《The Holy Knight is Actually a Scoundrel》


 1.The Exorcism Farce and the Forbidden Tome

    In the Lawrence Manor''s library, the old mage Haville often lingered alone for hours. Under the dim light, his figure appeared eerie and solitary. One day, Vera accidentally caught him flipping through a forbidden tome of magic, its cover etched with ominous runes banned by the Church.


    "Teacher, what are you studying?" Vera asked cautiously.


    Haville snapped the book shut in haste and cast a cold glance at her. "Just some ancient knowledge about demon banishment. Nothing you should concern yourself with."


    Despite his dismissive words, his trembling hands and the way he clutched the book as if guarding a treasure betrayed his unease. Vera, respecting her teacher, held back her questions but couldn''t shake the uneasiness in her heart.


    Recently, Haville had also been slipping out at night under the pretext of patrolling the manor. Yet, every time he returned, the hem of his robe was stained with soil and grass, and a faint, unsettling stench of decay followed him.


    "He''s just ensuring the safety of the Lawrence family," Vera told herself, though the nagging sense of something amiss lingered.


    As the manor residents debated their suspicions, a booming voice filled the courtyard:


    "By the power of the heavens and earth, may the Holy Light descend!"


    The Lawrence Manor was hosting a bizarre exorcism ritual.


    Draped in gleaming Holy Knight armor, Luo Wenkai twirled a priest''s staff in one hand and a water pouch filled with so-called holy water in the other. He performed a strange dance resembling the rituals of a tribal shaman, muttering incomprehensibly under his breath. With the firelight casting flickering shadows around him, the scene was almost comically unsettling.


    The onlookers¡ªservants, guards, and townsfolk¡ªwhispered among themselves, their skepticism mounting. Even the soldiers tasked with maintaining order exchanged confused glances.


    But Luo Wenkai remained unfazed, continuing his act with unwavering conviction. After all, this was the fifteenth day he had used "exorcism" as an excuse to freeload in the Lawrence Manor.


    At first, the townsfolk had welcomed him warmly. Now, suspicion colored their every glance. Were it not for his status as a Holy Knight, he might have been thrown out long ago.


    Near the bonfire, the old mage Haville crossed his arms and squinted at Luo Wenkai''s ridiculous dance. His gaze briefly lingered on the Holy Knight''s Silver Radiance Medal, a prestigious emblem of the Church. A shadow of doubt flickered in his eyes.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "How peculiar," he muttered, as if talking to himself¡ªor perhaps to Vera, who stood nearby. "A Holy Knight bearing the Silver Radiance Medal shouldn¡¯t behave so frivolously. And his Holy Light, while pure, seems¡­ different from the Church¡¯s standard teachings."


    "Teacher, do you suspect him?" Vera frowned.


    Haville didn¡¯t answer directly, tapping his staff rhythmically instead. "There¡¯s an old tale about a fallen knight banished from the Church. His name became infamous for trickery and scandalous behavior, yet his Holy Light was unparalleled. A tale so absurd, it seemed like a joke. But¡­"


    His voice trailed off as he cast another glance at Luo Wenkai, his expression growing heavier. "I hope I¡¯m wrong."


    Vera shivered, a chill creeping into her chest. She steadied herself, lowering her voice. "But, Teacher, what if it¡¯s true?"


    Haville sighed deeply. "If it¡¯s true, then the Lawrence family has welcomed a harbinger of chaos into our home."


    The Holy Church was the largest religious institution on the continent of Adrim and the state religion of the Kingdom of Estoria. Holy Knights, embodying both divine justice and sacred might, were held in the highest regard.


    Yet, after fifteen days of theatrics, even Luo Wenkai knew it was time to produce some results¡ªhe had planned for this moment.


    "Father, please put an end to this ridiculous charade."


    Vera, the eldest daughter of the Lawrence family and a promising magic apprentice, scowled in disdain at Luo Wenkai.


    "He¡¯s no exorcist," she said, voice dripping with disdain. "He¡¯s nothing but a clown, wasting our time and mocking us. He¡¯s a fraud. Order his arrest now!"


    But the Earl of Lawrence hesitated. "But his Holy Light shines with undeniable purity, and his interpretations of the sacred scriptures are remarkably profound. His possession of the Silver Radiance Medal surely validates his authenticity."


    "Father," Vera pressed, her tone rising in frustration. "This so-called Holy Knight was arrested on his first day here for causing a drunken brawl at a tavern!


    "Since then, he¡¯s done nothing but leer at the maids, claiming to read their fortunes from their palms, and squander our household''s resources on feasts and fights in the town. He even has the audacity to shout, ¡®Tonight¡¯s feast is on Earl Lawrence!¡¯ while leaving behind enormous debts!"


    The Earl winced but remained unsure. "If we¡¯re wrong about him, the Church¡¯s wrath would be unbearable."


    The family¡¯s advisor chimed in, "Lady Vera, patience. I¡¯ve already sent a messenger to the Grand Cathedral in the capital to verify his identity. We¡¯ll know the truth soon enough.


    "In the meantime, if his so-called ritual fails, we¡¯ll have ample cause to bring him to justice."


    Before Vera could respond, Luo Wenkai sprang in front of them, shouting, "By the Holy Light, begone, foul demon!"


    He splashed his holy water over the trio before him¡ªEarl Lawrence, Vera, and Haville.


    The crowd froze in stunned silence. For a moment, the only sounds were the crackling bonfire and the dripping water sliding off the trio¡¯s faces.


    Nothing happened.


    Vera¡¯s temper snapped. "Holy Knight, is this what you call an exorcism? Where¡¯s the demon?"


    Despite the lack of reaction, Luo Wenkai maintained an air of mystique, masking his dissatisfaction with an enigmatic smile.

 2.The Charismatic Charlatans "Holy" Show

    "Hold your horses, let the holy water do its thing," said Luo Wenkai with a mischievous grin.


    ¡°Enough! You shameless fraud! How dare you mock the Lawrence family? Guards, arrest him!¡± shouted Vera, her fury boiling over. Yet before her command could fully leave her lips, a shrill scream erupted from nearby.


    ¡°Aaaah! Damn holy water!¡±


    A small figure clawed its way out of the shadows beneath Lord Lawrence¡¯s feet, trailing wisps of smoke as it floated into the air. The figure had curled ram horns, leathery bat wings, and a slender tail that swayed menacingly. Despite her petite frame, she exuded an aura of deadly seduction.


    ¡°A demon! There really is a demon! Run for your lives!¡± The townsfolk scattered in terror, while the guards raised their weapons, their faces pale with fright. Lord Lawrence trembled visibly, and even Vera found herself frozen in shock.


    ¡°There¡¯s actually¡­ a demon?¡± she muttered, disbelief clouding her tone.


    Amidst the mounting panic, Luo Wenkai strode confidently to the forefront.


    ¡°Calm down, everyone! It¡¯s just a lowly demon¡ªhardly worth worrying about! With the blessing of the Holy Light, I¡¯ll handle this pest myself!¡±


    Hovering midair, the demon snarled and bared her fangs. ¡°Pathetic tin can! How dare you interfere with my plans? I¡¯ll tear you to shreds!¡±


    ¡°Big words for someone so small,¡± Luo Wenkai taunted as he struck a gallant pose. His body radiated pure, untainted holy light, casting away the night¡¯s gloom. The warmth of the light soothed the frightened crowd while sending the demon recoiling in disgust.


    ¡°By the sacred light of the Holy Dragon, begone, foul creature!¡± Luo Wenkai invoked, his staff raised high. The campfire flared brighter as the demon let out an ear-piercing screech. But just as Luo Wenkai swung his staff to strike, the demon coiled her tail like a whip and lashed out at his chest. Luo Wenkai stumbled, nearly tripping over a toppled barrel.


    ¡°Stay calm! Nobody panic!¡± he barked, steadying himself. With a deft motion, he conjured a barrier of blinding white light, shielding the frightened crowd.


    The demon, however, broke free from the holy light¡¯s restraints, her shadowy form diving toward a paralyzed guard. Without hesitation, Luo Wenkai hurled the pouch of holy water, striking the demon square on the forehead. A brilliant burst of light erupted as the demon shrieked.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Return to your prison, Holy Light Dragon!¡± he commanded. A massive spectral dragon of light emerged, roaring as it sealed the demon within a cage of divine energy. The radiant dragon¡¯s breath struck like a hammer, slamming the demon to the ground.


    Grabbing the emptied holy water pouch, Luo Wenkai shouted dramatically, ¡°Seal!¡±


    ¡°Nooo! I¡¯m not done yet!¡± wailed the demon as her form dissolved into violet smoke, sucked into the pouch like an ill-fated genie. The entire process flowed seamlessly, as though rehearsed to perfection.


    ¡°Praise the Holy Light! Praise the Holy Light!¡± cried the crowd. No one dared question Luo Wenkai¡¯s legitimacy anymore. The townsfolk knelt en masse, their voices filled with awe and reverence for the goddess they believed had sent him to save them.


    ¡°Esteemed Holy Knight! Your valor is unparalleled. Thank you for delivering us from evil,¡± one villager exclaimed.


    Luo Wenkai raised a hand solemnly. ¡°Do not let your guard down yet! Though the demon is subdued, her malevolence lingers. If left unchecked, it could bring plagues, curses, or even worse calamities to this land!¡±


    The villagers gasped in horror. ¡°Then what can we do, Holy Knight? Please, save us!¡±


    With a sympathetic expression, Luo Wenkai sighed. ¡°As a loyal servant of the Holy Light, I cannot abandon you in your time of need. However, the only solution is¡­ vast quantities of holy water!¡±


    Turning dramatically to the side, Luo Wenkai announced, ¡°Now, where can one obtain holy water?¡±


    He immediately pivoted back with a gleaming smile. ¡°Good question! You¡¯re in luck! Today, I will personally craft holy water for everyone here!¡±


    He struck a salesman¡¯s pose, pitching with unbridled enthusiasm. ¡°Scared of demonic corruption? Afraid of curses? Tired of being plagued by sickness? One bottle of holy water solves all your problems! Just 98 copper coins! A once-in-a-lifetime deal for peace of mind! Don¡¯t wait¡ªgrab your bottles now!¡±


    The crowd froze in stunned silence. Then, one by one, they scrambled to fetch containers, including the guards tasked with maintaining order. Watching the chaos unfold, Luo Wenkai smirked subtly, his true intentions hidden behind a veil of holy light.


    From a distance, Vera stared at him in a daze. The man before her was the antithesis of her idealized image of a noble Holy Knight. Everything about him¡ªhis demeanor, his actions¡ªwas nothing short of blasphemous. Yet, the radiance of his holy light and the genuine purity of his badge were undeniable.


    A sudden flutter of wings interrupted her thoughts as a raven landed on the shoulder of her mentor, the black-robed mage Havel. The bird dropped a copper tube into his hand, which he opened to extract a scroll. Havel¡¯s expression darkened as he read.


    ¡°What is it, teacher?¡± Vera asked cautiously.


    Havel passed her the scroll. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she read the words etched in black ink: ¡°Wanted by the Tribunal: Luo Wenkai. Threat Level: Cataclysm.¡±


    Havel¡¯s gaze hardened as he declared, ¡°No matter what, we cannot let him escape.¡±

 3.Exposing the Fallen Saint

    A shadow slipped silently over the high walls of the Lawrence family estate, disappearing into the dense northern woods under the cover of night.


    The forest at night was a world of its own¡ªshrouded in an ink-black darkness with only sparse moonlight filtering through the leaves, scattering broken patches of light that danced in the cold wind. The faint rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of twigs seemed to whisper of unseen dangers lurking just out of sight.


    Luo Wenkai navigated the treacherous terrain with the grace of a feline, his steps deliberate and soundless. He avoided brittle branches and dried leaves that might betray his position. Behind him, faint echoes of pursuit broke the silence¡ªa low shout here, the muffled clink of armor there¡ªgrowing clearer in the stillness of the forest.


    A sudden flurry of wings startled him as an owl took flight from a nearby branch, scattering dry leaves in its wake. Luo Wenkai froze mid-step, his breath catching as his sharp eyes scanned the dark surroundings. The forest air carried the faint scent of earth and greenery, but there was also a subtle metallic tang¡ªthe unmistakable sound of swords being unsheathed.


    His brow furrowed as he crouched low, pressing his back against the gnarled trunk of a massive tree. Holding his staff tightly, he stilled his breath and waited until the faint noises faded. Only then did he emerge cautiously from the shadows.


    Carefully covering his tracks as he pressed deeper into the woods, Luo Wenkai¡¯s mind remained sharp despite the weight of the bounty he carried¡ªboth literal and metaphorical.


    Having just made a fortune selling "holy water" to the gullible townsfolk, he couldn¡¯t help but feel smug. Copper coins may not match the allure of silver drachmas or gold marks, but when they piled up? They could weigh just as heavy.


    Pausing to check his backtrail, Luo Wenkai¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden vibration from the pouch strapped to his waist.


    ¡°Alright, alright! I get it!¡± he muttered irritably, yanking the pouch free and uncorking it with practiced ease. A swirl of pale purple mist spilled out, coalescing into the tiny figure of a sulking demoness¡ªnone other than the mischievous Lilith.


    Perched indignantly on his shoulders, she tugged at his hair and ears, her voice rising in a furious tirade. ¡°You brute! Do you have any idea how much that hurt?!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk!¡± Luo Wenkai shot back, his patience wearing thin. ¡°How many times have I told you? When I throw the holy water, you immediately pop out. Not too early, not too late. Is that too much to ask?¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Lilith puffed out her cheeks in defiance. ¡°Well, excuse me for dozing off! Maybe if your so-called ¡®rituals¡¯ didn¡¯t take forever, I wouldn¡¯t fall asleep!¡±


    ¡°Dozing off? You¡¯re a succubus for crying out loud! What kind of self-respecting demon falls asleep at night? Shameful! Absolutely disgraceful!¡±


    Flushed with embarrassment, Lilith pointed an accusing finger at him. ¡°And you call yourself a Holy Knight?! You¡¯re the most disgraceful of all! A so-called champion of light who badmouths the Goddess every chance you get¡ªand yet, you invoke her name so devoutly when making your ¡®holy water!¡¯ Hypocrite!¡±


    ¡°Business is business, darling,¡± Luo Wenkai replied with a dismissive wave. ¡°The Holy Light Goddess is just the figurehead of the company. I¡¯m just a hardworking employee doing fieldwork. The money goes to me, and the blame? Well, that¡¯s hers to shoulder. It¡¯s called ¡®delegation,¡¯ look it up.¡±


    ¡°Delegation?! You absolute scoundrel! I¡¯ll bite you to death!¡± Lilith screeched, her sharp teeth snapping at his ear.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough!¡± Luo Wenkai snarled, shoving her back. ¡°Put your foot near my face again, and you¡¯ll regret it!¡±


    Suddenly, a sharp whoosh cut through the air. Luo Wenkai¡¯s reflexes kicked in, his hand darting out to catch the arrow mere inches from Lilith¡¯s head. He sighed, shoving the squirming demon under his arm.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got company,¡± he said calmly, his eyes narrowing as armored soldiers emerged from the darkness, surrounding him in a tight circle.


    From the crowd stepped none other than Vera and her black-robed mentor, Havel, their faces alight with triumph.


    ¡°See, teacher? Just as you predicted, he¡¯s running away tonight,¡± Vera said with a smug grin.


    Luo Wenkai, still clutching Lilith like a misbehaving pet, chuckled. ¡°Miss Vera, let¡¯s not be so dramatic. ¡®Running away¡¯ is such an ugly phrase. I prefer to call it ¡®quietly taking my leave after a job well done.¡¯ Your estate¡¯s safe now, but there¡¯s a whole wide world out there begging for my help.¡±


    Vera¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer. ¡°Help? You mean more lies and cons, don¡¯t you, Luo Wenkai? Or should I address you properly¡­ Saint Luo Wenkai?¡±


    The light in Luo Wenkai¡¯s eyes dimmed, his casual grin tightening into a sharp edge. ¡°You¡­ dug into my past?¡±


    ¡°Saint Luo Wenkai,¡± Vera began, her voice dripping with venom. ¡°One of the five candidates for Holy Son, heralded as the prodigy with perfect light-element affinity. Five years ago, you appeared in the Holy City like a bolt of lightning, earning the favor of both the Pope and the legendary knight, Constantine.


    ¡°In two short years, you gained countless titles: ¡®Disgrace of the Holy Knights,¡¯ ¡®Tarnished Light,¡¯ ¡®Holy Sin,¡¯ and ¡®The Unforgivable One.¡¯ Three years ago, during the Sacred Advent Festival, you committed blasphemy against the Goddess herself, leading to your exile and a cataclysm-level bounty from the Tribunal.¡±


    Luo Wenkai feigned a yawn, sticking a finger in his ear. ¡°Wow, you¡¯ve really done your homework. So? What now? Planning to cash me in for the reward?¡±


    Vera¡¯s grip tightened on her staff, her eyes blazing with fury. ¡°You¡¯ve defiled the name of the Holy Knights, colluded with demons, and swindled innocent people! I¡¯ll not only drag you back to the Holy City but make you return every copper you¡¯ve stolen!¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Luo Wenkai retorted, his grin returning. ¡°I only sell authentic holy water, thank you very much. If you don¡¯t know quality when you see it, that¡¯s on you.¡±


    Vera¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Guards, seize him!¡±

 4.The Bound Saint

    "Charge!" At Vera¡¯s command, the soldiers surged forward. Leading the charge was a burly warrior, his battle axe gleaming under the pale moonlight as he stormed toward Luo Wenkai with immense momentum.


    "Ah, am I truly that underestimated?" Luo Wenkai mused with a faint smile, his demeanor calm and unhurried. With a flick of his fingers, a radiant glow of Holy Light descended¡ªa simple healing spell.


    Vera''s brows furrowed. Had he gone mad? Casting a healing spell on the enemy mid-battle?


    Her confusion was quickly replaced with shock. The warrior charging at full speed suddenly staggered, losing balance entirely, and crashed into a nearby tree with a resounding thud.


    ¡°He... tripped?¡± Vera stared, incredulous. The man wasn¡¯t just any warrior; he was a Silver Rank 5 combatant, a renowned elite in the kingdom of Astoria. To see him sprawled out like a novice was absurd.


    ¡°Remarkable¡­¡± muttered Havel, the old mage, his raspy voice cutting through the tension. ¡°He just used a highly precise variation of a healing spell to overload the strength in Johnson''s left leg. That imbalance caused him to lose control.¡±


    Vera gasped. She knew the basic mechanics of healing magic¡ªimbuing light energy to stimulate the body¡¯s natural vitality for recovery. But to use it with surgical precision to disrupt an opponent¡¯s movements? That bordered on the unthinkable.


    Luo Wenkai chuckled at their astonishment. ¡°Ah, it seems we have an observer who recognizes fine craftsmanship. You see, years ago when I first studied healing magic, I noticed how most clergy adopted the ¡®flood the field¡¯ approach to ensure broad-spectrum recovery.


    "I refined that into what I call Localized Holy Healing. But during testing, I discovered that if applied excessively to a single area¡­ well, let me demonstrate."


    With another nonchalant wave of his hand, Holy Light landed on one of the soldiers. Immediately, the man let out a strangled cry, clutching his leg.


    "My calf! It¡¯s cramping! I can¡¯t move!"


    Before the cries subsided, more soldiers were struck.


    "My eyelids won¡¯t stop twitching!"


    "My heartbeat¡ªit¡¯s racing! It feels like my chest is going to explode!"


    "My throat! I¡ªI can¡¯t breathe!"You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Within moments, the once-organized guards were reduced to a stumbling, wailing mess. Vera stood frozen, her face drained of color. Was this really healing magic? This felt more like a sinister curse.


    "Why does a Holy Knight wield something so¡­ twisted?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    From Luo Wenkai¡¯s shoulder, Lilith peeked out, her mocking laughter breaking the silence. "Oh, how amusing! Did you all think he was just some charming charlatan? You underestimated him because of his lazy demeanor and outrageous antics, didn¡¯t you?"


    Her tone turned icy, dripping with condescension. "Let me remind you¡ªevery tale the Church spins about him, every accusation of blasphemy and scandal, not one dares to question his power. That¡¯s because they can¡¯t."


    A chill swept through the soldiers. The weight of Lilith''s words crushed their bravado, leaving only dread in its wake.


    Breaking the oppressive silence, Havel raised his staff, summoning an onslaught of wind blades that hurled themselves toward Luo Wenkai. Without missing a beat, Luo Wenkai conjured a shimmering Holy Shield, deflecting the attacks. Yet the relentless barrage forced him to focus solely on defense.


    "Now!" shouted Vera, snapping out of her trance. She joined her mentor, casting supportive magic while the soldiers regrouped and charged anew.


    "You all," Luo Wenkai sneered, his voice echoing through the clearing, "are woefully ignorant of what true power is."


    Golden light erupted from his body, forming an immense radiant domain¡ªa ten-meter-wide Holy Sanctuary. The moment the soldiers entered the field, their faces contorted in discomfort, and one by one, they fell to their knees clutching their stomachs.


    "W-What did you do?!" Vera demanded, her voice trembling.


    "Oh, nothing much," Luo Wenkai replied, his tone maddeningly casual. "This is my own creation¡ªa Holy Domain. Those who step into it are blessed by accelerated metabolism and intestinal activity. In simpler terms¡­" He smirked, savoring the horror dawning on their faces. "It¡¯s diarrhea. Extreme diarrhea."


