Sylvester did pity them. They were normal humans, but because of their stature, they were deemed unfit to possess complex intellect. He never recalled seeing a Clergyman from this social group.
"It won't be wrong to say that I am also an entertainer." Sylvester cheered up the mood. "I have been singing for the pleasure of the faithful. Perhaps you can do the same. The new faith is different, and people from all walks of life are welcome to become its working members. Be it as a Priest or a Bright Mother."
"We can?" Maddy beamed with newfound hope—a hope to live life with dignity.
"I didn't know you couldn't before. But now, I am allowing you to," Sylvester declared openly. "I do not discriminate against you for your stature or species. As long as you have Solis in your heart, you are my brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters."
Sitting on the other side of the table, Gabriel nodded vehemently. The Church was in the middle of expansion, and there was a greater need for more Priests at the lower levels. This time, the plan was to include various species from Beastaria as well.
"Now, go on and tell me about your adventures." Sylvester changed the topic and uplifted the mood of the dinner. "Let me start with my own. Let me tell you about the time I caught a man masquerading as me right in this castle. He didn't look like me from any side, and yet people somehow believed him because of his blonde hair and eyes…"
Like that, the dinner went by with little laughter, and stories shared. It was perhaps the best for the ten-member jesting troupe. They had never felt this honored in their lives before, and in all honesty, they wanted to become a part of what Sylvester was now.
He was charismatic, kind, and powerful; a perfect combination for a man worth following.
"That was needless," Gabriel muttered as they watched the troupe leave on their carriages. "But they will never forget this event for the rest of their lives."
"That's what we all should strive for, Gab. You must learn to treat people while rising above any prejudice. No matter the species, or looks, a life is a life." Sylvester taught his Saint Wazir and patted his shoulder before making his way toward the main monastery in the city. "The Church must always remain impartial."
"Where are you going?"
"To rest at the monastery, Gab. I'm the Pope. I can't be staying in a King's castle as it'd send the wrong message."
"B-But you lived in Queen Xylena's castle."
"Because she's my adopted daughter, it's not the same. Now move your slow ass—the last to reach the monastery will sleep on the floor."
"What?!" Gabriel's pupils shrank in amusement at the sudden task. "I already got my own room. Why would I sleep on the floor."
"Because you'll lose the bet."
"I know I'll lose!" Gabriel growled.
Woosh!
But Sylvester was already gone.
'No wonder all the old Grand Wizards were weird or creepy. With a lifespan so long, they have to be anything but normal.' Gabriel sighed and walked at his own pace.
…
Boom! Boom!
The very next day, the Great Harvest Festival started with much applause and fireworks. The entire city and region outside of it were filled with visitors. In every district, a massive, fifty-meter-wide cauldron was placed on a raised furnace in which thick, rich stew laden with vegetables, meat, and lots of herbs was being prepared. Near it was another cauldron, but smaller, which constantly cooked rice, and a large oven where more than a hundred men and women baked fresh bread.
The food was free, and the official feast was to start with the King taking a bite. But this time, with Sylvester invited; he was to eat first.
"This is quite tasty," Sylvester muttered after taking a bite on a raised platform with the crowd all around.
"Of course, the royal chief made this one. He decides the recipe for the whole festival," Kaecilius explained. "No matter the rich or poor part of the city. The food remains the same on this day."
"That's good to hear. But if there's no need for me here, I shall return to the Holy Land now," Sylvester said, seeming abrupt.
"D-did something displeases you here, Your Holiness?" Kaecilius inquired with worry. "I…"
"What is it that you wanted to talk about?" Sylvester got to the point right away. "I know you didn't invite me here just for the festival."
"The war," Kaecilius blurted after gesturing to his Prima to alert all the guards. "I heard troubling words from the west and Sandwall County. Leyon the Conqueror has now approached the border of the East. I was wondering if you plan on taking action… or if we will have to do it this time."
Sylvester sighed and stared at the King's bearded face. "I get called a dictator by the nobles, despite having no intention of ruling the lands. This isn't the Church's war, Kaecilius. From what my Seer has informed me, Leyon and his army also firmly believe in Solis, and beyond enemy soldiers, they inflict no pain, and no innocent blood was spilled."
Kaecilius sighed and nodded firmly. "I respect your decision, Your Holiness. I will speak with the other Kings and Queens to discuss this matter. Against the invader, the East needs to unify."
