Fire Mage-Chapter 654: Cardinal Benedictus

Chapter 654: Cardinal Benedictus

With a flick of his hand, a spell ignited—[Purple Consciousness]. Caspian’s memories began to burn.

But as the spell went deeper, the young man’s expression darkened.

"So that’s what it is..." His voice dropped. "I thought it strange when the Shadow Princess suddenly crossed my mind a few weeks ago. But I didn’t expect this. They captured her... and used her like some tool."

His gaze turned ice-cold.

"She’s not just some figment. She’s born of my imagination. I promised Jade I wouldn’t interfere with the Life Church... but they’ve overstepped."

With a final squeeze, he snapped Caspian’s neck.

A legend-level Mystic fell—without even a chance to fight back.

The young man took a drop of blood from the corpse and shaped an identity imprint. Then, he transformed his body—his face now that of a 30-year-old man. He donned Caspian’s dark robe and armed himself with his bow, quiver, and dagger of black steel.

The sword might draw attention... but I can just say I looted it from the intruder.

He picked up the communication bracelet and activated it with a touch of his will.

"Did you find anything important? Who is he?" Benedictus asked on the other end.

Mimicking Caspian’s voice perfectly, Charles responded, "He was from the Sun Church, Your Eminence. Just a baron’s son. I disposed of him. Aside from a good longsword, he had nothing of value."

"A member of the Sun Church?" The Cardinal scoffed. "No need to report it, then. Return. Richard may have found our target." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

The call ended.

"Hm... Planning to assassinate someone close to Pontiff Leander IV?" Charles mused. "Typical."

With that, he descended silently and began moving toward the Life Church camp.

The hunt had just begun.

...

Charles moved through the dense ancient woods, his senses on high alert. Along the way, he encountered more than five Rank-5 shadow beasts, but he avoided direct confrontation and pushed forward. Eventually, the forest gave way to an open plain, and darkness swallowed everything in sight. For a moment, he faltered—disoriented—but Caspian’s memories guided him, and soon, a distant glow cut through the shadows.

Roughly two kilometers ahead stood a massive ruined fortress, dimly illuminated by hundreds of fire torches. The flickering flames cast long shadows that danced across its worn stone walls. Four large magical lights hovered on the corners of the fortress, radiating a steady yellow glow that bathed the area in a strange, almost sacred brightness.

According to Caspian’s memories, the Life Church had occupied this fortress for the past ten days, using it as a base while searching for a man named Oberon. Cardinal Benedictus initially intended to eliminate Oberon in the first dungeon layer, but the elusive target had slipped through their grasp.

The search had since expanded to the second layer. The team split into four groups—Water Mage Jade, a Head Deacon, another Cardinal named Richard, Withering Shadow Leader Garret, a Holy Maiden, and Ice Mage Falken had each ventured to different zones. Only Benedictus and Caspian remained stationed at the fortress.

So Caspian was solely tasked with scanning the area and detecting intruders... Charles narrowed his eyes. If I’m right, Richard and someone else must’ve already returned with news. Time’s ticking. I can’t linger here.

He picked up the pace. But the moment his foot touched the soft grass of the plain, he slowed, brows furrowing.

...Gazes? That prickling feeling—

He glanced sideways. Dozens of beady eyes blinked from the bushes—rat-like creatures, watching him in silence.

Charles shook his head and kept walking, undeterred. He reached the fortress gatehouse and quietly cleared away the rocks blocking the entrance. His movements were swift, precise—ghostlike.

Once inside, he paused. Vines coiled up stone walls. Trees and plants, many barbed and poisonous, grew unchecked across the courtyard. The entire area teemed with wild, unnatural life.

Thanks to the four glowing orbs—each about two meters wide—and the many torches, the interior was bathed in artificial daylight. Carefully avoiding the overgrowth, Charles made his way through the corridor and reached the keep.

Suddenly, three separate waves of Wisdom Power brushed against him, probing. Once they recognized him as an ally, they receded.

Inside the keep’s Great Hall, three figures sat at the center. The hall’s roof bore signs of old battles—cracks, collapsed corners, and gaping holes. Statues of strange humanoid beings lined the walls, their forms unfamiliar and unsettling.

