Approaching steps were heard. The cell door was violently opened by the guard.
"We will go, Isabel. Get up now."
After two nights in detention, Leon came to visit Isabel in her cell that afternoon.
"I thought you would not see me again, My Lord."
Leon just sighed as he folded his arms.
"I know roughly where Iris is. And I need your help to bring her home."
"Why? I thought you had backup knights to help you."
"Right now, I can't use them. You are more useful than those knights after all."
Isabel was silent for a moment before finally standing up.
"Your words will hurt the feelings of those knights. Where are we going?"
"Abminster Monastery."
"Abminster Monastery? I've heard of it but haven't visited it. Why go there?"
"Because Iris left while carrying a book related to…. St. Varos. And I have a feeling she'll be going there."
Isabel and Leon looked at each other.
"Alright.", Isabel walked out past Leon.
Leon glanced at the empty cell beside Isabel's.
"You won't take him with you?"
Isabel stopped walking and looked at Leon with a cold gaze.
"He knows how to find me. Let's go."
=====
After three days of traveling to Abminster Monastery interspersed with camping. Finally, Joshua and Iris arrived at Abminster Monastery. From a distance, the bell tower of St Varos Cathedral looks majestic.
Iris tightened her coat. She recalled the memories when she lived together with priests and nuns.
"Are you all right, Iris?"
"I'm fine…. Only this reminds me of when I was still the Holy Maiden of St. Varos…"
It looks like the entrance gate to the inside is tightly closed. They can see the temple knights guarding the top of the tower.
Joshua brought his horse closer to the gate.
"State your business in coming here!", a Temple Knight said curtly.
"We came from afar to see Archpriest Jerome on urgent business!"
"Not just anyone can come and meet our supreme leader. Go home!"
"Please let us in and meet him!"
The Temple Knights didn't reply to Joshua's request and kept silent.
"Let me do the talking, Joshua."
Iris took off her hood.
"My name is Elizabeth Barrington or some of you know me as Iris! The daughter of Duke Richard Barrington who was once known as the Holy Maiden of St. Varos in Nova Mesto! We must see His Holiness as this is an urgent matter!"
After hearing Iris' words, a temple knight hurriedly left his post and soon returned with a priest.
"Very well! You may enter! His Holiness is pleased to grant your request to meet him."
The priest then ordered the temple knights to open the gate. Joshua led his horse to walk in.
After putting their horses in the stables. Iris and Joshua walked following a priest who greeted them.
"Ugh…."
Joshua suddenly held his chest which felt pain. His footsteps stopped. Joshua pressed his chest with his hand. Trying to endure the pain. Luckily the pain didn't last long.
"Are you all right, Joshua?"
Joshua nodded his head.
"It's okay, Iris. Maybe I'm just tired."
They walked until they arrived at a door guarded by a pair of Temple Knights.
"This is Archpriest Jerome's study. Please come in."
The priest opened the door. They arrived in a large room with expensive-looking religious decorations. Bookcases appear to be lined up. While the sun was shining through the window.
"These are the two of them who want to see Your Holiness."
An old man wearing a red robe with a miter accompanied by a young priest inside the room. The old man, even though he looked old, even older than Duke Albert, but his charisma was not inferior to Duke Albert.
Iris immediately gave a greeting.
"Good day, Your Holiness. My name is Elizabeth Barrington, daughter of Duke Richard Barrington. Perhaps you will be more familiar with my other name. Iris, the Holy Maiden of St. Varos from Nova Mesto."
Archpriest Jerome nodded with a smile then looked at Joshua.
"And who is he, Lady Elizabeth?"
"Oh. Forgive me. He is my traveling friend. His name is Joshua Folles."
"We are here needing your help. And what we're going to talk about is confidential. That's why it's best just the three of us.", Joshua answered, glancing at the priests.
Archpriest Joshua looked at Joshua and Iris in turn.
