It took nearly an hour for the pyre to burn its course and turn into fine ash completely. After which, the Pope went ahead and picked up the ashes.
As for the Cardinals and others who had come to see it, they paid their final respects and started returning to their workplaces. Most were heads of essential departments, after all.
As for Sylvester, he remained there just in case the Pope needed some help. He was honestly confused about the Pope as the man didn't fit on any side. One moment the Pope seemed against him, and other times he seemed like the best ally to have. It was getting hard to see which shade of grey the old man was on any particular day.
'Fine, if they keep me inside the Holy Land for six months, then I shall use that time to create my own string of connections. But… I can't begin to create my own secret association until I find an oath that binds life itself… There has to be something. Perhaps Bishop Lazak would know.'
"Son, go home. I will oversee your training three times a week starting next week." The Pope ordered.
"Understood, your holiness. May the holy light enlighten us." Sylvester saluted formally and turned around to leave.
Sylvester returned to the port and took the small ferry waiting there. He didn't go inside the temple, however, as that required many permissions and a lot of oversight. Not to mention, the guards there would pounce on him with the intent to kill the moment he tried anything.
So, he silently returned to the Pope's Peninsula. However, it was late in the morning already, so the various workspaces had opened. So instead of returning home, he decided to pay a visit to the Administration office to ask for a small office room from where he could work.
Of course, his real intention was just to be inside that building so he could meet influential people and do some spying. He had the best surveillance tool with him, after all.
"Saint Wazir will see you next." He was soon allowed inside the office.
Sylvester gave a slight bow and took a seat. He could see the tension still lingering on the man's old face. However, nobody knew what the Pope was going to do next. But the work must continue; the church must keep running.
"Respected Saint, I've come to request a small room to set up my place of work in the building since I will be on administrative duty. I don't know what to do as a Sanctum Inspector, but I will try my best." Sylvester humbly requested.
Saint Wazir didn't bother with him much. "I will order my assistant to provide you with a small room in my staff office. Anything else?"
"Yes, I will need two hours every day at home. I am working on a treatment for my mother, which will require me to be with her." Sylvester didn't sound like he was asking, however. Instead, the message in his words was clear. You were incompetent to keep her safe, now don't anger me more.
Saint Wazir had no problem either. "Your first assignment for the next two months is managing the Season of Solis. So you will have enough free time. And I will pray for Mother Xavia's quick recovery."
Sylvester graciously accepted the instructions. "Understood, Saint. I will leave now."
He left the building and headed to the Bright Mother's training academy. Typically, men were not allowed inside, but he went there anyway as he needed to meet Great Mother Grace. No woman, Bright Mother or trainee bothered him, as he already lived in their same building. If anything, many young ones were in awe or crying after seeing him. True, they were never supposed to mingle with a man, but they were still allowed to admire one.
He knew every corner of the building as he spent most of his childhood there with Xaivia while she was studying there. So, he found the Great Mother's office on his own.
The legendary old woman, a hero of the great thousand-year war, was mostly retired now and spent her time drinking tea or 'playing' with her friends in her house on some nights. But thankfully, albeit with her cold and proud demeanour, she liked Sylvester a lot.
"May the holy light enlighten us and grant you two more centuries of life, Great Mother." Sylvester entered her office with a big smile.
She didn't smile, however, and kept a cold persona. But the scent she released was pleasant, so Sylvester knew he was in the clear.
"What do you want?"
Sylvester took a seat. "Can't I just come to ask how the Great Mother is doing? I'm not that selfish."
She stared into his eyes. "What?"
"..."
"Need a bigger house. Princess Isabella will remain with mum and me. I also need to keep a helper for mum until she fully recovers." He requested.
"I knew it! You'd never come to me for no reason. Fine, I will allot the top floor's house to you. It has five rooms and a large open balcony. Should be enough for you."
"Awesome! You're the best, Great Mother." He showed visible excitement as he kept this persona in front of all Bright Mothers.
She grunted. "Sure. Anything else?"
Sylvester awkwardly shook his head. "No, that's all. I'll take my leave now. I need to shift home. Take care, Great Mother, and be sure to eat healthily."
Thud!
As Sylvester left, the Great Mother sighed and relaxed back. "What a good boy, caring for us mothers. Solis truly blessed us to bring him to our doors."
Of course, the cold and calculative Great Mother was like any other Bright Mother. After all, who wouldn't dote on a son as great as Sylvester? She just didn't like showing it openly.
"May the lord bless his warm soul."
…
Sylvester quickly returned to his home and found a great many laughter coming from inside. As he entered, he found Felix and Gabriel joking around and bickering about little things.
