Chapter 259. The Vatican (2)
Caron walked through the Vatican gardens, his mind replaying the recent conversation. He thought, Uriel.
She was a paladin said to be the strongest in the Vatican. They claimed she had joined the Vatican two years ago. No one knew where she came from—only that she was powerful and held an overwhelming level of holy power. The Pope had said...
"Uriel originally stayed on Aegis Island, which lies at the southernmost edge of the Holy Kingdom. She was brought to the Vatican by Saint Elijah, but she never sided with the Order of Truth. In fact, she protected me from them."
But now, Elijah had recruited her. According to the Pope, Uriel had reached the pinnacle of 8-Star—an astonishing level of skill. But Caron wondered why someone so powerful had remained in seclusion. And he also wondered why someone who had protected the Pope for two years had suddenly defected. That got him wondering whether Elijah had planned everything from the very beginning.
"But Caron," Leo said, walking beside him, "Don't you think it's a little strange? That she joined two years ago?"
"What's strange about it?" Caron asked.
"You're thinking that Uriel might be Beatrice, aren't you?" Leo asked.
"I was considering it a strong possibility," Caron admitted.
There weren't many knights who had reached the pinnacle of 8-Star. While it had never been confirmed that Beatrice had reached that level, Caron believed she undoubtedly would have. Beatrice had been the most gifted among the Imperial Guards.
"But it hasn't even been a full year since she slipped past surveillance. The timelines don't match," Leo pointed out.
It was a fair assessment. The dates of Uriel's appearance in the Vatican and Beatrice's disappearance didn't align. It made more sense to treat them as different people.
"I don't like this feeling," Caron muttered.
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"When it comes to your instincts..." Leo sighed. "They've never been wrong. Especially not when things are this uncertain."
The Pope had already given Caron a warning about this so-called trial. The cardinals from the Order of Truth likely planned to have Uriel test him. If he failed, he would never be recognized as a Warrior. Worse, even his survival wasn't guaranteed.
Caron was still at the beginning of 8-Star. He couldn't guarantee victory against someone at the pinnacle of it. The odds of defeat were overwhelming.
"What if we just stuff the Pope into the pouch of dimensional space and retreat?" Leo suggested.
"That's elder abuse," Caron replied.
"As if you ever cared about that. Didn't you try it once already?" Leo asked.
"He'd survive, probably... Judging by his holy power, he'd hold out for a while. But he said he refuses," Caron answered.
Pope Eurino II wasn't the type to abandon his people and flee. Even in such a short time, Caron had grasped his nature—he was a man who would rather fight than run. His reason for remaining in the Vatican was likely to seize an opportunity to reverse the situation.
"At least the Pope still has loyal forces left within the Vatican," Caron said.
The Order of Truth hadn't taken full control yet. That was why they hadn't been able to depose the Pope completely. The situation wasn't hopeless.
"If we push through this trial, we might shift the tide," Caron said. "Even the cardinals they forced into submission could change sides."
"So you're saying it's worth the gamble. But isn't it too risky?" Leo asked.
"Leo, do you know the simplest rule of this world?" Caron turned to him with a faint smirk. "There's no such thing as a free lunch. If you want big rewards, you have to take big risks. You always act like life should be easy."
"Says the guy who always gets his way," Leo shot back.
"You have no idea how hard I work to get things easy. I study it, you know? I research how to take shortcuts properly. Tsk tsk, this is why the younger generation doesn't get it," Caron said as he kept walking, calculating his odds.
Pluto and Guillotine... If I unleash all their power, I might stand a chance, he thought.
It wasn't just his swordsmanship and mana that had grown. Guillotine had awakened numerous abilities through its encounter with Rael, and Pluto had become the greatest beneficiary of the Ocean Conquest Arts.
Pluto's powers had evolved—not only could it hide him in darkness, it could now also pull enemies into it. Even his signature move, Eclipse, borrowed some of Pluto's abilities. It was a technique that trapped enemies in darkness and delivered a critical blow.
