CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 153 TREASURES AND TREASURE_3

Everyone here was focused, either standing or sitting in various places, engrossed in their tasks. Hearing someone enter, a few people glanced up. Realizing it was a stranger, they quickly lowered their heads again, as if every wasted second was a significant loss.

This was the Artifact Forger Institute of the Great Cathedral, where most of the cathedral’s Artifact Forgers worked, created, learned, and exchanged ideas.

"Alka? What brings you here?"

Gami wiped the grime from his face and hands, set aside his work, and walked over. This was also where he worked and studied. Akka had visited once before, having come specifically to find Gami on that occasion.

Gami followed Alka out the door. After all, it was too noisy inside—not a good place for a chat, and they would disturb others.

In the small courtyard, Alka leaned against a tree branch, looked at Gami, and asked, "I want to know how I can see the Archbishop. Andre and Bobby have run off somewhere."

Understanding why Alka was looking for him, Gami nodded. He then sat down in a control seat and began to operate some machinery. Just then, he suddenly looked up.

"Archbishop... Archbishop!"

Gami, who had been about to speak to Alka, froze for a moment and then exclaimed.

Just then, Alka felt a tap on his shoulder and immediately turned his head. Only then did he notice an old man standing behind him; he had no idea when the man had arrived.

When did he get behind me?

After all, Alka had reached the Three Spirals, achieving Perfection in the First Stage, and was also a Magician. Yet this old man had managed to approach from behind and tap his shoulder before Alka even realized it.

Not to be underestimated. This old man is very strong.

He wore an off-white church robe adorned with green and gold lines, and a triangular cloak on his back. He wore no laurel on his head, nor any cumbersome accessories; his attire was remarkably simple. His hair, eyebrows, and beard were greying and hung down, but his face showed no signs of advanced age; he looked full of vigor.

Looking at Alka, he nodded with a smile and asked, "Young one, are you looking for me?"

Alka quickly took a step back, crossed his arms before his chest, and bowed.

"Archbishop."

"Haha, no need for such formality. You’re not my subordinate; we are both merely followers of the Holy Mother."

Laughing cheerfully, he patted Alka’s shoulder and gestured for Alka to follow.

Gami nodded at Alka, watching the two of them head towards the back of the Great Cathedral.

Alka followed the Archbishop to the rear of the Great Cathedral. They entered through a side door into a spacious hall. Judging by the decor, it appeared to be an internal prayer hall. It was used for the prayers and rituals of certain officiants, not open to the public, as it was easier to communicate with the Holy Mother here.

An exquisite statue of the Holy Mother stood in a recess in the wall.

The Archbishop walked over to the statue of the Holy Mother, stood before it, crossed his hands over his chest, and closed his eyes.

He then suddenly asked Alka, who was behind him, "Young one, what is it you wish to ask me?"

Hearing this, Alka didn’t hesitate and asked directly, "Archbishop, I wish to ask: if two Treasures have a severe incompatibility and cannot be used simultaneously, how can this be resolved?"

The Archbishop was not at all surprised that Alka possessed two Treasures.

He answered in a calm, slow voice, "That cannot be resolved. It means those two Treasures are not suited to be together. Naturally, you cannot force them to serve a single person."

Although Alka had been somewhat prepared for this, hearing the words still left him a bit dispirited. For he truly did possess two Treasures, and they repelled each other, making simultaneous use impossible.

"This is quite normal, child. There’s no need to be disheartened. Treasures are objects of such immense power and Energy; it’s difficult to imagine them coexisting peacefully."

"It’s like a faction possessing two equally exceptional, strong individuals; that would indeed be a disaster. Much like the Vastin Empire of old." He paused for a moment, then asked, "Are you familiar with the Vastin Empire?"

"I know a little. It fell into the Realm of Pitch Darkness along with the Meiniche Alliance."

The Archbishop nodded and then said, "Did you know? Hundreds of years before their fall, they were a single entity. They were one of the most powerful forces in these seas; even the Church had to respect them."

"However, in the same era, a pair of twin Princes was born to them. They were so exceptional that either one, in any other era, could have been a pioneering, wise monarch. Yet, they were born in the same age."

"Due to the order of their birth, the elder Prince inherited the kingdom. As his twin, the second Prince, how could he possibly be willing to submit to another?"

"They were equally excellent, shared the same royal blood, and possessed the same pride."

"Naturally, the empire split apart."

"This is just like Treasures. It is normal for powerful Treasures to repel each other. For them to willingly coexist peacefully, or even cooperate, is an exceedingly rare occurrence."

At this, the Archbishop suddenly laughed.

"Haha, it has been a long time since I’ve chatted with a young person like you. I seem to have gotten carried away and said a bit too much."

"Not at all, Archbishop. In fact, I have benefited greatly from your words."

"Is that so? Haha, then I am glad to hear it!"

So, to possess two Treasures, one must find those that can cooperate, or at least not repel each other.

However, such Treasures are rare and acquiring them requires great opportunity.

Most people find it difficult to obtain even a single Treasure, let alone two compatible ones.

Musing on this, Alka suddenly asked, "What if their Levels differ? For instance, like the [Holy Grail] and the [Scepter]?"