    The foul stench that followed was enough to send even the untouched soldiers staggering back in fear. The unlucky victims writhed on the ground, their dignity obliterated.


    ¡°I call it¡­ Social Death Domain!¡± Luo Wenkai declared with a flourish.


    The combination of the name and its grotesque effects sent a wave of revulsion through the remaining soldiers. Even Vera, whose pride as a noblewoman kept her rooted, backed away instinctively. If that happens to me¡­ death would be a mercy.


    "Damn you!" growled Havel, his face twisted in both anger and resolve. Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled out an ancient scroll, its edges frayed with age. Without hesitation, he ignited it, releasing a brilliant surge of light.


    Chains of radiance materialized in the air, writhing like serpents before lashing out at Luo Wenkai.


    "Holy Shackles?" Luo Wenkai¡¯s eyes widened. He hadn¡¯t expected them to bring out such a potent divine artifact. The glowing chains wrapped around him, burning through his armor and branding his skin with intricate markings.


    In desperation, he hurled Lilith forward. "Handle this for me!"


    But it was too late. The Holy Shackles tightened, suppressing the radiant energy emanating from Luo Wenkai. His shield shattered, and the golden domain flickered out of existence.


    The clearing fell silent, save for the faint rattling of chains. Luo Wenkai stood bound, his mischievous grin replaced by an unreadable expression.


    For the first time, his enemies felt they might have the upper hand.

 5.Chains of Truth

    A shadowy figure darted silently from the Laurens estate, vanishing into the dense northern forest under the cover of night.


    The forest at night was an oppressive void, cloaked in inky darkness. Sparse moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting fragmented shadows that danced with the wind. A chilling breeze wove through the trees, its mournful whistle carrying an ominous warning. The underbrush rustled faintly¡ªperhaps stirred by the wind, or perhaps by predators lying in wait.


    Luo Wenkai moved like a phantom through the dense foliage, his footsteps silent as a cat''s. He deliberately avoided stepping on dry branches or leaves, his movements a calculated effort to leave no trace. Behind him, the occasional shouts of his pursuers broke the quiet, their heavy boots crunching against the forest floor.


    A sudden flutter of wings startled him. An owl burst from the treetops, scattering brittle leaves as it soared away. Luo Wenkai froze, pressing his back against a massive tree trunk. His sharp eyes scanned the darkness, his breathing shallow, as faint metallic clinks reached his ears. He frowned. The pursuers are closer than I thought.


    He silently adjusted his position, blending further into the shadows. No mistakes, he reminded himself, and continued deeper into the woods, erasing his tracks with every step.


    As he paused under a towering tree to check for any sign of pursuit, the water pouch at his waist began to tremble.


    "Alright, alright, I hear you!" Luo Wenkai grumbled, yanking the pouch off and pulling out the stopper. A wisp of purple smoke swirled out, coalescing into the tiny figure of the recently subdued demon, Lilith.


    She perched indignantly on his shoulders, tugging furiously at his hair and ears. "You ironclad jerk! Do you know how much that hurt?"


    "And how many times do I have to tell you," Luo Wenkai retorted, flicking her forehead, "to appear the moment holy water splashes on the target? Do you even understand what timing is?"


    "Well, maybe if your dumb rituals didn¡¯t take forever, I wouldn¡¯t fall asleep waiting!" Lilith shot back, crossing her arms.


    "Fell asleep? Really? You¡¯re a demon. What kind of self-respecting demon falls asleep at night? Shame on you. You¡¯re a disgrace to demons everywhere."


    Her face turned beet red with anger. "You have no right to criticize me! You¡¯re the most despicable Holy Knight in history! And don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t hear you during that ritual, chanting ¡®Blessed by the Radiance of the Holy Goddess¡¯ like you actually believe it. Hypocrite!"


    Luo Wenkai rolled his eyes. "You wouldn¡¯t understand, but think of the Holy Goddess as the company¡¯s CEO. I¡¯m an employee on a business trip. Of course, I have to invoke her name¡ªit¡¯s marketing! I take the profits, and she takes the blame. That¡¯s just good delegation."A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "You¡¯re insufferable!" Lilith growled, lunging to bite his head.


    "Ow, watch it! And get your foot out of my mouth before I¡ª"


    The sharp hiss of an arrow cut through the air, forcing Luo Wenkai to shove Lilith aside as he caught the projectile mid-flight with his bare hand. His expression darkened as he gazed at the treeline.


    "Looks like we¡¯ve got company," he muttered, lowering his hand and letting the arrow drop.


    Before Lilith could respond, a squad of armed soldiers emerged from the shadows, surrounding him. At the front of the group stood Vera and Havel, the old mage, both wearing expressions of triumph.


    "Teacher, you were right! He really tried to flee tonight," Vera exclaimed.


    Luo Wenkai cradled Lilith under one arm like a reluctant pet, grinning lazily. "Miss Vera, such harsh words. Fleeing? No, no, this is merely the poetic conclusion of a job well done. You see, I freed your estate from evil and now, like the wind, I must move on to save others in need."


    "Save others? More like finding your next victim!" Vera sneered. Her eyes narrowed. "Or should I say, Saint Luo Wenkai?"


    At that, Luo Wenkai¡¯s smile faltered, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp edge. "Oh? You¡¯ve been digging into my past?"


    Vera stepped forward, her tone icy. "You¡¯re more than just a scammer, aren¡¯t you? Saint Luo Wenkai, one of the five chosen candidates for the Holy Son. Renowned for your unparalleled affinity with the purest light, a prodigy handpicked by the Pope himself.


    "But your legacy is far from honorable. The ¡®Shame of the Holy Knights,¡¯ ¡®Blighted Light,¡¯ ¡®The Unforgivable,¡¯ ¡®The Heretic¡¯¡ªneed I go on? Three years ago, you committed the ultimate blasphemy during the Sacred Descent Ceremony, leading to your exile. Now, you¡¯re the Holy Church¡¯s most wanted criminal, a walking disaster-level threat."


    Luo Wenkai smirked, though a trace of bitterness flickered in his eyes. "So, you¡¯ve heard of me. Tell me, Miss Vera, do you plan to turn me in for the bounty?"


    "Not just that," Vera snapped, brandishing her staff. "You¡¯ve conned innocent people, colluded with demons, and defiled the reputation of the Holy Church. You will pay for your crimes, and every coin you stole will be returned to its rightful owners!"


    "Ah, come on," Luo Wenkai said with a mock pout. "My holy water was genuine. Just because you don¡¯t know quality when you see it doesn¡¯t mean you get to slander me."


    "Enough of your lies!" Vera shouted. "Take him down!"


    At her command, a soldier lunged forward, his axe raised high. Luo Wenkai sighed, his fingers glowing with a faint light. "What a bother."


    He cast a healing spell¡ªbut instead of mending wounds, the soldier stumbled, losing balance and crashing into a tree.


    "What just happened?" Vera asked, stunned.


    Havel¡¯s eyes gleamed with understanding. "He manipulated the healing spell to overload a single muscle group, throwing the man off balance. This level of precision... terrifying."


    As the soldiers hesitated, Lilith smirked. "You poor fools. Did you really think you were dealing with an ordinary fraud? His infamy doesn¡¯t come from his crimes alone¡ªit¡¯s his power you should fear."


    The tension in the air thickened. But before anyone could act, Havel pulled out an ancient scroll. He whispered an incantation, and radiant chains of light erupted, binding Luo Wenkai in an unbreakable hold.


    Luo Wenkai¡¯s smirk faded as the chains seared his skin, carving divine marks into his flesh. "The Holy Shackles, huh? You¡¯re really pulling out all the stops."


    Havel smiled coldly. "Your tricks end here."


    As the chains tightened, extinguishing the last traces of light around him, Luo Wenkai¡¯s eyes narrowed. For once, his voice lacked its usual playfulness.


    "Careful, mage. You¡¯ve opened a door you might regret."

 6.Threads of Suspicion

    Luo Wenkai didn¡¯t bother arguing further. He left one cryptic remark before allowing himself to be escorted into the depths of the dungeon.


    As his figure disappeared into the shadows of the cold, damp prison, Vera exhaled quietly, the tension in her chest finally easing. Despite his divine abilities being sealed, the man¡¯s words lingered in her mind like a demon¡¯s whisper, threatening to ensnare her if she wasn¡¯t careful.


    "He claimed he was here to exorcise demons while freeloading off my family¡­"


    The first light of dawn was breaking as Vera walked toward the dining hall, her thoughts circling back to his final statement. She couldn¡¯t shake the sense of unease it left behind.


    The dungeon reeked of decay and dampness, its chilling air heavy with the stench of mold and rot. Water dripped from the ceiling, echoing through the stone corridors. Luo Wenkai leaned against the wall with a nonchalant air, humming a lighthearted tune, his eyes gleaming with a faint trace of mischief.


    Above, in the warmth of the Laurens estate¡¯s dining hall, servants bustled about, setting the table with precision. The clinking of silverware and the aroma of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the air. Yet, as Vera sat at the long, lavishly decorated table, she found herself unable to enjoy the feast before her. The juxtaposition of the cold dungeon and the warm dining hall haunted her thoughts, souring her appetite.


    She picked up her utensils absentmindedly and noticed a maid setting a place for Luo Wenkai. Without thinking, she spoke up.


    ¡°No need to set his place today,¡± Vera said curtly.


    The maid paused, her expression falling. ¡°Oh? Has Sir Luo Wenkai already left?¡±


    Another maid chimed in, her voice tinged with disappointment. ¡°What a shame. I didn¡¯t even get the chance to thank him properly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I had prepared a gift for him too¡­¡±


    Vera blinked in surprise. ¡°You all seem rather fond of him?¡±


    The maids exchanged shy glances, their cheeks flushed. One, more outspoken than the others, admitted, ¡°He may be a bit unpolished, but he¡¯s rather handsome. Most importantly, he drove away the demon and avenged my father.¡±


    Another maid nodded solemnly. ¡°Yes¡­ my brother and mother¡¯s souls can finally rest in peace.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Vera stiffened, her fork clattering against the plate. In her relentless focus on exposing Luo Wenkai¡¯s supposed schemes, she had overlooked the larger picture.


    Before his arrival, the Laurens estate had been plagued by a series of mysterious murders. Rumors of demonic activity had spread like wildfire, leaving the townsfolk gripped by fear. Luo Wenkai had appeared during this chaos, donning the mantle of a Holy Knight, and stayed under the pretense of exorcising demons.


    But now, with his exorcisms revealed as orchestrated charades, a chilling question arose: Who committed the murders before he arrived?


    Vera¡¯s hands trembled as her thoughts spiraled.


    ¡°Since his arrival, the killings have stopped. So, either he¡¯s the murderer, staging everything to profit off his deception¡­ or the real killer has been hiding in plain sight, perhaps within the estate itself.¡±


    Her breath hitched as a troubling suspicion surfaced. ¡°Do we still have any of Teacher Havel¡¯s unwashed clothes? Or maybe his bedding?¡±


    The maids exchanged puzzled looks. ¡°I think so¡­ but why?¡±


    ¡°Bring them to me immediately!¡± Vera ordered, her voice tight with urgency.


    Confused but obedient, the maids scurried toward the laundry room. Left alone at the table, Vera gripped her fork so tightly her knuckles turned white.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about doubting him,¡± she whispered to herself. ¡°I just need to prove Teacher¡¯s innocence¡­¡±


    Meanwhile, Luo Wenkai reclined on the dungeon¡¯s straw mattress, humming a jaunty tune.


    ¡°Iron bars and chains, oh what a shame, locked up inside, dreaming of escape¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop it. You¡¯re butchering my ears.¡±


    The familiar voice of Lilith, the diminutive demon, cut through the gloom. She phased her head through the cell wall, smirking at him. ¡°Well, well, look who¡¯s finally behind bars. What¡¯s the plan, Mister Holy Knight? Want me to break you out? Just beg me a little¡ªstart with ¡®Oh, great Lady Lilith.¡¯¡±


    Luo Wenkai rolled his eyes. ¡°Break out? Why would I want to leave? Look at this luxury: a private, exclusive single-cell suite. Rustic straw bedding, handcrafted iron bars with a vintage finish. It¡¯s a five-star experience.¡±


    Lilith floated through the wall entirely, perching on his shoulder. ¡°Sure, sure, keep up the act. But seriously, what¡¯s your play this time? You could¡¯ve fought your way out easily, but you let them catch you. Why?¡±


    Luo Wenkai¡¯s grin faded, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. ¡°At first, I thought this was another one of those mages who¡¯d traded their humanity for forbidden knowledge. But this feels¡­ different. Bigger.¡±


    Lilith tilted her head. ¡°Then what¡¯s the motive behind all those killings?¡±


    Luo Wenkai shrugged, stretching out lazily. ¡°Why bother solving the puzzle yourself? Better to wait for the quizmaster to reveal the answer.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, boring!¡± Lilith pouted. ¡°Alright, genius, what¡¯s next?¡±


    He smirked, pointing at her with a casual flick of his finger. ¡°How about this? A remnant of the Tower of Truth has surfaced. Go notify the nearest Inquisition branch. Let them handle it.¡±


    Lilith¡¯s playful grin widened. ¡°Oh, now that sounds exciting.¡± With that, she phased through the wall, vanishing into the night.


    Luo Wenkai leaned back against the wall, resuming his tune. ¡°Iron bars and chains, oh what a shame¡­¡±


    The faint sound of footsteps echoed through the dungeon halls, but Luo Wenkai paid them no mind. His gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, a knowing smirk playing at his lips.

 7.The Light Behind Bars: Schemes in the Shadows

    Lilis rolled her eyes dramatically, scoffing at the ludicrous task she was given. Only someone like this man could casually suggest sending a demon to deliver a message to the Tribunal of the Holy Light Church.


    ¡°Fine, if that''s too much for you, here¡¯s a simpler one: stay hidden in Vera¡¯s shadow and ensure she stays alive until the truth surfaces,¡± he added with an air of nonchalance.


    Lilis pouted, her tone turning sarcastic. ¡°Protecting her so carefully¡­ Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve fallen for her? I knew it! You¡¯re into those brainless, big-breasted types, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Ignoring her jibe, Lohvenkai waved her away impatiently. With a flick of her tail and a disdainful huff, Lilis vanished from the cell.


    Lying against the damp wall of the cell, Lohvenkai stared at the ceiling, his thoughts spinning as he reviewed the intricate details of recent events.


    ¡°Ten years of dormancy, and now the killing begins¡­ It¡¯s either the time has come, or the opportunity presented itself,¡± he mused aloud.


    As dawn broke, the faint light illuminated the dreary prison. Around him, the other inmates began to stir. Spotting a new face, they quickly grew animated, chattering like children discovering a new toy. Their rowdy curiosity soon escalated into a commotion, prompting the guards to rush over, barking orders and rapping their batons against the iron bars.


    Lohvenkai stretched lazily, standing with a grin that exuded unsettling cheerfulness. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect such a lively crowd. Well then, let¡¯s do some community building.¡±


    With an air of calculated mischief, he spread his arms wide and declared, ¡°Friends, tell me¡­ do you believe in the Light?¡±


    Night descended, shrouding the forest in deep shadows. Only the occasional rustle of leaves and the haunting cries of the wind broke the silence. Lilis moved effortlessly through the darkness, her wings brushing the air so lightly that she left no trace of her presence. Her silhouette danced between the fragmented moonlight, an ethereal figure gliding through the trees.


    ¡°That damned tin can,¡± she muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with mock exasperation. ¡°He¡¯s always pulling these stunts and leaving me to clean up the mess.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Yet, even as her words dripped with disdain, there was an inexplicable undertone of reluctant admiration. Pausing by an ancient tree, she pressed her delicate fingers against the bark. A soft purple glow spread from her touch, forming intricate runes that pulsed faintly like a living entity. Her gaze grew contemplative.


    ¡°The involvement of the Tower of Truth¡­ How fascinating,¡± she murmured, her lips curling into a sly, enigmatic smile. ¡°It seems the stakes are higher than they appear. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s bold enough to make their next move.¡±


    She glanced up at the treetops, her expression distant as though peering into the past. The memories of betrayal, blood, and vengeance flickered in her mind like a slideshow. Her smile deepened, a tantalizing mix of allure and danger. ¡°The Holy Light? The so-called truth? They¡¯re all just tools, nothing more,¡± she whispered, her voice as soft as the wind yet sharp as a blade. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me, Lohvenkai. In this game, I hold more cards than you think.¡±


    As her wings lifted her into the sky, her lithe form cut through the crisp air, vanishing into the night. Behind her, the lingering fragrance of sweet allure left an invisible mark¡ªenticing yet ominous.


    Back in the cell, Lohvenkai leaned against the cold stone wall, humming a carefree tune that echoed faintly in the damp, suffocating space. His relaxed demeanor belied the sharp cunning lurking beneath. The lingering tension in his eyes suggested a mind perpetually calculating its next move.


    "Play the fool to catch the wise," he thought with a sardonic smirk. ¡°If I act like a scoundrel, no one bothers to guard their secrets.¡±


    Glancing at the faint mark on his wrist left by the divine restraint, Lohvenkai¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°The Tower of Truth, the Lawrence family¡¯s secrets, and that old mage¡­ The pieces are falling into place. But let¡¯s be clear¡ªI¡¯m no hero. My only concern is winning this game, and winning spectacularly.¡±


    His hand flicked casually, tracing an invisible sigil in the air. For a brief moment, a dim light glimmered at his fingertips¡ªa light unlike the radiant brilliance of the Holy Light. It was subtle, restrained, like a smoldering ember hidden within the shadows.


    ¡°Impressive seal,¡± he muttered with a mocking chuckle. ¡°But it feels a bit mass-produced. Who knew the Tower¡¯s budget restraints would show in their work?¡±


    As the faint light faded, a wicked smile crept across his lips. His eyes darted toward the guards pacing outside and then to the cracked stones of the cell walls, lingering with mild amusement.


    "People who trust too much in rules," he murmured, his voice barely audible, "tend to overlook the gaps between them. Tower of Truth¡­ You disappoint me."


    Yawning theatrically, he slumped against the wall, his eyes shutting as though preparing to sleep. Yet, his smile never wavered. It was the look of a predator, biding its time until the perfect moment to strike.

 8.The Light of Salvation

    The next day, Vera''s face was grim as she hurried toward the dungeon.


    Suspicion was like a seed; once planted, it grew uncontrollably.


    Just earlier, she had caught a whiff of that strange stench on her teacher, Havier¡¯s, clothes again.


    Just as that man had said, the scent of death was so distinct that even though her teacher had used a lot of magical potions to mask it, it still couldn''t be completely erased.


    Taking advantage of Havier¡¯s absence from the manor, she had started questioning and investigating all around.


    The conclusion was clear¡ªwhether in terms of the time of the crime or the evidence, her teacher had significant suspicion of being involved in the murder!


    When the facts were laid before her, Vera was stunned.


    Her long-standing trust had prevented her from ever suspecting her teacher. Perhaps it was this trust that allowed the old mage to cover up the traces of his crime so carelessly.


    But even so, Vera still refused to believe it. She didn¡¯t even know why she was heading to the dungeon. Perhaps, she was hoping that the man¡¯s sharp sarcasm would shatter the last of her remaining illusions.


    In the dungeon, the dim light from the flames cast eerie shadows on the weathered walls. The damp air was thick with the stench of rot, making it hard to breathe. A group of prisoners slouched in the corners, their eyes hollow and full of apathy and resentment.


    Loenke strolled in leisurely, clapping his hands lightly. The sound was crisp and laced with a touch of mockery. ¡°Friends, wake up! I have a thrilling piece of news for you¡ªyour life can change right now!¡±


    The prisoners burst out into derisive laughter. A burly man with a face full of scars raised his head, eyes filled with scorn. ¡°Change? As if you could turn this miserable dungeon into a palace. Sir Paladin, are you insulting our intelligence?¡±


    ¡°A palace? Not quite,¡± Loenke squinted, a sly smile playing on his lips. ¡°But making this place more comfortable than the shabby dog kennels you¡¯ve been living in? Absolutely. The real question is¡ªare you willing to bet on it?¡±


    Another thin, gaunt prisoner sneered. ¡°Bet? What¡¯s the bet? In the end, it¡¯s still us doing the work while you reap the rewards?¡±


    Loenke laughed as if he had just heard the greatest joke, clapping his hands with exaggerated astonishment. ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t know there was a genius hidden here! You¡¯re absolutely right, it is you doing the work¡ª but don¡¯t underestimate the work itself. Sweeping floors, scrubbing walls¡ªthis isn¡¯t just work, it¡¯s a renovation of your lives.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Life renovation?¡± The gaunt prisoner scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Renovation? Are you here to tell jokes?¡±


    ¡°Jokes? No, no, I¡¯m here to speak the truth.¡± Loenke suddenly turned around, his eyes burning as he scanned each of them. ¡°You¡¯re stuck here, filled with complaints about the unfairness of life, but who said that prisoners have to live like dead dogs forever? Who said this place has to stink and be filthy? If life is a play, who decided you could only act in a tragedy?¡±


    The burly man snorted. ¡°Sounds good, but how do we know this isn¡¯t just an excuse to get us to do the work for you?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s an excuse!¡± Loenke shamelessly admitted, his face breaking into a wild grin. ¡°But the clever ones will hear the hidden meaning, and the fools will just keep circling in their doubts. Go ahead, stay lying down, let the stench of this place linger for another few years; or, you can stand up and try to turn this place into a new world with your own hands. The key is¡ª I¡¯m not asking you to work for someone else, I¡¯m asking you to create something for yourselves!¡±


    He walked to the center and pointed at the newly fixed skylight. A shaft of sunlight poured through, casting a golden glow over him, highlighting his handsome face as if it were bathed in divine light. He declared loudly, ¡°See, this is the response of the Holy Light. If you¡¯re willing to change, the light is right in front of you.¡±


    The prisoners fell silent for a moment, their gazes complex. The burly man and the gaunt prisoner exchanged a glance. After a brief pause, they stood up, grabbed a nearby broom, and began to work. Slowly, the others joined in, though reluctantly, their hands still busy.


