The Shepherds Are Dense-Chapter 20: Bishop Mathers

### Chapter 20: Bishop Mathers
The most traditional Nine Pillars Church and Avalon's preeminent institution in the Red Queen District is the Candlelight Cathedral.
Here, Avalon's queens and kings are crowned, and it is the royal mausoleum. Great ones in Avalon are interred here following state funerals.
Titled after the guardian deity of the Devotion Path, the Candlelighter, emphasizes its sacred nature.
Step this way, please," an old man in a serious, floor-length scarlet robe and ceremonial mitre said with politeness to Aiwass.
Bearded and bespectacled, the man looked like his forties based on skin and eyes but had the severe presence of a headmaster. But he presented an unexplainably "aged" appearance, maybe because of his unnaturally white hair and beard, bleached not by natural graying but by age.
He looked back at Oswald, who was guiding Aiwass's wheelchair. "Be careful, the way is downhill."
His mitre, which was ornate and sacred, looked like a candelabrum, which could accommodate candles—although only for big ceremonies.
It could accommodate three candles: one big in front, two small on the sides, designating him as a senior cleric, third in precedence after the Pope in the Eternal Theocracy.
All high-ranking clergy, even the Pope, are "bishops," dressed in red robes and mitres with three candles. The Pope's mitre carries three large candles; the lowest bishops, three small ones.
Priests carry two candles, deacons one.
Although all churches honor the Nine Pillars, they sympathize with the Devotion Path, with the Candlelighter as the sacred symbol of "burning oneself to light others," symbolized by the red candle.
Aiwass, a trainee priest, had not yet graduated and therefore had no mitre. He was outside of the system of the Church, receiving no salary and subject to none of its laws.
"Thank you, Bishop Mathers," Aiwass replied graciously. "I am glad you taught me personally sacred techniques."
"No inconvenience at all. I am what I am today because of Professor Moriarty," Bishop Mathers retorted, fingers together, accompanying Aiwass along the cathedral's east path.
He smiled. "I read this morning's paper—good work yesterday.
"Those demonologists were despicable, having recently slaughtered a whole village—dozens of aged and more than forty children, used as ritual supplies. Their atrocities appalled even His Holiness. They're wanted not only in Avalon but also by the Theocracy's Punishment Hall.".
"Without official Path powers, you discovered them with your intelligence and defeated them with a revolver. Defeating such odds is impressive. His Holiness hasn't even seen the paper yet, but he'd probably label you a 'young hero.'"
"Not so impressive," Aiwass countered with a smile. "Without Senior Haina's guardianship, I'd probably be dead even if I did discover them."
"That girl's impressive too," Mathers agreed. "Courageous, clever, and—most importantly—trustful.".
"Even with strength and age on her side over you, she never banked only on her strength and trusted your decision-making. If she was faced with an issue that she could not resolve, she deferred it to one who could. That is wisdom."
"You're a fan of sports?" Oswald, the elderly elf propelling the wheelchair, asked eagerly. "Which team do you root for?"
"The Mistletoe Club, naturally," Mathers said unhesitantly. "Their new member this season has promise.
"Unlikely and Unicorn? I have opinions on their performance, of course?" Oswald pushed.
"I'm Avalonian, so obviously I cheer for Avalon teams," Mathers replied with a chuckle, adroit.
He faced Aiwass, gravely. "You demonstrated you can beat stronger foes without powers that are transcendent, beating nearly third-tier opponents. But sending you out unprotected would be our failure as elders.".
“Though it bends rules—Queen Sophia’s decree forty years ago requires citizens to be of age, excel in academics, pass moral evaluations, and have no vices or criminal record to access a Path—you’re a month from your class’s final assessment. You’ve proven your integrity and rationality. I’ll speak to Her Majesty.”
Oswald coughed lightly. “Bishop, has something happened?”
Mathers, still jovial with hands clasped, didn’t answer immediately.
They arrived at the little chapel on the east side of the cathedral. Mathers pulled out a key as long as Haina's shortsword and opened the closed door.
He didn't say anything until then. Slowly, "Today, Saint Genevieve's Chapel opens only for you.".
"In addition to instructing you in 'Fire Offering,' 'Illumination,' and 'Blessing'—three holy techniques—I will take you through your first progression. Don't be afraid; the first level doesn't involve going into the Dream Realm. Avalon's position is tenuous. You require self-defensive skills."
"What's occurred?" Oswald asked.
Mathers shut the chapel door and switched on the electric light.
The chapel, which was like a university lecture room, was floodlit.
On either side, the life-sized statues in alcoves glowed, as if awakened by the light, slowly turning and looking towards them.
Mathers placed his hand on the three candles on his mitre, greeting the statues with reverence. "Seventy-three Pioneers.
"May the Candlelighter preserve your flames."
Aiwass and Oswald bowed their heads respectfully.
These seventy-three statues stood as Avalon's greatest leaders since its inception, including monarchs, interred here with state funeral rites, each name inscribed in history.
When Queen Sophia passes, she’ll be the seventy-fourth.
Aiwass noticed an empty alcove in the chapel’s corner.
Catching his gaze, Mathers explained kindly, “That’s Her Majesty’s prepared spot. Her statue began carving five years ago and was completed two years ago. It’s stored in the Hall of Silver and Tin.”
He turned to Oswald. “The Round Table hasn’t been informed, but I’ve ed to Her Majesty.
"Captured a Star Antimony spy and got information from them.
"A traitor among the kingdom's nobles. Plan to create extended disruptions in Glass Island—time, scope, and place unknown—to 'acquire or reach a divine being.'
"The capital might fall into chaos soon. Aiwass has to take the transcendent path at once."
(End of Chapter)