After finishing the experiment with his master, Prado gazed at the blazing sunset outside and felt languidly relaxed, more satisfied than he'd ever been. The direction for his future research was already set — discovering the neutron and proving Lucian Evans' theory of matter transformation.
He had always believed he could never step into the Legendary realm the way his master had, becoming an Excellency, but now, with the advent of New Alchemy, he could see hope — at least far more hope than before!
Wearing a contradictory smile that was both contented and excited, Prado picked up his Feather Pen and wrote:
"As an alchemist, allow me first to pay tribute to this paper, and to its author Lucian Evans — this is the dream of countless generations of alchemists!"
"Mr. Lucian Evans started from actual existence, and through rigorous derivation and reasonable deduction, produced an enormous and detailed description of the internal structure of atoms and the properties that manifest as a result. He constructed a theoretical system that fundamentally explains alchemical reactions, ionization theory, valence states, the periodic law of elements, and elemental spectral lines. This system further elucidates the nature of elements, and using the traces of newly discovered elements within radioactive substances as evidence, reasonably deciphers the mysteries of matter transformation while predicting several methods of altering matter."
"If Mr. Lucian Evans' theory is verified, it will be the greatest achievement in the fields of elements and alchemy since Her Excellency Hathaway — enough to change our era!"
"And in the hearts of alchemists such as myself, this is nothing less than the fundamental canon of elements and alchemy, a glory that far surpasses any other achievement in the history of magic."
"Unfortunately, the validity of this theory still depends on the verification of many predictions, and I cannot yet bestow this praise directly upon Mr. Lucian Evans, nor can I grant him the title of Grand Archanist."
"For the time being, this is a theoretical system that attempts to fundamentally elucidate the mysteries of elements and alchemy, one that possesses precise experimental verification and rigorous, self-consistent logic in certain sections. It is a pioneering, breakthrough achievement of extreme importance, immense discussability, and broad relevance. I recommend a reward of five thousand Archanist Rating Points and one hundred thousand Archanist Points."
Having finished writing his evaluation with a heart brimming with excitement, Prado looked out at the sky, which was beginning to darken.
"It's almost dark, but when it lights up again, it will be a dazzling brilliance." His voice was filled with anticipation.
…………
Thanks to the "Divine Protection" barrier raised against the possibility of a siege by Grand Archanists, the Grand Cathedral of Radiance had only its core section destroyed rather than being completely leveled.
But when Four-Winged Knight Stone arrived in haste and beheld the scene, his eyes seemed to be veiled in a mist of blood, his expression grotesquely ferocious — because the Cardinals and Bishops stationed, patrolling, and residing in the core section had all, without question, been annihilated.
Moreover, in order to guard against the ever-growing Mage Parliament, the Diocese of Holm had in a sense come to command four additional territories — the Diocese of Collette, the Diocese of Galais, the Diocese of Brianna, and the Diocese of the Northern Coastal Corridor — concentrating a vast number of Cardinals and Bishops, most of whom had been at the Grand Cathedral of Radiance.
"According to preliminary statistics, at least three ninth-level Cardinals, fifteen ordinary Cardinals, and close to a hundred Bishops have been martyred..." Bahaula's voice sounded as though it blew from the depths of hell — cold and pained — but he didn't dare let his guard down; he still had to activate the teleportation array, lest the Mage Parliament seize the opportunity to attack.
Thinking of how he had only recently mocked Lucian's brilliant victories, even Stone's iron willpower could not restrain his fury. Through gritted teeth he said: "Lucian Evans!"
He had already learned the name of the culprit from Bahaula, and losses of this magnitude were rare even during the Dawn War and the wars against the Northern Heretics. Even though the Southern Church claimed that its mid- and high-level powerhouses equaled the combined strength of the Mage Parliament and the Northern Church, the territories they governed were equally vast, and it would be rather difficult to summon sufficient manpower from other nations and other planes in the short term. It was truly agonizing.
But what pained him even more was that Philibert had been demoted in rank because of this — the combat power of a Legendary mage being severely diminished far outweighed all other losses!
"And Douglas, Fernando, Atlanta." Philibert understood the temperaments of the Legendary mages all too well. Douglas was Artur's master, Fernando was Lucian's master, and the style of this operation was clearly Atlanta's handiwork.
He looked noticeably aged as he said: "I have already reported this matter to His Holiness the Pope. A great war will be unavoidable, and the kill order for Lucian Evans will be issued."
If they didn't seize an opportunity to eliminate Lucian Evans now, were they going to wait until he became a Grand Archanist, a Legendary mage?
As long as the "New Alchemy" mostly corresponded to reality, then the future of Lucian Evans would be exceedingly bright.
"Then we await His Holiness the Pope's orders." Stone suppressed his fury through sheer willpower.
Philibert added dejectedly: "My strength is no longer sufficient to sustain the Diocese of Holm. I have submitted a request to His Holiness the Pope, asking him to dispatch a stronger Cardinal."
"Philibert..." Bahaula's voice carried a sympathetic sorrow.
The sky began to darken, and night arrived earlier than anticipated.