Xavia quickly wiped the tears off of her face and nodded firmly. “I will. I will not hide anything from you now, Max. My father…your grandpa, was a merchant who used to do business with Beastaria. We lived in Libertia, the Island of the Free. But during those days, the idea of Libertia was still very new.
“So human merchants would find a lot of trouble when doing business. Yet my father was headstrong. But then, one time, he took me with him to get the produce from a Beastkin clan inside Beastaria. We had all the security passes and identity proof that we were from Libertia, not Sol. But, we were still attacked by a House of Vampires.
“They killed my father and took me as a slave, to use me as their blood bag. But during that time, their house was at war with the Elves. And to my luck, the Vampires were attacked and destroyed before they could bite me. I was saved by the elves, however, as they found my identity proof.
“So they took me with them and brought me to their capital, High Regnum, where seven species of Elves live together under one King—your father.”
Sylvester ate all that information and tried to process it. “So they treated you kindly?”
“No, they made me a slave. Your father at that time was just a Prince, and I did not even know him. But once, I saved him from an attack by the other faction of elves, using my healing magic. During that time, something happened between us, and we fell in love—and we got married under a blessed tree.
“However, elves are incredibly proud beings and would never allow someone to taint their bloodline. That is why finding half-elves is extremely rare. But your father treated me right, and soon you arrived in my belly as a blessing.
“But during that time, your father ascended to the throne and had to take an elf wife for political reasons, while I had to run to save us because the elf queen found out about me. They chased me, wishing to kill us. But your father helped me cross the Blood Sea by making a thin frozen bridge over it—he did love me and… you.”
Sylvester couldn’t care less if the man loved him or not. Being half elf was a curse to him, in all honesty, but the last part had him in shock. “The blood Sea is at least four hundred kilometers wide between the closest part of Libertia and Beastaria. So he made an ice bridge this long?”
Xavia had a look of faint pride for her husband. “He is extremely strong. He’s the king of millions of elves, after all.”
“So, my light magic blessings come from him?” Sylvester inquired.
Xavia shook her head and appeared confused. “No, your father had no such magical abilities. Only High Elves are versed in Light Magic, but even they are not as strong as you. Also, your father had black hair.”
‘Did she cheat on that poor elf or something?’ Sylvester wondered. But soon dismissed the idea because who would she cheat with among xenophobic elves?
“Then why do I have blonde hair, golden eyes, and this talent?” he asked.
Xavia didn’t know either. “Your magical talent is understandable. Elves do have a higher magical potency. But your hair and light magic… it’s truly a blessing of Solis, it seems.”
‘So the mystery remains.’ Sylvester sighed and looked around himself.
He felt much calmer now as he knew about his past and the family history. But, looking at Xavia, although there was an annoyance at her stupidity, he couldn’t help but pity her. Her father was killed, she was taken by vampires to be used as a blood bag, turned into a slave, ran for her life, nearly got r*ped, and now here we are.
That was a lot for one lifetime.
“M-Max… are you going to leave me?” She softly asked, holding back her tears.
Sylvester glanced at her face and noticed the look of fear, accompanied by the same odors of sadness, fear, and anxiety.
“What happened today… I still don’t know how things will come to bite me again later. But no… I am not leaving you. I have no other family in the world. But! No secrets from now on, and you leave all the planning to me. Never speak of what happened today to anyone no matter how close you get, don’t mention our past to anyone. And, I need you to do something if and when I order without asking me a single question.”
“I will do everything for you as from me.” She agreed without hearing.
“Good, soon you will have a new girl working as a helper in your sick bay. Her name is Raven Maxwell. If and when I tell you to kill her, kidnap her, or anything else, I need you to do it without asking a question. If you don’t, then we’re both going to die.” He said, not sounding like he was asking.
Xavia had killed people in the past. That’s how she survived in Beastaria and her journey back. But the name sounded familiar to her. “I-Is it a relative of your friend Gabriel?”
“No questions! Just tell me if you can do it or not.” Sylvester pressed, slightly taking an angered tone.
Xavia nodded silently.
“But remember, nothing happened today. We shall never talk about this, not even in private. I only graduated today. That’s it. Now let’s go and eat. I knew you wouldn’t cook, so I brought food. I also need to wake up early tomorrow to go and get the job appointment letter.”
He moved away and started putting food on the table while using his hands to utilize fire magic and heat it.
“Thank you.” Suddenly Xavia hugged his broad back from behind and hid her face in it.
Sylvester didn’t react much. “Once is a mistake, twice is stupidity, and thrice is a habit. Everyone makes mistakes, and you made one today. I hope this won’t go as far as a habit. Let’s eat.”
He shifted and took a seat. He poured food on two plates and silently ate, not being in the mood to talk anymore.
