Chapter 179 Ch. 179: A Farewell [1]
In an expansive room, candles flickered along the walls, casting a gentle, dim illumination that enveloped the surroundings. At the far end of the room, an altar stretched across its entire width. Upon it, a magnified stone statue of Chrono stood tall, surrounded by thoughtfully arranged floral bouquets and bountiful fruit offerings, injecting vibrant colors into the scene.
Standing in front of the altar was a man in a flowing white robe, his long, straight black hair cascading down his back. His indifferent eyes fixated on the statue before him.
As the wooden door creaked open, the man glanced over his shoulder and noticed a woman with vermillion hair entering the room. Turning around to face her, he greeted Annelise with a warm smile, "Welcome back, my daughter."
Acknowledging his greeting with a nod, Annelise placed a rectangular box on the table before him. "I've secured the item. I apologize for the delay; there was an unexpected variable."
Climbing down from the podium, he approached her, "It's alright. Thank you so much for your hard work."
But upon noticing how the smile on the Pope's lips faded and replaced by a weary expression, Annelise knew there must be something wrong. Bracing herself, she asked, "Is there something troubling you?"
Letting out a resigned sigh, the man relayed, "Hector... has fallen."
Surprise and disbelief washed over Annelise, her voice trembling as she struggled to digest the information, "H-how is that possible? Wasn't he assigned to merely distract the enemy?"
"Hector confronted the First Prince," the man explained. "Despite my warnings to stay hidden, he refused to listen. An Elder came as a reinforcement, and he was killed."
"..." Stillness enveloped the room as Annelise's mind grappled with the weight of the news. Her throat tightened, and a pang of sorrow gripped her heart. Though not blood-related, Hector had been like a younger brother to her, and they had grown up together.
'After all his hot blood and sense of superiority brought him to his own demise, huh?'
Every time he went on a solo mission, the results were consistently unfavorable, thanks to his unwarranted arrogance and sense of superiority. This was why she always accompanied as she could exert some control over him.
However, this time, the Pope entrusted her with a crucial task—she had to go to the Kearny Kingdom and acquire its Heirloom for the religion's next move. That was why she couldn't accompany Hector.
As Annelise remained silent, the Pope continued, "The scouts managed to recover Hector's body, and it is estimated to arrive within two days. Once his body is here, we will hold a funeral to honor his memory and bid him farewell."
However, as a thought crossed his mind, she inquired, "How about the Beast Sacred Orb?"
The Pope shook his head, "Alenia retrieved it."
Only then did Annelise realize the immense loss suffered by the religion. Not only had they lost Hector, but the painstakingly obtained Beast Sacred Orb also slipped from their grasp.
Before she could delve into it, the Pope's voice interrupted her train of thought, "Also, the raid on the Moon Village will be postponed. The scouts reported that the Mistress and the villagers have significantly tightened their security since the war ended. Engaging with them now would be too risky."
Annelise nodded in understanding. "Is there anything else?"
"Please inform our branches in the other Kingdoms to commence their operations," the Pope instructed.
"I understand," Annelise replied.
However, upon noticing the conflicted expression etched on her face, the Pope asked, "Is there something you need?"
"..." There was a prolonged silence, but the Pope patiently waited until Annelise finally spoke up. "The other Sacred Orb that we acquired from the Tower... Can I have it?"
The Pope tilted his head in confusion. "I thought you didn't want to become an Endless."
"Initially, yes." Annelise admitted. "But now, I need more power to avenge my brother."
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In a grand and spacious room, adorned with elegant furniture and lined with numerous bookshelves filled with neatly arranged books, Arthur and Graham sat facing each other.
Maids skillfully placed refreshments on the table and poured tea for them. Once the maids exited and the door closed, they took their time and enjoyed the freshly brewed tea.
Placing his teacup down on the saucer, Arthur initiated the conversation, "Your Grace, what is it that you wish to discuss?"
Instead of providing a direct answer, Graham posed a question. "Your Majesty, what are your thoughts on Prince Adrian's magic?"
Wrinkles formed on Arthur's forehead, but he responded nonetheless. "My son possesses exceptional magical abilities, which are considered among the strongest on the continent, despite his young age."
Having witnessed Adrian's magical prowess firsthand, Arthur couldn't help but be in awe of his son's talents. But with such power came great responsibility, and Arthur understood the weight that rested on Adrian's shoulders.
Graham nodded in agreement. "That is precisely what I thought as well, which is why I propose that Your Majesty allow Prince Adrian to stay here, in the Safonyx Castle."
"..." Arthur remained silent, surprise evident on his face as he tried to process his grandfather-in-law's unexpected request. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Seeing Arthur's lack of response, Graham continued. "During my conversation with Adrian's teacher, Professor Gizel, back in the Refugee Camp, he expressed concerns that Adrian might be led astray."
However, Arthur shook his head firmly. "No, my son is not that kind of person. He has a good heart and will use his powers wisely."
"Your Majesty, while I do not doubt my grandson's character, we must consider that he is still young. Living within the confines of the Castle exposes him to a world rife with schemes and intrigue. Moreover, Prince Adrian has already been targeted by assassins sent by Lucia and Duke Delacroix for years. As both Your Majesty and Her Majesty were occupied with the affairs of the country, we cannot predict what Adrian might become. All we can do is guide him along the right path. By allowing him to stay here, I can personally train and watch over him," Graham explained earnestly.
Arthur intertwined his fingers together, his gaze fixed on the reflection of his troubled expression in the tea before him, his mind drifting.
Yet, Graham pressed on, "Your Majesty, I know my grandson is inherently kind, and while I trust him, it would be better to take preventive measures."
Arthur's internal conflict deepened, his thoughts swirling in a tempest of uncertainty.
After a brief silence, he eventually responded, "I believed that teaching Adrian to harness his powers for good was a wise decision. However, if Adrian stays here, people might perceive it as an exile, and Duke Delacroix and his faction may exploit the situation."
But instead of responding to his reasoning, Graham posed another question, "Have Your Majesty considered what punishment you will impose on the Princes for sneaking out?"
Arthur shook his head in frustration as he absentmindedly brushed his face. "I haven't had much time to consider it. My focus has been on addressing the grievances from the other kingdom regarding the incident at the Western Border, which involved their heirs."
"In that case, I suggest that Prince Nathaniel stays at Bellerose Castle for the same duration as Prince Adrian," Graham proposed, referring to the residence of Duke Delacroix in the Capital City.
After what felt like an eternity of contemplation, Arthur let out a resigned sigh, accepting the weight of his decision. He returned his gaze to his father-in-law and finally gave his answer.
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