Chapter 939: The Fragment of the Red-Hilted Sword
Bishop Mathers, upon seeing Eivass, fell to his knees before Eivass could even get closer. His eyes were incredibly bright, filled with immense joy. “Greetings, Your Majesty the Pope—greetings, Child of the Candlemaster!”
“No, no… I am no longer the Pope.” Eivass was startled and quickly ran over, helping up Bishop Mathers, who was bowing to him. “There’s no need for this.”
He had always respected this elder. Not only because they were his guide on the Path of Devotion, but also because they had helped him so much. When Eivass’s parents were murdered, Bishop Mathers’ deterrent presence was what allowed Eivass to survive. He was sent to the Orphanage, met Yulia, and was adopted by Old James… It could be said that Eivass’s entire life was closely intertwined with Bishop Mathers.
Not to mention, Eivass was able to get the Book of Law first and completely eliminate Noble Red thanks to Madam Mina’s prophecy. When Eivass and Sherlock faked their deaths, they relied on Mathers’ shelter and cover to ensure the success of their plan. It was said that the former Pope only learned about Eivass’s situation because of Mathers’ report! It was precisely because of this that he had the opportunity to go to the Church to study High-Tier Divine Art, become a Cardinal, and even briefly become the Eternal Pope.
“But you are still the Child of the Candlemaster,” Bishop Mathers said, his gaze sharp. “I am a coward… I don’t have the courage to continue on the Path of Devotion; I only want to be an ordinary person. I don’t dare to abandon other emotions any longer. But even so, I still revere Lord Candlemaster who guides all beings on the Path of Devotion.”
This was indeed true. Eivass clearly remembered when Bishop Mathers first taught him Fire Worship Magic, he called out to the Candlemaster with extreme piety. He even reached out and touched Eivass’s forehead, as if there were illusory antlers there—this was not a ritual exclusive to the pastors of the Nine Pillar Gods, but a unique holy rite for pastors of the Candlemaster.
“Don’t call me Lord Eivass, Bishop Mathers,” Eivass said seriously. ” Just call me Eivass… ” Seeing Mathers’ clear reluctance, Eivass took a step back. “How about this, we call each other by our given names and no longer use honorifics, alright, Mathers? It is because of your teachings back then that I am who I am today. I will not forget this kindness. I want you to enter the Church and continue your studies as well. Can you? If you are willing to go, I think you could try High-Tier Divine Art. If you really don’t want to continue your promotion, this opportunity can be given to your sister… Even if she can’t learn High-Tier Divine Art, she should be able to achieve the position of Archbishop. That way, she can take over your position. I also plan to give you the requirements for transferring my special profession, ‘Illuminator’—you are the bishop I trust the most. I have already given it to the Church before, and now I plan to popularize this new inheritance in Avalon, besides the Torchbearer… You will also be the one to select the personnel, alright?”
Although the current Mathers had returned to the appearance of a man in his thirties using Fire Worship Magic, he was ultimately an elderly man older than Eivass’s own father. When he heard the “mission” assigned by Eivass, he not only did not scorn it but was deeply moved. He clasped Eivass’s hand tightly, almost in tears. For Mathers, this was the Candlemaster’s acknowledgment! For a devotee, “being helped” never meant happiness. Rather, helping others brought a kind of heartfelt joy, a sense of sacred mission that “no one but me” could undertake. Although Mathers did not wish to continue his promotion, it did not mean he negated his path up to this point. He was still one of the highest-ranking devotees among the people of Avalon, the highest mentor for the profession of “Pastor” in Avalon!
“Candlemaster above… that I was able to take both your father and you as students must have been the Candlemaster’s guidance…” Mathers said piously, lowering his head. Although Eivass had asked him to treat him as calmly as possible… deep-seated faith could not be changed in a short time.
Eivass said nothing more, merely illuminated himself, emitting light. The Illuminate Spell, strengthened by an Illuminator, calmed Mathers’ agitated emotions. Then, Mathers also used Illuminate Spell—Eivass felt his utterly pure spirit through Mathers’ Illuminate Spell. This was a unique way of communication for high-level pastors. Through the exchange of light and light, they could understand each other’s emotions without words.
