Upon hearing this, Su Fan was quite surprised.
He hadn’t expected that the people the Vatican sent to perform the exorcism would turn out to be the ghost-hunting couple from The Conjuring universe.
But after thinking it over carefully, it actually started to make sense.
With so many exorcism cases happening, the Vatican can’t just have people on call, flying back and forth between two countries all the time.
It’s very necessary to develop unofficial personnel—but choosing the right kind of unofficial member is quite a delicate matter.
They need to have some real skill, be able to promote a positive image of the Vatican, and help boost its prestige.
But at the same time, they can’t be someone too high-profile.
The Warrens are a perfect fit.
If they succeed in an exorcism, well, even the Vatican’s unofficial people are that capable—so the official ones must be even more impressive.
If they fail, well, it’s only natural that an unofficial Vatican member might not be up to standard.
You’ve really got to hand it to the Vatican—they sure know how to use temporary workers.
Still, there’s one more question that needs to be cleared up.
Are the two people Theresa mentioned the deeply devoted, kind, and justice-driven exorcist couple from the movies? Or are they the real-life couple, all hypocritical and living separate lives behind closed doors?
“Why didn’t they come with you? Were they afraid of meeting me face to face, so they sent you alone to die?”
Su Fan asked in a relaxed, leisurely tone, tapping his index finger lightly on the table.
“The Warrens aren’t as evil as you imagine. They really couldn’t come due to reasons beyond their control.”
After defending the Warrens, Theresa revealed the real reason.
Only then did Su Fan find out that Lorraine had used her psychic vision to investigate the neighborhood and ended up hospitalized with severe mental trauma.
At the same time, the question that had been on his mind earlier was finally answered.
Looks like they’re the Warrens from the movie universe.
“‘Die,’ you say—that sounds way too harsh. Like you’re some kind of demon, Su Fan.”
Theresa was slowly getting more comfortable, and her tone had gained a bit of lightness.
“Oh? So the Vatican isn’t planning to label me a heretic?”
Su Fan teased.
“Let me correct one thing: that habit of branding other faiths as heresy is long behind us.”
“And as for the witch trials, there are detailed explanations for those as well.”
“You can’t keep looking at things today through those old stereotypes, you know.”
Theresa explained to Su Fan with a fairly serious tone.
Su Fan glanced at her and decided not to bring up that dark joke about priests and little boys. Instead, he shifted the topic elsewhere.
“Has the Vatican been in touch with you?”
“Yes, they’ve been in touch—but only to ask about the progress of the exorcism. The news about the demon incarnation hasn’t reached the Vatican yet.”
“Mainly because word about the community’s destruction hasn’t spread very quickly.”
As Theresa said this, a hint of confusion appeared on her face.
“It’s so strange. A massive disaster affecting an area several kilometers wide—why does no one seem to know anything about it?”
Of course they don’t know.
The Mayfair family has already started applying pressure.
With their deliberate efforts to suppress the news, up and down the chain, the spread of information has been slowed down who knows how much.
But of course, Su Fan wasn’t about to explain that to Theresa.
“Maybe it’s just that everyone’s busy living their own lives and doesn’t have the time to care about so much.”
“Even if they don’t have time to care, at least some kind of story or legend should have spread by now…”
Theresa furrowed her brows, but soon broke into a smile again.
“But I suppose that’s for the best. It prevents panic from spreading and feeding the growth of evil.”
“Based on what you know about the Vatican, how do you think they’ll respond to someone like me if they find out?”
Su Fan asked.
“Well, actually, Mr. Warren touched on this in a conversation with a priest.”
“The current Vatican leadership is made up entirely of moderates. They have no desire to control other regions. And besides, you’ve just driven back a demon god—that’s a real achievement. All things considered, they won’t take a hostile stance toward you. It’s just…”
She paused for a moment.
“Just what?”
Su Fan raised an eyebrow.
“It’s just that, since you’re not affiliated with the Vatican and you’re not a believer, according to their rules, you can’t receive any formal recognition. They’ll most likely treat it as if nothing happened…”
Theresa’s tone carried a hint of regret.
“It’s a shame. As the one who drove off the demon god, you won’t get the honor you deserve.”
“That’s fine.”
Su Fan didn’t think they were in any position to give him recognition, nor did he care for their praise.
If the Vatican chooses not to publicize it, it’s simply because they’re afraid Su Fan’s reputation might undermine their authority in the field of exorcism.
They need the double-edged sword of fame—but Su Fan doesn’t.
As long as they don’t have the nerve to come knocking on his door looking for trouble, they can do whatever they want.
“Fought the seventy-two demons of Solomon in bloody combat and successfully drove them out—and yet not only is there no real reward, they won’t even give you an empty title.”
“I’ve really seen the Vatican’s true colors now.”
Just then, a rather cold voice came from behind.
Theresa turned to look and saw a woman walking out from the back.
Tall, with graceful curves and icy blue eyes that now gazed at Theresa with hostility and displeasure.
“A demon incarnation—this should have been the Vatican’s responsibility to handle an exorcism, but you were nowhere to be found.”
“Now that the incident is over, you show up. Next step, are you going to take the credit for yourselves without lifting a finger?”
“Shameless!”
Ron’s sharp words stunned Theresa for a moment.
A look of shame appeared on the latter’s face, and she didn’t argue.
“I’m sorry.”
The facts were right there—there was no room for Theresa to argue. All she could do was offer an honest apology.
This reaction annoyed Ron, who had been ready to engage in a good debate. It felt like punching a pillow.
The Mayfair family, with generations of witches as their heads, have a natural aversion to the Vatican.
Ron felt that way too, though not as strongly.
She had stayed out of sight because Su Fan was receiving a guest, and she didn’t want to cause trouble.
But after hearing the Vatican’s approach from Theresa’s own mouth, Ron couldn’t hold back anymore.
Paimon was vicious and powerful. Su Fan had been seriously hurt trying to deal with Him (at least in her eyes)—and yet he got nothing in return.
It wasn’t fair at all.
The Vatican was utterly shameless!
Fueled by anger, she stepped out to speak up for Su Fan.
But the nun’s attitude was so good, her apology so sincere, that Ron found herself at a loss for words. Her anger faded a little.
After calming down, she realized there was no point in taking it out on a young nun. With a cold snort, she didn’t continue.
“Don’t take Ron’s words to heart. The Vatican’s decisions aren’t something you can control anyway. It’s not your fault—no need to apologize.”
Su Fan said calmly.
These were trivial matters, not worth fussing over.
“I understand. Thank you.”
Theresa seemed genuinely moved. The way she looked at Su Fan softened, making her appear even more graceful.
Just then, the sound of a ringing phone came from her bag.
Theresa took out her phone, pressed the answer button, and put it to her ear.
Answering a phone call—I can do that too, Theresa thought to herself. She stole a glance at Su Fan. Seeing him nod slightly, a little pride welled up in her heart, and the corners of her lips lifted just a bit.
“How’s it going, Sister Theresa?”
“We’ve made contact. He’s sitting right in front of me.”
After replying, she waited a moment, then lowered the phone.
“Su, Mr. Ed says that he and his wife would like to visit in a few days to discuss some matters with you. He wanted to ask if you’d have time.”
“The antique shop is right here. They can come whenever.”
Su Fan answered casually, already forming a guess in his mind.
Looks like another job is coming his way.
