Sir Dolorem had informed Sylvester that Bloodrain was not in Niel's camp. However, Sylvester faced another significant problem. He had no idea where Bloodrain even stood. The man had been missing from the Holy Land for as long as he could remember, and even Sir Dolorem hadn't seen him in the past few years.
But Sylvester had seen the same worship in Bloodrain as Lord Inquisitor, so he welcomed the man within the walls of the New Holy Land. In the worst-case scenario, he'd have to kill him, that's all. Even against Blood Magic, Sylvester was confident he could kill him, as his magnetism and metal manipulation were far superior.
"Return to your posts!" Sylvester ordered the soldiers and greeted Bloodrain. "May the Holy Light enlighten us!"
Bloodrain lowered his head lightly. "May we be enlightened, Lord Bard. I have returned upon learning the fate of the Holy Land."
Sylvester knew Bloodrain was a man of fewer words, just like Inquisitor High Lord. Most of the things he said were left open to interpretation and guessing. Like in the current case, where the man just assumed that Sylvester would know everything.
"For the same reason, Inquisitor High Lord returned to the light, Lord Bloodrain. Please come with me to the fortress. Much has happened that you should learn about." Sylvester led him through the wide streets to the fortress at the edge. It was tall and still under construction, to ensure a sense of grandeur befitting the title of Holy Land.
"Bloodrain." Inquisitor High Lord stood at the entrance of the fortress.
"Lord Inquisitor," Bloodrain replied, acknowledging each other's presence without any unneeded words.
Sylvester proceeded inside and returned to the large office reserved for him. This time, however, Sylvester only allowed the Guardians of Light to speak with him, as they now represented the highest ranks of the faith. Soon, Aurora and Soulbreaker also joined them.
"Where were you all these years, Lord Bloodrain?" Sylvester respectfully asked. "Sir Dolorem tried to contact you to protect the Holy Land from Niel."
Bloodrain apologized with a short nod. "I was carrying out Pope Atrox's command, Lord Bard. I am grateful to you for defeating the Mountain Barbarians. It remained my greatest failure—but after you conquered them, I was ordered to investigate the Chief of Anti-Light and deal with him if possible."
Sylvester's interest was thoroughly piqued. "I've encountered him before, and he gave me one year to seize control of the Holy Land and become the Pope. Otherwise, he would raze it to the ground."
"He is capable of that," Bloodrain replied. "Over the past several years, I have searched for information regarding his origin and the scope of his might. Indeed, he has infiltrated all walks of life, including the previous Sanctum Council—Saint Seer was a spy for both sides, who somehow hid under our noses for so long."
Crack!
The floor underneath Lord Inquisitor's feet cracked, yet he remained silent. Only the flames in his visor-clad eyes burned even fiercer.
Sylvester wasn't even surprised about it anymore. He had long realized that the Anti-Light Chief had someone in the Sanctum Council. How else would he know it was the Sanctum Council that placed the Shadow Knight behind him?
"What else did you find? Is he stronger than the Holy Land?" Sylvester inquired. "How much damage can he do to us?"
"Enough to eradicate the faith," Bloodrain answered. "Lord Bard, he does not have to win, as that is not his intention. He has no demands. His only desire is the annihilation of the faith."
Sylvester sighed but didn't let the word get to him. "We have five months remaining. If we win and take back the Holy Land, the threat of Anti-Light will be postponed."
"But it will linger forever," Bloodrain interjected. "Lord Bard, give me permission to continue my investigation. I'm close to discovering his roots and what caused him to hate the faith this deeply. If we can answer his dissatisfaction, perhaps we can end this unneeded fraction."
'Even if he remains here, it won't help me much. At least not until the beginning of the battle. Moreover, it's better to de-escalate tensions with Anti-Light to ensure a smooth and prosperous future after my ascension.' Sylvester made up his mind.
"You can continue, but let me memorize your Solarium Signature first so that, if needed, I can speak with you through my mental abilities," Sylvester suggested, withholding his knowledge of Elder Magic for now.
Following that, Sylvester held Bloodrain's hand, allowing his Solarium to enter the body and sense the signature. He also briefed him about Saint Scepter and the strange names from the books. Once done, the man wasted no time and left searching for the Anti-Light Chief.
But Sylvester smelled something strange on Bloodrain. While the man always carried the scent of sorrow, there was now a hint of regret.
'How much can I trust these scents anymore?' He wondered silently and watched Bloodrain leave.
Then finally, Sylvester rose from his chair and picked up his spear resting beside him. "Lord Inquisitor, Aurora, you'll be the rulers in my absence. There's an abundance of food and gold in the treasury under the fortress. Ashra is there as the guardian of the gold."
"Where are you going?" Aurora also stood up.
