Chapter 74: Discussion With Priest Mekah

"It is great to see you as well, Your Greatness," Elias said with a smile.

Mekah’s smile remained as he studied the young man sitting across from him, but after a few moments, his expression became slightly more thoughtful.

"What made you come here so early in the morning?" Mekah asked.

Elias shifted slightly in his chair, his fingers resting against the armrest as he considered how much he should reveal.

He had come to the church because he needed help, but explaining the entire situation would inevitably mean admitting that he had fought members of the Outer Night Watch and kept them restrained inside his manor.

Before Elias could answer, Mekah leaned back and narrowed his eyes.

"You seem much more worried than the last time," the old priest observed.

Elias looked toward him.

Mekah then smiled faintly and gestured around the room.

"Tell me anything you wish to," he said reassuringly. "The walls in my chambers are quite thick."

Elias remained silent for another moment before finally nodding.

"Then I will tell you everything."

He began explaining what had happened during the previous days, starting with the city lord’s inauguration ceremony and the harassment he had suffered from Trons and Part. He explained how the two members of the Outer Night Watch had deliberately provoked him and his wives, and how he had warned them to stay away from his manor after their first encounter.

However, they had ignored that warning.

While Elias had been away inside the spatial rift, Trons and Part had returned to his manor and threatened Benjamin, demanding that his wives be brought outside. When Elias returned and found them there, the anger he had been suppressing for so long had finally overcome his restraint.

He explained that he had knocked the two men unconscious before taking them into the basement, where he had spent the night teaching them an important lesson about what happens when someone decides to become a Crimson’s enemy.

Elias kept everything that could become overly troublesome to himself and only told him enough so he could paint the required picture.

Telling him about how he had severed Trons arm wouldn’t do anything good, and he had already reattached it.

Mekah listened without interrupting.

His expression changed several times throughout the explanation, but he never questioned Elias or attempted to justify the actions of the two Outer Night Watch members. Instead, he remained silent until Elias finally finished.

"You went through a lot in the past few days," Mekah said quietly.

Elias lowered his gaze.

"Yes."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The room remained peaceful despite the troublesome matters they had just discussed, and the faint scent of incense continued drifting through the air.

Mekah eventually folded his hands over his stomach and looked at Elias with a knowing expression.

"I believe you have not come here simply to tell me about it," he said. "What is it that you need my help for?"

Elias looked directly at him.

"I want to leave Kilmir," he said.

Mekah’s brows rose slightly, although he didn’t appear particularly surprised.

"Where would you go then?" he asked.

Elias’s expression became slightly somber.

"I have not thought of that..." he admitted.

Mekah rubbed his old beard thoughtfully while lowering his gaze toward the wooden desk. He remained silent for several moments, seemingly considering the matter from every possible angle before finally raising his head.

"If I may suggest something, you need to leave the west," he said.

Elias frowned.

"What?"

"You should not simply leave Kilmir and travel to another city within the Crimsonland," Mekah explained. "If you are found there, you would either be forced to return here, or Draveon would find another method of harassing you."

Elias’s expression hardened slightly at the mention of Draveon.

Mekah continued, "The Draveon Marchional Clan controls the western ports and possesses connections throughout the region. Their influence spreads far beyond Kilmir, so escaping from one city only to enter another under their influence would accomplish very little."

Elias leaned back slightly as he considered the old priest’s words.

He had already understood that Berlic’s influence was troublesome, but he hadn’t considered how far the Draveon Marchional Clan’s connections extended. If he remained within the western territories, there was always a chance that Berlic could track him down or use his connections to make his life difficult again.

"Where do you suggest for us to go then?" Elias asked.

Mekah stroked his beard again.

"The east."

"East..." Elias mumbled.

The word lingered in his mind as he considered the possibility.

He had never seriously thought about traveling toward the eastern regions. His original plan had been to remain in Kilmir while slowly building his strength, but circumstances had changed, and staying in the west now seemed increasingly dangerous.

Mekah noticed his thoughtful expression and continued explaining.

"In two days, the church will be sending several carriages toward the main western church at Darkstone," he said. "They will be traveling under the protection of the Sun Church, and because of that, their passage will not attract the same attention as a noble household suddenly attempting to leave the region."

Elias’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Mekah smiled.

"You, Sire Elias, your wives, and your servants may board those carriages and leave the city without anyone’s knowledge."

Elias stared at him.

For several seconds, he didn’t say anything as the weight of the offer settled into his mind. A safe method of leaving Kilmir had appeared far more quickly than he had expected, and it was almost impossible to find a better opportunity.

He could take Natasha, Monica, and Stella with him, along with Benjamin and the servants, while the protection of the church would prevent Berlic from casually interfering with their departure.

Most importantly, they could leave before the City Lord discovered everything that had happened inside his manor.

Elias slowly smiled.

"Thanks a lot, Your Greatness," he said sincerely. "I would never forget the grace you have shown me."

"Haha," Mekah chuckled and shook his head. "I am simply following the Sun’s wishes."