    Loenke turned his back to them, a smug smile on his lips. He murmured softly, ¡°The power of the Holy Light is truly not to be underestimated.¡± After a pause, he suddenly raised his voice, ¡°Alright, gentlemen, no slacking off! Our goal today is to make this dungeon cleaner than the Earl¡¯s bedroom! If you do a good job, I¡¯ll teach you some Holy Light techniques that will have the guards calling you ¡®big brother¡¯!¡±


    ...


    When Vera reached the entrance of the dungeon, she was completely stunned.


    The dungeon? Where¡¯s the dungeon? The Lawrence family¡¯s grand dungeon was right here this morning!


    How did it turn into a bustling construction site in just one morning?


    Why had the originally narrow, gloomy entrance been expanded three times its size? Why were the guards sitting on stone benches with the prisoners, wiping sweat and chatting, laughing like it was any ordinary day?


    Why were there people coming out of the passage carrying trash and debris, two by two, laughing and talking, full of energy?


    Anyone who didn¡¯t know would think they were renovating an underground palace, not a dungeon!


    The dungeon guards saw Vera and quickly stood up to greet her. ¡°Ah! Miss Vera, you¡¯ve arrived! May the Holy Light bless you!¡±


    The other prisoners and guards also bowed. ¡°May the Holy Light protect you!¡±


    Vera¡¯s eyes went wide in disbelief. ¡°Holy... Holy Light? Have you all become followers of the Holy Light now?¡±


    Although the Holy Light faith was the state religion of the Estoria Kingdom, with most citizens worshiping the Goddess of Holy Light, the people before her should have been exceptions.


    The dungeon guards were private soldiers of the Lawrence family, raised from childhood to only serve the family, and they worshiped the family itself, not the Holy Light.


    As for the prisoners in the dungeon, if they were truly pious followers of the Holy Light, they wouldn¡¯t have committed crimes that led them to be locked up.


    Besides, everything had been normal here this morning!


    The guards wore blissful smiles. ¡°To be precise, it¡¯s conversion!


    We were originally followers of the Holy Light, we just didn¡¯t realize it. It was Mr. Loenke who opened our eyes and brought us back to the Holy Light¡¯s embrace, allowing us to rediscover our true selves.


    Praise the Holy Light!¡±

 9.The Lights Betrayal

    ¡°Sure enough, it was that guy behind this! Where... where is he?¡±


    ¡°Sir, he¡¯s doing his morning prayers.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s already morning! What morning prayers? Take me to him! Now!¡±


    The guard didn¡¯t respond, merely turning to lead Vera into the dungeon. The passage, once narrow, had been widened, and the stairs had been reinforced, making them more suitable for climbing.


    Inside the dungeon, it was a completely different scene. The guards and prisoners were hard at work, carrying out a thorough cleaning. Piles of trash were being cleared away, and water was being poured to scrub the floors.


    The once gloomy and fetid cells had been transformed through the efforts of everyone. The air now carried a mix of dampness and dust.


    Under the guard¡¯s lead, Vera arrived at Loenke¡¯s cell.


    Somehow, a skylight had been added to the dungeon, and a beam of light fell directly upon Loenke. In the dim cell, this scene felt almost divine.


    Combined with his worn-out coat, melancholic eyes, and handsome face, Vera found herself momentarily mesmerized.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re here, come in and have a seat,¡± Loenke said without lifting his head.


    Vera snapped out of her daze, and after the guard opened the cell door, she stepped inside cautiously.


    ¡°What have you done? How could the dungeon look like this after just one morning?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit of an unfair assessment. This dungeon was a disgrace before. Isn¡¯t this an improvement?¡±


    Loenke didn¡¯t even glance up. He called out loudly, ¡°Come on! Let¡¯s do the chant!¡±


    Instantly, everyone in the cell stopped what they were doing, stood tall, and began to chant in unison.


    ¡°Hail the Holy Light! Hail the Holy Soul! The Holy Light is for those who rise above all! Strive and push! Work hard and seize a better life!¡±


    After chanting, they eagerly returned to their tasks.


    Vera stood frozen, staring in shock at the scene before her, unable to process what was happening.


    ¡°What... what have you done to them?¡± she demanded.


    Loenke shrugged. ¡°Nothing much. I just made them realize that life can be beautiful, and that life can be full of meaning.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    The reason they¡¯re suffering is that they haven¡¯t found the right way.


    It¡¯s like how fish long to soar in the sky, and birds wish to travel the seas¡ªsuffering inevitably follows.


    But the Holy Light... can guide them back to themselves, put their lives back on track, and fill their lives with meaning.¡±


    ¡°Is that... really true?¡±


    Loenke rolled his eyes. ¡°Of course not! I¡¯m just bored, giving their minds a little baptism.


    And, let¡¯s be honest, your family¡¯s dungeon was in such a horrible state. I came up with an excuse to get these people to clean up, improve the living conditions.


    If faith in the Holy Light brings happiness, then why did we have the Holy War a hundred years ago? Were the rebels hoping for a life of misery? Were they self-destructive masochists?¡±


    As a noble, Vera was naturally a believer in the Holy Light, and seeing Loenke speak this way, she couldn¡¯t help but feel angry.


    ¡°As a Paladin, is this how you treat your faith?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a matter that needs clarification. My occupation is a Paladin. But personally, I¡¯m a pragmatist when it comes to the Holy Light.¡±


    ¡°Pragmatist with the Holy Light?¡±


    Loenke grinned. ¡°What that means is that the Holy Light is meant to be used, not blindly believed in. The Holy Light that is useful is the good Holy Light.


    Compared to all those so-called doctrines, commandments, and duties, I care more about how much benefit, convenience, and privilege the Holy Light can bring me.


    Instead of studying scriptures, practicing divine arts, and praying devoutly to the Goddess of the Holy Light, I¡¯m more interested in how to use the scriptures, divine arts, the Church, and the Goddess to get the results I want.¡±


    ¡°Despicable! You¡¯re desecrating the Holy Light! You¡¯re showing immense disrespect to the Goddess of the Holy Light!


    How could someone like you earn the favor of the Holy Light? It¡¯s utterly unfair!¡±


    ¡°Unfair? I don¡¯t think the word ¡®unfair¡¯ is one that a noble lady like you should be using, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Vera glared at Loenke, her eyes like daggers. ¡°Loenke, you always treat the Holy Light like a tool. I want to ask you¡ªwithout the Holy Light, what gives you the right to protect the people you speak of? Where does your power come from?¡±


    Loenke smiled and shrugged lazily. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s all from me. My brains, my talent, and my irresistible charm.¡±


    ¡°Charm?¡± Vera snorted, her tone icy. ¡°And can your ¡®charm¡¯ stop a sword from the enemy? Can it dispel the shadow of the plague?¡±


    Loenke raised a hand to his chin, a smile of contempt creeping onto his face. ¡°The Holy Light is indeed a convenient thing. It heals, saves lives, drives away evil¡ªit¡¯s really useful. But Miss Vera, don¡¯t you ever wonder? If the Holy Light is so omnipotent, why are there still piles of bodies on the battlefield? Why does the plague still rage? Why do believers still slaughter each other?¡±


    Vera¡¯s gaze sharpened, but she didn¡¯t grow angry. Her voice grew even calmer. ¡°Because the Holy Light is never the answer¡ªit¡¯s just the guide. The true problem always lies within the heart. The meaning of faith isn¡¯t how powerful the force is, but knowing where to go when we¡¯re lost in the dark.¡±


    ¡°Guide?¡± Loenke sneered, his tone full of mockery. ¡°So, you believe in the Holy Light to become ¡®better people¡¯? Then why are there so many hypocrites among the believers? Those so-called noble, righteous aristocrats, and the pious members of the Church¡ªwhere¡¯s their faith? It¡¯s just a thin veneer that can be torn off at any moment.¡±


    Vera¡¯s fists clenched involuntarily, but she took a deep breath and spoke calmly. ¡°Yes, faith can be exploited and corrupted. But because of that, true believers of the Holy Light must prove its purity through their actions. You can mock others for their hypocrisy, but what about you? A man who treats the Holy Light as a bargaining chip¡ªwhat right do you have to enjoy its power?¡±

 10.The Price of Truth

    Loenke¡¯s smile faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly regained his indifferent expression. ¡°Vera, I don¡¯t need qualifications, I only need results. The Holy Light saves lives, solves problems, that¡¯s all that matters. Noble ideals? Pure faith? Those are just useless decorations.¡±


    Vera stared at him, her voice cold and low. ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t need faith, but many people do. Loenke, you can trample on your own faith, but don¡¯t insult the dignity of others. You may not fear the Holy Light, but it guides countless people to hope in their darkest moments.¡±


    Loenke raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly. ¡°Maybe. But who can prove that your Holy Light is the truth?¡±


    The two locked eyes, and an invisible spark seemed to ignite in the air. Vera fell silent for a moment before scoffing.


    ¡°The town¡¯s tavern earns in a year what your family¡¯s estate spends in a week, not to mention the hardworking serfs and tenants.¡±


    ¡°If you care so much about fairness, why don¡¯t you give away all your wealth to help the poor?¡±


    Vera¡¯s face flushed red, but she couldn¡¯t think of a retort, so she could only pant heavily in frustration.


    Loenke burst into laughter. ¡°Alright, alright, stop puffing up like a little frog. I have no interest in your noble issues. You came here to find me, didn¡¯t you? It¡¯s not about fairness, is it?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk, then. Did you finally discover something?¡±


    ¡°Since you already knew there was something wrong with your teacher, why didn¡¯t you say something earlier?¡±


    Loenke picked at his ear, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Because it was too troublesome.¡±


    ¡°Proving he¡¯s a murderer is troublesome?¡±


    ¡°Running through the proper channels is troublesome.¡±


    At that moment, a flicker of impatience flashed in Loenke¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Proving he¡¯s a murderer, exposing his crimes in front of everyone, using flawless logic and evidence to nail him down. Then, hearing about his journey from a normal person to a criminal. Finally, delivering a touching closing speech, sending him to the Holy Tribunal or the Imperial Guard. And on a bright, sunny autumn day, publicly executing him to set an example for all!¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°For you, everything would follow naturally.¡±


    ¡°But for me, it¡¯s just a minor detour in my journey, not worth investing so much time and effort.¡±


    Vera, feeling somewhat unconvinced, asked, ¡°So, your way is better?¡±


    ¡°Exorcism, give the people an explanation. Holy water, let them regain the courage to live.¡±


    ¡°Then, after I fade from their view, I can quietly return when the murderer lets his guard down and eliminate him, making it look like an accident.¡±


    ¡°Compared to waiting a year or more for the proper procedures, it¡¯s much quicker, simpler, and more efficient.¡±


    Vera, dissatisfied with his confident tone, replied, ¡°You¡¯re so arrogant. Your teacher is only a suspect, he hasn¡¯t been convicted yet!¡±


    ¡°You still want to follow the procedures, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Can you guarantee that you¡¯re right?¡±


    ¡°Before delivering the fatal blow, I always have Lilith read their memories to ensure everything is foolproof. Oh, Lilith is the little succubus who follows me around.¡±


    Vera took several steps back in disgust. ¡°You, a Paladin, are working with demons! You¡­¡±


    Loenke smirked dismissively. ¡°Ever heard of fallen angels? If demons can corrupt angels, then why can¡¯t the Goddess of Holy Light redeem a demon?¡±


    ¡°Or do you think the Goddess of Holy Light is inferior to the Demon King? Just a useless god who can¡¯t do anything but talk?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª I didn¡¯t say that! Don¡¯t make wild accusations!¡±


    Vera¡¯s face turned pale with fear as she repeatedly prayed to the Goddess of Holy Light for forgiveness.


    She was sure that Loenke¡¯s words were laced with intense personal resentment.


    After finishing her prayer, Vera shot him a furious glare. ¡°Hmph! I¡¯ve heard that succubi are all stunningly beautiful and desirable. They¡¯re exactly what men crave. But the succubus by your side is so small and thin, looking like a little girl¡­ Oh, don¡¯t tell me you have some kind of strange fetish?¡±


    Loenke suddenly leaped up, stepping on Vera¡¯s restless shadow, causing her to flail about in panic.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey! You can say what you want about me, but don¡¯t start making wild guesses about my preferences! You can insult my character, but don¡¯t question my taste!¡±


    ¡°I do like beautiful women with big breasts, long legs, slender waists, and pretty faces!¡±


    Vera narrowed her eyes, clearly not fully convinced.


    ¡°You remain indifferent when I question your devotion to the Holy Light, but you stand your ground on this? Honestly, I don¡¯t understand you.¡±


    ¡°Of course! Insulting your boss might get you fired, but questioning my character could lead to disgrace!¡±


    Vera gazed up at the shaft of light from the skylight, falling silent for a long while before speaking again.


    ¡°...Teacher still hasn¡¯t returned. Has he run away?¡±


    Loenke laughed heartily. ¡°Your teacher will definitely come back. The mages of the Tower of Truth are mostly paranoid lunatics.¡±


    ¡°Besides, he¡¯s been planning this for ten years and even used a precious Holy Seal scroll. There¡¯s no way he would just slink off without trying to recover his losses.¡±


    ¡°I suspect that tonight he¡¯ll make his move.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so sure?¡±


    ¡°Because the Inquisition¡¯s Black Knights are on their way.¡±


    Loenke closed the book he had been holding. ¡°You must have gone to the Grand Cathedral in Saint Grant to verify my identity, right?¡±


    ¡°Well, the Tribunal has probably received the news by now.¡±


    ¡°Now, the Black Knights are riding towards us in waves.¡±

 11.The Madness of Truth

    ¡°They¡¯re after me because of the internal struggles within the Church, but if it¡¯s about eradicating the remnants of the Tower of Truth, that¡¯s a whole different story.¡±


    ¡°If they get their hands on me, the outcome¡­ Tsk, tsk, tsk. It would be disastrous. That¡¯s why he¡¯ll act before the Black Knights arrive.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this Tower of Truth you keep mentioning?¡±


    Loenke glanced up at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Ever heard of fairy tales? Where the princess is cursed by a witch and falls into a deep sleep, the prince turns into a toad for offending the witch, or a kingdom is destroyed because of a magician¡¯s wrath?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Vera nodded, ¡°I heard them a lot when I was little, but those are just stories, right?¡±


    Loenke chuckled softly, a meaningful glint flashing in his eyes. ¡°The endings of fairy tales may be fake, but those witches and curses... not necessarily. The Tower of Truth is where those ¡®witches¡¯ are born. They don¡¯t call themselves witches or magicians; they prefer to call themselves ¡®seekers of truth.¡¯ Quite high-end and self-indulgent, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°Seekers of truth?¡± Vera frowned slightly.


    ¡°Mm. To them, truth means that everything can be deconstructed, reorganized, and used¡ªlife included.¡± Loenke slowly stood, walking over to a cold stone wall. He lightly tapped his fingers against it, his voice cold. ¡°If they wanted to turn someone into a frog just to see if they could, do you think they would have any qualms about it?¡±


    Vera froze, gripping her staff. ¡°You¡¯re saying... they experiment on people?¡±


    Loenke turned his head, his gaze as deep as the night. ¡°Experiments are their gentlest method. What¡¯s more terrifying is that they¡¯ll destroy an entire city for a theory, just to observe the speed of its collapse. The curses from the witches in fairy tales are nothing more than child¡¯s play compared to them.¡±


    Vera¡¯s breath caught in her throat. ¡°How... how is this possible? If the Tower of Truth is so terrifying, why does the world know so little about it?¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Loenke smiled faintly, his expression chilling. ¡°Because their existence is taboo. The Tower of Truth was destroyed a hundred years ago. Back then, the Church of Holy Light and every race in the world stood united to wipe them off the face of the Earth. But there¡¯s always someone who leaves behind¡­ embers.¡±


    Vera stared at him, a flicker of doubt crossing her eyes. ¡°How do you know all this so clearly?¡±


    Loenke¡¯s smile deepened, tinged with amusement. ¡°Because they once invited me, hoping I would join them.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Vera¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°Surprised?¡± Loenke raised an eyebrow, speaking nonchalantly. ¡°They saw my talents and wanted me to become one of their ¡®pathfinders of truth.¡¯ Unfortunately, I love money, but I love my life more. Their mad games? I¡¯ll let someone else play.¡±


    Vera took a deep breath, her voice low. ¡°Then what do you think the black mist is about?¡±


    Loenke looked up, his gaze piercing through the dungeon¡¯s skylight as if looking into some unreachable depth. He smiled softly, his voice low but full of chill. ¡°The people of the Tower of Truth never need a reason. What they pursue is not ¡®why,¡¯ but ¡®can it be done?¡¯ The result is the only thing they care about. And you, will never be able to predict what that result is.¡±


    He paused for a moment, then revealed a cryptic smile. ¡°Perhaps, this time, the experiment¡¯s target is us.¡±


    Loenke stopped, letting out a slow sigh. ¡°And this gathering place for such madmen is called the Tower of Truth. Its purpose is to provide these lunatics a place to exchange their crazy ideas and techniques, and to cultivate more madmen.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re an exceptional person, you¡¯d definitely want to be part of this privileged group. You can do whatever you want, without any restraints.¡±


    ¡°But most ordinary people just want to live in a world that isn¡¯t so insane.¡±


    ¡°So, they were destroyed, wiped out by the Church of Holy Light in alliance with the human empire, the Elven Kingdom, the Orc tribes, the merfolk, the dwarves, and nearly every race in the world.¡±


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve been distracted. Are you worried about the ten years of teacher-student bond between you and Havier?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, there¡¯s no need.¡±


    ¡°If he¡¯s truly a remnant of the Tower of Truth, then you, your father, and everyone in your fief¡ªdown to the chickens, ducks, geese, dogs, and cats¡ªmight all be subjects of their experiments or tools to achieve some goal.¡±


    ¡°Talking about emotions with them is like discussing morality with a streetlamp decoration.¡±


    Vera clenched her teeth, a cold snort escaping her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t look down on me. If Havier is really a serial killer¡­¡±


    ¡°Our Lawrence family will clean up its own mess! We will never cover for him, nor will we tolerate betrayal!¡±


    ¡°Miss! Miss!!!¡±


    A guard rushed in, panic in his voice. ¡°There¡¯s suddenly black mist outside, surrounding the entire estate! The Count¡­ the Count is missing!¡±


    Loenke raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. ¡°Looks like your teacher¡¯s here to give you your last lesson.¡±

 12.The Unraveling of Truth

    The black mist surged like a tide, swallowing the entire estate until only a vague outline remained. The air was thick with a pungent, decaying stench, as if even breathing was slowly poisoning the lungs. Suddenly, a scarlet light emerged from within the mist, like an ancient rune slowly unfolding. The rune twisted and interwove, forming a massive magical array. The complex patterns spun endlessly, emitting a foreboding hum.


    The ground trembled lightly as the buildings around the estate began to decay. The stone bricks on the walls cracked and peeled away at a visible rate, disintegrating into black dust. The once-sturdy railings rusted, and some collapsed into pieces. The plants in the garden withered and shriveled, as if drained by some malevolent force.


    A tall figure slowly emerged from the black mist¡ªHavier, clad in a black robe, with the hem of his robe swirling in the air like a living thing. His staff was alight with deep purple flames, and with every step, the flames surged, sending sharp waves of magic that shattered the stones beneath him.


    "Loenke," his voice was low, as if bound by iron chains, "The protection of the Holy Light is meaningless here. Look at your ''faith''¡ªit crumbles like paper before my power."


    With a casual wave of his hand, a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking a statue in the heart of the estate. The statue shattered instantly, fragments scattering in all directions. A low hum resonated from the mist, like some giant beast stirring in its lair. Havier raised his head slightly, a cold smile on his lips, his voice thick with overwhelming confidence, "I will show you what true power is."


    The guards around them shrank back in fear, their weapons rusting and crumbling as they couldn¡¯t withstand the corruption of magic. Vera clenched her teeth, her gaze locked onto the rune array. Her staff trembled in her hands, but she stood firm, unwilling to retreat.


    "Teacher! Havier! Is that you? What¡¯s going on? Let¡¯s talk face to face! Teacher, come out!" she called, but the mist remained silent. The oppressive atmosphere sent cold sweat dripping down the guards¡¯ backs.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Every second that passed put her father in more danger, so Vera turned to Loenke, desperation in her eyes.


    "What do we do now?"


    "You want him to come out? That''s easy!" Loenke said, suddenly snatching a spear from one of the guards and thrusting it toward Vera. In the next moment, a wind blade shot toward Loenke¡¯s throat. With a quick move, Loenke turned the thrust into a parry, the spear breaking into two as he narrowly avoided the deadly strike.


    "Since you''ve made your move, don¡¯t act like a coward now."


    "Hmph! The Church has people like you¡ªwilling to do anything to win."


    Out of the mist, Havier stepped forward, holding Lord Lawrence¡¯s unconscious form by his side.


    "Father!" Vera cried out.