"Go. Leave us.", Archpriest Jerome gestured for the priests to leave.
"Please sit down. So, what did you two want to talk about that came all the way to Abminster Monastery?"
"We both wish Your Holiness could tell us more about Seraphine Aile."
Arcpriest Jerome smiled then shook his head.
"I'm sorry young man, we can't help. It is true that the church of St. Varos is interested in Seraphine Aile. But we have never been able to get information about it. Everything is just tales and confusing stories whose truth cannot be ascertained."
Joshua and Iris exchanged glances. This time with a sigh, Joshua took out the St. Varos from under his coat. Putting it on the table then pushed it towards Archpriest Jerome.
"We already know that St. Varos has been involved in the Seraphine Aile case for a long time. It's pointless for you to deny it."
The smile on Archpriest Jerome's face disappeared when he saw the book.
"Where did you get this book from? Did you guys come to threaten me?!"
Iris hastily calmed Archpriest Jerome.
"No, Your Holiness. We don't mean that. We are sorry if our attitude made you feel attacked. There is a reason why we need your knowledge of Seraphine Aile."
Iris looked at Joshua.
"Show him, Joshua."
Joshua took off his clothes then turned around. Shows Seraphine Aile on his back.
Archpriest Jerome's face turned pale immediately.
"You, have it?! How is that possible? I thought it was buried with Nova Mesto."
Joshua put his clothes back on.
"I don't know how but when it dawned on me…. Seraphine Aile is already in my body. What I want right now is how to get this out of my body."
Cold sweat appeared on Archpriest Jerome's face. Restlessly he turned his palms back and forth. His face seemed to think seriously.
"Okay…. But first I have to show you something."
Archpriest Jerome opened the door to his room and sent a message to the Temple Knights who were standing guard at the door.
"I will be busy with our guest. If someone is looking for me, tell them to wait."
After saying that Archpriest Jerome closed his study door and walked to the other side of the spacious room. He then opened the door hidden behind the curtains and hastily unlocked it.
There is a ladder inside.
"Follow me. This is the way to one of the libraries in Abminster Monastery.", said Archpriest Jerome while carrying St. Varos book.
They followed Archpriest Jerome down the stairs until they arrived at their destination.
"This is the Underground Library of the Abminister Monastery. Only I have access. I am also the one who gives permission to anyone who may visit it. It existed even before the Abminster Monastery founded. Here we keep all the books from various generations and various languages. Not only ordinary books, even books that are taboo are stored here. The book you brought is one of the ones we keep here."
"The book that St. Varos wrote came from here?!", Iris looked surprised.
"True. This book should be stored here and no outsiders should know about it. It holds the secret of St. Varos. However, we lost it. Where did you get this book from?"
"This book…. I accidentally found it in the possession of Duke Greyson."
"I see…."
"Do you know anything about it, Your Holiness? I myself did not expect that Duke Greyson could have a book like this."
Archpriest Joshua paused for a moment with a sigh.
"We lost the book and have no idea how it could have been stolen. Then someone came and found out the whereabouts of this book and its contents. Then he used it to threaten me. If I disobey all of his orders, the secret of St. Varos Varos will be exposed."
"Does Your Holiness mean…. Duke Greyson is threatening you?!"
Archpriest Jerome looked at Iris and Joshua. There was hesitation on his face to say more.
"You haven't answered her question, Your Holiness. So, is it really Duke Greyson who threatened you, Your Holiness?", Joshua asked this time.
Archpriest Jerome sighed.
"No. Someone more powerful. He is…. Archduke Rondo."
Joshua and Iris looked shocked.
"Why would one of the three wise councils threaten their own comrades?!"
"I also don't know what he wants to achieve either. But I can't refuse his order as long as the book is still in his possession. I have to keep the secret of St. Varos. But now all of a sudden you come with the book. Maybe this so-called fate played a part."
