for the courage to press on despite everything." Father Sebastion let out a sad chuckle, knowing that Abraham would no longer show up out of blue, and all the shenanigans he would be dragged into.

"I suppose that is why he followed me back to the church after realizing he could no longer possess magic." Father Sebastion lamented, recalling how Abraham had originally decided to learn holy magic in the first place.

"He always said he came to the Vatican to learn and control holy magic, but I think he was really searching for answers, trying to understand why God had to be so cruel." Father Sebastion's voice softened, reflecting the weight of Abraham's unspoken struggle.

"The Pope and I at the time agreed to keep Rachael's existence a secret, and then it all played out until now." Father Sebastian said, turning back to Ricky, who was still reeling from how much he hadn't known about Abraham.

"I see."

"Well, if you do, don't feel so down since he might have said all those things and pretended not to care, but Abraham truly saw himself in you." Father Sebastion said, offering a comforting smile.

"I think that's why he was always so hard on you," Father Sebastion continued, his voice softening.

"He didn't want you to become him, but a better version." Father Sebastion words hung in the air, leaving Ricky silent as he sat at the table, processing the weight of them.

"Um, Father, when am I going to be awarded my honorary priesthood?" Ricky asked, changing the subject. Father Sebastion smiled warmly at the question.

"I will call forth a meeting and uphold not only the promise for the Vatican to publicly acknowledge mutants as God's children, but then award you the title." Father Sebastion said, gesturing toward Ricky, who nodded in response.

"The matter might take some time to arrange, so until then, you will be provided your own room to dwell in until the crowning ceremony," Father Sebastian instructed as Ricky, slightly annoyed by the delay, nodded but couldn't hide his impatience with how long the proceedings would take.

However, Ricky readily agreed and was shown to the room where Abraham had helped stabilize his core all those years ago.

Ricky didn't take Alexander or Garfield for company, as they still wanted to see the sights of Transylvania with Asterion, leaving him alone with his thoughts even with the Ebony Blade sheathed at his side.

Though the sword had once whispered constant temptations of deceit, after they had settled their differences, Ricky had learned that the Ebony Blade actually relished the serenity of silence.

To begin a conversation, it was Ricky who had to make the effort, proving that even the darkest of weapons could find peace in stillness.

'Screw it,' Ricky muttered, bored out of his mind as he opened his storage and returned with a bottle of Hell Wine and Dracula's Diary, ready to pass the time in his own way.

"Let's see his deepest secrets and make fun of him, shall we?"

Over the course of two days, Ricky read through Dracula's ventures and deepest inner thoughts, which led to multiple painful revelations.

The first major one came when Abraham had accidentally revealed Dracula's existence to the world.

But instead of quelling the chaos that followed, Dracula had seized the opportunity, exploiting it for his own gain.

Diary Entry: August 9, 1898

Tonight has brought a revelation that transcends mere fortune. In a turn of events that I can only attribute to the whims of fate rather than any deliberate strategy, Abraham Van Helsing has inadvertently strengthened my position within the vampire community in a manner I could not have orchestrated myself.

The clumsy disclosure of my existence through that work of fiction, in a way that I can only assume was meant to strike terror into the hearts of humans and unite them against a perceived threat, has instead had an unforeseen consequence. Van Helsing's revelation was not the carefully crafted stratagem I had anticipated. Rather, it was a haphazard attempt to expose and contain me, one that has only served to reinforce my standing among vampires.

The notoriety I have gained from this work being published has drawn me deeper into the gaze of the Vampire community. The very public display of our enmity with Van Helsing has, rather than diminishing me, elevated my status, transforming me into a symbol of resilience and defiance. Rather than isolating me from the vampire community and causing opposition towards me, Van Helsing's actions have galvanized their support. My name, once whispered in hushed tones within the community as a passing Vampiric leader, is now a rallying cry against the oppressive regime of humanity. I have unknowingly become a figurehead for those who see in me not merely a threat, but a potent symbol of resistance against the encroaching human world.

His words flowed with such confidence and conviction that they seemed to resonate deep within the souls of those listening.

Each sentence carried an undeniable power, stirring the crowd into a collective sense of awe. The audience was spellbound, hanging on every word, and as the final phrase left his lips, a thunderous applause erupted.

It was more than a reaction; it was a recognition of the man before them, a force too undeniable to ignore.

Of course, not everyone would welcome this sudden shift, but it didn't matter, Ricky knew his purpose was clear.

Ricky was set on winning over not only the majority of the Catholic faith but also drawing out the mutants who had long hidden in the shadows.

The ripple of his announcement quickly spread throughout the mutant community, eyes now fixed firmly on Ricky.

Everyone was watching, waiting to see if his words held weight, if his actions were genuine.

Among them, a particular blue-skinned figure, one whose interest in Ricky's move had been piqued, kept a close watch, curious to see whether he would truly follow through on his bold promises or falter under the weight of them.

"I guess the cub isn't a cub after all, but a tiger," Raven said with a sly smile, her voice laced with amusement as she chuckled to herself.

Standing amidst the chaos, her eyes swept over the multiple lifeless bodies strewn around her.