    Loenke quickly restrained Vera, his voice cold, "If you go over there, neither you nor your father will survive. Don¡¯t think his earlier actions were out of compassion. He doesn¡¯t want to destroy his carefully nurtured creation."


    "Ha ha ha ha! What difference does it make?"


    Havier¡¯s presence stirred the air, powerful elemental waves surrounding him, sending a chilling feeling through everyone.


    "Now, you are sealed by the Holy Seal, unable to use any divine magic. Everyone here is just meat on the chopping block. Do you think standing there will keep you safe?"


    Loenke shrugged. "Why don¡¯t you try it?"


    Havier¡¯s smug expression faltered for a moment. His eyes flashed with fury as he locked his gaze onto Loenke. His instincts, honed by years of facing death, screamed that this man was no ordinary threat. The feeling of danger he sensed, he had only felt it from his own teacher¡ªthe Sage of Truth from the Tower of Truth, a being who once slaughtered gods.


    Crack!


    Havier stomped on Lord Lawrence¡¯s leg, a sharp, loud snap followed by a scream that echoed throughout the estate.


    "Ah!!! My leg! My leg!" Lord Lawrence cried.


    Vera¡¯s eyes filled with tears, her voice cracking. "Father! Teacher, what do you want?"


    Havier sighed, a slight frown forming on his face. "Vera, I never thought you''d still call me teacher at a time like this. Truly... it''s futile. You have no talent for magic, and you lack the mentality of a true Truth Apprentice. You were destined to accomplish nothing."


    "Come here. If you obey, I¡¯ll spare your father and the others. But if you continue to resist, not only this estate but everyone here will die."


    "Fine! I¡¯ll agree!" Vera said, stepping forward, but Loenke stopped her once again.


    "Wait, we agree to your terms, but you must swear by the name of the Gate of Truth."


    Havier¡¯s expression froze. It was as if a lump had formed in his throat, one that he could neither swallow nor spit out.

 13The Witchs Secret

    Loenke couldn''t help but sneer, "You people are really something. The followers of the Church believe in the goddess, who they say exists, and you call that ignorance. Yet, you are so devout to the elusive ''Gate of Truth.''"


    "Enough talk! Vera, come here quickly, don¡¯t test my patience. Stop fantasizing. This man is all talk now! He¡¯s already beyond saving, and now he can''t even protect you."


    Upon hearing this, Loenke immediately stepped in front of Vera, "I¡¯m going to protect her today! Not just her, but everyone here, from top to bottom, inside and out¡ªI¡¯ll protect them all! Don¡¯t even think about it! Not even a chicken will die here!"


    "The Lord of Truth coming won''t change anything! I said so!"


    "Scoundrel! How dare you even mention the Lord of Truth!? Fine! I¡¯ll kill the Earl now and see what you can do!"


    "No! Don¡¯t!"


    Havier raised his staff, the tip gathering a fierce wind that transformed into a spearhead, aimed straight for the Earl''s temple.


    In that moment of crisis, a thick holy shield rose around the Earl, blocking the deadly strike.


    The shield then shattered into a flurry of arrow-like light, raining down toward Havier.


    Quickly, Havier spun his staff, the wind at the staff''s end forming into a round shield, blocking most of the light arrows. But several still pierced through, leaving scorched holes in his body.


    Even so, the wounds began healing rapidly, visible to the naked eye.


    Havier was sent flying back, panic in his eyes as he looked at Lord Lawrence, then at Loenke.


    "How is this possible! You¡¯ve been sealed from using divine magic! This Holy Seal Scroll, created by my teacher, couldn¡¯t be wrong!"


    "I get it now! You must have placed a divine spell on the Earl! Damn it, why didn¡¯t I detect it?"


    Loenke laughed heartily, "You¡¯re half-right. The divine magic on the Earl, indeed, was placed by me beforehand.


    But, I wasn''t sealed by your pathetic Holy Seal."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    With that, Loenke raised his hand, five fingers gathering the Holy Light, which transformed into five chains, shooting out and directly binding Lord Lawrence.


    This sight stunned Havier, who stood frozen. Loenke handed Lord Lawrence to Vera, but not before throwing in a sarcastic remark.


    "See, this is the most interesting thing about members of the Tower of Truth. They pride themselves on seeing the true nature of the world, but the moment something outside of their understanding appears, they fall into deep self-doubt.


    In that state, they are no different from clueless fools."


    Havier gritted his teeth, looking at Loenke with hate in his eyes, "You! How did you do this?"


    "Why don¡¯t I tell you how I did it, and you tell me, what¡¯s your purpose behind all of this?"


    Loenke''s hand was constantly changing the Holy Light, subtly guiding Havier with his obsessive thirst for knowledge.


    "You have an apple, I have an apple. If we exchange, we still each have one apple.


    But if you have knowledge, and I have knowledge, if we exchange, we each have two pieces of knowledge.


    As a member of the Tower of Truth, should you really give up the chance to seek the truth?


    Or perhaps, you have no confidence in the ten-year plan you so carefully laid out?"


    Havier hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, and finally said, "Fine! In the name of the Gate of Truth, I make a pact with you!"


    Loenke extinguished the Holy Light in his hand, "According to the rules of the Tower of Truth, your thirst for knowledge outweighs mine, so you speak first."


    Havier''s expression turned grim. He took a deep breath before slowly speaking, "The reason I¡¯ve done all this traces back to a secret plan from the Tower of Truth.


    Its code name: Witch."


    Loenke narrowed his eyes, "Witch? Don¡¯t make things up, you old fool."


    "I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t know. This is classified in the Tower of Truth! Only the three great sages and the thirteen members of the Truth Council know about it."


    Havier seemed to take pride in possessing such a secret. "This was an experiment that could overturn the world! And its true horror is that it has already succeeded!


    Unfortunately, the great Tower of Truth was attacked by ignorant fools like you.


    You should be thankful that the Tower of Truth at that time focused most of its energy on verifying knowledge and truth.


    Otherwise, you¡¯d have never stood a chance!"


    Loenke sneered, "When the heavens wish to destroy someone, they first drive them mad. The fall of the Tower of Truth was self-inflicted; its end was destined. It was just a matter of when.


    But hearing you out¡­"


    As he spoke, Loenke pressed Vera¡¯s head down, "Is this one of your Tower of Truth¡¯s witches?"


    "No! This can¡¯t be!"


    Lord Lawrence, in panic, shouted out. Though somewhat conservative and cowardly, he wasn¡¯t foolish. He quickly sensed that his daughter might be in danger from the conversation between the two.


    "Vera is my daughter, my own flesh and blood! She¡¯s from the Lawrence family, not some witch! Holy Knight, please see reason!"


    Havier sneered, "She¡¯s indeed not a witch. Or rather, she is merely a part of the witch. And my purpose in all of this is to steal the witch¡¯s power!


    Now, I¡¯ve said my part. It¡¯s your turn."


    Loenke raised an eyebrow, "Playing word games? How childish."

 14.The Power of the Gate of Truth

    ¡°That¡¯s called a perfect evasion of the oath¡¯s power. You can only blame yourself for being so vague in your words from the start.¡±


    Havier pointed his staff toward Loenke. ¡°Enough! Quickly tell me your secret! Why is the Holy Seal ineffective against you?¡±


    ¡°I never said the Holy Seal doesn¡¯t work on me. In fact, the seal is still very much active.¡±


    Loenke pulled open his shirt, revealing the chain marks on his body. ¡°As you can see, I indeed cannot communicate with the Goddess of Light, and she can no longer trouble me. I must thank you for that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible! You¡¯ve lost the connection with the Goddess, how can you still use divine magic!? Even the legendary Archbishop of the White Robes and the Divine Crown Pope were defeated by the Holy Seal!¡±


    ¡°How can this be!?¡±


    ¡°The divine magic system is different from the magical system. I¡¯m sure you know that.¡±


    Loenke casually scratched his ear, smiling as he gathered Holy Light at his fingertips. ¡°Magic is all about the configuration of magic and the elemental ratios. The incantations are simply shorthand for constructing the configurations.


    Wizards, Archmages, Alchemists, and Sorcerers¡ªwhile they each have their own characteristics, they all end up the same in the end.


    But divine magic and divine spells are different. Take the priests of the Holy Light Church, for example. We don¡¯t store light elements within our bodies. Instead, we mix divine power to create Holy Light.


    When we cast divine spells, we need a configuration, but we only do part of the work. The rest is provided by the Goddess of Light.


    It¡¯s like the Goddess of Light provides different models of magic cannon, and the priest just loads, aims, and fires.


    So, once the Holy Seal seals the divine power, even high-ranking priests are powerless.


    After all, without a cannon tube, no matter how powerful the shell is, how accurate the aim is, or how dramatic the firing posture is, it¡¯s all for nothing.


    But I¡¯m different. Besides the official server of the Goddess of Light, I¡¯ve set up my own private server.¡±


    Havier smacked his lips, ¡°Private... private server?¡±


    Loenke raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing at the corners of his lips. ¡°Divine magic, at its core, is about calling upon the resources of the Goddess of Light. But she loves to throw temper tantrums and make things difficult for me. So, instead of dealing with her moods, I decided to handle things myself. Thus, I set up a ¡®private server¡¯¡ªI don¡¯t need her anymore. I can get things done on my own.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    He raised his hand, summoning a pure ball of Holy Light in his palm. ¡°It¡¯s like those government-run games that don¡¯t work. Smart people always find a way around it. Now, I¡¯m the server administrator, always online and doing whatever I want.¡±


    He winked, his tone light as though telling a joke. ¡°In the end, relying on mountains means they may collapse, relying on gods means they run away. Only relying on yourself is the true truth.¡±


    Loenke clapped his hands. ¡°Oh, I forgot to tell you. I¡¯m actually not fully attuned to light elements. I¡¯m fully attuned to the Laws of Light.


    In terms of authority over the laws, I¡¯m above the Goddess of Light.


    So don¡¯t talk about the Holy Seal. Even if she herself were to come, she couldn¡¯t seal my power.


    Unless, of course, you find someone with greater authority over the Laws of Light.¡±


    Havier growled in fury, ¡°Nonsense! You, a mere mortal! How can you be above a god in terms of authority over the laws?¡±


    Loenke shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s just natural. Why get so worked up? The Lord of Truth didn¡¯t react at all, which means what I said is true.¡±


    With those words, Havier¡¯s face went as pale as snow. If this was true, did he still have any chance of winning?


    No, it¡¯s time to strike first!


    ¡°Holy Magic! Dimensional Wind Blade!¡±


    ¡°Supra-divine magic! Light¡¯s Fall!¡±


    The two of them struck almost simultaneously. Havier summoned two enormous wind blades capable of tearing through dimensional barriers.


    Holy Magic, instant cast with no chant, and casting two at once¡ªthis level of power was enough to dominate the continent.


    But Loenke, facing him, was even more terrifying. He casually pointed his finger, casting a supra-divine spell one tier above Havier¡¯s.


    Twelve Holy Light magic arrays stacked above Havier¡¯s head, and a beam of light the width of a finger locked onto his forehead.


    With a loud crash, the booming Holy Light descended from the sky, directly enveloping Havier.


    In desperation, Havier crossed his two dimensional blades, tearing apart the space above him and redirecting a large portion of the Holy Light. But the remaining part still obliterated two-thirds of his body.


    Even after the light faded, his body began to heal rapidly, though noticeably slower than before.


    At this point, Havier completely believed Loenke¡¯s words. The no-chant instant cast supra-divine magic had only been used once by Emperor Delanos I during the Holy War, and only with the aid of three divine artifacts.


    After using it, Delanos had lost his combat ability temporarily.


    Yet this young man had cast it effortlessly, without any divine artifacts, and without the slightest strain.


    ¡°How many times can you cast supra-divine magic with your foundation?¡±


    Loenke smiled, ¡°That¡¯s hard to say. Let¡¯s wait and see when the Goddess of Light notices. As a dead enemy, you should know this well.


    When a priest casts a divine spell, they pay part of the cost, while the Goddess of Light pays the other part.


    Under normal circumstances, it¡¯s a 9-to-1 ratio.


    If there¡¯s divine blessing, plus some holy artifacts, gifts, or special circumstances, the Goddess¡¯s share may increase.


    Some people even reach a shocking 50-50 split.


    But I don¡¯t get along with her, so before we fell out, it was 10 to zero¡ªshe didn¡¯t spend any divine power, I had to pay for everything.


    When I was under her roof, I tolerated it. But after we had our falling out, I didn¡¯t hold back.


    I found a loophole on her side... It¡¯s a bit complicated to explain, but you just need to know that now, when I cast divine magic, the cost is split zero to ten with the Goddess.


    So, before she notices the anomaly, finds the loophole, and fixes it...


    I¡¯m using her divine spells, and I¡¯m getting all the benefits!¡±


    Havier, horrified, couldn¡¯t tell if Loenke was bluffing, but from the very beginning, everything had been outside his understanding.


    In frustration, Havier¡¯s hand moved toward his heart.


    ¡°I never expected to have to use this here.¡±

 15.The Fire of the Abyss

    Seeing Loenke easily suppressing Havier, Vera felt much more at ease.


    She suddenly realized that although this man was usually lazy and aimless, in critical moments, he was incredibly reliable.


    "With your strength, you must be someone of importance in the Tower of Truth," Vera said.


    Loenke gathered Holy Light in his hand, forming it into a spear. "Is your real name just Havier?"


    "Hmph! My former name was the first gift my teacher gave me! But with the fall of the Tower of Truth, I sealed it away.


    Only when I avenge my teacher and comrades will I take back the name I once had.


    For that, I am willing to pay any price!"


    Havier''s eyes flashed with a fierce light. His fingernails suddenly grew at an accelerated rate, and then, with a savage motion, he tore his own heart out.


    Havier raised his bloody hand high and began chanting an obscure incantation. His voice was deep and hoarse, like a whisper from the depths of the abyss. The summoning circle beneath him exploded with blinding scarlet light, and the runes on the ground twisted and flowed like living poisonous snakes, writhing and coiling.


    The air was instantly filled with the strong, foul stench of blood decay, like the scent of rotting flesh. Black flames roared around them, scorching the air with sharp, hissing sounds that caused even the nearby guards'' skin to burn, as if invisible flames were tearing at their flesh.


    At the center of the circle, a massive arm suddenly shot out, its skin smooth like obsidian but faintly glowing with eerie bloodlight. The claws on its fingers, like daggers, sliced through the air, tearing the fabric of reality and revealing another ominous dimension¡ªa hellish landscape filled with flames and anguished screams.


    "Glory to the Fallen Fire Demon Lord Ipreles!" Havier laughed maniacally, his eyes filled with madness, "Come! Destroy these vile insects and show the Abyss'' might!"


    With his roar, a heavy thundering sound came from the depths of the Abyss. Each echo vibrated through the ground of the estate. Soon, a massive, blurry face began to form in the flames. Its eyes glowed like molten lava, and the instant they locked onto anyone, it felt as if they had fallen into an icy abyss, their very souls burning to ashes.


    Ipreles roared, his voice like thunder, "Mortal, since the sacrifice is complete, be prepared to pay the price for my power!"This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Such a terrifying scene caused Lord Lawrence to faint instantly. Even the personal guards¡¯ faces turned pale, their expressions filled with terror as they faced an unimaginable enemy.


    "Did you think only you had a backup plan?"


    Havier raised the heart above his head, letting out a beast-like growl from his throat, almost as if speaking an ancient language.


    Everyone could feel a slight burning sensation just from hearing it.


    Vera''s heart sank with an ominous premonition. "What... What is he doing?"


    Loenke raised an eyebrow. "He¡¯s summoning a demon. This is an ancient sacrifice ritual. He probably doesn''t think he has a high chance of winning, so he''s calling in some backup."


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The estate, shrouded in black mist, began to tremble. Flame bursts erupted from all sides, connecting to form a bizarre and twisted magic circle.


    This massive sacrificial array was one of Havier¡¯s many backup plans. He had spent ten years preparing here, leaving behind countless trump cards, making this his home-field advantage.


    But facing Loenke, an unpredictable enemy, he had decided to play his strongest card right from the start.


    "Glory to the Fallen Fire Demon Lord Ipreles, you are the true master! The ruler of the fires of damnation! The emperor of desecration and ruin!"


    "You, my humble servant, summon you now! Please descend with supreme might and cleanse those who dare desecrate your divine power!"


    "Glory! Glory! To the Fallen Fire Demon Lord! Ipreles!"


    Snap!


    The heart exploded in an instant, its blood mist igniting. Blood-red flames formed in the center, slowly revealing the immense silhouette of a demon.


    The intense heat from the fire of desecration made each breath feel like swallowing shards of metal, as if death and annihilation were right before their eyes.


    Loenke frowned slightly, snapping his fingers. Countless golden letters appeared, forming a half-sphere that enveloped everyone behind him.


    "This is a Holy-level divine spell! The Blessing of the Holy Word!"


    Vera gazed at Loenke with increasing awe. This powerful magic, which could only be studied at the Holy level, was effortlessly summoned by him.


    Remembering her behavior toward him over the past few days, Vera lowered her head, feeling a deep sense of shame.


    But she was still worried, for the enemy they were about to face was a demon from the Abyss!


    At this moment, the upper half of Ipreles'' body had already emerged from the magic circle, flames burning wildly around him.


    He reached out with a massive hand, moving toward Loenke.


    "Be careful!"


    Vera couldn¡¯t help but warn him, but Loenke remained unfazed, allowing Ipreles to grab him with his massive hand.


    Havier, thrilled, felt a strange unease creeping in.


    "Aargh!!"


    The next moment, the Fallen Fire Demon Lord let out a scream, as if it had been burned by hot coal. It released Loenke from its grasp.


    Loenke calmly landed on the ground, though demonic contracts began to appear on his body.


    These contracts piled up, layer upon layer, as if they were advertisements on a community notice board that hadn¡¯t been cleaned in months.


    "You want my soul? Sorry, I¡¯ve already sold it."


    "And for some reason, I¡¯ve sold it quite a few times."


    "If you really want it, you¡¯ll probably have to wait in line."


    At this point, Loenke clapped his hands and called out loudly, "Lilith, send your old friend back home."


    "Hmph! Useless fool!"


    Suddenly, Vera¡¯s shadow coiled around her, transforming her loose gown into a tight-fitting skirt that clung to her body, her signature demon horns emerging on her head.

 16.The Witchs Plan

    Lilith slowly emerged from Vera''s shadow, her form shifting as her demon features¡ªgoat horns and bat wings¡ªappeared. A mocking smile curled on her lips, her purple eyes gleaming with cold light. Facing the overwhelming pressure from Ipreles, the Fallen Fire Demon Lord, she showed no fear, instead radiating a touch of sarcastic amusement.


    ¡°Fallen Fire Demon Lord?¡± she scoffed, flicking her tail lightly, the tip cutting through the air with a sharp snap. ¡°A little pet trapped in the Abyss dares to call itself a Demon Lord? I wonder who gave you the courage¡ªAbyss? Or ignorance?¡±


    Ipreles¡¯ molten eyes flashed with anger, and he roared, raising his hand to grab Lilith. But she merely raised her hand lazily, with a flick of her fingers, transforming her magic into a longbow wreathed in deep purple flames.


    ¡°Someone like you dares to touch my people?¡± Lilith licked her lips, the motion seductive yet deadly. ¡°Remember, the true rulers of the Abyss are the Succubi. You... are nothing but a pitiful worm.¡±


    Before her words had fully left her mouth, she casually pulled back the string of the bow. An arrow of fire formed, radiating an irresistible sense of pressure. She released her fingers, and the arrow flew with a piercing screech, precisely striking Ipreles in the forehead.


    ¡°Go back to your hole, toothless dog,¡± Lilith said with disdain, glancing at him before turning away, clapping her hands nonchalantly, as if she had simply swatted away a bothersome fly.


    With her motion, Ipreles let out a dreadful scream, his enormous body turning into countless sparks, being forcibly dragged back into the Abyss by the summoning circle. Lilith remained composed and graceful, as though the entire confrontation had been no more than casually brushing off dust.


    Lilith licked her lips, extending her hand to conjure another longbow from her magic.


    All the fallen fire immediately extinguished, leaving a stunned Havier in its wake.


    ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s like this. When you owe too much, your creditors end up worrying more about your survival than you do.¡±


    Loenke sidestepped, revealing Lilith, who had possessed Vera.


    ¡°Let me introduce you to the special debt collector from the Abyssal Debt Collectors¡¯ Association, Miss Lilith.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Though she¡¯s a demon, she specializes in various exorcism techniques.


    If you have any last-ditch plans involving demons, devils, or Abyssal entities, you can forget about it.


    With her here, none of those tricks will work.¡±


    Lilith felt her new body and suddenly her expression changed. ¡°Loenke, Loenke... she¡¯s huge!¡±


    ¡°¡­I know, don¡¯t make such a big deal out of it. Please, don¡¯t act like you¡¯ve never seen anything like this before.


    I¡¯ve told you countless times, just because you¡¯re small doesn¡¯t mean everyone else is.¡±


    ¡°Enough! I wasn¡¯t talking about that! I meant her soul! Vera¡¯s soul energy is massive! And the quality is so high, incredibly pure!


    Wow! So delicious! So tempting!¡±


    Lilith licked her lips. ¡°How should I put this? If you manage to gather ten of these kinds of souls, it might cover a fraction of your debt.¡±


    Loenke¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What! That¡¯s definitely valuable!¡±


    Suddenly, Loenke turned and gave Havier a wicked grin. ¡°You... you got nervous just now!¡±


    ¡°I... I didn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Among all the clergy, the Holy Knights'' role is on the battlefield.


