Sylvester pulled Xavia to sit aside so they could talk in peace. The Monastery hall was empty, so they did not worry about someone disturbing them.
Bam!
"I hug too!"
Xavia felt something jump on her and wrap around her neck. It was a very warm and soft fluffy feeling. It brought big smiles to her face as she recognized who it was. "Lord Chonky, are you well?"
"Very well." Miraj chirped and hugged her tighter. "I missed Big Mum."
She chuckled and caressed Miraj's soft fur, even though she couldn't see him. "Thank you for taking care of Max. I'm sure you helped him a lot all these years and kept him company—I'll make you your favorite dish to repay your kindness."
"Really? Yes! I helped a lot. Maxy always needs me to fly this or fly that… Oh! I can also fly now, Big Mum. I'll show you!" Miraj retreated from Xavia's hug and began flying around. But the poor boy forgot that only Sylvester could see him, and Xavia could only hear the excited voice.
"He did keep me sane," Sylvester muttered. "So I guess he deserves some treats. But enough about me, how are you? How have you been?"
"I'm well," Xavia responded, unwilling to release his hand. "His Holiness ensured I was never troubled by anyone, and the Inquisitors kept me safe. They protected me from all kinds of attacks, direct or indirect—Other than loneliness; I didn't face any problems, Max."
It was a relief, but Sylvester remembered the incident of the elves trying to kidnap her. "I sent a letter to him beyond the sea—I needed his help to stop the Thousand Year War for one year so I could focus on the battle here. I hope you don't mind."
Xavia was taken aback but managed to accept the reality. "I… I understand your situation, dear. You don't have to apologize for that… He's not a bad man, and I'm well aware of that. He sent those men to get me because he worried about my safety with you gone… I believe so."
"And now the secret is out in the open," Sylvester revealed abruptly. "The Inquisitor High Lord has returned, and he found out. But I managed to make him understand that I still stand for Solis. I believe many others in the Holy Land know it too now but are too afraid to do something openly. The men father probably sent to attack you didn't die instantly—I think some of them were interrogated by Saint Scepter, and they spoke more than necessary."
Xavia gasped in horror, her hands covering her mouth. Her wide eyes anxiously scanned the surroundings as she inched closer to Sylvester. "What will you do now?"
"Prove that the Holy Land is lying. That's the best bet. I've already started to work in that direction, but it will be hard. That's why I have to take the throne as quickly as possible, to control the damage. Until then, I want you to remain here in this castle under Sir Dolorem's protection." He sternly said, not as a son's suggestion but orders as a Clergyman.
"But—"
"No buts." Sylvester interrupted her. "I know you want to be by my side, Mum. But we can't ignore the fact that Neil's and our other enemies' first target would be you. Because they know once they have you, they can influence me easily. The same goes for Sir Dolorem—So keep safe while I win this war."
Xavia sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "It's been six years already. If a few more months is the cost of a better life, I will abide by your words, Max. I know you've never been wrong… I trust you."
"Thank you." Sylvester stood up, extending his hand toward her. "Let's go to the dining hall. But I'll go and speak with Sir Dolorem first."
"Then I'll leave you to it… Let's talk again at night." Xavia released his hand and headed out of the Monastery. She wanted to remain but understood there were many more important things to do first.
…
Sylvester made his way to the training grounds after meeting Xavia and found Sir Dolorem there. The man was instructing the kids on how to hold a sword better. There were young ones ranging from three years old to ten—of course, the Crown Prince of the Highland Kingdom, Rex, was also there.
Sylvester grabbed a spare real sword from the weapons rack and walked onto the open ground. His face holding a big smile, he taunted Sir Dolorem cheekily. "Ah, who can spar with this small priest? All I see are children around me."
Ting!
Instantly, a sword was unsheathed from Sir Dolorem's waist. The bald Knight with Eyes of Futuresight aimed his sword at Sylvester, smiling brightly. "Welcome back."
Sylvester nodded and took a fighting stance before the man, a smirk on his face. "Greetings, Sir Dolorem. I reckon you also grew stronger over the past six years. Why don't we put that to the test?"
Sir Dolorem's heart raced. His expression revealed all the excitement he felt. Even though he had communicated with Sylvester for the past six years, it always left him with a sense of worry. But finally, seeing him face to face brought him peace.
"Very well, I will go first." Sir Dolorem swung his blade fiercely.
Clash!
Sparks flew around them as the metal made contact. The sound spread around, terrifying the young trainees. But boys were boys, and apparently a few girls, too, watched everything from the side with excitement.
"Sir Dolorem! Beat that, brat!" Prince Rex roared. "Who does he think he is?"
"..."
Sir Dolorem chuckled. "He hasn't recognized you."
Sylvester glanced at the six-year-old, blonde-haired, naive-looking young prince—a spitting image of a blend of King Highland and Queen Trinity.
Ting!
They clashed again, Sylvester going very easy as both of them knew he was far too strong for Sir Dolorem. He had surpassed him already, long before he was captured by the cannibals.
"YES!" Prince Rex cheered for Sir Dolorem. "Stab that blondie… Who does he think he is to challenge my awesome teacher!"
"..."
Sylvester felt more and more amused by his godson. However, he didn't say anything, wanting to see his reaction later.
Instead, Sylvester focused on seeing how far Sir Dolorem had come. The man didn't possess a very high peak in talent, but with Eyes of Futuresight, he had the potential to become a perfect swordsman.
