Chapter 81: 81: Season 1 Epilogue

Chapter 81: 81: Season 1 Epilogue

A/n: This is the Finale of Season 1 of "Relife System: The Unholy Mage". If you like my work and want to support it, please consider becoming a Patron. I write Extra Chapters on Patreon that come around a month earlier than free release. Minor System changes will happen in season 2 such as decreasing the amount of the System's skills, removal of the non-important passive skills, simplifying some concepts, and limiting the magic spells to 5-10 for each magic school.

* Holy Land of Saint Lanus - The Holy of Holies *

The Lady of Grace, a miracle of the ages, the presence of the divine image of the Holy Mother, Agartha. The holy painting that can't be copied or faked.

It was fixed to the grand golden wall of the great hall of the Holy of Holies with many followers of the Holy Light faith gathered in its presence, wearing dignity and uttering worship. The men donned their best robes and the women wore the traditional gowns which covered them modestly from head to toe.

Among them were people who wore the animal skins above their robes, which resembled the skin of tigers, others wore the scales of great beasts like dragons, and others wore the feathers of the phoenix or the roc. Above that, there were those who wore crowns of gold that covered their heads, there were those who donned armor and carried shortswords on their hips, and there were those who stood at a stature above the rest of the people present with their skin giving off an aura of light.

Those men and women, who were taller than the rest and giving off light as they came, went, spoke, drank, and laughed; were treated with utmost respect and honor.

"Father! That's them, the Golden Saints." A young woman spoke with a bright look on her face.

"It is them indeed." Beside her was a man who looked a bit younger than his daughter but maintained the dignity of old. He pointed out, "Those are the Protector Saints of the Holy City and the Arch Ministers of the temple. This one over there is Master Ellenelle, my mentor."

"Holiness!" The young woman spoke, "And the man she's speaking to? That's an Arch Minister as well?"

"No. That's Lord Payne, Grandmaster of the Holy Inquisition Knights." The man replied.

"Uncle Luther's mentor?"

As soon as the young woman mentioned that name, a voice echoed in the hall.

"Alden, you smelly old bastard!" A tall muscular man with clear signs of age made his entrance carrying a big jug of wine and pushing people around without care, "Look who's here! If it is not our little Minnie!"

"For the sake of both Light and Darkness, you damn loud dog!" Alden, who was trying to ignore him just now, completely lost his reason and swore with his eyes shooting beams of rage.

"Uncle Luther. As they say, speak of the devil." The young woman ignored her father's tantrum and greeted the large bearded man who smiled at her, "And please, I am over 30 already. Call me Minerva in public."

"Bah! Can't an uncle spoil his niece? We have a few daughters in the family and that baby-faced father of yours had to drain his balls in order to squeeze out a daughter half his age." Luther said and made everyone around him laugh.

"I swear to the Light, I'm gonna kill you." Alden prayed to heaven that his brother would stop before an actual curse came out of his mouth.

"You run along now, niece. I'm gonna borrow your father for a bit." Luther said and watched Minerva say goodbye and leave, he then looked at the man who was fuming with anger beside him and smiled widely, "Come on, big bro. It has been years since we saw each other."

"I always send you birthday invitations." Alden retorted with cold eyes.

"And I always send gifts. You know my work always keeps me at places I don't want to be." Luther said, "And which birthday was the last? The 123rd."

"The 127th." Alden replied.

"You goddamn undead! Don't you age?" Luther said with a horrified face.

"Enough with your folly. Being a High Human has its perks. You, of all people, should have some dignity and keep a youthful look." Alden said.

"Nah! I look terrible when I become young and once I reverse it, I'll have to spend at least 5 years to age once again. This appearance keeps me friendly at the very least." Luther replied.

"And here I thought the fact that you are an elder in the Medjay would make you wiser."

"Hmph! The Medjay are far more active than whatever you might think. I have been traveling nonstop lately and barely had time to drink some wine or laugh even a little."

"Just don't let it all out on me." Alden said and he noticed the jug in Luther's hands, "That wine, it smells like spring and rain. You have been back to Amber?"

"Heh! I can't keep anything classified around you, can I?" Luther shook his head wryly.

"It is our home. We were born there." Alden said, "If only time would reverse itself, we wouldn't have even left."

"You are the High Minister of Internal Affairs of St. Lanus. Have some pride in what you achieved."

"I don't need you to tell me that judging that your achievements are either killing, stealing, or turning nations against each other." Alden criticized.

"Can't argue with that." Luther poured some wine in a goblet he snatched and offered it to Alden then started drinking himself.

"Woah!" Alden laughed, "Is it that bad?"

"A Child." Luther said before continuing to drink, "They want us to kill a Child."

"Oh!"

One may think that the internal politics of St. Lanus are as twisted as a Kraken's entrails but the outside work being done by the Medjay, the secret black ops origination of the Holy Temple, can be sickening to the core.

"So, a child killer now, brother?" Alden asked.

"Light forbids! No." Luther smiled in relief as he shook his head.

