Chapter 1008: 16.54 First Red Star - In the Small World.
Chapter 1008: 16.54 First Red Star - In the Small World.
Genus Academy. Headmaster's Mansion...
Cassius Ambrosia and his sidekick, Fenrir Skoll, stayed at the mansion after finishing their responsibilities following the surprise uprising of someone from the Blood Race. They didn't have to be near the pupils, and the students could usually only come over to their house if they wanted anything from them. Esther Dawn's brief vacation had just been authorized by the headmaster, allowing him three days off. Except for the one involving Amber Dawn, Thana Daybreak's wishes were likewise met.
Fenrir Skoll asked, "Why did you keep that little girl here and didn't allow her to leave like her mother and elder brother?"
"It wasn't me that wanted her to stay in the Academy." Cassius Ambrosia said.
Thinking about how the Demigod Keylan Light wanted to keep the plot of this world, he guessed that it must be him who asked his wife for this favor.
"It's that priest ha. Does he want to keep the plot ongoing? It's almost beyond broken though. Unless someone from the outside chooses to interfere then it might get salvaged." Fenrir Skoll said.
Cassius Ambrosia stared at him and said, "Where is that dragon?"
"You wanted to meet him? But he can't stay long in this world. Well I'll just bring you over there," said Fenrir Skoll as he held his wife's hand and entered the separate space in his wife's space artifact earring.
Cassius Ambrosia's hand was seized and dragged without resistance. His vision barely trembled for a split second before a fresh scene greeted him. In front of him, a vast expanse of woodland, sky, and waterscapes was revealed. He can feel several presences in this region, but he can only see the limit of this space.
"Is this an independent small world?" Cassius Ambrosia asked. He might look expressionless but he was stunned in his heart.
Fenrir Skoll didn't answer and just smiled at him then called two names.
"ROI! REINE!"
ROOAAAR~ CAAWWWS~
Two dragons arrived when his words echoed over the whole space. One is the same black dragon with obsidian-colored scales and crimson eyes that appears malevolent. Cassius Ambrosia recognized this as the dragon named Roi by Fenrir Skoll. He wants to meet the other dragon with colorful scales. He can sense a soul connection emanating from this dragon, especially those silver irises that mirror his.
When Reine and Roi spotted their respective owners, they encircled the pair as though they wanted to wrap themselves around them. Fenrir Skoll, the protective husband, held his wife from behind, preventing the two from becoming entangled. Even towards the spiritual creature, an alter ego of their soul, he wasn't willing to share his wife.
The two mythological creatures were accustomed to it and did not react strongly. They retain a half-meter space while simply rubbing their heads on their owners. Reine was practically in tears as he saw and smelled his master's fragrance. It may be a little thin, but the sensation emanating from this man's spirit is undeniably that of the master he was born with. When Cassius Ambrosia stroked its head, it began to weep.
Cassius Ambrosia asked worriedly, "Why... Why is he crying?"
"He just misses you so much. Like the same as I do." Fenrir Skoll remarked.
For a brief while, the Monarch of the Blood Race becomes quiet. He was hesitant to voice the inquiry in his mind because he was terrified of upsetting this man who called himself Ye Xiajie.
Cassius Ambrosia said, "I know you, these two dragons, the current souls in Luther and that red-haired wolf. But I don't remember... I don't have any memories of you. Is that it, A'Xia?"
The arms wrapped around Cassius Ambrosia's waist tremble. But still honestly answered his wife,
"Yes, you are right."
"Keylan Light said my existence in this world isn't right. That wasn't born with the help of this world. But this world was born with me, I exist alone with no connection to this world yet was born here. I am weaker than you. Also weaker than those two who replaced Luther D'Arcy and Randall Ruid. This only means that I may be injured or... Just a part of that man you guys love so much." Cassius Ambrosia speculated.
Fenrir Skoll didn't deny any of his words and instead said, "Regardless of who or what you are. Whether you are just a fragment or just a memory for me you are real. Don't deny yourself. If you doubt your existence then exist only for me."
"You must love that person so much for you to say this to me." Cassius Ambrosia still wasn't willing to believe everything Fenrir Skoll said.
Fenrir Skoll said, "I love you. Every part of you. All of you. Just like you loved me and found me regardless of circumstances, tribulations, and trials. I will do what you did for me. So trust me, Baby."
"I don't know. I don't have any memories for me to believe in you."
"Then can I just stay by your side?"
"... Do as you wish."
Even after such an unpleasant chat, the pair remained in the space realm. Fenrir Skoll resolved to stay at this man's side, loving him with all his heart and soul, knowing he couldn't compel his wife to trust him. Fenrir Skoll wanted to stay at Cassius Ambrosia's side, not to establish that they had an intimate connection. They stayed in the mansion within this miniature world and ate supper there.
Cassius Ambrosia discovered signs of the man who is believed to be him within that modest mansion. He was taken aback by how identical they looked. Their features, their eye shape, and even the color of their eyes. These are so identical that he nearly feels he is suffering from amnesia. He was particularly taken aback when he saw the family portraits in the living room. He noticed children. Three males and one female, seeing their images made his pulse race, and he didn't see how his soulless eyes softened.