Sylvester increased his speed, striking so fast that the kids on the side couldn't see where the blades were moving. Sir Dolorem also started to feel overwhelmed as he tried to counter each hit by parrying.
Clash!
Clash!
With each strike, just in the nick of time, Sir Dolorem positioned his sword to block Sylvester's blade. However, when Sylvester began to go even faster, it became hard for the old Inquisitor Wizard-Knight. Even if Sir Dolorem could see the future and know where the strike was coming from, his body wasn't strong enough to move at the same pace.
"I'm amazed." Sylvester was satisfied nonetheless, as he had exerted the speed of a Diamond Knight, the second-highest rank among the Knights.
Sir Dolorem felt the same, even more so, with a sense of pride. "I see it clearly now. The time has come. You're strong enough to be what you wanted to become."
Thud!
Sylvester released the sword from his hand, making it seem like it had slipped by mistake. He didn't want to belittle Sir Dolorem in front of the kids.
"YEAAAAA!" Prince Rex roared in that instant, brimming with excitement. He rushed and picked up his wooden sword and began to hit the wooden practice block. "That's what fighting is! That's what I'm talking about! Ha! Ha! I'll be the greatest warrior in the world soon! All the maidens shall call me big brother, and boys shall bow! Haaaa!"
"..."
Sylvester cast a serious glance at Sir Dolorem. "What happened to… his head?"
Sir Dolorem's one eye twitched, feeling embarrassed. "He… He is as eccentric as King Highland but as smart and gentle as the Queen. Apparently, he looks up to his idol a bit too much and wants to become even greater than him one day."
"Who's his idol?" Sylvester inquired.
"You, of course—His godfather, the Son of Solis." Sir Dolorem replied, making the incident even more amusing.
Sylvester restrained himself from bellowing in laughter. "Oh, I can't wait for dinner now."
…
Soon, darkness took over the world outside, and the entire Royal Castle lit up with torches or Light Crystals. High-intensity, wide-range lights were also installed, placed on key points at the towers of the castle boundary—it was made with the technology used by Sylvester in making the Solarium lasers to kill Bloodlings.
Inside the castle, servants scurried about in a frenzy, some working to decorate the dining table, and others secretly looking into the dining hall. The crowd mainly consisted of female servants, as most of them had never seen Sylvester before, not in his prime. He was handsome, like no man they had ever seen, and when they realized he was practically the next Pope, the allure intensified beyond measure, for a romantic entanglement with a handsome Holyman was akin to an exciting forbidden fruit.
"Bwahaha… I heard about what happened in the training field." King Highland boomed in laughter. "Let that brat come with his mum. I'll introduce him to you—officially."
It was just Sir Dolorem, Sylvester, King Highland, and the King's younger brother, Gladius, sitting at the table, waiting for the others to arrive.
"Let's meet at your solar after dinner, Your Majesty." Sylvester seriously suggested, changing the topic for a little while. "With the Queen, Sir Dolorem, and Mum. And if possible, Lord Einarr of Blackhart as well. I have some things to share and a few matters about the future to discuss."
"In that case, I won't drink anything tonight… except one glass." King Highland filled his wine glass to the brim and set the jug aside.
Just then, the doors opened, and Queen Trinity arrived. By her side were Xavia, and Prince Rex walking between them, keeping a huge smile on his face while holding Xavia and the Queen's hand.
"Hehe… Sir Dolorem is amazing… He's the best teacher, mu—"
Abruptly, Prince Rex stopped speaking and noticed Sylvester sitting beside Sir Dolorem at the table. He left the hands and rushed forward, pointing his finger. "W-Who… Who let you sit here? Sir Dolorem defeated you!"
BAM!
King Highland wasted no time before knocking his knuckle on Rex's head. "Brat, I never taught you to act like that! Do you have any idea who this man is?"
"This blondie?"
BAM!
Poor Rex gained one more swollen lump on his head from the King. "You're a blondie too… I'm a blondie too! And that blondie is Sylvester Maximilian, Lord's Bard, Son of Solis—Your godfather!"
"..."
"W-W-What… N-no way…" Rex's small legs began to shiver.
Thud!
Rex fell on his butt, eyes widened, and lips twitching. "W-What have I done!"
Sylvester went along with the play, acting angrily. "Boy, for your heresy against me and the faith of Solis, I pronounce you…"
"No! I'm sorry!" Rex leaped to stand and grabbed Sylvester's hand. "Don't excommunist me… My life will be ruined… I will…"
Sylvester made a halo appear behind his head and grabbed Rex's cheeks in a pinch with both hands. "I pronounce you… ex…"
"No!" Rex nearly cried.
Sylvester began pulling his cheeks. "Extremely cute!"
"..."
"Pfft…!" Queen Trinity couldn't hold it anymore and softly laughed.
Rex looked left and right, confused and shocked.
"Bwahaha!" King Highland bellowed.
"I'm not excommunist?" Rex cleared his tears and held Sylvester's hand.
"Hah… No, and it's excommunicate, not excommunist."
Rex bloomed with a bright smile. "Then… Will you teach me how to fight?"
Sylvester ruffled the boy's head. "Only if you can answer one question."
"Yes! I prepared for this day!" Rex puffed up his chest, confidence brimming in his scent. "Ask me anything, Godfather."
Sylvester turned serious and looked into the boy's blue eyes. "Do you like honey?"
"..."
"Godfather… I-Is this a trick question?"
____________________
[A/N: See Prince Rex Magnus Highland]
Thank you for reading. GT votes are much appreciated.
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