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"Jingle bell bell."

The phone rang, and Father Pucci put the phone to his ear.

“Father Pucci, the Fire Moth is hosting a newcomer party. Would you like to attend?”

"I understand. I will participate."

"Please make time for us tomorrow at noon, and we will send someone to pick you up."

Can I bring people along?

"of course."

"I understand. May the Lord protect you."

"May the Lord protect you, Father. Sorry to bother you."

After hanging up the phone, Father Pucci tapped the table in deep thought.

Three days have passed, and no one has inquired about the Herrscher Core.

'Are you waiting for me here?'

'Let's be on guard.'

"John Gerry, go ahead and make arrangements in the neighborhood."

"Yes, Father."

......

Vilvi had no interest in the party, and Pado had disappeared. Accompanying Father Pucci were Aponia and Seele.

Arriving at their destination on the Moth Chaser's private jet, they were greeted by people as soon as they got off the plane.

"The party hasn't started yet. Please come with me, and I'll take you to your resting place."

......

"This is your room for resting."

“Father Pucci, please come this way.”

"No need."

Aponia took Father Pucci's hand.

"The priest can share a room with us."

"Ah this..."

The person leading the way looked at Father Pucci strangely, while Aponia stood in front of Father Pucci.

"Any questions?"

"No no."

The person leading the way waved his hand and looked at Father Pucci again.

“Father Pucci, someone wants to see you. When would you be available?”

"Go now, don't keep others waiting."

Father Pucci patted Aponia's head and said softly, "Wait for me to come back, Aponia."

......

"This is the priest."

The priest nodded and went inside.

“I’ve heard so much about you, Father Pucci.”

Before him stood a man of similar age to Father Pucci, who greeted him warmly upon his arrival.

"What do you need me for?"

"Of course, I admire you, Father."

"Our time is precious. If that's all there is to it, then I'm sorry, I'll take my leave now."

The man in front of him smiled upon hearing this.

"Alright, alright, since that's the case, then I won't beat around the bush."

"Join me, Father."

The priest remained silent, and the man in front of him stood up and continued, "You probably don't know much about the Firemoth yet, but the power struggles within the Firemoth are actually quite fierce."

"Although your return to Twilight Street relieved many people, you took something you shouldn't have taken."

"Let me guess, is it the Herrscher core? Right?"

"That's right, that's right, it's the Herrscher core."

“Give him to me, Father Pucci, and I will guarantee your position in the Firemoth.”

Father Pucci crossed his legs and looked at the man opposite him from the side.

What will happen if I don't agree?

The man narrowed his eyes and raised his hand.

"Click."

The sound of guns being cocked rang out, but Father Pucci remained unmoved.

"If you kill me, aren't you afraid the Moths that Chase Fire will come after you?"

"Trouble? Hahaha, you don't know, do you? From the moment I invited you until you're sitting here now, everyone you've encountered along the way has been one of my people."

"I'll just make up some excuse and get away with it. Do you think the Fire Moth would bother me because of a dead person like you?"

"You think too highly of yourself."

Father Pucci nodded.

"Let's do it."

"Eh?"

Gunshots rang out, and the gunmen positioned in the room fell to the ground.

Father Pucci got up and walked outside.

"Not very capable, but very ambitious."

"Someone like you doesn't even qualify to be a puppet."

As they stepped outside, the servant who had led the way stood at the doorway, staring at Father Pucci in horror.

"You will take his place, understand?"

"Yes—yes, Father Pucci."

Upon hearing Pucci's words, the attendant's tone became agitated.

"Excessive desires will lead to your utter ruin."

"do not let me down."

"Ah, yes, I will do my best."

"tell me your name."

"Yes, Father, my name is Dolce & Gabbana."

"...Is that so? Give me your hand."

Father Pucci took out his Bible, which he always carried with him, and the arrow embedded in it.

"Please accept this with utmost respect, Dolce & Gabbana."

"Ugh! What, what is this Pava!"

