Chapter 164: Having motive, justification, and a bloody knife in my hand does not mean I killed this man.

Hey guys!

Familiar chapter title?

I've completely re-written chapter 163! And most of this chapter is new, with some things moved over from the previous chapter 163. 

Please make sure to read both, as there have been important plot points covered in the new chapter 163!

Enjoy!

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Gerial was back to his normal self by night-time. We'd spent hours laughing and talking, and playing ‘battle for Illima’, a scriber board game I'd borrowed from my grandma.

Gold had won almost every match.

“I’m one hundred percent sure you're cheating.” Gerial leaned over the board, pondering his next move. Each piece was its own regent, summoning play shields and firing weapons on the board.

A taunting squawk was all he got in reply.

He and Gold were sitting at the edges of the bed, the board game placed on the sheets. Gold rustled his feathers in anticipation, watching Gerial’s every movement.

I was sitting on the bed itself.

Neither Gerial nor Gold could move the pieces on their own. They needed my help to activate them, and to properly act out their strategies.

It was good old-fashioned fun.

"Gold’s impossible to beat when he's serious.” I groaned.

I'd been on the receiving end of his tactics many times. The game itself was fun, but it was also practice for my regent activation abilities.

Each array had to be activated in a different way. It was a minor but vital improvement.

"Speaking of getting serious, I wasn't kidding when I said you should learn more about the church.” Gerial made his next move.

I placed his piece down for him, waiting for Gold to come up with a counter strategy.

"I'd be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it.” I sighed.

After a few hours we’d touched on more serious topics of conversation.

We'd been talking about things I could do other than training when Gerial had asked me what Marked ones did.

It was a tougher question than I thought it'd be. I'd thought they simply existed.

I wasn't wrong.

Each Marked one only lived for a maximum of twenty-five years. This world was peaceful, and the presence of skills and concoctions meant that people could live as long as humans did back on Earth.

Some people lived even longer.

That also meant that the church couldn't be run by the Marked ones themselves.

Each Marked person simply didn't have the time to learn everything required, although they tried their hardest. They were respected, and revered, but they couldn't easily be put in charge of an organisation that millions relied on for help and prosperity.

Naturally they'd thought of a solution to this issue. There was a council of cardinals that worked with the Marked ones but handled the bundles of paperwork and decisions the Marked ones didn’t have time for.

"That's exactly why it's important to get to know the people who are in charge of the church and its functions.” Gerial had replied.

The churches provided hospitals for people, class awakenings, shelters, charity organisations and places to pray. They also conducted social change programs such as sending magicians to cities to help with odd tasks. Crop growing, animal herding, etc.

A chirp interrupted my thoughts.

It was Gold.

“Okay, okay, don't get your feathers in a bunch.” I teased him. “Also, I think Gold just won the game.”

Gerial looked at the board in a daze.

The tiny cannons in Gold’s army shot Gerial’s soldiers down in an instant, razing his chances of winning.

"Okay, I’m convinced.” Gerial sat back. “I’m letting him keep the crown.”

Gold chirped a song and I smiled.

“He thanks you for giving him permission to kick your butt.” I held out my arm.

Gold hopped onto it and made his way to my shoulder.

We sat back and silence fell over the room. Gerial pushed himself up, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You don't want to learn about the church, do you?” He asked.

“I don’t want to say no.” I paused.

It wasn't that I didn't want to learn about the church, but that it hadn't been a priority. Between all the training and school, there wasn't time for things lower on the list.

I hadn't even had time to hang out with my friends.

"Your expression says it all.” Gerial smiled. Then it disappeared. “Listen, I don't mean to get dramatic, but I almost died.”

I fell silent at his words. I could see that he had more to say.

"If I die then there may not be two living Marked ones at the same time again.” He grimaced. “You and I both know that even if I live until ascension, that’ll still leave a few years where I’m dead and you're not. I don't want to leave you in that position without trying to get you to learn a few things about the world you'll be plunged into.

The church is huge. What we do can mean the difference of life and death for innocent people. We’ll never meet them, but they're people all the same.”

