"Welcome back, Saint Seer," Sylvester greeted the bald spymaster of the church, the man he despised the most and yet, could not do anything against. "I hope your visit to the nearby duchies was fruitful."
The Saint Seer, with his keen perception, could not help but detect the air of indifference in Sylvester's voice, an unmistakable sign that any shred of respect he may have once commanded had been forever lost.
Saint Seer knew that the only way to regain Sylvester's respect was through doing a good job whenever he was involved and a tenacious belief that, in due course, such deeds would bring about a meaningful change.
"All matters have been resolved, Archpriest. All spies have been killed. And if anyone is left out, then they are either on the run or laying low. I will keep my ears open for any noise for the next few years. Furthermore, I must say you have outdone yourself yet again. I'm sure any voice of opposition will subside now."
Sylvester didn't react much to the man. Saint Seer was a man who said one thing and did the opposite in secrecy. The only respite for Sylvester was that he could smell the emotions of the Saint Seer.
"Thank you. You can return to the Holy Land if you wish to, Saint. I will remain here to ensure the barbarians settle down and their loyalties lie to the true god. I hope you can reassure his holiness about the situation. I will write a detailed report later and hand it over." Sylvester spoke in the most formal manner.
As awkwardness ensued, Saint Seer bid his farewell. "I do have much to do in the Holy Land. I wish you good luck and hope to see you at the Holy Land soon, Bishop Sylvester Maximilian."
Sylvester didn't even blink and just blankly looked as Saint Seer turned around and left. He had heard people call him Bishop after he had defeated the Duke of Ironstone too, and in the end, he was denied his rightful promotion.
'I should just focus on getting strong and building a reliable backbone for the future.'
He headed out of the Duchess' castle and found the streets busy with thousands of people. The previous occupants of the Frozen city had returned.
"Lord Bard, the horses have been prepared," Elyon informed him.
Sylvester smiled at the tiger beastkin. The man has been loyal to him since the beginning and even risked his own life to save Felix. "You should receive your official designation as Priest now."
"I am satisfied with what I have, Lord Bard. I chased too much in the past and lost everything in that pursuit," Elyon replied with no particular flaring negative emotions.
'Poor man! It's not easy getting over losing one's entire family. I hope he can start a new one soon.'
Sylvester patted the tiger man and walked towards the exit of the town. The destination was set as the new town currently being built by the barbarians down south. It had been a week since the decision was made, and at Sylvester's request — Grand Wizard, Elder of the Gracia family, Gideon Gracia — had accepted to help the people with his mastery over earth magic.
But, before even the town was constructed, a large monastery had already been erected right in the middle of the prepared land. The church was relatively fast, and the Cardinal Suprima of the Duchy had sent the builders urgently. Since the monasteries have a standardised design, it was built in no time.
"That snake is following us," Felix alerted with an unsettled voice.
Sylvester chuckled and waved at the snake in the distance, away from the road, following. "Her name is Ashra, so call her that. She's smart enough to understand what we say, and she's coming with us to the Holy Land."
"You're insane!" Lady Aurora added. "How did you even befriend such a being? The world thought her species was extinct, so there are no documented instructions to deal with her kind."
Sylvester looked at Miraj lazily sitting on the head of Frost, his loyal horse. 'I had expert help, I guess.'
"She's quite marvellous," Bishop Lazark commented. "She is more precious than any mine in the world. But, unfortunately, her Mythril body might attract some unwanted eyes who'd wish to hunt her down, so bringing her under the protection of the Holy Land is better."
Sylvester agreed, as that was one of the reasons he decided to take her along. The mountains were not going to be safe for her anymore, not with the demise of Winter Ghost and barbarians leaving the area.
Eventually, the whole team under Sylvester arrived at the location down south. The foundation of the entire town had been dug, and the workers had started to build the various districts in the town. The planning for the town was done by a southern architect, as the Barbarians had no experience building modern towns.
"The boundary walls have come out well. Lord Gideon should become an architect instead of remaining a retired elder of Gracia." Sylvester joked with the old Grand Wizard as they had come to respect each other after the long battle.
"Hah, I'm too old to travel around all the time, Lord Bard. This was a rare occasion, and I had to come for the survival of my Kingdom. So now I only wish to return home and have some rest," Lord Gideon said.
Felix bobbed his head in agreement. "Nothing beats some wine and women so fine, right?"
"That's righ-"
"..."
Gideon looked back at Felix and made an ugly face. "Boy, you do that again, and I will have a talk with your father."
