Fire Mage-Chapter 687: Cardinal’s Anxiety

Chapter 687: Cardinal’s Anxiety

Awakening from the initial shock, Mary found herself standing at the entrance of the majestic mansion. She stepped onto the expansive porch and made her way into the grand main hall. Inside, more than six individuals were engaged in what looked to be a serious discussion.

Seated prominently on the lavish Lawson sofa at the center was a slender elderly man, his face etched with deep wrinkles. His long grey hair framed a distinguished face—a celestial nose, bluish eyes, thick eyebrows. He wore a resplendent golden robe, a miter resting atop his head, and held a silver cane in his left hand. This man was none other than Cardinal Benedictus.

Mary’s gaze drifted left to another sofa, where two figures sat with grim expressions. One was a blonde-haired man in his seventies, and beside him sat a middle-aged woman dressed in an elegant long white gown, her head covered with a black scarf that revealed only her oval-shaped face. They were Richard and the Holy Maiden.

On the opposite sofa, three more individuals in golden robes were engaged in a weighty conversation.

What unsettled Mary more than their presence were the muffled screams and cries of women and children echoing from the underground.

What the heck are those sounds? Is this place some kind of secret laboratory? A chill crept down her spine as unease rooted itself in her heart.

As she entered the main hall, their voices became clearer.

"What are we going to do? Should we ask His Holiness for help?" the Holy Maiden asked, her tone edged with worry.

"He won’t help us," Richard replied, shaking his head. "And he’s probably furious that we’ve detained Oberon."

"Haa... What does he want from us?" Cardinal Benedictus exhaled shakily. "That Legendary Powerhouse didn’t release his Wisdom Power out of curiosity. You all felt that oppressive force, didn’t you? I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life."

At that moment, they heard footsteps approaching from the entrance and turned to see Mary. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"You are?" Cardinal Benedictus asked with a frown.

Hiding her flustered expression, Mary quickly bowed.

"I’m Mary, the adopted daughter of Reynolds, Your Eminence. Lord David asked me to deliver important information."

"Is it about that Legendary Powerhouse’s appearance?"

"Yes, Your Eminence. He’s already taken full control of the house on El Street. He’s claiming it belongs to him."

"Hmm? Isn’t that the house I claimed after that woman from the Nightwind family died? I even got permission from the main family to use it. Who dares to oppose the Life Church like this?"

Mary hesitated, then added,

"He said his name is Charles Nightwind, Your Eminence. And... he said he possesses something called ’S-13’."

"S-13? Wait, Charles Nightwind?" Cardinal Benedictus’s eyes widened.

He wasn’t unfamiliar with the name.

I remember reading reports of him causing chaos in the Moon and Iron Kingdoms... but didn’t he die two decades ago?

His brows furrowed as he fell into thought.

"If he really has S-13, he won’t hand it over. And from the look of things, he’s furious about me taking his property. Without the Divine’s blessing—and with my health failing—there’s no way I can face a Legendary Powerhouse alone." He clenched the silver cane, his hands trembling.

"I’m not strong enough to face even a normal Legendary Mystic," the Holy Maiden added, raising her hands in defeat. "He’s far beyond our league."

The others nodded silently, heads lowered.

"I’ve no choice but to compromise," the Cardinal said grimly. "If I don’t return in two hours... destroy this villa and flee."

"What about you, Your Eminence?" the Holy Maiden asked.

"I have a teleportation scroll. As long as I have time, I’ll escape."

Cardinal Benedictus’s declaration hung heavy in the air. Mary glanced at the grim faces around her, the cries from below only amplifying the tension.

After a long moment, the Cardinal made his decision: he would return to Riverdale City.

Without delay, they departed Wind Villa. Mary mounted a horse while Cardinal Benedictus rode away in a lavish carriage.

...

Back at the El Street house, Charles and Runeth continued their efforts to sever the link between the Nightmare Realm and the real world. Runes and symbols glowed faintly as Runeth chanted, his hands tracing intricate patterns through the air.

Charles stood nearby, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the array, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a pulse of energy rippled through the room, halting their work. The atmosphere shifted subtly. The two exchanged glances—something had changed.

At the center of the array, the dream stone cracked and crumbled into shimmering powder.

"It’s done," Runeth said solemnly, turning to Charles. "But I still feel the remnants of dream energy around us. It may take time to completely fade."

Charles nodded and stepped toward the window. Outside, a cluster of knights and robed priests waited silently.

"This will suffice for now. All that’s left is to wait for the Cardinal."

