The Council’s Decree and a New Journey

“Have you two finished talking?”

Watching Old Eric return, step by step, Tikka stepped forward, and the other man tossed the communication crystal back to him.

“Let them tell you themselves.”

“Yes… alright, I understand… I got it, okay, okay…”

After receiving a few instructions from the others on the line, Tikka closed the communication crystal, and Mula spoke from the side.

“Well, what exactly are we doing?”

“This is what we’ll do.”

Tikka relayed the Council’s final resolution: “They’ve asked me to follow and monitor him, but without taking him away.

We’re taking on a new commission: a contract to monitor and ensure Anto Colmensin’s safety.”

He then looked at Eric.

“You proposed this, didn’t you? What exactly did you say to them?”

The old mage, Eric, sighed, then offered a casual smile.

“Nothing much. I simply clarified the current situation with some intelligent people, and they made the appropriate choice. It’s that simple.

We need a few hands, and since you’re idle anyway, how about we travel together for a while?”

“Not good,” Tikka stated directly.

“Will he truly accept this? We are Transmigrators; he should…”

“I’m no different,” Eric said at this moment.

“Rest assured, Anto harbors no prejudice against us. After all, I am the one who raised him.

The Council’s willingness to allow him to continue his activities independently across the continent stems from this very fact.

Anto Colmensin might become an object of contention for the entire continent, but simultaneously, he is also the one who can build a bridge between Transmigrators and the natives.

Consider the immense impact such an identity—a legitimate Pope raised and educated by Otherworld Travelers—will have on future generations.”

“This will change the continent.”

Tikka finished, and Eric nodded with a smile.

“Precisely. When it comes to fruition, it will indeed be enough to transform this world.

And now, we have the chance to create this miracle.

While it won’t entirely erase the divide, it represents a monumental step forward.

A truly significant stride.”

“But surely some people won’t be pleased to see this happen.”

“If everyone were pleased, that would be truly bizarre,” Eric remarked.

“That’s why I must journey with him.

Though my strength wanes, I am willing to dedicate my remaining time to supporting him this once, for a world where everyone can understand each other just a little more.

Once the Council understands this, they will have no reason to stop me.

Forget stopping me; they might even come to support it in the future.”

“That’s far too unrealistic,” Tikka said.

Eric looked at him.

“So, what about you? What do you think?”

“If it’s a commission, I accept it,” Tikka stated.

“Moreover, I wish to see if such a unique individual can truly make this world a better place.”

“Huh, what do you mean?”

Mula interjected from the side.

“Shouldn’t we be heading back?

Please, we’ve already repelled an enemy army once, experienced life-and-death separations, or narrowly escaped death.

At a time like this, there’s still a continuation of the mission?… No, I’m so tired.

Our weapons are nearly depleted.

We should be going back to rest, shouldn’t we?”

“If you wish to return, I won’t stop you,” Tikka said at this moment.

“You know full well I wouldn’t hinder you.”

“Hmph, that’s easy for you to say.

Without me, your ranged support, would you rely on this old mage who looks ready to fall apart at any moment?

Forget it.”

Mula shook her head, saying, “We’ll still need to return to a town for supplies.

It sounds like the journey ahead will be a long one, so we must be prepared.”

“Yes, we definitely need to visit a city.”

“We’ll likely head to the kingdom’s diocese first to understand the situation.

You see, while he currently possesses a strong claim (TL Note: In this context, ‘strong claim’ refers to a legitimate and compelling right to a title or position, often used in political or religious succession narratives.), without his own foundational support, no matter how righteous his words, they won’t hold sway within the church’s hierarchy.

He needs to establish a solid base now.”

“For us to enthrone our own Pope in this world, we’ll need extensive preparations,” Eric stated at this moment.

“And be prepared to be written into the annals of history at any moment.”

“Then count me out.”

“Haha, just kidding,” Eric said, then departed to attend to other matters.

Meanwhile, Anto arrived with Ilivy, the Papal Knight, clearly having concluded their own discussions.

“Knight Ilivy will not be taking me to the Papacy,” Anto explained.

“Instead, she will accompany me on a pilgrimage.

I plan to first survey several independent churches within the border kingdom’s territories to gain a better understanding of the current situation of the Papacy and to see if I can obtain the status of an itinerant priest.

After accomplishing this, I will make further plans.”

“Understood,” Tikka responded at this moment.

“The Council also has no intention of interfering excessively with you.

We’ve accepted Eric’s request to protect your safety in the border kingdom region.

After all, the forces here are a mixed bag (TL Note: ‘Fish and dragons mixed’ refers to a chaotic situation where good and bad people are indistinguishable.), and you’ll need assistance.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll rely on the two of you,” Anto said.

However, Ilivy stepped in front of him.

“Lord Anto, my protection alone is sufficient.

There’s no need for the Council to dispatch additional personnel.

You should not meddle in this matter.”

“We are not protecting Anto,” Tikka said, smiling at this moment.

“We accepted a commission to protect Eric, and he has already agreed.

As for Anto, he has personally invited the Archmage Eric to be his advisor.

So, isn’t it quite normal for him to have two close bodyguards assigned?”

As he spoke, Mula chuckled and walked over, then cupped Anto’s face in her hands.

“You really are so beautiful, little Anto, no matter how I look at you.

Oh, I haven’t formally introduced myself yet.

I’m Mula, the Council’s archer.

Please guide me from now on.”

“Mmm,” Anto responded.

After Anto’s reply, Ilivy used her body to create distance between them.

“Too close.

Lord Anto, it’s best not to be overly familiar with strangers you don’t know.

You must maintain vigilance.”

“Strangers you don’t know? Shouldn’t that be you?” Mula immediately retorted.

“Anto is nominally Old Eric’s disciple, which makes him Tikka senior’s junior brother!

And I am Tikka senior’s junior, practically an apprentice.

So, no matter how you look at it, we are far more related to little Anto than you, this knight who just inexplicably showed up!

Do you understand that?”

“Even so, you still serve another faction.”

“There’s no need to worry, Ilivy,” Anto said at this moment.

“Since Senior Brother Tikka can say this, it means Eric has already resolved the issues with the Council.

We might encounter many incidents on this journey, and the more people we have, the safer we will be.

That is how it should be.”