Dolce & Gabbana knelt on the ground, his body trembling and twisting.

Father Pucci ignored him and turned to leave.

......

Upon hearing the knock, Aponia got up to open the door.

"Welcome back, Father."

"Is there anything unusual about you?"

"Abnormal? What do you mean?"

"It's nothing, it's good that you're alright."

Aponia tilted her head in confusion. Father Pucci smiled and patted Aponia's head.

"It's still early, want to go out for a walk?"

"Ah."

Where is Seele?

“Seele is taking a nap, so let’s go just the two of us, Father.”

"Is that so? Then let's go."

......

The two strolled down the street, chatting about the interesting things that usually happened at the sanatorium.

“Everyone has grown up. Twilight Street is slowly getting better. We used to find abandoned babies at the entrance of the nursing home almost every week, but we don’t see them anymore.”

"That's great."

Aponia stopped, clasped her hands together, and said devoutly, "Thank you, Father."

Father Pucci chuckled.

"Shouldn't we thank the gods at this time?"

Aponia shook her head, simply looking tenderly at Father Pucci.

"By the way, Father, are we going to buy a suit for the party?"

"Come to think of it, I rarely see you wearing casual clothes."

"Does Aponia want to see it?"

Aponia nodded.

"Let's go buy it then. Eden's store seems to be nearby."

"Is this the store where I bought gloves last time?"

"Hmm, that store has a wide selection; they should have formal dresses."

Just as Father Pucci had expected, the shop did indeed have formal wear.

“Please try this one, Father.”

"This one is nice too."

"Please try this one on too."

"...Is it really necessary to go through all this trouble, Aponia?"

Father Pucci tried on one garment after another, and finally couldn't help but ask.

"Are you getting impatient with me so quickly, Father?"

Aponia held up her clothes and stared at Father Pucci.

Father Pucci gave in and took the clothes from Aponia's hands.

"Then this one is next."

......

Aponia and Father Pucci walked out of the clothing store.

"You have such a good relationship with Eden, Father. You don't even have to pay when you buy things from his shop."

"She's like that with all her friends."

"Really? Then let's come back and visit again sometime."

"...If you want to."

'Looks like I won't be able to come here with Aponia anymore. It feels like I've worn all the clothes I've ever worn in my life.'

......

In the evening, the wedding ball was held as scheduled.

Father Pucci could be said to have been deceived, but since he had already come all this way, and later the Firemoth extended an invitation to him.

"Wow, Aponia, this outfit suits you so well!"

"Thank you, Alicia. You look great in a maid outfit too."

"Hmph, of course, Alicia looks good in anything."

Then, Alicia looked at Father Pucci.

"Hmm... This is the first time I've seen Father Pucci wearing other clothes."

"It's pretty good, but it feels... a little strange?"

"Thank you for your inexplicable comment, Alicia."

"Hehe, you're welcome!"

"..."

"Speaking of which, it was you who defeated the Herrscher of Thunder?"

"Are you surprised?"

"Yes, that's true. The word about you, the 'Moth Chasing the Flame,' has spread far and wide, and people are talking about what kind of person you are."

"Why don't you go and hire some new people?"

Father Pucci shook his head.

"The power I possess may not be something they can possess."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Ah, it's the priest, and Alicia-senpai."

"Oh? It's Kevin and Hua. Have you chosen which team you want to join?"

The two shook their heads.

"That's perfect. Father Pucci is the head of the Firemoth branch, how about we go to his side?"

"Oh?! Really? Then you must let me participate!"

“I also want to go to the priest’s side.”

'The two of you won't become fusion warriors anytime soon, so it's fine for you to come to my side.'

Father Pucci thought for a moment, nodded in agreement, and then took out a crucifix and gave it to the two of them.

"I've been curious for a long time, Father Pucci, how many crosses do you actually wear?"

Alicia asked curiously.

Father Pucci took a sip of red wine and did not answer Alicia's question.

"Don't ignore my teeth!"