His tone left no space for rebuttal. This was a serious matter, and he wasn't downplaying it. He didn't need to spare my feelings.

We could joke about his marriage, or losing to Gold at board games, but when push came to shove, we were at the head of a huge organisation.

I didn't even know the basic tenets of the church, let alone the intricate details of how they worked or were perceived.

Gerial’s eyes flashed with worry, and I sensed he was keeping something from me.

He wasn't just thinking about my lack of church knowledge.

"What are you trying to distract me from?" The words flew out of my mouth. "I can handle it, I've already survived spending time with you all day.”

Gerial shoved me and I chuckled.

He stretched his arms into the air and cracked his neck, pursing his lips and exhaling.

"I’m not good at saying things directly. But I've been giving this some thought over the last few hours.” Gerial flashed me a wry grin. “I still think you should take a break, but you should look like you love the church while doing it.”

“Why?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Because you're going to be a prime suspect for all this.” Gerial’s response was immediate.

Confusion flowed over my heart.

"What do you mean?” I asked. “Artus’ followers already claimed credit.”

“Artus' followers almost always claim credit for this type of event.” A look of disgust crossed his features. “If it's true that their Marked one is involved, that can cause serious issues. War is a possibility.”

I thought over his words.

There has been nothing to suggest that Artus’ Marked one was involved except for the spell that Fue’s Marked had said she’d seen.

However, Gerial had seen a boy before blacking out.

“Nobody knows what Artus’ Marked one looks like?” I asked.

“Not this time.” Gerial shook his head. “Their followers probably got to them first, but the possibility of their involvement can’t be dismissed.”

"So, why would the church suspect me at all?" I asked.

Even as I said the words my mind sprung reasons into my brain.

The attack had been coordinated and had gotten close enough to harm Gerial and potentially harm Fue’s Marked one.

That suggested that the people attacking had inside information. Possibly even direct collaborators that had betrayed the churches.

Could someone I’d met be a traitor?

I shook my head. Even if it was possible, it would be someone from the church of Fue.

"We can't state for sure they were only trying to kill Alyssa. Normally, if I die my Mark will be transferred to someone else.” Gerial pointed at my chest. “It takes time to find them. Time that someone else could use to claim a large amount of influence over the church by stating they're a living Marked one of Crijik.”

“They think I'd try to kill you for power?” My stomach churned.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they suspected me of betrayal. I didn't hold any grudges against them, and I respected their work, but I didn't have any loyalty to them either.

Thinking I could betray the church was one thing, but I would never harm Gerial.

“I'm not saying they will. I'm saying they could. They have to think of every possibility when defending me. They’d do the same if somebody attacked you.” Gerial’s expression softened. “I'd be investigated. And I'd insist they do it.

Until they’ve found every last conspirator and confirmed you aren’t helping them, you won't receive anything more than you currently do from them. They may even restrict you completely.”

I hadn't even considered this as a possibility, but the moment he said it, I realised how much sense it made.

A person with no morals in my position might decide that the tests were taking too long. Killing Gerial was a much easier way to claim the resources of the church.

If I was that kind of person, I wouldn't want to share the church with another Marked one. Especially not if I could have all that power and influence to myself.

"What can I do to convince them otherwise?" He wasn’t giving me many options.

The church couldn't be totally against me, or they wouldn't have let me visit Gerial.

Or maybe it was simply that they couldn't fight against my orders.

"It's possible that I'm wrong. But wouldn't it be better if you could show the church that you're genuine by actually trying to learn about the divines.” Gerial tapped his hand against mine. “The holdouts aren't just worried about your Marked status. They're also worried about your lack of piety and focus. You haven't tried to learn how to lead them or made attempts to learn the church's duties and customs.

All they've seen is a person training to fight each day. Not someone they would trust with their organisation that holds sway over the health and safety of millions of lives.”

It sounded like a public relations campaign, but to show the church I could be trusted.

I’d have to convince a lot of people. At least all the bishops and cardinals.

