Fire Mage (Web Novel)
chapter-182

Chapter 182: Child's Voice

"This looks more like a planned mission. Could it be the Churches used some underhand methods to create a complicated mission?" Charles couldn't help but comment as he learned more information.

Meanwhile, a forced smile appeared on Bishop Myles' face.

"No. Both Divine Orders and Destiny Conquerors organizations are filled with unruly members. How could we have ties with them?" He firmly denied it.

Although those words didn't wholly convince Charles, he didn't put much thought into it and asked.

"What are your conditions?"

A smile appeared on Bishop Myles's face.

He didn't reply, though. Instead, he went near the first pew on his left side, sat on the second seat, and then spoke.

"Our Church Pope wants to establish an Archdiocese in this Kingdom, Mr. Oswald."

"Why not ask us to hand over the Kingdom's authority?" Charles glared at the Bishop and shook his head.

Archdioceses were the main branches of the Holy See. If Charles allows them to build an Archdiocese here, they would turn citizens into their believers within the next ten years and gain complete control over the kingdom.

That would do no good for both Rhea and him.

"We will allow Day and Night Church to build Church in important cities and towns." Charles deliberated for a moment and then added in a cold tone.

"If you guys want anything more than this, ask the Pope to scram."

Upon hearing his unkind words, Bishop's face also turned solemn.

"This is not the First Arcane Era, Mr. Oswald. Even if you are an Ancient Mage, you have to abide by rules of Divines." Bishop Myles stared into Charles's eyes and raised his voice.

But there was a trace of nervousness that appeared in his voice.

A chuckle escaped out of Charles's mouth.

"I'm not a normal Ancient Mage, lad. If I want to make her the Queen of Iron Kingdom, I will do it with or without your help. No one can stop me."

Saying so, he went near the Bishop and sat next to him.

"I will give you ten minutes to decide." He added.

Meanwhile, cold sweats started to drip from Bishop Myles's forehead.

He hurriedly stood up, went in front of the altar, and knelt on the ground.

Then, he closed his eyes and started to chant an incantation.

This chant was to do a long-distance communication ritual!

A few minutes later, he opened his eyes, stood up from the ground, and stared at the statue with wide eyes.

"Why did 'His Holiness' agree without any refusal?" His loud voice echoed in the hall.

Upon hearing his words, Rhea and the other kids glanced at each other and wore confused looks on their faces.

"It's decided then." Charles gripped the spare cane's handle and stood up from the front pew.

"Let's go. We have a long day ahead." Saying so, he turned around and started walking on the smooth aisle.

On the other hand, the kids and Ashley bowed their heads to Bishop Myles and followed after Charles's footsteps.

They soon walked out of the Day and Night Church and started their rally towards the City Square.

…

City Square,

It was around 11.15 A.M.

A few clerks, priests, and bishops with different attires stood solemnly and were waiting for Rhea's arrival.

In front of them was a large wooden table and on it were different types of artifacts placed in order.

A few meters away from them were hundreds of luxurious dressed men and women, stood with an anxious look on their faces.

Most women wore vintage dresses and top-notched jewelry pieces like diamond-embedded necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

Meanwhile, men mostly wore frock coats, hats and appeared neat. There were also young men, young women, and robed men who appeared among the group, and they showed curious expressions on their faces.

The only one who stood out most was the mages from different households. They wore plain robes, held books or wands, and appeared more like scholars.

Behind the group were thousands of silver and leather armored soldiers stood in lines.

They were the personal bodyguards of the nobles.

At that moment, a luxurious golden curtained carriage came from the opposite dirt road and soon stopped in front of the table, where different kinds of artifacts were placed.

Then, a young hand removed the golden curtain from inside, and soon a young teen walked out from it.

He appeared around 17-years old and wore a black trench coat, leather boots, and was around 170 cm high.

He had short black hair, an oval face, and unique silver eyes.

After that, a female figure walked out of the carriage and stood beside him.

The woman wore a blue shirtwaist dress and appeared to be around 35-years old. She had a hawk nose, silver eyes, long blonde hair, and a round face.