    To accurately identify targets in the chaotic environment, Holy Knights practice a technique called Life Perception.


    I¡¯m not great at it, but your life force just now was so obvious. It was even more noticeable than when your heart exploded.¡±


    ¡°So, this so-called Witch Plan, is it focused on souls?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll never know!¡±


    Loenke clapped his hands and summoned a light spear. ¡°This Witch Plan of yours does seem to have some substance. But it doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t say anything. Once I capture you, I¡¯ll have all the time I need to find out what I want.¡±


    ¡°Is that really a good idea?¡±


    Havier suddenly pulled out a skull. ¡°Don¡¯t move! Loenke, I admit you¡¯re strong. But no matter how strong you are, can you save everyone?


    Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯ve spent ten years setting this up! Do you really think I don¡¯t have a way to protect myself?


    Let me tell you, right now, the lives of everyone in the Lawrence family estate are in my hands!


    If I want, I can turn them into living corpses at any moment!¡±


    Loenke looked at him like he was a fool. ¡°...If you can do that, go ahead.¡±


    ¡°What... what did you say?¡±


    ¡°I said, if you can do it, then go ahead and try.¡±


    Such an arrogant attitude left Havier feeling uneasy. Ever since he started facing this man, he had been utterly suppressed.


    No matter what methods he used, they were completely countered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it! You can¡¯t possibly save everyone!¡±


    Havier¡¯s proud heart couldn¡¯t accept his failure. He made a desperate move, almost willing to destroy everything.


    Havier¡¯s eyes became bloodshot, his expression twisted as he threw his head back and laughed maniacally, his voice hoarse with an unsettling tremor. His fingers traced eerie symbols in the air, as though summoning an unspeakable existence.


    ¡°The Witch Plan!¡± His voice suddenly rose, filled with pathological excitement and twisted reverence. ¡°This isn¡¯t just an experiment; it¡¯s a glorious declaration beyond divinity! How could you mere mortals understand?! To refine souls into the purest force, to forge the chains of blood into a ladder to immortality¡ªthis is the roar of truth, the perfect interpretation of the laws of the universe!¡±

 17.The Fools Descent

    He spread his arms wide, his gaze blazing with an intensity that seemed to ignite the very air around him. "The souls of mothers serve as the fuel; their children, the spark of rebirth! Sacrifice after sacrifice, generation upon generation, what we forge is not mere blood and tears, but the Crown of Truth itself! Their suffering is inevitable, their deaths glorious! To create the perfect witch, to grasp the ultimate power¡ªeverything is worth it!"


    Haviel¡¯s breathing grew erratic, his speech accelerating as his eyes shone with a twisted mix of reverence and madness. "You don¡¯t understand, do you? These mortals, these lowly, pitiful creatures, are nothing but stepping stones beneath our feet! When the Witch Project is complete, souls will break free of their chains. Truth will dominate all things, and even the gods will kneel before us! And I¡ªHaviel¡ªshall be the one to open the gates to the new epoch!"


    Suddenly, his laughter erupted, sharp and grating, like a blade screeching against glass, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. His gaze fell upon Vera, alight with fervent obsession and greed. "Look! Behold! The perfect bloodline, the purest soul! It¡¯s all within my grasp! This moment, this destiny¡ªI¡¯ve waited far too long for it¡ªfar too long!"


    Then, without warning, he crushed the skull in his hand. A piercing wail echoed from it, spreading in all directions¡ªa signal for his ritual to begin. The cry signified that the vile concoctions he had secretly planted within the people of the nearby village were activating.


    Soon, this place would become a playground for the undead, a symphony of death and despair.


    Or so he thought.


    Time ticked on. Seconds stretched into minutes. And yet¡­ nothing. The anticipated transformation did not come. The scene outside remained cloaked in ominous mist, obscured from view, but within the estate, everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Nothing was happening.


    "This¡­ this is impossible!" Haviel¡¯s voice cracked, his face contorted with disbelief and rising panic. "Why isn¡¯t it working?!"


    He whirled toward Lorwenkai, his voice trembling with equal parts confusion and dread. "It¡¯s the holy water! Is it your damn holy water? No, that can¡¯t be! I inspected the holy water you sold¡ªI even drank some myself! It was nothing but ordinary water! How¡­ how did you do this?!"


    Lorwenkai stood with his arms crossed, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. His eyes gleamed with a predatory amusement as he regarded Haviel like a jester who had completely botched his performance.


    "Haviel, oh Haviel," Lorwenkai drawled lazily, his tone dripping with mockery. "You¡¯ve truly outdone yourself this time. Ten years of meticulous planning, countless sleepless nights, and what¡¯s the grand result? A skull, a shout, and a ritual so unimpressive it feels like a budget magic show. Honestly, are you summoning the forces of darkness or auditioning for the circus?"


    He raised a hand and began ticking off imaginary points on his fingers. "Oh, but wait! That¡¯s an insult to magicians¡ªat least they know how to leave the stage with dignity. You? You¡¯re just here to declare, ¡®Hi everyone, I¡¯m useless!¡¯ Honestly, I¡¯m moved. Shall I give you a round of applause?"This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Haviel¡¯s face turned a ghastly shade of blue, his lips trembling, unable to form a coherent retort. Lorwenkai, however, was far from done. "Ah, yes, the infamous holy water you tested. You drank it yourself, didn¡¯t you? Such trust in your own tongue! If only I trusted the goddess as much as you trust your own taste buds. But alas¡ª" He took a deliberate step forward, leaning in slightly, his eyes piercing like blades. "Truth often hides where you least expect it. The holy water was a decoy; the containers were the real deal! You thought you were the hunter, Haviel, but from the beginning, you were nothing but the prey. So, tell me¡ªhow does it feel to be outsmarted?"


    Straightening up, Lorwenkai gave Haviel a patronizing pat on the shoulder, as though comforting a child who had lost a game. "It¡¯s alright. Failure is the mother of success. Too bad for you, though, because time¡¯s not on your side anymore. Aren¡¯t you supposed to be the harbinger of vengeance for the Tower of Truth? Come on, do something. Entertain me a little longer."


    He took a step back, his laughter ringing out, light and mocking. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll slow down the taunts this time, give you a moment to catch your breath. Now then, show me¡ªwhat other cheap tricks do you have left?"


    "You arrogant fool! I¡¯ll kill you!" Haviel¡¯s fury reached its breaking point, his sanity snapping like a frayed string. He raised his staff, gathering energy for a devastating Saint-Tier spell.


    But against Lorwenkai, whose casting required no incantations, he was hopelessly outmatched.


    "Saint-Tier Divine Spell¡ªHoly Coffin!" Lorwenkai¡¯s voice rang out, calm and decisive.


    Crack!


    A shimmering outline appeared around Haviel, and before he could react, radiant panels of light converged, snapping together with a resounding thud to form a glowing coffin that trapped him inside.


    "High-Tier Divine Spell¡ªTwelve Scepter Light Prison!" Lorwenkai¡¯s command was sharp, and instantly, twelve radiant scepters manifested around the coffin. Like spears, they drove into the holy prison, piercing Haviel¡¯s writhing form within.


    A blood-curdling scream echoed, but then, silence fell. All that remained was the coffin, glowing faintly, bristling with the twelve scepters¡ªlike a porcupine of divine light.


    "Lilith," Lorwenkai called out, glancing at Vera, "Go read his memories."


    Lilith¡¯s voice, filled with exasperation, echoed from Vera¡¯s body. "Do you think I¡¯m immune to holy light? That guy¡¯s glowing brighter than a festival lantern! No thanks, I¡¯d like to keep my demonic essence intact."


    "Then what do you suggest?" Lorwenkai asked, raising a brow.


    "At least open a gap in the coffin!" Lilith flitted out of Vera¡¯s body, reforming into her true shape¡ªa petite succubus with a wry smile. "This whole thing¡¯s overkill. Just let me at him."


    Lorwenkai considered for a moment before waving a hand. The front panel of the coffin disintegrated, revealing Haviel, barely clinging to life. His body was riddled with punctures from the scepters, his vitality flickering like a dying flame.


    Lilith smirked, floating over to Haviel¡¯s trembling figure. She reached out, her delicate hand clasping his head. "Ah, mortals and their foolish obsessions. They mistake curses for blessings, poison for salvation."


    Before she could delve further, Lorwenkai¡¯s expression abruptly darkened. "Lilith¡ªpull back! Now!"


    But it was too late.


    Haviel, who moments ago had been on the brink of death, suddenly convulsed violently. His eyes flared with an unnatural light, his body erupting with surges of chaotic energy.


    "No! Stop!" Lilith cried out, recoiling just as Haviel¡¯s entire being began to glow, his form cracking apart like a shattered porcelain doll.


    And then came the sound¡ªa resonant, soul-piercing scream. Not of agony, but of something far worse.

 18.The Judgment Knights Arrival

    His flesh melted into black sludge, clinging tightly to Lilith''s arm. As she struggled to break free, Lorwenkai appeared beside her in a flash of golden light.


    Clang!


    A gleaming blade of light materialized in Lorwenkai''s hand, severing Lilith''s arm in a single stroke. Before the sludge could spread further, he caught her in his arms and flung the blade toward Haviel, simultaneously raising two fingers.


    The radiant blade struck Haviel, pinning him back inside the holy coffin as new golden panels snapped into place, sealing him once more.


    Boom!


    A deafening explosion rippled through the estate, a shockwave so powerful it leveled half the manor. The destructive force would have killed everyone present if not for the invisible barrier of holy light Lorwenkai had conjured, containing the blast within a limited radius. Even so, the impact sent people sprawling to the ground, coughing and disoriented.


    "Are you alright?" Lorwenkai asked, cradling Lilith in his arms. Her usually confident expression crumpled into something soft, vulnerable.


    "It hurts a little," she mumbled, her lips trembling slightly.


    Lorwenkai sighed and rubbed her head, his fingers gentle against her silver hair. "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll make it up to you later."


    "Promise?" Lilith¡¯s pout transformed into a mischievous grin. Her severed arm began to regenerate, black mist swirling as her body stitched itself back together. "You said it! No take-backs!"


    Lorwenkai¡¯s expression softened, though his tone quickly turned serious. "Did you manage to extract any useful information?"


    Lilith floated out of his arms, brushing off the dirt on her dress. "The time was too short¡­ but!" Her ruby-red eyes sparkled with triumph as she leaned forward, planting a quick kiss on Lorwenkai¡¯s cheek. "I¡¯m Lilith, after all. I always deliver!"


    In that moment, fragmented memories and images flooded Lorwenkai¡¯s mind like a cascade of broken glass. His breath hitched as the truth pieced itself together.


    "This¡­ so that¡¯s how it is?" His voice was low, venomous, filled with disgust. His gaze shifted toward Haviel''s smoldering remains, and he spat on the ground in contempt. "The Tower of Truth¡­ those bastards deserve to be wiped off the face of this world!"


    The pieces Lilith shared painted a horrifying picture. The "Witch Project" was a depraved, systematic atrocity. These deranged lunatics from the Tower of Truth had resorted to forbidden alchemy to tamper with the souls of young girls.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    The process was insidious: these cursed girls were fated to give birth only to daughters. During pregnancy, the mother¡¯s soul would gradually wither, its energy transferring to the unborn child, along with the accursed alchemical toxins woven into their very existence. The moment a mother gave birth, her soul would completely disintegrate.


    Through generations of this horrific cycle, the Tower aimed to cultivate an individual with soul energy so immense, so unworldly, that she could be wielded as an unstoppable weapon. A witch, born from countless lives consumed by pain and despair.


    "If they succeeded," Lorwenkai murmured, his fists clenched tightly, "the entire world would¡¯ve become their pasture. Humanity reduced to livestock, harvested for their twisted ambitions. Monsters¡­ every last one of them."


    Though Lilith''s information was limited, it was enough to identify that there were originally seven experimental bloodlines. Vera, he realized, was part of one of these bloodlines. Worse still, hers had nearly reached "maturity."


    The witches¡¯ powers, however, were not yet fully awakened. To ensure their creations didn¡¯t become uncontrollable, the Tower had designed safeguards. Without completing the "Witch''s Feast," the latent soul energy within them could not be fully activated.


    "Unbelievable¡­" Lorwenkai muttered, his expression grim. "If those madmen had been allowed to continue growing in secret, this entire world could¡¯ve been theirs by now."


    Turning his gaze toward Vera, his eyes sharpened with resolution. "Looks like I¡¯ll have to keep you under close watch."


    "Wait, what?" Vera blinked, confused by his sudden declaration. "What¡¯s that supposed to mean¡ª"


    Her words were cut short by the sound of thunderous hooves in the distance. Her face went pale. "No¡­ it can¡¯t be. It¡¯s the Inquisition¡¯s Black Knights!"


    The sound of their approach grew louder, the earth trembling beneath the rhythmic pounding of hooves. The air turned cold, sharp, oppressive.


    Vera grabbed Lorwenkai''s arm, her voice frantic. "You have to leave! Now! If the Black Knights are coming, they¡¯re here to capture you. You¡ª"


    Lorwenkai¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. "And why exactly should I run?"


    Outside the estate, the approaching Black Knights exuded a suffocating aura. Their black armor reflected the dim light of dusk, every plate scarred by battle, marked with bloodstains long since dried. Each step of their massive warhorses reverberated through the ground, as if the very earth quaked beneath the weight of their presence.


    The leader rode a monstrous steed, jet black save for the crimson flames flickering in its eyes. With each step, its hooves left behind faint trails of black smoke, as if drawing the life from the soil itself. The knight¡¯s helmet obscured his face, revealing only a pair of eyes cold and unforgiving, like the abyss staring back.


    Their spears gleamed with faint, menacing runes, the dried blood upon their tips swaying gently in the cold wind. The silence of the procession was deafening, the air around them thick with a palpable sense of dread.


    When they halted in front of the estate, it felt as if the world itself had paused, holding its breath.


    "The Inquisition¡¯s Black Knights," someone in the distance whispered, their voice trembling with fear. "They¡¯re here."


    As they came to a standstill before Lorwenkai, the oppressive silence grew heavier. It was as though the very presence of these knights had severed the estate from the living world, casting it into a domain of shadows and judgment.

 19.The Shattered Crown

    The Black Knights had surrounded the entire manor. The Black Knight Commander, leading a small team of elite knights, halted his horse precisely ten meters from where Rowan Kai stood.


    The crowd looked on nervously, hearts pounding in their chests. The reputation of the Black Knights preceded them¡ªmerciless enforcers of the Holy Light Church, whose mere name could strike terror. Falling into their hands meant a fate worse than death, a cruel journey of torment from which no one returned unscathed.


    In the Kingdom of Estoria, where the Holy Light Church reigned supreme as the state religion, the Black Knights held power even above the royal guards. They could arrest nobles of the highest rank without hesitation. Standing next to Rowan Kai, with a demon like Lilith in plain sight, only added fuel to the fire.


    Though many in the manor wanted to speak up for Rowan Kai, who had just saved their lives, the weight of the Black Knights'' presence silenced them. Aiding a fugitive openly sought by the church would lead to exile not just in Estoria but across the entire continent.


    While the tension mounted, and fear immobilized the witnesses, something completely unexpected happened.


    The Black Knight Commander dismounted with a heavy thud, followed by his knights. Then, they knelt on one knee before Rowan Kai.


    ¡°Your Highness, we apologize for arriving late. Please forgive us!¡±


    Their gesture left everyone utterly stunned, including Vera. Even the presence of Lilith, the demon by Rowan Kai¡¯s side, was entirely ignored, as if she didn¡¯t exist.


    The commander kept his voice low but grave as he continued, ¡°Your Highness, something terrible has happened in the Holy City. Saint Joanna was assassinated half a month ago. A progenitor-level vampire escaped from the Black Iron Prison and attacked the Papal Palace. His Holiness the Pope has been gravely ill ever since. The city is in chaos, and infighting among the church factions is escalating rapidly. With the Holy Light Festival approaching, His Holiness has named you specifically. Your presence is essential.¡±


    He hesitated, his tone darkening further. ¡°The death of Saint Joanna has triggered a devastating internal divide. This is no longer just a power struggle¡ªit reeks of a larger conspiracy. Your Highness, you must personally address this.¡±


    Rowan Kai¡¯s expression hardened as he processed the weight of the news.


    ¡°What? Impossible! That lunatic woman¡­¡± His voice trailed off in disbelief.


    Saint Joanna was not just anyone; she was one of the five candidates for the Holy Saintess, a position equal in standing to Rowan Kai himself and the other four candidates. Even if not chosen as Saintess, her future would have been no less than that of a Grand Archbishop.


    These ten candidates, including Saint Joanna, were considered the backbone of the next generation within the Holy Light Church, the future leaders who would guide its direction.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Among them, Saint Joanna was a prominent favorite for the title of Holy Saintess. Crowned with the honor of summoning pure, untainted Holy Light since the age of twelve, she had earned the respect and reverence of countless believers.


    Moreover, Saint Joanna was a formidable force, known for her sharp mind and unrivaled strength. As Rowan Kai¡¯s senior and the first disciple of His Holiness the Pope, her assassination was a matter of grave significance¡ªsecond only to the death of the Pope himself.


    Rowan Kai found it difficult to believe, but the Commander¡¯s somber expression suggested otherwise. He frowned deeply.


    ¡°Though I find this hard to accept, tell me the details.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, ever since you left the Holy City three years ago, the Holy Light Church has undergone drastic changes. New factions have risen rapidly, shattering the old order. The entire city has turned into a boiling cauldron of conflict.


    ¡°With the Holy Light Festival drawing near, tensions have only intensified.


    ¡°Half a month ago, a progenitor-level vampire managed to escape the Black Iron Prison and launched a direct assault on the Papal Palace. Saint Joanna gave her life to protect His Holiness.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Rowan Kai cut him off sharply. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m an idiot? A progenitor vampire escaping the Black Iron Prison? That prison has stood for over a millennium without a single breakout!


    ¡°Even if, for some ridiculous reason, the vampire did escape, why in the world would it go after the Papal Palace instead of running for its life? What¡¯s this, a death wish for style points?¡±


    His tone turned even more incredulous. ¡°And don¡¯t tell me the Pope needed her protection. He¡¯s supposed to be the most powerful being in the entire church!¡±


    The Commander lowered his head and explained, ¡°After the last Holy Light Festival, His Holiness¡¯s health began deteriorating significantly. Over the past year, the candidates, including Saint Joanna, took turns guarding the Papal Palace to share the burden.¡±


    Rowan Kai momentarily fell silent, trying to process the information. The Holy Light Church was in a far worse state than he had imagined.


    Still, he couldn¡¯t shake the suspicion. ¡°Is that lunatic woman faking her death? Could this be one of her ridiculous schemes?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness,¡± the Commander urged, ¡°please return with us. His Holiness made it clear¡ªyour presence at the Holy Light Festival is non-negotiable. Given the current situation, there¡¯s no telling what might happen without you.¡±


    ¡°...Fine.¡± Rowan Kai finally relented, his voice colder than before. ¡°If the old man¡¯s condition is that bad, I¡¯ll go back and take a look. But these fools, stirring up chaos for a damn chair¡ªclearly, they¡¯re asking for punishment.¡±


    The Commander shuddered at his words, though relief flooded his heart.


    ¡°Shall we depart immediately, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Rowan Kai said with a casual wave of his hand. ¡°Get a carriage ready and bring along that dazed noblewoman over there.¡± His lips curled into a smirk. ¡°She¡¯s my most significant find from these three years of wandering.¡±


    The Commander¡¯s eyes lit up in sudden understanding. ¡°Ah, I see, Your Highness. I completely understand!¡±


    The Holy Light District lay cloaked in the soft veil of morning mist. The air carried an almost imperceptible glow, as if tiny motes of light danced within the cool breeze.


    A towering watchtower stood at the center of the district, its structure inscribed with intricate Holy Light runes. These glowing carvings wove an elegant, slow-moving current of light that rippled occasionally like the surface of a serene pond. Warm and dignified, the radiance of the runes seemed to extend a gentle blessing to all who walked below.


    Atop the tower, a Holy Light crest shone faintly, resembling a watchful eye guarding over the multitude of lives below. Its steady, unwavering presence was both reassuring and humbling, a silent reminder of the divine order it symbolized.

 20.A Brief Respite in the Holy Light District

    The town bustled with activity as pilgrims shuffled along the narrow cobblestone streets, their faces painted with devout expressions. The holy light amulets in their hands occasionally flickered faintly, resonating with the runes etched into the towering watchtower above. Elderly believers softly recited prayers, their voices imbued with an intangible power that seemed to guide the glowing motes of light swirling gently through the air.


    Street vendors lined both sides of the roads, their voices rising in lively competition. Their wares ranged from handmade charms to fragrant holy light pouches, with a few rare magical items glinting faintly with sacred light. A transparent crystal orb cast a projection of the runes from the watchtower, drawing the attention of a small crowd. Nearby, a mage with slender fingers deftly inscribed a floating rune onto a jade stone, causing it to glow with a mesmerizing rhythm, eliciting gasps of wonder from the onlookers.


    In the distance, at the center of the Holy Light Square, a complex magical array was being activated. Its runes lit up one after another, each pulse of light imbued with vitality, flickering in a rhythmic dance powered by an unseen force. At the center of the array, a priest held a staff of holy light and chanted in a steady cadence. As his voice rose, a radiant beam of light surged upward from the array, piercing the heavens and casting a divine glow over the entire town.