At the center, six chairs had been arranged. One stood out—larger and ornately decorated. Upon it sat a man who looked to be in his seventies. He wore a golden robe and a tall miter, with long grey hair cascading down his shoulders. His pale face bore celestial features: thick brows, a noble nose, and piercing bluish eyes. A silver necklace glinted around his neck.

Cardinal Benedictus, Charles recognized him immediately, then shifted his gaze to the others.

One was a man in his forties with short blonde hair. The other—a young woman draped in a flowing white gown—had covered most of her body and head with a scarf, leaving only her delicate oval face visible.

Richard and the Holy Maiden, Charles surmised. His gaze sharpened as he studied the woman.

She radiated the aura of a Rank-5 [Fierce Light] Mystic—and beneath that, the deeper signature of a Rank-6 [Learner] Class Mystic.

The Eye of Thousands... That explains those rat monsters. But something was off. Fierce Light looks impressive, but it’s a pseudo-origin class. She can’t use its skills without divine power.

His analysis revealed her combat ability was comparable to Caspian’s—novice Legend Rank at best. Richard’s strength mirrored hers.

With divine power, they’d be far stronger. Still, this works in my favor.

Then his eyes fell on Cardinal Benedictus. The aura surrounding him pulsed with control—command.

A Rank-5 [Cardinal] and Rank-6 [Woodland Sage]. A dangerous opponent. Nature spells, no doubt...

Charles was lost in thought when the Cardinal turned and addressed him.

"Caspian, we leave the fortress tomorrow."

"Did they find Oberon?" Charles asked, feigning surprise as he approached. "Where is he now?"

"We’ve confirmed he’s been hiding with the Pentagon family. It’s unexpected, but if we accuse him of a crime, I doubt they’ll interfere," Benedictus replied, glancing toward the Holy Maiden. "What’s your opinion, My Lady?"

Charles took the seat beside her, pretending to hang on her words with eager attention. At the same time, he activated [Hands of Wonders] and released an invisible thread from his fingertips, guiding it like a snake across the stone floor.

Silently, it slithered toward the Cardinal’s chair... then up to the backrest... then to the clasp of his necklace.

The Holy Maiden folded her hands, deep in thought. "A soft, legal approach will yield better results," she said slowly. "One of us should ’accidentally’ encounter a Pentagon member and suffer a serious injury—perhaps even die. A sacrifice would strengthen our cause."

She turned to Charles with a faint smile. "What do you think, Caspian? Are you willing?"

Charles froze.

What the hell? Is she seriously suggesting a martyrdom mission for one of her own? Now that I think about it, didn’t they also send hundreds of spies into the Sacred Empire as sacrifices just to get an intellectual artifact...

Before he could respond, her eyes narrowed.

"Why are you moving your fingers so strangely?"

The question drew the attention of both the Cardinal and Richard. A bead of sweat formed on Charles’s brow.

"I’ve been practicing a new technique," he replied calmly. "To improve my arrow accuracy. It’s been causing numbness and swelling, so I’m trying to adapt."

The Cardinal’s eyes widened with admiration. "I had no idea you were so dedicated. When we return to the Church, I’ll make sure you’re properly rewarded."

But Richard frowned. "Don’t you usually pull the string with your right hand?"

The air grew still.

Charles clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Looks like I need more acting lessons."

He stood, raising his left hand as if grabbing something in the air.

"What are you doing?" the Cardinal asked, reaching for the bracelet on his wrist, ready to cast a defensive spell.

Charles curled his fingers inward, leaving only the middle finger extended, and smiled.

"You’ll see soon enough."

The moment he closed his fist, he vanished in a burst of red flame.

"Imposter!" the three shouted, rising to their feet in alarm.

"I’ve been monitoring Caspian since he entered!" the Holy Maiden cried. "There was no sign—no hint—"

The Cardinal’s face darkened. "Someone must’ve killed him beforehand..."

His eyes widened as realization struck. "The Sun Church! That Rank-5 youth—he said he ran into one. It must’ve been him!"

"But why come all the way here just to be discovered?" Richard muttered.

The Holy Maiden’s gaze flicked toward the Cardinal. Her eyes widened in horror. "Your necklace—it’s gone!"

"What?!" The Cardinal’s hand shot to his throat. He fumbled—and found nothing.

His expression drained of color.

A heavy silence hung in the air.

Then, with a scream, the Cardinal erupted.

"He stole it! GO! Without that necklace, we can’t defeat the Pontiff! After him—NOW!"