"Then I shall be on my wa—"
"However! A greater concern has risen…" Kaecilius suddenly added. "A few of my people have reported to me that the Assassin Guilds have started showing unusual activity, especially the SSS-ranked Guild."
"Weeping Ghosts?" Sylvester recalled the name as they were the only SSS-ranked Assassin Guild in Sol, housed in the Isle of None.
"Warlocks, Red Knights, and the Legendary Assassin Mistwalker have also been, reportedly, hired by Leyon the Conqueror. He has the gold of the entire West to splurge, Your Holiness."
"And why would you tell me all this?" Sylvester asked, looking back at Kaecilius' gaze, which held a deeper meaning.
Kaecilius lowered his head as if he were surrendering himself. "They remained dormant all this time in fear of you. Now, they've become active as a possibility has appeared… a possibility to defeat the East and the Church using the tyrant."
'Telling me this is my problem without saying it?' Sylvester understood the meaning behind Kaecilius's words. 'Weeping Ghosts? They should have one or two Grand Wizards.'
"Good luck, Kaecilius." Sylvester kept walking away. "The battle ahead of you will be hard, but always know that the light of the Lord always watches over you."
Even more so with Leyon bringing in more and more Grand Wizards to his cause and evening out the playing field. No more could East Sol sit around and relax.
"What if we need you?" Kaecilius shouted.
Sylvester merely revealed a raised thumb and left silently.
…
"Maxy, why are you not helping them? What if Bella and Xye get hurt? Or the beardy King?" Miraj asked as Sylvester made his way back to the Holy Land.
"Who said I'm not helping them? I'll be keeping an eye on everything. But this time, I need them to come together and tackle this challenge. This world needs to learn to run itself, Chonky. I won't always be there for them," Sylvester said.
Miraj was sad hearing that and hugged Sylvester's neck with his soft paws. "I will go wherever you go, Maxy… Even the place where dead people go."
"Don't be so attached to someone, Chonky. It becomes really hard to forget otherwise."
"But I don't wanna forget."
Sylvester had no answer to that.
…
Beastaria,
"Finally! Yes, yes… this is it! This is the sea, isn't it?" Castell Gralith, the Prince of the Giants, roared at the sky at the sight of endless water before him.
"No, it's just the Merkins' lake. It's so big that one can confuse it for the sea," the talking eagle, Bajj, responded exhaustingly from his shoulder.
"What?!" Castell couldn't believe it. "We walked for so many days and slayed so many of those little green frogs. How did we go deeper into the continent? Why didn't Father give me a good map?"
"Because he wanted you to explore and learn everything on your own," Bajj explained.
"Who wants that? I have a divine message to deliver to the Pope of humans. How can I accomplish this task if I can't even reach the western shore? We should have already met him by now…" Castell blabbered without stopping, voicing his displeasure. "Bajj, go into the sky and guide me."
"Can't do that. His Majesty made me swear in the name of the Gods," Bajj refused, remaining lazy on Castell's shoulder. "But I can give you a little advice."
"Please!"
"Where does the sun rise from?"
"West."
"Where do we want to go?"
"West… Wait!" Castell connected the dots and looked at the sky. "It's evening now… then that means that side is east? My mighty gods, I am such a fool. I kept following the sun without caring if it was sunrise or sunset."
"That's why your father sent me with you." Bajj threw some salt on his wounds.
"But you don't do anythi—" Castell abruptly stopped talking and looked behind at the mighty, tall green mountains and forest with a strange green mist in them. "Did you hear that? It feels like… a giant is walking."
"Orcs," Bajj blurted.
"B-But we were in the land of those green frogs!"
"Wraaaaaaa! Who dares enter the realm of Chiefking?!"
Castell nervously raised his metal club and looked at the wide treeline behind him near the shore. He heard countless footsteps getting louder, and the roars were now clearer.
"Who dares—"
BOOM!
As soon as the first Orc appeared, Castell jumped with his mighty legs and slammed his metal club on the Orc's head, turning it into a filthy mush of flesh and blood.
"Wait!" Castell exclaimed as soon as another Orc appeared. "They're like those little green frogs… but bigger!"
"Those were Goblins, but these are Orcs," Bajj corrected him.
"But… they're so easy to kill."
"You're a giant, Cas. Most things are easy to kill for you."
"No, I lost to a dragon once," Castell corrected the eagle.
"You were just a year old back then, Cas." Bajj rolled her eyes and jumped from his shoulder to fly and spot enemies, or more like playthings for him.
Thank you for reading. Gifts and GT votes are highly appreciated.
