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“Are you saying you’re a priest?”

“Indeed. I hold the rather esteemed position of the Diocesan Bishop of the Church of England in the Diocese of Winchester.”

“Huh.”

The Bishop of Winchester.

Not a position to be treated lightly.

In fact, it was one that could be counted among the elite.

While the influence of the Winchester diocese had waned considerably, it remained one of the older dioceses with lasting effects. It was only natural that Thomas, introducing himself as the Bishop, would be a person of considerable power.

“Ah, the Bishop of Winchester… A remarkable individual has arrived.”

“Not at all. We are merely those who exist beneath God; how can there be distinctions among such beings?”

With a bow of humility, Thomas downplayed himself.

He claimed he was merely a vessel delivering God’s word.

Before God, he said, he was nothing more than just another soul subject to judgment.

But perhaps this demeanor annoyed someone?

Morris, who had been observing quietly, tossed out a comment.

“To hear the sixth-ranked of the Church of England speak such words lacks persuasion.”

Sixth-ranked.

Upon hearing that, everyone’s gaze shifted.

From seeing a humble clergyman to now viewing a power holder bearing the title of clergyman.

“I merely have some trivial skills that allowed me to ascend to this position.”

Despite sensing the change in others’ gazes, Thomas humbly lowered himself.

In fact, he smiled in a way that made him appear even more personable, approaching them casually. After shaking hands with Jang Young-cheol and Lee Yang-hoon, he received their business cards and then turned his attention toward Morris.

However, Morris seemed averse to the approach; as soon as Thomas stepped into a certain range, he subtly stepped back to distance himself, prompting Thomas to halt in his tracks.

With a smile, Thomas addressed him.

“Oh my, am I perhaps making you uncomfortable?”

“That’s a foolish question.”

Morris replied with a stiff expression.

“How could one welcome the approach of a Holy Sorcerer?”

“Oh my…”

Holy Sorcerer.

At the mention of that term, Thomas nodded in understanding.

“I see. That makes sense.”

“I just wanted you to be aware; due to the smell of blood emanating from me, my… associates might get a bit excited, so please refrain from coming too close.”

“Understood.”

Thomas moved away, acknowledging Morris’s request.

It was a sign of respect.

Yet, despite Thomas’s compliance, Morris looked on with an expression that clearly indicated his discontent with him.

‘That scheming Holy Sorcerer.’

Holy Sorcerers and Necromancers don’t mix well.

Not because of religious teachings or anything like that.

‘It’s obvious what happens when a Holy Sorcerer approaches a Necromancer.’

Necromancers deal with the dead.

They handle both spirits and souls, addressing the hun and baek.

They might persuade these beings with words or force them into submission, even using lost souls like tools.

And the more skill one possesses in handling spirits, the stronger they can wield them, commanding not only evil spirits but even great evil spirits.

However, spirits are not friendly to humans.

As time passes, their egos fade, and they begin to develop resentment or jealousy toward those who possess what they do not. This often manifests in violent behavior, turning into a sharp and insidious threat that can harm.

If such violence evolves further, it becomes evil ghosts that harm people with brute force.

And if the insidious nature develops, it becomes an evil spirit that haunts and harms people.

Thus, dealing with spirits is inherently risky.

One never knows when they might burst forth to harm people or choke their masters, the Necromancers.

Indeed, countless Necromancers have been killed or gone insane by the very spirits they commanded, giving a sense of the challenge involved.

For this reason, Necromancers use various means to control spirits.

They might bind them to objects, calling forth only when needed, or seal them in a Dybbuk box to be utilized as needed.

They can also ensure blind obedience through capriciousness and brainwashing.

If necessary, they might let part of their body become a vessel for spirits, or periodically offer part of their own body to evil spirits to increase their intimacy. However, such risky methods are rarely employed by Necromancers; they’re more commonly used by possession sorcerers, who are another kind of shaman that bind spirits.

Shamans control spirits using all manner of methods.

Truly all kinds of methods.

Yet, there existed a type of sorcerer that interfered with this control.

That was the Holy Sorcerers.

Holy Sorcerers belong to Abrahamic religious traditions and primarily deal with ‘blood.’

As such, people also refer to Holy Sorcerers as Blood Sorcerers or Blood Mages.

And blood is one of the things spirits crave most.

Especially if that blood belongs to humans.

[ It smells of blood. ]

[ How delicious. ]

[ So fragrant. ]

[ How happy would it be to scoop it up and mold it into a lump to smell it? ]

[ As the aroma intensifies, it resembles what the king of wines would do. Truly a sweet scent of blood. Let me out. ]

Spirits went wild at the distinct unique presence of the Holy Sorcerer Thomas, drawn in by the rich scent of blood wafting off him.

They clamored with excitement, as if they had discovered the finest delicacy in the world, demanding to be released so they could fly to that ‘delicious and fragrant’ cleric.

Morris sighed as he heard the cacophony of spirits whispering incessantly in his ear.

Seeing this, Thomas made an expression of genuine remorse for the disturbance, and as if to offer help, he made the sign of the cross and closed his eyes.

Then he drew a cross-shaped wound on his left palm with his fingernail.

*Shlick!*

As Thomas moved his fingernail, his palm slowly began to split open as though cut by a knife.

His seemingly blunt nail sliced through skin like a sharp blade, bursting open veins and causing blood to gush forth from the cross-shaped cut.

He dipped his fingertip into the flowing blood, traced a circle around the wound, and then, pulling imaginary strings in the air, he slowly began to lift it.

To everyone’s amazement, droplets of blood slowly rose into the air as if defying gravity.

These droplets floated like pearls in the cosmos, shimmering with an enchanting ruby-like glow.

Thomas took out a crumpled plastic wrap from within his robe and encapsulated the blood droplets, molding them into a round shape as one would with clay. He then flicked it with his finger, sending it toward Morris.

“I humbly apologize for my lack of experience; please calm those spirits with my blood.”

“…Hmm.”

Morris accepted the sphere filled with blood, looking at him with surprise.

It was hard to believe that such a polite demeanor could be hiding ulterior motives.

Moreover, he had gone to the trouble of utilizing magic to extract his own blood and even handed it over.

Though a rather trivial spell, it still constituted magic.

Certainly, there was no need to injure his own palm and offer a price when all he needed to do was utter an apology.

As Morris pondered whether Thomas was truly unaware of this fact, he tucked the sphere into his robe and flicked a metal accessory with his finger, signaling for the spirits to wait. He then nodded as if to accept the apology.

Seeing that Morris was willing to accept his apology, Thomas smiled in delight.

He then turned towards Jinseong again.

With firm strides, Thomas approached Jinseong, extending his hand for a handshake.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re Jinseong Park, right? I’ve heard tales from young Lord William.”

Jinseong gazed at Thomas’s outstretched hand, giving a smile that sparkled with delight.

His eyes curled happily, accompanied by the droop of his brows. A smile warmly bloomed on his face.

Jinseong took his hand with great reverence.

“Indeed, Bishop Thomas; it is an honor to meet you.”

“I too am most delighted to make your acquaintance.”

 

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