Chapter 66 : Where Gold Walks, Shadows Follow

Though it might have seemed like they were departing in haste, it had, in truth, been over a fortnight since the Church had received the letter delivered by the monthly courier. Preparations had long since been completed. All that remained was for Lilia to return. There was no need to delay further.

And as for fatigue? A single invocation of the Miracle of Vitality was enough to restore one’s body to a state of pristine vigor.

‘Still… a few days of leisure would’ve been nice.’

So murmured Curtis  to himself as he reclined in his quarters that evening, citing rest as an excuse to forgo supper with the others.

Fwoom.

A flickering flame—no larger than a firefly—flared into being in the air just beyond his outstretched hand, then vanished. Again and again it danced and died, reigniting only to fade once more.

‘Still too early to control it properly.’

When he fixed his gaze on a spot, a dark ripple—like a false shadow—shimmered in the air before the fire would obey his will. It reminded him of a targeting reticle in an old game, hovering silently over a foe.

Perhaps that phantom was the reason the spell bore the name Illusory Flameburst. A shadow none could see but he—a ghostly harbinger of ignition.

Kane had conjured small flaming shields that detonated on impact, blocking Curtis ’s Spirit Shells. But Curtis , with the spell still in its infancy, could only conjure simple, pure flame. Even so, the fire burned hotter than any lighter.

[ Illusory Flameburst Lv. 2 ]
[ Progress to next level: 2% ]

Like Flow Manipulation and Spirit Conjuration before it, this magic, too, rose quickly in the early stages. A few days of focus might have brought it to practical utility.

But Curtis  let go of that wistful thought.

‘Not like I can use it in front of others yet. Better for the spell to be too weak to risk exposing by accident.’

And so, with training complete, he let the night pass quietly.

At dawn, the party assembled. Under the Bishop’s direct leadership, they departed Abaca in Church-prepared carriages, wheels singing against the earth.

Their destination lay east—Eltar, first city beyond the mountains. Seat of House Brutaine.

By foot, it would have taken three days. By carriage, a single day’s journey sufficed—from sunrise to nightfall.

And despite the late hour of arrival, a figure waited to greet them personally.

“Welcome, friends.”

The patriarch of House Brutaine stood at the gates himself.

Though his house ruled a city, a bishop of the Church could not be outclassed in station. His presence was not only proper—it was necessary.

“It’s been too long, Lord Moritz,” Mayra greeted him.

There was no strict hierarchy between secular and sacred powers, so their speech flowed with the ease of familiarity, rather than formality. Their acquaintance was not new, and their customs had long since aligned.

“Have you eaten? If we’d known you’d arrive today, I would’ve had the kitchens prepare something finer.”

“Hardly necessary. It’s a one-day ride—we ate before sundown.”

“Then allow me to host you properly tomorrow. Surely you’re not leaving at first light?”

“We’ll stay the night, of course. But I’d like to inspect the preparations tonight, if I may.”

“Diligent as ever.”

With a wave, Lord Moritz summoned a steward to escort the guests. As the others followed, Mayra turned to Curtis .

“Walk with me, will you?”

“Of course.”

“Wait, what about me?!”

“You rest, Lilia.”

Lilia and the others followed the steward, leaving Curtis  alone with Mayra and Moritz.

“That young man—who is he?” Moritz inquired, his gaze narrowing.

A single traveler not garbed in robes or armor stood out starkly in a procession of clergy and knights.

“A mage I personally hired for this mission,” Mayra answered.

“…You hired a mage?”

Moritz’s brow lifted in surprise, but recognition flickered across his face. The rumors had reached even here, after all.

“Would he be the same mage who’s been causing a stir in the frontier?”

“Indeed. Introduce yourself.”

“Curtis , my lord. An honor.”

“Moritz. Well met.”

Mayra elaborated.

“You may’ve heard he’s ranked Silver, but his abilities place him firmly within Gold. He’s conducted himself with integrity under Church contract—and I believe he’ll be of great use here.”

“If Bishop Mayra herself recommends him, then I trust her judgment. To be so young and already Gold…” Moritz trailed off, his expression unreadable.

The praise was polite—but his eyes held a more calculating gleam. Admiration, perhaps… or something more guarded.

Perhaps he had already tallied the implications of Curtis ’s presence.

Or perhaps it was the young man loitering awkwardly nearby—Kane, Brutaine’s second son—still glaring daggers when he thought no one noticed.

As the head of house, Moritz surely knew of his son’s infatuation with Lilia. And if he’d guessed what had transpired between Kane and Curtis …

‘Could he be more of a doting father than he lets on?’

Curtis  mused silently, studying the older man.

But before the thought could settle, Moritz turned, half-smiling.

“Come. You said you wanted to see how prepared we are.

“I did,” Mayra replied, nodding. “The cradle is no trivial thing. I’d rather not walk in blind.”

“Of course,” Moritz said smoothly, beckoning them toward a side path that led around the estate. “We’ve stationed the militia accordingly. I’ll show you the maps myself.”

They moved forward, footsteps steady in the cool night air.

Curtis  fell into step behind them, eyes sharp.

He’d come here expecting demons.

But the true battle might begin long before they reached the cradle.

Politics. Power. Pride.

Those were foes with no horns or claws—yet far more dangerous, in some ways.

Still, if he had to clash with nobles and monsters alike—

So be it.

He would face both with clarity, and come out stronger for it.

He would face both with clarity, and come out stronger for it. No fire, no scheme, no shadow would slow him down.

He would face both with clarity, and come out stronger for it. No fire, no scheme, no shadow would slow him down.