"Alright! Enough fun. I've got the permission and the keys from the Great Mother's office. We're shifting to the top floor into the best penthouse. Felix and Gabriel, you two shall be the porters for the evening. I will pay you with food."
Felix stood up quickly. "Ah, things I have to do to feed my belly."
"You don't have a lot of stuff here anyway. It won't take much time." Gabriel added and prepared to work.
So, Sylvester also joined them and slowly took the furniture, the boxes full of clothes, and various utensils to the top floor. It was a great place to live as it had a large living room, five bedrooms, a cooking area, and a bathroom. Not only that, the open balcony was in the corner. Hence, there was sunlight available from morning till noon.
Sylvester already had a plan with the open space. "This is great. I will construct a nice wooden pool here for water therapy. But first, come with me. We're going shopping on the Guild Peninsula. We also need to buy Isabella a bed, a wardrobe, and furniture for other rooms and the living room."
"But why are you walking so weirdly? Is your leg hurt?" Felix suddenly asked.
'Ugh! Is it that obvious? I need to get the blockage cleared tonight, it seems.' Sylvester cursed himself.
"It's nothing. I just hit my toe on the wall. Anyway, let's move. I'm planning on taking mum and Isabella as well. The wheelchair will work just fine." Sylvester planned and walked out of the new house.
Sadly, there was nothing such as an elevator in the world currently. So he had to use the stairs. They were no hindrance to Sylvester, but he reckoned it must be annoying for Bright Mothers.
Soon, they took a carriage and made their way to the Guild Peninsula. Sylvester seriously felt the need for a modern wheelchair after pulling Xavia's small wheeled chair. It was impractical and required too much push. Moreover, the chair alone was too heavy.
But ignoring that, everyone liked the little excursion. They travelled around the market to buy whatever was needed. He also lets Isabella go crazy and take whatever she needs. While Xavia was always worried about budget, it took much convincing to make her realise how rich Sylvester was without even considering his black money.
By evening, five carriages full of crates, bags and wood departed for the Pope's Peninsula. Sylvester, however, spent a little more time there and had dinner outside with everyone.
"Felix and Gab, I'm afraid I won't be allowed to take any outside assignments for the coming six months. However, I don't want you to stop focusing on your development. So, this time, I want you to go on missions on your own. You will have Elyon, Sir Dolorem and Bishop Lazark with you on these assignments." He informed the two.
Of course, they were prepared to do this. They had always known that one day Sylvester wouldn't be there to help them at all times.
"Understood, my brother. I will try my best. But, if you can do it, I too wish to be an Archwizard fast, or else, how can I remain the Sword of Solis alongside you?" Felix proclaimed proudly.
Gabriel agreed and chimed in. "I will focus on my religious studies with Archbishop Noah too. Perhaps, when you take the seat, I can help you with religious laws and such."
"You're a dumbass, Gabriel." Sylvester suddenly cursed, making everyone's jaw fall.
"What?"
"Yes, you're a numbskull. You have the talent of being a Master wizard and a Diamond Knight. That's one high knightly talent, my friend. You also have light magic to boast too. And here you are, spending all your time studying. Remember, in front of absolute power, all your wisdom and knowledge are useless because death is always a breath away.
"You need to focus on getting stronger as well. You just entered the Master Wizard rank, but your Diamond Knight talent can make you as strong as Sir Hans, Lord Inquisitor's right-hand man." Sylvester nearly scolded him.
Gabriel nodded his head in reply. "I know you say that in concern for me, Max. But I can't seem to train very well."
"You're not trying enough. Think of your sister, Gab. Do you want to protect Raven or not? Do you want to burn that heathen witch who abused her or not? Do you want to rise in the clergy or not? If you don't get stronger, you will always be a priest, while I will rise to become a Cardinal." Sylvester added more warnings.
The fear of being left behind was something that could force people to work hard, after all.
"Y-You're right…" Gabriel muttered. "I will try to focus on my Knight's talent as well."
Sylvester patted his shoulder. "My brother, I don't want to lose more friends… Like Markus."
Everyone turned sad at Markus' mention. Indeed, they had not forgotten their good flexible friend.
Then Sylvester cleared his mind and stood up as he had work to do on himself. "Anyway, let's go home now. I have to wake up early tomorrow to build the pool. I've also planned to go to the Soul Peninsula and meditate there."
'Ugh… The pain is increasing. I need to look in the archives for any healing method quickly.'
[A/N: Some light-hearted chaps for now. Will focus on world-building and plotting here.]
500 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.
1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.
Ape Together Strong
