The Alchemist of the Heavens

Arriving

As soon as he entered the alchemist's shop, he saw many monster hearts, feathers, teeth, and other such things around him. Not only that, but he managed to spot many herbs that could be considered semi-precious, and even saw textbooks containing the notes of master alchemists being sold.

Desmond did not know at that moment that while he was being welcomed by the shop owner, the hunters were chatting outside in front of the shop, and George was examining the materials inside the shop with great curiosity. Desmond's presence had already reached the ears of the city lord.

The words that had reached the city lord's ears had already begun their journey towards the imperial capital.

The Moon family was very close to the Holy Empire. After all, the Moon family was one of only two or three families in this world who worshipped Nyx fanatically. They were the ones who provided substantial financial support to the regions established by the Holy Empire for the worship of Nyx, known as the [Church of the Night].

Of course, they did not wield power over the empire. After all, the Moon family belonged to a completely different empire.

Naturally, even if the family itself held no power, the existence of one individual among them could not be overlooked. This person, no longer bound to the family, had chosen in her youth to take a different path. She had become one of the finest swordsmen and the Holy Empire's greatest magical swordsman ever to live.

Desmond's aunt, personally protected by the Pope and influential within the imperial family, was the only person without blood ties to the imperial family.

Estella Moon, the First Inquisitor.

The Holy Empire had strict laws regarding foreign nobles. Even though they held ranks and titles, they could never truly wield power unless they gained citizenship.

Perhaps the only bloodline in this world capable of opposing the Holy Empire was that of the Moon family, for like the Holy Empire itself, this family had been directly blessed by a goddess, and that goddess was doomed until they exalted her.

Selene, one of the Four Silver Sisters whom even Nyx adored, the Lady of the Moon, was not to be underestimated.

Selene might not have been as powerful as Nyx—that was impossible—but the unchanging truth was that Selene bestowed more blessings than any other existing goddess or god, and she became an enemy to anyone who approached the Moon family other than her.

In short, the Moon family was clearly and unequivocally protected by a sacred power, just like the Holy Empire itself.

The Holy Empire and the Moon family were, in every sense, two equal parts.

Naturally, the moment someone from the Moon family set foot inside the Holy Empire, word began to spread.

Within just a few minutes, the imperial family themselves were busy speaking with the lord of the border city.

Meanwhile, Desmond was busy shopping at the alchemy shop.

By the time he left the shop, he had spent the equivalent of nearly twenty thousand gold coins. This was truly a massive expenditure. So much merchandise had been purchased that Desmond's magic bag had reached its maximum capacity, and despite this, nearly sixty crates of goods were waiting to be transported in front of the shop.

It was nearly seven thousand kilometres from here to the capital, but Desmond would certainly not travel that distance by horse-drawn carriage.

He had sufficient funds; he would go to the capital and purchase a fine mansion for himself, one that was not too large, located on the outskirts of the capital, comfortable, and rural.

To do this, he needed to go to a teleportation zone with all his goods.

Teleportation zones were areas created by the rare 'ring mages' that transported people from one area to another.

That's why they were expensive.

Still, they were hundreds of times cheaper than travelling by riding dragons.

Knowing this, Desmond wandered around the border city for a while longer and shopped until evening. The academy had already begun. It would be accurate to say it had been almost a month.

Today was the twenty-sixth day of December. Desmond had been travelling for exactly 67 days. He had been travelling since his birthday on the twentieth of October.

After each purchase he made, Desmond headed to the main church, which also housed the teleportation centre.

Upon arriving at the church and showing his ID, every priest and nun turned their attention to him. Even the head priest himself had come to the area where the circle room was located as quickly as possible.

After only a brief conversation, the head priest had even stated that every item could be transported from the teleportation area to the capital and that the main church could even keep them until it found a place to move to.

Desmond was frankly surprised. This was a huge privilege because he knew the church would not damage the goods.

However, Desmond had learned that because he carried the blood of the Moon family, he would not have to pay any transport or teleportation fees.

Then the teleportation began.

The circles beneath his feet glowed with an incredible spectrum of colours.

In just five short seconds, the view around Desmond began to change, and he was sucked into an energy field.

This great energy swallowed him up, and within just a few seconds, it spat him out, and Desmond opened his eyes again in a completely different place.

The moment he opened his eyes, he could see several priests and nuns gathered in front of him. It was clear from the crests on their robes alone that high-ranking priests were present.

“Ummm, hello?” said Desmond. He could see the members of the hunting party and the goods they had brought with them emerging from the other circles.

“Welcome, Mr Desmond. I am here to question you about the purpose of your visit to the capital,” said a man from among the group of priests and nuns.

When Desmond looked at this man with blank eyes, the man immediately assumed a respectful posture and then bowed politely before him, introducing himself:

"Pleased to meet you, sir. My name is Edward Grey, third inquisitor of the church, globally."

The moment Desmond heard who the man in front of him was, his heart began to pound. It wasn't out of fear, but rather out of immense excitement and shock.

