Chapter 1588: Chapter 1588

Judging by Robert's tone, he didn't seem to think Jenkins was guaranteed to inherit the throne. In fact, he sounded certain the Queen had other arrangements in mind. This revealed a political acumen that surpassed even Jenkins's own. After all, Robert had successfully navigated the complexities of this ever-developing era for more than twenty years, while Jenkins was still just a knowledgeable young man.

Never underestimate the wisdom of your elders. Jenkins understood this perfectly.

Robert announced his plan to return to Nolan with the family next week and asked if Jenkins would accompany them. Jenkins didn't have a plan yet. On the surface, his business in Bel Diran was concluded—all his enemies had been dealt with. However, he wanted to stay and welcome Alexia and Dolores; the princess of the northern kingdom was greatly looking forward to their meeting. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel_fіre.net

He claimed the Church had other arrangements for him, but that he should be able to return within a fortnight, so he might not travel with them. Mary looked a little worried, but Robert wasn't concerned in the slightest. He knew his son's position within the Church was far from ordinary—it was, in fact, quite extraordinary.

Before leaving, Jenkins pulled his older and younger brothers aside for a private word. He didn't want the unresolved issue of the throne to strain their relationship, so he hoped to clear the air. But it seemed Newman and John harbored no resentment toward him. They merely grumbled about their father's unfairness and recounted how their mother, Mary, had spent the entire day complaining about Robert keeping such a secret for so long.

As they were saying their goodbyes, his older brother, Newman Williams, told Jenkins to bring his "female friends" from the banquet home for dinner once he was back in Nolan. Their mother hadn't mentioned Jenkins's romantic life tonight, but only because more pressing matters had occupied her thoughts.

But once they were back in Nolan, away from the intrigues of Bel Diran, Mary would surely remember.

"Jenkins, I saw them last night. Those three young ladies are quite something, you know~"

Newman patted Jenkins on the shoulder and gave him a playful wink.

Carrying his older brother's "blessing," Jenkins left the room. He didn't leave the inn, however, but went straight upstairs and knocked on Papa Oliver's door. The old man had been expecting him, so even though it was already ten o'clock at night, he was still up, reading a book as he waited.

"You handled things very well today."

"Thank you, Papa Oliver... but you've already said that once."

He set the drowsy cat down on the table. With a soft "meow," Chocolate melted into a puddle of fur on the wood. Jenkins then pulled up a chair across from Papa Oliver, who set his book down on the desk and began to speak.

"After we parted ways, I went to the Church to gather some information. It's more or less confirmed that what you and Capet said was true—the Tree House was backing that vampire in Bel Diran to create a diversion. A few days ago, both you and the Believers of Lies killed a member of the Gear Artisans' Association. We searched the inn where they were staying and decrypted their communications. It turns out the Tree House and the Gear Artisans' Association have formed a full-fledged alliance. Their true goal is to use the Twelve Orthodox Churches' focus on Bel Diran as an opportunity to unleash something terrible from beneath Nolan."

"I heard the Perfume Appreciation Committee has also relocated to Nolan?"

Jenkins asked, a worried tone in his voice.

"Yes, their main force has relocated to Nolan. And there's more. I just received word that during the two short weeks we've been away, the eerie fog surrounding the city has been creeping toward the center at an unnatural pace. At the same time, there have been reports of strange sightings within the dense mist—creatures that are not human in shape and defy all biological norms."

He sighed and rapped his knuckles on the wooden desk, as if to ward off bad luck.

"The situation in Bel Diran is wrapping up, with just a few loose ends to tie. But in Nolan, things are just getting started. I'm deeply concerned. And with the persistent rumors about Nolan being the focal point of destiny at the end of this epoch... I have a terrible feeling the city is on the brink of a major event."

"Didn't the Believers of Lies also say today that they'd be waiting for the Church in Nolan?"

Jenkins reminded him.

"The Believers of Lies aren't our primary concern for now. They may not be heroes, but at least they're not rotten to the core. Now that the conflict has fully shifted to Nolan, I think we should return as soon as possible—at least before the delegation from the Twelve Orthodox Churches arrives."

That suited Jenkins just fine. He'd been missing his home on St. George Avenue.

"Papa Oliver, there's one more thing."

Jenkins hesitated for a moment before asking:

"Today, I heard the Believers of Lies mention... a 'Savior'. Do you know what that is? My divination teacher, Miss Audrey, brought it up once, but she wouldn't elaborate."

Papa Oliver seemed to have anticipated the question, as he answered without the slightest hesitation:

"It is one of the most vital secrets of the end of the epoch. One might even call it the single most important secret mortals in the material world can ever know. Very few are privy to the truth, but I believe I can tell you."

Jenkins asked in surprise.

"Do you need to use the washroom? I can wait."

"No, I mean... right here? Shouldn't this be done in a formal setting, before numerous witnesses, relayed to me by a Keeper of Secrets or perhaps even Pope Pontiff himself?"

"Are you looking down on your old man?"

Papa Oliver asked, and Jenkins had no further questions.

"You've likely gathered from various sources and myths that at the end of every epoch, a great cataclysm erupts, one that engulfs the entire material world. It cannot be avoided, nor can it be predicted in advance. Omens only appear after the star of destiny has risen. In response to this apocalyptic threat, the world and fate itself choose Saviors. There is never just one candidate for Savior in any given epoch. Through a... peculiar selection process, one person will emerge to see it through to the end. That person is the true Savior. The very survival of the world in the face of that final cataclysm will depend on their efforts... I know it sounds unfair to stake the world's future on a single individual, but it has always been this way. It is a fundamental rule of our world, as certain as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, or that all souls ultimately return to the End. It is simply the rule."