The unnamed mage’s arrival was not welcome, but the Earl had no choice. He let the unnamed mage enter, as he looked at Kael with worry.

“Did you tell him already?”, the unnamed mage asked the Earl.

The Earl pretended that he did not. He said that he was about to, after making sure that Kael was healthy.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t know”, the unnamed mage apologized for interrupting them.

The Earl accepted the apology. He talked about what he apparently said to Kael to which the unnamed mage listened willingly. But in truth, the Earl just wanted to buy some time, as he was still undecided with what to do with Kael.

Eventually, the Earl ran out of things to say. He was still conflicted. He couldn’t hold the conversation, and so, the unnamed mage faced Kael.

Kael looked at the Earl. He realized what the noble did. He wanted the Earl to be on his side, to not let him go to Rezelus, but he felt like it will not take long before the Earl made his decision. And that decision, he feared, was not what he wanted.

“Kael,”, the unnamed mage started. He told Kael the obligation of the gifted faithfuls to the church. He made it sound like it’s not mandatory for Kael to follow, but the child already knew the truth.

“Sir, can I refuse?”

The unnamed mage looked at the Earl who was just as surprised as him. The Earl knew that the child will refuse, but he didn’t expect that Kael will be that direct. Meanwhile, the unnamed mage was surprised because he didn’t have an experience in the past that a child refused his offer.

The unnamed mage started explaining the privileges that Kael will get, setting aside Kael’s refusal. He mentioned the respect and prestige that Kael will receive that even kings didn’t have. Kael will not run out of everything he will want or need, according to the unnamed mage. And, most important of all, the glory of being a servant of the Divine Emperor will come to Kael. All of these were said to be privileges, but Kael still refused.

The unnamed mage didn’t give up. He was eager to convince someone as gifted as Kael to be of service to the Divine Emperor. He couldn’t let the blessing he got to go away from him. Kael is the treasure, and the unnamed mage will seize him.

While the unnamed mage and Kael were arguing, the Earl was given time to decide. Initially, he didn’t want to let Kael go to Rezelus, as he wanted to live with Kael for longer. But, when Kael revealed himself to be Lucien, he felt that only the church could handle him. However, there’s a possibility that, that’s exactly what Kael wanted, to get near the Divine Emperor. But even still, outside the church, Kael will not be under the control of the powerful mages that the church has.

The Earl kept circling between letting Kael go to the church, or not let Kael become the Divine Emperor’s servant. If only he learned enough to trust Kael, he wouldn’t have much trouble. He looked at his necklace, the coat of arms where his duty to the church was written. He looked at Kael, the child that saved him from a terrible demon. He arrived to a single decision.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

‘I want the best for you’

That thought gave clarity to the Earl. It was a good thing that he had enough time to ponder deeply. All this time he was thinking what’s good for him, for the church, and for Kael. His concern for Kael won over, as he was reminded of the suffering that Kael endured. Good or evil, only the church could give Kael the healing he needed to combat mana crystallization. Kael wouldn’t survive outside of it. That’s what he concluded.

“Kael will go”, the Earl said.

Both Kael and the unnamed mage looked at Earl Gideon. One was delighted, and one was defeated.

“Earl Gideon, may the Divine Emperor bless you”

The Earl nodded. The unnamed mage went outside victorious. Kael couldn’t refuse anymore.

In before when the Earl and the unnamed mage were talking, the Earl implied that he will let Kael go if the child wanted to go to Rezelus. However, now that the perceived guardian of Kael accepted the offer, the pitiful child was left to only one direction.

“I apologize”, the Earl said, full of sincerity, but it was too late.

Kael was silent, defeated, and hopeless. He could escape from the castle, but he felt that he had no energy to do so. He received the Earl’s acceptance as a message that Earl Gideon didn’t trust him. He felt alone once again.

“Please understand, I’m doing this for you”, the Earl stated.

Kael didn’t listen. Instead, he asked the Earl. “Can you promise me something?”

“I’m listening”

Kael forced a smile. “Then, defeat the demons for me”

The Earl felt a sting of regret in him. He was surprised that Kael could still be thinking about the demons even in his loneliness. He was beginning to doubt all the things that he knew about Lucien. Hearing about Kael’s request, he was determined to give the child assurance.

“I will try my best”

----------------------------------------

Some days passed. The unnamed mage brought the two candidates, Lenan and Kael, to the teleportation platform. Inside the room, aside from the children and the mage, were the king, some royal servants, and Duke Decynus and his wife. The children were cleansed and both of them had the teachings of the church in their minds. They were ready to go to Rezelus.

“Thank you for the great welcome”, the unnamed mage said.

“The delight is within us”, the king replied.

Soon, the children and the mage disappeared, and was transferred to Rezelus. The Earl was outside the room, not wanting to see Kael’s joyless face.

“My lord..”, Elalios said. He was accompanying the Earl, as he knew that Earl Gideon needed his company.

“Elalios, did I do something right?”, the Earl asked.

“Forgive my ignorance, I can’t tell”, Elalios replied, then he raised his head. “But, I know you did the best you could”. Elalios was talking like a friend.