Iscariot

Iscariot (イスカリオ) is a special unit that operates as part of the within the Papal Guard within the Septian Church.
== Background ==
Iscariot is a covert special operations unit that acts within the jurisdiction of Arteria's Papal Guard. Exactly how many members Iscariot has within its ranks is unknown, but the Guard as a whole is said to number 30,000 and that there are at least 200 elite members that work with the commander directly, knowing their identity. The only others that are said to know the identity of this figure include the Pope, cardinal of the Congregation of Divine Worship, and the commander of the Graslritter- Ein Selnate.
Whereas the the Gralsritter primarily act to secure Artifacts, the Papal Guard concern themselves more with the hunting and eradicating of heretics, namely traitors and felons. Bergard Zeman states that they are more likely to seek to block collection of the artifacts from the Gralsritter, if not outright destroy them. Ashrad states that Iscariot judges those the law cannot touch and they seek to enact 'divine retribution'.
Iscariot are one of the few groups permitted to read from the Apocrypha, such as the book of Ezer.
The Papal Guard, by means of Iscariot are noted to have been active in Calvard for quite some time. It is said that after a new commander was appointed, their methods and operations changed suddenly, and Celis Ortesia comments that they do not even notify the congregation of divine worship of their actions. They have a hidden objective within Calvard.
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Iscariot are increasingly active within Calvard, having some unknown objective. Ashard mediates the meeting between Cao Lee of Heiyue, Walter Kron of Ouroboros, Zin Vathek of the Bracer Guild and Van Arkride of the Arkride Solutions Office when they meet to discuss the threat Almata. Hunting Almata and those linked to them is one of Iscariot's primary goals. Ashrad withdraws when Celis Ortesia and Rion Balthazar interrupt the meeting.
Ashrad and two units of Iscariot take part in the Carnival within Oración, although they are also targetting Edmond Auclair for his role in funding the terrorist group. Ashrad prepares two units, which work in tandem to ambush Kasim Al-Fayed and the Marduk Company, whom they perceive as the greatest threat. Nevertheless, both units are simultaneously defeated by Kasim and the two teams withdraw. This turns out to mostly be a cover, and they soon corner Edmond. Elaine Auclair, who also suspects her father, arrives to arrest him and Ashrad deems it suitable to hand the matter over to her.
After the Carnival, Iscariot cooperate with the Gralsritter in a rare moment to hunt down the remnants of Almata.
Most of Iscariot is immobilised when Pandemonium envelops Edith, but Ashrad is free to move. He cooperates with Van and helps to defeat several fiends that oppose the group trying to save Judith Lanster and Maxim Rogen. He notices the phenomena is connected to Van but otherwise makes little judgment. He later moves away after receiving orders from his superior.
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Iscariot continue hunting remnants of Almata and those linked to them. They track down Robin Glasgow, a former repentant member of Almata who had inadvertently delivered the reactor weapon to Creil village under orders from Melchior. He was remorseful after discovering his role and had been sending flowers and aid to the survivors. Iscariot decide to allow Van to handle delivering justice in this case.
Iscariot, cooperating with Celis later hunt down van with Edith, seeking to apprehend him for his supposed role in Bergard Zeman's death after their memories were altered by corrosion. They lay traps for him all over the city and would have been successful in killing him several times were it not for the intervention of the Oct-Genesis. Nina Fenly, Salvatore Gotch and Rion Balthazar aid Van. Van confronts them and Celis in a recreation of the Vashtar Palace Ruins and brings them back to their sense after the corrosion ends.
At the time of the Aramis High School Scholastic Festival, Iscariot's secret leader meets with Van. She immobilises the units and speaks with Van privately, revealing she is after <C>, having it be her job to hunt that kind of being down. Nina reveals her nature and Van convinces her to let him attempt to resolve the situation first. Nina agrees and gives Van access to the Octo-Radium.
== Organisation ==
Iscariot acts as a unit of the Papal Guard. There is no official commander, with the position held by the Saint of the End. Ashrad acts as the vice-captain.
== Gallery ==
Ashrad concept art (Kuro).png|Ashrad, Vice Captain
Ashrad's mace concept art (Kuro).png|Iscariot battle mace
Category:Organisations
Category:Septian Church