Aurora Scroll

The Holy City of Sephoria.

The heart of the Estellian Church.

As an organization that tended to the spiritual needs of the people at large, the Church was beset by problems lately. The problems never ceased, but it was especially exacerbated in recent years.

Chief among those, the departure of the Popess.

The Church remained the biggest and most powerful organization in the continent. However, even for the numerous Level 5s and other talented people in their ranks, the peace of the world was a heavy burden.

And so the core members of the religious, charity, and military organization convened in the Silver City’s cathedral for a council.

“In essence, Legionary Freya found Cardinal Josephine but extracting her from the cult’s trap will take some time. That concludes my report.”

Flavia Marianus closed her eyes after saying the matters of her granddaughter and the missing Harkelan Cardinal.

“After Salustia, now Josephine... We are increasingly stretched thin,” Cardinal Judith sighed, looking at the two empty seats on the table.

“We must be steadfast in our faith. I’m sure the Radiant Lady will give us the strength to weather the storm,” Cardinal Siora clasped her hands in prayer.

“I might not be the Radiant Lady’s strength given form, but I’ll do my utmost to aid the council. Allow me to dispense my report.”

Flavia opened one of her eyes to look at the one who just spoke.

The soothing voice belonged to Archbishop Plutus. He looked to be a friendly and mild man in his forties. He gave the impression of a trustworthy priest, in every sense of the word.

Flavia always thought of him as a snake.

The Silver Council had six seats, the Popess, the four Cardinals for each Four Great Nations, and the Silver Legion’s commander-in-chief.

With the Popess gone, and one of the Cardinals went missing because of an insidious plot, the Archbishop was called to assist the duties of the council to organize the behemoth that was the Estellian Church.

Flavia understood the necessity. She didn't like Plutus but couldn't deny the need for more assistance so she didn't object. Still, it didn't mean she liked it.

Despite Plutus’ gentle exterior, Flavia sensed that the man was greatly ambitious.

He wanted to be the Pope.

The first male Pope in the long history of the Church.

Even though he never said it and hid it all behind a priestly smile, Flavia could sniff his ambition, burning silently but fiery in his heart.

There was never a male Pope. There wasn't even a male Cardinal. It was tradition.

Flavia didn't think Plutus was unfit because of that, no. Personally, she wanted the male restriction among the religion’s leadership to be abolished. She had known many male priests with devotion and will no less than any Cardinals, but thousands of years of tradition was a heavy stone to tunnel and she had more important works as the head of the Silver Legion, stopping demons and monsters eating cities and so on.

Flavia’s take of Plutus was that of a career priest.

The Archbishop’s piousness was the real deal. He wanted to be Pope because he wanted to strengthen the Church against the increasingly dangerous era.

Sallustia’s policy was temperance and diplomacy, all the four Cardinals shared her vision. Meanwhile, Plutus was the head of the hardliners and Flavia disliked that he had so much support from others.

So many that he became the Archbishop. It was the position just under the four Cardinals, and the limit a male could ascend within the Church.

Which was why a man of Plutus’ ambition wanted to go up.

For five centuries, Sallustia’s policy made the world stable and more peaceful. Took a step back, give the other cheek, and peaceful compromises. However, there were those that looked at it as a sign the Church was weakening. Which was ridiculous. Flavia had seen the numbers and the condition of the ground that the Church was stronger than ever in centuries.

Now that Sallustia had gone and left an empty throne, the factions among the Church had begun to move more aggressively, Plutus’ hardliners faction was chief among them.

As if we didn't have enough enemy from outside already...

An organization as big as the Estellian Church would have factions. It was inevitable. While Flavia wouldn't call Plutus an enemy, he certainly wasn't a friend. Trouble, was a more fitting term.

The instability of the Church and missing positions gave the Archbishop unprecedented opportunity. Flavia thought the man’s piousness was genuine. He thought the Church under his leadership would be better for the world. He believed that and so he thought he was doing the right thing.

That it was divinely ordained. And now, Estelle had given her faithful servant the chance to make a difference.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

No doubt that was how he saw it.

Sallustia’s departure should be followed by stabilization, the ascension of the next head of the faith. The four Cardinals were the main candidates.

However, too many things were happening at once, the Church hadn't had a time to breathe, like what happened at the Tower of Remorse and its aftermath.

The four Cardinals and herself believed and loved Sallustia so much. Which was why they were slow to react. That was why no one jumped at the empty throne.

And that was why the Archbishop pushed for it. The man was a shrewd politician.

Flavia sometimes wondered how she hadn't gone bald from the headache, Level 5 or no.

“-next, the new Demon King has been sighted making a base in the southern lands.”

Flavia’s mind that wandered around came into focus hearing the words Demon King. It was another headache that spewed out of the pit of carnage that was the Tower of Remorse.

“I motion that we act. We must, or there will be a repeat of the Dread North and its King of Death,” the words left Flavia’s mouth.

A robust discussion followed. The Dread North was once a lush, fertile land with a different name. A Demon King made a lair there, and the Silver Legion led a continental coalition that took too long to dislodge it. In the end, the land was scarred.

The consequences gave rise to the man that would become the King of Death. He blighted the land further and turned it utterly barren and hostile to life. He took over the previous Demon King’s ruined lair and turned it into an impregnable stronghold. It was one of the worst failures in history.

