Chapter 28: The Ruined Cathedral

Amphere Harrison

Amphere, make your way to the desolate cathedral, nestled on the western side of the floating island. I'll be there, patiently waiting until the sun dips below the horizon.

That's the message that unfolded before my eyes. Doubt crept in, whispering that it could be a treacherous ploy. Uncertainty clouded my judgment, but the fact remained: Estoff had handed me this letter, ensuring its authenticity. If Estoff himself was involved, it meant he had kept the truth about Richard's survival concealed from us. Now, I yearned for an explanation that only he could provide.

With the letter clutched tightly in my hand, I wasted no time. My determination surged, propelling me forward towards the exit. There was an urgency in me that demanded to see Richard without delay. After all, he had been one of Airi's closest companions, or so I thought. Memories flooded my mind, and I recalled the faint spark of attraction between Richard and Airi when I first laid eyes on him.

Airi dashed alongside me, mirroring my determination. Her voice carried a hint of curiosity as she questioned my resolve, her head tilted to the side. "Are you totally certain you won't be watching Reina and Rudolf's duel?" she asked. "Richard did mention he'd be there until sundown. But it's only a little past ten, isn't it?"

Airi's words struck a chord within me. The scorching sun continued to shower the coliseum with its relentless rays, leaving everyone in a state of perspiration. The stifling heat suffused the air, except for the privileged space where the twelve generals and the princess sat, seemingly sheltered within a cool oasis.

"I don't need to witness those Chevalier Unit battles. I have faith that they will emerge victorious," I affirmed.

Airi nodded in agreement, understanding the sentiment behind my words. As we finally reached the threshold of light, emerging from the depths of the coliseum, I activated the Vesryn Pulse. Swiftly, I hopped onto Airi's back, utilizing her as a cost-effective means of transportation. Hiring a cab or an Uber driver would have been exorbitant, while riding with Airi offered a logical and practical solution. Besides, Airi reveled in carrying me through the vast expanse of the thin stratosphere, painting a breathtaking panorama below us.

Airi refrained from activating her jets, allowing us to leisurely soar through the cerulean skies, relishing in the picturesque view of Guardian's Haven—the embodiment of a paradise. The scorching heat was no longer a concern, for the gentle breeze at this altitude bestowed a refreshing coolness upon us. Though a part of me worried about the potential darkening of my fair complexion under the sun's persistent gaze, I couldn't help but be captivated by the enchanting scenery that unfolded beneath us. To the northwest, a vast plain adorned with cheerful yellow sunflowers stretched as far as the eye could see, while a lush, verdant hill greeted us from the southwest. "This place is absolutely stunning!" Airi exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine delight. Perhaps, on another occasion, I would invite her for a delightful picnic in this very spot. But for now, there were pressing matters at hand.

The ruined cathedral stood as yet another landmark in this floating utopia. Covering an area of around four hundred square meters, this abandoned structure perched stoically atop a hill. The remnants of its once grand architecture, comprised of debris and weathered bricks, hinted at a history that spanned countless centuries. While the right wing had succumbed to complete ruin, the center and left wings remained resolute.

We touched down at the main entrance, and with the deactivation of the Vesryn Pulse, Airi, in her humanoid form, clung to my right shoulder. Her trembling body conveyed the palpable creepiness that permeated the atmosphere, and I couldn't deny that my own fears were veiled beneath a façade of composure.

However, as we crossed the threshold, our trepidation faded into awe. What lay before us was a bewildering sight that stole our breath away—a breathtaking indoor garden. The walls were adorned with crawling vines, boasting flowers that shimmered in every color of the rainbow. The floor was dominated by a lush carpet of Bermuda grass, while at the center, a fountain sprayed cool water upon the verdant plants.

Perched upon the dry edge of the fountain sat a man who, by all accounts, should have departed from this world three long years ago.

"Welcome, Amphere... Airelina," the miracle man greeted with a warm smile.

"Richard," Airi murmured. I half expected Airi to leap into Richard's arms, reminiscent of those romantic movie scenes. Yet, she remained composed as ever, seemingly unfazed by the revelation that this man, once thought to be dead, was standing before us.

"I see you've grown quite the muscles, Amphere. Last time I laid eyes on you, you were nothing but a wimpy brat," Richard chuckled, then turned his attention to Airi. "And Airelina, I know you've been taken care of by your 'husband'."

