Chapter 264
The Mithras Ritual
Eivass took Sherlock to St. Genevieve’s Chapel.
— Yes, the place Eivass intended to take Sherlock to complete the ritual was beneath the Candlemaster’s chapel.
Although it seemed a bit inappropriate, perhaps even mocking, Eivass’s understanding of Theology suggested the Candlemaster wouldn’t care.
Since Mithras was fabricated, and the process of completing the ritual belonged to the domain of Devotion, it was essentially a form of worship directed at the Candlemaster.
“…Do we really have to come here?”
Sherlock, however, seemed to have a guilty conscience.
Or rather, having grown up in Avalon, Sherlock didn’t truly understand what a “Fabricated Deity” was. He still regarded Mithras as a real god, or perhaps a heretical one.
“Because we’re in the city,” Eivass explained, leading Sherlock down the dim stairs into the depths of the cellar. “Normally, this ritual requires a natural cave. And the orientation of the cave must be strictly chosen, needing to face the Ram from the Bull. It’s called the ‘Land of Birth’.”
“Sounds troublesome,” Sherlock commented.
“It is troublesome. So I need to use this ritual site to create a usable ‘Land of Birth’… This requires a place that is sufficiently sacred, needs to isolate the influence of the Path of Love as much as possible, but also cannot see the light, must be underground, and needs sufficient space.”
Eivass turned back and spread his hands. “Then tell me, where else could I go besides here?”
This was the church’s wine cellar, used for storing wine for sacrifices.
Eivass had reported this to Bishop Mathers last night… but the Bishop’s reaction was strange.
The Bishop said, “Since you have the key, go wherever you want.”
…Strange, why would I have such great favor?
Although Eivass was somewhat doubtful, he decided to complete Sherlock’s ritual first.
“I know you’re right.”
Sherlock gently pushed Eivass, who was blocking the path. “But don’t suddenly block the stairs. I almost bumped into you.”
“You, with your small frame, can’t knock me over.”
Eivass scoffed.
*Hey, if you say that, I’ll try—*
Sherlock raised an eyebrow but chose to remain silent. After all, Eivass was going out of his way for him. Arguing with Eivass now would be impolite.
Although he wasn’t sure if the ritual would succeed, Eivass’s attitude alone was enough to move him.
As they continued downward, Eivass began to explain the occult principles of the ritual to Sherlock.
“Do you know about the precession of the equinoxes?”
“I have some impression.”
“Simply put, every year when the sun returns to its position from the previous year, there is a slight difference. So the winter solstice point moves westward each year… although the magnitude is very small, it does exist.
The sun only returns to its true position every twenty-six thousand years, which is why twenty-six thousand years is called a Great Year in astrology. Because of this, one-twelfth of it, or about two thousand one hundred and sixty years, will see a new constellation at the vernal equinox point where the sun appears.
Human history has only recorded one Great Year. Before this Great Year began was the era of the Elves.
We are currently in the Age of Pisces, which began about two thousand years ago. Before the Age of Pisces was the Age of Aries, and before Aries was the Age of Taurus. Some astrologers believe human history began with ‘Leo’, while others believe it began with ‘Libra’. I personally lean towards the latter—because the sun of this era was hatched by Libra, and Libra is a metaphor for the Hourglass.”
As Eivass spoke, he descended to the bottom of the cellar.
He snapped his fingers, and the cellar suddenly lit up—
Twelve astrological symbols of different colors lit up one by one on the cellar walls, slightly illuminating the dim “cave.”
These were symbols Eivass had previously drawn on the wall using twelve metal jewels representing the twelve zodiac signs, dipped in twelve plant essential oils representing the twelve houses of the zodiac. He infused them with his Mana, demonizing them.
To obtain these essential oils, he had specifically woken up the King, who was probably not yet asleep, and took the freshest and best ingredients from him.
Along with them, a black bull also lit up.
Golden radiance shone upon it—these were runes also lit by the Mana infused by Eivass. The black bull was inscribed with verses praising the sun in seven different languages. Sherlock only recognized six of them; the remaining one seemed to be ancient Horus language.
“…You even know Horus language?” Sherlock asked, somewhat surprised.
“I asked Mentor Bard for help translating,” Eivass replied honestly. “I can still copy it.”
…Alright, that’s also a way.
However…
“Does it have to be so urgent?”
As the moment approached, Sherlock hesitated again. “Have we troubled too many people?”
“I am the one you’ve troubled the most,” Eivass glared back at him.
“I know.”
“If you know, then shut up and stop being depressed,” Eivass said irritably.
After a moment, Eivass sighed and explained, “This ritual has an implicit requirement: ‘I must do it immediately.’ When you hear about this ritual, you must do it immediately. Because Aries is the pioneer, the warrior, the youth, the fearless and the survivor… so the success rate will be much higher. Because ‘fearless pioneers are more likely to survive,’ astrology with Aries as its main palace has such a demand. The more reckless you are, the luckier you will be.
If one hesitates and is indecisive, how can they become the Sun, become Mithras?”
…I’m not that way, I’m not like that.
Sherlock grumbled in his heart.
But he focused on the scene before his eyes, awed by the mysterious ritual.
Although Sherlock knew nothing about rituals, sacrifices, or astrology, he could intuitively feel the sacredness of it.
“Go undress and kneel in that shelf. There’s a small, confined space underneath, which I’ve specifically prepared for you. You can curl up inside like a baby… Remember to curl into a ball, but don’t put your hands on your head. Don’t be wary of what’s behind you.”
Eivass instructed, “Later, I’ll bring the bull over and have it stop above you. Then I’ll kill the bull, and you’ll pray beneath it. When the blood flows over you, and the bull dies, the ritual will be successful.”
“…Won’t I be trampled to death by the bull? Or what if I get knocked unconscious when the bull falls?”
“That’s possible,” Eivass said coldly. “That would mean the ritual failed. But as long as you are sufficiently fearless, the ritual should succeed.”
“Then what should I pray for?” Sherlock asked after a moment of silence.
“Anything,” Eivass replied. “Because the crucial prayer is with me, yours can be anything. You can say whatever you want, talk to any Pillar God you want, it’s even okay if you want to pray for a wife.”
This is outrageous.
Sherlock shook his head repeatedly.
But he decided to trust Eivass.
So he obeyed Eivass’s words and knelt in that small hole.
Just as Eivass had said, this was a “womb” that Eivass had specially made for him. It was just right for him to curl up inside, not uncomfortably cramped or too spacious.
The wooden boards above and below just touched his head and toes, while the sides forced his arms to fold across his chest. Everything was just right.
…Perhaps, Eivass really is a professional.
Sherlock had this thought.
Soon, he felt his vision darken.
Not because he fainted, but because the bull was led over, obscuring the light from the glowing symbols on the wall.
“What’s your birthday, Sherlock?”
“January 6th—you’re asking my birthday now?”
“That’s Capricorn. It’s fine, it’s not too late to ask now, it’s just a mention.”
Eivass said with a smile, “Prepare to receive the ritual, young man.”
