****

"You're saying that he knows I destroyed the Church of Flames?"

Avilia had informed Gabriel about everything she heard from the Holy Lord of Flames. Amongst those things, what stood out was that the Holy Lord knew about him more than he expected.

"If he knows that much about me, could it be that he knows about Arecia as well?" Gabriel asked. He didn't care about his identity. Sooner or later people were going to know about it anyway. What mattered was the danger it could attract to Arecia if someone finds out about that.

"I'm not sure. He didn't mention it," Avilia answered, shaking her head lightly. "However, it would be wise to assume that he knows about that already. Moreover, he might not be the only one who knows. Sooner or later, it'll be impossible to keep Arecia out of trouble."

The more one tried to hide something, the more it came to light. It was clear how risky everything was at the time being. Gabriel didn't like the feeling of being passive. He didn't like the fact that someone had the power that could be used to threaten him.

"What are you going to do next?" Avilia asked. With Gabriel's personality, she genuinely wondered if Gabriel was going to take the fight to the Holy Lord of Wind.

However, she didn't believe that it was going to change anything. The Holy Lord of Wind would've already taken precautions for that. He might've already arranged for the news to leak if something happened to him.

Unless Gabriel could kill all the Holy Lords at the same time, there was no way to stop them from teaming up against him like they did against the Church of Darkness if the news spread out.

Gabriel lied on the bed next to Avilia, closing his eyes. There was a little frown on his face as if he was thinking about something.

Avilia turned to her side and just gazed at Gabriel's flawless face, wondering what the young man could've been thinking.

For some reason, whenever she talked to Gabriel or was with him, she never saw him as a new Holy Lord. The way the young man schemed, the way he took actions, his decisive nature... Everything made her feel as if he was just as experienced as the rest of them if not more.

It was as if it was just Gabriel's inner nature that even he didn't know about. It was also this strange feeling which made her feel closer to Gabriel despite knowing him for only a short time. She really liked his company.

"I don't know how he knows so much, but I really hate the feeling." After a long time, Gabriel finally broke the silence. "If that's the case, I can only stop being passive."

"What are you implying?" Avilia asked, grimacing. Was he actually going to go on the offensive again? Or was it something else?

"The Holy Lord of Wind thinks he got my weakness after finding out everything about me. I won't let that be. I won't let that sword hang over my head," Gabriel replied, slowly opening his eyes and glancing at the charming face of Avilia. "It's time to come out of the shadows."

Avilia could only frown. She still didn't understand what exactly Gabriel was planning to do. However, his next words gave her a clear idea, shocking her!

"You can't be serious!" Avilia exclaimed in shock.

"I'm not in the mood to joke with you," Gabriel lazily responded. "After I'm done exploring the tomb, I will begin..."

"There have been eight Churches in existence for a long time now. It's time for the ninth to appear..." Gabriel stood up, patting his clothes that had formed a crease because of lying down for so long in them.

Avilia wasn't as carefree as Gabriel. She wondered if Gabriel didn't understand the implications behind what he was trying to do, or he was doing it knowing full well. Whatever being the case, she understood that a huge change was in store for everyone!

A Ninth Church... The Church of Necromancy was going to appear in this world, finally coming out of the shadows and into the light?

"When the time comes, you can either join others or side with me. I won't care what you choose."

After reminding Avilia, Gabriel left the room. Even though he could have some food delivered to his room, he was more in the mood to eat outside under the beautiful moonlight.

Usually, Avilia would've followed Gabriel right away, but for now, she was in a daze herself.

****

Gabriel went down to the ground floor. His attention immediately went into the large group from Yann. All the guards were still tending to their injuries while the two Royals were discussing something.

It wasn't often that Yann suffered such losses but they couldn't do anything about it. The Prince could only inform his father, but he didn't dare.

He didn't want to be scolded by their father. If he tried that, he knew his father was going to call the two of them back and never let them go to the tomb. For now, he could only swallow the insult!

At least the Prince had calmed down now. He was just about to leave this hotel to find a different place, not intending to stay here. Unfortunately, before he could stand up, he saw Gabriel come down the stairs.

For strangers, Gabriel was like a handsome prince who wasn't tainted by mortal sorrows. However, to the Prince, Gabriel was no less than a demon!

He could only look elsewhere, trying to avoid Gabriel's attention.

Gabriel also didn't want to pay attention to the two and left the hotel.

****

After eating outside, Gabriel returned to the room when it was already midnight.

Avilia was already occupying the bed sleeping comfortably.

Instead of taking the bed, Gabriel just slept on the couch for the night.

****

The soft chirping of birds with the arrival of morning could be heard even inside the room. Gabriel woke up from his slumber and his still sleepy eyes.

"For a person who is called lecherous by others, you're pretty innocent, aren't you?"

He had barely woken up when he heard the melodious voice of a woman.

"Whose fault do you think that I'm called lecherous by those idiots?" Gabriel sarcastically answered, standing up.

After getting ready, he and Avilia left the hotel together. By the time they left, the Royals of Yann had already left as well.

****

After one more day of nonstop travel, Gabriel and Avilia finally reached the destination!