Black Sail
Chapter 219: CCXIX. Dragon Stone Square

Chapter 219: CCXIX. Dragon Stone Square

Aran Imperial City celebrated the New Year along with everyone else.

However, in the Eternal Sect’s district, it was a different story entirely; there was no holiday atmosphere whatsoever.

January 1st is the New Year recognized across the Western Continent, but it is dominated by the calendar of the Holy Spirit Church.

Even though the Eternal Sect had become the leading religious authority, its calendar, helmed by the Dragon Lord, had not managed to subtly influence the general public in such a short time.

People still preferred to observe this New Year.

As for the followers of the Church Court, they just continued with their usual routines.

Today, Sharon was dressed in her work attire, wearing a nun’s hat; the collar around her neck was spotlessly white, but from the chest down, including her boots, everything was uniformly black.

Because Marcus was her recommender, and with his current power, he was almost directly appointing her as a Priest—so during the appointment ceremony, Marcus would also be present.

Before that, she needed to meet Marcus to discuss some aspects of the ceremony as well as to convey the specifics of her upcoming duties, the work location, and as a Priest, this was no minor position.

It signified an official entry into the upper-middle echelons of the Sect’s power, not just a minor role to be ordered around, but to devise her own projects and arrange for their execution to expand the Sect’s influence.

Marcus was no longer just a Priest, but a Chief Priest now, responsible for internal affairs. Above him, there were only the High Priest, the High Priest, and the Pope.

As for the Cardinals in charge of various regional Churches, they were not part of this discussion.

Local and Imperial City Cathedral affairs were to be treated separately, with the latter obviously holding more power, under the control of the Pope.

Marcus had not chosen the gloomy Church Court for their meeting place but, rather, the Dragon Stone Square, where the Aran National Museum was located.

With a heart full of trepidation, Sharon left the district and headed for the designated location.

She had heard of the Dragon Lord’s divine resurrection, the followers who had died and come back to life, and that person was Marcus.

She had also heard what Liszt had said.

Marcus... had been slaughtered by Liszt, who also took the Dragon Girl he was planning to capture and bring back.

Initially, Sharon’s first instinct was to run away, but she was already under tight surveillance; every move was being watched, whether she was at work or at the district apartment.

There were even people taking shifts day and night.

It was impossible to escape; she had no choice but to steel herself for the meeting, accompanied by a Priest to find Marcus.

Dragon Stone Square.

The sky was overcast; the vertical coordinates of Aran Imperial City were relatively low, seldom seeing snow, and even during winter, it only happened occasionally, though calling it white dust would be more fitting.

Any snow that gathered on the vegetation and grassy areas would directly melt upon hitting the stone paths.

Light only shone through the gaps in the clouds, with beams streaking through the sky, mingling with the floating white dust, lending a solemn and majestic presence to the dragon’s remains.

It was quite the majestic sight.

Covering approximately 45,000 acres, the square was dominated by a colossal silver framework overhead—the Dragon Bone itself.

Located beneath the dragon’s ribs, the Aran National Museum towered two hundred meters high, reaching the mid-section of the whitish silver dragon’s spine. In its architectural design, harmony was considered, with intricate engravings and full of wall carvings emphasizing curvilinear dynamics, intermingled with ribbed arches, the facade immensely majestic and imposing.

The sheltering effect of the wings of the Silver Dragon Skeleton and other parts contributed to one of the most bustling business streets within the Imperial City, with surging crowds, where young men and women liked to group and stroll, creating a vibrant atmosphere; buildings, people, and goods alike were all brimming with prosperity.

This was not a place with any taboo, not belonging to any Sect, it was entirely public.

People held a great reverence for clergy, even nuns.

Along the way, several people greeted Sharon warmly, and she could only manage a strained smile in response.

Outside the museum, in the radially expanding garden square, the stone sculptures of Flying Dragons in the fountains did not spew flames, but rather clear water.

The flowerbeds were filled with an assortment of colors and fragrances, evidently tended to daily with great care.

The pedestrian paths were mixed with Fluorite and pebbles, quite colorful.

Under the Priest’s guidance, Sharon located Marcus in the public area outside the museum, sitting on a bench.

"That’s Lord Chief Priest," said the Heavy Priest to Sharon before excusing himself and leaving.

Sharon approached, and to her surprise, she found the scene quite different from what she had imagined. He was not dressed in the luxurious garb of a Priest nor did he appear anything special; he was merely an ordinary person. It was difficult to imagine that the Dragon Lord had ever manifested through him.

Marcus was still clad in chain armor, his upper arm adorned with an armband bearing the Dragon Lord’s emblem, and he held a Scripture in his hand. He appeared to be just over twenty, exceedingly young, with neatly cropped black hair and deep blue eyes. However, his gaze seemed distracted, and there was an air of tiredness about him that did not match his age.

"Lord Chief Priest."

Sharon bowed slightly as a sign of respect, wondering to herself why he had chosen this place for their meeting. Was there something they could not discuss within the Church Court?

Marcus seemed to have grown accustomed to perceiving his surroundings with magic power, becoming incredibly sharp, able to sense a much broader range than ever before.

"You’re finally here. Do you know that you’re about to be promoted within the clergy?"

Marcus had not noticed anything unusual about this woman.

But this was part of the content of the "Dragon Lord’s True Prophecy."

"Of course, I’ve already been informed in the letter."

Sharon did not dare to sit; she just stood there conversing with Marcus, thinking about how impersonal he was, not even deigning to look someone in the eye.

Choosing such a public place for their meeting should prove to be no issue.

Marcus nodded, cutting to the chase.

"Do you recognize the operators of the train, William, Mo Yutong, and Mu Ran?"

He spoke with a calm tone.

Sharon kept a straight face, but her heartbeat had already quickened.

Marcus perceived the change but dismissed it; the "Dragon Lord’s True Prophecy" was always correct.

"I know William... he pursued me."

"Pursuing a nun from the Imperial City Cathedral, eh? Admirable courage."

In the doctrine, harassing women serving the Dragon Lord, the clergy, is considered disrespectful and blasphemous towards the Dragon Lord and is a matter for the Religious Court to judge.

"And what about Liszt, do you know him?"

"I’ve never heard that name."

"That figures; he’s just a pirate, and while you’re from the same world, there are many, and it’s not strange for you not to know each other."

"..."

Sharon was completely dumbfounded, at a loss for words. How could this man possibly know? What about this so-called... Dragon Lord’s True Prophecy?

At that moment.

Sharon truly believed in the existence of the so-called Dragon Lord.

"I’ll keep it simple. The appointment ceremony will be scheduled for next year, which is in just three days after the New Year. The date is January 21st, and you’ll need to wake up early that day, at five in the morning, and come directly to the Church. A major ceremony will take place, appointing many individuals, and you are one of them. Prepare yourself for that.

Furthermore, you should be aware of the situation with the New City Industrial District, which has been established. You will be responsible for that area.

That’s all."

Marcus nonchalantly finished discussing all matters.

But Sharon was still perplexed, wanting to inquire about the "Dragon Lord’s True Prophecy."

"May I ask..."

Before she could finish.

"Stay well within the Sect, even though you come from beyond the stars.

The Dragon Lord...

Rules over the boundless eternity, within time and beyond.

Omnipresent."

Having said his piece, Marcus spoke no more. The reason he chose this place for the meeting was because he wanted to take the opportunity to visit the former Director.