Chapter 258

The whole world was horrified by the appearance of the demons.

Officially, it was already the third time after Bercheff and the Academy, and in total, four demons had been summoned.

No one considered them mere legends of the past anymore, nor thought they were simple coincidences.

The demons were descending, without a doubt.

The world was heading toward a great war, like the one a thousand years ago.

The only fortune was that, just as there was once a hero who defeated the demons, now there was also a hope called Aint Armian.

And along with that news came another encouraging one.

【The professor of the Imperial Academy Armian, Rosalia Vienderk, challenges the title of Archmage. Will a new Archmage be born?】

A new contender for the title of Archmage.

In a time where a war against demons loomed, the possibility of a new superhuman emerging represented another spark of hope.

The more powerful people capable of crushing demons, the better.

Tap.

Fernan disembarked from the ship alongside Hyde and Gismond.

The place they arrived at was Eargrath, the holy city that the first Emperor had given to the Cult of the Dragon God, and which bore the name of the first Pope.

As the main headquarters of the Cult, Eargrath was always full of pilgrims and visitors.

But that day, it was even more impressive.

Gismond was astonished by the sea of people crowding the streets, with no room even to move.

“Is it always this crowded?”

“Not quite, but there’s a special event coming soon.”

“All this for the new Archmage selection?”

“Actually, it’s for the Great Duel of the Dragon God. Mages who have reached superhuman rank fight with their full power. Where else could you see a spectacle like that?”

“You’re right.”

Seeing mages at the Grand Sorcerer level in all-out combat was something that—even in a world rich with entertainment—drew crowds.

Fernan had thought attendance wouldn’t be so massive due to transportation limitations, but he had been completely wrong.

Eargrath, as the holy city devoted to the White Dragon, was impeccably built.

The avenues were wide and clean, and the tall buildings rising around them revealed that this was a meticulously planned city.

“Wow…”

Gismond watched in awe.

The Academy had already seemed impressive to him, but Eargrath was on another level.

The numerous statues of the White Dragon sculpted all over the city looked so lifelike one might expect them to fly at any moment.

“Hop in, senior. We’ll go by carriage.”

“With so many people, will we be able to move?”

“Of course.”

Clop, clop—

Though the crowd was enormous, the main roads were clearly divided between pedestrian and carriage lanes, so moving wasn’t difficult.

At that moment, Gismond noticed a huge line along the side of the road.

“What’s that line for?”

“To buy tickets.”

“Tickets?”

“To enter the stadium and watch the Great Duel of the Dragon God, of course.”

“…They charge for that?”

“The Great Duel of the Dragon God, along with the Royal Knight Challenge fights, is one of the most popular spectacles in the world. Of course they sell tickets.”

And the authority to do so, naturally, belonged to the Cult of the Dragon God and the imperial family.

“Sometimes I think being part of royalty wouldn’t be so bad, just for having that privilege…”

But becoming emperor just for an event that happened once every few decades didn’t make sense, so he had never tried.

“…So that line’s for tickets, huh?”

Even in this world, getting tickets was a war.

Although, come to think of it, it was understandable.

Who would want to miss a real battle between an Archmage and a contender aspiring to that title?

This wasn’t a simple duel of fists—this was true magic at its finest.

“Don’t we have to wait in line?”

“Sometimes you ask strange questions, senior.”

“Huh? What… oh?”

Right, he forgot—it was Fernan Pellenberg.

“Special edition! Special edition!”

Street vendors tossed newspapers to either side as they ran through the streets.

【Archmage Vardor Erbeto arrives in Eargrath.】

【Countdown to the Great Duel of the Dragon God—the decisive day will be February 1st, in three days!】

It was the news that Bador Erbeto, Duke of Helfen and court mage, whom Rosalia Vienderk had selected as her opponent, had just arrived in the city.

“So, only three days left.”

“It’ll be a unique experience. Challenges for the title of Royal Knight or Archmage are such rare events that most people never witness even one in their lifetime.”

After all, superhumans who surpassed the limits of humanity couldn’t be “mass-produced.”

Precisely because they were few and powerful, they were special.

The carriage moved forward until it reached the great white temple at the center of the city, where a colossal statue of the White Dragon greeted them majestically.

It was the main headquarters of the Cult of the Dragon God—the Grand Sanctuary.

“That statue is enormous and beautiful. If I sold it, how much do you think it’d be worth…?”

Gismond heard Fernan’s murmur but wasn’t surprised.

After all, he was already used to him relating everything to money.

“Big brother!”

The three met Jace Vines, the saint of the Cult of the Dragon God, who had recently returned after pausing his relief efforts.

“It’s good to see you. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“And His Holiness?”

“He’s waiting inside.”

“Senior, get some rest first. You too, Hyde.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, young master.”

The priests guided Gismond and Hyde, while Fernan followed Jace into the sanctuary.

“His Holiness was very glad to hear you were coming.”

“Did he really expect me?”

“There’s good news, but I’m not the one who should tell you. I’m sure you’ll be happy when you hear it.”

“That sounds promising.”

If the Pope himself wanted to say it in person, it had to be something important.

Jace led him to the Pope’s Garden, one of the most sacred places in the Grand Sanctuary.

It was a small garden next to the papal office, with a fountain that sprang into a central pond and a sculpture of the White Dragon roaring elegantly.

“Welcome.”

“I greet Your Holiness.”

“Hohoho, I’m glad to see you, my child.”

The Pope welcomed him with his usual kind smile.

As always, he conveyed a serene warmth, a sense of peace similar to that of a kind grandfather.