    Children paused in their tracks, awestruck by the dazzling light. They stretched out their small hands, trying to catch the shimmering motes of light, only to be gently pulled back by their parents, who knelt and joined the others in silent prayer. At that moment, it felt as though the entire town had merged into the embrace of holy light, time itself seemingly cleansed by the sacred magic, leaving behind a profound sense of peace and serenity.


    Inside a luxurious carriage, Rowan Kai sprawled across a plush velvet cushion, occupying most of the space. His legs were propped up lazily, while a small wooden table with an exquisite tea set further limited the already cramped interior.


    In stark contrast, Vera was squished into a corner, visibly displeased. Her legs were drawn up tightly, and her face betrayed an obvious discomfort.


    The procession, under the protective escort of the Black Knights, had left the Kingdom of Estoria and was now making its way toward the Holy Capital, the most sacred city of the Holy Light Church. With the triennial Holy Light Festival fast approaching, pilgrims from across the continent were flocking toward the capital, filling every road with their fervent devotion.


    Throughout their journey, Rowan Kai''s party had crossed paths with several groups of these pilgrims. The Black Knights, with their imposing and distinctive armor, naturally drew considerable attention. Yet, the true spectacle was undoubtedly the grand carriage nestled in the middle of their formation.


    After all, the Black Knights were notorious for escorting prisoners in iron cages rather than guarding an elegant and luxurious carriage. This unprecedented sight had turned countless heads along the way.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡± The voice of the Black Knight Commander came from outside the carriage. ¡°Up ahead is the Holy Watchtower. Should we stop in the nearby town to replenish our supplies?¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°No need¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, we must!¡± Vera interrupted almost in a whimper, her voice tinged with desperation. ¡°My legs are numb! And I... I need to, um, freshen up!¡±


    Rowan Kai sighed, resigned. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s take a short break and restock supplies.¡±


    The commander immediately signaled the convoy to head toward the small town surrounding the watchtower.


    The Holy Light Church did not technically hold territorial lands. The Holy Capital, the largest city in the world, was the only exception. To avoid unnecessary conflict, the surrounding kingdoms had voluntarily ceded portions of land, creating a neutral buffer zone around the Holy Capital. This vast ring of territory, known as the Holy Light District, allowed pilgrims from different nations to pause, rest, and prepare for the final leg of their journey.


    Over time, these buffer zones gave rise to a series of small towns, each centered around towering watchtowers. Pilgrims often treated these watchtowers as their first destination, gathering at these outposts for rest and resupply. Thus, a bustling network of towns formed around the towers, serving as hubs of activity during the triennial Holy Light Festival.


    During this sacred season, the small towns became crowded and lively, filled with merchants and pilgrims. Arriving late often meant camping outside the town¡¯s limits.


    The Black Knights, however, were unconcerned by such trivialities. Their mere presence commanded reverence. Wherever they passed, devout believers knelt in homage, and shrewd merchants quickly cleared the way.


    At the watchtower, the stationed Holy Guards had already prostrated themselves in anxious anticipation.


    ¡°You there,¡± the Black Knight Commander addressed the man trembling at the front. ¡°Are you the captain of the guard?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord! My name is William. I am at your service,¡± the guard stammered.


    The commander nodded curtly. ¡°I am Celtis, Fourth-Rank Commander of the Inquisition¡¯s Retribution Corps. By order of the Black Archbishop, Saint Punishment Elsen, I am on a confidential mission.


    ¡°As of now, I am requisitioning your encampment and your forces in the name of the Inquisition. Do you have any objections?¡±


    ¡°It would be our greatest honor to serve the Inquisition!¡± Captain William responded, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and reverence.


    ¡°Good. Your first order: clear a perimeter of ten meters around the camp and ensure that no one approaches. Organize patrols to conduct constant surveillance for twenty-four prayer hours.¡±


    ¡°Forget it,¡± Rowan Kai interjected as he stepped out of the carriage, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°This town is so small¡ªwhat are you going to do, evict everyone? I¡¯m not some delicate flower who needs isolation. Let them watch if they want to.¡±


    ¡°But Your Highness, your safety¡ª¡±


    ¡°Do you think anything that can threaten my safety is something you can handle?¡± Rowan Kai raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his tone. ¡°Set up camp, let the men rest, and stop overthinking.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± the commander replied, bowing before turning to give orders.


    Vera followed Rowan Kai out of the carriage, stumbling slightly as she stretched her numb legs. Her face was a mixture of relief and irritation.


    Vera, accustomed to her noble upbringing and the comforts of her family estate, was unaccustomed to such hardships. Her father, Earl Lawrence, had ensured she traveled in the most luxurious, sturdy, and comfortable carriage possible. Yet all those efforts had been entirely undermined by Rowan Kai, who had claimed the best spot for himself.


    And then there was Lilith, the demon, who had been allowed to possess Vera under the pretext of "protecting" her. The experience of having another consciousness in her body made her feel uneasy and disoriented, no matter how practical Rowan Kai¡¯s reasoning might have been.


    After a brief rest, Vera, finally free of the cramped carriage, decided to explore the bustling encampment.

 20.The Devil in Disguise

    Vera stood silently in a corner of the camp, her gaze trailing Rowan Kai. He lounged lazily against one of the thick tent poles, casually instructing the Black Knights as they busied themselves with setting up the camp. His demeanor seemed utterly indifferent, even carrying a faint edge of mockery in his tone. Yet, despite his apparent nonchalance, the grim-faced knights followed his every word to the letter, as if his commands carried an unshakable authority.


    The scene before her sparked a deep sense of contradiction within Vera. She had often imagined what a true Holy Knight might look like: righteous, dignified, and exuding an aura of divine invincibility. Yet Rowan Kai was the antithesis of everything she had pictured. His perpetual air of insolence, the smug grin often playing on his lips, and his blasphemous remarks about holy light made him seem more like a heretic playing a game than a knight of the faith.


    And yet, there were moments¡ªthose fleeting, undeniable moments¡ªwhen his strength and brilliance shone through, casting everything else into shadow. In her mind, she couldn¡¯t help but recall the pure and radiant holy light he wielded with ease, the same light that had saved her on multiple occasions. She hated the way it tugged at her emotions, how it softened the corners of her guarded heart.


    ¡°Is he really a Holy Knight?¡± Vera murmured to herself. Her rational mind screamed that this man was nothing but a dangerous enigma, a contradiction too complex to trust. Yet, that very same rational mind couldn¡¯t reconcile with the memory of sunlight catching his dark hair, the fractured light of a broken holy emblem scattered over his form as he invoked his magic. For a moment, she had seen something divine in him¡ªsomething utterly at odds with his irreverent personality.


    "Is he a blasphemous lunatic? A genius cloaked in contradictions? Or¡­ both?" she whispered softly, her voice carrying a trace of awe and frustration.


    It was then that Rowan Kai seemed to sense her gaze. He turned, his piercing eyes locking onto hers with an unsettling ease. A smirk curved his lips as he raised a hand in a casual wave. ¡°Hey, had enough staring yet? If you¡¯ve fallen for me, just say it¡ªI won¡¯t mind.¡±


    Vera¡¯s cheeks flushed instantly. She turned her head away with forced composure, but her voice betrayed her panic. ¡°Who¡­ who would fall for you? Stop flattering yourself!¡±


    Rowan Kai chuckled lightly, his expression unchanged as he turned his attention back to his task.


    The town¡¯s bustle and the colorful mix of pilgrims¡¯ attire caught Vera¡¯s attention as she wandered to the edge of the camp. The scenes of faith and camaraderie were new to her, and for a moment, she was almost captivated. But that brief wonder was quickly replaced by a deep pang of homesickness.


    ¡°Missing home already? Not surprising¡ªit¡¯s your first time away from it,¡± a mischievous voice chimed in her head.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Vera stiffened reflexively, still unaccustomed to the sudden intrusion of Lilith, the demon who now shared her body. ¡°Lilith, could you at least announce yourself before speaking? It¡¯s unsettling!¡±


    ¡°Announce myself? Sweetie, I¡¯m a demon. Did you expect me to be polite?¡± Lilith giggled, her voice dripping with teasing amusement.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask¡­ You¡¯re a demon, so why are you so obedient to Rowan Kai? He may be worse than most demons, but he¡¯s still a Holy Knight, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    Lilith¡¯s laughter bubbled up again, this time more playful. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a fun little story. You see, a few years ago, Rowan Kai showed up on the radar of several demon lords in the infernal realms. He offered his soul through contracts¡ªmany contracts.¡±


    ¡°Wait, how is that possible? One person can¡¯t sell their soul multiple times,¡± Vera interrupted, disbelief evident in her voice.


    Lilith sighed dramatically. ¡°That¡¯s what I asked him. He said he found a loophole in the contract system. Don¡¯t ask me how¡ªit¡¯s a mystery even to me. But he did it. He sold his soul so many times that if he dies, the ownership of his soul becomes¡­ complicated.¡±


    ¡°Complicated?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say there are three demon kings who publicly claim his soul belongs to them, two demon emperors who¡¯ve built entire palaces in his name, and countless others who are furiously squabbling over who gets to torture him first. His ¡®soul value¡¯ has skyrocketed in hell. There¡¯s even been at least four wars over his potential ¡®ownership.¡¯ He hasn¡¯t even died yet, and he¡¯s already caused chaos!¡±


    Vera shuddered. ¡°What on earth did he do to cause all that?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know, little things,¡± Lilith said sweetly. ¡°Like using contract magic to summon two rival demon lords to fight each other, calling it a ¡®Hell Arena.¡¯ Or broadcasting their fights to the infernal realms and encouraging demons to bet on the outcome.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Then there was the time he summoned demons to turn them into scapegoats and deliver them to the Inquisition for rewards. Or when he exposed demons¡¯ weaknesses and compiled them into a ¡®Demon Survival Guide¡¯ for the Holy Church.¡±


    Vera¡¯s jaw dropped, but Lilith wasn¡¯t finished.


    ¡°He summoned a succubus to perform dances because he was bored, forced infernal beasts to help him with manual labor while pocketing their pay, and once summoned a hellhound just to help him find a missing sock. Oh, and let¡¯s not forget the time he summoned a flaming demon and used it as a literal barbecue grill¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s insane!¡± Vera blurted, her mind reeling. ¡°What kind of person does all that?¡±


    Lilith chuckled darkly. ¡°Exactly the kind of person demons both hate and fear. And that¡¯s how I ended up here. But, if you¡¯re curious about the details, why don¡¯t you ask him yourself?¡±


    Before Vera could press further, the Black Knight Commander approached her. ¡°Miss Vera, His Highness has requested your presence.¡±


    Lilith giggled one last time before fading back into the recesses of Vera¡¯s mind. ¡°Perfect timing. Go on, darling¡ªask him your questions. Let¡¯s see how much he tells you.¡±


    Inside Rowan Kai¡¯s tent, Vera found him busying himself with setting up an intricate magic array. He gestured for her to sit as he worked, his tone casual yet commanding. ¡°To be safe, I¡¯m going to leave some seals and countermeasures on you.¡±


    Vera blinked in confusion. ¡°Seals? Countermeasures? What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing invasive,¡± Rowan Kai replied, his voice laced with dry humor. ¡°Just thirty or so layers of magical protection.¡±


    ¡°Thirty?!¡± Vera gasped, nearly falling out of her chair. ¡°Isn¡¯t that¡­ excessive?¡±


    Rowan Kai shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Not really. I originally planned for triple digits, but I ran out of materials along the way.¡±


    Vera buried her face in her hands, muttering, ¡°This man is absolutely insane¡­¡±

 21 The Forbidden Ritual: Vera’s Trial of Holy Light

    Rowan Kai gestured at Vera with a lazy flick of his fingers. ¡°Lilith, come out.¡±


    In an instant, Lilith transformed into a swirl of purple smoke, emerging from Vera¡¯s body and coalescing into her human-like form mid-air.


    ¡°Oh, oh, oh! Are you finally giving me my reward?¡± she asked with a teasing grin.


    Rowan nodded and pulled out a small pouch filled with assorted elemental magic crystals, suspending his other hand above it.


    Under Vera''s stunned gaze, streams of light energy began to peel away from the crystals, leaving the semi-transparent shards stained a deep shade of purple.


    Rowan tossed the pouch to Lilith, who caught it mid-air, beaming with delight. Perching herself on his shoulder, she began nibbling on the crystals as though they were flavored candy.


    ¡°So delicious!¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Vera, unable to contain her shock, snatched a crystal from Lilith¡¯s hand, turning it over and inspecting it closely.


    ¡°What did you just do? What exactly did you do to this?¡±


    ¡°Stripped the light element out. Now, they¡¯re processed magic crystals fit for demons to consume,¡± Rowan replied flatly, adjusting a nearby ritual circle. ¡°Now, sit in the center. We¡¯re starting.¡±


    ¡°You have no idea what you just did, do you?¡± Vera grabbed Rowan¡¯s collar, her voice trembling.


    ¡°I just explained it. Was it so hard to understand?¡± Rowan raised an eyebrow, his impatience barely concealed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about understanding¡ªit¡¯s¡­!¡±


    Vera struggled to find the words, her emotions in turmoil. Yet, faced with Rowan¡¯s indifferent expression, she couldn¡¯t help but feel annoyed.


    ¡°You¡¯re insane! Every time you pull off one of these ridiculous stunts, you act as if it¡¯s no big deal, making the rest of us look like fools for even reacting!¡±


    ¡°Element stripping. Want to learn it?¡± Rowan asked casually.


    Vera instantly released him, smoothing out his collar with an awkward smile before kneeling obediently within the ritual circle.  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°Yes! Please teach me!¡±


    Magic crystals were the most common tools for mages to replenish their energy. However, natural crystals were rarely pure, often containing mixed elements. While labeled as elemental-specific, their dominant energy type was only relatively higher.


    For elemental mages, absorbing impure crystals often resulted in damage to their magic circuits. This limited how much they could use them at a time. Even alchemical magic potions derived from crystal dust failed to break this limitation.


    However, if one could harness pure crystals, their bodies would remain unharmed, theoretically allowing infinite absorption.


    Learning this element-stripping technique would not only transform her combat effectiveness but also make her unimaginably wealthy overnight¡ªpure crystals alone could command fortunes across the continent!


    More importantly, as a mage, Vera could never resist the allure of uncovering forbidden knowledge.


    Cautiously stepping into the ritual circle, she felt the runes beneath her feet begin to glow faintly, like countless eyes staring up at her. A chill ran down her spine as an oppressive aura filled the air, making it hard to breathe.


    ¡°Scared?¡± Rowan smirked, arms crossed, a teasing glint in his eye.


    ¡°Who said I¡¯m scared?¡± Vera shot him a defiant glare, though her hands clenched nervously at the hem of her clothes.


    The hum of the circle intensified, a deep resonance that seemed both like a whisper in her ear and a roar from the earth¡¯s core.


    ¡°You¡¯re adorably stubborn,¡± Rowan chuckled, raising his hand. In an instant, the circle burst to life, a column of radiant light enveloping Vera completely.


    The searing brightness wrapped around her skin like a veil, its alternating warmth and chill making her shudder involuntarily.


    ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± she gasped, panic flashing in her eyes.


    Rowan stepped closer, his gaze lingering on her silhouette as it glowed in the light. His tone was calm yet carried an edge of amusement. ¡°Relax. These chains are here to protect you¡ªand that fierce little heart of yours.¡±


    ¡°You!¡± Vera glared at him, embarrassed and indignant, her ears tinged red.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡± Rowan suddenly reached out, his fingers brushing her forehead as he adjusted the runes. Vera¡¯s breath hitched as she stared at his face so close to hers, her emotions thrown into chaos.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Her voice quivered, betraying a softness she hadn¡¯t noticed.


    ¡°Making sure you don¡¯t explode,¡± Rowan replied with a chuckle, his tone teasing as his fingers continued tracing the glowing patterns. ¡°After all, I can¡¯t bear to lose something so beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Lose¡­ what?¡± Vera blinked, momentarily caught off guard.


    Rowan¡¯s obsidian eyes locked onto hers, a cryptic smile curling his lips. ¡°This beautiful ¡®vessel,¡¯ of course.¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡± Vera¡¯s cheeks flamed as she raised her hand to shove him away, only for the glowing chains to ensnare her arms, freezing her in place.


    ¡°Don¡¯t struggle,¡± Rowan murmured, his voice a low purr, the teasing edge unmistakable. ¡°Just endure it a little longer, and you can yell at me all you want afterward.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you!¡± Vera stammered, her thoughts a jumbled mess as the oppressive heat and tension rendered her speechless. She closed her eyes, determined to ignore him.


    As the ritual light dimmed and the strange phenomena subsided, Vera felt the restraints lift. Glancing down, she noticed intricate light patterns covering her skin like a second layer of armor, faintly glowing with holy energy.

 22 The Game of Demons: Rowan Kai’s Devilish Survival Guide

    Rowan Kai took a step back, admiring his masterpiece with satisfaction. He winked at Vera. ¡°See? Not painful, right? And it looks quite good.¡±


    Vera inhaled deeply, gritting her teeth as she glared at him, her tone tinged with both anger and embarrassment. ¡°Next time, if you dare make a joke at my expense¡­ just try me!¡±


    Rowan burst out laughing, ruffling her hair with a playful yet intimate gesture. ¡°You¡¯re cute, even when you¡¯re mad.¡±


    Vera opened her mouth, ready to retort, but found herself at a loss for words.


    ¡°¡­You know,¡± she started hesitantly, ¡°you¡¯re actually quite handsome. But I rarely see people with black hair and black eyes.¡±


    ¡°¡®The dark night gave me black eyes, but I use them to seek the light,¡¯¡± Rowan recited with a sly smile.


    ¡°Wow, you can say some pretty impressive things sometimes!¡±


    From Rowan¡¯s shoulder, Lilith let out a derisive snort. ¡°Oh, please. I recall someone skulking around the largest nun bathhouse in the Holy City a few years back. So, Rowan, was it the steam where you sought your ¡®light¡¯?¡±


    Rowan was unfazed. ¡°That bathhouse is my property! Can¡¯t I inspect my own assets?¡±


    ¡°And the Holy Knights¡¯ grand bathhouse is also yours, but you¡¯ve never visited it since it was built!¡± Lilith shot back.


    Without missing a beat, Rowan grabbed Lilith and flung her into the air. She performed a mid-air spin and promptly landed back on his shoulder, smirking triumphantly.


    Vera chuckled awkwardly, attempting to steer the conversation to safer waters. Suddenly, a thought came to her¡ªsomething she had discussed with Lilith earlier.


    ¡°By the way, Mr. Rowan Kai, Lilith mentioned something¡­ She said you seem to have a rather, uh, complicated relationship with the demon lords of the Abyss?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing complicated about it,¡± Rowan replied smoothly. ¡°Our partnership is clear and well-defined¡ªstrictly transactional.¡±


    Lilith yanked at Rowan¡¯s hair, laughing. ¡°Oh, tell her about your most shameless escapade!¡±


    ¡°Shameless? I¡¯d call it ingenious,¡± Rowan corrected with mock indignation.


    Seeing Vera¡¯s growing curiosity, Rowan sighed.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not exactly a secret, so I don¡¯t mind telling you,¡± he began, clearing his throat. ¡°This was back in my second year of study in the Holy City. By then, I had already amassed a considerable number of demon contracts and had plenty of successful dealings with the Abyss.  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    But as my soul became a coveted prize, tensions flared between Hell, Purgatory, the Abyss, and other infernal factions. They even clashed violently over it on several occasions.


    Being the kind-hearted man I am, I couldn¡¯t bear to see such discord.¡±


    Lilith interjected with a grin, ¡°And thus began what is now known as the Victims¡¯ Summit.¡±


    Ignoring her, Rowan continued, ¡°I summoned the heads of all factions for a meeting, hoping to settle things civilly. That¡¯s when I proposed the Hunting System!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Vera asked, startled.


    ¡°Simple. Whoever kills me first gets my soul, and their faction wins the prize,¡± Rowan said casually.


    Vera gasped. ¡°Isn¡¯t that incredibly dangerous? You¡¯re putting your life at risk!¡±


    ¡°Of course, there were conditions,¡± Rowan replied smoothly. ¡°The demon lords couldn¡¯t act directly¡ªthey had to send their best champions to hunt me in the human realm.


    Demons are naturally weakened in the human world, and each faction could send only one representative. If they failed within three days, they forfeited the round.


    Oh, and while the first attempt was free, subsequent tries required payment.¡±


    ¡°That still sounds risky!¡± Vera protested, her concern evident.


    Rowan chuckled, scratching his head. ¡°At the time, I was already quite strong. But constant assassination attempts were a bit of a nuisance.


    Coincidentally, the Inquisition kept pestering me back then, and I had a little spat with the Black Robed Archbishop.


    So, during a morning assembly, I punched the Archbishop and spent half an hour berating the goddess statue in the Grand Cathedral.


    Naturally, I was sentenced to the deepest level of the Black Iron Prison for multiple offenses.¡±


    Vera¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Then the demons¡­?¡±


    ¡°They had no choice but to storm the Black Iron Prison,¡± Rowan said with a shrug. ¡°Meanwhile, I had the time of my life¡ªeating, sleeping, and tinkering with magical techniques.


    The Inquisition, however, was swamped. I heard their demon-hunting record during those two weeks surpassed their achievements from the past decade combined.¡±


    ¡°You helped them so much, and they didn¡¯t even thank you?¡± Vera asked incredulously.


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Rowan feigned a wounded expression. ¡°Truly heartbreaking¡­¡±


    ¡°And then what happened?¡± Vera finally managed to ask.