He then went to his room and tucked Miraj into a smaller blanket before lying down and going to sleep. It had been a long and tiresome day for him. What was supposed to be a festive graduation ceremony turned into a murder and intimidation exercise.
He had to tell a few lies, but he cared not for them. What scared him was the repercussions that would come with what had occurred because Romel was supposed to be a crown prince, which kept his father assured—that the kingdom would thrive.
King Riveria would now be a cornered dog, who he’d bite, it was unknown. Who’d sit next on the Riveria throne?
‘What a bad day.’
He slowly drifted into sleep and had many dreams that night, most of them being about what-if scenarios of the day. What if he had not killed Romel? What if Romel later betrayed him after becoming the king? What if he had killed Gabriel too?
However, when out of nowhere, a face from days past appeared again in the dream, from the depth of the dark cellar. It left Sylvester gasping.
“Your eyes… I pity you.”
These words jolted him awake. “Ahaa! W-What?”
He looked left and right. It appeared the morning sun had already dawned over them. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. ‘So this is what Lixiss meant? Stuck between both worlds, if known, both shall kill me? I even pity myself at this point.’
“Maxy? You okay?” Miraj returned from his morning stroll from the open window and hugged his favorite human’s neck.
Sylvester felt warm from that and hugged the big cat tight. “Yeah, Chonky. I feel much better. Let’s go to Magna Sanctum Temple now. Today decides if we will become desk job zombies or guns for hire. Actually, we’re not even hired—we’re assassin slaves, I guess.”
“I’m slave too?” Miraj asked.
“You? Of course, you’re a slave to bananas and sleeping. Let’s go now. It’s time for a bath.”
“NO!” Chonky tried to escape, but sadly, Sylvester had the high ground.
…
Pope’s Palace
The Sanctum Council was once again in session, this time with a few topics of great significance as the decisions they make today will decide the future of the Church of Solis.
“Let’s deal with the biggest topic at hand, the disappearance of Romel Riveria,” Pope spoke, but not an ounce of doubt or sadness appeared in his voice. 𝙚𝙤𝙫𝙚𝒍.𝒐𝙧𝙜
Inquisitor High Lord, as the General, responded to it. “We believe he ran away because he took most of his money with him. He was last seen leaving the arena.”
Saint Seer, Cardinal Zenim added. “I have not heard any chirping from my network, however. So if he ran away, he must have had expert help.”
The Pope sighed and put the document away. “Look for any missing Clergyman and also the Guilds. King Riveria is going to rage at us; let him. We have nothing to do with Romel. The boy was a menace. He was not going to receive the Priest’s Mitre either way, so in a manner, he saved me the explanation.”
The Pope smiled next and put forward the next bunch of parchments. “The next matter, however, brings me great joy—five God’s Favored who survived, such a great number. We shall have a great many powerhouses in the future.
“So the main task of this Council today is to assign these boys to the best department where they can truly grow. Ignore what they requested, for we understand their abilities better. Saint Wazir, I believe you have a list ready?”
Pope’s Left-hand man, Saint Wazir, Cardinal Ethias Lovecraft, stood up and read the list.
“Yes, your holiness. Louis Hermington asked for Holy Army, I gave him the Inquisitor Army; Griffin Blazekin asked for the same and got the same, the Inquisitor Army; Augustus Steel wished to be a desk clerk, I sent him to Exorcists. As for Sylvester Maximillian and Felix Sandwall, as per your command, I have decided to group them together. However, Priest Sylvester wished to become a Traveling Preacher.”
Pope chuckled slightly. “Haha, that position is for retiring old clergymen, not for the strongest talented boy. But, if he wants to travel the world, then we all know which position will suit him the best, a position that will push his mind, magic, and hymns to the core.”
“But… that’s only reserved for well-experienced and knowledgeable clergymen. Not to new graduates, this would be bad for them.” Saint Wazir responded in worry.
However, the Pope had made up his mind. “Indeed. However, do not forget these are not ordinary graduates. Their starting point in the School of Dawn was higher than ordinary graduates, and they are already well above clergymen who have served for decades in terms of power.
“At the same time, Priest Sylvester is a high-functioning man. His mind is as sharp as his spear. And he shall have the company of our second best. The Bard of Solis and the Sword of Solis, they shall slay heathens, dark creatures and bless the lands together.”
The Inquisitor High Lord agreed. “Priest Sylvester is indeed strong in mind and body.”
“Agreed.” Saint Scepter affirmed as well.
The Pope clapped his hand and stood up. “Then it’s decided. Saint Wazir, get the appointment letters written. I shall hand them to these five young men myself. Council adjourned!”
___________________
A STONE A DAY, KEEPS GORILLA AWAY… NOT!
**1111 Stones = Bonus Chapter!**
APE TOGETHER STRONG!