Leveling up the World

Chapter 912: Archbishop of the Seven Moons

Thats the archbishop?

The boy wasnt even hiding his level, allowing Dallion to see all his skills and traits. Then again, maybe there was a reason for that. His awakening level was greater than Dallions by seven and his mind trait was close to fifty percent more at an eye-watering one hundred and forty-nine. Just like Dallion, he had all twelve skills at a hundred, and all seven traits. The archbishops magic was abnormally low, barely in the low fifties, but other than that, he could be said to be the most powerful awakened in the world.

Surprised? the archbishop asked.

Only someone from Earth would come up with the name ivory tower, Dallion said. Why the glasses? With your level of perception, you shouldnt need them.

Everyone has their curses. Youve been through a few, I see. The boy reached towards Dallion. Cyan blue magic threads emerged from his fingers gently floating forward.

Dallion resisted the urge to flee or slice the threads as he normally would. Deep inside, he knew that to be a tactical mistake, yet he had a feeling that nothing bad would happen to him. As the threads wrapped around his body, he was proven right.

PERMANENT EFFECT REMOVED

You no longer suffer the effects of BLEEDING.

PERMANENT EFFECT REMOVED

You no longer suffer the effects of BLEEDING.

PERMANENT EFFECT REMOVED

You no longer suffer the effects of PARALYSIS.

Red rectangles flashed before his eyes.

Youd have dealt with them on your own in time, the archbishop said, pulling back his magic threads. To answer your question, thats what happens when we overdo it. It takes a lot to see into the future, and just like splitting, theres only a partial guarantee that things would end up the way you see.

So, your prophecies really are true Dallion felt as if he had been kicked in the guts.

You can have future visions as well. Any awakened can. Its more pronounced with otherworlders, but not exclusive as long as you can maintain it. I was lucky to get it upon my awakening and even luckier to be born in a time when the inhabitants of this world were more understanding. Interested in the secret? Ill gladly tell you.

This sounded far too much like a trick question for Dallion to respond.

Of course, youll have to use up the Moonstones youve obtained so far.

Yeah, right, Dallion thought. He had used Moonstones in battle, so he knew precisely how powerful they could be. Needing to waste them all just for a glimpse into a future, that by the archbishops own words wasnt certain, sounded like a terrible deal.

Why? he asked.

Why? the archbishop repeated the question.

Why all the plots? Why all the games? Why the copyettes? Why have the Order constantly build monasteries all over the world, yet never taking control? At your level, you must have controlled more than half the world. The smile on the others face made him pause. You still control over half the world, yet you dont do anything with it.

Yes, but only as long as no external factors came into play. Your beloved mentor changed all that when he created that doomsday abomination of his. A single flash of regret emanated from the archbishop. It forced me to divert my attention from the emperor to stop the void. Meanwhile, Tamin took advantage of the situation and started a series of conflicts, leading to where we are today.

The problem with the explanation was that it might well turn out to be the truth, just as it could be the most intricate conspiracy theory ever. The Stars attack on Nerosal, the death of a member of the imperial family, the poison plague that and dozens more world-shattering events could have been caused with the sole purpose of providing a pretext for the emperor to take over the world. Naturally, it was just as possible that the archbishop was full of crap.

Dallion took another look at the cathedral door. It was obvious what was being asked of himhe knew that much even before coming to the islandbut now that it had come to it, his determination had waned.

Are you so eager to protect the man who slaughtered the greatest awakened of his own empire out of fear that they might one day replace him?

You could have saved them as well, but you didnt, Dallion countered. Now you want me to do your dirty work for you.

The bushes suddenly scattered away, along with any plants in the immediate vicinity.

Careful, Giaccia told Dallion.

The archbishop straightened up, then calmly removed his glasses and started to clean them with the sleeve of his robe.

Just as before, its ultimately your choice, the boy said. Youve done me more than enough favors, so if you dont want to be involved, I wont force you. Of course, you wont be able to count on my support, either. A smile returned to his face. But you already knew that.

Dallion did, but he also hadnt expected such a turn of events. There was no telling how old the archbishop was, but his plans spanned throughout centuries. In many ways, the closest thing he could compare him to was the general No, a weird mix between the emperor and the general, making him far more dangerous than either. If it came to an open battle, Dallion had a large chance of losing.

Tell you what. How about you take a while to think it over? The archbishop put his glasses back on and started walking towards a nearby palm tree. As he did, the plants cautiously approached back again, like puppies after being threatened with punishment. Explore the island, check out the citadel, seek out any information you wish. A day or two isnt significant in the grand scheme of things. If after that you still want to part ways, Ill send you back to Alliance.

What about the nymphs? Dallion voiced his other concern. Once youve dealt with the emperor, whos going to stop them?

We are, of course. With a new emperor, that will make the new balance of power three against one. Tiallia could be a bit wild, but shes not suicidal. As long as the status quo is maintained, Im willing to accept a cold war lasting a few centuries. By then, Ill have come up with an adequate solution.

It remained a wonder that the boy had as much empathy as he had. If Dallion hadnt seen it with his own eyes, hed guess he was talking to a mage. The cold-heartedness, even if it were for the good of the world, was outright terrifying. Maybe that was the reason he had isolated himself from everyone. With other people around, he would feel the consequences of his actions. Without them, he could spend all his time in his ivory tower viewing people as pieces on a chessboard.

Harp, when you made a deal with the Order, what was the price? He asked within his realm.

I dont know, the nymph replied. Tiallia never told me any details. She was convinced that she had made the right choice.

So were all the world conquerors, and look what happened to them.

Hesitating a minute more, Dallion finally took a step towards the citadel.

Just one thing, the archbishop suddenly said. You offered something when you demanded to see me. Its only right that you dont go back on your word.

A promise? The brief conversation had made Dallion completely forget about the dragon heart.

Casting a quick spell, he summoned the Moonstone out of his realm. Divine light radiated from it, attracting all plants towards it, like an empathy magnet. An atmosphere of bliss and serenity emerged, only to fade away once Dallion broke the heart in two.

One Moonstone piece, he said, leaving the larger half on the front step of the grand citadel. The rest is for me.