    ¡°Well, the Inquisition couldn¡¯t handle it anymore and came begging me for help,¡± Rowan said, tracing glowing runes with one hand while stroking his chin with the other.


    ¡°The Black Robed Archbishop even promised they¡¯d never bother me again and offered me a host of privileges. Out of pity, I agreed.


    Even now, though, I remain on their blacklist.¡±


    ¡°The Inquisition has a blacklist?¡± Vera asked, astonished.


    Lilith snickered. ¡°Yes, but he¡¯s the only one on it. Anything related to him is strictly ignored by the Inquisition.¡±


    Suddenly, it all clicked for Vera. No wonder the Black Knights turned a blind eye to Lilith, a literal demon.


    ¡°What about the demons?¡± Vera ventured.


    Lilith quickly jumped in. ¡°They fared even worse. In less than two weeks, the demon lords lost nearly an entire generation of elite warriors.


    But since they had already offered exorbitant rewards, the remaining demons were desperate for a chance to rise to the top.


    In the end, the demon lords had no choice but to swallow their pride and convene a second Victims¡¯ Summit, hoping to find a solution.¡±


    ¡°And they got duped again, didn¡¯t they?¡± Vera deadpanned.


    Rowan clapped his thigh indignantly. ¡°Duped? I call it leveraging innovative strategies and optimizing resource allocation!


    I simply applied internet-age thinking to restructure their operational framework, identifying pain points and addressing them through targeted data-driven solutions.


    In doing so, I streamlined their public and private sectors into an integrated, flat matrix system!¡±


    Vera blinked, her face a picture of confusion. ¡°Was that¡­ Abyssal profanity?¡±

 23.Abyss Idol: Rowan Kai’s Schemes and Looming Crisis

    Lilith pouted. ¡°In simpler terms, this guy came up with something called a talent show, naming it *Abyss Idol: Best Demon Edition*.


    The hunting privilege became the grand prize for each season¡¯s champion, attracting demons eager to join the hunt.


    This allowed the demon lords to monopolize hunting rights and conveniently rig the process. After all, the ones they truly wanted to promote weren¡¯t always the strongest, but the ones who were both capable and obedient.


    As for those who were ambitious troublemakers or simply thorns in their side, the lords could ¡®reward¡¯ them with the hunting token and send them to the human realm to die with dignity.


    This way, the demon lords solidified their control over their factions more effectively.¡±


    Lilith pointed to herself with a hint of helplessness. ¡°To ensure these troublemakers were dealt with and to make sure *this guy* didn¡¯t get himself killed by some random demon, they sent me along.


    Don¡¯t get it twisted¡ªjust because I¡¯m tagging along doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m his familiar. I¡¯m a free demon, got it?¡±


    Rowan grinned confidently. ¡°Come on, admit it. Didn¡¯t the project address the pain points of our clients?¡±


    Lilith rolled her eyes dramatically. ¡°Oh, absolutely. It was a total success.


    The regularly held ¡®Debt Collectors¡¯ Summit¡¯ has become the most significant unofficial gathering in the Abyss.


    Even the demon lords who initially didn¡¯t sign contracts now beg to form agreements with this guy just to join the inner circle.


    In the Abyss, everyone hates him to the bone, but they¡¯re all praying for his long life.¡±


    Lilith turned to Vera. ¡°If you ever end up in Hell or the Abyss, just dropping his name will get you a long way, trust me.¡±


    Vera stared at Rowan for a long moment before timidly asking, ¡°You¡­ Are you really a holy knight?¡±


    Rowan thought for a moment before nodding firmly. ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    As the final holy rune was etched onto Vera¡¯s face, Rowan clapped his hands and stood up.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°All done! With all these seals in place, I can finally get a good night¡¯s sleep.


    Oh, by the way, you¡¯re sleeping here tonight.¡±


    ¡°What?! Over my dead body!¡±


    Vera immediately wrapped her arms around herself, glaring at Rowan with suspicion. ¡°If you dare try anything, I¡¯ll take you down with me!¡±


    Rowan scoffed, full of disdain. ¡°First of all, even if you tried eight hundred times, you couldn¡¯t hurt a single strand of my hair.


    Second, over twenty of the thirty seals I just placed are for your protection. If you somehow manage to kill yourself, I¡¯ll give you my head to kick around like a ball.


    And lastly, I wouldn¡¯t touch you even if you begged me to!


    Seriously, get it straight¡ªI travel with a succubus. Do you think I¡¯d have any interest in you?¡±


    Vera¡¯s gaze shifted to Lilith, her initial alarm morphing into pure disdain.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re into that kind of thing¡­ Ugh!¡±


    Rowan instantly jumped up, completely triggered. ¡°Slander! She¡¯s slandering me! Lilith, this is all your fault! If your figure were just a bit better, would I have to endure this kind of insult?¡±


    Enraged, Lilith straddled his shoulders and began biting his head. ¡°You ungrateful bastard! I, the great Lilith, have stooped to accompany you, and this is how you repay me?


    It¡¯s your fault I¡¯m like this! And you dare blame me? Watch me bite your head off!¡±


    As the human-demon squabble escalated, a voice called from outside the tent.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Rowan replied, still wrestling with Lilith.


    ¡°There¡¯s been a major discovery. Please come quickly!¡±


    ¡°Alright, give me a moment to take off my hat!¡±


    After a series of clattering noises, Rowan emerged from the tent, sealing it with a holy light barrier.


    ¡°Your Highness, are you alright? Why are there bite marks on your forehead?¡±


    ¡°What bite marks? These are the marks left by my new hat.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? They¡¯re starting to bleed¡­¡±


    Rowan waved his hand, casting a holy healing spell over his forehead. ¡°Never mind that. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, we¡¯ve captured a werewolf hiding among the people.¡±


    ¡°A werewolf?¡± Rowan paused, glancing at the towering Holy Watchtower nearby.


    The structure, apart from marking the border of the Holy District, carried immense sacred power. It had been blessed by high-ranking clerics and annually cleansed with holy water.


    For ordinary people, its proximity provided healing, like a massive totem.


    How could a dark creature like a werewolf appear here?


    ¡°Take me to it,¡± Rowan commanded.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. This way, please.¡±


    Knight Commander Keltis led Rowan deeper into the camp, explaining as they went.


    ¡°Our patrol was out gathering supplies when one of the guards accidentally bumped into a traveling merchant.


    As you know, our armor is blessed by high-ranking clerics. When it tore the merchant¡¯s clothing and touched his skin, he was instantly burned.


    That¡¯s how we realized what he was and captured him.¡±


    ¡°So, without physical contact, you wouldn¡¯t have known?¡±


    ¡°Correct. That¡¯s what¡¯s so alarming. We can¡¯t detect them otherwise, which is why we need your expertise.¡±


    Rowan¡¯s brow furrowed. To not fear the Holy Watchtower and evade the Black Knights¡¯ detection¡­ If this were a one-off, it¡¯d be manageable.


    But if it wasn¡¯t?


    ¡°A progenitor vampire escaping, a saint candidate assassinated, and now a werewolf immune to detection by the Black Knights¡­


    This is shaping up to be a serious problem.¡±

 24.The Werewolf and the Troll Epoch Conspiracy

    Night fell over the Holy District, and the faint glow of holy runes filled the air, emanating from the sacred towers blessed by the Archbishop himself. Each rune radiated a warm and gentle light, flowing like a celestial river of stars.


    Under this ethereal glow, merchants bustled about, while pilgrims streamed endlessly through the streets. On their foreheads, symbols of blessing were drawn with holy water by stationed priests, a mark of their devout faith in the Goddess of Light.


    A young mage apprentice clasped his hands in prayer, murmuring an incantation. A dove, woven entirely from holy light, emerged in the air and fluttered gracefully toward the pinnacle of a sacred tower. Every detail of the scene seemed to tell a story of divine protection and the goddess''s grace.


    ---


    Led by the Knight Commander, Rowan Kai entered the interior of the Holy Watchtower.


    Inside, a boy in his teens was chained to the floor, kneeling with his head bowed. His bloodshot eyes glared up at them, and his clawed hands¡ªpartially transformed into those of a werewolf¡ªscraped against the stone floor with a grating screech.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand!¡± the boy growled, his voice raw with desperation. ¡°We had no choice! It¡¯s your Goddess of Light who has driven us to this point!¡±


    Rowan¡¯s gaze turned icy as he summoned a cage of holy light to enclose the boy. The sacred glow burned his skin, releasing plumes of white smoke, yet the boy continued to roar, ¡°Better to fight than face annihilation! This isn¡¯t my fault¡ªit¡¯s yours!¡±


    The Knight Commander¡¯s hand tightened around his sword hilt, veins bulging as if on the verge of an outburst. Rowan raised a hand, stopping him. ¡°Don¡¯t touch him. He¡¯s a pawn. It¡¯s what¡¯s behind him that we¡¯re really after.¡±


    Just as Rowan moved closer, the boy suddenly leapt toward him with surprising agility.


    Despite his speed, the chains wrapped around his body weren¡¯t for show, their surface inscribed with holy runes. As he revealed his dark lineage¡¯s power, the holy light surged, enveloping him in a searing glow. A pained cry escaped his lips as he crashed heavily to the ground, smoke curling from his body.


    Rowan narrowed his eyes, studying the smoldering figure.


    ¡°To attempt an attack even within the watchtower¡­ Your resistance to holy light is remarkable. Are you some kind of new breed, or have you undergone a special ritual?¡±


    The werewolf boy smirked bitterly, turning his head away without a word.


    ¡°Answer the question!¡±


    The Knight Commander raised his whip, ready to strike, but Rowan waved him off again.


    ¡°You think I can¡¯t figure it out without you saying anything? Little brother, you underestimate me.¡±  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    With that, Rowan brought his hands together, forming a sword-like gesture. Holy light gathered at his fingertips, and he framed a rhombus shape in the air.


    The glowing shape expanded instantly, enveloping the boy. Beams of light scanned his body, moving back and forth as if dissecting every detail.


    When the process was complete, Rowan¡¯s expression darkened. He gestured to the Knight Commander, and without exchanging a word, the two left the tower.


    ---


    In a secluded clearing within the camp, the Knight Commander studied Rowan nervously.


    ¡°Your Highness, is the situation dire?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re up to something. The werewolf boy himself is nothing special, but he¡¯s equipped with a means of evading holy light detection.


    According to my scan, unless they actively use dark powers or come into direct contact with a consecrated weapon, they¡¯re nearly impossible to detect.¡±


    The Knight Commander¡¯s face twitched. With the Holy Advent Festival approaching, if dark beings could infiltrate the throngs of pilgrims unnoticed, the consequences would be catastrophic.


    ¡°How is this possible? Is it some kind of magic or alchemical technique?¡±


    Rowan rubbed his fingers together, his gaze distant. ¡°Are you familiar with the Age of Elves?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Before humans dominated the continent, the elves ruled as the supreme power, creators of magic and humanity¡¯s teachers.


    Your Highness, do you mean this is connected to the elves?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Rowan replied, ¡°I¡¯m referring to the era before that¡ªthe Age of Trolls. A time ruled by totems and blood rituals.


    The techniques used here bear striking similarities to those practiced by the barbarian clans of the Everfrost Glacier.¡±


    Rowan turned to the tower gates. ¡°If my analysis is correct, this boy has been subjected to a hybrid of blood magic and sacrificial curses.¡±


    The Knight Commander shook his head vehemently. ¡°Your Highness, that¡¯s impossible. I don¡¯t know much about this Age of Trolls and its blood rituals, but blood magic is the hallmark of vampires.


    Werewolves and vampires are mortal enemies! There¡¯s no way they¡¯d¡­¡±


    Rowan interrupted with a wave. ¡°Whether you believe it or not doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is that we report this to the Church immediately.


    We can¡¯t undo what¡¯s already inside the city, but we must rigorously screen anyone entering from now on to prevent the enemy¡¯s schemes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness! I¡¯ll prepare the magic scroll for transmission right away.¡±


    After sending the message to the Holy City, Rowan and the Knight Commander approached the camp¡¯s entrance.


    Looking out at the bustling crowds of pilgrims in the nearby town, the Knight Commander sighed, his frustration evident.


    ¡°Your Highness, how many assassins do you think are hiding among them?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to know?¡± Rowan glanced at him. ¡°I could expose them now.


    But then you¡¯d have chaos, panic, and a massacre. Civilians would die in droves. Is that what you want?¡±


    The Knight Commander, knowing Rowan¡¯s temperament, shook his head firmly. The Black Knights might act without hesitation, but Rowan wasn¡¯t one for recklessness.


    Still, curiosity got the better of him. ¡°Do you have a method?¡±


    ¡°Moonlight,¡± Rowan said simply. ¡°Most dark beings are children of the moon. Expose them to full moonlight, and their power will surge uncontrollably, revealing their nature.¡±


    ¡°But tonight isn¡¯t a full moon, nor will it be anytime soon,¡± the Knight Commander pointed out, chuckling bitterly.


    ¡°Moonlight is still light,¡± Rowan replied, leaning against the gatepost. ¡°As long as it¡¯s light, I can create it.¡±


    ¡°The real challenge,¡± he continued, ¡°is minimizing civilian casualties.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a plan, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°The ideal solution would blanket everyone while leaving ordinary people unharmed, but still effectively exposing the enemy¡­¡± Rowan clapped his hands as if struck by inspiration.


    The Knight Commander immediately fell to his knees with a resounding clang.


    ¡°Your Highness! Absolutely not!¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Rowan asked, frowning.


    ¡°Under no circumstances can you preach here!¡±


    Rowan scowled. ¡°I¡¯ve told you a hundred times¡ªit¡¯s called a motivational speech!¡±


    ¡°Call it what you will. You can¡¯t do it!¡±


    ¡°Do you have a better idea?¡± Rowan shot back.

 25.Holy Light vs. Dark Creatures

    The Knight Commander knelt down and refused to rise. ¡°Your Highness, you can¡¯t! Every time you preach, the Church ends up with another new faction!¡±


    He smiled bitterly, adding, ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯m not doubting your abilities, but the ¡®side effects¡¯ of your sermons are truly a headache.¡±


    Rowan Kai waved dismissively. ¡°Nonsense. The Holy Light isn¡¯t the Church¡¯s monopoly. Under its radiance, peace will finally be mine.¡±


    With that, he raised his hand, summoning a golden pillar of holy light that shot straight into the heavens. Moments later, golden runes spread across the sky, and moonlight cascaded down like water, illuminating the entire town of Lin Tower.


    ---


    "High Order Radiant Sect! Apostles of Lumina! And the utterly baffling Ultralight Man Sect!"


    ¡°Do you have any idea how much effort the Church has put into managing these factions? The Holy Light Codex is already on its fifth revision!¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, please, no more sermons, I beg of you!¡±


    Rowan Kai scratched his head awkwardly. ¡°Fine, fine. We¡¯ll try a different approach.¡±


    ¡°What approach?¡±


    Rowan pondered briefly. ¡°I¡¯m going to make a bait trap for the dark creatures. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°And what exactly will you use as bait?¡±


    ¡°Wait here a moment!¡±


    He dashed off to his carriage, returning moments later with a large sack.


    ¡°Take a look at these.¡±


    The Knight Commander accepted the half-human-sized sack and opened it. The moment he saw the first item, his head started throbbing.


    ¡°This! This is the Seventh Volume of the Codex of Sin! And the Fang Dagger of the Calamity Beast! The Black Gold Bloodtear Sword! A Blasphemer¡¯s Medallion?! And the Crystal Skull of Gelthoth?!¡±


    He slammed the sack shut, trembling.


    Every single item inside was infamous, some on par with calamity-level wanted criminals. In the wrong hands, they could trigger regional-scale catastrophes in an instant.


    ¡°Your Highness, this¡­¡±  The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Rowan puffed out his chest proudly. ¡°Just some trinkets I collected during three years of adventuring. I planned to hand them over to the Church and exchange the reward for some land¡ªa small estate where I can live a life of luxury, renting out properties and enjoying the finer things.


    Relax, they¡¯re all sealed.


    I plan to use a few as bait and one as the main lure to draw out these dark creatures.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re baiting them?¡±


    ¡°Of course! No bait, no fish!¡±


    ---


    Back at the camp, Rowan gazed toward the bustling town of Lin Tower. His brow furrowed as he muttered, ¡°There¡¯s no way that lone werewolf was the only one among the pilgrims.¡±


    ---


    In the moonlit streets, a little girl walked hand-in-hand with her father, docilely turning a corner. Yet, a flicker of crimson flashed in her eyes, and a sinister smirk curled her lips.


    As they passed a street vendor selling holy light charms, the girl¡¯s fingers brushed one by accident. It instantly dimmed, its radiance snuffed out as if it had never existed.


    None of the bustling pilgrims noticed.


    ---


    ¡°An exhibition?¡±


    Alpha wolf Eldorph froze as he listened to his subordinate¡¯s report.


    ¡°What kind of exhibition?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, the people from that fancy carriage are hosting it. They claim it¡¯s a display of sacred artifacts confiscated from dark creatures.


    The plan was to showcase these items at the Holy City¡¯s upcoming Advent Festival.


    But to rehearse, they¡¯re holding a preview here¡­ They¡¯re calling it a premiere event! Here¡¯s the exhibit list they handed out.¡±


    Eldorph scanned the list and nearly passed out.


    Every single item on it was a heavyweight artifact. Any one of them would be a top-tier treasure among the dark races.


    And now, they were all being openly displayed as part of an exhibition.


    ¡°Arrogant! Absolutely arrogant!¡±


    Eldorph slammed the flyer onto the table in fury. ¡°This is an insult of the highest order! We¡­¡±


    ¡°Leader, calm down,¡± a scrawny man beside him intervened, stroking his beard. ¡°Let¡¯s not forget one of our brothers was exposed yesterday.


    If they know we¡¯re nearby and still dare to hold this exhibition¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a blatant provocation! We can¡¯t let this slide!¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a trap,¡± the scrawny man countered, narrowing his eyes. ¡°What if they¡¯re baiting us into making a move so they can capture us all at once?


    And what if the artifacts aren¡¯t even real? They might have just made this up.¡±


    But the reporting subordinate disagreed. ¡°Sir, the Black Knights are guarding it! When have they ever guarded anything other than prisoner transports?


    This could be our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!


    Leader, we can¡¯t stay as cannon fodder forever!¡±


    Eldorph, though now calm, was clearly tempted by greed.


    ¡°If even one of these items is real, we¡¯d be set for life. With something like this, the werewolves could stand tall as kings, no longer under those damn vampires¡¯ boots!¡±


    Seeing everyone¡¯s fervor, the scrawny man sighed.


    ¡°In that case, let¡¯s scout first. If there¡¯s something worth going after, we¡¯ll plan accordingly.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Split up when we enter. No matter what happens, don¡¯t reveal yourselves. We regroup and discuss after gathering intel.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    ---


    After setting their plan, they waited. Time crawled by as Eldorph repeatedly scrutinized the exhibition list, his greed mounting.


    Finally, word came from outside¡ªthe exhibition was open!


    Despite their excitement, the werewolves followed orders, blending into the crowd and entering in batches.


    Eldorph went alone, mingling with a group of merchants as he stepped into the sparse and poorly constructed exhibit hall.


    His heart pounded with anticipation as he approached the first display case¡ªonly to be consumed by a fiery rage!

 26.A Deadly Ploy by the Church of Light

    The Black Gold Bloodtear Sword, revered as a supreme artifact among dark creatures, rested on the display stand, encased in a powerful protective barrier.


    Yet, it was sheathed in a plain scabbard meant for a beginner¡¯s Holy Light sword. Beside it, a placard provided a detailed description of the exhibit:


    **[Exhibit: Black Gold Bloodtear Sword]**


    **Description**: The sword of the third Dark Monarch, forged from Black Gold Crystal Stone of the Devil¡¯s Mountain and the spine of a Bone Dragon King.


    The blade carries a curse of inevitable death¡ªits victims perish the moment their blood is drawn. It absorbs the flesh, energy, and soul of its enemies, feeding its wielder with boundless power.


    The third Dark Monarch used this accursed weapon to slay his father, seize the throne, and leave a bloody legacy in his wake.


    Now, moved by the blessings of the Goddess of Light, it deeply repents its sins and strives to transform into a sacred weapon of salvation.


    The Church of Light, recognizing its sincere repentance, has awarded it the Beginner''s Holy Glow Scabbard as an encouragement.


    ---


    Eldorph, the alpha werewolf, nearly coughed up blood. These sanctimonious bastards from the Church of Light!


    They were outright slandering the Bloodtear Sword, a weapon that couldn¡¯t even speak to defend itself!


    ¡°Repentance for its sins¡±? ¡°Moved by the goddess¡¯s blessings¡±? ¡°Striving for goodness¡±?


    And being ¡°awarded¡± a scabbard? They made it sound like an honor!


    In reality, the scabbard was a standard-issue weapon for trainee clerics¡ªand an incomplete one at that!


    It was outright humiliation¡ªnot just for the sword but for the entire dark race!


    Eldorph knew the Church¡¯s description was nothing more than propaganda, exaggerating their achievements while mocking their enemies.


    But ordinary pilgrims? They believed every word. They marveled at the sword¡¯s transformation, praised the greatness of the Holy Light, and even shed tears of joy over its redemption.


    It was absurd! Insulting! Infuriating!


    Fighting back his rage, Eldorph moved to the next exhibit¡ªonly to be angered even further.


    The **Codex of Sin** had been covered with a book jacket made from the cover page of the Holy Light Codex.


