The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 473: Volume 10: Thunderous Movements and Winds Rising, - 8: Heavenly Secrets

Chapter 473: Volume 10: Thunderous Movements and Winds Rising, Chapter 8: Heavenly Secrets

Like two silent statues, two figures in gray and white stood quietly in the crystal-corridor outside the chapel, as if they had been there for hundreds of years. The various disturbances inside the chapel could not escape the discernment of the two mages.

The unpredictable divine might of the Great Prophecy Spell had brought forth many strange phenomena, which made the two men, who hadn’t felt such a sensation in over a decade, sigh in their hearts. When could they reach the realm where the mind acted as freely as the heart? Not now, but that didn’t mean never. The Pope had only experience, which shouldn’t be a problem.

Wave after wave of power fluctuations signaled that the spellcasting inside the chapel was drawing to a close. Almost at the same moment, both men’s gazes met again, each able to discern a hint of joy hidden within the other’s surprise.

According to the two previous spellcasting durations by His Holiness the Pope, the Great Prophecy Spell should not have concluded so quickly. A single casting of the Great Prophecy Spell would consume almost all the caster’s energy and might even damage the caster’s very being. Therefore, each casting should be extended as long as possible to gain more knowledge of the unknown world. Such a brief spell indicated either the Pope’s body could no longer support a prolonged spell or a problem occurred during the casting. The former seemed more likely. In any case, this sign seemed to forebode something.

"Sirs, His Holiness the Pope invites you," a monk in white clothes reverently opened the chapel’s door, inviting the two men to enter.

Inside the Coughni Chapel, ripples of holy power still shimmered, and after a brief mutual deference, it was the gray-robed mage who entered first, with the white cleric following closely.

Like a withered leaf attached to a wheelchair, the Pope’s body appeared even more weakened, but to the surprise of both men, his face did not show much fatigue, an observation that secretly amazed them.

However, the expression on the Pope’s face was more like an aftertaste following deep contemplation, resembling the ruminations before making a crucial decision. The sunlight from the dome continually changed colors under the influence of the residual power field, causing even the expression on Saint Theresa’s statue to become colorful. To some, her expression appeared to anticipate the nourishment of love, though that was merely slander from those who despised the Church of Light.

"Your Holiness."

A silent hand gesture invited the two men to sit, and the two archbishops, who were used to leading countless faithful with ease, showed utmost respect in front of this frail old man who seemed to be on death’s door.

It seemed that Julius did not fully appreciate his potential successors’ behavior, a playful look flashed in his eyes. He recalled a saying that was somewhat unpleasant yet pragmatic: the more respectful they are to you, the quicker they sharpen their knives behind your back. He wondered if his two successors were like that?

But at this moment, that didn’t seem important. The grand mission of the Church of Light must eventually be inherited. As long as the blessings of the Bright Holy Teaching spread throughout the Continent, it was commendable, even if it meant advancing over his own body.

Seeing the Pope silently waiting, perhaps for something, both Vazinsky and Frenster appeared very calm. The Great Prophecy Spell could reveal the secrets of heaven, but it couldn’t determine the future. Perhaps the Pope was hoping for a clearer answer.

His fingertips lifted slightly, drawing an arc in the space in front of his chest. His thin fingers seemed unusually heavy as if bearing an immense burden. Slowly, a mist rose in front of the Pope, his gaze locked onto the mist as it gradually thinned and spread, eventually morphing into a horizontal mirror-like surface. This was Julius II using the Memory Restoration Spell to recreate everything he had seen through the Mind’s Eye during the Great Prophecy Spell, hoping that the two men in front of him could truly feel everything he had experienced.

The shadows of the Dark World were drawing closer, and within the Bright Holy Teaching, a black hole was quietly devouring the glory of God. Julius had brought the two men inside to view this after much contemplation, knowing that one of them must be connected to the scene on the Wilderness. While Noyola also had the capability, his increasingly extreme ways and the Court’s people were unlikely to make friendly overtures to the beastmen, who wouldn’t probably bow down in kind due to their strange pride.

Only the two men before him were capable, but now he was unable to discern to whom the scene belonged. He hoped the two would be truthful upon witnessing the scene, although he knew this was impossible. The slightly furrowed brows and surprised looks in their eyes were so similar that Julius even wondered if the affair could be a joint act by the two, of course, this was mere speculation and not possible in reality.

