Episode 9--Overcount I: The Belfry of Downfall

Opening directly after the final frame of Episode 8, we see Krusnik-Abel--now Abel again--weeping on the floor of Sagrada Familia. Tears fall on his clenched fists. He lets out a terrible howl of anguish and rage.

At the Vatican, Cardinal Sforza tells the assembled members of AX that the College of Cardinals has declared the Barcelona incident to be the work of Professor Barrie acting alone. That's the official verdict? That one person caused all that destruction? It's terrible how they lie to us, as though we were children, fumes Kate. Same as always, the Rosen Kreuz won't show themselves, says William, and Kate angrily asks how he can take it so calmly. There's no way I'm calm, he replies steadily; she was a good girl, our Noelle. --The group falls silent: we see their somber faces. Havel adds quietly that Noelle's body has still not been found.

The only saving grace is that Barcelona's collapse has made even my onii-san (older brother) see reason, says Caterina, and acknowledge the threat to Rome. So that's why the place is suddenly full of police, complains Leon, and Havel corrects him: it's actually because Archbishop d'Este is visiting Rome for the first time in five years. The same d'Este who lost to the Pope? And anyway, what's become of the main fool?--asks Leon.

He's still missing, says Caterina. Missing?! --Abel should be in Rome, she says. In his last transmission he warned me about Silent Noise and the impending danger. But for Noelle...there's only one thing he can do. --There's deep concern and worry in her voice. He must be in Rome somewhere, she says; we have to find him.

Leon heads for the door without asking to be assigned. --Let’s go, Gunslinger, he calls back. Positive, concurs Tres, and they're off. Kate de-rezzes, William leaves, and only Havel and Caterina are there. She drops her head into her hands. I'm responsible for all of it, she grieves. Havel says it's not her fault, and reassures her that it's all right for her to cry in his presence. She manages a small smile. My bond with you goes back ten years, she says... Havel, thank you. He stays by her desk as we draw back to the rainy night outside.

A distressed Esther speaks with William: she's heard about Noelle-san. Is there anything she can do to help? William tells her that everyone's help will be needed now, and she looks much relieved.

Abel walks slowly through the rain.

Archbishop d'Este greets his trembling nephew, Pope Alessandro, and apologizes for his long absence, saying it seems the Word of God chose well in the papal elections five years ago. Alessandro demurs, but d'Este says no, he's very proud of the boy, even if he did defeat his own uncle. He adds to Francesco and Caterina that, as their uncle, he's proud of them and their accomplishments as well, and he's brought gifts. An obelisk to stand in the city, and a new bell--a beautiful sound for Rome's blessed people. He smiles. (--A shark's smile is more sincere than this guy's.)

We see Abel leaning against the stone rim of a fountain in the rain, head down, exhausted. Esther finds him and gently says "Let's go home". She tells him that thanks to his news, every bell in Rome is being inspected. He doesn't respond, or even seem to see or hear her. You came back to protect Rome, right? --she says. He straightens up and walks away from her without a word.

Caterina and d'Este talk: she thanks him for the gifts. The Archbishop says that five years ago he did feel bitter when his niece and nephew (that is, she and Francesco) supported the young Pope candidate instead of himself, but five years is long enough to wash away all such ill-feeling. He adds that he truly is relieved that he lost, and that it must be hard for Caterina to keep Francesco-dono in check. --A little, she admits. Your older brother, he says, might use the Inquisition to wage total war on the vampires. Caterina replies firmly that that section is far more effective when it's just an imposing presence, but d'Este muses that it may be necessary in the near future. What?!--Caterina is surprised by this almost-threat. He's heard that a force separate from the vampires is maneuvering in secret, the enemy of all the world… You know about that? --says the Duchess, with a hard, suspicious stare. He commiserates with her on the loss of one of her subordinates, and when she asks how he knows of that, he replies cryptically that his absence from Rome hasn't lessened his love for it.

Kate, William and Havel confer. Kate reports that every bell in Rome has been examined and not one was found to be suspicious in any way. How about that one?--asks William, pointing out the window at the Archbishop's handsome gift. Well, no, actually…

Caterina finds Abel in the plaza and they stand under the two moons. She tells him he has no reason to apologize, but he silently holds out his AX insignia sash. You're leaving AX? Is it because you couldn't save Noelle? --she asks. But you came back to Rome, wasn't it to fight them? He's still silent; he lays the sash and his gun at her feet. What will you do, she says, about the promise you made to me ten years ago? I won't ever forget what you said. He catches his breath sharply, starts to walk away. --Abel, she says desperately, people are contradictory creatures. If you think you’re a murderer, so am I. But he walks on.

Your Grace, calls a voice behind her: it's Havel and William, who have come to conduct her to the bell tower ceremony. She's late; Leon is already at the ceremony and the Cardinals are gathering. --William starts to call after Abel, but she says no, let him go. Havel picks up Abel's abandoned gear. They tell her of their suspicions and say the bell must not be rung until it's been inspected. As the Duchess and Havel leave William looks after the departing Abel: "if that's your decision, fine," he says…

d'Este thinks that bringing the Inquisition in force into the belltower is a bit excessive, but Francesco says there's nothing wrong with caution. He's furious that his sister is late for the ceremony and orders it to begin without her. Tonight this bell will ring in Rome for the first time!--he tells the assemblage, and d'Este has just taken hold of the bell-rope --still grinning like a shark--when a commotion stops him. It's Leon, fighting his way through the banks of Inquisition guards. Out of my way! --he shouts. Don’t ring that bell! He demands to inspect the bell; the Pope appeals to Francesco for a decision; d'Este waits, trying not to look edgy. You're one of Caterina's subordinates, snaps di'Medici. --Correct, says his sister icily, arriving with Havel and William. [Note how separate the sibling Cardinals keep their operations: Francesco has apparently never met any of AX, knowing them only by their uniforms, and as we'll see soonish, Caterina has never met the commanding officers of the Inquisition.]

Sister!--cries the Pope, happy to see her, but d'Este practically snarls with frustration. Caterina orders the ceremony postponed. Francesco demands an explanation, outraged that she might suspect their Uncle's bell of any connection to terrorists--does she dare suggest he's in league with them? (She, by the way, seems to be wearing body armor, and Havel and William flank her as watchfully as trained bodyguards.) The Duchess patiently says that she's not accusing anyone; but, as the bell came in with him, it was taken for granted that it need not be inspected, and it's possible the terrorists might be using d'Este for their own ends. She pointedly adds that they shouldn't take the destroyers of Barcelona lightly. --Using me? My bell is clean! cries d'Este and prepares to pull the rope.

--Going in, says Havel, and vanishes with a shimmer, flashing through the air.

The bell rings. Nothing happens. Rome stands as calm as a lake.

Are your suspicions satisfied, my esteemed niece? --smirks the Archbishop. Francesco is enraged. Such behavior in front of His Holiness is totally unacceptable!--he rails at his sister.

Caterina and her team can only stand there.

...go on to Episode Ten.

...return to Trinity Blood Episode Guide.