    The **Blasphemer¡¯s Medallion** was embedded into a larger Beginner¡¯s Holy Glow Badge.  This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    And the **Crystal Skull of Gelthoth** wore a cutesy trainee cleric¡¯s hat atop its crown.


    ---


    One after another, the exhibits were not crafted with precision but instead deliberately arranged to provoke. To any member of the dark races, this was nothing short of desecration¡ªa blatant insult to their history and pride.


    It was as if the Church had taken the flag of a revered battalion and used it to wrap dumplings.


    The intent wasn¡¯t deadly, but the insult was unbearable.


    Even though the werewolves knew the exhibit descriptions were fabricated nonsense, they couldn¡¯t stand it. The crude presentation was enough to make their blood boil, and the reactions of the surrounding pilgrims¡ªgasps of admiration, heartfelt exclamations, and praise¡ªonly added to the sting.


    ---


    From the vantage point of the exhibit hall¡¯s upper level, the Knight Commander observed the crowd while sneaking glances at Rowan Kai beside him.


    When he first heard this plan, his scalp had gone numb. Now, seeing its effects, he was chilled to the bone.


    He was certain that no member of the dark races could walk through this exhibit without launching an attack¡ªsuicidal or otherwise.


    Even he, as a holy knight, could barely tolerate the thought of his ancestors¡¯ proudest artifacts being displayed in such a degrading manner.


    This was a blatant provocation¡ªa ruthless yet transparent ploy.


    The Knight Commander tried to put himself in their shoes. If the dark races had done this to the sacred relics of the Church, he would want nothing less than to flay the perpetrators alive, grind their bones to dust, and slaughter them a thousand times over.


    Desecration¡ªpure, unadulterated desecration.


    And to devise such an insidious plan? No one but Rowan Kai, infamous as the ¡°Saint of Sin,¡± could have pulled it off.


    Rowan slapped the railing and turned to leave.


    ¡°The challenge has been issued. By tonight, they¡¯ll come for us.


    Get ready¡ªthere¡¯s bound to be bigger fish behind this lot.¡±


    ---


    Nightfall was the dark creatures¡¯ best ally.


    By now, nearly every lurking faction of the dark races had been summoned.


    This was no longer just the werewolves¡¯ fight; it was a matter of pride for the entire dark realm.


    United by a shared resolve, they were ready to sacrifice themselves to destroy the damned exhibit. Only the blood of their enemies could wash away this humiliation.


    Of course, if they could snag a few relics in the process, it would be a boon beyond measure¡ªsurely a sign of the Dark Emperor¡¯s favor.


    Regardless, these disparate factions, rarely united, now banded together for a common cause.


    ---


    The exhibition had been strategically placed on a barren hill outside the town, far from the civilian population.


    Though it lacked the formidable defenses of the Lin Tower encampment, the open terrain offered a clear view of any approach.


    In the brief hours between the exhibit¡¯s closing and the onset of night, Rowan Kai had laid numerous traps and his own custom-designed holy light formations around the hill.


    As the dark creatures closed in, Rowan remained composed, exuding an air of complete confidence.


    Beside him, Knight Commander Keltis stood solemnly, the increasing density of dark energy in the air weighing heavily on him.


    This wasn¡¯t new to him. When he first joined the Black Knights, he had endured the two-week Black Iron Uprising, where hordes of high-ranking demons launched relentless assaults on the prison gates.


    Compared to that, tonight¡¯s situation was hardly worth fretting over.


    However, with the safety of the Lin Tower encampment and the town in mind, most of the guards and Black Knights had been stationed near the watchtower.


    Here at the exhibit, it was just Rowan, the Knight Commander, and the traveling mage who had accompanied them.


    ---


    ¡°Your Highness, should I call over a couple more Black Knights?¡±


    ¡°No. If there are too many of us, the enemy might get scared and not attack.¡±


    Rowan clapped Keltis on the shoulder. ¡°Relax. Just focus on protecting her. Leave the rest to me.¡±

 27.The Final Judgement of the Holy Light Array

    Vera puffed out her cheeks in mild frustration. After all, she was a third-tier wind mage¡ªnot entirely incapable of defending herself.


    But as her gaze fell upon the countless crimson eyes glowing at the base of the hill, her legs nearly gave out, and she almost collapsed to the ground.


    Humans¡¯ fear of darkness was innate, rooted perhaps as far back as prehistoric times.


    The dark creatures, once humanity¡¯s natural predators and apex hunters of the night, embodied this primordial terror. Even the most disciplined Black Knights couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of unease at the sight of those countless glowing dots resembling a hellish inferno.


    Rowan Kai, however, remained unfazed.


    He lived by a saying from his homeland: **¡°All fear stems from a lack of firepower.¡±**


    And soon, this philosophy would be put to the test.


    ---


    The hillside lit up with countless crimson eyes, flickering like hellfire against the shroud of night. Plague ratmen, armed with rusty weapons, let out ear-piercing shrieks as they charged uphill, their claws scraping the ground in a cacophony of hisses and growls¡ªa dark tide, surging with unstoppable momentum.


    A golden light hummed and erupted, splitting the darkness like dawn breaking through the night.


    The holy light array activated in an instant, scattering streaks of light across the blackened air. With a blinding flash, the plague ratmen caught within its radius disintegrated into ash. Their death cries were sharp and shrill, echoing like curses upon the radiant barrier that had ended them.


    Blades of light erupted from the ground, weaving a lethal web that sliced through the oncoming swarm. The aftermath of the holy light swept across the slope like a tempest, clearing the stench of decay from the air and replacing it with the sharp tang of scorched flesh.


    ---


    Standing atop the hill, Vera watched the scene unfold, her heart pounding uncontrollably. She gripped her staff tightly, cold sweat dripping from her brow and wetting the corners of her eyes.


    The holy light array was awe-inspiring in its power, yet the seemingly endless waves of dark creatures kept coming. The sea of crimson eyes in the darkness was suffocating.


    ¡°Rowan Kai¡­ can this really hold them back?¡± Vera¡¯s voice trembled, caught between fear and a desperate hope.


    The hill was now a battlefield drenched in chaos. The snarls of dark creatures and the shrieks of the plague ratmen were deafening. Rowan stood at the peak, raising a hand casually as a tendril of holy light flowed from his fingertips into the ground.  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    With a deep hum, the buried runes around the hill began to glow one by one.


    ¡°Prismatic Array, activate.¡±


    Rowan¡¯s voice was calm yet commanding, the harbinger of a silent storm.


    In an instant, the runes exploded with radiant silver light. Countless beams of light, fine as threads, shot forth from the array, crisscrossing and weaving into a dense web of destruction. Each beam reflected within the array, growing more precise and intense with every refracted strike. The entire hillside was engulfed in pure holy light, tearing apart the night itself.


    ---


    ¡°This is the true Holy Light Barrier,¡± Rowan said with a smirk, his eyes glinting with a touch of mischief.


    The first wave of plague ratmen didn¡¯t even have time to scream before they were pierced by countless beams of light. Their bodies were shredded into tiny fragments and instantly vaporized by the intense heat, leaving only the faintest trace of charred flesh in the wind.


    A werewolf leader roared defiantly, slashing forward with his claws. But the moment he stepped into the array, a horizontal beam severed his claws.


    Before he could react, more beams converged on him from all directions, slicing him apart layer by layer. His body dissolved into wisps of smoke, leaving not even ashes behind.


    ---


    Vera shielded her eyes from the searing light, peeking through her fingers at the spectacle. The beams of light darted through the darkness like countless blades, leaving no survivors in their wake.


    The dark creatures were thrown into disarray, their fury and terror mingling as the oppressive holy light dimmed the crimson glow in their eyes.


    ¡°These light beams¡­¡± Vera muttered to herself, ¡°their paths¡ªevery refraction is more precise. Did he calculate their movements in advance?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Precision is my forte,¡± Rowan replied lightly, adjusting the output of the array as if it were child¡¯s play. ¡°If it weren¡¯t accurate, how else would I harvest them so efficiently with holy light?¡±


    As if on cue, another wave of plague ratmen rushed into the array. In an instant, they were reduced to powder. Wisps of white smoke rose into the air, shrouding the battlefield in a ghostly mist.


    Knight Commander Keltis stood in stunned silence, awe evident in his voice. ¡°Your Highness, this array¡­ it¡¯s nothing short of a holy miracle!¡±


    Rowan chuckled, spreading his arms theatrically. ¡°A miracle? No, it¡¯s the perfect marriage of faith and technology. Miracles are the refuge of the lazy. I don¡¯t believe in laziness.¡±


    ---


    Vera covered her nose, her expression conflicted. ¡°Rowan Kai, this holy light¡­ is it really divine? Why does it feel more like an advanced mechanical weapon in your hands?¡±


    Rowan stood at the center of the array, hands casually on his hips, a relaxed smile on his face. To him, the chaos below seemed no more than the opening dance of a grand ball.


    ¡°Hold them back?¡± Rowan raised an eyebrow and grinned. ¡°This light array¡¯s cutting ability would make any master blacksmith jealous.


    This is my Prismatic Technique. It not only cuts through iron like butter but also purifies the ashes afterward¡ªone and done, efficient and eco-friendly.¡±


    ---


    A thunderous crash echoed as a massive werewolf broke through the array¡¯s outer edge, lunging straight at Vera. Its claws tore through the air, aiming directly for her face.


    Frozen in fear, Vera instinctively stepped back, only to lose her footing.


    ¡°Focus!¡± Rowan called out, flicking his wrist. A golden blade of light shot past Vera, slicing the werewolf in half mid-air. The creature disintegrated into shimmering motes of light.


    Vera¡¯s heart threatened to leap out of her chest. When she finally regained her composure, Rowan was already beside her, his tone casual yet reassuring.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With me here, the Goddess of Light¡¯s blessings won¡¯t go to waste.¡±

 28.Blades of Wind and Holy Light

    The acrid smell of burning flesh churned Vera¡¯s stomach, but the confident and composed figure of Rowan Kai in front of her stirred a complex mix of emotions she couldn¡¯t quite put into words.


    ¡°This is my custom-designed array, the Prismatic Array,¡± Rowan began, his tone enthusiastic as he explained his creation to Vera and Keltis. ¡°It compresses holy light into beams, which are then refracted continuously within the array, creating an impenetrable web of concentrated firepower.¡±


    He gestured proudly at the glowing network of light that encircled the hill. No matter how many plague ratmen charged at it, the array held firm, unyielding.


    ¡°When the enemies hit it, their flesh is instantly shredded into tiny pieces, and the intense heat of the light vaporizes the remains.


    So, there¡¯s no risk of a corpse pile-up overwhelming the array.


    Pretty thorough design, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±


    The air was thick with the nauseating stench of charred flesh. Vera pinched her nose, her expression full of disdain.


    ¡°Do you spend all your free time thinking up stuff like this?¡±


    Keltis, however, focused on a practical concern. ¡°Your Highness, the array must consume an enormous amount of holy light. Can it be sustained?¡±


    ¡°Not to worry! Tonight¡¯s energy bill is on the Goddess of Light!¡± Rowan declared with a grin.


    Keltis immediately began praying for forgiveness for such irreverence. Still, he couldn¡¯t deny the fact that this level of magic was beyond the reach of most in the Church.


    It was a pity¡ªif the array could be optimized for efficiency, it could revolutionize the defenses of the Black Iron Prison¡¯s perimeter.


    ---


    The relentless assault of plague ratmen continued, filling the air with an unbearable stench that clung to the hill like an oppressive fog. Vera clenched her teeth, raised her staff, and took a deep breath before chanting softly.


    ¡°Shield of the Gale!¡±


    With her incantation, a transparent barrier of wind sprang up around the holy light array, acting as an additional shield that deflected the toxic fumes. The swirling winds roared softly, dispersing the nauseating air and kicking up dust, obscuring the vision of the ratmen as they advanced.


    Rowan glanced at her, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Well, well, Miss Vera, your wind¡¯s got some bite. Looks like you¡¯ve got more than just ¡®big ambitions¡¯¡ªthis time, your ¡®high hopes¡¯ are paying off too.¡±  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Shut up with the smooth talk!¡± Vera snapped, her cheeks flushing as she focused on maintaining the wind shield. Her hands trembled slightly, but she held firm. ¡°Don¡¯t think for a second I¡¯ll just hide behind you¡ªI won¡¯t let you look down on me!¡±


    The plague ratmen screeched and tried to force their way through the gale barrier, but as soon as they touched it, their bodies were torn apart by invisible blades, sending their remains flying backward with agonized cries.


    Sweat dripped from Vera¡¯s brow as she struggled to keep the shield intact. Her breath came in heavy gasps, but she stood tall, gripping her staff tightly and pouring her magic into the swirling winds.


    ¡°Impressive stamina,¡± Rowan remarked, standing beside her. He casually waved a hand, sending a holy light slash toward a werewolf attempting to leap over the barrier, cutting it cleanly in half. ¡°But if your wind were just a bit more precise, it¡¯d be perfect.¡±


    ¡°Stop nagging! I¡¯m doing my best¡ªwhy don¡¯t you try it yourself?¡± Vera shot him an irritated glare.


    Before she could continue, Rowan placed a hand on her shoulder. A warm wave of holy light flowed from his touch, instantly replenishing some of her drained magic.


    Vera froze in surprise and turned to look at him, her eyes wide.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get the wrong idea,¡± Rowan said, winking playfully. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you passing out on me. After all, you¡¯re my ¡®hired assistant.¡¯ Can¡¯t leave all the work to me, can I?¡±


    Flustered and angry, Vera glared at him but said nothing. Instead, she raised her staff higher, and within the wind barrier, blades of wind began to coalesce. With a flick of her wrist, they shot forward, slicing through an approaching group of ratmen with deadly precision.


    ¡°How¡¯s that? Precise enough for you?¡± Vera turned to Rowan, her lips curving into a small, triumphant smile.


    ¡°Not bad. Looks like you¡¯ve got potential after all,¡± Rowan replied with a chuckle. He unleashed a few more holy light strikes, seamlessly coordinating with Vera¡¯s wind blades to push the enemy line back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t celebrate just yet,¡± he said, glancing at the growing horde in the distance. His grin widened. ¡°The real fun is just getting started.¡±


    ---


    The assault from the dark creatures intensified. The plague ratmen¡¯s shrieks and the relentless sound of their attacks filled the air. Vera gritted her teeth, maintaining the wind shield even as exhaustion weighed on her.


    ¡°Your Highness! There are too many of them! We can¡¯t hold them off like this!¡± Keltis shouted, his tone urgent as he tightened his grip on his weapon.


    But Rowan¡¯s response was as casual as ever.


    ¡°Can¡¯t hold them off? Relax, these ¡®textbook examples of what not to do¡¯ won¡¯t cause too much trouble.¡±


    He gently brushed his hand over the Silver Radiance Emblem on his chest, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°Besides¡­ do you really think the Goddess of Light would let her ¡®chosen one¡¯ fall to a pack of rats?¡± His tone was light, almost mocking, yet beneath it lay a cryptic edge, as if hinting at some deeper truth.


    Vera frowned at his words. ¡°The Goddess of Light would protect you? But just a moment ago, you were making jokes about her footing the bill. That doesn¡¯t sound very respectful for someone of faith.¡±


    Rowan arched an eyebrow, his smile teasing. ¡°Ah, but faith and business are two different things.


    The Goddess? She¡¯s compassionate. She wouldn¡¯t let her ¡®investment¡¯ go to waste, now would she?¡±


    His nonchalant tone sent a shiver through Vera. ¡°Investment¡±? The word struck her as odd, even sacrilegious within the context of the Church.


    Yet Rowan spoke it so naturally, as if there were a hidden story behind it all.

 29.The Inferno of Doom

    The Knight Commander, too focused on fending off a plague ratman lunging at him, failed to grasp the deeper meaning in Rowan Kai¡¯s words. He swung his sword desperately and shouted, ¡°Your Highness, if you¡¯ve got any trump cards left, now¡¯s the time to use them! We can¡¯t hold out much longer!¡±


    Rowan yawned, lazily summoning a radiant holy light barrier to repel the advancing enemies. He responded nonchalantly, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Patience is the hallmark of greatness. Besides, we¡¯re not exactly on the brink of collapse.¡±


    He smirked, his gaze sweeping over the enemy forces below as he muttered under his breath, ¡°Whether it¡¯s these enemies or those old fossils in the Church, they all need to understand¡ªthis game isn¡¯t theirs to control.¡±


    Though Vera couldn¡¯t fully grasp his words, she sensed an unshakable confidence and enigmatic authority in his tone, leaving her both puzzled and intrigued. It seemed that Rowan¡¯s identity and past were far more complex than she had initially believed.


    ¡°Your Highness! The enemy has breached the second defensive line!¡± Keltis¡¯s voice snapped Vera back to reality.


    ¡°Fine, since you¡¯re all so eager, let¡¯s grant these uninvited guests a trip ¡®back home.¡¯¡± Rowan shrugged, snapping his fingers. A pillar of holy light descended from the sky, erupting into a blazing wall of fire along the hillside.


    He turned to Vera, a teasing smile playing on his lips. ¡°Miss Vera, don¡¯t forget to offer extra prayers to the Goddess of Light for her ¡®forgiveness¡¯ in protecting us yet again. But don¡¯t pray too long¡ªI still need you to keep that wind shield up.¡±


    Grinding her teeth, Vera glared at him but had no retort. She redirected her energy into maintaining the wind shield, though her growing unease about Rowan¡¯s words lingered.


    ---


    ¡°By my count, it¡¯s about time.¡±


    Rowan muttered to himself, then with a wave of his hand, deactivated the array at the first defensive line.


    ¡°Your Highness! What are you doing?!¡±


    ¡°What do you think? Luring them in,¡± Rowan replied with an air of casual confidence. ¡°Tell me, if you were playing a game and couldn¡¯t get past the first level, would you keep playing?


    As any self-respecting, diabolical game designer knows, you¡¯ve got to give players a taste of victory before you reel them in for the real grind. Make them feel welcome, like they¡¯re making progress.¡±


    ---


    ¡°Awwoooo!¡±  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    The dark creatures erupted in triumphant cheers as the first defensive line¡¯s array went dark.


    Although their losses had been heavy, the apparent victory gave them renewed hope. Without hesitation, they surged forward, advancing up the hill.


    Rowan pointed at the jubilant horde, chuckling as he turned to Vera and Keltis. ¡°Look at them. Don¡¯t they look so happy?¡±


    Vera swallowed nervously, unsure how to respond.


    ---


    As the dark horde reached the mid-slope, a torrent of holy flames erupted from within the hill itself. The mountainside transformed into an ocean of fire in an instant.


    The vanguard troops, caught off guard, were engulfed in the white-hot flames and reduced to ashes within moments. The once-dark sky lit up like daytime, the holy fire casting a blinding radiance over the battlefield.


    Back in the town, pilgrims were roused from their sleep, kneeling in prayer as they witnessed the blazing inferno atop the hill, believing it to be a divine miracle.


    The Black Knights and guards scrambled to maintain order amidst the growing crowds.


    Meanwhile, the dark army retreated in panic, staring at the towering wall of fire with no idea how to proceed.


    From within the dark horde, a translucent and imposing lich floated forward. Raising a skeletal staff, it chanted a series of incomprehensible incantations.


    Thick torrents of mud surged forth, dousing the holy flames in dramatic fashion, prompting roars of excitement and triumph from the dark creatures.


    But from the vantage point of the hilltop, Rowan and Keltis could see clearly: Rowan had deactivated the array just before the mud had reached it.


    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Rowan quipped. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t shut it off, that little mud trick wouldn¡¯t have done a thing.


    This holy flame isn¡¯t your average light spell¡ªit¡¯s based on necromantic deathfire and hellish soul-flames.


    To extinguish it, you¡¯d need both physical and spiritual suppression. Without both, the fire would only reignite, endlessly consuming itself.¡±


    Keltis took a deep breath, his tone bordering on a plea. ¡°Your Highness, please, for the love of all that¡¯s holy, stop telling people you based this on necromantic and hellish magic.


    The Inquisition may not have jurisdiction over you, but please spare us some trouble, would you?¡±


    ---


    Under Rowan¡¯s meticulous design, every advance the dark creatures made came at a steep cost.


    Some tried to attack from the skies or burrow underground, but all were thwarted by his elaborate traps and defensive arrays.


    By now, the battlefield had fallen eerily silent. The once-chaotic horde now stood frozen in fear, their faces lit by the lingering glow of holy light. Their repeated assaults had yielded nothing but devastating losses.


    The charred remains of plague ratmen and the ashes of fallen werewolves mingled in the air, painting a grim picture of failure.


    ¡°This is impossible! No mortal could have created such arrays!¡± snarled a werewolf leader, his claws raking violently at a cowering plague ratman. ¡°You useless vermin! Is this all you¡¯re good for? Terrified of a little light, groveling like worms!¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go, then?¡± retorted the ratman, its shrill voice laced with venom. ¡°We¡¯re always the ones on the front lines, dying in droves!


    And you werewolves? All you do is bark orders from the back, too cowardly to take any real risks!¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡± The werewolf leader lashed out, his clawed hand striking the ratman and sending it flying with a pitiful scream.


    But instead of restoring order, his actions only fanned the flames of dissent.


    ¡°And who do you think you are?¡± Another ratman stepped forward, its crimson eyes glinting with hatred. ¡°You think being born a ¡®superior¡¯ species gives you the right to trample on us?


    If you¡¯re so great, why don¡¯t *you* face those arrays? Why should we be the ones to die for nothing?¡±