Way of the Knights

Chapter 792: Recognition

“Well, all threats are gone…” Raven stated in a matter-of-fact’ly tone. “The Exiles are no more, the Devil Emperor is as good as gone as well. If there’s something we should be wary about, it’ll be the Abyssals, but I don’t think they arrive anytime soon. They might not even know that we exist just yet, and that’s good.” 

“With the problems of the sect cleared, I do believe that it’s about time we break-off from the traditions that out sect followed closely during the past millions of years…” Raven continued, “It’s about time for us to open up our doors.” 

The people who were listening to his speech involuntarily shuddered, not out of fear but out of excitement. 

Granted, this isn’t the first time they heard about this, but the previous one was more of a speculation. An ‘if’ for them. This, right now isn’t that. This is a statement. 

It is actually going to happen. It will since Raven said so. 

It’s not like Raven was the only one who decided this one his own, no. He reached out for the Elders’ opinion about this and all of them eagerly approved, even the Sect Master himself. 

The Ancient Elysium Sect’s Traditions – if anything, this refers to the fact that those who joined the sect are never allowed to leave unless they were either kicked-out of the sect or at least has a valid excuse for leaving. Even then, the chances of this happening is extremely low. 

The sect was reclusive not out of want, but out of need. 

It needed to be private in order to maintain peace and order. They have to be secretive in order to secure the burden they’re carrying. This fact had been established since the Sect’s creation and it has been millions of years since then. 

The threat of the Devil Emperor was too much. He was a disaster that will devour all manner of life on their land. It is the sect’s duty – the reason of its very foundation, to keep this threat locked away, secured and guarded heavily. 

Now however…that threat is no more. 

The Devil Emperor’s destined to never harm a single soul. He reduced to nothing more than an unlimited energy source. Reduce to forever curse his immortality since it granted him an endless promise of pain and suffering – a heavy price to pay for his sins. 

His army has been wiped out. Even his last hope was suffering the same fate as him. He’s as good as dead to the eyes of many. A couple of years in the future, he will eventually be forgotten. Even then, his suffering will never cease. 

With him out of the picture, the people who’s running the Ancient Elysium Sect can breathe easier. The burden that they and those who came before them, carried is now gone. The stifling feeling of an enormous weight pressing down their chests, disappeared. Gone with the wind. Never to return. 

It filled them with so much relief, making them emotional. 

Their hearts surged and they will always be thankful for the blessing that Raven is. Even with the short time that he has been with them, he was the one who got rid of their worries seemingly effortlessly. It was amazing and sometimes baffling how easy he does it but its working. It always worked. 

Which is why they trusted him. 

At this point, the Sect Master doesn’t really have to pass down his title to Raven. There’s really no need for his official coronation or anything. In the eyes of everyone in the sect, Raven already became their leader. 

“There are still some details that needs some ironing out but…” Raven took out stacks of paper and passed them down to the people in front of him. “These are the ideas I have in order for this to work. If any of you have any better ideas or wants to clarify something, please don’t hesitate to speak. I’m all ears. I need your help with this.” 

The Elders will of course not say no to that. 

They went over the files that Raven listed out pertaining to the changes that will happen the moment they broke off the tradition and opened up their doors.

Raven listed out a detailed explanation of his plans. The new location where the sect will emerge, new infrastructures, new rules, new responsibilities, and so on. 

Just as he said, this list isn’t complete just yet. The elders could see some holes in the guidelines which they of course, didn’t hesitate to talk about. 

It helped greatly that Raven was an open-minded person. He didn’t shy away from admitting the fact that he’s somewhat lacking. He listened to their ideas with rapt attention and gave it a good thought. He didn’t mind receiving help from others, and this made the Elders contented. 

A good leader knows when to speak and when to listen. Raven isn’t lacking in that department at least. 

After correcting a few details about the plan, the meeting ended. For today at least. There are still things that they need to discuss, more importantly, there still need to establish the official date of the event but that’s a matter they’ll discuss at a later date. 

After the meeting though, Raven remained. He and the Sect Master was the only one left in the meeting hall. They are sitting in front of each other, enjoying a warm cup of tea in silence. 

It was the Sect Master who broke off this peaceful silence first…

“It’s about time for you kids to officially inherit our titles.” 

Raven was a bit surprised, just a bit though. He was kind of already expecting this to happen. 

He looked at the peaceful expression on the Sect Master’s face. He saw a calm and serene expression, one that he found the Sect Master wears pretty often as of this late. He can recognize that expression. 

It’s a face someone makes when they’re released from a heavy burden. 

“The new age of the Sect doesn’t really need the hands of us, old people, to hold.” The Sect Master said as he gazed onto the horizon. “You’ve proven yourself time and time again. If anything, this is just an official announcement. On one hand, everybody including me, already sees you as the new leader of this sect. The only thing that’s making this awkward is the fact that I haven’t passed down my title to you just yet.” 

Raven remained silent. Inwardly though, he too is aware of this. He could feel the awkwardness, though it didn’t really stopped him from doing things, it still felt a bit uncomfortable. 

“Should we schedule it alongside of the announcement?” The Sect Master suggested, “You know, for practicality? Pack it up as one so that we can move-on.” 

“Sounds convenient. I like it.” Raven chuckled as he took a sip of his tea. 

The Sect Master laughed, of course Raven would like the idea. He knew that his successor doesn’t really care much about grand events or anything of the sorts. He doesn’t shy away from it, but he also isn’t too fond of it. 

“If there’s anything I’m more concerned about, it’s the matter about the Dawn Council.” Raven sighed, placing his teacup down on the small table. “I heard news that some of our close friends came out of their seclusion and is now pressuring the council. They must be waiting for our arrival.” 

The Sect Master laughed out loud at that. He then assured his successor by saying:

“Don’t worry too much about those old things. They’re just messing around.” The Sect Master shook his head. “They won’t do anything to the Dawn Council, they won’t dare. Not until we move first at least. That’s not to say that they’re afraid of the council. Its because they don’t want to upset us.”

“Well, I do understand that part. I too would feel upset if they moved before us. This is a personal vendetta after all.” Raven stated, “What I’m more concerned about is if it would pan out according to how I planned.” 

“When has anything didn’t pan out according to your desire?” The Sect Master asked, raising a brow. 

Raven was speechless, he could only chuckle and say: “Touché.”

“Mhm.” The Sect Master nodded, “And even if something went wrong, I already know that you have some back-up plans with you. Therefore, it’s useless to worry about this. You just have to perform. After all, everything’s already decided the moment you started to move.”

“Wow. You have that much confidence in me?” 

“Weird, isn’t it?” The Sect Master said while laughing.

The two of them enjoyed another bout of silence. It was then that Raven suddenly remembered something that he forgot to do ever since he came back from his vacation. 

He lifted his hand and summoned the sigil that represented his marriage with Luna. Then an image of him, Luna and Vanessa appeared.

“Master, this is my child.” Raven said, his tone was filled with fondness and warmth as he eagerly showed-off his child. 

“Her name is Vanessa, a very charming, energetic, cute, adorable, adventurous, curious…”

Raven then spent the next hour talking about his precious daughter in front of the Sect Master.