The clouds of dust in the destroyed city settled down. The sky slowly began to show a red hue as the sunset drew near. The battle had lasted a good chunk of the day, and it was better to say that their minds were more tired than their physical bodies.
However, Sylvester had long understood that the little trick he pulled with Saint Scepter also meant trouble for himself. 'Now he also knows where I'm from. This can go two ways—He'll either come after me to kill me or take an interest in me in a more familial way. Based on what Gab found, I don't think there ever existed more than two people from Earth in this world at the same time.'
Thud!
Tired, Sylvester threw himself onto the ground and lay on his back, gazing at the sky. He took a few soothing breaths, attempting to regain composure before getting back to work. There was a lot going on in his head, and the question of what would happen next weighed heavily on his mind.
"This duel… it wasn't the final struggle for the throne, was it? I only killed one pawn." He muttered to himself, raising his hand to cast a shadow over his eyes. "The closer I get to my goal, the farther it seems—How long do I have to keep on fighting? Another lifetime?"
"Maxyyyy…!"
"Hah." Sylvester chuckled upon hearing Miraj's voice drawing closer. "And here comes my cheerleader."
Bam!
Miraj slammed onto Sylvester's chest with force, nearly making him cough. "Maxy… Where were you? I looked for you everywhere, but it was all dark. I thought… I thought I ate myself and got stuck in my belly."
Pa!
Miraj slapped his furry, chubby belly. "But then darkness vanished, and you went flying away like I can… Can you fly now?"
Sylvester smiled and caressed Miraj's head. He was surprised to know that Miraj was stuck in that void thing too, but his experience was different from his own. The nature of that magical move was a mystery to him.
Slowly, he sat up. "Miraj, I won the fight, but I lost too."
Miraj tilted his head, confused. "That makes no sense. It's like… I ate a banana, but I didn't eat a banana…"
"What I mean is that Niel is probably not the final enemy that's holding the fort. I defeated him, but I still can't see myself taking that throne. Niel was the pawn. The true mastermind is someone else… other than Saint Scepter." Sylvester explained but kept most of the complex details to himself since Miraj didn't care about anything but those he loved.
In due time, as the sun almost set, Aurora, Lord Inquisitor, and Gabriel also arrived, looking for him. They dug through the rubble of the city and made a path to him at the center of the crater.
"What happened? Are you alright?" Aurora rushed to him and supported his back with an arm. "Are you hurt?"
"He's alive, which means…" Gabriel guessed.
Sylvester glanced at the Inquisitor High Lord, who stood there silently. "Saint Scepter came. He took Niel's almost lifeless body, said I've won but not ready to take the throne yet… and wants me to uncover some secrets."
Short and concise, Sylvester told them what was necessary.
The tall Lord Inquisitor nodded his visor-clad head. "That man was a forgotten mystery up until a few days. If he wanted, he could have killed us all in many ways. Yet, we stand here and speak—I do not think it's destruction he seeks."
Sylvester agreed on that much, but he didn't rule out the possibility that Saint Scepter's goals might change later on. After all, the man had hinted at it himself.
Sylvester stood up and looked at his palm. "What was that magic Niel used? It wasn't an illusion."
"Supreme Void," Gabriel explained to him as he did with others.
It made sense to Sylvester. "So that's why it was so weak. It held almost no threat to me—but it was certainly a tough one to break out of."
However, learning about it made Sylvester wonder if he could also create a void of his own. 'Unlike Niel, I have an abundance of Solarium, and I've already reached the peak rank of a Knight. My body should be strong enough for it.'
"Well, in any case, I believe it's time I head to Beastaria." Sylvester patted his cape clean. "But first, I need to get this armor fixed."
"Beastaria?! What's there?" Aurora asked, alarmed. "You want to fight a two-front war?"
Sylvester didn't answer her since he was still uncertain himself. "I have something important to take care of there. I have a feeling Saint Scepter hinted for me to go there, as Shadow Knight did a few times before. But first, let's go; the creation of the New Holy Land must not stop. No matter if the old Holy Land accepts me or not, I'll be crowned as the new Pope, since the faith right now is no different than a headless snake."
Aurora sighed. "So this battle was pointless?"
Sylvester smiled. 'Certainly not for me.'
"Niel is gone. We've achieved our goal. It's a good thing that we're able to deal with him so soon because of his challenge. Otherwise, we'd have had to lay siege to the Holy Land, only to find out Niel wasn't the real enemy." Sylvester explained and started to walk out of the city.
"You destroyed the city," Gabriel muttered. "It was so beautiful before. I can see Isabella's shocked face when she hears about this."
"Beautiful, but it was too old," Sylvester commented. "I'll plan a new city later, much bigger and more advanced—a role model for the rest of the world to follow."
"That's genius. So you intended to destroy it today?" Aurora was in awe.
"Not at all. I just crashed on it."
"..."
…
[Duel of Fates: The Bard's light has the supreme might!]
Sylvester arrived back in Sandwall County, and by the time he reached home, the next batch of propaganda posters was ready to be sent out all over the realm. He had won the battle with the false Pope, but the people still needed to know that the struggle persisted.
