Sylvester did not feel like sitting or even wasting time eating. He had limited time and a lot to accomplish. Tying up loose ends, dispatching letters to all his subordinates across the kingdoms, and providing them with directives for the future — he needed to do everything on the go since the Pope's instructions were to depart for the Duchy of Normani immediately.
However, he was determined to postpone it for at least one night, so he could spend some time with Xavia and tell her some important things for her own safety. He needed to address everything from whom to contact in case of an emergency to where to hide if something happened.
Quickly, he arrived home and, as expected, found Felix, Gabriel, Isabella, Zeke, and Xavia there, appearing anxious and terrified. None of them were sitting, and as soon as Sylvester entered, they all spoke at once.
"What happened? Is everything all right?"
Sylvester sighed and informed them of his recent appointment to the Sanctum Council. Then he began to assign them their next tasks. "The war is approaching, so we must prepare. Gab, you will stay here in case any danger arises for your sister and my mother. Zeke, you will stay as my mother's guardian. Sir Dolorem will likely be sent to deal with the Bloodlings with the Inquisition, and Bishop Lazark is a Bishop and a Sanctum Inspector in his own right, so he won't be joining us either since there are other crucial tasks to be performed."
Gabriel accepted the task. "I will keep them safe, Sylvester. You can count on me."
Sylvester then turned to his good burly friend. "That leaves you, Felix, and you are coming with me. I have been ordered to proceed to the Duchy of Normani and reinforce the border between Masan and Sandwall County to ensure no Masan invasion happens when we are busy with Beastaria."
"What about me?" Isabella inquired. "Am I staying here?"
"No, you will be returning to the Green City and remaining inside the royal castle in safety. You are the future of the kingdom, and we cannot jeopardize your safety," Sylvester replied, leaving the princess a bit disheartened.
"Will they invade Sol?" Xavia came to Sylvester's side and held his arm tightly.
'The scent of fear and anxiety. She's worried about the elves appearing?' Sylvester easily discerned through his mother's concerns.
"Not anytime soon, Mum. Remember, Sol is not weak. We possess our own monstrous talents that can alter the course of the war. In Beastaria, the Elves and the Dragons have been at war for a while now, and they have undoubtedly suffered at each other's hands. So they are not at peak either. Trust in His Holiness. He is not a foolish man to rush into battle. He will try to broker peace at all costs before raising his sword."
"Gab, pick your sister and start living here with my mother and Zeke. Felix, go to your home and pack the luggage. You too, Isabella, pack to return home." Sylvester firmly ordered them. "We leave at the first light of dawn."
"I'll come and assist you," Isabella quickly rushed to Felix's side as he left. It was understandable since she would not have an opportunity to meet Felix as easily again. Their love story was finally entering the trial phase, and if it withstood the test, they were meant to be.
Sylvester glanced at Xavia then. "Mother, please come with me to the terrace. There are a few things I must tell you."
She was frightened in an instant. "Is everything alright? Did they try to f…"
"No, everything is fine. It's not what you think it is." Sylvester took her hand and led her to the terrace.
First, he made sure that nobody could overhear them from anywhere, then spoke close to her face. "Mother, anything can happen in the Holy Land in the coming months. But please remember, you matter to me more than anything else, so please ensure your safety first and foremost. If you find the Holy Land becoming dangerous, you must go to Bard's building and enter the basement. There you will find a wall covered with black paw marks. You must press the bricks in the sequence I am telling you — Row 1 Column 2, Row 5 Column 4, Row 3 Column 9, Row 8 Column 5…"
Sylvester then handed her a piece of paper. "Remember it and then burn it. You will find a man named Healer Hendrix either in the same dungeon or in the Graced village. Tell him your identity, and he will protect you. He w…"
Xavia's eyes welled up slightly, but she did not cry. She knew she would be safe as a Bright Mother since her work was not on the front lines. But her son, she worried for him.
"Shhh…" Xavia caressed Sylvester's face. "You are so afraid for me, but what about my fears? Dragons, Elves, Giants, Vampires, Werewolves, and all sorts of magical creatures will be against you. How can I ever take a breath in peace and assurance that you will be safe? I am scared to death, Max… Let's just run away."
Sylvester did not say anything more and gently pulled her into a tight embrace. He had never thought about it from her perspective, and now that he did, he could sense her frustration. Not knowing if her son was alive or dead for months, and living in constant fear that the strange knock on the door would bring terrible news — it must not be easy on the mind.
"We attempted to flee once, and what happened?" He spoke while stroking Xavia's red hair. "Mother, when I was born, my path was already carved out to be one of hardship and pain. It began in Deserte village and never stopped. I must continue to move forward, and hopefully, one day — we will find our pace."
Damn! Now I don't feel like going away from her… She's the only mother I have ever known. What if something happens to her? What will I do then?'
Sylvester gazed up at the sky, which was gradually growing darker. A strange wave of unease took his heart by surprise, making him somewhat melancholic.
"I won't die, Mum. So, you must do your utmost to keep yourself safe too. It...It would be rather boring and pointless to live in this world without you."
'I don't want to be the orphan Johnathan again.'
As Sylvester pondered his past life and the hardships he was about to confront, he already felt tired.
"Let's go. It's getting cold now. And can make me my favorite honey cookies for the journey. They always cheer me up." He requested, knowing very well Xavia loved to spoil him occasionally.
"Meow!" Miraj suddenly voiced, appearing not far from them. "What about my banana cookies?"
