Chapter 80 : The orders of the Coven

Alessandro had a dream, a strange dream, similar to a nightmare in some places, where the image of a dead girl in front of a church distressed him, which was inexplicable since he had no idea who that person was.
Marco Lombardo opened a wooden door and brought Alessandro into the central chapel where the statue of a lion stood, placing his paw on a depiction of the world, clutching a snake between his jaws, in front of the statue was Grand Master Giovanni Monteverdi X , standing like a soldier and with his hands behind his back. The Grand Master, with the white robe, turned to Alessandro who, lowering his head, saluted:
« Beatus Leonis. »
« Benedictus Sis. »
Alessandro approached the Grand Master while Marco Lombardo remained in the rear.
« Did you ask for me, Grand Master? »
« The Coven needs you, disciple. You wear the blessed ribbon, proof of your skill, that's why I called you. »
« Marco Lombardo told me that I was chosen to fight the Holy Grail War. It's true? »
« Exactly. The Coven wants the Holy Grail. Since the Church of Fuyuki, that den of heretics, betrayed the cause of the Vatican State, we have lost almost all our contacts with Japan. But we lost interest in that Grail. Now we're looking for the Holy Grail of Yggdrasil. »
« What's so interesting about that Grail? »
Alessandro did not want to go to war, he was a person who only aspired to a peaceful and normal life, he didn't want to fight the Holy Grail War but Giovanni Monteverdi X had a combative look, fiery eyes and an enthusiastic grin.
« It's a unique object of its kind, you understand? The Coven must have it at all costs. That's why you will participate in the war and fight against our enemies. »
« Who else will fight? »
« The Rote Mäntel, in Hamburg, are already moving. I spoke with the Mage's Association which will do everything in its power to prevent the war from causing significant damage, especially to the population. »
« So where will the war take place? »
« We don't know yet, but we'll tell you in the right time. » Marco answered, approaching Alessandro's shoulders.
«Right ... »
« For now you must think only about the Servant. »
« I understand. »
« But this war will not be like the others. »
« Lombardo is right » Giovanni said: « In this war nine different Servants from nine classes will participate. »
« Nine ?! »
Alessandro knew that in a Holy Grail War only seven Servants with seven classes were admitted: Saber, Lancer, Archer, Caster, Assassin, Rider and Berserker. What could be the other two classes?
« Over seven other classes common to the Holy Grail War there are two more: the Specter and Devourer class. »
« Specter? Devourer? »
« The Specter class welcomes all creatures related to the demonic or angelic world. It's a class born solely to accept the demons and angels that we Catholic Christians have fought for thousands of years. The Devourer class, on the other hand, is a class of which I was informed by a certain Bradley Jenkins, a magus of the Mage's Association. This is an anomalous class of which we know little. »
Alessandro Serpi, in hearing the name of the last class had goose bumps and remembered a creature, a terrifying beast with the appearance of a giant snake and with immense jaws, like those of a dragon. Giovanni had noticed the boy's uneasy expression but reassured him by saying:
« Quiet, Alessandro, we will give you the means to fight this war. Thanks to us you will win and you will bring us the Holy Grail of Yggdrasil. »
Marco put his hand on Alessandro's shoulder, smiled at him and in a low voice told him that everything would be fine. It was a lie.
Alessandro was sure of it, he had the feeling of having already experienced those moments and those doubts, the looks full of expectations of his Grand Master and also of Marco Lombardo were weighing on his shoulders, he could not refuse the job, he could not say no , could not escape. He was forced to follow the orders of the Coven.

A. Serpi , M. Lombardo and G. Monteverdi X by Bikowolf