Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"Apostle Asher!" Bishop Reynald bowed respectfully to Lucius once he returned to the Inanis mansion.

Their meetings and lessons had mostly been cut short due to the arrival of Viscountess Blackshield, who had stayed for a long duration, but now Bishop Reynald was glad to have been able to return.

"It has been quite some time, Bishop Reynald." Lucius greeted with a smile on his face. "I hope that you have been well for the past weeks."

"It has been a peaceful time, Apostle Asher. I have mostly stayed in my abode that Priest Maleck has provided me with and was mostly researching as usual. However, I was looking forward to continuing our lessons together, Apostle Asher. Or rather, whatever it is that Goddess Etara has in store for us. Perhaps it is time for a teacher to also be a student."

Even with the Bishop being ensnared by the delusions that Lucius gave him about being the Apostle of the Goddess Etara, there was still a necessity to conduct the pleasantries in order to keep things running smoothly with the Bishop.

'So far, I have been able to decline any invitations in being brought to the Church of the Goddess Etara and that is because the Bishop believes my word to be coming from the Goddess herself. However, I have also promised to give some knowledge.' Lucius thought.

"I actually desire to discuss with you some ideas for a commercial artifact that could possibly bring a sense of wonder and creation for everyone who seeks to understand the world." Lucius explained.

'I have told Kiana that the nobility will be the ones who will be the market that will appreciate it the most, but a truly good product will also be capable of hitting other markets as well.' Lucius thought.

"This must have been a divine insight from Goddess Etara herself!" Bishop Reynald immediately said. Even though he had yet to hear the idea itself, the mere fact that it came out from Apostle Asher's mouth meant truly a lot to the Bishop who had great faith.

"I think you are right, Bishop Reynald." Lucius nodded. "While I was preoccupied for the past weeks with entertaining guests, there was a moment where I found myself having the time and opportunity of gazing up at the skies during one evening to catch my breath. I beheld the world in that one starry night and saw the great expanse before us. It is something out of reach, is it not? Akin to the Divine who are far above us."

"That is true, Apostle Asher." Bishop Reynald found himself enraptured with the scene that the young man was painting for him.

"When I look at the stars, it beckons me to a world beyond that of ours, lofty and far above us." Lucius said. "And yet they offer us not only their presence, but a light, and a guide towards the future. These stars above us and the celestial bodies are a wonderful thing, created by the Divine themselves and I wish to have it be within the reach of individuals who seem to find themselves forgetting from time to time."

"Be within the reach?"

"Yes, that is what I wish to do with this particular artifact that I have in mind."

"An artifact that can do it…?" Bishop Reynald found himself confused.

'Is there anything that can actually gather the stars? Nobody has even reached it. However, if there is anyone who can collect the stars and bring it for the mortals like me, then it is certainly Lord Asher. The Goddess Etara stands with him. Anything is possible when it is with him.' Bishop Reynald thought.

Lucius cleared his throat and painted a scene.

"I wish to create an artifact that will collect all the stars in my hand and put it into a room, to remind me of the things that are far out of reach, wisdom, hope and guidance… it is always possible to be found if one only looks up. Yes, the Goddess Etara wishes to instill a renewed sense of hope and guidance to those who aim for it and thus I year to create this artifact."

"Will you tell me what artifact it is, Apostle Asher and how I may help you in creating them?" Bishop Reynald asked. "If it is the will of the Goddess Etara to instill wisdom into the hearts of everyone, then we will spare no effort in creating this artifact. Of course, your presence will be required Apostle Asher, if I were to bring this forward to the Church of Etara. They will understand once I've introduced you to them, Apostle Asher."

"If I were to be entirely honest, Bishop Reynald, a fraction of it will certainly go back into the work of restoring the coffers of the Inanis Family after our encounter with Viscount Drew, hence it will still be a commercial product, but at the same time, the intentions of Goddess Etara is within those words." Lucius clarified. 

'The resources of the Inanis Family is more than enough to fund the creation of this artifact, especially with the Dioynsia's Brewery success, and so I'd rather not split the profits with that of the Church of Etara or have them truly involved beyond that of a word.'

"I see." Bishop Reynald nodded slowly. 

'There is still a lot of role that Apostle Asher is handling and among them is being the future Lord of the Land of Etara. I cannot comprehend his decisions, but I am far certain that it is because this is the will of the Goddess of Etara. Yes, the ways of the Divine cannot be truly understood, and though I continue to grasp it, in a search for knowledge, I will always be missing it.'

"Then I will do my best to be of assistance in any other way that I can. And once the first product is created, then I will inform the Church of Etara about the wonders of this artifact, Apostle Asher." Bishop Reynald said reverently.