CHAPTER 113: GIRL, HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE FREE MAGE ALLIANCE?

Wayne brought the ancient texts back to the library in a briefcase. He then called Veryl, saying that he was busy with official duties and wouldn’t be returning home for the next few days. He also called Silvia to report that he was safe. Having captured a dark mage, he would stay in Cambrook County for a few more days in case anything happened.

The Church of Nature had already reached an agreement with the Church of Heavenly Father to hand over the entomologist and evil god statue. It was a deal that benefited the Church of Nature, and quite a lot of merits would go to Wayne.

He had little interest in being promoted as a clergyman, but he was interested in earning merits. Watching the number gradually increase would give him the satisfaction of leveling up. He was a level one archdeacon now; a few accomplishments should push him to level three, and then he would complete a big gig and get promoted to a priest, given a large private office.

At the moment, despite being a leader, he shared an office with the other clergy members.

It was afternoon tea time again. The clergy members had escaped the office like students after class. Wayne picked a spot by the window, putting on white gloves to take out an ancient book. The books were all treasures from the cathedral, quite possibly unique copies. Out of respect for history, he was careful when reading them.

Besides him, who didn’t care for afternoon tea, only Ottilia remained in the office, quietly holding a book.

He didn’t strike up a conversation with her. He had no common interest with the girl, and while he was smitten at first sight and wouldn’t mind getting more smitten, she would surely give him the cold shoulder. Rather than forcing awkward small talk, it was better to read more books so that he could write more new stories for Veronica.

It was too difficult to update the diary daily!

Veronica was insatiable and nearly drained him dry. To prevent the diary from losing its enchanting effect on the Dragonblood, he had to recharge himself.

The combinations of letters in the ancient books differed slightly from the current common language, making them difficult for Wayne to parse. He frequently frowned and sucked in cold air while reading. He discovered that in the early sixteenth century, the ancient books’ records contained large gaps, with many historical events only mentioned in passing.

“If I remember correctly, that’s exactly when Noah III was in power. Is there something fishy here?” he muttered to himself.

“The Church of Nature’s records of that period are also vague,” Ottilia said.

Startled, Wayne turned to look beside him, suddenly finding his view blocked by a curved silhouette, making the office seem smaller. Ottilia had caught the scent of precious books, her gaze fixed on the pages. He tested it—whenever he moved the ancient book away, her eyes would follow.

This wasn’t an ancient book, but a capturing device for a book lover!

Any other man would’ve opened another ancient book and lent it to Ottilia to win her favor, but not Wayne. He pointed to the chair beside him and said, “If you’re interested, you’re welcome to sit down and read.“

Ottilia didn’t refuse. She quietly sat beside him. They were close enough that he smelled a faint floral fragrance, recording a new scent in his database.

“Ottilia, do you know what happened in the early sixteenth century?”

“A little, but it’s all from books. Historical materials related to the era are extremely scarce, with obvious gaps before and after.” Even while responding, she stared unblinkingly at the book as if it were the greatest treasure.

Wayne moved the book slightly toward himself, and Ottilia unconsciously leaned closer to him, continuing, “Besides the Church of Nature, I’ve also borrowed books from the collections of the Church of Sun and Church of Moonlight. Records for the entire sixteenth century are lacking.”

“Reliable sources say that the Church of Heavenly Father experienced a decline in the sixteenth century, while the Life Alliance saw its doctrines and faiths blossoming everywhere, experiencing a revival.”

“For that, the Church of Heavenly Father started a holy war, which ended hastily, and they have been on decline ever since...”

“It’s strange. It makes sense for the Church of Heavenly Father to cover up records of the era as the defeated, but the Life Alliance, as the victor, didn’t leave abundant records to celebrate the victory? It defied common sense.”

Girl, you’re being too objective. You’re fair and just, but lacking subjectivity.

We’re followers of the Goddess of Nature. Loyalty that isn’t absolute is absolute disloyalty. Your thinking is dangerous!

Wayne cleared his throat to interrupt her murmured speculation. Realizing that she had said something wrong, she quietly defended herself, “I was just repeating the researchers’ speculation...”

“No need to explain. I’m not deaf, but I didn’t hear anything just now. Next time, though, things may be different. Be careful and don’t let me catch you, or you’ll be in trouble.”

He huffed and asked Ottilia to continue telling the history. There was no one else around, so she could speak bluntly.