"Totally!" Airi exclaimed, pumping her fist. I had anticipated a reaction to the mention of the word 'husband,' but once again, Airi appeared unaffected. It became apparent that Richard's words were not laced with sarcasm or fueled by jealousy or anger towards Airi. It seemed that their relationship held no romantic undercurrents.

"In the past three years, where have you been?" I asked, maintaining a composed tone. Though deep down, I felt a pang of betrayal for having been kept in the dark about his complete survival.

"For two years, I was dead. However, I woke up in the Cathedral Exa," Richard explained, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Apparently, Estoff had taken my body there for preservation. They inscribed runes all over me in an attempt to bring me back to life, and it seems we succeeded."

Cathedral Exa, the grandest cathedral in the capital, was renowned for its open arms, accepting all individuals without discrimination or prejudice. However, it was also infamous for its association with dragonoid priests, known as Crimson Priests. Nearly eighty percent of the clerics within the cathedral were dragonoids, a fact that had eroded the trust of human society. Many humans, influenced by deep-seated beliefs that labeled dragonoids as demons, had ceased attending the masses conducted by the Crimson Priests.

Rumors swirled about the Crimson Priests, accusing them of engaging in illicit witchcraft, including summoning the spirits of the deceased and reviving dragons. During my freshman years at the Dragon Knight Academy, I had delved into these allegations as part of a research project. Through my investigation, I discovered that these claims were baseless. Only a select few "holy" priests possessed the authority to perform resurrection rituals, and even then, the success rate was a mere 0.0112%. While I had never personally witnessed a resurrection, the tattooed rune on Richard's forehead bore a striking resemblance to the runes utilized in such rituals.

"Did Estoff have knowledge of this?" Airi interjected, crossing her arms in a show of skepticism.

"Only a few weeks ago," Richard responded, his gaze shifting to his right hand, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "He advised me to take a break from Arcadia since there were no ongoing operations. He granted me the freedom to pursue my desires in this second chance at life." Richard's appreciation for Estoff's consideration was evident, as he acknowledged the trust placed in him during this newfound chapter.

For me, however, the experience had been quite different. Estoff had been relentless in assigning me various errands, including the protection of an ungrateful young duchess and even coercing me into infiltrating a terrorist group. Nevertheless, I must admit that I did find a certain thrill in assuming the role of the Black Phantom during those moments.

"By the way, I wanted to express my gratitude for rescuing me back then," I said, extending my hand towards Richard. "If it weren't for your intervention, I would likely be facing a grim fate on the garrote."

He took my hand in his and shook it firmly. "You're welcome. Estoff had ordered me to keep a watchful eye on you, just in case you found yourself in jeopardy."

Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned my head towards Richard, my eyes wide with intrigue. "By the way, what kind of magic did you employ to teleport me away from those enemies?"

Airi interjected, unable to contain her excitement. "Richard is a Warp Dragon! Totally! That's why he possesses the ability to create portals and teleportation circles at will!"

"She's right," Richard affirmed, a small smile playing upon his lips. With a wave of his hand, a luminous circle materialized, hovering in the air before us. "It seems my powers have grown even more potent since we last met."

The memory of our encounter with Kyle Leviticus resurfaced in my mind, bringing with it a surge of mixed emotions. It was during that fateful confrontation when the wicked general's blade pierced through my chest, and Richard, in an act of selflessness, sacrificed himself to protect me. He should have created a warp to shield me from that despicable man's sword, but instead, I found myself fleeing once again, leaving Richard injured behind. It marked the second time that he had come to my rescue against the Chevalier Unit.

I couldn't help but clench my fist, a sense of self-deprecation washing over me. I always seemed to be the one in need of saving, dependent on the help of my friends. I felt utterly pathetic.

However, in the midst of my self-reflection, a sudden change in the atmosphere caught our attention. Richard's eyes widened in shock, resembling someone who had just swallowed a whole rat. I followed his gaze and realized that we had been under the watchful eye of a person all this time.

It was none other than the beautiful blonde woman, renowned for her brilliance and combat prowess—Reina Fleuret, the student council president herself.

"R-Richard..." Reina stuttered, her voice laced with surprise and possibly a hint of concern.