Archpriest Jerome looked at St. Varos book that was in his hand and then put it on one of the shelves.
"Before we talk further about Seraphine Aile. I wonder how much you know about Seraphine Aile… especially you Lady Elizabeth."
Iris looked pensive for a while.
"I don't know much. Even I thought it was just a legend… a fairy tale…. when I used to hear High Priest Carlos talk about when I was little. A magical artifact that bestows power, immortality and fame on its owner…. Even I didn't know that High Priest Carlos had put it into me until... someone tried to take it from me."
Archpriest Jerome looked at Iris with a look of pity and then took a deep breath.
"It's actually no coincidence that High Priest Carlos chose you My child as the owner of Seraphine Aile. Actually… I was the one who give order to him to do that."
Joshua immediately stood before Iris to protect her.
Iris stared in disbelief. Surprise was obvious on her face.
"All along I thought High Priest Carlos was doing everything on his own initiative? Wasn't he going against the authority of the church of St. Varos?!"
Archpriest Jerome shook his head as he looked at Iris and Joshua.
"You're right, My child. After the destruction of Nova Mesto, I declare that all the tragedies that have occurred are beyond our control St Varos church and we know nothing about it. But all of this happened long before the tragedy. I am the one responsible for all decisions…. Which led to everything that has happened to this day."
"Explain why you did it.", Joshua stared at him with a sharp gaze. Joshua's body was shaking trying to hold back his emotions.
"Perhaps it will be easier if I tell you a little about the origins of Seraphine Aile."
Archpriest Jerome walked until he arrived in front of an ancient-looking painting.
"This is a story set in the distant past.… so old that it might sound like a fairy tale…. It began when humans succeeded in building a tower that towered high in their efforts to reach paradise. Although humans did not find the paradise context they hoped for, they did find something else. That venture led them to meet another race possessing immortality known as the Winged Race…."
Joshua looked impatient, "It's better to get to the point without needing to beat around the bush."
Archpriest Jerome turned to Joshua with a look that seemed irritated by Joshua's attitude.
Iris immediately pulled Joshua away from Archpriest Jerome then she whispered, "Joshua I think we should hear what he wants to tell..."
Joshua sighed "Alright, Iris…. If that's what you want."
Iris looked at Joshua worriedly, "You seemed agitated earlier…. Is something bothering you? Your face also looks a little pale…"
"I am fine. You don't need to worry. It is just…. The longer I stay in this place… makes me feel nervous somehow.", Joshua answered while forcing himself to smile to hide his pain.
Joshua walked up to Arcpriest Jerome then bowed politely.
"Forgive my attitude. You may continue your story…."
Archpriest Jerome cleared his throat softly.
"It didn't take long for the humans and the Winged race to go to war. The great war that destroyed each other. Winning and losing cannot be determined because both parties have both suffered and lost. When the Winged Race almost won the war, Humans found a way to defeat the Winged Race. No…. to be more precise... humans found a way to destroy everything."
Iris approached the ancient painting and examined it further. Painting depicting humans and the Winged Race against a tower in the background. As well as the dark shadow between them.
"So, it was the dark shadow that destroyed the humans and the Winged Race….?"
"That's right. On the verge of extinction, humans and Winged Race have no choice but to unite. However, their strength was not enough. Until finally one of the leaders of the Winged Race sacrificed its immortality and was able to seal it."
Iris looked straight at Archpriest Jerome, "What happened next, Your Holiness?"
The Archpriest walked towards another painting not too far away… past a red curtain that closed something behind it.
"Extinction was successfully avoided. The war stops. Since then, the Winged race has decided to disappear from the sight of humans. The Winged race who sacrificed itself to seal the dark shadow within …. decided to live among humans. But all that peace is just like borrowing time. Because the seal is only temporary. To maintain it, a new seal is required. Since then, the term The Chosen Vessel began to emerge. The Chosen Vessel that was holding Seraphine Aile. Over time keeping the seal became the secret duty of the church of St. Varos."
