System: Daily login!!, jackpot on the first day!!!

After "inviting" Caldwell to join his party, Taufik left the D'Archy estate behind and set off toward his next destination.

They soared through the sky, high above the clouds, the wind whistling around them.

With Taufik Mana's wings, he flew steadily, his body cloaked in a soft shimmer of his Mana. Meanwhile, Caldwell dangled beside him in midair, held aloft by Taufik's power.

"Are we seriously traveling like this? Where's your big bird?" Caldwell grumbled, arms crossed and scowling as his legs floated awkwardly.

"I asked Nāgāntaka to guard the Saranjana Kingdom," Taufik replied calmly.

Caldwell scoffed, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Guard Saranjana? From what? Who the hell would even dare to attack that kingdom of yours?"

Taufik tilted his head slightly, glancing at his cousin. "Hmm? What do you mean by that?"

Caldwell let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his wind-tossed hair. "I don't know if you're genuinely clueless or just pretending. Ever since the Saranjana Kingdom became public knowledge, all sorts of forces have tried to claim a piece of it, religious orders, rogue nations, black-market syndicates, even a few Magic Tower have tried it… and you know what happened to them?"

Taufik remained silent, the air around him growing just a bit colder.

"…They either surrendered or got wiped out," Caldwell continued, his tone now serious. "Saranjana is at the peak of power in this era. It's not just a kingdom anymore, it's a symbol. And symbols scare people. No one in their right mind would attack it… unless they were looking for complete annihilation"

Caldwell paused for a moment, then muttered under his breath, "So yeah... Who in their right mind would attack it?"

Taufik gave a nonchalant shrug. "...You never know what the future holds. Better to prepare than regret later"

Caldwell rolled his eyes dramatically. "Yeah, whatever. So, where exactly are we going? If it's just your friends, can't you open one of those fancy portals again?"

Taufik glanced ahead, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Can't this time. Our destination is the Vatican"

"WHAT?!" Caldwell's eyes flew wide open. He twisted in midair, nearly disrupting Taufik's flight. "The Vatican?! Are you insane? Have you forgotten what you are?! You're a freaking vampire! And they're exorcists! You want to die? Fine... but don't drag me along with you!"

Taufik sighed, his tone casual. "Relax. There's nothing to worry about. Just follow me"

Caldwell shot him a glare. "Nothing to worry about?! I'm a werewolf, remember? Because of you! I'm not ready to get turned into holy ash or whatever they do these days!"

"Like I said, you're overthinking it. That kind of practice has been… reduced this year. Probably"

Caldwell froze midair, blinking.

"'Probably?' Are you serious right now? You're not even sure!" He groaned, rubbing his temples. "I swear, if I die, I'm haunting you for the rest of eternity"

Taufik chuckled softly. "You worry too much. Look around, the world is barely holding itself together right now. Do you really think the Vatican still cares about chasing down a being like us?" He paused, then added, almost to himself, "Besides… I have a friend in there. I think"

Caldwell stared at his cousin, deadpan. "...You think? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"

"Ahh~ Fuck, you ask way too many questions," Taufik groaned, rubbing his temple like a man burdened with more than just gravity. "Did being a werewolf mess with your personality too? Just shut up and follow me"

Before Caldwell could throw another snarky comment, Taufik surged forward, his speed increasing in a blur of energy. The air rippled in his wake.

Caldwell floated for a moment, blinking.

"Wait-Hey! You can't just-Taufik!"

But Taufik didn't answer. He didn't even look at his way.

Caldwell growled under his breath. "I swear, if I die on holy ground because of your cryptic vampire crap, I'm taking you with me..."

Reluctantly, he shut his mouth up, the wind screaming past him as they flew toward the heart of danger, or so Caldwell thought, toward the Vatican.

--------

- In one of the meeting rooms in the Apostolic Palace Complex, Vatican City.

The ornate chamber, lined with golden mosaics and high stained-glass windows, echoed with murmurs.

Seated around a grand circular table, all the Cardinals who could attend had gathered.

At the head sat the Pope, robed in white and still as marble, as they discussed a matter that had shaken the world.