Ottilia looked at him in surprise, like she had found a kindred spirit. Immediately, she felt like confiding. She detailed the religious revolution in the sixteenth century—the Life Alliance’s rise, the Church of Heavenly Father’s decline, and the subsequent series of religious and political events, including Windsor’s suppression of the Church of Heavenly Father. That happened in the mid-to-late sixteenth century and nearly succeeded in splitting the church.

Due to various complex factors, the Church of Heavenly Father survived, but its prestige declined further. They could only watch as the Life Alliance took root and grew stronger within Windsor’s borders.

Unfortunately, the Life Alliance failed to seize the advantage. They never really thrived due to the harassment of Darkness and Death.

“The royal family had likely borrowed the Life Alliance’s power—in exchange, the Life Alliance was allowed to spread their doctrines in Windsor. The alliance also serves as a check and balance for the Church of Heavenly Father, but fearing that the Life Alliance would become the next great power, the Church of Heavenly Father was allowed to remain...”

“As for Darkness and Death, they might also have been deliberately let loose by the royal family for balance.”

Ottilia concluded, “Perhaps out of concern that the immoral political factors would tarnish the image of the omnipotent goddess in the followers’ minds, the Life Alliance made very few records of the era. The Church of Heavenly Father also left almost no record of the period due to its repeated failures.”

Girl, have you heard of the Free Mage Alliance?

She seemed like a potential recruit to Wayne, but he ultimately decided against trying to convert her. They didn’t know each other that well, and there was no need to reveal his background to her. He would get to know her better first.

At three o’clock, the afternoon tea time was over. Ottilia stopped her endless ramble. She was satisfied with Wayne as a listener and quietly asked to have another studying session tomorrow. With his silent permission, she returned to her seat with two of the ancient books.

Since the books were precious, and he had borrowed them himself, he required her to keep them in the office and wear gloves when reading. She readily agreed. As long as she could read the books, she was happy.

“So this is what the scholarly types are like,” Wayne mumbled under his breath. “Doesn’t seem that difficult. Yeah, I should put some ancient books in my bedroom later.”

***

Theology College, main lecture hall.

Students and theological researchers filed in one after another at Dean Julian’s invitation. The dean hadn’t explained the reason, leaving them whispering among themselves in speculation.

Perhaps the demons’ minions had bewitched the scholars without anyone noticing it by exploiting their curiosity, but as long as moves were made, traces and clues would have been left. Julian had listed scholars whose recent behavior seemed abnormal and sent out invitations to them, while also bringing in Bishop Keith for a lecture. The topic itself wasn’t important—what mattered was the holy water.

Keith brought two crates of holy water from the cathedral, enough for everyone and then some. It was a simple trick. Demon worshippers would laugh at the sight; no amount of holy water would faze them. However, it would be easy to spook scholars with a guilty conscience.

Bishop Keith wore a solemn expression on his face. His lecture today concerned the demons in hell, mentioning the Thousand-Eyed Demon numerous times. After the stage was set, he smiled and said, “Followers of the Thousand-Eyed Demon are indistinguishable from ordinary people in appearance. Even clergy members cannot tell them apart. They can freely enter and exit churches and walk under the sun.”

“Then aren’t we completely helpless?”

“Quite the contrary. We have a clear solution.” Keith pointed at the holy water beside him. “I brought holy water from the cathedral, blessed with the Golden Law related to a certain angel who once defeated the Thousand-Eyed Demon. For the details, you can consult Dean Julian after class.”

“Each person will receive a cup of holy water. Followers of the Thousand-Eyed Demon will reveal their true form after drinking it, while ordinary people will only feel Father’s radiance...”

He picked up a cup of holy water and drank it. “It’s even a little sweet.”

The mix of truths and lies stirred considerable interest among the scholars. Many of them were eager to try. Keith and Julian observed carefully but discovered no timid ones among them. Keith walked away from the podium and quietly positioned himself by the classroom door, while Julian began distributing holy water, having scholars come forward one by one to receive their share.

The scholars were enthusiastic, and more than half went through the process without any issue. That was until a male student stood before the podium, holding his cup of holy water with a rigid expression, refusing to drink it.

“Reid, what are you waiting for?” Julian asked.

“My throat’s a bit dry...” Reid swallowed before suddenly splashing the holy water at Dean Julian’s face, rushing to the window and vaulting over it with one leap, heading straight to the nearby woods.

Got you!

Bishop Keith quickly followed, making steady steps faster than the young man was running. The turn of events caused an uproar in the classroom. The scholars erupted into chatters with visible excitement.