"You saw it, didn’t you? The world has never been free of trouble, but what we see before us is by no means ordinary. What do you think it heralds?"

As the mirror’s surface returned to mist and then dissolved into thin wisps of smoke that disappeared into the space, Julius withdrew his fingers with effort. The Great Prophecy Spell, followed by the Memory Restoration Spell, had fatigued him despite his extraordinary mana, and even faced with these two individuals who, in any aspect, were second to none, Julius couldn’t help but smile bitterly in his heart. To make such a choice was, in itself, a burden.

His Holiness the Pope’s words, though calm, clearly held connotations that Vazinsky carefully considered.

It seemed that His Holiness had some apprehension about that portrait. Kennifer III, although reputed to be the highest Devil beneath Hades, had been predetermined to be utterly destroyed; otherwise, with his capabilities, he would have resurrected long ago, wouldn’t he? Why wait hundreds of years?

Could a Devil, whose spirit and flesh had both been annihilated, really warrant such attention? Vazinsky did not believe so, unless there was another outcome: the rebirth of the Devil.

However, the rebirth of a Devil was no ordinary matter. Considering the time since Kennifer’s obliteration had already spanned hundreds of years, why would he be reborn now? And how could he, whose form and spirit were destroyed, achieve rebirth?

While Vazinsky focused on the first scene featuring Kennifer’s portrait, Frenster’s attention was more on the latter scene. Even though he couldn’t make out the specific appearance of the monk amidst the beastmen, there was no doubt he was a priest of the Church of Light. What did this imply? Was it a warning directed at him, or did it signify something else?

The Pope’s whimsical train of thought seemed elusive, even leading Frenster to become unusually sensitive, to the point where he even overlooked the last image of the first scene.

"Your Holiness, does the Great Prophecy Spell suggest that Kennifer III has been reborn? If that is so, I fear that the Continent may be headed into turmoil once more. Could we know the location indicated by the prophecy?"

From the sense of agreement evident in the Pope’s reaction, Vazinsky knew his judgment was correct. His heart tightened; although Kennifer III had once stirred the Continent into chaos with the entire Dark Empire’s power, his own magic power had been extraordinary. Had it not been for certain special circumstances restricting the display of his own magic power, the outcome for the Dark Holy Church might have been different, something no one would dare assert.

The reborn Kennifer III, despite lacking his former status and many memories, would retain most of his magic power and much of his consciousness. One could only hope that his rebirth had taken place in an unremarkable vessel; no one wanted to experience again the cataclysmic storm that had rocked the Continent hundreds of years ago.

Perhaps the Devil offspring could be discovered early. Even a reincarnated Devil needs time to gradually regain power. It would not be a short period, and if he could be discovered before regaining his strength, perhaps he could be eradicated in the Bud Stage.

"The South, we only know it is in the South. Exactly what has transpired, whether the Devil has been reborn or not, the Great Prophecy Spell cannot recklessly predict. However, it’s certain that the spread of the dark forces in the South is undoubtedly related to Kennifer III’s resurgence in memory, Perhaps we should take precautions, it is not just the South at risk; any place south of Marco could potentially be affected," Julius said with a rare tone of fervor, possibly related to his strenuous efforts.

"Then Your Holiness, how do you think we should respond appropriately?" Vazinsky’s concern grew. No one could predict what would happen if it truly was the Devil’s rebirth, but the Church of Light would undoubtedly be the first to be impacted, which was not a good sign.

"Don’t be overly anxious. Up to now, we have not detected any signs of the Devil’s reemergence, and his current strength is nothing compared to what it once was. He is inconsequential. However, we need to prepare in advance. Noyola will provide comprehensive support to all parishes, and any suspicion must be immediately reported."

Julius regretted not being able to clearly see the face of that tall silhouette, but he could be certain that the figure moved with an elegance that suggested a noble heritage. The thought that the Devil might have been reborn into a noble family made his heart skip a beat.

"Your Holiness, Frenster has been observing the first scene. The fact that a priest of the Church of Light has appeared among the beastmen, what does it foreshadow? Does it mean the beastmen are ready to abandon their idol worship and convert to our Bright Holy Teaching, or have our faithful already brought the gospel of the Holy Teaching to the Mogan Wilderness?"

Frenster’s words were filled with joy, seemingly excited by the prospect of the Church of Light’s influence extending into the Mogan Wilderness.