"My babies~" Cassius Ambrosia uttered these two words unconsciously leaving himself shocked in confusion and disbelief.
"Did I just say that?!"
---
In the middle of the night, at the Templar Temple...
The two cardinals are still standing watch in the Pope's room. It had been a week since they were booted out of the Genus Academy with injuries. Even though his injuries had been cured, the Pope who had lost consciousness that day never awoke. He appeared to have gone into a deep slumber.
Cardinal Darius says, "All his injuries are healed. He comes to his highness and is not waking up at all!?"
"Patience, Darius. We have done all we can do. Let's leave the rest to fate. Until the Pope wakes up we can only protect this place until the end." Cardinal Lemuel said.
They can only hope Kenan Light wakes up. Someone dashed in to inform the two cardinals of an important change. They were sprinting as if their buttocks were on fire. They were practically out of breath as they came to a standstill in front of the two cardinals and collapsed on all fours in exhaustion.
Pants... Pant! Cough!
"Your Eminences! A report from gmGenus Academy has arrived!"
Cardinal Darius asked, "What is it about you that would barge into the Pope's Chamber with such a manner!?"
"Please forgive this little one's rudeness, Your Eminences! But this news was urgent... According to the report, a new heir was chosen to replace the Former heir of the Blood Clan, Athan Vladimir."
"So what if he is replaced? The heirs can be replaced anytime unless they take the throne!" Said Cardinal Lemuel. "Did you run in here just for that!?"
"No, Sire! It was the identity of the new heir that left everyone surprised. She is the younger sister of Archbishop Esther Dawn and also the daughter of the fallen cardinal!"
In disbelief, the two cardinals rose from their chairs. They understood what it meant to be the Blood Clan's successor. Only a pureblood vampire could hold such a post. If Luciel Dawn, the former Cardinal's daughter, becomes the next heir. It can only indicate one thing: the Dawn Family was descended from Pureblood Vampires. After all, the only pureblood vampires in this world are only the Progenitor and his only kin, Duke Luther.
Cardinal Darius denied this news, "That is impossible! Esther Dawn was a child this old personally checked. He is a human through and through without any hints of another bloodline."
"Who was the one who checked the little girl's physique in the past?" asked Cardinal Lemuel as if smelling a conspiracy about something they would never expect.
Cardinal Darius said, "If this old man remembers it well, after learning from Esther that his younger sister was only an ordinary person I only sent a priest to check it again. I sent Priest Alaric that time and he reported that there was nothing on that little girl that time."
"Check that Priest named Alaric!" Ordered Cardinal Lemuel.
They waited for a time only to find that Archbishop Mayonaka had excommunicated a low-ranking priest called Alaric Blade for insulting him once. The rationale was only an excuse, and the two cardinals were duped into believing that this priest was a spy sent by the Blood Clan to spy on the Dawn twins.
Cardinal Darius exclaims angrily, "Spy! That man is certainly a spy!!!" He can't believe a spy has been living under the same roof for years with no one noticing.
Cardinal Lemuel, on the other hand, considered another option and believed that things on their side were becoming more difficult to manage as time passed and the Pope remained asleep.
"Things might not be as simple as that. If he suddenly left that means that he already got what he wanted or learned all that needed to be learned. If it's about the Dawn Family then... Only that man is their goal!" Cardinal Lemuel stated.
Stunned, Cardinal Darius asked, "Are you talking about... That man? Impossible! That person is almost... Almost dead! What's the use of him."
"To the Vampires their mates are just as important as Luna to the Werewolf. Give orders to Archbishop Mayonaka and tell him to kill anyone that approaches the Underground Prison!" Cardinal Lemuel commanded.
"Yes, Sire!" But the messenger didn't leave right away as he still needs to report other news which is much more frightening than the facts about the new heir of the Blood Clan.
Cardinal Darius asked perplexedly, "Why are you still here? Didn't you get your orders?"
"Your Eminences, there is another piece of news to be reported. This is... I believe that the two cardinals needed to hear the most."
Cardinal Lemuel felt uncomfortable with the expression of happiness hidden within the priest's eyes who was kneeling before them.
"Speak. What is it?"
"Your Eminences, news from the Genus Academy said that during the Enthronement Ceremony of the new heir from the Blood Clan, a rebellion within the race had taken place. The two bishops, Eve Candance and Mangetsu Kyoya also took action during that event."
"Those two... I know they weren't satisfied with their position but chose to become a heretic at this time while the Pope is out of commission. They are Stupid!" Cardinal Darius commented.
"Sires, what is important is not the betrayal of the two bishops but for who appeared to give them punishments. The followers of the two bishops had returned by dawn on this day and they told us something shocking."
Cardinal Darius is a man with little patience and couldn't help but scold the messenger priest for wasting too much of their time.
"Stop dawdling! Tell us already!" Reprimanded Cardinal Darius.
The messenger priest was frightened and shouted the news as he was asked to,
"They said they saw the Founder! The First Pope of the Templar Temple, Lord Keylan Light was alive. He had become a real God and was living in Genus Academy!"
"What did you say!?" The two cardinals said.