A Few Days Later

"You have been assigned a new title due to your recent victory over a demon prince. Your father, Sebastian, is very proud to hear about your recent successful exorcisms," said an envoy from the Association of Light who had arrived at Anton's house a few days after the exorcism.

Anton, with his arm bandaged, looked at the elderly man and said, "Do all the higher-ups in the Association of Light agree that someone so young should ascend to a Guardian Bishop?"

To be more precise, Anton is currently an exorcist priest, but if he is to be promoted just a few months after starting his work as an exorcist, that would mean he would become a Guardian Bishop. From now on, he would be responsible for overseeing exorcists, selecting good apprentices, and managing missions all over the world.

It should be known that Guardian Bishops, the most experienced ones, ascend at the age of forty, which is held in very high esteem. This time, for Anton, it is very difficult to believe that the entire Association of Light agrees that he should be promoted. If his power is questioned, it means that many might think he is being promoted unjustly.

"All are in agreement, Mr. ShadowBane. Seeing your performance in these last few days, everyone knows that you are ready to be a good leader in this entire city. Besides, you'll have extra time for all your games unrelated to the Association of Light."

When this person mentioned this, Anton furrowed his brows and asked in a cold tone, "Does my father know about this?"

"He knows everything, but he won't interfere with what you want to do because that is your life... But he left a condition for this, and it is to accept your promotion. That's precisely why he sent me right now."

Anton sighed, knowing that he was being used in this way. He, better than anyone, knew his capabilities and deeply believed that being a Guardian Bishop was the best way to go unnoticed in his other movements. But if there were negatives, his responsibilities would increase, giving him many more problems.

"Take this position; the higher you are in the Association of Light, the better reception your fiancée will have towards you."

"What do you know about what my fiancée likes?" Anton asked in a cold tone. His emotionless gaze fixed on this person, and wanting to change the subject, he asked, "By the way, what were her opinions on this forced marriage arranged by our parents?"

"She did not refuse; going against her father is something she wouldn't dare to do. Besides, knowing that you didn't refuse either, it could be said that the first step for you to have a wife has been completed."

At this point, Anton looked at a black wooden box, and upon opening it, he saw a purple-cross necklace, signifying a Guardian Bishop. Now, he would not only be more involved with the Association of Light, but he would also have around a thousand subordinates moving around him.

But to be honest, now that he wants to do many more things than just exercise, it might be a good idea, and he would use it to the fullest as it was his father's wish.

"So, that's it. Thank you for your visit, and tell my father that I will do a good job," Anton said as he looked at the purple cross-shaped necklace.

"He knows that you will do a good job."

As he withdrew, Anton put on the cross over his black suit and sighed deeply, knowing that now his actions would not only be his responsibility but also that of many more people, and that in itself is worrying.

Just as he was about to rest, he received a call from the cheerful Thomas, who had now become an exorcist priest of the Association of Light after breaking his vow of chastity, which was reported by Anton to the Christian authorities.

"Sir, everyone has received the news that you are now a Guardian Bishop and that you will soon be assigned a team. I would like to be part of that team; maybe I've only been assigned desk jobs, but I think I can do a good job."

Anton was surprised, walked to his room, and soon saw an announcement on his computer where his name, photo, and information had been posted all over the Association of Light forum.

"Typical of the association, they don't differ at all from The High Table." Anton believed that they were practically the same; only one dealt with the living and the other with the dead, the supernatural, and things not of this world.

In comparison to The High Table, Anton knows that the Association of Light is an institution recognized by world governments and even financially supported by them, receiving results from their work.

After being promoted to Guardian Bishop, what was sent to him in a message was the exact location of the building where he would operate from now on. His job as an exorcist had changed a bit; now, he had ascended to a new level that many hadn't reached in their lives.

"Base Location: Arts Building in the city center.

Operating Area: Open Section

Position: Guardian Bishop.

[Request: Introduce yourself to your new subordinates and operate on a larger scale than usual.]"

Anton left what he was doing and walked to the garage, where he had new cars sent to him by his father after learning that his truck had been damaged.

When he arrived at a modern-looking building, Anton spoke from the car, and a man in a black suit who was at the door quickly rushed to him to park the car in the reserved area for workers.

"Sir, we've been expecting you."

Anton looked at the man in the black suit and nodded, seeing his weapon at his waist; he could tell he was an external security guard.

Unlike the High Table, the Association of Light has its bases in public places hidden underground. Places like museums, libraries, or cultural museums were where the bases housed research departments, surveillance, and management, along with peacekeeping agents.

When Anton entered, he walked to an elevator to go down to the underground base, where he would meet the people who would be under his service.

"Guardian Anton, we've been waiting for you. Welcome to the central base of the city." A woman in a professional suit walked towards Anton and handed him a smart tablet.

When Anton took the smart tablet, the woman beside him said, "In your hands, you have all the profiles of the new recruits, ranging from field agents, exorcists, apprentice adepts, light agents, office workers, and private investigators."

Anton watched as the profiles appeared on the screen, nodding his head as they descended to the place where they operated more professionally on the elimination of dark entities.