Iris looked at the other painting. It depicts a woman sealing shadows with her golden wings that appear to be disintegrating. She had a feeling that she could guess Archpriest Jerome's intentions.
With a trembling voice, Iris asked, "Does that mean... It was Your Holiness who ordered High Priest Carlos to kidnap me first…. And the reason I was kidnapped…. because I am the Chosen vessel?"
Archpriest Jerome was silent for a moment before finally nodding slowly without saying anything.
"You kidnapped a child for the sake of the church's mission you lead?! Are you CRAZY?!"
Joshua's hands clenched into fists and his breath was raging.
"Joshua, please calm down. I still want to hear an explanation from His Holiness….", Iris looked pleadingly at Joshua to control his emotions.
"Ugh!"
Joshua turned around to calm himself down.
Archpriest Jerome glanced at Joshua.
"There is a reason why you were chosen, my child.... maybe you already know…."
"Yes. High Priest Carlos has always praised my talent for white magic. Turns out that was the reason…. To become the wielder of Seraphine Aile….", Iris bowed her head sadly.
"True. Not everyone is suitable to be the Chosen Vessel that holds the Seraphine Aile…. It takes a candidate who has great magic power to be able to control it. Moreover, your powerful white magic is very influential in suppressing Seraphine Aile's dark magic. Because if an ordinary person holds…. that person will be devoured by darkness and become…crazy."
While saying that, Archpriest Jerome pointed his finger at Joshua.
Joshua looked deathly pale at Archpriest Jerome's words. The pain in Joshua's chest suddenly came back. His body staggered backwards and Joshua fell to his knees.
Iris rushed over to Joshua.
"Joshua…"
A look of despair appeared on Joshua's face.
"Your Holiness, isn't there a way to cure Joshua?"
"Unfortunately, there isn't. It is only a matter of time when that person will succumb to the darkness."
"What if that Seraphine Aile returns to me? Seraphine Aile was once taken from me by force. Your Holiness can take Seraphine Aile from Joshua and put it back to me?"
Joshua's eyes widened.
"Iris! I will not let you do that!"
Joshua then looked at Archpriest Jerome with a glare.
"I… I will kill you if you dare to do that!"
"Joshua, stop! Please, it's the only way I can think of. All this time I carried Seraphine Aile in my body but nothing ever happened."
Joshua held both of Iris' shoulders and looked at her with a sad look.
"Iris…. It's not worth it. Exchanging your life with mine that has lost its humanity…. Just forget it."
In a soft voice Iris said, "If there is still a way to save you, I will definitely do it. Let me help you…."
Joshua just silently heard Iris' words. But his expression contained an objection to Iris' request.
"My child, I'm glad to hear your request because I was about to ask you to hold Seraphine Aile again-"
"You did intend to sacrifice her from the start, didn't you?"
Joshua with great emotion got up and suddenly pushed Archpriest Jerome hard against the wall. Archpriest Jerome showed neither fear nor flinch at Joshua's action.
"Young man, you can hate me or kill me afterwards. But I'm still going to do what I've decided. I have never regretted the decision I made because there was no other way."
Arcpriest Jerome looked at Iris with a deep look.
"My child…. Lady Elizabeth…..you are the only suitable candidate to hold Seraphine Aile. It was your destiny from birth!"
Archpriest Jerome tugged on the red curtain strings nearby. The curtain opened to reveal a large painting inside.
"!!!!"
"Your Holiness, this painting…."
Joshua grabbed Archpriest Jerome by the collar.
"Explain who she is! Why is her face similar to Iris?!"
The painting depicts a mature woman in a white dress and sitting gracefully. Even though it clearly bears a resemblance to Iris, she looks older than her. Her hair is also much longer than Iris.
"That woman is the Winged Race who sealed the darkness with her body. A woman named Seraphine. The grandmother of Orifiel, the third generation Vessel. In other words …. you are her descendant!"