"Lucky child then." Alden said, "Some sort of a prodigy in a dangerous family, I assume?"

"Not at all. Just a cripple."

"By Agartha!" Alden frowned.

"Yeah. Didn't taste that good either. Hey, the ceremony is beginning."

"Oh, yes. At long last."

The Holy of Holies was indeed busy with the upper figures of the Light Temple but as some figures started ascending to some places, and music started to play, everyone started to quiet down and listen.

The unique music of an exotic instrument, that can't be heard anywhere in the continent, started soothing the crowd as a woman among the Golden Saints summoned many instruments that started playing In the air. She stood in the innermost area of the room, which was a platform isolated from the public that had eight thrones in equal distances from each other.

Once the music came to an end, the crowd stood in mixed emotions about it as it had that sense of deepness that kept touching their innermost fragile feelings.

"Liquor and Music you can't find a better mix of both anywhere else in the world." Luther said.

"It is music played by a Saintess, of course you won't find something to rival it." Alden replied.

"Big Bro, ever thought about Sainthood?" Luther asked.

"Do I look like I am worthy?"

"You achieved the requirements."

"Doesn't mean I am worthy."

The Saintess who played the music then spoke in a voice so smooth and tranquil that it filled the room without a single hint of disturbance.

"Greetings, Friends and Allies who came from far away places. What you heard was a piece from the Great Hymn of Light written by the first Supreme Anchorite, one of the Fourteen Great Disciples of the Holy Mother and the founder of our Temple.

In honor and respect to our traditions, those who are not allowed to witness the Rite of Holiness will be asked to leave. This includes all the present Pilgrims, the Acolytes, the Trainees, the Clerics, the Temple Guards, the Ministers, and the Inquisition Knights.

Those who are to stay are those of the upper ranks; the High Ministers and the Inquisitor Judges, who will name today's candidates to pass the Rite of Holiness. The Arch Ministers and the Inquisitor Grandmaster as well as my brothers and sisters in Sainthood will review the nominees for the positions of Minister and Inquisition Knights."

The announcement was firm and it meant that all of the outsiders and the low-ranked members of the temple were to stay out.

As the Holy of Holies was a large part of the Grand Temple, the number of people it held was a large number and thus as they all started to walk out, the place became very spacious and very empty, save for almost a couple of hundred men and women, which wasn't anything big at all to fill this big place.

What remained of the hall was its vast space, its open roof which let in the sunlight, its walls and pillars which channeled the golden light through the white marble stone that were endowed with holy magic. The ground had pools that were filled with crystal-like water carrying on their surface various colored petals that fell from the flowering trees decorating the hall.

And to break the duality of colors, the hall was filled with rugs and pillows for whoever wants to sit in the shade or under the sun coming from the open roofs to feel the blessing of light straight from the source.

"The Arch Ministers and the Grandmaster of the Inquisition, may you all be present on the stage to evaluate this year's candidates." The female saint spoke.

"Here come the eight cardinals." Luther spoke as he drank again.

"You know they don't like the name." Alden said.

"Actually they do. They just like to believe that each and every one of them is the sole cardinal and the rest are just lesser beings. Even the higher-ups compete." Luther ranted, fully knowing that many people could hear him.

"Whoever hears you won't think you are an Inquisitor Judge and a leader of a hundred Holy Knights." Alden smirked.

"More like an Inquisitor Thug who leads a band of bandits." Luther retorted.

The lady saint on the platform watched the two and shook her head wryly before continuing.

"May the High Ministers and the Inquisitor Judges record the names of their prospects to take on the Rite of Holiness. Please remember that the prospect must be either an active Cleric or a Temple Guard who passed the prerequisites for the position of a Minister, have the willingness, and is present outside."

As she said so, a large plate started flying from the platform and passed by everyone present in the hall. Some would toss a tree leaves with a name written on it with luminous ink and some would just shake their heads indicating they have no prospects to sponsor this year.

When it came to Alden and Luther, the two of them tossed two leaves immediately.

"You're sponsoring someone?" Alden asked.

"Just Minerva."

"I am also sponsoring her."

"Double sponsorship then. That will make her feel more special to her uncle."

It is like a test for his faith.

The Specter of the Divine Light was something that felt rather odd to whoever sees it for the first time but it is a true artifact of magnificent power. Every Minister and Knight here should have studied it a few times before graduating as Clerics.

The lower part of the Specter is made of a long shaft of pure white metal that in its purity nothing was like. The upper part began with a human spine made of transparent holy metal. The spine has a ribcage on its top and above it was a neck and a skull all made from light and transparent metal. The rib cage had no shoulder bones or arms but it had two large folded wings coming from its back made of various colors that can't be imagined in any mundane material. Above the skull's head was a small crown made of eternal gold.

Such magnificence can't be made by any hands and this crafting is not just normal. Only the Spirits can achieve such a level of craft.

And the Supreme Anchorite spoke more like singing. Her voice was youthful but she was older than many people here. Each word she said was in a language not knowable to the new Ministers and Knights.

Minerva couldn't understand the words but Alden, her father, was reciting them and figuring out new meanings for every word.