I'm not sure if it will work against someone at the pinnacle of 8-Star, Caron thought.
Knights' reputations were often exaggerated, but if Uriel's level was real, she was on par with Sabina.
Strangely, though, Caron didn't feel afraid. In fact, his heart was racing—just like when he'd first encountered the Queen.
"Leo, Leon," Caron called softly. His cousins turned to look at him as he continued, "If things go wrong, take the Saintess and get out. You're both at 7-Star now. That should be doable, right?"
Leon clenched her teeth and growled, "Don't talk nonsense. If it looks like you're losing, I'll charge in and wreck everything."
"You'd disrupt a sacred duel?" Caron teased.
"Sacred my ass. Our mission is to keep you alive, even if we have to die doing it," Leon said.
"I'm genuinely touched," Caron replied.
They seemed to be loving cousins, but as Caron turned to Leon to thank her, she broke the mood.
"You'd better die by our hands if it comes to that. Do you know what hell you've put us through?" Leon said.
"Oh, so that's why?" Caron asked.
"Stop thinking about dying and start thinking about how to win," Leon answered.
"Winning is easy," Caron began calmly.
He looked ahead at the towering structure that had come into view. Among the Vatican's spires and chapels, one building stood out. It was a massive, circular arena.
It was the Colosseum, the sacred arena where the trial for the Warrior's title would take place.
"I just have to fight better," Caron finished.
"Ugh..." Leon groaned as she wondered what kind of brain Caron had to stay so relaxed on the edge of life and death.
"Do whatever you want," she finally said, shaking her head.
But despite her words, Leon believed in Caron. He was the type who always found a way to reach his goal.
And so, the four of them walked proudly into the Colosseum.
***
The sacred arena known as the Colosseum had once been a training ground reserved for the paladins of the Vatican. It stood as one of the earliest buildings erected after the founding of the Holy Kingdom. Countless paladins had shed their blood and sweat here, and it had long stood as a testament to the nation's history.
Now, in this hallowed place, Caron, the famous Mad Dog of the Ducal Family of Leston, made his entrance with a grumble as his boots struck the ornately tiled floor.
"These damn things are built to break anyway. Why make it so flashy?" Caron grumbled.
He had expected a certain level of extravagance from the Vatican, but this was excessive even by his standards. Arenas like this were practically disposable—used to gauge strength through blood and effort, not to be admired for luxury.
"You have arrived," a courteous voice said.
As Caron entered the Colosseum, Elijah, who had been waiting inside, greeted him with formal composure.
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Caron scoffed and said, "You prepared the verification match properly, right? If you want to keep your head, you'd better have done it right."
"There is only one verification process," Elijah said calmly. "Prove your strength in a duel against the paladin of our choosing."
With that, he gestured behind him and said, "Step forward, Dame Uriel."
It was just as Caron had anticipated.
He turned his gaze toward the strange presence he'd sensed before even stepping inside. That energy—subtle yet distinct—would've been nearly imperceptible had he not reached the 8-Star level.
Thud, thud.
Footsteps echoed from afar, and with them, a knight emerged. She was about the same height as Caron, and the faint curve of her breastplate suggested her sex.
"This is Dame Uriel, Special Operations Captain of the Inquisition," Elijah announced. "She will oversee this verification duel."
Like other inquisitors, Uriel wore a silver mask. Her dark hair billowed behind it. Without a word, she approached Caron and slowly extended her hand, then simply said, "Uriel."
For a moment, Caron had thought she could be Beatrice. But the voice quickly made him dismiss that notion—it wasn't husky enough. Beatrice had a coarser tone.
Smiling bitterly, Caron shook her hand and replied, "Caron Leston."
"I bear no personal grudge against you," Uriel said. "But this is a matter of the Holy Kingdom. I must give it my all. I hope you understand."
