Fire Mage



Chapter 598: A Little Scheme

"A [Historian] Class Mystic? But if you are an Explorer, why do you want to visit Sun Church?" Anna couldn't help but ask.

While she was asking the question, Charles had asked Genesis to gather all vital information about the Sun Church of Sacred Empire.

In two seconds, a row of information appeared before his eyes.

To not make her more suspicious of him, he quietly turned around and started walking towards the hotel's exit.

At the same time, he started to speak.

"I'm not only a [Historian] Class Mystic but also a Fire Mage. So, the one place that attracts my attention most would be none other than Sun Church, young lady. Moreover, the reason I came to Sacred Empire is to participate in the Exploration of Star Tomb."

"You are a Dual-Class Mystic? No wonder I felt something feels off about you." Saying so, Anna hurriedly followed after him and asked another question.

"But how come you speak our native tongue so fluently?"

Meanwhile, Charles wore an annoyed expression and asked coldly.

"Are you dumb? I'm a Rank-3 Seeker. So, of course, I have [Photographic Memory] skill like all other historians. As long as I have some language book, learning a new language isn't a difficult matter."

Anger flashed on Anna's face at Charles's rude remark. Thankfully, she controlled her temper and quietly nodded her head in understanding.

Afterward, Charles and Anna took a luxurious carriage and moved towards the East Borough. That's where the Sun Church was located.

As they traveled, Anna kept asking useless questions and nagging him nonstop to gather more information.

'Damn it; this girl is so annoying.' He shook his head, used his' wisdom power' to stop noise from going out, and started getting serious.

"Why not tell me about yourself? I'm more curious to know why a Holy Knight is tagging along me."

Anna's expression stiffened as he asked that question.

"H-How did you find out?" She couldn't help but raise her hand to touch her chest region to activate her Knight's armor. It was a special defensive artifact specifically gifted to all Holy Knights.

But before her hand could touch her chest, strange, invisible strings suddenly appeared around her wrist, ultimately stopping her hand movement.

"Don't panic. I'm not going to do any harm." Charles paused for a moment and asked.

"But why are you monitoring me?" Before Anna could open her mouth and tell some lie, she suddenly forgot what to say.

On the other hand, Charles read the new memory and nodded in understanding.

'So, it's due to divine revelation, huh? They even told the Pope about my outer features.' He quickly released the invisible grip and gave a sharp look at Anna.

Meanwhile, Anna panicked inside and tried to call for help, but no voice came out.

'No good! He is way stronger than me!'

A cunning plan appeared on Charles's mind as he saw her breaking into cold sweats.

"You know, I'm lot stronger than you think. To be precise, I'm as powerful as the Cardinals of your Church." He paused for a moment and added.

"But do you know why I'm telling you this?"

As he asked, Anna's whole body trembled in fear.

At that moment, she knew that if she did anything stupid, she would die for real!

On the other hand, Charles studied her facial expression and continued.

"Don't worry; I'm not going to kill you or anything. But even if I didn't kill you, you will become nothing but a sacrifice one day."

Upon hearing those words, Anna showed a confused look and asked stiffly.

"What do you mean by that, Mister?"

"It's nothing. You have a unique type of soul called 'Champion's Soul.' You will become an excellent vessel for your God when he descends to this mortal world." Charles spoke casually.

"Impossible! You are spouting nonsense to confuse me! Even if it the case, it will be a great honor for me." Anna instantly rebutted his remark and turned her gaze away.

Meanwhile, Charles leaned his back on the leather seat and continued to speak.

"I may have crossed the line, but what I told you about your soul is true. Moreover, I also peeked into your past while we were conversing and learned a little secret about your parents-"

"Stop!!!!!!" This time, Anna used her Knight's Protection skill to cover her whole body in a golden aura and stared at him with fiery eyes.

"Don't say another word about my parents. My father and mother died protecting dozens of people during an escort mission and are still called Heroes of Sacred Empire. You don't have any right to say their names or learn anything about them." Her voice quivered as she spoke, even under an invisible oppressive power.

But Charles didn't stop as he extended his hand and touched her forehead.

At the same time, he closed his eyes and started to speak.

"Your father's name is Michael Tibbott and your mother's name is Isabella, right?"

"H-How did you know? I never told you about my parents!" Her voice started to break.

'Wait... Historian class mystics have the ability to look into one's past!' Doubt started to appear in her heart.