Iris shook her head with a shocked face.
"B-but how is that possible?! In the book, St. Varos wrote that Orifiel's daughter died! Your Holiness must be mistaken! "
"No. The truth was that Orifiel's wife died after giving birth to... twins. The human race, especially the King who reigned at that time, was afraid of the Winged Race's power in the past. So, he forced Orifiel to choose one of her children to live as a candidate for the Vessel and the other to die."
"How cruel…."
"Orifiel then chose to save his daughter, who was named Cassiel, and threw away his son, who was named Yael. But out of compassion, a midwife secretly helps Orifiel by replacing his son with someone else's baby who died on the same day."
"S-so Orifiel's son survived?"
"Yael was taken care of by his new family and taken away from the kingdom so that no one would know of his whereabouts. No one knows the secret apart from Orifiel, the midwife and the family who raised Yael."
"How do we know you're not lying to use Iris?!"
"Because I am the descendant of the midwife. It's a secret that has been passed down in my family. After all …. Doesn't that painting prove that Iris is indeed her descendant?"
"DAMN IT!!!"
Joshua released his grip on Archpriest Jerome's collar then punched hard making a hole in the nearby wall. The pain in his chest was getting worse, making it difficult for Joshua to breathe. His face was pale and cold sweat dripped down. His eyes are black.
Iris immediately approached Joshua and tried to heal with her white magic but Joshua's condition did not improve as before.
"Wh-why isn't my magic working?"
Iris looked down at her hands with a sad face.
"The curse that Seraphine Aile has on his body is getting worse, My Child. Until your magic can not help him again. Darkness will soon take over his body."
Archpriest Jerome extended his hand towards Iris.
"Come follow me, My child. I will take you to the room where your ancestors used to do the same thing you are about to do…. Before being known as the Abminster Monastery, this place was once called the Sanctum of Ixenar."
Joshua looked at Iris and shook his head weakly. But Iris looked at her gently and helped Joshua walk with the magic assistance from Archpriest Jerome.
They arrived at the next room which contained two altars with a mirror in the middle. Iris helped Joshua to lie down on one of the altars.
With what remained of his consciousness and while groaning in pain, Joshua held Iris' hand.
"Iris…. please don't do it…"
In a semi-conscious state, Joshua vaguely saw Iris hold his cheek and say, "It's okay, Joshua. Relax…."
"Drink this, My child. This will put you to sleep so that you don't suffer during the transfer process."
After giving some to Joshua, Iris without hesitation drank it and laid herself down. Iris looked at Joshua who was lying in pain and it seemed that Joshua's consciousness was fading. Iris slowly closed her eyes while reassuring herself that everything would be fine.
After confirming the medicine was working, Archpriest Jerome began to cast the spell. A large magic circle seemed to glow on the floor. There was a glimpse of the magic connecting Joshua and Iris.
BANG! BANG!
Someone was heard knocking on the door loudly.
"YOUR HOLINESS THERE IS AN URGENT PROBLEM!"
Someone shouted from behind the door. Archpriest Jerome tried to ignore it but the knocking and shouting didn't stop.
Archpriest Jerome reluctantly stopped his spell and opened the door slightly.
"What's the matter for you to bother me?!"
A priest bent down in a panic.
"Forgive me, His Holiness. But there is an urgent problem. Duke Albert came with an army of knights. He carries a warrant with the king's seal to search the Abminster Monastery alleging that the church of St. Varos is secretly practicing black magic."
"What?! How dare HE is!"
"Is this related to the sudden arrival of his niece?"
Archpriest Jerome glanced at Iris and Joshua who seemed to be laying down. He didn't want to leave them but he had no choice.
With an angry tone, Archpriest Jerome said, "I don't know. Duke Albert had better have a good reason ready when I meet him."
Archpriest Jerome quickly locked the room and left.