As Rick's eyes wandered through the vast Aurum Sancta, he would have lied if he said he was unaffected. This city was like a paradise.
It seemed impossible for New York, London, or Paris to reach such splendor. This city was incredible. The houses painted white, the calm and peaceful streets. Even the horse-drawn carriages moved along their paths in an orderly fashion.
The only thing Rick noticed was that the Priests were treated like nobles. The paths of ordinary people and the Priests were separate. Groups of people appeared to be like sheep beneath the Priests.
It was both disgusting and excessive. People did not deserve to be treated like sheep. Yet, this was not something Rick could intervene in.
As his thoughts shifted from the city to Excalibur, questions echoed constantly in his mind. What was this sword, and was it really King Arthur's sword?
According to the Pope, it was the sword of the Goddess, but Rick, thinking of the myths of his own world, could not remember anything like that before.
"I see you are alone here?"
"Yes, Pope Bartolomeo. Why have you come?" Rick said calmly. Even though the Pope had come personally to his feet, he did not care. Apparently, the Pope didn't care either, as he approached Rick with a slight smile.
"Pope, tell me. What is this King Arthur incident?" Rick turned his gaze back to the city. The Pope moved closer to Rick and said, "King Arthur is the Emperor of Albion and the holy King of Camelot..."
The Pope paused for a moment and, with a hint of fanaticism in his voice, continued, "He has dozens of titles I cannot even count. Would you like to hear them?"
"No."
"I thought so." The Pope smiled. He then glanced around Aurum Sancta. "Seven hundred years ago, Morgana had enslaved the entire continent."
"Princess Morgana, the daughter of Uther and Igraine?" Rick asked as he turned his gaze back to the Pope. Although the Pope was surprised that Rick knew this name, he did not show it. "Yes, Princess Morgana is the daughter of Uther and Duchess Igraine. It seems that the legend of King Arthur has even spread to other worlds."
"A very famous king in our world."
The Pope smiled slightly. To include his position, he continued his story without giving away. "Even though I am curious about this, let's save it for later. Let's continue."
"The King, who grew up in Sir Ector's estate, was blessed with a Sword when he turned fifteen." The Pope's eyes shone with slight appreciation. Rick reached out, and when Excalibur revealed itself with a faint glow, the Pope paused for a moment, then continued with admiration.
"This Sword you see in your hand is the Legendary Sword used in the creation of Heaven itself."
"Heaven?"
"Yes," Pope Bartolomeo said. "In the beginning, Heaven and Earth were one. There were no humans yet, and the Goddess solely ruled the Earth."
"Weren't there any other Gods?" Rick asked curiously. The Pope vehemently denied it and said sternly, "The Goddess is the only being that is the oldest and the most powerful. All other Gods are things called Devils by humans."
Although Rick doubted this, he did not voice his thoughts to the Pope. The Pope cleared his throat and continued his words. "But there was a problem. The Goddess had decided to create humans.
"The Goddess was ready to allow humans to be in Heaven, but she noticed something." The Pope explained calmly. "Humans could not be free in this way."
"Why?" Rick furrowed his brows. Why was it a problem for the Goddess that humans lived a beautiful life throughout their lives?
The Pope smiled and continued, "Because humans would fear the Goddess. Then, Heaven would not be a place of residence but a Hell."
"Now think," the Pope squinted his eyes and said. "Imagine a place where people live in fear. Rebellions would arise, and they would be so filled with fear that they would rise against the Goddess and attempt to take her Throne."
"I don't understand," Rick shrugged and continued to hold Excalibur carefully. "Aren't people going to Heaven after they die now? Then what does this mean?"
Syvelia's eyes sparkled. She reached out her hand to take the sword but waited for Rick's approval. Rick smiled. "Don't worry, you can take it."
If King Arthur knew that his legendary sword was being used to show off to women like a mere ornament, his bones would ache in his grave.
Rick didn't care and casually handed the sword to Syvelia. Taking the sword, Syvelia examined it curiously. Her eyes glinted with a hidden coldness.
Her delicate hands glided over the sword's unique divine metal. Her eyes followed its flawless design, and they glowed. "This sword... It's so beautiful."
"Excalibur really is a unique sword," Rick agreed, also expressing his love for Excalibur. Syvelia, without paying much attention to Rick, continued to examine the sword.
Her mind was set on transferring her mana to the sword to see if she could control it. Quickly, Syvelia transferred her mana to the sword. When she saw that the sword absorbed her mana, she smiled.
Suddenly, Excalibur was engulfed in flames, beginning to burn Syvelia's hand. Syvelia, displeased, stopped pouring mana into the sword.
Even though the flames were burning her skin, Syvelia was angry enough not to care, and she didn't show it on her face.
"Hey! Hey! Are you okay?!" Rick, seeing the reaction from Excalibur, looked at Syvelia with concern. Syvelia's eyes remained calm, and with narrowed eyes, she examined the sword.
Despite the flames burning her fingers, Syvelia didn't care. After a while, she returned the sword. Rick quickly took it back.
"I'm sorry. I didn't expect this to happen," Rick said, genuinely looking apologetic. Syvelia waved her hand dismissively.
Syvelia smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Rick sighed, and then they chatted until the sun completely set. Eventually, when Syvelia stood up, Rick also stood to see her off.
"If I'm free, you can visit me anytime," Rickard smiled charmingly, using all his flirting skills.
Syvelia simply smiled. Then, she gently kissed Rick's cheek. As Rick's cheeks flushed again, Syvelia pulled back.
"If I come here again, I won't forget to meet you, handsome," Syvelia winked. Then, she waved her hand and turned in her heels, walking away. Your journey continues at M V L
"Damn, she was so hot..."
Rick, touching the spot where Syvelia kissed him, smiled, and realizing it was late, he walked away.
******
Syvelia stood in front of the mirror in a room in Celestivum. She took off her earrings and allowed her hair to fall freely as she undid her bun.
Then, Solomon raised his hand, deactivating the Fairy Magic and returning to his original gender. His feminine chest disappeared, replaced by a fit body.
"He was too stupid to be a Hero," Solomon sharply scolded Rick. His emotions had disappeared from his face. His eyes, now returning to their original gray color, continued to remove his clothes thoughtfully.
"Taking Excalibur seems impossible for now..."
Solomon had intended to steal Excalibur from Rick. He hadn't seen the scene where Rick awakened Excalibur, but he had felt it.
That power, that might, was something he'd never seen before. With the Goddess's Sword, Solomon's plans could advance— and quickly.
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to get the Sword," Solomon sighed. His eyes grew colder. "But I can still win his endless obedience. I'll make him my slave so he can turn all my enemies to dust."
As Solomon's thoughts drifted into dangerous territory, he quickly changed his clothes and left the room in a stylish manner.