The Southern Province Archbishop was clearly impressed by Father Raphael's abilities. "Remarkable, I can't believe I overlooked such a gem."
Father Raphael's background was nearly flawless, with hardly any faults.
However, the immediate priority was addressing the situation in the Celestoria Mountains.
Even the Archbishop was unable to handle a Catastrophic-level magic beast and thus had to escalate the matter further.
After a month and a half of waiting, Father Raphael finally received detailed instructions from the church's higher authorities.
The church approved their retreat but offered no further guidance on how to deal with the beasts in the Celestoria Mountains.
Father Raphael had expected specific plans or solutions from the church regarding the threat posed by the beasts. Yet, the church remained silent on the matter.
The order to retreat was given decisively and clearly, but the existence of the magic beasts seemed to be ignored, as though the matter had never occurred.
All reports and requests for further instructions went unanswered, as if they had vanished into thin air, leaving everyone confused.
With no other choice, the five priests returned to Celestoria to report to Father Marco.
The fact that there was a Catastrophic-level magic beast in the Celestoria Mountains quickly spread.
Everything seemed to end so abruptly.
There was no punishment or reward from the church for the five priests.
Despite the gravity of the situation, no one was held accountable, nor was anyone praised.
It seemed the only ones who suffered were the lowly soldiers and common folk.
As the army retreated, each soldier walked with their heads hung low, their faces exhausted, their eyes filled with bewilderment.
The soldiers had endured countless life-and-death battles, yet in the end, they gained nothing.
The five priests, equally worn out, had made difficult decisions and fought hard, but they too felt drained, both physically and emotionally.
It was as if all the sacrifices and efforts had been for nothing.
After the retreat, it left behind only an unspoken emptiness.
Half a month passed quickly, and the five priests returned to Celestoria.
Despite the citizens of the city coming out, as was customary, to greet them, the streets were packed with crowds, and the cheers of welcome echoed all around.
However, the atmosphere was unusually heavy, and every smile seemed forced.
There was a stiffness to their expressions, a sense of helplessness that underpinned the celebration.
The cheers and smiles from the crowd did not bring real joy; rather, they felt hollow.
As the priests walked through the streets, they couldn't feel any joy.
This campaign in the Celestoria Mountains had ended in severe losses.
Tens of thousands of soldiers were forever buried in the depths of the mountains, never to return.
Countless supplies—grain, medicine, weapons, and armor—had been expended, yet all for nothing.
As soon as the five priests arrived in Celestoria, they immediately went to the church to find Father Marco.
Father Marco was already waiting for their arrival inside the church.
This time, the reception was not as grand as it had been before.
The banquet was simple, with only a few basic dishes on the table, and there was no atmosphere of celebration.
Father Marco's face was marked with fatigue.
The silence in the hall was suffocating, and no one said a word.
Father Raphael and the other priests did not stay for the meal.
They simply made their report, handed over the documents to Father Marco, and prepared to leave.
Of the five priests, only Father Weiss was from a town near Celestoria.
The other priests came from different regions.
Father Thomas was from Stormhaven, Father Raphael from Brightwater, Father Carsey from Eldoria, and Father Phillips from Aetherhaven.
The four priests, along with their respective forces, were preparing to leave Celestoria.
Father Weiss watched as the four of them departed, feeling a mix of emotions.
He hadn't been punished, nor had he been rewarded; it could be said that he was lucky in his misfortune.
At the very least, he could return to his town and resume his previous life.
Father Marco, on the other hand, was curious about Father Raphael's strength.
"Father Raphael's power far exceeded our expectations," Father Weiss said in a low voice, his eyes revealing a sense of awe.
"We encountered a powerful foe in the depths of the Celestoria Mountains—a gray-haired man with a giant ape's shadow."
Father Marco furrowed his brow, listening intently with a serious expression.
"Father Raphael's water magic tore the sky apart, shattering it like glass," Father Weiss continued.
"The gray-haired man also unleashed terrifying power. His roar alone flattened the surroundings."
"He fought a Catastrophic-level magic beast?
And what about the rest of you?"
Father Marco asked, his voice tinged with shock.
"At that moment, the four of us were being protected by Father Raphael, while he alone made a wager with the beast," Father Weiss paused.
"A wager?"
Father Marco frowned, clearly puzzled by the statement.
Father Weiss nodded and explained, "Yes, Father Raphael made a bet with the gray-haired man.
If Father Raphael could make him step back within three moves, the Celestoria Mountains would be ours.
But if he failed, all five of us priests and our armies would perish."
Father Marco's expression grew even more serious, a look of amazement in his eyes.
"And then?"
Father Marco asked.
"Then Father Raphael said he only needed one move," Father Weiss replied.
"One move?"
Father Marco couldn't believe his ears, his eyes widening in surprise.
Father Weiss nodded and continued, "Yes, Father Raphael claimed he needed just one move to force the gray-haired man to step back."
Father Marco's expression grew even heavier as he took a deep breath.
"Father Raphael's strike… shook the entire Celestoria Mountain Range," Father Weiss said in a tone filled with reverence.
"The gray-haired man, in the face of Father Raphael's attack, ended up taking half a step back."
Father Marco nodded, but after a brief pause, he asked, "Then why did he say he lost?"
"Although the gray-haired man stepped back, it wasn't a full step.
According to the wager, Father Raphael technically lost," Father Weiss explained.
"Then why are you still alive?" Marco asked, puzzled.
"I don't know why the beast allowed us to retreat.
Father Raphael fought the Catastrophic-level beast head-on.
Afterward, his internal organs were gravely injured, but he protected the rest of us, so we survived," Weiss added.
The two discussed Father Raphael's abilities in more detail.
As night fell, Father Weiss, sensing the time, took his leave from Father Marco's church.
He stepped out into the cold and quiet streets of Celestoria. There wasn't a soul in sight.
The air was thick with an indescribable sorrow.
Father Weiss sighed softly. Tomorrow, he, too, would return to his town.