"Pontiff Tartys has arrived!"

And with the arrival of a Pontiff; the noise, the whispers, and every mouth that still wanted to say anything became completely shut. The room, which was filled with chatter, now completely silent as all eyes looked toward the guest that just arrived.

Bishop Bezos, who was also previously entertaining his guest, stepped away– not to approach the Pontiff, but towards Maria and Van.

"..." And looking at Bezos's and Maria's expressions, it was obvious to Van that they did not really welcome the presence of this old man. Van leaned to the side in order to take a better look at the Pontiff, and as soon as he did so, the man instantly turned his eyes towards him.

Maria told him that he had the same aura as the Pontiffs– now he knew why. Most of the people in the hall probably couldn't see it, but there was this weird aura that was surrounding Pontiff Tartys… similar to the aura that the seraphs from his visions emitted… similar to Evangeline.

According to Angela and Evangeline's stories, the World Eaters killed their god and massacred most of the seraphs– that was why Evangeline and her kin had to move to another universe in the first place, leading to their war with Athena and the other Greek gods.

The World Eaters– they started everything. And if Van wanted to stop it, the Pontiffs' were the key to everything.

"You said this Tartys was the weakest of the three Pontiffs?" Van then whispered to Maria; his eyes, not even leaving the pontiff for even a second. Tartys was what Van imagined what the Pontiffs would actually look like.

Old, long white beard, and a gaze that looked down on everyone. He was also wearing a white robe almost similar to the one Van was wearing right now.

"...Yes?"

"Shall we meet him, then? He's still your guest, after all."

"No need," Bezos's let out a small sigh as he shook his head, "He's coming here."

"Bishop Bezos! Congratulations on finally owning all the clusters on this Vessel!"

Pontiff Tartys's voice was enough to fill the entire hall; not because the other people were completely silent, but because his voice was incessantly loud and robust– almost as if he was forcing authority over everyone within the hall.

And as soon as he got in front of Bezos, he stretched the back of his hand toward Bezos.

"..." And there, Van watched as Bezos gently reached for the pontiff's hand; kissing it before placing it on his forehead.

"Welcome, Pontiff Tartys. It is an honor to have you–"And before Bezos could finish his words, Tartys pulled his hand away, almost causing Bezos to tumble.

"Don't be so humble, Bezos," Tartys then burst out in laughter as he brushed his long white beard, "At this point, it feels like we're on the same level now…

…right?"

And with those words, the party hall that was already as silent as death became even heavier. The people that still held onto their drinks, quickly dropping them to the nearest table in fear that they would faint.

"I… I dare not be on the same level as you, Pontiff Tartys."

Not only Bezos, but his wife, Maria, also kneeled on the ground as Tartys's glare fell upon them. The people that came to celebrate Bezos's success, could only really look to the side in shame.

This was how it is and was.

No matter how many lands, planets, or vessels Bezos owned. No matter how much authority he has over the masses, no matter how much money– he would always be below the Pontiffs.

Because Pontiffs have something he doesn't have…

…strength– overwhelming strength to the point they live a completely different life than the other Systellions.

Unfortunately for the rest of them, however, Pontiff Tartys was not like the other two Pontiffs, Eremiel and Irin. He, unlike the two, liked to mingle with them mortals and craved every bit of power he could get his hands on.

In short, he was petty.

"And this is your son?"

And then, with Tartys turning his head, everyone followed where his glares transferred to, only to see Bezos's rumored son still casually standing behind his parents– not kneeling unlike them.

"Y… Yes," Bezos didn't really know if he should continue to lie– but either way, if he exposed who Evan was, then there was a chance that the two would suddenly start fighting… killing all of them here.

"For someone of your stature, your son seemed to have not learned any manners," Tartys then stretched his hand towards Van,

"Kneel, child."

"..." Van only glanced at Tartys's hand, before looking at him directly in his eyes. And as soon as he did so, Tartys hit him right on the cheek; the sound, reverberating throughout the entire hall.

"I will not tolerate this kind of disrespect, Bezos," Tartys scoffed as he wiped the back of his hand with his robes, "If this is the child that would inherit your name, then I don't think you deserve any of it…

…I am claiming all of your properties from now on."

"Pontiff Tartys!" Bezos immediately stood up, but as soon as he did so, he met the same fate as Van– slapped on the face before he could even say what he wanted to say. Unlike Van, however, his feet didn't stay on the ground as he was thrown several meters in the air; violently rolling on the floor before a table filled with food stopped him.

"H… honey!" Maria was about to rush towards her husband, but before he could do so, Tartys suddenly grabbed her head, lifting her without any care or gentleness.

"All of you, kneel."

Tartys's voice was quiet and calm; his words, however, almost roared through the people's ears as they all kneeled at the same time…

…all except for Van.

"It seems you really were not taught to respect your betters, boy," Tartys's eyes began to twitch as he saw Van still just casually standing there,

"Kneel, or I will kill your mother."

"..." Van only let out a small sigh as he heard Tartys's words. He then looked at Maria for a few seconds, before shaking his head and stepping closer to Tartys.

​ "Athena," he then whispered, "You're still watching, right?"

"Hm?" Tartys's slightly squinted his eyes as he saw Van's hand moving towards him. Tartys then also stretched out his free hand, thinking that Van would finally show his respect and kiss it. But contrary to his expectations…

…the boy grabbed his long white beard.

"What are you–"

And before Tartys could finish his words, he felt himself slightly tumble; his eyes, now suddenly on the same level as Van. And without even any warning or hesitation, Van suddenly slapped him on the cheek– there was no strength, but the snap was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You– !!!"

Tartys quickly let go of Maria, but before he could do anything, another snap whispered in the air… and then another…

…and another.

Tartys did not feel any pain; but perhaps because of the shock that somebody would actually do something like this to him, he was in utter disbelief to the point that he froze.

"Change of plans, Athena…" Van then whispered as he once again raised his hand– this time, however, the slap that followed…

…caused Pontiff Tartys to violently roll on the floor several times.

"...Let's go say hi to these motherfuckers."