'Try to find out more about this new man in Masan's chapter. He claims to be the Emperor's elder brother, but I don't remember any such records in my research. He could be the Shadow of Masan, but I am not sure yet. He's not a man who would come out into the open like that.' Sylvester conversed with Aurora through the Solarium Web, speaking mentally.

She was similarly perplexed as Sylvester. No records in any document suggested there was an elder brother of the Emperor. However, the reactions of the court members implied that they knew who that man was.

'I will try, Sylvester. But don't keep your hopes up. If he truly is that man, then I will likely not find anything. Meanwhile, be cautious there. You're in the enemy's den.'

'I will, Aurora. I will contact you again for my next plan. Keep searching for the missing Grand Wizard as well. If we locate and rescue him, he might join us.' Sylvester ordered before ending the connection.

Aurora had already acknowledged Sylvester as the de facto next Pope since there was nobody else she could think of being worthy in terms of physical, magical, or mental might. At the same time, Sylvester possessed the blessings and fame necessary to truly unite the world.

'I should speak with Mum before she starts worrying about me.'

Sylvester had to focus more this time, as the distance was too great. His conscious mind traveled through the Solarium particles, establishing a connection as his thoughts went past the Divine Desert and across the East until he reached the coast.

'Mum, are you there?' He called her name after sensing the connection.

'Max? It took you a week to contact me again! I was so worried for you.' Xavia's soft voice came through soon enough. Her worry-filled words soothed Sylvester's heart. After all, he had one assurance that even if the world was ending, Xavia was a person who'd worry about him more than herself.

'I was extremely busy here, Mum. A lot of things have happened; the Crown Prince of Masan has died. But, don't worry, Aurora is here, and we've met each other. If everything goes according to the plan, I will be back with you by this time next year. Now, enough about me. How are you?'

After a brief silence, Xavia truthfully responded, having learned her lessons years ago not to hide things from Sylvester. 'Max, four elves tried to kidnap me from my workplace. Fortunately, nearly a hundred Inquisitors were always stationed near my office and came to my rescue.'

Immediately, Sylvester's fist clenched, and veins popped over his head. His voice became much colder. 'I suspected they'd do something like this. Previously they attacked me, and since I'm officially dead, they now attacked you. Mum, remember the underground location I told you about? Please go there and remain hidden. Healer Hendrix's wife and daughter also live there in secrecy. His wife is an elf, and their daughter is a half-elf. He knows about my blood status as well, so rest easy. He will protect you against all dangers.'

'But there are so many injured people arriving at the Holy Land every day. If I don't help, how will I…'

Sylvester interrupted her. 'Mum, please understand that the only reason I continue to fight for a better tomorrow is you. I don't want to work this hard only to live alone—I have no family in this world but you. So please, prioritize your safety above all else. The Holy Land has survived for five thousand years and will continue to do so for many more.'

Xavia had lived with Sylvester for so long, and having seen his inhuman intelligence when it came to predicting problems and scheming, she could not ignore his words. After all, she wanted to live a happy, normal life with him someday. Perhaps with a few cute grandchildren if Solis blessed her.

'I understand, Max. I will go there.' She responded.

Taking a calming breath, Sylvester decided to speak with Sir Dolorem about her relocation next. So he soon bid Xavia farewell in order to talk with the man.

'I hope she's not lying and actually goes there.' Even then, Sylvester could not help but worry for her.

…

Xavia did as Sylvester instructed her. She owed her life to her son, as she had once surrendered herself to the harsh fate back in Deserte Village. All that she had now—respect, authority, happiness—came from Sylvester's blessings.

With the help of Sir Dolorem, she was able to take leave from the Holy Land. Since the Pope and the entire administration were too busy, there were no problems for her. In fact, since Sylvester was supposedly dead, nobody cared who she was except for the Inquisitors. The men of the Inquisition were so attached to Sylvester that Xavia was like a mother to them as well—a pure woman who gave birth to the son of Solis.

"Don't come out of there no matter what. Lord Bard will contact you from time to time and update you with the information, Mother Xavia." Sir Dolorem led Xavia to the Bard's restaurant on the outskirts of the Holy Land at night.

With suppressed footsteps and hasty speed, they soon entered the building with their special master key. The staff was asleep, so Sir Dolorem brought Xavia to the basement and then showed her way to the secret Labyrinth.

Grrr…!With the sound of stones grinding against each other, the floor opened into a small, square, dark entrance with stairs leading downward.

"Be well, Sir Dolorem." Xavia bid her farewell and entered. Soon, the gate closed, and the basement returned to its normal form.

Xavia used the map Sir Dolorem gave her to keep walking. The labyrinth was massive, with corridors seemingly stretching infinitely. It was all well-paved floors, bricked walls, and even light crystals as torches.

'....Straight from here?'