The Inquisitors were a group of extremely powerful wizards and cultivators, each possessing at least nine magic rings and upper realms like Heaven-Realm, just like his brother, whose sole purpose was to hunt down those who sought to tarnish the name of Nyx.

In short, it would be accurate to describe them as both the protectors of the Pope, who was the emperor of the empire, and the shadow of the goddess herself.

“Likewise, my name is Desmond Moon. It's a pleasure to meet you,” replied Desmond.

“In that case, sir, may I ask why you have come here? I have my suspicions that your family sent a message, and if so, I must prepare to bring you before the emperor as soon as possible,” said Edward.

When Desmond heard these words, he looked into Edward's eyes and said, “It's been a while since I left my family; it would be more accurate to say I was expelled and disowned. I came to join the Seraphim Academy.”

Desmond was very sad about being expelled from his family; he truly was, but for others, this was not the case.

Estella Moon was such a monster that her fame, power, majesty, and beauty extended not only within the Holy Empire but even to the darkest corners of the world.

Everyone knew the nickname by which the young man before them was known:

[The Empire's Good-for-Nothing].

Well, that was one of the titles at least.

Yet one thing remained unchanged. Everyone remembered the times when Estella spoke of her nephews and niece. They remembered what she had said at the Empire's ball five years ago, the ball that had taken place after her mother's death:

"You're right, especially my second nephew, who is an unlucky child with no talent. Still, you forget, Baron Balin, that we are the Moon family, and even the least talented among us is enough to shake an empire. If you ever meet him, you will understand. He is very talented in alchemy, a genius who has massive potential. Just by looking at his face, just by watching his eyes, you will see that his shadow is not alone. So before you dare to speak my family's name, get your act together. The only reason the Moon family is part of the Ariadne Empire is because we want it to be. Otherwise, whether it's the Holy Empire or the Ariadne Empire, crossing the borders isn't that difficult. Moreover, my second nephew may be useless in the Ariadne Empire, but you can be sure that when he sets foot here or in another empire or kingdom, even I don't know what he might do and what he can be capable of."

Edward could feel his heart skip a beat when he heard these words. As the Third Inquisitor, he had filed Estella's words away in the back of his mind, knowing he could never even dream of approaching her power.

If Desmond hadn't come here for political reasons, if he had been cast out by his family, and if Estella's words were true, it meant that the Holy Empire could take another power like Estella under its wing.

“The Seraphim Academy? May I ask what its purpose is, sir?” Edward inquired with great curiosity.

Desmond gave him an answer that made Edward's heart pound:

“In the name of alchemy.”

Within seconds, Edward had bowed once more before Desmond and said, “I will personally arrange your lodgings, sir. Please, just give me two hours,” and then prepared to leave. Edward realised everything happened in the way Estella spoke.

It was as if something had just occurred to Edward. When his gaze returned to Desmond, he calmly asked, “Should I inform Lady Estella of your possible visit?”

Desmond immediately rolled his eyes and said, “I'll visit when necessary; there's no need to trouble my aunt,' then added, 'But you can help me get to Seraphim Academy.”

Edward immediately gestured to a few priests and a nun, then bowed his head again and disappeared.

The group of hunters just stared at Desmond in astonishment.

What is it?” said Desmond, raising an eyebrow and looking at George.

"I'm just... surprised, sir... An inquisitor bowed before you... It's impossible not to be surprised when someone who only bows before the emperor behaves like that towards you," said George.

It wasn't just the hunting party who were surprised. Desmond was very good at controlling his facial expressions, so he didn't show how surprised he was, as he had been taught by his family, but his heart was pounding. He was so surprised that it was almost impossible for him to put it into words.

Shortly afterwards, a horse-drawn carriage arrived in front of the enormous church, and Desmond was escorted out of the church by the highest-ranking priests themselves.

Of course, there were many nobles in the church that day; it was impossible for them not to have seen what happened. Even if they did not know who Desmond was, the fact that someone was being accompanied by high-ranking priests, almost like people of Cardinal rank, was a big deal.

Before getting into his carriage, Desmond had taken George with him and asked the rest of the hunting party to remain in the church. He had specifically requested that the priests and nuns pay particular attention to them and had not forgotten to mention that it was thanks to their protection that he had arrived here safely.

The Cardinal, who introduced himself as Amber, did not forget to board the carriage himself. Amber would continue to accompany Desmond personally.

Meanwhile, the carriage had begun its journey north of the city, towards an academy that, although not as large as the Holy Empire's imperial palace, was still enormous, spanning a vast area.

Desmond could clearly see the people standing along the roads. Comparing this place to the Ariadne Empire would be foolish. Everyone's face bore a smile, a look of happiness. 

As he passed through the side streets, Desmond could see that there were no homeless people.

It was just as his aunt had told him six years ago, at his grandmother's funeral. The Holy Empire looked incredibly beautiful, especially its capital.

Everywhere, some areas seemed to be carved from silver and black marble. There were houses made of pure white wood.

Desmond couldn't help but say, “It's so beautiful…”

However, after an hour had passed, Desmond finally managed to reach the Seraphim Academy.

Now everything could begin.