Twelve bishops were chosen to lead the council that determined important church matters. These were known as the twelve cardinals. There were sixty bishops in total and the council took all of their votes into account.

Each bishop also ran a precinct. They had control of one large church, and managed dozens of smaller churches run by priests.

"I don't even know who these people are.” I responded.

The only bishop I knew was Ophelio.

He alone was in charge of hundreds of thousands of followers, two hospitals, and a large awakening station for people to unlock their classes.

His devotion to good causes was one of the reasons I’d been happy to keep using his church instead of going to different ones each time.

"You haven't tried to learn or meet them.” Gerial countered. “And now that I've been attacked, they won't trust you so easily anymore. They're suspicious of you. You have to start small. Show them you're trying to learn about the divines and their followers.”

The memory of the guards guiding me here floated to my mind.

Bishop Kavenaugh had been shocked to see my divine mana. He had a high rank in the church hierarchy, but he hadn't known if I was genuine or not.

"If I want to get verified, this is going to become a real issue, isn't it?”

Gerial nodded.

“The higher clergy know about you. The bishops and the cardinals.” He tilted his head pensively. “Security is tight, but the more people who know, the more you have to convince.”

Even if learning about the different churches wasn't one of my priorities, surviving my ascension was. The resources of the church could help me do that.

They actively wanted their Marked ones to survive.

I’d also always intended to learn more about the Crijik and its fellow divines. This was a good chance. I had to see this as an opportunity, not a setback.

“Okay.” I leaned back, my hands resting behind my head. “Where do I start?”

“Visiting a few holy lands is a good start. They're usually filled with mana, and a lot are famous for their naturally occurring elemental fields. That means you can still train.”

He reached for the board game, already itching for another match.

“If you're looking for specific places, why not ask William, Amanda or Roxxy? The whole point of your break is to do something with your friends. Holy lands are fun.” He glanced at me.

Was that true?

Gerial looked serious but visiting a religious location didn't sound fun.

I thought about all I knew so far. This world was amazing. Floating islands, sees in the sky, and rooms filled with flames that couldn't hurt me.

“I'm never in so much of a hurry that I can’t stop to admire the wonders of the world.” I smiled. “I want to live life to the fullest. In the end, that's what it's all about isn't it?

Gerial’s lips parted into a smile, and he nodded.

"I'm surprised you haven't wanted to visit the metal fields of Mehta, or the endless stone jungle of Ength.” He shuffled back to give Gold space to move into the bed. "After all, they’ll help you improve your earth and metal attunements and skills.”

I stared at him.

Those both sounded like places I would want to visit. They were also places that I’d never heard of before.

"There are holy lands that can help me improve my elemental attunements?” I felt a flutter of excitement cross my heart.

“And ones that can help you attune your other elements.” Gerial nodded. “Fire and water. Those were the ones you're going for, right?”

Gerial saw my expression and chuckled.

“You had no idea these places existed, did you?” He sat back.

"I didn't." I admitted. "These are places created by the divines?”

I'd thought that there was no proof that the divines existed, other than the Marked ones. Holy lands hadn't even entered my radar.

"Some say yes, others say no.” Gerial shrugged. “The holy lands are entire realms discovered within rifts. They contain wonders that aren't possible unless you go beyond the frontier cities. Attunement plants, wild golems, magical animals, and extremely rare magics and symbols. It’s no wonder people think the divines created them.”

Rifts?

I shuddered.

I’d only been in two rifts in my life. One was the observatory I often went to with my dad. It contained a library of symbols and elements of all kinds.

The other rift was where I'd been held captive alongside William by Eli.

What Gerial was telling me sounded tempting. Especially if they could help me with my attunements.

"They're safe, and nice to travel in. People even find the odd treasure if they're lucky.” Gerial continued. “And the church will see you going to a holy land. It's small steps, but you'd be killing three birds with one ston—”

He looked down at Gold.

Gold stared up at him.

“Sorry.” Gerial blushed. “You'll be handling a lot of problems at once.”

"Okay."

A spattering of curiosity and excitement spread throughout my body.

"How do I get into them?”