Eventually, she arrived at one of the corridor's ends and knocked on the door before her. To her knowledge, there were also a few slaves working in some location, doing something she had no idea about.

'He built so much here?' Awe and pride were clear in her eyes.

Crack!

The door opened, and a white-bearded, tall man appeared. He looked smart but, at the same time, had a dangerous aura. "Who are you?"

"I am Xavia Maximilian, Healer Hendrix. I believe Sir Dolorem informed you about the arrangement." She respectfully said.

Healer Hendrix, the world's only known Grand Wizard healer, smiled widely and invited Xavia inside. "Ah, I remember. Who would have thought that the little devil was still alive somewhere out there? Come, I will introduce you to my family."

With pride, Hendrix brought Xavia to the homely living room of the secret living complex he had created. In the room were two females. One looked mature, with long, pointy ears and otherworldly beauty. While the other was a young girl, utterly cute.

"As you know, I am Darwin Hendrix, and this is my wife Elaine and my daughter Daline. You two, this is Xavia Maximilian, mother of Sylvester." Hendrix introduced them to each other.

Woosh!

It was Daline who excitedly jumped over and, like a little monkey, hugged and hung onto Xavia by wrapping her arms around her neck. "When will Sylvi be back? I miss him?"

"Ugh!" Hendrix gritted his teeth in frustration. "Ah, Mother Xavia, come and sit. The food will be ready soon, so let's talk until then. How about the time when Sylvester tried to seduce my wife and daughter?"

"..."

Xavia was speechless. "Max did that?"

…

Back in Masan Empire.

Getting outside the Hundred Castle City was getting more and more difficult with each new orchestrated incident. But, no matter what, he tried his best to get through the security measures placed there.

He made his way to the poorest district where Hozin lived. After arriving, he entered the underground room where his uncle was kept as a 'guest.'

"Avanss." Sylvester shut the door behind himself after entering. "I will ask you only one thing today, and please answer me honestly."

Avanss, ever so calm, closed the book he was reading and smiled. "I will try my best."

"Who do you support in the war between two continents? What are your thoughts about it? And where do you see the future going?" Sylvester questioned him, or rather interrogated him.Avanss thought about it for a long time, almost a few minutes. "Since I'm an elf, I would naturally support my homeland. As for my thoughts—I believe it's a senseless war. There is nothing to gain and so much to lose. Lives, nature, and money—all of it gets disturbed by the war.

"However, neither side is ready to accept defeat. So, I don't see this war stopping anytime soon. That is, unless, someone forces them to stop."

Sylvester smelled no lies from him nor any negative feelings. On the contrary, the elf was truly anti-war but, simultaneously, a patriotic person of his species and kingdom.

"Then, if you're asked tomorrow to help stop this war, would you do it?" Sylvester continued to grill him with questions.

"If there is a way to do it, I would definitely help. After all, If there is peace, I can travel anywhere without worry." Avanss answered swiftly.

Sylvester felt satisfied with the answers and retreated to leave the room. He shut the door carefully, placed all the locks, and went to the first floor.

His reason for meeting Avanss was not to talk but to put an idea in his head. Now, he expected the elf to keep pondering what Sylvester was going to do and what he exactly meant. That was the initial stage of mind manipulation without the other person knowing. Implanting ideas was a hard process that took a lot of time.

"Hozin, from now on—"

Knock Knock!

Sylvester went to the living room above and suddenly heard a knock on the door. Sylvester gazed at Hozin, Kimino, and Xylena, who looked back at him.

"Were you expecting someone?" Sylvester inquired.

"No…Nobody comes to our house." Hozin exclaimed and took out his poisoned dagger while walking to the door. Sylvester also unsheathed his sword and covered his face with a piece of cloth before following.

Clack!

Hozin removed the locks slowly, and the tension rose very quickly. "Yes?"

Thud!

The moment Hozin opened the door slightly, an arm pushed inside from the gap and forced the door open. The arm belonged to someone muscular, draped in tight, sandy-colored, dirty clothes.

Bam!

The chained lock broke apart, and the door completely opened. Sylvester wasted no time and swung his sword forward.

Woosh!

"What?!" Sylvester only found his sword slicing the air. But the unknown man had vanished and appeared behind him.

Sylvester immediately turned around, wondering which old monster he had attracted now. However, after just one look, a sense of nostalgia overtook him.

The face, blonde hair, and golden eyes—they all belonged to a man he had met many years ago.

Just like what he saw on his first mission outside the Holy Land back then, the man had a warm, smiling face, a broad-shouldered body, and a giant sword on his back.

"J-Jax?!" Sylvester exclaimed.

"Haha! You remember?!"

Sylvester didn't share the same enthusiasm, as under his plain confident face, there was dread from knowing the fact he could not win against this man no matter what.

"How can I forget the first time I met you…Julius Aurelius Alexander!"

Thank you for reading. GT votes are much appreciated.