31: The Arrival of Head of Church

"Fine, we'll take the seven-day offer."

Since Gabriel had already agreed, Lira also agreed. Gabriel was going to have to go inside the Holy City to steal the Staff and the Eye of Osiris. If he believed seven days were enough, she needed to trust him. 

"How considerate of you." Lambard chuckled in amusement. He glanced at Gabriel. "You know, it's the first time I've seen Lira change her mind after deciding something."

"Anyway, I suppose we are done with the deal here. I've fulfilled my part of the deal. All that's left is for you to fulfill your part of the deal. I sure do hope you succeed. Eye of Osiris is something I've wanted for a long time, but it's always stayed out of my reach."

"May I ask what's so special about the eye of Osiris? I suppose it's also a Numen Artefact, but what does it do? Why do you need it?" Gabriel could see the eagerness in the eyes of Lambard to get that item, so much so that he was even willing to part with the Ring of Apophis. It was as if the value of the Eye of Osiris was much more in the eyes of Lambard.

"Of course, it's a Numen Artifact.  It is a small crystal orb that is only a few inches wide. It was used by Demigod Osiris. She kept it with him as long as she lived. The Demigod Osiris was also the one who peeked into the past of Karyk and wrote it down in her journal," Lambard answered. "The Eye of Osiris can help a person see through the past of another person, no matter who they might be."

"It also helps you see their darkest secrets. Moreover, I'm not sure how true it is, but it was said that Demigod Osiris could also see the future to some extent. If the Eye of Osiris has that ability, then it'll be worth even more."

Lambard had spent most of his life chasing after the literature of Demigods and the Numen Artefacts. He had managed to make a huge collection all because of that, yet he was missing a lot of Numens. 

There were many he had his eyes on that he wanted, and one of those was the Eye of Osiris, which was kept in the holy city under high protection, right beside the Ancient Staff of Darkness which belonged to the God of Darkness. 

"There are hundreds of Numens in this world, each having a specialty of their own that it received from the Demigod it used to belong to. Amongst those Numens, the whereabouts of most were unknown as they've been forever lost in time. But amongst the ones that have their whereabouts known, the Eye of Osiris is one of the most important Artefacts that I've wanted since the beginning."

"I even tried to send a few people to steal them, but they failed and ended up dying." Lambard let out a tired sigh, remembering about his past failure. 

Gabriel had heard from Lira that Lambard was really powerful despite being a human. He was the reason this illegal City still wasn't burnt down to the ground. So why couldn't he get the artifact back?

"Why didn't you go there yourself to get it? Since the Holy Church of Light can't attack this place because of you, that must mean you're really strong despite being a human. Can't you steal that with that strength of yours?"

Hearing Gabriel, Lambard blankly stared at him for a moment before bursting into a hearty laughter, "Hahaha."

"You think I'm stronger than the Holy Church? You would be wrong if you believed that. Although it's true that there are some instances when I can face them, but that's only when certain conditions are met, and one of them is being in this city."

He further explained, "The reason they don't attack me here is that this city protects me. This entire city is also a Numen Artefact, known as the City of Abadon, the DemiGod who was known for his defenses."

"After having his entire family killed in a war, Abadon created this city and covered it in his Divine Aura to make sure no one could hurt the people he wanted to protect. Even after his death, that aura stayed with the city, being absorbed in it. The city became a Numen Artefact, known as the Impenetrable City of Abadon."

"The only reason the Holy Church can do nothing here is because of that. As long as I'm inside this city, they can't do anything. Even the Head of Holy Church of Light himself can't kill me here."

"As long as I'm inside this city, I'm undefeatable." Lambard smiled. "However, if I leave this city, I don't have that protection, so I rarely leave this place, and even if I do, I do it secretly."

"If I go to the Holy City myself, I won't have this advantage, and I won't be able to come back to this city if I'm caught there." He stretched his arms lazily.  "You have no idea how much the Holy Church of Light hates me. If they get me, my fate would be something that will scare even the fiercest. So yeah, I'll not leave this city and definitely not enter the Holy City where that old man stays."

"An entire city as a Numen Artefact?" Gabriel asked. That sounded so incredulous. He had assumed that only small accessories were lumen artifacts, but an entire city?

"Heh, I know how impossible that sounds. Even I had a hard time believing it when I found out about this city. Fortunately, when I got to it, the city had no people living here. It was a barren city. The city might be here when I arrived, but I made it into what it is today."

"Why does this city only protect you then? If the entire city is a Numen, you can't hold it. Everyone who stays here is in contact with it, so does that mean it gives everyone the same protection it gives you?"

"No, if it did, why do you think the people here would be scared of Lira when she came flaunting her identity?" Lambard rolled his eyes. 

He glared at Lira. "And you dare call me a showoff? It's like the pot calling the kettle black."

"Then how does it work?" Gabriel inquired. 

"It-"

Lambard opened his lips to answer but stopped. A frown appeared on his forehead. "It seems we have more guests. The city sure is busy today."

"More guests?" Gabriel gazed at Lira. How could he know there were more people when he was sitting here? 

"The City of Abandon is under the control of Lambard. He can see everything that happens here," Lira explained. "That's how he saw us coming as well. How else do you think he knew? If he's getting so serious, whoever arrived must be someone significant."

"Who is here?" she asked Lambard. 

"Someone I didn't expect to come here." Lambard scratched the back of his head. "The Head of the Church of Water has arrived... The Strongest Mage with the Element of Water in the entire world... And one of the Six Rulers of Elements."