Xavia could not see Miraj, but her face always lit up with a smile upon hearing his sweet voice. "Certainly, Lord Miraj, and my filial son. I'll get right to it."
Xavia quickly rushed downstairs with the newfound purpose. But Sylvester didn't follow, wanting to have a moment for himself alone.
"Maxy! Did you see those big roaring birds? They were so pretty. I tried to shout hello to them, but they didn't listen."
Sylvester chuckled as he sat down cross-legged and took Chonky onto his lap. "Those were powerful dragons, buddy. They came to warn us about the resumption of the Thousand Year War."
"War? Good, I will eat all the enemies and protect Maxy, my dearest son." Miraj spontaneously remembered he had adopted Sylvester.
"Haha, thank you." Sylvester chuckled, although there was not much delight in his voice. "Chonky, may I ask you something? It's very important."
"Of course, Maxy."
Sylvester looked down into Miraj's eyes, while his own looked a bit hazy. "Miraj, let's say If died in the upcoming war. Can you please look after Mum?"
Miraj's happy tail stopped wagging, and his ears drooped. "You won't die, Maxy."
"Everyone dies someday, Miraj. Humans are not immortal."
Miraj drew near and pressed his face against Sylvester's chest, not looking anywhere else. "But...I don't want to be alone again."
'I'm sorry, Miraj. I don't know how to solve your situation without knowing what you are.'
Sylvester stroked Miraj's head. "If I pass away...You may reveal yourself to Felix, Isabella, Sir Dolorem, Bishop Lazark, or Gabriel. They will cherish you as much as I."
Miraj still remained sad. "But I want Maxy."
Sylvester could no longer speak as words would not come out. In silence, he stayed there, holding Miraj in his arms. After all, nobody knew the future, and he could only prepare for the worst.
'I don't want to die — I just want peace.'
…
Sylvester departed from the Holy Land early in the morning with Felix and Isabella, bidding farewell to the others. Sir Dolorem was also leaving to hunt Bloodlings, so they exchanged only a brief goodbye. Meanwhile, Bishop Lazark had been sent to a nearby village to assess a demon situation.
With a heavy heart, Sylvester continued his journey and decided to stop at Bard's to speak with Darius. He then visited Graced Village and spoke with Healer Hendrix about the upcoming war and the need to ensure the safety of Elaine and Daline, who possessed elven blood.
Afterward, they rode in silence to Green City, where Felix had to bid a heart-wrenching farewell to Isabella. However, they shared a long last kiss before parting ways, promising to write letters and reunite soon.
Sylvester, in silence, could only feel homesick. 'Why won't this uneasiness go away? I hope Mum will be alright.'
…
That same evening, an urgent Supreme Council convened in the Holy Land's giant round arena beneath the Administration building.
With serious faces and fearful hearts, the Cardinals remained silent and listened to the Pope's instructions as he read each Cardinal's report.
"We have approximately one week to prepare. The Holy Land must transform into an unstoppable war machine. Weapons, crystals, and potions must be adequately supplied without stopping. We shall have kingdoms deliver the raw materials," the Pope ordered. "Gentlemen, welcome back to the old days!"
Indeed, devoid of any smiles or joys, the old days had returned with more depression and fear than ever. The promising peace they had taken for granted had ended too quickly.
"Coming to the final proposal." the Pope began, and the Cardinals straightened their backs at his words. "As per my decision, I have appointed a new member to the Sanctum Council, and thenceforth, he must be given Sainthood—His name is Sylvester Maximilian!"
"BUT! Your Holiness, he's too young!" a Cardinal protested loudly. "This won't be accepted!"
"This is too much!"
"He's inexperienced!"
Boom!
"SILENCE!" The Pope's voice resounded in the ears of each clergyman as if a thousand explosions had gone off. It was the first time any had witnessed the Pope's true wrath, fitting of his high rank.
Crack!
His roar was so deafening that cracks appeared in the stone walls of the hall.
"Inexperienced? Too young? Fine. If any of you wise elders have accomplished even one of the feats the Bard has — Unification of Sorrow Kingdom, Quenching slave rebellion, Forming a truce between Riveria and Gracia, Uncovering Masan's decades-long plot! — I will retract my proposal. Anything?"
No words were uttered, and the protesting Cardinals shrank their necks while looking down in shame.
The Pope's fist tightened in a fury, and his usually calm face seemed ferocious like a raging lion. "You call yourselves men of faith? HEATHENS! BLOODY HEATHENS! — All of you were put in your rightful place by a nineteen-year-old boy. Did that rile you up and unite you to ensure he doesn't ascend? Why? Because he surpasses all of you combined?
"Sitting in your cushy chambers has degraded your brains. But what an excellent opportunity, as we have a war on the horizon. All of you shall be at the forefront, right by my side! Any desertion shall result in execution!"
"B-But, Your Holiness, we're old!"
The Pope glared at the Cardinal in a rage. "Oh? How convenient of you to use your age as an excuse to avoid responsibilities. Meanwhile, that boy whom you refuse to grant what he deserves ventures out there and fights the enemies of humanity, risking his life each time!"
Crack!
The arena began to crumble under the constant roar of a Supreme Wizard. The Pope was too powerful, and he had lost his cool after seeing the unending greed in the eyes of those he sat with.
"You dare weaken my worship — impede the progress of my beloved Faith of Solis! I have tolerated enough! Those who still wish to protest may do so... But!"
The Pope raised his right hand in the air, exhibiting it to all as if it were a claw.
"For those still foolish enough to ignore the signs — it will be my claw and your spines!"
________________________
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