The scene was almost effortless, a testament to the power she wielded.

She swayed gracefully through the room, her confidence radiating, leaving behind the carnage as she exited, unbothered, as if it were just another day in her world.

"Marvelous speech, Ricky, marvelous!" Father Sebastion exclaimed, his voice filled with pride.

Father Sebastion immediately pulled Ricky into a heartfelt hug, unable to contain his admiration for the young man.

Ricky chuckled, a modest smile tugging at his lips, though the praise clearly pleased him as he returned the hug with a nod, grateful for the support.

"I'm proud of you, Ricky," Father Sebastion suddenly proclaimed, his voice filled with a deep sincerity.

Ricky was taken aback for a moment, his usual confidence faltering as he processed the weight of the words.

It wasn't often that someone expressed such genuine pride in him, and for a brief second, he allowed himself to feel the full impact of Father Sebastion's words.

"Uh, what-"

"I mean, from the first day I met you, you've gone through so much, yet you've persevered," Father Sebastion continued, his eyes softening with understanding.

"I could see that aching hole within you, that emptiness you carried. But now, I know for sure, you've come out the other side of the tunnel, even stronger than before." Father Sebastion's words hung in the air, a quiet affirmation of Ricky's growth.

Ricky stood still, taking in the weight of Father Sebastion's praise, a rare and powerful acknowledgment that reached deeper than any accolade.

"Ricky, from the bottom of my heart, I want you to know that all your efforts from now, the sacrifices you had to undertake, were all worth it to see the man you've become before me." Father Sebastion's words were raw, sincere, and they cut through the air like a blessing.

Ricky couldn't help but laugh instinctively, a nervous chuckle escaping him as if the weight of the words were almost too much.

"Oh come on Father, you're gonna make me tear up." Ricky laughed out, only for Father Sebastion to look to the side and smile

"There are actually two people who want to thank you personally." Father Sebastion gestured to the side, Ricky's eyes turning to the side and widening.

"G-Greetings, Black Knight." Carla stammered, her cheeks flushed as she bowed slightly as a small child with black hair clung to her dress, peering shyly at Ricky.

"Greetings." The child echoed, his voice soft but clear.

Unlike his mother, he didn't bow, but instead looked up at Ricky with wide, curious eyes, as if trying to place why this man resembled him so closely.

"Greetings." Ricky bent down to the child's level, repeating the words with a warm smile and a gentle wave as the child giggled, his curiosity growing as he studied Ricky's face.

"I Au-" The child, after laughing heartily, wanted to tell this man his name but Ricky beat him to the punch.

"Augustine, I know." Ricky and the child's eyes widened in surprise, the boy's face breaking into a laugh at his own expression being mirrored.

Augustine's delighted giggles filled the air as he pointed at Ricky, amused by his surprised expression.

"How know?" Augustine asked, tilting his head cutely as Ricky rubbed his chin for a long time.

"How do I know your name?" Ricky seemingly asked, rubbing his chin and purposely prolonging his actions, becoming this child's spectacle as Carla smiled warmly at the interaction.

"Because it says it right here." Ricky pointed, pressing his finger down onto Augustine's shirt as the child naively looked down.

Then, with a soft flick, he brought it up into the child's nose as Augustine flinched before covering his face.

"Hehehehehehe!" Augustine's child's laughter flowed out, clearly finding it funny while waddling up to Ricky.

"Your name here." Augustine chuckled madly, giving away the joke but even still, Ricky looked down.

"Where-ow~" Ricky played along, looking around as Augustine slowly brought up his finger and repeated his gesture and flicked Ricky's nose.

"Hehehehehehehe!" Augustine laughed after seeing Ricky cover his nose, only for the man to pick him up as Augstuine continued to laugh harder.

Sigh

"But it hurts my feelings that you don't know who I am." Ricky sighed, showing a glimpse of sadness as Augustine tapped face.

"You funny man." Augustine chuckled and Ricky nodded his head, agreeing with the young three year olds evaluation.

"I also like to think of myself as a funny man, thank you for noticing." Ricky smiled at Augustine who patted his chin with a smile.

"You're welcome." Augustine showed a toothy smile, Ricky looking at him for a while since he didn't know how to say it.

"Augustine."

"Yes, funny man?"

The two interactions were playful, Ricky looking at Augustine who now regarded him as 'funny man'.

"I am your father." Ricky said in a deep and serious voice, but Augustine shook his head.

"No, Black Knight my father." Augustine tapped Ricky's cheek, shaking his head only for Ricky to raise his eyebrow.

"I'm not the Black Knight?" Ricky asked, seemingly questioning his own identity as Austine nodded.

"Yes, Black Knight is knight and swing sword like this." Augustine then swung his fist in the air, showing how the Black Knight would swing his sword.

"You wanna see something cool?" Ricky asked Augstine, the young child obviously nodding his head fiercely.

"Yeah!"

Then in the next moment, to Augustine's starry eyes, the transformation was nothing short of magical.

Ricky slowly shifted, his Black Knight attire materializing around him, the dark fabric settling seamlessly into place.