Upon noticing their arrival, all the noblemen, noblewomen, robed Mages, young ladies, and even religious priests bowed their heads and greeted them.

Some nobles even showed fawning smiles on their faces and walked towards them to talk.

Unfortunately, a loud commotion from the right side street road and caused them to stop their footsteps.

No, all of their faces turned into anxious ones!

Then, they turned their gazes towards the right side and noticed that sound was coming from a medium-sized street road.

Within few seconds, cheering noises, shouts, and slogans came from the street road and caused the nobles' faces to turn gloomy.

The second princess had arrived!

In a few seconds, a young black-haired girl appeared in their sights.

She wore a royal blue empire waist silk gown and held an aura of elegance and noble.

Her each step appeared short but faster.

Next to her was a white-haired old man with a black cane in his hand, and he appeared more like a dying old man.

But no one dared to even look into his eyes!

The nobles and mages knew this man was the root cause of their current situation and turned grim.

Behind the duo were thousands of commoners, slum people, shop owners, peddlers, and even some guards.

It appeared more like a rally of rebellion!

Within a minute, they walked out of the dirt road and reached the city square's entrance.

At that moment, a loud female voice came from the front.

"Rhea of the House Stoneflare, Inheritor of First King Ledger Boneflare's Legacy, Second Princess of the Iron Kingdom, First Disciple of the Ancient Mage Oswald, and the Rightful Heir of the Iron Kingdom has returned!"

As the voice ended, loud horns sound resounded from all corners of the City Square!

Following the horn sounds were loud cheers of all the citizens.

Rhea glanced at Jessie with wide eyes, then at Noel and Titus, and finally sharpened her gaze towards the front.

Her eyes scanned the well-dressed noblemen, noblewomen, young ladies, and young masters and soon zeroed on a 17-years old young man in the black trench coat and a 35-year old looking woman.

'Felicity Boneflare… Vance Boneflare!'

A complicated expression appeared on her face as she clenched her fists and took a step forward.

It was her first step on becoming a True Monarch of the Iron Kingdom!

Whenever she took a step, noble households would walk towards her one by one and bow their heads.

Meanwhile, their soldiers would lower their weapons and kneel.

Within a minute, she arrived in front of the duo, halted her footsteps, and stared at Felicity and Vance emotionlessly.

Upon noticing her arrival, the black-haired young man sized her up and down and curled his lips upward.

"Welcome home, my little sister!" Vance greeted her with a smile.

But his smile appeared more like a devious one!

Not only that, but his silver eyes also started to turn abnormally black and appeared eerier.

Simultaneously, Rhea's heart suddenly started to race faster.

No!

Something invisible gripped her heart and caused her heartbeat to faster!

It was so sharp that it caused deep pain within her heart and mind.

Each of her heartbeats resounded more like an explosion!

She tried to open her mouth but couldn't!

It was as if something terrifying entered her mind and stopped her body movements!

'TEACHER!' She screamed in her mind with all her might!

Simultaneously, Charles also heard her mental scream and got stunned.

The next instant, a terrifying aura erupted from his body.

No, it came from his red gem-embedded bracelet!

It was so strong that it caused the nobles, commoners, even Rank-2 mages to kneel on the spot.

Some weak-willed commoners and noble young ladies fainted on the spot!

On the other hand, Vance's and Felicity's legs began to tremble uncontrollably!

Meanwhile, Charles's eyes turned cold and ruthless as he stared at the trembling figures.

"You brought this upon yourself, lad." An eerie voice came out of his mouth, causing Vance and Felicity to shudder in fear.

Panic surfaced on their faces!

Charles raised his hand and was about to cast [Needle of Ember] spell but stopped.

Simultaneously, he cast [Cryptic Analysis] skill on them and furrowed his brows.

'Something is not right.'

The next instant, he glanced around and soon sharpened his gaze towards the golden curtained carriage.

"Come out."

As his voice ended, a giggle came out from it.

"Find me."

It was a young girl child's voice!