Sallustia has always wanted to end the death king before the Tenth Hellwar and amassed power for centuries. Damn shame, those foreigners from the eastern lands forced her to act.

Flavia forced her hatred of the foreign meddlers down.

Things are getting rowdy in the other continent too. Sallustia, the time of peace might have really ended with your ascension to the upper world.

“Then we are agreed. Flavia, please prepare the Silver Legion.”

To Cardinal Adeline, Cardinal of Zetel, Flavia nodded silently. A crusade had been declared.

A Demon King was hard to kill. Once it was defeated, a new one would rise. The Church tried to break the cycle by sealing parts of the previous Demon King in various places. It worked, for a time. The big devils in their burning hells just decided to make a new one.

The Age of Heroes wouldn't be one without a Demon King.

Flavia hoped it wouldn't be several.

“While the new Demon King is a significant threat, I believe it is wise to take measures about other budding problems. I have compiled a report,” Cardinal Judith said.

Flavia looked at the stack of paper that the assistant dispensed to each of the council members. The thickness made Flavia let out a groan. This would be her work.

“So many? Is the entire Human Dominion on fire or something?”

“Sorry, Flavia. This is just from the FPC region,” Judith replied with a weak, apologetic smile.

“Haaah... Let’s get this over with.”

One by one the matters were discussed. Until, there was a document about a handsome youth with blond hair.

“Tanael. Real name, Viers Isuel. This one is growing too fast and I don't like it,” Flavia hummed.

“A formidable Soul Pathseeker. If only he uses his power for good...” Cardinal Siora, the elf Cardinal frowned seeing Tanael’s deeds and suspected deeds.

He was most active in the Free People Coalition. Often disappeared in hiding for months or years, but when he did, it was always shocking. His most recent accolade was the Tower of Remorse.

“Yet another misguided young soul. They need to open their heart to the Radiant Lady’s light, or even made to,” Archbishop Plutus said. “It says here that your granddaughter defeated him, Commander? There’s a bit of karma between them, shall we let nature take its course?”

“And how many Freyas do we have? He is getting out of hand. Look at his age,” Cardinal Adeline of Zetel struck the profile paper lightly with the back of her hand. “An otherworlder to boot... His growth since Aletro is very concerning.”

“Aletro... That fallen angel gives power to the good and evil person alike. A millennial troublemaker,” Flavia rubbed her temple.

“We haven't caught Tanael’s tail after we’ve done all these?” Siora’s eyes widened looking at the report.

“He has powerful anti-divination and stealth capabilities. Most probably from Aletro. We suspect he’s thrown his lot with the Wicked Tempters or the Blood Church with the Bone Ravens as a minor third, although he has killed many of their assassins himself,” Flavia said.

“Dumuzin, Yasterah, or Banbexi,” Adeline sighed. “Shifty types all. Fitting for his profile.”

“I’d like to apprehend him but so far, my effort hasn't borne fruit. I’m ashamed,” Judith lowered her head, since Tanael rose from her jurisdiction.

“The fish is hiding deep in murky waters, only surfaced when taking a bite and swallowing its prey whole. The destruction he caused and future potential make him a big concern. I suggest we bait the fish out.”

“Enlighten us, Archbishop,” Flavia said.

“It says here he still has families. I suggest we charge them with heresy, make it public and wide. Then we set a trap for Tanael or this Viers fellow.”

It amazed Flavia how Plutus could say all with his expression remaining calm. While heresy was punishable by death by Church laws, this was taking it to the extreme.

“Archbishop, we are talking about an innocent family here. They don't even know he’s alive. The family thought Viers Isuel died years ago!” Judith slightly raised her voice.

“We need not do the execution for real. Just a play is enough. The evidence is a bit weak but we can embellish it some, enough to get the populace on our side. The inquisition stands ready to uproot a great sprout of evil,” Plutus smiled with sadness. “All for the sake of a better world.”

“No.”

Flavia and the other Cardinals made their voices clear.

“I defer to the council’s judgment,” Plutus lowered his head. “But something must be done.”

“Tanael’s not the only one. The number of evil young Pathseeker is on the rise. With the Age of Heroes upon us, the cults will nurture new Chosen among their young acolytes,” Adeline added.

“Some already fall in the Tower of Remorse but not all. And the cults can always pick a new one. Power always comes easier with evil deeds,” Flavia said.

“My thoughts exactly. Therefore, I have a proposal to this council. We must put a greater emphasis on our young blood. To prepare them with the right tools and ability for the upcoming age of tumult. Also, while the Archbishop's suggestion was too extreme, I have a similar line of thought about drawing out our enemies out of hiding.”

“What do you have in mind, Judith?” Cardinal Siora asked.

Judith’s proposal was agreed unanimously.

***

Later on, in the Arcanum Club meeting, Viers heard of the widespread news from the real world from its members.

“The Church is bankrolling a grand tournament, all Pathseeker under the age of thirty are welcome. The prize, even for the top thousand, was incredibly generous.”

“...What, did, you, say?” Viers emphasized each words, his face was that of utter befuddlement.

“Church Tournament,” Farley repeated.

“Blueeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuuugggghhhhh.”