Chapter 144

Paracelsus was a hypocritical Magecraft who should have been respected by the world, but his actions were questioned by both secular society and the Mage's Association.

"By the way, Da Vinci, how did you find out about this?"

Favia continued.

He was also puzzled, since the Clock Tower wouldn't release such information casually; at most, they would secretly send people to resolve the issue.

"It was Makiri who told me," Da Vinci rubbed his temples and sighed softly. "He probably hoped I could find a way to help Paracelsus."

"It seems to be a unanimous decision by all departments of the Association."

Favia remembered that Paracelsus had joined El-Melloi's faction along with Makiri, but now Paracelsus was still captured. It could only mean that El-Melloi didn't see the benefits of protecting Paracelsus as worthwhile, so he decisively gave up on him.

Favia couldn't help but sigh inwardly. After all, he had initially thought that if Paracelsus joined El-Melloi, he might avoid execution, but now it seemed it was all for naught...

"Speaking of which, why is the ship I finished building in Spain? Shouldn't it be in London?"

"That's because Bavan Xi was worried that you might be trapped in some underwater Labyrinth, so after it was built, he asked me to find someone to put it in Spain first, so it would be easy to sail out to sea."

"I am indeed going out to sea... but where is Xiaoxi?"

"Right now... they should still be in London."

As Da Vinci looked at Favia was also looking at this Uomo Universale.

"Perfect, I'll go take her away."

"... Is this really a good idea? Even if you go, you might not be able to save Paracelsus. You're still young, with a bright future ahead of you."

"This kind of question is meaningless."

Favia laughed it off, as if to say that the matter was not worth mentioning.

Although a number of academic Book, led by the Archidoxen, were published, the Clock Tower that had been mysteriously leaked had already retrieved and destroyed them all. Moreover, even with Paracelsus's death, the mystery would not return to its original state; it was all slowly fading away.

"He did ask me to do this a few years ago, and I agreed."

Therefore, since it has already been said and promised, the Answer is already obvious.

"I really should go back to the Clock Tower."

"..."

Da Vinci's eyes widened for a moment, then his expression changed to one of complete calm.

"Da Vinci, you're making a big fuss over nothing. It's not like we'll never see each other again, is it?"

"What are you saying? I'm almost seventy years old; who knows, I might just pass away one day."

"Don't say that, Da Vinci, you need to take good care of yourself..." Favia paused for a moment, then changed the subject, "By the way, is your Mona Lisa still not finished?"

"It's an old problem; perhaps I won't have that chance again." Da Vinci looked at his right hand with a hint of sadness. "How about leaving all my paintings to you after I die?"

Based on historical records, Da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1513. According to Vasari, "Although the painting took four years to complete, Da Vinci did not finish it." Given that Da Vinci's right hand became Da Vinci around 1517, this may explain why he never finished the Mona Lisa.

"What use are your paintings to a Magecraft like me? I wouldn't even bother selling them."

"Magecraft need money too. While incredibly precious materials can't be bought with money, ordinary materials and props do cost money."

"Then you should leave it to Salaì."

Salaì refers to Da Vinci 'Da Vinci lifelong assistant and student.

"That guy's no good, he's not good at learning, he only studies sporadically..."

"Alright, alright, I've followed you for so long, now that you're old, just send me out to live elsewhere. Consider it a reward for my students."

"I'd really like to have you as my student..."

Seeing Da Vinci's displeased expression, Favia smiled and continued the conversation about the Mona Lisa.

"Anyway, I really like the Mona Lisa. Please let me see the next painting."

Favia declared to the expressionless Da Vinci.

"I can't do it. If you had told me decades ago, I might have."

"I remember Xiaoxi said she helped you draw a draft, didn't she?" Favia raised her hands, pointing to the notebook Da Vinci had placed on the table. "It's quite a good start, to sketch out what's in your heart without hesitation, with sincere thoughts. This initial wish is really good... That's what you said, right?"

"I can't remember, I'm too old, I've forgotten."

"... Da Vinci, have you invited any guests to visit today?"

