5 Father's Worry

The next day.

Nolan was having his breakfast alone in the dining room. Atticus, his butler standing straight silently steps away behind him.

"Gracious! The royal has finally assented to the church's request to publicize the 'Sanction' and granted full authority to seek out heretics and cast punishment befitting those evildoers."

Nolan casually cast his eyes toward the door that adjoined the kitchen. The curtain was drawn close, but he could see a pair of feet beneath it.It was Sofia, reading a newspaper in a deliberate high-volume tone.

"Tsk. Tsk. The Sanction, I heard, they are merciless and not forgiving to heretics. Even owning a weird grimoire could send someone to their death." Sofia shook her head.

Nolan, carefully wiped his mouth with a napkin, "Sofia," he called out, causing the female servant to flinch, "Hand me that newspaper, will you?"

"Certainly, Young Master!" Sofia emerged behind the curtain and happily approached her Master and handed him the newspaper she was reading.

She stayed by his side as she watched her Master flip the newspaper open.

"Royal assent of the 'Sanction' marks its full authority, making it finally a law, thanks to Deacon Frantz!" 

"Emperor Grants Full Authority to Sanction for Heretic Hunts

After years of persistent appeals, the church has finally received an affirmative response from the Emperor, granting the group known as Sanction full authority to hunt heretics across the empire. The decision follows the recent large-scale capture of heretics led by Deacon Frantz Tagen along with the small group of Sanction members, a success that reportedly compelled the Pope to formally submit the petition. With this new authority, Sanction is expected to intensify its operations, expanding its reach to all corners of the empire."

Deacon Frantz... Nolan thought inwardly, his fingers clenching around the newspaper.

Every heretic knew this man, and just mentioning his name would cause shivers down their spine. Sanction was not a threat until now, but this Deacon was more dangerous and a threat to them.

Not only he had successfully captured heretics in a large-scale operation, but it was reported that he had also captured an evil believed to be worshiped by occultists.

Nolan closed the newspaper, "Sofia, I want another cup of black coffee."

"Right away, Young Master."

When Sofia left, Nolan threw the newspaper behind him, "Bullshit. Punishing people for not believing what the majority believes? People ought to understand what lies on the other side, don't you think?"

Atticus, who caught the newspaper, read its content as he listened to his master, "You are definitely right, Young Master."

"Psh. You always agree to whatever I say. I feel like it's useless to ask for your opinion."

Atticus smiled, "I see no reason to disagree with you, Young Master. You are smart and do not conform to society, I like it about you."

Sofia arrived with his cup of coffee and left the two talked.

Atticus had been the sole person to look after the Young Master. He had been a butler for the Loic family before Sofia was hired and asked to moved out together with Nolan in the village, handling important matters for the family until Lord Benson, Nolan's father, appointed him as the personal butler for his youngest son.

Sofia assumed that Atticus should be convincing the Young Master to stop his dangerous interest in dark magic. Worries gripped her heart at the realization that the Sanction could now capture people deemed heretics without even evidence. People who had power and authority were drawn to abuse them.

She could only pray for her Young Master's safety.

"Do you think I'd get killed if they discover me? I have done a lot. I almost killed my brother for trying to summon an imp."

A small smile graced Atticus's face, "I will never leave your side, Young Master. Trust me if I tell you that I won't allow anyone to hurt you."

"You believe in me?" Nolan asked.

"With all my heart."

Nolan smiled before he sipped on his coffee.

Suddenly, the door of the dining room swung open.

As he sipped on his coffee, Nolan furrowed his brow to see the person who entered, "Father?"

Atticus quickly offered his respect and pulled out a chair for the important visitor, but Benson didn't sit. Instead, he sternly looked at his son, then at the newspaper Atticus was holding.

"You have read the news." He said, before sitting on the chair.

"Father, you didn't give me a heads-up you are coming today." Nolan said as he set his cup of coffee on the saucer, "You seemed to be in a hurry to come here."

"You have read the news. I need you to stop whatever dark magic you are studying. I can't defend you to the church if they get a word about you now that the Emperor has granted the Sanction to directly chase heretics. Your life is at stake!"

Benson Loic, a blonde old man with a clean trim of beard adorned his face, gazed at his son in worry.

He couldn't help but blame himself for being complacent towards his youngest son. Was he wrong to pamper him and give him whatever he wanted?

How did his youngest son even get to the point of concocting poison and summoning ghosts or demons? He was completely different from his two older brothers, who were more interested in their family business.

"Did you come here in the countryside in a hurry just to tell me that, Father?"

Benson sighed deeply, visibly frustrated at his son's relaxed manner. He stood up from his seat and strode towards the door.

"Yes, and to collect your strange books and creepy collections, or whatever else you have that could put your life in danger," he blurted, frustration evident in his voice as he stood up from his seat and walked out.

"What...? Wait, Father!"

Nolan's heart almost dropped.

He stood up from his seat and quickly followed behind his father, "You can't do that. You know how much those things meant to me!" 

"No, son. You don't understand the severity of this matter. I should have stopped you the moment you have shown interest in this thing."

"But, Father! You can't do this to me!" Nolan's voice finally wavered.

Benson stopped on his track and turned to look at his son, his face bore a serious and stern expression.

"I know, son, but I can't let you continue doing this either. I don't want to lose you and this may put our family at risk as well!"

Nolan turned silent. Of course, his family meant a lot to him.

But knowing there was more to accomplish than mere success in life, he was more drawn to the possibility of attaining and discovering things that normal people believed to be evil and scary.

His multiple failed attempts to summon underworld creatures were already proof that there was more than what normal people think. He couldn't care less about what the Orthodox church deemed evil or not.

Seeing his son turned silent, Benson resumed on his track. They arrived in the living room and to Nolan's disappointment, the servant had already collected the collection he had been hiding in his room.

Candles, Incense, dried herb plants, crystals, stones, tarot cards, crystal ball, and a large cauldron.

Benson pressed his temples in deep worry and disappointment as he trailed his eyes at the stuff that was collected in his son's room. He even almost shuddered when human skulls and bones were added and thrown along the other.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Good, burn them all and leave no traces." He commanded the servants, "And if a word got out of your mouth regarding this," he turned to look at his son then back to the servants, "You'll know what will happen."

The servant shuddered. Being a sacrificial offer for a ritual was the last thing they would expect for a tragic end of their life.

Nolan could only watch in dazed, his years of hard work to collect those were now being carried outside to burn. He wanted to protest but he had no strength, it was as if his body had been drained of energy.