Sylvester looked toward an open window facing the south. "Riveria is the only Kingdom that can revolt against us, and they possess four Grand Wizards. The Highland Kingdom alone can't deal with them, so it is time for a change in leadership."
"You can't go alone!" Aurora exclaimed, her voice filled with worry, just as the scents. "We can't lose you again."
"I was weak before, yet brought down Masan and its twenty-five Grand Wizards," Sylvester responded. A tinge of sadness emanated from him as the loss of so many experts was disheartening. "Moreover, I prepared for Riveria's mutiny a long time ago with Kaecilius' help. The traps have been set. I'm merely going to bring the Grand Wizards to our side."
"But…"
"If I go alone, it will be easier for me to remain in disguise," Sylvester assured her. "Don't worry. I will be back in a week. Just hold down the fort for me, please."
"Understood, Lord Bard." The Inquisitor High Lord responded.
Aurora looked at her adoptive father in defeat and eventually agreed. "Fine… just be safe and inform us about anything new."
"See you in a week." Sylvester confidently said and left. It may seem preposterous to think he was claiming he'd bring down a Kingdom within a week. But then, considering who he was, a week seemed too long.
…
There was no need for horses or carriages. Sylvester was going to walk in the sky to reach Riveria and use Miraj to fly occasionally. He wasted no time and left immediately from the rooftop of the fortress. Aurora helped him greatly by bringing in a brief storm and clouds to conceal his departure.
"Maxy, I brought treats. Want some?" Miraj asked while chewing some strange candy and perched on Sylvester's shoulder, enjoying the breeze hitting his fluffy face.
"No." Sylvester was focused on running as fast as possible.
"Hehe…" Miraj giggled. "They're honey-flavored…"
Sylvester abruptly stopped. "Where are they?"
Miraj giggled and reached for the small, leather pouch on his back. He kept it in his belly most of the time, but while traveling in situations where no one could see him, he kept it out for easy access to treats.
"Here." Miraj gave him long, sugarcoated, hard candies with honey filled in the middle. It was simply exquisite.
Sylvester took a bite with delight. "Who gave them to you?"
"Awrawra did. She started praying to the guardian angel who protects Maxy, so I took the offerings she had placed." Miraj explained as if it was just another day in his mundane life.
Sylvester was speechless because it seemed like déjà vu. Miraj and Sir Dolorem's interactions had started like that too. "Of course, who, if not a fellow honey addict, would have such candy."
They resumed their journey. It was the ease of traveling by running in the air, unhindered by the twists and turns of roads. They just watched the ever-changing landscape beneath them and made a straight line toward Fort Sunflower, where Kaecilius resided.
"So much has changed," Sylvester muttered. "It seems King Highland spread my agricultural ideas. Sunflower fields are reduced by half, making way for food crops."
Slowly, he began to descend toward Fort Sunflower after crossing the Snake River. The sky was clear and sunny that day, with the summer heat particularly intense. Not many people were out working in that condition, granting them a clear passage.
"We meet again."
"..."
Woosh!
Sylvester abruptly stopped and turned to look behind himself. The moment his gaze fell on the figure, he felt the air grow chillingly cold.
It was the same old black robes, hazy, vague figure, and long white slits for eyes. If he wasn't strong now, he'd have panicked just at the mere sight of the being.
"Shadow Knight," Sylvester responded, though he didn't raise his spear at him. "What mystery do you bring me now? I no longer fear you. Fight, if that is what you want."
It was perhaps the first time someone had challenged the Shadow Knight to a battle.
Yet the haunting creature remained motionless, its shadowy robes fluttering in the wind. "Where you stand now, I am not your match, Bard of Solis."
'I can hear him clearly now, weird. Are his abilities ineffective on me now?'
"Then to what do I owe this pleasure of meeting you? What is your agenda? What is it that you seek?" Sylvester inquired seriously.
The Shadow Knight immediately answered. "You have already won, Sylvester Maximilian, Niel is not capable of standing before you. You will be victorious in your campaign, albeit with a few casualties, but that will not be the final victory of the sun! For the real battle is yet to begin."
'Kimino has already foretold my victory.' Sylvester remembered. He was only trying to minimize the casualties at the current stage.
"Saint Scepter? I know."
The Shadow Knight shook his head and began to retreat, still facing Sylvester. "It goes beyond your limitations of understanding. You must let your mind continue expanding."
The fluttering black robes gradually faded into the distance. "I came to remind you, Bard of Solis—What you see is true, and what you do not see is also true. To learn the reality, heaven, and hell, you must walk through. Seek the tree bluer than the sea—the crescent is the key, and find out why this world came to be like this—Who made it into this… abyss."
Shh…!
With a gust of wind, the dark creature vanished as abruptly as it appeared.
Thank you for reading. GT votes are much appreciated.
