37 Who Loves the Villain? 37

Ignoring the silence, the bishop pressed on. His voice carried the rhythm of an experienced storyteller, breathing life into old fables.

"It was actually a pot for a dead ancient tree," he revealed as if lifting the veil of a forgotten legend. "And the pool surrounding it contains holy water."

Aniel's mind spun with perplexity. Was this some riddle he meant to decipher or something? He struggled to understand why Bishop Aelred had shared this information with him.

"W, Why... are you telling me this?" Aniel stammered, caught between wanting to uncover the meaning and seeking clarity.

"I know you lied to the queen," the bishop started, his voice severe but gentle. "The sacred tome writes down itself visions gifted by Silvest about the future. Only the King and I may read its pages. And maybe, rarely, other royal family members may gain access if we allow them."

Stepping closer to the pool, the bishop's words carried an air of both wisdom and concern. "However, when I opened the tome last night, I found no new writings since the king's vision of the forthcoming battle," he disclosed, focusing on Aniel, who stood before him.

Aniel's heart dropped. His secret had been exposed, and he stood vulnerable before the bishop's authority. But instead of a reprimand, Bishop Aelred's following words were unexpected.

"But I do believe you possess an exceptional soul, Lord Aniel," the bishop affirmed.

His words echoed in Aniel's ears as he gazed into the softly glowing pool. What was the bishop implying? He could not really comprehend it...

Or could he?

Aniel might have a hint about the direction this was heading. Channeling his experiences as an avid reader, he recalled stories about transmigration or reincarnation, where individuals not originally meant for that world possessed abundant souls.

Bishop Aelred shared, "I had faced Silvest nineteen years ago during the very trial that led me to become the bishop," he revealed, a twinkle of wonder shining in his eyes. "During that sacred communion, Silvest entrusted me with a lifelong mission: to seek out and bestow blessings upon rare souls that shine exceptional brilliance."

A feeling of wonder filled the air as the bishop revealed the divine purpose, he felt bestowed upon him. "Regardless of their status or station in life, I have followed this sacred command," Bishop Aelred continued, his voice invoking sacred devotion.

Aniel found himself surrounded by an aura of importance, now becoming the central focus of the bishop. "You, my lord," he declared, his tone a blend of respect and reverence, "embody the brightest of souls I have encountered in two decades of fulfilling this divine calling."

Aniel's heart danced with anticipation, a gentle flutter that belied his excitement.

He pondered, 'So, am I, like, a unique entity then?' He fought a chuckle at his own musings. Ever since he entered this world, his existence had been marked an irregularity from the beginning.

Bishop Aelred's intentions became clear as he kindly invited Aniel, motioning to the prayer kneeler with a graceful and humble gesture. "I want to bless you," he said, his words carrying a soft touch of divine grace.

He fluttered his eyelashes in surprise at the sudden invite. A feeling of excitement coursed through Aniel as he approached the simple prayer kneeler.

Bishop Aelred guided him into a state of serene surrender. "Close your eyes, my lord," the bishop gently suggested, and as Aniel complied, he felt the head priest's hand on his forehead.

Like a breeze, a delicate sensation swept through him, infusing him with an ethereal energy. Tempted, Aniel opened his eyes slightly and was astonished to see a soft, radiant glow emanating from his very form.

With the blessing's touch upon him, a luminous sensation blossomed deeply within. A gentle radiance started at his chest, gradually spreading throughout his body.

It enshrouded him, conjuring and dancing through his veins. Right then, he became a light vessel, a channel for celestial energy.

The sensation surpassed the ordinary, forging a deep link to something higher, something divine.

And between this moment of sacred communion, a voice reverberated through, asking. "Who dares to disturb my rest?"

...

Surrounded by a vast canvas of pristine white, Aniel entered a domain that knew no boundaries, a space devoid of enclosures encompassing neither walls nor ceilings.

It had the appearance of a boundless expanse of the sky, only the floor distinguished by the water rising to ankle level.

A slight gust of wind casually tousled his hair. With a smooth motion, Aniel rose from his kneeling position, his attention arrested by the grand sight ahead.

'Who could that be?'

Doubt lingered like a shadow, leaving the question unspoken. The silence stretched like a canvas awaiting the brushstroke of an answer.

"Why have you come?" Silvest's voice, as gentle as a calm breeze over water, inquired from his position on a bed that floated atop the water's surface.

In the wake of this momentous encounter, Aniel's mind spun with doubt. 'Is he truly the real deal?' he wondered, seeking a truth that felt just out of reach.

Aniel's hands instinctively rose to cover his parted lips, eyes wide in awe. He stood before the guardian, Silvest, whom he had only heard of in the story.

The sight was beyond his wildest imagination. The words in the book's pages didn't do him justice.

The sight of Silvest was nothing short of breathtaking, his beauty surpassing anything humanly possible.

"Hey, tell me what you want so I can sleep," he stated firmly. His forehead creased, reflecting his unwillingness to waste any more time.

Not entirely sure how to proceed, Aniel drew upon a well of courage within himself. "Have you heard my prayers, Silvest?" he inquired.

"As if I could just guess your prayers," he retorted. "I've been hearing the plea of all. Which one among them is yours? You've got to tell me; otherwise, I won't have a clue."

He had a point. Silvest would not have the time to remember all the pleas or the people who asked them.

Or maybe he was just a lazy ass working guardian.

Collecting his thoughts, Aniel meticulously formed his questions. He inquired, "Why have I been brought here?"