“I will not go to the Church… I wish to live peacefully with Mina like this. If it weren’t for the fact that guarding the Royal Sacred Tomb is too important and it’s difficult to find a second Sacred Tomb guardian anytime soon, I wouldn’t even want this ‘Church Spokesperson’ identity.” Mathers sighed. “I will continue to guard the tomb in Avalon. That precious opportunity… should be given to my sister. Although we argued because of Mina, we are still family who love each other. However, it’s best to ask her about this first—perhaps she doesn’t want to leave Avalon either? I heard she also adopted a daughter, perhaps she no longer wants to strive. But if she wants to go… coincidentally, Mina and I have no children, so we can help her look after the child then.”
“No problem,” Eivass nodded. “I’ll go later.” It was not sending someone else but going personally—this was enough to show Eivass’s recognition and importance of Bishop Mathers.
“By the way, Mathers,” Eivass finally asked, “you came to the Silver and Tin Hall to find me today… is there something else?”
“It’s this, Eivass.” Bishop Mathers handed over the key to St. Genevieve’s Chapel. “I remember you used it for self-defense before… I don’t know if it’s still useful to you now. But I heard you are equipping the Gryphon Legion…” The Bishop hesitated, but finally said resolutely, “Are we going to fight demons? If so, I hope you can take it—you need it more than I do, more than the Chapel. Even if it can only provide a little strength, it’s better than nothing. If I can help you even a little, it increases our chances of victory. That’s much better than being useless.”
“…It will indeed be helpful to me.” Eivass did not refuse and took the key. It wasn’t that he still needed the key itself for self-defense… but because this “Fragment of the Red-Hilted Sword” contained the soul of a light-attribute high-tier Phantom Demon. Theoretically, all the souls of the Knights of the Round Table had become his Apostle along with Arthur’s ascension as the Silver Crown Dragon. This included Moriarty’s “Ancestor,” Mordred. Therefore, the soul within the Red-Hilted Sword was not “a certain Knight of the Round Table” but an “Avatar of all Knights of the Round Table.” The Red-Hilted Sword, sealed and shattered by Merlin, symbolized the end of the divine right war; they no longer needed “risky power.” Thus, “Knight” had already become a symbol of the old era. The past Knights of the Round Table gained power through the “Knight” profession of the Path of Power; now that the Path of Power had collapsed and disintegrated, there was no “Knight” profession at all. Naturally, there was no inheritance of “Knights of the Round Table.” Therefore, the Paladin soul within the Red-Hilted Sword could actually be regarded as a “Nameless Knight of the Round Table.” He had no name and was not recognized by other Knights of the Round Table—because he was the condensation and symbol of all knights completing their sacred experience: the Battle of Punishing Heaven, the Battle of Punishing Heaven, and the Battle of Punishing Heaven! The power that sealed it came from Merlin. To remove this seal, one needed to find another Succubus… When Eivass was still weak, he had planned to use Sister Tommy, who was killed by the Lloyd Society during the “Children of the Serpent” ritual—Miss Rovetta, who had not yet been found—to unseal this sword. But she was a BOSS that only appeared in the “Shadow of Avalon” version, meaning after the Fallen Heavenly Envoy was defeated. So, she should be on the other side now—among the Succubi forcibly summoned to the lower realm by the Fallen Heavenly Envoy, one of them was Rovetta! In this situation, it was naturally difficult to seek her help. However, Eivass had another idea. As the saying goes, “he who tied the bell must untie it”—Eivass planned to directly summon Merlin, have him remove the seal he himself had placed, and ask him… what materials were needed to repair this sword and fully awaken the Phantom Demon within. In short, he would collect them first. When Eivass played games, he liked to accept a bunch of quests first. Then, he would complete them all in one go and receive the rewards together. Even if this sword couldn’t be repaired before the讨伐 Fallen Heavenly Envoy, it was definitely not wrong to prepare in advance! After all… Only Eivass knew that the subjugation of the Fallen Heavenly Envoy would not be the end, but only another beginning. During the subjugation of the Fallen Heavenly Envoy, so many people could gather, and the powers of multiple countries could be brought together, with legions of different races jointly attacking. But when more Heavenly Envoys descended, everyone would be too busy to look after themselves. By then, the difficulty of subduing Heavenly Envoys would only increase, not decrease! —More power was needed! Thinking of this, a purple glow ignited in Eivass’s pupils. (End of this chapter)