To instill patience in the people of Sol, and to explain why Sylvester wasn't taking the throne, they needed an excuse. So the next following titles of the propaganda posters were about Beastaria.
[Son of Solis Vows: Unless the threat of Beastaria is gone, the Bard shall not deem himself worthy of the Pope's throne.]
With such headlines, the story was woven. Along with that, Sylvester finally allowed books to be released and libraries to be set up in the capital cities of each Kingdom. The books covered language, elementary mathematics, geography, and home science. The goal was to elevate the general knowledge and intellectual level of the people. By providing the base, the hope was to start a cycle where the more gifted minds with a thirst for more knowledge would seek higher levels of information—officially bringing them into higher academia.
"Lord Inquisitor and Gabriel, you two will be the administrators of the New Holy Land while I'm gone. Don't stop the construction. The city must look like an oasis in the desert. Once the structural construction is complete, focus on beautifying them. Create lakes, ponds, and gardens, and decorate the buildings." Sylvester instructed his team in his large meeting room.
"Am I coming with you this time?" Aurora asked excitedly since her name wasn't called yet.
"No." Sylvester drowned her hopes. "I would love to bring you along, but we both know what they would do to you if they were to catch you somehow."
All the men in the room were Grand Wizards or higher-ranked Clergymen with enough experience to know what the Werewolves, Goblins, and Trolls loved to do to their female human slaves. Not just physical labor but physical pleasing was also expected.
"I'm taking Sir Dolorem with me since his futuresight will help me greatly in navigating that land." Sylvester clarified her role. "You will take his place and protect Mother Xavia."
"No." She refused. "Going to Masan was one thing, but to enter Beastaria like that is unacceptable. It's called the Graveyard of Popes for a reason. Too many species have too many elder experts with incomprehensible magic. If you go there ill-prepared, you'll die."
Sadly, Sylvester couldn't tell her about his relationship with the elven King. But there was still some saving grace. "Don't worry. Did you forget our friendly relations with the Beastkins of the West Coast? They'll provide me with shelter and safety. Besides, I just killed a peak Grand Wizard…"
"What if some Supreme Wizard from among them comes after you?" Aurora pointed. Her worry was not without cause either. "You tell me to protect Xavia, but if you die, she'll kill herself, Sylvester."
Sylvester sighed and reconsidered. "Fine, the Ninja is coming with me then."
"Me? Why me?" The Warsong man, wrapped in tight black clothes from head to toe, exclaimed. He was used to being called Ninja by Sylvester by now.
"Dagorith, you're a master of disguise and stealth, aren't you? I'm sure you can help me greatly and teach me a few tricks too." Sylvester singled out the man whose abilities he desired. "We leave in three days."
"Take more people," Aurora suggested.
"I'm not going there for a leisurely trip, Aurora. I need to remain hidden throughout my stay. In any case, this is my decision. Please handle any imminent threats. If the Chief of Anti-Light warns you, tell him Sylvester remembers the deal—there's still time before the one year is over." Sylvester concluded and stood up from his commanding seat by the oval table. "I'll head to prepare for my trip and write a letter to Sir Dolorem. Dagorith, do the same."
"May the Holy Light enlighten us."
As Sylvester left, all the members stood up and saluted him with arms crossed on their chests. After all, his position as the Pope had simply become a matter of sitting on the throne now.
…
Instead of heading to his chambers, Sylvester went to the dungeon to meet with Avanss. He needed a guide on his mission. And there was also something that he had to ask.
"Maxy, can we go find cats like me?" Miraj asked while perched on Sylvester's shoulder.
Sylvester was almost sure there weren't any, but he agreed. "Of course, we'll look for them as well. But don't get your hopes up—you've been so far away all this time."
Miraj nodded and lowered his head. "I know… Ah, Maxy, my back is also itching again. Will I grow more wings?"
'Again?'
"Perhaps—maybe you'll evolve. Nobody knows about our rare Chonky, after all." Sylvester cheered him on a little as he arrived at the well-lit, dry dungeon.
Knock! Knock!
Sylvester knocked on the metal door and strode in without waiting for a reply. "Good evening, Avanss."
"I sense progress," Avanss mumbled without lifting his head from the book he was reading. "Stronger again? It baffles me how fast you're growing, my dear nephew."
Sylvester got straight to the point. "Avanss, do you know where I can find a blue tree in Beastaria? It's supposed to be beside a crescent."
"Moon Lake?" Avanss muttered promptly. "The one in Deca Imperia?"
Sylvester had the same idea. "Maybe. Are there any blue trees there?"
Avanss hummed and rubbed his hairless chin while reclining back in his chair. "A blue tree… I don't think… Wait, there is a memorial building called Blue Leaves by the Moon Lake."
Sylvester's eyes and ears perked up. "A memorial for what?"
"It was built to honor the fallen in the First Battle of Bays—the first official battle between Beastaria and Sol."
Thank you for reading. GT votes are much appreciated.
