# Chapter 29: Prophecy
But there was no rush for now. Although Israel was indeed suffering from hidden injuries, he still had a long time before death. If His Majesty the Emperor didn't court disaster by recklessly pursuing some healing methods, he would certainly live for another ten or twenty years.
For now, the most important thing was to explain the situation clearly.
By the time Joshua walked back with Nostradamus to the area beside Truth Avenue where everyone had gathered, he had already roughly recounted his experiences in the Imperial Royal Mage Association. He also briefly explained the divine imprint inside the Erebos Box and the afterimages of the God of Despair and Luck, giving the old mage a general understanding of the matter.
"An ancient deity who once fought against the Abyss... So the black mist earlier was because of contamination?"
Based on the information Joshua provided, Nostradamus arrived at an answer that wasn't exactly wrong but wasn't entirely correct either. The warrior couldn't be bothered to correct this error, so he let it slide. The old mage continued to sigh: "The little ones weren't wrong—you really do stir up major trouble wherever you go."
"Right!"
"Mhm."
The silver-haired girl standing beside Joshua immediately nodded vigorously, while the black-haired boy responded with a quite approving tone.
"Always joining in the fun... But setting these matters aside for now, Master Nostradamus, our original purpose in coming to the Imperial Royal Mage Association was to find someone to accompany me to my territory to retrieve the plague samples."
Glaring at his Divine Mechanisms, Joshua glanced back at the Imperial Royal Mage Association. The association hadn't been corroded by the black mist—magic had protected it and its experimental equipment well—but with such a major incident occurring, the association would certainly fall into a period of dysfunction: "This complicates things."
"You're right, but there's no need to worry too much."
Smiling slightly, the old mage raised his hand, pointing at Muir, who had just awakened and was now listening with a serious expression as Vera explained what had happened during that period. In a low voice, he said: "I had already anticipated these consequences, so matters regarding the plague won't be delayed. Later, my friend Tamara Muir and his student will accompany you to Moldavia to retrieve the plague samples."
"Haha, this way they can avoid facing the Emperor's wrath."
Shaking his head slightly, Joshua could naturally see Nostradamus's intention. The seven mages of the Second Research Laboratory had made an experimental error, causing the black mist to spread and corrode most of the buildings along Truth Avenue, with direct economic losses exceeding eight hundred thousand gold coins. It would be strange if Israel didn't have them hung up and beaten. Other members of the association would also be implicated.
The four of them returned to the crowd together.
Tonight, the residents around Truth Avenue had all been urgently evacuated to areas near the church and city hall. The City Guard had been busy escorting civilians and maintaining order. Although the appearance of the two-headed giant earlier had made them extremely tense and heightened their vigilance, they hadn't stopped their work—instead, they became even more urgent in demanding that civilians leave quickly.
On the church's side, things were relatively quiet.
Sa Ya had just roughly explained the incident's general course to Robzek, and this silver-haired middle-aged man had been frowning, pondering something after hearing it.
Whether he was recalling the trials in his dream or thinking about what this all meant wasn't particularly important. When he sensed Joshua and the others returning, he thanked them along with the High Sister.
After expressing his gratitude, the knight commander seemed somewhat dazed as he led the church knights toward where the church delegation was staying. Robzek's current state indeed didn't look good. He hadn't even asked Joshua about his experience in the mage association's underground laboratory, nor inquired about the black mist that lured souls into slumber. From a certain perspective, this was quite derelict of duty, but the warrior could understand the other party.
After all, having personally killed over a dozen former comrades in a dream, even the strongest person would feel somewhat shaken and unsettled once calm returned. But given the other's mental fortitude, this was only temporary. By tomorrow morning, the cheerful knight commander would be back.
"Thank you very much for your help, Lord Count. That commander Robzek was able to leave safely this time thanks entirely to your efforts."
Before leaving, Sa Ya bowed slightly to Joshua. Her expression appeared very calm, even carrying a hint of a smile: "If the opportunity arises in the future, the church will surely repay you heavily. If there's anything you need help with, we will do our utmost to assist."
"It's nothing. It was only right."
Saying this indifferently, Joshua watched the departing church members, especially Robzek's somewhat lonely back, and murmured to himself: "No wonder he advised Loranda to let go of her psychological burden as soon as possible. Being a Paladin really is a dangerous profession."
"Of course. Regardless, the church has always been an organization fighting on the front lines against evil."
Nostradamus shrugged slightly. He looked meaningfully at the sky and said in a low voice to Joshua: "Although most mages don't believe in gods and only pursue truth, I have to say that the deities of our era are completely different from those recorded in history. They may be capricious, may lack compassion, or even have no interest whatsoever in mortal affairs, but they truly do abhor evil and chaos."
"I still need to meet with His Majesty the Emperor later, so I won't waste words."
Realizing he had said a bit too much, the old mage shook his head: "Joshua, didn't you say you were hungry? A banquet has been prepared for you over on Royal Avenue. Please don't refuse."
While Joshua and the others headed toward King's Avenue, among the departing church group, Sa Ya was quietly conversing with Robzek.
"You're saying that he possesses Divinity?"
The silver-haired knight commander muttered to himself in a somewhat puzzled voice: "But how old is he? Even His Holiness is only still on the path of exploration, so how could he..."
"His Holiness the Pope once said that this count from the Northern Lands carries the inheritance of the Saint."
The High Sister shook her head slightly. She gazed somewhat absently at the cross-shaped amulet on her chest, then sighed: "And the twin blades on the heir of the Kaos Family are also the Saint's inheritance. You should know what that means."
"Of course I know."
After a pause, Robzek clenched his fist and said in a serious tone, word by word: "When the Saint's inheritances are gathered, that is when the prophecy will be fulfilled."
—At the origin of heaven and earth, in the depths of the sea and mountains, the first spark toppled, so scorching heat and fierce winds burned all seas, and fiery clouds and ashes obscured the sky.
The stars in the sky fell, the dark abyss opened, mountain ridges collapsed into basins, and canyons rose into mountains.
The end of the mortal world is approaching.
"It's still early, commander. You're worrying too soon."
Pursing her lips in a smile, Sa Ya shook her head: "Although the situation in the Far South is severe now, there's no need to worry to this extent. The nations on the Mycroft Continent all possess formidable strength. When calamity descends, they won't be completely helpless."
"And setting that aside for now, commander, what do you think about inviting this Lord Count to participate in that plan?"
"What did you say?"
Hearing Sa Ya's words, Robzek immediately furrowed his brow and turned to look at her. The High Sister's expression was calm, her eyes also covered by an eyepatch, making her gaze unreadable. This battle sister from the Gleden Monastery wasn't affected by the Paladin's stare and said seriously: "He possesses Divinity and can penetrate deep into the Abyss of Anos without needing a Sacred Artifact. He is powerful, and even the Mad Dragon cannot stop his advance."
"You're quite right... But this is the church's plan."
Robzek nodded slightly but still refused: "We cannot let an outsider join. And if things go smoothly, we can eradicate those things in one go."
"Perhaps. I'm just offering a suggestion."
Not minding the rejection, Sa Ya seemed to have only mentioned it casually: "But regardless, we really do need to pay close attention to that Lord of Moldavia."
"On that point alone."
Robzek nodded. He recalled the scenes he had experienced when trapped in his dream. After a moment of silence, this knight commander nodded deeply: "I agree."