Museum of Grimoire - 5.5 - Early Access (Patreon)

The aftermath of the discovery was a very poignant demonstration of how having the favor of the continent’s most influential religious institution could suddenly grease many palms. Even more so when the matter at hand was right in their own domain.

Arrangements were swiftly made regarding the preservation of the discovered pillar, many of the learned followers of faith immediately understanding the significance and contributing whatever influence they had. Within days, the tavern’s basement became like a consecrated shrine, the immediate area around the find cordoned and warded off in an attempt to prevent further damage. Those curious regarding the fuss were permitted to view the pillar from a distance, but no further by the contingent of paladins that were to be stationed around the exclusion zone.

Photios seemed to take a slight delight in describing this as a potential punishment duty for his subordinates. He particularly stressed the nature of the duty meant being forbidden to drink while on standby, even as the tavern on the ground floor above still operated. Of course as well, it would be most improper to have a drink at such bar too while in full view of one’s comrades, stoking quite unbecoming flickers of jealousy.

Speaking of which, the primary source of trouble as it was seemed to be the tavern keeper themselves. Rather understandably, they weren’t so keen on having their business being affected by the loss of an entire floor. They were considerably less thrilled when Noire made mention the possibility of needing to maybe also remove the floorboards of the ground level too in order to safely excavate the pillar for relocation. Which was the part that got the most push-back: why move it at all?

That was a question that even the saint admitted curiosity on, especially when it could technically become like a local attraction instead. Not that the old capital necessarily needed anymore of such, but would it not be more convenient for all parties involved? That included the archaeologist as well, as it would mean she didn’t need to bother with the difficulties of removing a load-bearing beam.

It was a fair argument, but one that Noire had a very grim answer for. She provided a very blunt estimation that the pillar was in a poor state of things, the state of the carvings indicating just how badly worn it was. One could almost call it a literal miracle that this artifact of the Third Age still possessed enough details to make out, but for how much longer? It was badly in need of both preservation and restoration work.

Noire did concede that technically the two could still happen while leaving it in place- but at the same time, she had thought the tavern owner wanted this matter resolved quickly. Having a team of curators tend to the thing day in and day out surely ran quite counterproductive to that goal. It wasn’t like she was doing it to be inconvenient either, as retaining such experts for so long wasn’t cheap.

So it was that after some more back and forth haggling, the situation was finally resolved and that museum in the future was now slated to have an additional exhibit in the near-future. Another acquisition on this unexpected journey.

“I believe that was the last one. All your bags are now loaded on the carriage.”

“Thank you, Photios,” Florence told, sighing. “I still bad though.”

“However so? Did you forget an article?”

“No, I mean… you’re the Hand of the Saint,” she lamely told, gesturing. “I didn’t expect you to be handling the bags themselves instead of a servant.”

“Your property is stressed as being of high import, meaning that I could trust only myself to handle it properly,” he replied with an unbothered shrug. “Don’t worry about it. It was good exercise.”

“It’s also an excuse for him to ‘endure’ another trial from the spirits!” called out Tilith with a slightly teasing lilt to her voice. “He really ought to be thanking you for the chance!”

“Your holiness, such accusation is unbecoming.”

“Oho, blaspheming are we today? Let’s spar later, I’ve been itching to finally let loose a bit.”

“As you wish, your holiness.”

The warlock could only shake her head at the back and forth between saint and paladin. But at the same time, it was heartening in a sense that these two had each other to bounce off despite their high-ranking positions within the faith. Whatever complicated past laid between them was hardly anything that prevented how they worked together now, and hopefully in the future.

In said tomorrow as well, Florence did have a hope. “We’ll be seeing you again when we need help, right?”

“Of course,” Photios immediately confirmed. “You have done us a good service, and I… imagine you will continue doing so.”

“What he means to say is that there’s probably more things about the Followers of the Divine out there,” his boss elaborated on. “And you’ll let us know right away whenever you find them, aye? They naturally belong in custody of the faithful. Though of course, we can’t take them all.”

“In which case, we would happily welcome whatever spare artifacts you would generously donate to our collection.” Noire let out a thoughtful hum as she climbed in after Florence, speaking through the open window. “If you happen to grant us enough, perhaps I ought to dedicate a section of the museum to your generosity. ‘Saint Tilith’s Wing,’ how does that sound?”

“I would rather it be something like ‘Wing of the Faithful,’ and see it decorate in all manner of rightful homage to the gods,” she airily responded, raising a hand in farewell. “But let’s save settling that account for next time. For there surely will be one, if I can convince Photios to allow me to accompany him.”

“Whenever duty permits, your holiness.”

Noire and Florence both gave a parting wave as the carriage began to roll, taking the two onwards to their next destination. One that was actually quite familiar, as the warlock noted. “We’re already heading back to the Kingdom of Harten? I’m not sure I’m yet ready to try my luck at the academy for mastery just yet.”

“Fret not, it’s more of just a quick little stop in familiar territory,” the historian reassured. “We’re going someplace a far further. But there’s actually an errand I’d like to get over with on the way.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Remember that tomb we searched on the way? I’ve been told that the quest I posted is already resolved.”

That earned a blink of surprise from Florence. “Really? That… no, we have been here for a bit, haven’t we? It’s also not a particularly troubling situation if an adventuring party had proper preparation to tackle it on.”

“Indeed, they’ve already been there and back.” Noire huffed and leaned back in the carriage seat. “Which means that I will need to deliver the payment and collect the finds.”

“Do you think we could meet the adventurers that handled it? What if it was the Princess Hero herself?”

“If only we were so lucky, perhaps. Who knows?” she mused aloud. “The adventurers might still be there. They might not, having already received their pay and going off on their next job. I suppose we’ll figure it out when we stop by the Alliance hall and hash it all out.”