Just as Favia was about to say something, he suddenly frowned and asked Da Vinci in a low voice.

"No... you mean to say?"

Da Vinci shook his head, then turned his gaze toward the Great Gate. At the same time, Favia picked up the Coffee from Da Vinci's hand and immediately used Magecraft to enhance her speed, walking toward the door.

Immediately afterward, the cup was raised, and Favia was about to spill the hot Coffee on the 'eavesdropper's' face—

Even after he saw the 'eavesdropper' wearing the white robes reserved for the Pope, he couldn't stop; his speed was as swift as lightning.

In an instant, the Pope suddenly waved his hand, blocking the spilled Coffee with the outside of his robes, and then let out a mournful howl.

"New Pope? Rodrigo has already left, but I don't recall any such thing in the Church's tradition."

Favia withdrew her arm, placed the Coffee on the table to the side, and fully opened the half-closed Great Gate, allowing Da Vinci inside to see the visitor's appearance.

"You... you brat, what have you done! Do you know this robe has Inheritance down from Lord Novia's generation?! And now you've ruined it! I'm so angry!"

The old man, dressed in white robes, roared in fury.

His face was ashen, literally meaning "ashen- Cyan."

His words left Favia speechless.

When did I ever wear clothes like this? And how could this material possibly be made in the 19th century?

Moreover, this style didn't exist in the fifth century... Are you just making a big fuss about it?

"Ah?" Da Vinci looked embarrassed. "So it's... His Holiness Pope Julius."

"Hmph." Julius nodded arrogantly, then turned and raised his sleeve to look at Favia. "Tell me, how will you compensate me and the Church for our losses?"

"Compensation?" Favia couldn't help but laugh. "How about I give you the one I'm wearing now as compensation? Or I can find some time to make a set myself?"

You thought I was joking?

"Your Pope, please don't be angry. Such stains are easy to remove with a little time."

Da Vinci spoke to Julius gently, explaining that Alexander VI had now passed away and the new Pope Julius II was in charge of distributing the funds.

"Ah, for Da Vinci's sake," Julius said solemnly, "And you're still young, just grant me one request."

"Tell me first," Favia, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. "What are your demands?"

"Join the Church."

Pope Julius II, also known as the God of War God, is considered one of the twenty-five most accomplished Pope in history. He was also a well-known Faith believer, the complete opposite of his predecessor Pope Alexander VI. After ascending to the papacy, he immediately issued a proclamation strictly prohibiting all buying and selling during the election of the pope. He also established the Swiss Guard, which has been maintained as the Vatican Guard ever since.

At the same time, in order to expel France influence in Italy, an agreement was signed with Venice, and the lost territories of the Pope States were recovered.

In fact, Julius's secret visit to Da Vinci's house was somewhat of a coincidence.

On the night Favia was found by Da Vinci, he himself didn't know why, but he inexplicably wandered outside Rome and witnessed the entire process of Da Vinci taking Favia away.

Although this was nothing out of the ordinary for Julius, he couldn't stop thinking about Favia, the person Da Vinci had taken away. So, he spent the last few days trying to find a reason to visit Da Vinci's house, but since Da Vinci never came out, he resorted to this last resort.

Moreover, Julius didn't actually sneak in; the reason he didn't knock was simply because Da Vinci hadn't closed the door, so he walked in openly... But this also shows that Da Vinci was really old.

When Julius peeked through the crack in the door at the back of the person Da Vinci had brought, he felt that this person seemed like a promising talent, someone who could be brought into the Church and groomed to be the next Pope... it wasn't out of the question.

"You want me to join the Church? I don't think so. After all, what the Church did in the past—well, there were reasons for it, but it's still infuriating. In the end, using the tragic image of selfless dedication to glorify and glorify a glorious image isn't glorious at all. What's truly glorious is what they've done, Your Holiness Pope Julius."

In that instant, Julius's smile froze on his face.

In Da Vinci's Magecraft Workshop.

The young man facing Julius smiled again.

