Me and Clifth hugged for a few moments as we cried silently, I had reunited with my friend
Although he is now practically an old man, he is still my friend.
We separated from the hug both with a smile and we laughed.
-Your Holiness, it is a pleasure to see you- I said with a bow.
-Ha, I already told you there's no need to do that Rudeus- Clifth told me
-Very well, we still have to talk to you about an important subject- I said seriously.
Clifth noticed this but then smiled kindly.
-Okay, I'll listen to you and there's no need to be so formal Rudeus- Clifth said
I walked two steps back so Peragius could speak.
-Clift Grimoire, as you may have noticed, I have revived Rudeus Greyrath here to help us in the upcoming battle against Laplace- Peragius said seriously.
Clifth just nodded in response as he listened intently.
-The objective of our trip is to strengthen our alliances around the world to defeat Laplace, We want to continue asking for the support of the sacred country of Millis for our alliance- Peragius said
Clifth smiled and nodded.
-Of course, Millishion will continue to support this alliance even if the Pope changes- Clifth said seriously
Peragius nodded with a satisfied smile at this.
-Clifth Grimoire, We need Millis to increase his defenses, you know which was the first country that Laplace invaded in the second human-demon war, right? - Orsted said suddenly.
Clifth's expression visibly tightened at this but he nodded again shortly after.
-Mr. Orsted, are you saying that Laplace will once again target Millis? - Clifth asked somewhat worried.
-Yes, in my other loops, after Laplace gathers his forces on the Demon Continent he immediately sets off for Millis in an unannounced attack- Orsted said with a stern expression
Clifth was visibly shocked at this but quickly regained his composure.
-I see, I'll keep that in mind, thank you very much- Clifth said with a smile
-Very well, I think in that case my visit here is over- Peragius said
-I'll be waiting for you at the Chaos Breaker when you're done- Peragius said as he walked through the halls towards the exit.
The others followed Peragius' example and left the great cathedral so only I and Clifth remained.
I nodded at this and walked over to Clifth.
-Harry, please bring us some tea and biscuits- Clifth said to one of the deacons, who nodded immediately and left the room.
I sat down in a chair in front of his desk and smiled at him.
-You've aged- I said with a smile
I could see his brow furrow slightly but he didn't say anything.
-I can't say the same about you, huh? Not only did they revive you, they rejuvenated you as well... haha, how unfair- Clifth said with a smile
-Yes...according to them I am too important- I said with a small smile
Clifth chuckled to himself at this and muttered
-oh yes...of course you are- he Said
We stayed like that for a few moments and the deacon returned with tea and traditional Millis biscuits.
Clifth looked at me intently as if he wanted to ask me something.
-Is something wrong?- I said while eating a cookie
-How?...how does it feel...to die...- Clifth said with an anxious expression
Shit...why didn't I imagine that...now what do I say?...
Hah.....fuck it...I'll give my honest opinion
-I don't know how to explain it...when I closed my eyes for the last time it was just...darkness...- I said while studying Clifth's reactions
-When they revived me it was as if I had woken up from a deep sleep... I just died... darkness and I revived- I said
Clifth's expression changed from astonishment to a small, self-deprecating smile.
-Haha...I see...so there is no paradise in the other world?...- Clifth murmured
-I wouldn't know how to answer you- I said
(sigh) -Yes...I already knew that...I just wanted to know about you- Clifth said
Suddenly I look at the deacons, who were about 4 in the room.
-Please leave and close the doors, I need to have a private conversation here- Clifth said in a commanding tone
The deacons left the room quickly, closing the entrances.
Clifth slowly rose from his chair towards a door
-Follow me Rudeus- he said
We walked for a while since his step was slow because of the cane but it still allowed me to learn more about the main cathedral of the faith of Milis.
-When I was young and foolish, I believed blindly in Millis, the great Millis this, the great Millis that... hah!, weren't we all idiots when we were young- Clifth said as we walked through the halls
-I'm sorry Clifth but I don't know what you mean- I said
Clifth didn't answer but we continued walking down the halls, soon after we came to a door that led to a basement.
Clifth put his hand on the door and it gave off a glow and opened.
We went down the stairs and the place looked like a library, but it was extremely dusty, almost abandoned.
-Since I was young I already knew about this library, according to my grandfather the most important archives of Miliis were kept here-Clifth said as he walked over to a bookshelf and picked one up.
-What I didn't know is that besides that, this library contains the truth of everything- Clifth said dusting off a book
-Take it, you can take it and read it at home- Clifth said
I was visibly surprised by this.
