BXBX NOVEL Chapter 122 Conversation With The High Priest 1
Ever since the day Leon finally met Eli with Little Han, he had something to look forward to.
No matter how toxic the life in the palace was, no matter how much disdain and ridicule was thrown at him. Being in their company would instantly wash away the gloom and coldness in his heart.
In this life where he had to stay in the dark to keep his parents safe,
He has found a treasure in the depths of the cave.
A treasure more precious than silver and gold;
A treasure he desperately longed to hold.
He spent the dinner time with his tummy and heart full. Before he slept for the night, he tenderly looked at Eli and said,
"Eli, I promise to protect you and Little Han. So I'll do my best to be safe and victorious for the missions ahead."
Eli nodded wordlessly as she looked at Leon's earnest eyes. He sat in his bed on the other side of the room, exuding steadfastness that made Eli's heart trust him heavily. She knew well that the words meant more than what he actually said.
He said not to worry, because he'll be careful.
He said he will do everything he could to come back safe and well.
He said that she and Little Han must wait for him.
He said to believe in him and he will surely come back.
--
On the other side of the capital, contrary to the tranquil and warm night in the little cottage, was a night full of tossing and turning to some people.
One of them was the greatest pillar of the Seirende Empire, Emperor Valentin.
His heart was visibly shaken as he tried to push himself to sleep. Deep lines appeared on his forehead as his mind was full of thoughts about his conversation with the High Priest.
Earlier today, he decided to converse with the High Priest, even though he already knew the answer to the mystery of the oracle. He thought that this trip would be easy and it wouldn't take long for him to talk with him.
However, as soon as he entered the large and spacious study, he never expected that the high priest would have a huge mountain of words for him to say.
"Ah, Valentin, You're finally here young boy~~~" An aged yet cheerful voice resonated in the study. It came from the High Priest who was leisurely sipping his tea on the couch.
Since he was no longer in the ceremony, he was already wearing a pure white robe with a golden belt. It looked simple and clean as his long grey hair and beard colored his whole countenance.
Although one could say that he was definitely older than Grandpa Andi and Grandpa Ben, a holy aura emanates around him, making him full of vitality and energy.
Emperor Valentin couldn't help but twitch at his remark, "Please, Your Excellency, I am already an old man in my fifties. I can never be considered a 'young boy'." He said in a helpless tone.
"Hmm.. In the Creator's eyes we are all children. And in my eyes, you are still that little boy." He replied casually. He took a good look at the Emperor who was already sitting on the couch opposite him.
"I see you have found the subject of the oracle." The High Priest remarked in a matter of factly manner.
Emperor Valentin's heart skipped a beat, his mind became cautious and his expression became colder. If anyone would look closely, they would definitely mirror Leon's frigid expression overlapping to the Emperor's face.
Seeing the drastic change in Valentin's expression, the High Priest let out an amused chuckle as if he was looking at him like a child whom he caught stealing candies.
"Ahahaha, do not worry, I do not plan to take her away from where she is at this moment."
Emperor Valentin had a sharp glint in his eyes, his protective instincts kicked in as soon as he heard the high priest mention Eli's gender.
"I don't seem to understand what you are saying." He carefully said, trying to sound the High Priest out.
He didn't believe that the temple would let Eli stay outside the temple now that the High Priest had already clearly stated that he knew who she was.
"It's simple!" The high priest took a cookie at the coffee table and bit it happily as he continued, "Her calling was never to serve inside the temple."
Emperor Valentin was skeptical, the High Priest's personality was unpredictable, and he really didn't trust him enough to take his word as it is.
"Still not convinced, I see? Then watch this.." As if he was fully aware of what Emperor Valentin was thinking, he snapped his fingers and activated the projection stone on the side of the room.
What the projection stone was actually playing was the cleansing rites that the Imperial Family performed earlier, particularly during Empress Carolina's turn.
The two watched silently to the scene and soon they noticed that a tiny wisp of black smoke appeared at the handle of the bell artifact.
When it was Queen Lucia's turn, the black smoke didn't react at all, it stayed there until she finished her portion.
However, when Queen Tehila appeared in the scene, a faint white light covered her whole body, even the hem of her clothes. When she touched the artifact something happened.
Tsss!
The black smoke was visibly being dissolved by the white light. When it knew that it was not a match against the white light, it shot back to Empress Carolina's heart as if it was fleeing.
As soon as the black smoke entered the Empress, her expression was filled with pain and her complexion became pale. When the suffering reached its peak, she weakly collapsed to the ground.
"This!" Emperor Valentin was shocked, he never knew that Eli's blessing would be so effective against curses. Another thing was that he never knew that failed curses would cause a terrifying rebound like this.
"Now you must believe me huh??? See what I have sacrificed for you? I had one of the holy artifacts be defiled for this experiment!" The High Priest said smugly in a childish manner.
"Now with this, we can conclude that she was much more needed outside than here in the walls of the temple. Remember, that most of the victims of these sinister curses were outside the temple's walls."
He sipped his tea, now in a serious manner. "So young Valentin, tell me about her, the young Asani."
Surrendering to the High Priest's prowess, Emperor Valentin sighed and explained about Eli, Little Han and Leon.
He was actually hoping that he could hide Eli's ability as the subject of the oracle but he totally underestimated the discerning power of the High Priest.
"Hmm, hmm, I see. So she was your daughter in law… Hmm…" The High Priest replied with an unfathomable expression in his eyes. Emperor Valentin couldn't even guess a drop of his thoughts.
He finally showed a worried and dejected expression. He felt pity for the little family of three; another layer of complication appeared to obstruct their right to live peacefully.
Especially Eli, her Asani identity pushed her to live in the dark, yet her abilities and desire to create a family for Little Han were slowly forcing her to step into the light.
"Do not show such a dejected expression! I am not a clueless man." The High Priest chastised Emperor Valentin's thoughts. "I am not a person who would refuse to look at the big picture. I am the High Priest!"
"Apologies. Forgive my naivety, Esteemed High Priest."
Emperor Valentin realized that he had taken for granted the fact that the High Priest treated him differently.
He forgot to conduct himself appropriately in front of him. Showing such distrusting expression to a person who advocates trust in the Creator was an utter insult.
"Hmmf.." Seeing that Emperor Valentin acknowledged his wrongs, the High Priest's demeanor softened with a childish pout.
"Esteemed High Priest, about the Empress. This could be considered as conclusive evidence right?" Emperor Valentin moved to the more serious topic. Now, they could show to the entire Seirende who Carolina was with this recording.
The High Priest simply shook his head and said, "Even if we could, you cannot bring her down yet."
Startled at the High Priest's opposing view, he looked at him with puzzlement in his aged face, "May you grant me the privilege to know the reason?" He politely asked.
Tak!
The High Priest calmly placed his teacup on the coffee table and looked at Emperor Valentin with a somber expression. "Do you remember the time you woke up from a deep coma?"
Emperor Valentin nodded, it took him months to wake up from the injuries created by Carolina. But even as he woke up, he was still a helpless and powerless emperor at that time.
Out of options, he chose not to look proudly at the heavens, but instead submit to it. Running towards the temple in desperation, he met the High Priest and told him everything.
The High Priest listened and looked at him with pity.
"Yes, that time, you told me about a prophecy that came silently in the temple." Emperor Valentin nodded and recalled that moment.
"Uhn, that prophecy came even before your father's birth in the empire. But days before your wedding night, the prophecy was reiterated and it revealed another part."
"The evil will rise in the midst of the walls and bring forth absolute downfall to the Empire.
But Hope will descend for the generations to come."