Some people still believed Sanctus, of course, and treated Nero and his demon arm like a freak. Acted as if he'd done something to have Kyrie possessed and corrupted, and that it was a tragedy the Saviour was defeated. No amount of convincing will change those peoples' minds, but he doesn't think it would be much comfort to Credo to know they still believed in Sanctus's Saviour in that way, so he holds his tongue.

"Nah. It's in the past. I've had thousands of Order docs sitting under my nose for years that I never touched." Nico can tell him if there's anything relevant there, but most of what he finds just disgusts him further. Better to leave it be and protect it from harmful influences. "Things went to shit back then. I was desperate for answers. But now, the only thing I wanted to say to you all this time was..."

He falters, his gaze cast down, until he forces himself to look at Credo again.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to protect you."