"Let's keep it clean," Caron replied. "I don't get sentimental over duels."
He could already feel it in her handshake: She was strong. Stronger than any paladins he had faced so far. No wonder she was the Vatican's finest.
Caron glanced down at Uriel's waist. She carried a sword.
"Then let the verification duel begin. Everyone else, please step back," Elijah said.
The arena had spectator seats, which were now filled with high-ranking clergy—likely the Cardinals who guided the Holy Kingdom.
"Through this sacred duel, overseen by the Radiant Light," Elijah declared solemnly, "Caron Leston shall prove his worth. All present shall bear witness."
He continued, his voice echoing with gravitas, "The Holy Kingdom stands on the brink. A crusade must be prepared to dispel the evil shadow blanketing the continent. The Light has sent us a Warrior and a Great Saintess, and we must honor Their will. May this duel cleanse any doubts that linger in your hearts."
With that, Elijah turned and quietly made his way to his seat. The rest of the entourage followed, leaving only Caron and Uriel standing in the Colosseum.
Shing.
Caron slowly drew Guillotine. A wave of killing intent surged from its dark blue blade, causing several cardinals to gasp.
"Good heavens."
"What foul aura clings to that sword?"
Guillotine was nothing like a Warrior's sword. Its murderous aura was too intense. Yet Caron remained unshaken.
"People say a thief's foot tingles near justice. Wouldn't you agree, Dame Uriel?" Caron said.
In response, Uriel sighed and unsheathed her own blade—a long, gleaming white sword befitting a Holy Knight.
"Grand Duke Halo's grandson," she said. "I never imagined I'd meet you here."
"Oh? You knew my grandfather? What a delight," Caron replied.
"I've heard the rumors of your strength and your unpredictability," Uriel said.
"And seeing me in person?" Caron asked.
"I think the rumors underestimated you. You've already reached the Eighth Sea. Throughout all history, none may have matched your talent... But your timing is tragically poor. You should not have come here," Uriel said.
She pointed her blade directly at him and added, "I cannot let you stand in the way of the Saint."
"Elijah," Caron muttered, "That bastard deserves to die. You know that, don't you, Dame Uriel?"
"I will cut down every demon with the power of the Holy Kingdom. My life exists for that purpose alone," Uriel said. Her voice was rigid and unyielding.
Caron liked her resolve. He thus asked, "Why not join us instead? My goal's the same—wipe out all demonic monsters."
"I will never stand with the Ducal Family of Leston," Uriel said.
"Any particular reason?" Caron asked.
"It's not you. It's your grandfather. I have no desire to fight alongside him," Uriel explained.
"Ah, so you've got a grudge against the old man. Well, that can't be helped. Grown-ups make messes, and I'm always the one cleaning them up. Tsk tsk," Caron said.
Whoosh .
Caron's mana exploded outward. Uriel responded in kind, unleashing her holy power. Their energies collided and twisted, creating a massive ripple of force.
"I will yield the first strike," Uriel said calmly.
"Much obliged. In that case..." Caron trailed off.
There was no hesitation. He charged the moment she finished speaking.
There's something I need to confirm, Caron thought. Her voice was different, and many other things were different, but he had to know for sure.
Caron immediately unleashed Moonlight, a technique known only to Cain Latorre. Moonlight poured over the arena like a tidal wave, even though it was still midday.
Boom!
Uriel's eyes widened behind her mask.
And then...
Boom!
She then answered with moonlight of her own.
Boom!
Two swords, both soaked in moonlight, clashed with a deafening roar. A dark blue moon and a pure white moon tore into each other.
"...Hah," Caron sighed, then gripped Guillotine tightly and glared at her. He could see her eyes now—turbulent and endless.
Uriel was the first to speak. She asked, "How do you know that swordsmanship...?"
Caron's face twisted with pain. But he forced a smile and murmured, "...Beatrice."
The former commander whispered the name of his former subordinate.