When it was over, everyone was breath-taken and lagging in their place willing to hear more but it was all over and the Supreme Anchorite turned to leave.

No one spoke, no one protested, or cried. For the coming year, everyone would contemplate the meaning of those words.

But that was then, this was now. The Saintess in charge took the lead again, thanked everyone for attending, and asked them to leave quietly and in a dignified fashion.

Luther kept hanging his head for the entire evening as the High Ministers and Judges gathered around the temple. He was joined by his brother.

"Father, father, here you are." Minerva came in a hurry and approached her father and uncle before looking at the latter's heavy mood and questioning with her eyes.

"He got too much to drink." Alden said.

"Uncle? Too much?"

"It is possible." Alden smiled, "What do you want?"

"The assignment, father!" Minerva said with a smile.

"Oh! The assignment, right!" Alden said.

"Assignment? Minnie! The assignment." Even Luther woke up from his daze immediately.

Alden and Luther remembered that each Minister is sent to some Administrative position after their ascendance. Acolytes serve the Temples, Clerics guide the people and serve the higher-ups, Ministers serve the Temple's affairs and guide the Clerics, High Ministers oversee the departments, Arch Ministers lead the Temple, and the Supreme Anchorite hears the holy words and serves the servants of the Light.

Minerva is now a Minister (equals Bishop in Catholic Churches) and a very young one at that. Her assignment will pave her future.

Surely she will be picked for the internal affairs as her father to keep the balance between the forces of the Temple.

"I was assigned in the Amber Kingdom as a Chief Educator in the Regional Temple." Minerva said.

"Education?" Alden said in shock.

"Amber?" Luther followed with a frown.

Alden surely hoped that his daughter would work in the Internal Affairs so that she never travels, but from all the damn places in the world Amber.

"I know, father." She smiled, "You wanted me to stay by your side."

"I" Alden wanted to say something but Luther jumped in.

"Don't!" He said, "Don't stay by that old man's side. Just get out there in the world and get married already."

"I am a servant of the Light." Minerva replied.

"Your uncle is right." Alden said, "You're not a shrine servant. You can do a whole lot of good out there." He smiled.

"Thank you, father." She smiled happily, "Just so you know, the Inquisition, the Medical, and the Administration departments fought over for me but I had my eyes on the Education Department from the start."

"Actually, it is the best choice." Luther said, "You're firm and strong. Something both I and your father have and lack. I'm proud of you, niece."

The heartwarming moment continued for a while but Minerva had to ask one last question.

"Father, the Prayer of the Supreme Anchorite. What did it say?" She asked.

"You don't want to research it yourself?" Alden asked.

"I don't know the language." She said.

"It is a very ancient tongue which was spoken in the Holy Mother's days. As the Supreme Anchorite daily communes with the Holy Mother, she feels most comfortable using that language. Our most recent interpretation of that language goes back to 500 years ago to the language of the Ancient Kingdoms. My interpretation may be lacking but it is the best you may find." He said in pride.

"Nerd." Luther laughed.

"So what does it say?" Minerva asked.

"It's a story, quite common actually. It says

(First Verse)

O sole Sun, like whom there is no other!

You did warm the world by your fire,

While they were alone, your children,

On Earth, undersea, or with wings in the sky,

All crave the one on every land, rising for them,

The Sun of the day, Jewel of majesty.

(Second Verse)

There is no other who knows you,

Only your children, many like the Stars,

Whom you have taught your ways of war and magic,

Like their sun you are on Earth but they wane when you don't,

When you have dawned they live,

When you set, they die.

(Third Verse)

They are of that moon, enemies of malice,

Cutting flesh from bone, slaves of the old creed,

Fallen the second sun, and the children whom lost,

The mother must hear, for them she cries,

And beasts they become, for there is no sun to shield them,

Darkness grim, from deep malice and the enemy's name is forbidden."

Alden said and cleared his voice.

"Sounds like praises to the sun in the first verse" Minerva said, "Then it became like something bad happened and humanity had to fight for its survival yet it sounded like a threat in the second while the third spoke about the enemy that comes from the moon Demons?"

Alden nodded.

"But what is the forbidden name? Why are we not supposed to know the name of the enemy?" She asked.

Alden didn't know what to reply with but he looked at his brother and nodded.

"I'll say this only once to satisfy your curiosity but promise me, never look into it." He said.

"You have my word." Minerva smiled as her curiosity was exposed immediately.

"The Supreme Anchorite never really says the forbidden name in the Hymn, which made me curious as well. I did a lot of digging in my youth and let's say, some rules shouldn't have been broken. Your uncle here helped a little but we were in a bucket load of troubles ourselves." He said.

"And?"

"The rest of the text spoke of the true enemy or enemies of the temple. And there was one word of his identity that I couldn't translate for many decades." Alden looked around and lowered his voice.

"The enemy of the Temple and our Religion, his name is"

Alden paused and then really made sure no one was spying on them.

" God."

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'll brief you with the System changes at the beginning of the next chapter.