He pulled the curtain closed and turned away, then quietly exited the room.

Together, Charles and Runeth returned to the ground floor and waited.

Over an hour passed before a luxurious red-curtained carriage pulled up to the gate. An elderly man with long grey hair stepped down, clothed in gold, a miter on his head, and a silver cane in hand.

It was Cardinal Benedictus.

The knights and priests immediately bowed. But without greeting them, the Cardinal turned toward the blazing, translucent fire barrier surrounding the house. He reached out instinctively—but recoiled at the sudden burning sensation.

"A Legendary Rank Spell," he muttered. "Even my strongest attack spell wouldn’t leave a mark."

Just then, Charles stepped out of the house and approached the edge of the barrier. The air in the courtyard tensed.

As Charles neared, Cardinal Benedictus’s eyes turned white—his attempt to see the man’s astral form.

What he glimpsed made him stagger.

Charles’s silhouette was pristine, overwhelming in strength. A pulse of raw pressure radiated from it.

Goodness!

Charles, sensing the intrusion, responded immediately. His Wisdom Power lashed out like a phantom blade, gripping the Cardinal’s insides.

The older man gasped, clutching his chest as blood sprayed from his mouth. Alarmed cries erupted around them.

With a swift chant, Cardinal Benedictus cast Nature’s Heal and steadied himself, his gaze locked on Charles.

What a terrifying monster... He could’ve killed me with his Wisdom Power alone! Cold sweat trickled down his temple.

"If you value your life, never try to look into me again," Charles said coldly.

"Charles Nightwind." The Cardinal composed himself. "I see you’ve taken possession of this place. What is the meaning of this? What is your purpose?"

Charles met his gaze squarely.

"You have some nerve, Cardinal—taking my home without so much as informing me."

He waved his hand. A small gap opened in the barrier.

"Only you may enter."

The surrounding knights and priests bristled with anger.

"Enough," the Cardinal said sharply, raising a hand to silence them. He stepped through the opening alone.

"Follow me," Charles said, resealing the barrier behind him. The two walked silently toward the house.

Inside, Cardinal Benedictus was immediately struck by the aura of the man seated in the living room—a man who had not even activated his Wisdom Power, yet radiated immense pressure.

Another monster!

Charles remained calm, his gaze steady. Runeth, seated nearby, kept a close eye on their guest.

Despite the growing pressure, Cardinal Benedictus forced himself to stay composed.

Even if he’s a Legendary Powerhouse, he’s inexperienced in battle and diplomacy. If I play my words right, I might survive this.

Realizing brute strength would fail him here, the Cardinal began preparing to use the one tool he still had—his mind.

"You are Charles Nightwind, the one presumed dead two decades ago," Cardinal Benedictus said, his tone steady. "What brings you back from the shadows, and why have you taken control of this property?"

Charles gestured toward a chair.

"Sit. We can talk peacefully. But know this—this place is shielded. Any attempt at force or magic will have... unpleasant consequences."

Cardinal Benedictus hesitated for a moment before taking the seat opposite Charles. Tension hung heavy in the air.

In truth, it wasn’t a polite invitation—it was an order.

"There are a few things you need to understand moving forward," Charles began, his voice calm but unyielding. "First, I don’t recall ever selling my home to the Life Church. I made a deal with you people to ensure my mother’s safety, and you failed miserably. This property—and the Wind Villa you’re squatting in—still belong to me."

He paused, watching the Cardinal’s expression carefully.

"You have ten days. Pack your things and leave. All of you."

"You can’t do this to me—" the Cardinal began, but his voice caught as pain suddenly flared in his neck. His hand flew up instinctively.

A thin, clean cut had opened across his neck. Blood spurted.

What—?! I didn’t even see him draw his blade! Or put it back! Damn it, I picked the wrong fight.

The Cardinal’s face turned ghostly pale.

"I’m not negotiating, old man. That was an order."

Cardinal Benedictus could only nod, suddenly attentive and silent.

"Second," Charles continued, "you tarnished the place I cherished most. Ordinarily, that alone would be enough for your execution. But before we talk about how you’ll die, let me show you what happens if you break your promise."

A cold smirk crossed his lips as he commanded Genesis to scan the Cardinal’s background.

"Benedictus Greykeeper. Born 530 years ago to a noble family in the Rogue Throne Empire. Twelve siblings, two wives, seven children, twenty-one grandchildren. Your weak point is your family, particularly your sons and their children. You also hold a strong reputation in the noble circles... and a greedy little heart that yearns for power."