‘Though my real grandfather loved money more than his grandchildren, so maybe not quite.’

The grandson also loved money more than his grandfather, so it didn’t affect him much.

In the end, even though his grandfather loved money too much, it wasn’t like he hadn’t cared.

He had taught him many things; in fact, one could say that more than half of who Fernan was today was thanks to him.

In any case, returning to the point—no matter how kind that old man from the neighborhood seemed, he was still the Pope.

It was true that his nature was gentle and compassionate, but behind that smile lay centuries of experience and magic.

If one let their guard down and laughed too carelessly with him, they could end up with empty pockets.

In fact, after meeting with the Pope, many wealthy nobles ended up donating large sums to the Cult without really knowing how it happened.

That’s why, when meeting His Holiness, one had to keep their mind completely clear.

“I’m so glad to see you after such a long time. Please, sit.”

Fernan sat across from the Pope.

A cup of coffee and several sweets were already waiting for him on the table.

“I prepared the coffee you like so much.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness.”

“You’ve changed quite a bit.”

The Pope stroked his white beard as he spoke.

“I heard about your performance in the Kingdom of Linelt. What dark times we live in—the demons descend into this world as if it were their home.”

“I didn’t do much. We were able to stop them thanks to Aint Armian.”

“You’re still just as modest. Though I believe it’s time you acknowledge your own merit…”

“I’m a merchant, not a mage.”

“Being more of a merchant doesn’t erase your identity as a mage.”

“Just as I, being Pope and servant of God, am still a mage at heart.”

The Pope took a sip of his hot tea.

“Is that so?”

“It seems you don’t share my view.”

The Pope let out a small laugh, shaking his head.

“In any case, I thank you for having defeated the enemy of the Cult. This incident has made me reflect deeply. We should be the ones, above all, to understand the nature of demons first, and yet…”

It hadn’t always been this way.

In the war a thousand years ago, the priests of the Cult were the ones who traveled across the continent searching for traces of demons and corrupt beings.

They were the fastest scouts, second only to the first Emperor.

But over the centuries, the vigilance against demons had weakened, and the Cult’s search capabilities had greatly deteriorated.

“It was an age of peace, wasn’t it?”

“It was. Peace ended the moment the demons descended.”

The Pope refilled his cup with tea.

“I imagine there’s something you wish to ask of me, Your Holiness.”

“How could the Cult remain idle while demons roam freely? I wish to send priests throughout the continent to fulfill the Dragon God’s will and eradicate evil.”

That was something the Cult could do without involving Fernan.

The fact that he mentioned it directly could only mean one thing—he wanted something from him.

And Fernan already suspected what it was.

“But, as you know, though our devout serve God and gladly accept suffering, those who fight against the evil that threatens the world deserve proper compensation, don’t you think?”

“Then do it, Your Holiness.”

“I would love to, but where will the servants of God get money from?”

Ah, of course.

The Cult of the Dragon God was the continent’s largest distributor of magical objects and artifacts, and enormous wealth flowed constantly into it.

And, considering that its biggest client was precisely the Pellenberg family, Fernan knew very well how rich the Cult truly was.

‘Of course, those who have the most are always the ones who ask for the most…’

Fernan suppressed a sigh at the Cult’s greed and stinginess.

“And then, while I was thinking about it, a miraculous idea came to me.”

The Pope continued with an inspired tone.

“I remembered that the Pellenberg family’s hotels are spread across the entire continent.”

Indeed, the Golden Turtle Guild’s hotels were distributed throughout all major cities.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you provide a room, even just a stable, for our priests? We don’t ask for meals or luxuries. I only wish for them not to sleep on the cold ground.”

The Pope sighed with a worried expression, wiping away imaginary tears.

“Of course, I’m not forcing you. I would never do such a thing…”

Refusing at that moment would be a political blunder.

But accepting without conditions would imply a great loss.

“Of course, if the priests of the Cult are working so hard for the good of the continent, how could I not offer a helping hand?”

“Will you really do it?”

“Yes. And besides, I couldn’t charge them money for it. A glass of holy water flowing from this sacred land will be enough.”

At that, the Pope gave a satisfied smile.

“Just a glass of plain water? How generous you are.”

“How could it be plain water? If it comes from the spring that flows through the blessed land of the Dragon God, it can’t be considered ordinary.”

Since the second Pope, the Cult had compiled its Sacred Scripture, which mentioned that in the holy land flowed an inexhaustible spring of holy water. An absurd legend, yes, but irrelevant in this context.

“Also, if the sacred water flows endlessly through the blessed land of the Dragon God, there will be no burden for the priests, don’t you think?”

“Hohoho—you’re still the same as ever. Your grandfather would be very proud of you. They say the rich are the most miserly, and you prove it well.”

“I still have a long way to go, Your Holiness.”

“Actually, I called you for another matter.”

The Pope changed the subject without warning.

“About Professor Rosalia, right?”

“I know you’re connected to her, but I don’t mind. Whoever her sponsor may be, the emergence of a new power is always a cause for celebration—as long as it’s not a demon’s deception.”

“Then… what is it about?”

“I also sent a letter to Duke Yvon, but since you’re here in Eargrath, I wanted to tell you in person.”

“What is it about?”

“The Bell of Pasa.”

“…What?”

The Bell of Pasa—a sacred relic originally kept in the border territory of Altrierc—.

It was said that when its bells rang, monsters were annihilated and demons lost a great part of their power.

That’s why corrupt beings had tried to destroy it again and again, until they finally succeeded.

“That bell has finally been restored.”

The Bell of Pasa had returned to the world once again.