"I'm an adult," Felix scoffed, "Archpriest of the Holy Land, and he can't do anything to me."
"You won't receive any money." Gideon threatened.
Felix laughed as he patted Sylvester's shoulder. "He never gave me money anyway, but I don't even need it. I have my living, walking bank right beside me,"
Bam!
Sylvester slapped his hand away. "Stay back, gold digger dunderhead. Focus on the task at hand. We can not appear like jesters to them. Preach the faith of Solis to the best and show them the welcoming, warm face of the faith of Solis."
The only reason Sylvester had brought everyone along was to influence the people of the new town better. The people had still not taken an oath in the name of Solis, and the time was running short. If the Holy Land did not feel satisfied and assured, the Storst faction would eventually be dealt with.
"Get in line behind me." He ordered.
With that, Sylvester started speaking a hymn under his breath, making the back of his head shine with a halo. He said nothing to anyone, nor did he give any food or clothing anymore. He just made his presence known to all; that the blessed bard of Solis had arrived.
The people paid their respects and bowed to him on his way. Some even tried to touch him to feel blessed. His popularity rose among the people, and with the well-placed rumours that Sylvester had spread, the stories of his might and blessing were well known, some blown out of proportion.
Soon enough, he arrived at the only two buildings that had been built completely. One was the monastery, and the other was the housing and administrative building of Elder Chief Koruk. Since the population of the Storst faction was made of dozens of tribes coming together, there were many small elders too.
But the small elders were no problem for Sylvester as they were easily won over with enticing money. That only left Elder Chief Koruk — the man who refused to force others or himself to accept a new religion.
Sylvester visited the chief first. "I gave you what I promised, Chief Koruk."
"And I am grateful for this. The lands are fertile, the river is full of life, and the climate is much more welcoming. The people of Storst Town will never forget this."
"I hope they don't. When the church decides to show kindness, they go overboard. And when they decide to antagonise someone, they do the same. So I hope the new citizens of the Gracia Kingdom will accept and respect Solis. That's the only way for a long-lasting, prosperous life," said Sylvester, giving a veiled warning as advice.
Chief Koruk sighed and glanced into Sylvester's eyes. "I know that, preacher. After thinking a lot, I decided to join your side when I had an invitation from another."
Sylvester smelled no lies, which meant Koruk was not faking. "Which other side?"
"The Anti-Light," Chief Koruk dropped the bomb. "Since we are considered heathens by the church, the Anti-Light believed we'd be interested in bringing down the Church of Solis. But, I knew where the wind was blowing and rejected the proposal given by their chief."
Sylvester rubbed his face with his palm and looked tired. In every direction he looked, an enemy was waiting for him. Masan, Elves, Anti-Light, and even inside the church, someone always wanted to kill or enslave him.
"I hope you won't betray me now and ruin my name along with the lives of all your people. I shall conduct preaching and healing camps in your newfound town over the coming few weeks and try to make everyone accept Solis. I came here to remind you not to interrupt. Once all the people have accepted Solis, I will return to the Holy Land, and you will become the official leader of the town under the Duchess."
Chief Koruk bobbed his head in agreement. There was no elation or disgust in emotions. For Koruk, this was a small sacrifice for the prosperity of the people. "Worry not, preacher. Our fates are now tied together. It is in my best interest to see you reach great heights in the church."
'I smell hope and excitement… What is he cooking now?'
"Are you saying you wish to lend me your strength?" Sylvester asked straightforwardly.
But Chief Koruk stood up and walked over to a window that overlooked the town under construction and replied in riddles.
"Preacher, it requires much for a budding tree to grow to its full might. Sometimes, it's not enough to just have light,"
'An increasing amount of hope and admiration, but also a little bit of worship. It seems he has started to doubt his own ideals. I should push for more.'
"Then what do you offer me, Elder Chief? I hope we can make a mutually beneficial trade."
Woosh!
Koruk unsheathed his sword and placed it on the table. "I offer you not my life, for it belongs to my people. Instead, I offer you my blade."
Sylvester looked intently into Chief Koruk's eyes for a few minutes as silence lingered in the room. It was just the two of them, yet it felt suffocating as both tried to gain as much as possible from the other.
After a long silence, Sylvester placed a dagger on the table as he didn't have his spear out. Then he picked Chief Koruk's sword while the latter picked the dagger.
"Elder Chief Koruk Mi'nar, I accept this trade."
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Ape Together Strong