"Holy Father," one of the Cardinals began, his voice cautious yet urgent. "What action shall we take regarding this… mysterious Tower that has suddenly appeared?"

Another Cardinal leaned forward. "With the world in chaos, we cannot remain passive. If we want our faith to remain relevant, we must act. I've received word that several Magic Towers have already dispatched envoys to investigate. Shouldn't we-"

"I understand your concerns," the Pope finally spoke, his voice soft but commanding. He slowly raised his head, and for a brief moment, so brief it might have been imagined, his eyes shimmered with a divine radiance.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"... But as I have always reminded you… everything has its time. And patience is the key"

"But, Holy Father," another Cardinal interjected, unable to contain his frustration, "we have waited long enough. When is our time, then? The world's powers are already moving to claim whatever secrets this Tower holds. If we delay further, there may be nothing left for us"

The Pope's smile remained, but this time it deepened into something unreadable. Then, he said one word.

"Now"

A hush fell over the chamber. Confused glances passed between the Cardinals.

"…Now, Holy Father?" one finally echoed.

The Pope nodded slowly. "Yes. Now. Go. Notify Daniel. Tell him some friends will soon be arriving to meet him"

A long pause. The Cardinals looked at one another in stunned silence.

"…Why are you all suddenly so quiet?" the Pope asked, his tone now lightly amused. "Weren't you just so eager a moment ago? Has your fire vanished the moment the time has truly come?"

"…Now, Holy Father?" one repeated, almost whispering.

"Yes. Didn't you hear me?" The Pope's voice grew firmer. The time has come. And it is now. Tell Daniel not to keep our guests waiting"

Despite their confusion and the weight behind the Pope's cryptic words, the Cardinals rose from their seats.

"Yes, Holy Father"

One by one, they exited the room, their robes whispering against marble floors, leaving behind the Pope, still seated, still smiling… as if he had seen this moment long before it ever arrived.

--------

The distance between the British Empire and the Vatican had grown vast since the First Calamity. Once a mere several hours by plane, the journey was now treacherous by conventional means.

But with Taufik's flying speed, it took less than thirty minutes.

As they approached, the landscape that greeted them was unrecognizable.

A massive, shimmering barrier, the Great Wall now surrounded the island. If it weren't for the iconic architecture, Taufik might not have realized this fortified bastion was once the Vatican.

But something else caught his attention.

A large contingent of Exorcists stood waiting at the outer gate.

It wasn't the sight of guards that felt off, it was their numbers.

"Oh, shit," Caldwell cursed as he caught the sight. "Bro, don't tell me they're waiting for us, right?"

Taufik didn't answer. His eyes calmly scanned the line of Exorcists, sharp and calculating, until they landed on the one he was looking for.

A tall man with silver-lined robes and a massive cross strapped to his back.

It wasn't hard to pick him out of the crowd.

Without hesitation, Taufik descended swiftly, landing gracefully at the Vatican's main gate.

Caldwell touched down beside him, his entire posture stiff. The sheer weight of Holy Energy radiating from the walls and the people before them was suffocating, almost unbearable for him.

Taufik, by contrast, stood firm and silent.

Then, a familiar voice broke the tense silence.

"My friend!" one of the Exorcists called out, stepping forward with open arms and a wide grin. "It's been so long. How have you been? You know, about that time in-"

"Daniel," Taufik cut in smoothly, raising a hand. "Still talking too much, I see. But you've gotten stronger. That's good"

He turned slightly and gestured to the tense man beside him.

"Ah, right... this is my cousin. Daniel, meet-"

"I know you," Daniel interrupted, stepping up to Caldwell and grasping his hand as if they were old friends. "King Caldwell D'Archy, right? I've heard plenty about you. You know, the stories, the rumors… the one with the werewolf curse, yes? Fascinating stuff. And-"

Taufik exhaled sharply and rubbed the bridge of his nose, as Daniel continued to talk without pause.

"Daniel. Stop." His voice wascalm, but carried a note of finality. The chatter ceased,"... I'm here to ask you something"

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from the six infinity stones, I just want one... the power stone (:v)