With one hand, he gently cradled the young child, and with the other, he held the Ebony Blade, its dark edge gleaming in the light.

The child's gaze was wide with awe, mesmerized by the sight of the formidable figure before him.

Then as if copying the child's motion earlier, he swung the sword as Augustine's mouth was held open before Ricky looked at him.

"How was it, did I swing my sword right?" Ricky asked Augustine, who was currently hopping up and down in his hold.

"YEAH, YEAH!" Augustine clapped his hands, his eyes sparkling like the milky way.

"Oh thank god, I thought I messed it up." Ricky exaggerated his sigh, only to receive a tap on his chin again.

"Bad, no say lord in vain." Augustine frowned, tapping his chin repeatedly as Ricky understood.

"Oh, sorry." Ricky apologized to Augustine who then smiled again, patting his shoulder.

"I forgive." Augustine said, his voice filled with unexpected grace as he looked up at Ricky.

"Ricky, would you care to spend one last night before departing? The Vatican has prepared various gifts for you but they still need to be sorted." Father Sebastion asked as Ricky thought about it before his sleazy eyes landed on Carla blushing at the side.

"You know what, I think I could spare one night." Ricky turned his smile towards Father Sebastion who smiled warmly.

It wasn't strange to say that Father Sebastion had taken on the role of Godfather to Augustine in the time he had been within the vatican.

However, Father Sebastion truly did wish for Ricky to spend more time with him since he knew how much the little Augustine regarded the tales of the Black Knight.

For the remainder of the day, Ricky wandered the familiar grounds of the Vatican, but with a new sense of wonder that was carried in his arms.

Augustine eagerly pointed out all the things that caught his eye; statues, gardens, and hidden corners that only a child's imagination could bring to life.

Ricky followed along, taking in the joy of seeing the world through Augustine's bright, curious gaze.

Ricky couldn't help but smile as Augustine, with boundless energy and excitement, tugged him through the garden.

The child's enthusiasm was contagious as he led Ricky to all his favorite hide-and-seek spots; each nook and cranny marked with the laughter of countless games.

Augustine's sense of adventure reminded Ricky of simpler times, when the world felt vast and full of endless possibilities.

The garden, with its twists and turns, became a playground, and for a moment, Ricky played along as if he was just another kid, lost in the joy of the game with his son.

"Augustine, dear, it's time for bed!" Carla yelled out towards the garden, knowing that Augustine was there since that was his favorite place to play.

"B-B-But-"

"No buts, it's past your bedtime." Carla lectured Augustine who popped out of a nearby bush, pouting and kicking a nearby pebble.

"Fine~" Augustine whined, following his mother with Ricky jumping down from the ledge.

"That's cheating!" Augustine turned back, seeing Ricky was on the roof this whole time.

"Woah, woah, you never said I couldn't hide on the roof." Ricky crossed his arms, lecturing Augstuine who frowned but then smiled.

"I want you to tuck me in." Augustine suddenly rushed over to Ricky, wrapping around Ricky's leg while giggling as he was lifted up.

"Alright, but listen to your mother and wash up or whatever you do to get ready for bed." Ricky gave his condition, Augustine immediately releasing his leg and rushing to follow Carla who couldn't even look him in the eye.

Augustine bounced on the bed with infectious laughter, his small body lifting into the air with every giggle before settling back down with a soft thud.

Carla stood at the side, smiling fondly at the sight of her son's carefree joy.

Ricky leaned back against the wall beside the bed, watching the child with a quiet amusement.

"Alright you know Dracula, the evil vampire?" Ricky asked Augustine who jerked his head up and down.

"I'm going to tell you the story about how I kicked his butt-" Ricky then went on to explain in slightly poor detail about his fight with Dracula but even then, Augustine listened to the entire story.

All the ups and downs, all the cliffhangers that Ricky prolonged until his eyes wearily closed shut and he dozed off.

Caressing his black hair, Ricky looked at the sleeping Augustine for a long time until he stood up.

Carla stood just outside the door in her nun attire, a gentle presence that seemed to blend seamlessly with the sacred atmosphere of the Vatican.

Ever since becoming an honorary lady of the church, she had embraced her new role with quiet dignity, all while continuing in raising the Black Knight's bloodline.

"Oh my sweet Carla, did I make you wait long~" Ricky appeared behind Carla, his silky voice caressing her ear which made her shiver.

Ricky's eyes were completely sleazy at this point, running his hands up her leg and under her nun attire which completely turned him on.

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Ricky began, his voice low as he leaned in, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"I can't bring you with me right now, not with New York about to be a mess. You're safer here and wanted to get to know what you've been up to since I left." Ricky's hand gently trailed up her leg, the touch slow and deliberate.

Carla's blush deepened with each subtle graze of his fingers, her breath catching slightly as she fought to maintain composure.

The air between them thickened, charged with unspoken tension, but Ricky's words remained steady, even as his presence seemed to pull her closer.

"But talking with words doesn't seem enough to make up for all that time, don't you think?" Ricky asked, his finger lightly grazing against her motherly folds, before slipping in.

"Y-Yes~"

Author's Note: Next chap will be the last of Volume 2 and the Q&A will be posted as well.