-Really? You won't have any problems because of this?- I said worried.
Clifth looked at me and smiled.
-Don't worry, I'm the pope, no one will know.- he said
-When I became the pope of this religion many years ago I was granted sole access to this library- Clifth said with a stern expression
-Here they keep everything from emperor level spells onwards to books about the true history of Miliis- Clifth said, looking me in the eyes.
-That specific book contains the truth of how the religion was formed around Miliis- Clifth said pointing to the book in my hands
Looking at the book there is nothing to highlight, it has a completely worn leather cover and the pages look yellow due to their age.
-And what is the real story?- I asked worriedly.
-My religion is a farce...- Clifth said as tears welled up in his eyes
-Milis existed but he was just an ordinary human... a very powerful one but that's all... the feats, the miracles... everything was invented by himself! - Clifth said at the end with an angry tone
I avoided the incredible urge to say:
"I told you!!" And I couldn't answer anything
-It's all in the book...just like in the other books in this place...- Clifth murmured.
So we left that basement and Clifth promised me that he would give me more of those books at other times.
We returned to his courtroom but decided to go out into the garden.
Not the public garden but Clifth's private garden
In addition, there was his residence, which is a small, modest building of the cathedral, which functioned as the homes of the Catholic priests in my previous world who live in the same church.
We both sat on a bench around a fountain and stayed silent but.....
-ara?.... Rudeus...you didn't tell me you were coming...if I had known I would have prepared something- Elinalise said approaching me and kissing me on the cheek
-Hehe...I'm sorry...but the truth is we only came as an emergency to give information to Clifth so I can't stay long- I said
-Mooo...it's okay, it was still nice to see you Rudy- Elinalise said winking at me and entering the house again
I let out a big sigh and glanced at Clifth who just had a nostalgic expression.
-Hey, friend, I'm sorry, okay? But Elinalise has been acting really weird with me lately- I said in a murmur.
-Heh! I know...she told me All - Clifth muttered
-ah?!, Did she tell you everything she told me?- I said, abruptly getting up from the bench.
Suddenly Clifth's expression turned grim and he looked me in the eyes.
-Yes...she told me her suggestion...and I agree- Clifth said seriously
I stood there pale, cold sweat running down my forehead and I looked at Clifth in total shock.
-You c-can't speak r-really, right?- I said in panic.
Clifth just smiled at me at this.
-Sit down Rudeus, I want to talk to you about that topic- Clifth said
I sat in silence waiting for whatever Clifth wanted to say, I noticed his expression and it was a mixture of sadness, nostalgia and melancholy.
-I don't have much time left in this world, you know?- Clifth said, looking me in the eyes.
My heart sank at this....but it was true...
-What do you mean Clifth?- I said incredulously.
-Heh....I'm getting older every day, my strength is leaving me, I forget things frequently...my time is running out Rudeus- Clifth said looking me seriously in the eyes
-How much?....- I said.
-A year...maybe a little more or maybe a little less- Clifth said with a smile
I looked down at the floor at this and tears welled up in my eyes.
-Come on buddy, we're not here to talk about that, now I want to talk about Elinalise- Clifth said while rubbing my back
I didn't answer him and waited for him to speak.
-I married Elinalise for love, I still love her in fact and that's why I want the best for her, but when I'm not here Who will be there for her? - Clifth let the question out in the air
-Do you know what Lise told me one day when I became seriously ill? It was about 2 years ago but I was left severely weakened by that illness?- Clifth explained.
-She cried for a long time on the edge of my bed, always murmuring...don't die my love...if you die I'll kill myself.- Clifth said looking at me seriously
-When I die Rudeus...I don't want Lise to give up her life just for me...that's why I want you to take care of her my friend...- Clifth said with a smile
I look at Clifth in shock at his statement.
-A-are you sure about this? That your wife is with me?- I asked worriedly.
-I wouldn't leave her with anyone else, before I found out that you came back to life I had already decided to die with Lise- Clifth declared
-But now with you here, I can go in peace knowing that someone I care about will take care of her- Clifth said.
He remained silent and looked me in the eyes.
-Do you promise me that when I'm gone, you'll take care of her?- Clifth asked me seriously.
-Of course...my friend...- I told him seriously.
-Very well...and also...I don't want Lise to fuck a stranger, we haven't done that in decades you know?- Clifth said trying to lighten the mood
I just rolled my eyes at this and smiled awkwardly at him.
..
And so I met my best friend and promised to take care of his wife in his absence.
(sigh) It looks like Sylphie will be happy about this, right?
===
I gave you a chapter, could you give me some power stones my friend?😭