LOTM: Traveling between epoch

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Chapter — The Archbishop's Trial

St. Samuel Cathedral — Dream Realm

"Mr. Maynard, don't tell me you've truly become a Secrets Supplicant?"

Archbishop Elektra's expression twisted with disbelief as he regarded the youth he had once intended to cultivate into a bishop. A wave of disappointment surged in his heart.

Had Eli Walker simply followed the trajectory laid out for him—upholding propriety, avoiding recklessness—he would almost certainly have inherited the seat of Archbishop of St. Samuel's in Backlund. The arrangements were already underway. His maternal grandfather, a major figure in the New Party, had personally smoothed the path.

Yet now, this promising noble heir, after failing at several ventures, had deviated sharply—initiated into a heretical Pathway with cultic associations. What could possibly be done about this?

"Yes. Just a few days ago."

Eli answered calmly, his peripheral vision catching the subtle clenching of the Archbishop's fists.

Archbishop Elektra took several slow, deliberate breaths. For a moment, he felt on the brink of apoplexy. He had been keeping an eye on Eli, of course—but ever since the boy moved to West Borough to live independently, the physical and symbolic distance had widened. Just recently, when visiting Councilor Mahett's estate, he had broached the subject of Eli as a prospective match for the Councilor's daughter.

The two families had exchanged correspondence for days. The invitations had already been sent.

And in the middle of all this—this scoundrel had secretly ingested the Secrets Supplicant potion?

In that moment, Elektra thanked the Goddess that he had no children of his own. If he had, and they behaved like this… he might very well be dead.

"Mr. Maynard," the Archbishop said tightly, "do you know what it means to become a Secrets Supplicant?"

"Yes. The potion's name generally corresponds to its mystical characteristics."

Eli replied with studied innocence. "Secrets Supplicant… doesn't sound so terrible. At least I didn't become a Werewolf. Ever since I advanced, I've felt a profound sense of nocturnal serenity and beauty when praying to the Goddess."

That last sentence was spoken with just enough reverence to irritate.

Elektra nearly choked. This was how he understood the Secrets Supplicant? The Pathway notorious for sacrificial rituals and shadowy deception?

But then the Archbishop paused, his eyes narrowing at Eli's phrasing.

"You've been praying to the Evernight Goddess since your advancement?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

Eli held up his "Night Revelation" prayer book, feigning devotion.

Of course, he hadn't actually prayed. But he did offer routine praise—mainly for appearances. Everyone around him was an Evernight adherent; how could he operate otherwise?

If he didn't prepare the stage in advance, how could he ever go to Tingen safely?

Besides, the Evernight Goddess was famous for feigning ignorance. Whether She saw or didn't see, acknowledged or didn't acknowledge, remained entirely in Her inscrutable hands.

And he had one additional advantage: the Outer Deity remnant buff still lingered within him.

Not to mention… her cat was in his possession. If the Evernight Goddess wanted her feline companion to return safely to its cushion, She would need to tolerate Eli's schemes.

"You haven't prayed to the True Creator?" Elektra's tone was probing now, almost cautious.

"Of course not," Eli answered with a hint of indignation. "The seminary taught us never to direct prayers toward any entity other than the Goddess."

He straightened his back, voice righteous. "How could I betray my faith?"

He didn't believe in anything at all.

"And what is your opinion of the True Creator?"

Elektra asked slowly.

"An evil god," Eli replied without hesitation.

That answer brought visible relief to the Archbishop. If Eli had called the True Creator "the Lord" or "He Who Awakens Chaos," then there would be real trouble. Aurora Order fanatics would never utter blasphemy against their deity.

"And how does the True Creator compare to the Goddess, in your view?"

The trap was subtle, but Eli evaded it cleanly.

"Why not compare the Lord of Storms to the True Creator instead?" he scoffed, frowning. "Has the Goddess refused your prayers? Did She give you a nightmare last night? How could you ask such a thing?"

He looked at the Archbishop with disappointment, as if he were the one being tested.

Elektra met his gaze, equally indignant.

"You little rascal."

The Archbishop finally cracked a smile.

"I'll invoke the Goddess's power to inspect your spiritual state. This will determine whether you've been corrupted."

"Please proceed."

Eli offered no resistance. He had anticipated this exact ritual.

In Backlund, to do anything meaningful, one needed the support of the Church or the Royal Family. That was simply how the world worked.

And if one wished to go to Tingen… one could not remain anonymous.

He was preparing to lay hands on 0-08. Of course the Goddess needed advance notice—even if She didn't approve, at least She wouldn't be blindsided.

Better that than a divine warning—or worse, erasure.

Archbishop Elektra closed his eyes and began the spiritual invocation:

> "Evernight Goddess, more exalted than the Cosmos, more ancient than eternity,

You are the Lord of Scarlet, Mother of Secrets,

You are the Empress of Calamity and Fear,

The Ruler of Slumber and Silence…"

The scarlet moon rose and bathed Eli in its solemn, dusky light.

His spiritual island reflected the illumination like a still mirror, rippling gently under the weight of divine scrutiny.

But no abnormalities emerged.

The powerful detection spell—close to angelic in level—met a meticulously prepared domain. The Outer Deity shielding, coupled with precise self-hypnosis and well-forged spiritual layers, shielded Eli's core completely.

"Archbishop, is that sufficient?"

Eli asked mildly.

He had foreseen every aspect of this trial.

The Evernight Goddess did not currently consider him an enemy. Her divine personality allowed for ritualism, process, plausible deniability. If he passed through the system without notice, that was not Her fault.

Even Marauders at mid-sequence could pass as faithful with forged belief and talismans. Why should a properly disguised Secrets Supplicant not do the same?

"Hmm… yes. You're clean."

Elektra exhaled, a genuine smile forming.

There was no need to pursue the matter further. If a high-ranking priest said otherwise, he would only draw suspicion to the Church's own inefficacy.

Besides, the Machinery Hivemind's reports were clear. Eli had assisted in subduing a Sequence 7 Werewolf almost immediately after advancing. For someone so newly Awakened, that was exceptional.

"Of course I'm clean. The Goddess will protect me. Praise the Goddess."

Eli drew a scarlet moon across his chest.

"The Goddess's blessings are upon you, indeed. Praise the Goddess."

Elektra mirrored the motion.

"I will report your case to Archbishop Anthony. You won't be permitted to remain at the seminary. Although you've passed inspection, as a Beyonder you must now maintain proper distance from ordinary students."

"Do you have any plans for the future? Perhaps I can recommend you for a position."

Despite everything, Elektra still harbored hope. He could not let the heir of the Maynard family go astray—not entirely.

"Let me think."

Eli tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"I don't want to join the Nighthawks and patrol daily."

"Being an assistant to a priest sounds equally uninspiring."

"Does the Church offer any more… flexible or interesting positions?"

He didn't bother feigning humility. Elektra seemed like someone with real affection for the Maynard family.

"You…" Elektra massaged his temples.

He recalled the boastful words he had exchanged with Councilor Mahett just days earlier—praising Eli as a model student, a future pillar of the Church.

Now?

Now he was stuck.

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