The sunlight was so gentle, it rivaled the temperature and joy of Rome.

"To be honest, the Church has been gradually improving now that you're here, but that's only because of them. Sigh, it's really a headache."

The silver-haired youth spoke softly, yet Julius began to tremble involuntarily.

Although I can't explain why, there's a sense of fear that arises instantly from the depths of my soul.

This caused the old man, who had been on the battlefield and had killed Dead Apostle, to fall silent, his mind blank.

"... where are you going?"

When Julius came to his senses, he realized that Favia had already reached the Great Gate and seemed to be leaving.

"London, what? You want to give me a ride?" Favia turned around and continued, "If so, then forget it. After all, the Clock Tower will probably be on high alert because of this."

"What are you thinking? I didn't even have that idea, but now that you mention it, it's not entirely impossible." Julius casually tucked his sleeves behind his back. "However, what I care about more is... what exactly do you want to do at the Clock Tower?"

"Do what I promised."

Favia shrugged. "After this is done, I suppose it's time for me to leave this continent and head to an unknown one."

"..."

Julius remained silent, his brow gradually furrowing.

I don't know what to say.

To be fair, rationally speaking, he didn't need to care about this at all, since it was just a matter between Magecraft and had nothing to do with the Church.

However, upon meeting this person named Favia, for some reason he didn't want Favia to be in danger and did have the thought of helping him... but was just rejected.

Therefore, Julius could only say this:

"I wish you safety. Although I cannot personally intervene, the Church will assist with the evacuation."

227: A once-in-a-lifetime hero saves the damsel in distress (7k)

"While I am very grateful, I refuse."

Somewhere in London, England, Makiri looked helplessly at the group of Hunters who had come from Scotland, feeling both happy and frustrated.

Because these Hunters were the same hunters from the Scotland Hunters' Organization that Favia was entrusted by Paracelsus to solve the "vampire incident"—a branch of the 'Robin Hood' organization.

At this very moment, they had come to London together after hearing that Paracelsus might be in danger, hoping to offer some assistance.

"Why?"

Upon hearing this, Makiri forcefully tossed her short green hair aside and stared at them with a stern gaze.

"You don't even know Magecraft, you can't even 'enhance,' you can't even beat an ordinary Magecraft, let alone Paracelsus's currently in the Spirit Tomb."

The Hunters, led by the old Hunters, fell silent. They knew, of course, that the fairytale-like concept of 'Magecraft' was real.

Furthermore, birds of a feather flock together, and the darker side of the world is interconnected. However, Hunters who have lived in the Tokoyo for a long time have long lost the abilities of the former 'Robin Hood'.

"Hmm, so you're no help at all." Makiri paused for a second, then said, as if acting, "Go back now, it's pointless for you to go."

In fact, even Makiri had long since given up hope of saving Paracelsus, since all news of his arrival had vanished without a trace.

Ultimately, the first principle of the Clock Tower has remained unchanged throughout history.

Mystery should be kept hidden.

Therefore, very few Magecraft dare to directly provoke the Clock Tower. Even if they do, they wouldn't go to the Spirit Tomb, one of the Clock Tower's strongholds, just for a Magecraft they don't know at all, because that would be tantamount to courting death.

In other words, the moment Paracelsus was successfully captured, his life was over.

Makiri is such a person; although he possesses lofty ideals, he is unable to persevere in them.

Originally, he even wanted to leave London and go to the Europe... for no particular reason, just to escape.

The reason for the delay until now is mainly due to Bavan Shi, who entrusted Makiri to go and rescue Paracelsus today.

"Makiri and Paracelsus are both friends of Favia. I think if he were here, he would have done the same. Besides, you've helped me a bit. I remember Favia's words very clearly: 'One should repay kindness.'"

That's what the Fairy girl said.

"By the way, Lady Makiri, the direction you're heading..." the old Hunters glanced at Makiri and said uncertainly, "Are you planning to leave London?"

This time, it was Makiri's turn to be silent. After more than ten seconds, Makiri finally nodded and said: