"I'm coming in. It's been a while, Brenner. I see you lose some weight."
The first words that left her lips as she came inside was a greeting one would give to an old acquaintance. The woman that responded with a natural, gentle smile was yet again someone in complete contrast to Eleonore.
"If we're to talk about what changed, I can't help but mention your glare growing even sharper than before. You seem to be leading quite a tiring life. Now, why would the venerable soldier and a cadet for leader roles since the creation of BDM come to me, of all people? I sincerely doubt you're here to congratulate an old acquaintance on her engagement."
"Of course I'm not."
After the blunt response, Eleonore dropped a bundle of documents on the desk.
"I have something to ask you. Do you know the precise location of the crime scene everyone has been talking about?"
"Why ask me?"
"Don't pretend you people aren't connected to this. You research the behavior of your future husbands, share that information, and take precautions to not be discarded. Being cunning and calculating is what makes you women."
"You're a woman, too."
"I have no intention to argue semantics. Just tell me if you know where it is and if you're willing to cooperate."
Her voice was pressurizing, and all of her mannerisms showed blatant hostility. It almost seemed as though she was wordlessly stressing she hated the women.
As if used to such treatment, the other woman did nothing but smile wryly. Eventually, the subordinate of the crimson-haired first lieutenant timidly came between them.
"Umm, Lieutenant... I don't believe being this belligerent will get you what you want..."
"My, what a cute young lady. Does she work under you?"
"Well, she..."
"Yes. I am Warrant Officer Beatrice Waltrud Von Kircheisen. I recently graduated from the Jugend and was assigned to operate under First Lieutenant Eleonore von Wittenburg. I'm a battle maiden at the height of my youth!"
"..."
"For now, just ignore this thing. Usually, those who graduate the Jugend with honors get promoted to second lieutenant, but this one has issues, as you can see. What a show of bad standards."
"The best? So you're quite capable, aren't you, young lady?"
"Yes! Mother and Father were very proud of me."
"Kircheisen."
"Yes?"
"Silence."
"Jawohl."
"So, Brenner... Wait, what are you laughing for?"
Thinking she was being made fun of, Eleonore roughened her tone, but all Lisa did in response was lightly wave her hand to calm the soldier-woman down and put on an even more brilliant smile, as if to bless her old acquaintance.
"Oh, sorry about that. It's just that, the kind of trouble you have makes me somewhat envious. And about your question... Yes, we do know about it. After all — in our case, you could say women are the customers."
"...?"
"You don't understand? Basically..."
Right before she spoke, Beatrice realized the meaning of the expression and began to visibly panic.
"Huh? Huuuh? Does that mean that..."
"Ah, I see. It all connects. This place really is a hive of depraved she-dogs. I'm afraid to even ask, but have you..."
"Don't misunderstand. Many girls here regret what they did in the past. All I do is listen to their worries."
"They confess and they feel forgiven. In short, this is a refuge for scum... Hmph, you fit in perfectly, Brenner. If your man leaves you, you should become a nun."
"Sure, I'll think about it. And what are your plans now, Eleonore? Will you indict Lebensborn and send us to the ghetto?"
"I could do that, but I have something wiser in mind. From what I know of you, you're using the information as a card to make the she-dogs' sins be ignored. Well, I know you're not the type to talk if someone gives you a beating, and no matter how low, you happen to be a fiancé of a high-ranking official. As much as it vexes me, I have to treat you well."
"I see. Thank you. Then I will—"
"Lead us to the place. Right now."
"Why, certainly. From what I heard, the Gestapo are also going there tonight."
Eleonore grimaced and nodded at the revelation. It seemed like volatile information reached Lisa even faster than she expected.
"How troublesome. Though, it could work in our favor."
"Umm, Lieutenant."
"What?"
"Are we really taking her? It's dangerous."
"Ah, you don't know what kind of person she is. She could easily lie and deceive us if we don't drag her along. This is actually quite a good opportunity, Kircheisen. You'll come to know one of life's truths."
"Which is...?"
Eleonore looked at Riza and Beatrice before puffing out her chest and making a claim as if she didn't belong to the same group of people herself.
"Don't trust women."
___________
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"And thus, as the representative of Wolfram von Sievers, director of German Ancestral Heritage Institute, you shall receive the item in question. I am Valeria Trifa, an Eastern Orthodox Church priest of the seventeenth jurisdiction. I bless you and the path you walk. Amen."
"Amen."
The Cathedral echoed a woman's solemn worship. However, at the very next moment, her shoulders slightly trembled as she began to laugh.
"Eheh... Eheheh... Ahahahaha. Oh my, sorry about that. I don't seem to be suited for this at all. It's just, I don't know, humbling myself and making a meek face just forces a laugh out of me. I even have a bad habit chuckling at funerals and the life."
Her expression as she cackled was downright imprude. Coupled with the clothing that emphasized her sensual body, her behavior could easily be registered as heretical.
"Oh, but I truly am grateful for this, Father. I practically forced you to get me something this important."
"No need to thank me. I do not know how it would have been before, but right now, Ahnenerbe is part of the SS. If it serves the country, we have no reason not to comply."
The priest, despite his role, said nothing about her blasphemy. On one hand, he could be described as an honorable saint, but on other hand, he was just a lowly-looking man with no aura of authority around him. He was great as a listener, but the meekness of his presence made him seem more than a bit unfit to talk down on people. He appeared to possess absolutely no vigor.
The woman, playing around with the bottle in her hands, threw a sideways glance at the priest's weak smile and ask him a question.
"Hmm? So that's how it is? Also, as grateful I am, I can't help but doubt this is really the real thing."
"It most likely is. I hear it was a secret treasure hidden in a monastery at Constantinople for many generations. The blood of Count Vlad Dracula. Although, it crystallized and became less like liquid and more like powder by now."
"The Dark Gift... Kaziklu Bey, huh? I assume it should turn anyone who drinks it into a vampire. What do you think?"
"That is something I would not know. However, if it truly capable of such a thing and Rome learned it was in our hands, they would surely call for a Crusade. To be honest, I could not be more glad to be rid of it."
"I see. I'll gladly have it, then. As much as I hate the Vatican — the savage fools — I don't think they'd ever attack Germany as they are now."
The current circumstances wouldn't allow it. Although the Vatican was an independent nation, they couldn't ignore their position within Italy. A German Alliance with their host country was most likely with every passing day. Thus, no matter how heinous and heretical the relic was, they couldn't do much against the Ahnenerbe institution, which was now a national organization.
The woman, seemingly pleased with that truth, made a wicked smile like that of a witch with a grudge for Rome.
"Father, I'm feeling really good right now. Would you like to join me for a light stroll through the nightly streets?"
"Oh, but I..."
"To be frank, I'm slightly interested in you. I can't put it into words, but..."
She fell silent and looked at the priest.
'You look tasty.'
A few strange moments later, the priest seemed to feel something too.
"..."
It made him place his hand on his chest, knit his brows, and dampened his forehead with sweat. Upon seeing him in that state, the woman made a exaggerated gesture of surprise.
"Oh my. Is anything wrong, Father? You don't look so good."
"It is nothing worth mentioning. Please do not mind me."
"Hmm... I see..."
"What?"
"Oh, it's nothing much. I just remembered an interesting rumor I heard a while ago. Apparently, in the countryside of Romania, there was a priest who could hear the voice of God. He was adept at finding relics such as these — could hear the curses and other strange thoughts covering the things. From what I can tell, by modern definitions, his ability was either psychometry or telepathy. He could see, read, and hear the thoughts and memories of people and objects. It made me jealous. Working in this field often makes me wish I had such a high-quality radar myself. Would you happen to have that sort of person among the people you know?"
The priest looked away from the woman's inquisitive gaze and shook his head.
"I am not sure about that. I have been serving God for quite a while now, but being common man I am, I have yet to see such a miracle. Also, from what you tell me, it does not sound like the blessing you present it as."
"True enough. This might be a trite comparison, but the situation would probably be similar to being surrounded by televisions and radios that you couldn't turn off. I don't think anyone like that could get a good night's sleep. Yes, they would look like you. Bags under your eyes and all that."
"..."
"Though, I think that person is lucky, all things considered. If he was born a century or two in the past, he would've been taken to the pyre right away. In that case, don't you think he would have come precisely to this day and age because he had some sort of mission to fulfil?"
"Oh? And what would that be, for example?"
"Being able to perfectly align with other people, perhaps he could even turn into someone else — steal their identity. Let's assume he despises that power but there's someone else who wants it badly. If both sides get what they want, it would be possible for them to make a trade."
"A trade?"
"A brain transplant, basically. Well, not like it's possible with the current technology. If his brain had some strange wiring that made him hear the torturous noise, switching it with another's head should make it disappear. No, wait... Might as well go all the way and tear off his soul to let it inhabit someone else... Eheheh, it sounds almost like a fairy tale."
"Indeed. It sounds as plausible as grasping clouds."
"Well, I was only joking with the last line. Though my work is deeply tied to the occult, I've never heard of anyone able to do something as ridiculous or any methods that would allow for such a thing."
"A true pipe dream, is it?"
"Yes. Anyway, Father, what's your answer to my proposal?"
The strange and ominous mysteriousness surrounding the woman suddenly disappeared as she turned to the priest with a bright and girly smile. The sight made him chuckle. He could tell everything that she had been thinking plain as written on a piece of paper.
"A nightly stroll?"
"Yes. Care to come along?"
"...Seems like I have no choice. I feel as though you would spread some baseless rumor about me if I do not join you."
"Ahahah, oh dear. Of course I would do that."
The woman turned around and left the palace of worship. Beyond the door was the city of Berlin, surrounded by the air of Christmas.
"Let us go, Father. The stars tonight are beautiful."
"Indeed they are... I feel as though the sky could fall and take me at any moment."
The priest walked out and sighed in a voice that contained both amazement and grief.
"I cannot help but question. If this sky and the stars above envelop the whole world and everyone within, why do people fight one another? If it is possible, I would like this war to be humanity's last... Is it ridiculous to wish for something like that?"
"Who knows? But I think there's only one way for your wish to be fulfilled."
The priest gave the woman a questioning glance as she put on an impish smile and spoke in a scarily composed voice.
"To make this war last forever. That's it, Father."