309 How Are You? (1/2)

The inside of the Sacred City’s basilica was dark but the starry sky shone. The flickering lights formed the brilliant aether sea.

”Is the observation record of Anglo still not ready?” Father Albert gazed at the westernmost corner. There, the starry sea was dim, almost swallowed by darkness. Only faint light flickered but he could not distinguish anything. ”Bayer, it’s too slow,” he said.

”Archbishop, the Musician Division is short of hands as well.” Bayer shrugged helplessly. His image was projected from Anglo. Floating beside Albert, his image flickered with instability. ”With the current situation, it’s difficult just to maintain this call.”

Nibelungenlied’s gentle and warm voice came from the starry sky, ”After all, a god’s incarnate had descended. Clutter and noise still remains in the aether sea. Mr. Mephistopheles has already sent the records of the Westminster Church. I am comparing it to Mr. Bayer’s resources. Soon, the noise will be filtered out soon.”

”Please hurry.” Albert shook his head. ”I hope that I am just overthinking, but I become unsettled whenever something happens in relation to Anglo.”

”Archbishop Albert, no need to worry. It is already over,” Nibelungenlied said. ”Mankind is victorious in this war.”

”I hope so.” Albert lowered his eyes, thinking of something.

Soon, the cleaning of the clutter and noise began. Changes appeared abruptly in the vast starry sea. The darkness above Anglo magnified and the images changed quickly as if it was replaying at a hundred times the original speed.

The interfering signals in the murky darkness were filtered out layer by layer until the original nature was revealed. Avalon’s contours slowly emerged. The ripples that represented aether waves were born from it. However, they covered the details and one could only see the general image.

Within it, the atmosphere of the battle between the blazing sun and abyss was unmistakable. Their ripples and waves had torn apart all other waves and suppressed them. A strand of pure light floated above, locking the entire battlefield until there was a victor. This was the boundary marked by Genesis. The influence shook violently until the abyss’s aura finally dissipated.

”After all these years of inactivity, the Sword in the Stone is still so sharp and terrifying.” Albert replayed the image and looked carefully. He deduced the music theory in his mind. ”I don’t know how far it is from its prime but seeing this, I don’t think it’s too far.”

Bayer asked, ”I think every other nation is concerned about whether it has the strength to continue Kingdom Comes.”

”Anglo is very tricky,” Albert said lightly. ”They placed the battlefield in Avalon’s Shadow. Not only is there the geographic advantage, it also hid Sword in the Stone’s specific situation. This question will have no answer.

”This is unimportant to the Sacred City. As long as Anglo is willing to use this power against natural catastrophes, we have nothing to say.”

”That’s the attitude of the Sacred City?”

”This has been the Sacred City’s attitude for centuries.”

”That’s so straightforward.” Bayer sighed. ”No wonder the Sacred City is not likeable.”

”Bayer, this city contains thirty percent of mankind’s power. If we learn how to be tactful and talk in circles, many would feel fear and be unable to sleep. It’s okay to be unlikable. At least, it’s better than being seen as a beast.

”Compared to the diplomats that are insignificant to natural catastrophes and demons, we wish to focus more on developing more musicians who can expand our land. There’s no point in fighting over power within the walls.”

Hearing this, Bayer laughed. ”Is this arrogance?”

”This is awe, Bayer. Awe of the dark world.” Albert stared deeply at him before looking away. He gazed up at the image in the starry sky. If the mundane world was under this sky, then the Church’s duty was looking past the brilliance to the darkness.

-

Under the illusory starry sky, the record of the battle was replayed at hundred times its original speed. As it played over and over, the unclear image gradually sharpened. Suddenly, Albert raised his hand and paused the video. ”What is this?”