077. Interlude - Zolast

077. Interlude - Zolast

"Work never ends " Zolast started to mumble as he stepped into his tent, bored and exhausted, only to freeze as he felt a chill at the back of his neck. He wanted to react in some form but he knew that it would have been useless.

They found him. And his restricted state, he had no hope of resisting. He expected a blade covered with runes to plunge into his back, ending his life. Pity, just as he was getting used to his cursed existence

"Still as impressive as always, Holy Guide," a familiar voice spoke rather than the blade.

Recognizing the voice, Zolast turned toward it, realizing that his execution was not going to arrive immediately. "Junior Inquisitor Bartnam, what a great pleasure. I wish you have sent a messenger, I had prepared some refreshments you could enjoy," he said calmly, like he wasn't preparing himself to be summarily executed. "Also, please don't use my old title. I don't have it anymore."

"Nonsense, Holy Guide," he answered. "Regardless of what happened, you'll always be my great leader, the man that had brought our middling church to great heights. It would be disrespectful of me to ignore it especially when you're kind enough to remember my lowly name."

"As you wish," Zolast said, doing his best to erase any outward sign of his reaction, determined not to give him anything. He was determined to maintain his dignity at the last moment of his life. He walked to a small corner and poured two glasses of his best drink. "Not worthy of your presence, Junior Inquisitor, but please enjoy it," he said as he served the glass in front of him.

"Of course not, Holy Guide. Being served from your hands is already the greatest honor I could imagine," he answered. His words were respectful, but he was unable to hide the smug pride in his tone. Zolast wasn't surprised. After all, the other party was just a Junior Inquisitor, one that wouldn't even dare to look him in the eye before his fall from grace.

Now, he barged into his tent, enjoying his power. Zolast expected him to start bragging as well, maybe even subtly insulting the drink he offered before he delivered the latest blow but that didn't come.

Instead, he enjoyed his drink calmly and silently.

And, just like that, it clicked on Zolast. The other party was not here to deal with him. He wanted something. Zolast almost declared it so, a lifetime of habit ordering others to show itself. He would have done so, when a memory showed itself.

Euon, facing Knight Artmiss, easily bowing down to take the unglamorous position of the Quartermaster, ignoring the shame of being treated as a mere merchant rather than the old but dangerous warrior he truly was.

Maybe he needed to copy that, Zolast thought. Not because of his own survival, but to save the lives of the thousands of people that relied on them.

Of course, he also knew himself. It was impossible for him to discard his pride completely, not against a member of his former organization. Luckily, he didn't need to bow and scrape and act like a servant in front of him.

That was not necessary. He knew more about Bartnam than he was aware of. Zolast had made a habit of personally studying every single candidate for the Inquisitor ranks before they could even get the opportunity.

Class Upgrade was not a simple opportunity to grant, and as the leader of the church, it had been his responsibility to send people that could handle the increased power and responsibility before they received the power of their god to be improved.

He still remembered the report about Bartnam. A boy who had been born into a merchant family, but lucky enough to awaken as a Priest, he had received great attention from his family, hoping that his rare class would elevate them into a minor noble family.

Unfortunately for his family, rather than joining one of the more established churches that would eventually bring such an opportunity, Bartnam joined the small but growing organization under Zolast. Bartnam gave many reasons for that such as piety

But the agent who had been responsible for his initial recruitment had a much simpler conclusion. Bartnam was ambitious, and joining a more established group would mean respect, but no chance to grow more.

Not for a boy from a merchant family with no favors he could summon.

Zolast remembered reading the report and agreeing with the conclusion. Bartnam was only level thirty when he joined the church, smart enough to delay his Promotion with the hopes that Church had secrets that could empower him further.

Summarily executed.

Still, it was just another sign of Bartnam's capabilities that he somehow managed to learn it, the kind of capabilities and connections that would have been impressive for the next High Priest, let alone an Inquisitor.

Clearly, the term ambitious had greatly underestimated him.

"I know you're shocked by my capabilities, Holy Guide, but you don't need to be alarmed. I know that I don't have the capabilities to monopolize such a great reward I don't even have the ability to make a move without being noticed by the true movers. Yet, you somehow managed to arrive here without arousing anyone's attention, set up an independent guild, and even managed to trick a decaying noble house to be your cover."

"And, what do you want in return for your contributions?"

"Not much. Just an opportunity for Ascension, and some meager support in the lands of gods after the ascension." He paused a moment, a dismissive smile on his face. "I'm sure, for a man with your capabilities, that's a very small request. After all, why would you waste your guaranteed opportunity to Ascend if the potential reward is not much bigger."

Zolast, still shocked by the request, had no choice but to agree. "That could be arranged maybe even more. Of course, I can't make the final decision"

"Of course not, a partaking this big couldn't be handled by one person, not even one as exalted as you, Holy Guide," Bartnam answered, accepting his comment. He passed Zolast a small communication stone. "I have the only matching pair, and it's completely safe from scrying," he declared. "Feel free to talk with me whenever you want"

And with that, he cast a spell Zolast didn't recognize, and his presence slowly faded away. One last attempt to show off as he disappeared, leaving Zolast alone with his thoughts.

Zolast sat down, shocked at what just happened. If it wasn't for other shocking details he had revealed, he would have been wondering whether Bartnam had ever been just a son of a merchant family, or the church had been played all along.

But, he was retired, and the affairs of the church were no longer his problem.

He just didn't expect his retirement to be interrupted in this manner. A lost hero, one that would drive every organization mad with ambition, giving them the opportunity to suddenly turn into one of the biggest players in the world.

Every calamity rearranged the world's powers, and success always lay on getting the favor of a hero. Having not only the favor of a hero but a total alliance.

Impossible to imagine anyone smaller than an empire until today.

And, somehow, Zolast found himself at the edge, blackmailed to take action. Not the retirement he expected, but he couldn't explain to Bartnam that it was just a coincidence. Certainly not after a chain of unlikely events that put him in an advantageous position in the hunt for a hero, without even knowing that there was an advantage to be taken

Then, a flash of realization hit him.

There was no coincidence.

Everything that happened, every little coincidental detail had been instigated by Euon, a man of mysterious means Zolast tensed as the realization of how badly he had been played occurred to him.

But at least, one mystery was solved. He had finally understood the true objective of Euon.

Euon was here to find and recruit the lost Hero!