Chapter 202: A meeting with Myers.

Chapter 202: A meeting with Myers.

I tried to convince her, I really did. Unfortunately, there was no changing her mind. Emeri had gotten it into her head that we owed the inquisitor, the man that had imprisoned us, the truth. Apparently, she was convinced that the man would change his mind once he learned of our quest, of what we had uncovered.

As you can imagine, I was far less enthused by the idea.

Ems, youre jeopardising everything weve uncovered for the sake of a stranger! What if he turns hostile?! Hes wont to do so after all the fighting and killing weve been doing, dont you think?

Im doing this because of the things we discovered, Arthur. The world deserved to know about Helios life and that includes the church. Besides, even if he turns hostile we can subdue him. As hes only barely teetering on the brink of death, I doubt that he poses a threat for the foreseeable future.

I turned pensive, hearing her argument. In part, she was right. When I looked over to the inquisitors unconscious body, it became clear that he was still grievously wounded. The chances of him recovering enough to fight us on even footing were slim. Before I could think of a way to refute Emeris proposal, she continued.

Think of the path forward, Arthur. With the inquisitor on our side, we could explain things to the rest of the church!New novel chapters are published on

From the desperate gleam in her eyes, I could tell this was more personal than she was letting on.

I reminded her of this, though perhaps I was a little heavy-handed.

If you werent prepared to sever your relationship with the church, you should never have gone down this path, Emeri. You made your choice. Attempting to have your cake and eat it too could cost us both our lives.

My words seemed to hit her like a hammer, making her frown. Her response was just as venomous as my own had been, however.

If you cared so much about your own safety, then perhaps you shouldnt have followed me down this path!

I sighed and bit back whatever I was about to respond, before lifting my hands in surrender.

Fine. Wake him, then. I just hope this gamble of yours works out.

They have until now, havent they?

She replied, rather petulantly.

I took a few more alchemical substances to heal the inquisitor adequately and wake him up, but once he finally did Emeri wasted no time to shut him up with both hands.

Be quiet, and listen. We saved your life, you owe us that much, at least. She commanded with fervour.

Her greeting succeeded in keeping him quiet and I watched in amazement as the previously overpowering tier 5 classer hesitantly nodded his head.

The next half an hour was spent listening to Emeri regale our tales upon the helpless man, even making me feel sorry for him past a certain point. Emeri allowed no interruption or distracting reaction, giving him a death glare whenever he would gasp or attempt to say something.

By the end of her story, the inquisitor had recovered enough to enter into a debate, but Emeris fiery temper quickly shut his measly attempt to disprove her down.

Explain our motivation then, if were lying. Why would we betray Dalius and keep you alive?

When no answer came, Emeri snorted.

See? As unbelievable as the truth might sound, it is the only way to explain what happened. Besides, it explains many incongruencies in the holy texts

It doesnt feel like much of a break, considering that were vacationing a stones throw away from a possibly incensed tier 7.

As I waited for Emeri to respond to my quip, an aged male voice broke the silence and answered instead, coming from above us.

Im afraid its not much of a vacation at all, if those are your criteria.

I looked up in shock, finding the origin of the voice sitting on the fence and staring down at us. He was an aged man who looked like he had lived for millennia, though his beard was surprisingly well-kept. His excessive white and gold robe, as well as the ocean of mana that roiled off of him, gave away whom I was looking at. The pope.

You didnt actually think you could hide from me in my own city, did you? he japed, going through his beard with his hands.

As I mentally prepared myself for an escape, a new person joined the pope by standing on the fence above us. I breathed a sigh of relief as I immediately recognised him.

Stop scaring them, Myers. Remember our agreement.

Ah! But of course! the pope, Myers, responded smoothly. I wouldnt dream of hurting your pet project! Wasnt he around the last time we met, too?

In a way. The dry man responded lamely, mirroring the pope by combing through his far less impressive stubble.

Surprised by his presence and thoroughly caught off guard, I spoke in a way that I immediately regretted, blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

Arent you supposed to be working on my castle?

I felt my face heat up the moment I realised what I said and the dry man was just as unimpressed. The pope had a humorous glint in his eyes, as the dry man puffed up and huffed at me.

And I would be, if it werent for your penchant for causing chaos wherever you go! Do you even realise what youve done this time, boy?

Before I could respond, Emeri regained her courage and replied in my stead with righteous fury.

Revealed the true life of Helios, thats what! Something you all should have done centuries ago!

Apparently, the outburst was just as unplanned as my own had been, because Emeri followed her bravado up with a whispered apology right afterwards.

Myers chuckled lightly. Actually, your efforts have come as a boon to the church. Helios tale of bravery and sacrifice will only serve to ingratiate him further to his followers, if worded correctly. I imagine that wasnt the result your co-conspirator Dalius was hoping for, correct?

Emeri mutely shook her head, starstruck by the popes presence.

No, the real issue with what you have revealed is that the system itself has reacted to your actions, somehow.

What? I responded lamely, not seeing what he was getting at.

The dry man took over, explaining what had happened.

Child I dont know how to say this, but something related to Helios and the system resulted in the continental barrier that we know of today. That barrier has kept all of us here, locked away from the rest of the world that we only know exists through ancient records. However, as of several days ago the barrier is no more.

For the first time in millennia, we are able to explore other continents.