On the other hand, Charles didn't stop spouting nonsense and made up an alternative story to fool her.

"They indeed loved you and your younger brother. Hmm, strange... Why are they arguing with someone? A fat guy? Oh? It looks like there seems to be a disagreement with that guy... I'm going to move forward a little in 'Time.' Oh? Your parents are running in the dense forest... Your mother is hugging a young child and showing a panicking look... They are chased by black shadows? No, they are Black armored knights. But why are they chasing your parents? Hmm? A few more knights came from the front and surrounded your parents."

At that moment, Anna stopped resisting and looked at him, shocked. Her heart raced nonstop.

'No one else knew my younger brother was also with them when they die. But Bishop Clay said that he was the one taking care of Roly during this escort mission, though.'

"A-Are you telling the truth?" She couldn't help but interject.

'But who are those black-armored Knights? Radiant Knights? No, he must be trying to manipulate me! There is no way Radiant Knights would do something for no reason-'

She remembered Charles's earlier words about her unique soul and felt conflicted at that moment.

"Oh no. Someone shot a dart at your mother's shoulder from behind. More attacks coming from all side and forcing them to a corner. Finally, a sharp metal arrow suddenly appeared from the front and entered your mother's forehead... She died while hugging the child."

Charles paused as tears fell from Anna's cheeks.

"W-Why?" She couldn't help but ask in a grief tone.

"Let me see who plotted this." Charles said calmly and then took a deep breath.

"I can finally see who shot the arrow. It's a white robed fat man. Due to dim darkness, I can't see his face. Hmm? There is also another figure standing behind him. He is wearing a red robe and looks around seven meters tall. Oh? He looks around 40 years old and wearing golden rings in all ten fingers."

"That's Archbishop Michael!" Anna said in a shocked tone and turned pale.

On the other hand, Charles quietly opened his eyes and stared back at Anna.

"So, what's your answer?" He asked.

In the meantime, Anna felt despair and started wiping her tears.

After that, she didn't say a single word and quietly sat on the opposite seat in silence.

Before long, the carriage reached East Borough and soon arrived at Sun Church.

"You can wait here in the carriage until I come back. If you truly believe my earlier words, don't do anything stupid things like going directly to Bishop Clay and ask him about that incident. I've seen such stupid people doing those dumb things and getting beaten to death several times."

"I won't," Anna said in a forced voice and closed her eyes.

On the other hand, Charles stepped out of the carriage and looked at the hundred-meter-tall sun church.

"Wow. This building looks more ancient."

The exterior of the Sun Church showcased the rich heritage of ancient architecture. Constructed with sturdy stone masonry, the building had weathered the test of time, carrying the weight of centuries on its walls. Though worn by years of exposure, the stone blocks exuded a sense of resilience and history.

The church's facade featured a prominent entrance framed by a massive arched doorway. The arch, reminiscent of Arcane Era architecture, was adorned with intricate carvings and embellishments. Delicate gargoyles and decorative motifs adorn the exterior, lending an air of mystique to the structure. The stone walls rose vertically, punctuated by narrow windows with stained glass panels that depict religious scenes and mythical figures.

Stepping into the interior of the Sun Church was like traveling back in time. The dimly lit space, with its ancient stone walls and aged wooden beams, exuded a sense of solemnity and reverence.

The nave stretched out before Charles, flanked by rows of wooden pews worn smooth by countless worshippers over the centuries. The high vaulted ceiling, adorned with intricate ribbed arches, created a sense of verticality, drawing the eye upward.

The interior walls of the Sun Church feature faded frescoes and religious paintings, their colors muted by the passage of time. These artistic remnants provided glimpses into the church's rich history and offered a sense of the devotion that once filled the space.

At the end of the nave, he saw a tall golden statue of a young elven man. The young elven man depicted in the statue stood with confidence and poise. His form was sculpted precisely, showcasing a lithe and athletic physique befitting the elven race.

As Charles walked closer to the statue, he felt an invisible prying sensation.

Before long, he arrived before the statue and closed his eyes to pray.

A moment later, he felt a mysterious pulling sensation and soon found himself standing in a white space.

No, he saw a dazzling light ahead in the form of a human form and felt a burning sensation in his eyes.

"You are finally here, Charles. I've been waiting for your arrival." Abium, aka the Sun God, finally spoke.