Julian placated them, telling everyone to calm down. The test was only meant to root out a thief. If they didn’t believe it, they could go to the cathedral and ask Bishop Keith.

As if we’d believe that. You always only tell half of the story, old man!

In the bustling classroom, a female student hurriedly left through the back door with the excuse that she was feeling unwell.

“Pace, is it actually you?”

Watching his student depart, Julian felt immense regret, but quickly cheered himself up and continued to deceive the scholars present, trying to trick them into going to the cathedral. The theology college only taught theology. He couldn’t be held responsible if the students voluntarily went to the cathedral to further their studies in faith.

That would be wonderful!

Meanwhile, Pace had quickly left the teaching building and ducked into the garden path, spitting out the holy water. She wiped her mouth, looking panicked and confused.

She thought of the mysterious man who had revealed the truth of the world to her. Running all the way out of the college, she hopped onto a city bike and rode through the university city. After a few turns, she stopped at the entrance of a small alley.

It was extremely narrow, with high walls on both sides blocking the sunlight, leaving the alley itself awash in shadow. At the far end of the alley was a coffee shop with artworks as its central focus. The location was secluded, but the shop enjoyed rave reviews among students.

One day, Pace and a few friends encountered a mysterious man at the coffee shop, who struck up a conversation with them. Reid, the student who had fled first, was also present at the time. The mysterious man was impeccably dressed in a suit, and learning that they were from the theology college, he paid the bill as a gesture of goodwill.

The mysterious man was eloquent and erudite, fond of poetry, and had the air of a romantic about him. It was built upon his maturity rather than a lofty, childish tendency. Pace became hopelessly infatuated with his talent and accepted his invitation to a musical. She didn’t refuse the mysterious man’s courtship. That night, intoxicated by his romantic aura, she got herself thoroughly romanced.

After that, she continued to meet the mysterious man at the coffee shop. Almost every time she visited, he was there.

Today was no exception. The door chimes rang as she saw the mysterious man of her dreams and quickly approached him for help. “Something’s wrong. I drank holy water. Though I spat it out, I feel terrible right now.”

“It’s alright. You’ll feel better after some sleep.”

The mysterious man invited her to sit, gently caressing her face with his fingertips. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she soon collapsed onto the table.

The door chimes rang again. Bishop Keith strode into the coffee shop, looking at the decor before saying with a frown, “I thought you would have turned this place into a magical fortress, but you didn’t do anything to it.”

You didn’t even try to escape!

“That would only attract unnecessary attention. My master and I dislike attention.” The mysterious man smiled at Keith and suggested, “Bishop, this is our first meeting—or at least the first time you’ve seen me. The atmosphere is unexpectedly pleasant. How about some coffee?”

He looked like a typical social elite, but his face was somewhat blurred. Keith saw several different faces, and though he was right before him, Keith couldn’t see his true face clearly.

With his sacred tome in hand, Keith tried to pierce through the illusion to reach the truth, his eyes blazing with light. He saw even more faces: male and female, old and young, each very real and attached to his face.

“Who are you?”

“Doesn’t matter who I am. In your eyes, Bishop, I’m just a cultist, an ignorant fool who has willingly fallen for the worship of demons. The real question is who you are...” The man smiled. “You may be yourself, but if you change your name, you can be anyone. You may even be me!”

The man’s demonic voice coiled around his ears. Keith snorted and dispersed it. “Dull tricks. You cannot tempt a clergyman into falling. Tell me, why have you been staying in Cambrook County for so long?”

“I like it here. The rich culture you can practically smell intoxicates me.”

The man stood up. Instead of taking Pace hostage, he slowly walked toward Keith. With a wave of his hand, Keith trapped the man in a white prison formed with holy light.

Everything developed so unnaturally smoothly that Keith felt unnerved, suspecting that he had fallen into the devil’s trap. He spoke faster, “You and your master prefer darkness. Why expose yourselves voluntarily?”

“That, Bishop, you can ask yourself...”

Within the cage, multiple faces appeared on the man’s face before suddenly bursting out and all entering Bishop Keith’s body. It happened so quickly and without warning that even though Keith was fully alert, he still failed to defend against the attack.

Dazed, he dissolved the cage. Several faces surfaced as multiple voices spoke in unison, “The Holy Shroud. Only the blood of the most devout saint can break hell’s seal, and through it, my master will descend.”