Chapter 69 The sword of the first
Apollo's Pov
As we walked towards the archbishop's office I ordered Jeremiah to change the structure of the barrier.
And so the layers of protective enchantment began to reconstruct themselves before opening on their own.
"You overhaul the barrier's defensive system"
"Yes now let's head inside"
"Right"
The place was pretty normal like those found in regular houses. At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary until I noticed something on top of a desk, I approached it and realized it was the archbishop's desk.
On top of the desk was a broken sword that I had once seen when he was a kid. Though it was only a picture it was truly something breathtaking to see.
It was supposed to have a long black sharp blade covered with white beautiful patterns, while its hilt was white and silvery and had a sapphire stone embedded in it. The legendary sword that once devastated the battlefield during the worst breakout in history.
"Is this the broken Excalibur" I questioned making my partner Alicia confused as well.
"How? This wasn't supposed to be here"
I agree with her since this weapon was a relic of the past and was a part of the rich history of the empire.
The Excalibur was a weapon which was made from a very unique material. Though this material was unknown, the sword was recorded to be the most powerful weapon especially since it was the weapon of the first emperor. The first emperor Julius von Celestio the man who wiped out the demons during the Age of Extinction, and was the one who could only wield such a weapon.
Then here is the question.
So what should we do?
I was confused as to why the tenth temple had such an artifact that was treasured by the imperial family. For an unknown reason, anger ignited inside me. It was confusing but there is something influencing my emotion to the degree I can no longer control.
"Thief" My voice was ragged with rage making Alicia alerted.
"Hey what's happening with Apollo," Keith noticed.
"Why? What's wrong? Everyone asked however they couldn't seem to notice the sudden change in my behaviour.
"Apollo you okay?" they asked through the orb but I couldn't answer
[Warning an external force has been detected!]
[A force known as Eternal oath had taken effect]
[Your emotions are being influence by the oath]
"Nullified it, Jeremiah"
[Initiating nullification.... ]
[Nullification FAILED!...
The system's current level is too low to nullify the oath]
"What?" I felt dumbfounded while trying to calm my raging heart.
[Skill Unbreakable had been activated]
Slowly my heart turned calm while my head became clearer.
"Are you okay now?" Alicia asked, without me knowing her arms were already wrapped around me.
"Did I do something for you to hold me like this?" I asked, however, it wasn't her who answered.
"Apollo, you almost smash the table if it weren't for Alicia stopping you" Blair said making me feel disappointed in myself.
"Sorry"
"It's okay what happened by the way?"
"I don't know I just felt something was taking over me"
Feeling a bit nauseous I remove my helmet.
"Oh" I heard some reaction making me question them.
"What is it?"
"You look good Apollo"
"Thanks, Mckenzie"
My previous red-orange hair similar to the sun falling at dusk turned black with a light reddish hue, while my eyes which were similar to the sun at noon became red like rubbies. On my neck were black veins looking like a curse that slowly spread up to my chin. Then my head has two horns completely displaying my inhumane appearance.
"Hoo" I breathed trying to calm my heart then my eyes went back to the broken sword.
"It is indeed Excalibur"
[It was recorded as missing since the War of Faith, Creator]
"Yes I remember"
I said to Jeremiah while caressing the broken blade.
"We can't bring it with us," Alicia told me and I know she was right but the feeling of anger still remains inside my heart. I needed to quench this feeling and so I made a bold move.
"Jeremiah analyze the weapon"
[Initiating command...
Weapon Analyzed Complete!]
A set of information appeared in my head before being constructed into a weapon design.
"Proceed to activate Automatic Weaponry"
[Command received...
Initiating skill activation]
My inventory was immediately open and all the materials there were poured in towards the weapon I had in mind.
"What are you doing Apollo"
Right in front of their eyes, a ball of light transforms into a sword that is strikingly similar to Excalibur.
"!?"
"Impossible!?"
I could hear their disbelief exclaimed about this situation but I was not done yet. The replica of Excalibur began to shake before breaking to pieces the same way as the original Excalibur.
"You are planning on "
"Yes Alicia I'll take Excalibur with me while leaving the replica here"
"Are you sure? They find out about it"
"Why don't you inspect the two and see if you can tell the difference"
Alicia looks at the two identical broken swords and based on her expression she is having a hard time discerning the two.
"You are good if it weren't for the fact I am familiar with the sword I wouldn't notice its slight difference," she said though it left with a slight dissatisfaction.
I raised my hand above the replica and chanted "Modify"
The broken blade began to glow putting the remaining finishing touches on this replica.
"This is amazing" Alicia could only say when the final piece was done.
"I think no one could ever see the difference between the two" I could proudly say.
"You are right this should be the thing you need"
I nodded before storing the real Excalibur inside my inventory. Then since we were at the archbishop's office we started looking through the files and envelopes we found inside the desk and cabinets.
Then from a hidden compartment found on the desk, a file was neatly sealed. Alicia brought it to me before breaking the seal.
"Are these?"
"A list?"
"Wait Apollo we can't see it properly move the file a bit closer" My friends who were observing the events through my orb demanded.
"Sure no problem" I move the papers in my hand and move them closer to my head.
"So can you see it?"
"Yes!"
Mckenzie and the others move their faces closer trying to read the contents of the file.
"Wait aren't this?" they couldn't help but say, though I don't blame them even though I was surprised as well.
The file contains the names of every family that is affiliated towards the monastery. And right among the names, there was one they never expected to see.
"Celestio?"
They felt weak when they read the last name of the person they saw on the list.
I also felt confused and frustrated when I read the name but that's not the only thing we found. All throughout the empire, we found the location of their bases and the people handling them.
Although it wasn't complete since it was only a fraction of the force that only belonged to the tenth temple it was still enough.
"We should move out"
I concluded and so we moved out heading to the archive.
As we walked across the quiet corridor we saw some passing priests however none of them noticed our presence, even though we were walking right beside them.
We walked like any normal people inside the temple until we arrived inside another office, though this place holds different records about the tenth temple and the monastery itself.
"We finally arrive"
I smirked, finally, we arrived at the place I wanted to get to.
"Jeremiah analyze every single file here"
[Affirmative Creator]
Alicia and I began rummaging through the place looking for any information regarding the location of the other temples.
However, there is another thing that I wanted to find.
Yes, other than the location of the remaining temple there is a certain place that could solve the problem we have.
"It should be here"
I searched throughout the place until I found an old book.
"Scan this Jeremiah"
[I will Creator]
However, when I was about to read it a notification startled me and the rest of my classmates.
The orb was filled with words from Jeremiah while I and Alicia heard and saw a floating screen right in front of us.
[An unknown energy is about to arrive requesting for the mission to be aborted]
[Notification alert!
The priests from the meeting are returning!
Proceed to retreat, Creator]
"This is not good" I couldn't help but say.
"Apollo, Alicia head back now!" Casper shouted and immediately me and Alicia fixed the entire office and made sure to remove any traces of us.
"Jeremiah please fix the area for us"
[Affirmative Creator]
While we ran outside I suddenly felt a power compared to Grandpa Alger.
"What is this" I could only say before running outside the temple.
"Aaron hurry up!"
"Yeah, I know stop shouting!"
Golden markings appeared on his arm before two individuals appeared.
"Hey guys we are back"
I greeted while Alicia warmly waved at them.