"Loveday, have you been following me this whole time?" Lyle looked at the familiar Star Spirit, who no longer seemed angry but instead bore a pale and haggard appearance, like a delicate piece of grotesque craftwork, completely different in temperament from the shadow monsters of that time.

"Yes, Child of Light, following Archbishop Raymond’s orders, I’ve been protecting you in secret," Loveday gave Lyle a slight bow, although being invisible, he simply made Lyle feel a gust of wind, "but I messed up, and despite my efforts to hide, I inadvertently revealed my presence through actions that desecrated the Holy Light."

"You did well, Loveday. We saved the Zither Bird, and there were no other losses," Lyle looked at the flowing light on the Star Spirit’s form, thinking of his own backup. "Can we involve Mr. Raymond in the upcoming war? After all, Mr. Raymond is so powerful."

Loveday shook his head, turned to Commander Ralph, who had been keeping his eyes on them, nodded, and then said, "I’m afraid that’s not possible. Mr. Raymond... there’s a high probability he won’t help us."

"Because the Inquisitors are on the other side?"

"Because of the definition of justice," Loveday, seeing the confusion in Lyle’s eyes, explained. "Archbishop Raymond must have mentioned that the justice he believes in is justice for humanity. However, I am now uncertain of the scope of humanity’s justice he refers to."

"As we know, Liveser and Dreya have betrayed the Holy Light, which means they can also be considered enemies of the Holy Light. Even if in your eyes what we are doing is just, on the church’s side, they might be seen as the representatives of justice."

"Due to my racial traits, I can look at things rationally from an outsider’s perspective, but can Archbishop Raymond? Between a traitor to the Holy Light and an abuser of the Holy Light, which side would he himself support? It’s hard to tell."

"Child of the Holy Light, please, do not put Archbishop Raymond in a difficult position; he might not arrive as a guardian of justice but could become a destroyer of the Holy Light."

Lyle, imagining Mr. Raymond wiping out Liveser and Dreya with Holy Flames just like one of those Inquisitors, suddenly felt a twinge in his teeth.

Not far away, Zhen had finally managed to save the Zither Bird from the brink of death.

His first words upon waking up were,

"I am very sorry, about everything I said. I didn’t betray anyone, but I couldn’t control myself, my lips, my throat, they were merely their tools!" The Zither Bird clearly remembered what had happened; he remembered what he had done, the disaster he had brought upon Liveser.

"He was being controlled, a victim of spiritual manipulation." Loveday’s voice came to the crying Zither Bird’s defense, "It’s a conspiracy by the Inquisitors. When the Holy Light turns into shadow, what was once wonderful becomes torment. Those who wield the shadow can do many insane things."

"My previous life form, the Dark Governor, also had this ability."

The Night Owl Squad surprisingly accepted this ability quickly because they had another matter weighing on their minds.

"King Carnot Livesey, the King of the Night Owls." The actions of the Mad King had always been a thorn in the side of the Night Owl Squad, and now, everything finally had a logical explanation.

If the Holy Light could control the Zither Bird, then it was also possible that a decade earlier, for the same purpose, it had personally crafted the animosity between the two nations. Carnot Livesey was an outstanding Ranger, even a role model for Rangers.

"I despise the Holy Light even more now," Dove opened up to his squadmates, "although it was already boundless to begin with."

"That’s good news." At odds with everyone else, Reed Dreya’s voice entered their ears. Turning their heads, they saw the founder of Dreya, one of the people most hurt by that terrible tragedy.

"That Echel fellow, he must be delighted."

Mr. Reed stood not far away, gave a deep bow to everyone, "Thank you for the help you’ve given to Dreya."

"Night Owl Squad, the misunderstanding between Dreya and Liveser was caused by Echel and me. All the disputes originated from our pride and arrogance at that time, and it’s time for us to put an end to it with our own hands. Go back to your homelands; your mission is over. Prepare for the war to come."

"Mr. Ralph, thank you for your contribution. Please allow me, as the leader of Dreya, to likewise bestow upon you the honor of Protector of the Nation. However, the war to come is between our two countries. Please, find a safe haven to take refuge."

Reed turned his body around. Despite Lyle knowing that at this moment he was simply a guise of flesh and skin, in his eyes, Mr. Reed’s upright figure was as full and substantial as the central tower of Dreya.

"Mr. Lyle Butler, it has been both Echel’s and my good fortune to have met you. With your help, death is no longer our bondage, but our second life. Lyle, Dreya will be your eternal ally. Now, please leave."

"What follows is a war that belongs to Echel and me."

"Mr. Reed, actually, I can still help..."

"Lyle, you’ve already given us enough help. We are kings, not pitiable wretches begging with wagging tails! We have our own things to face." Reed’s voice roared like a lion’s and then he calmed down, clapping the young man’s shoulder. "To be honest, I don’t know how to repay the help you’ve given me. Please, let us owe less of a debt of favor."

In the end, Lyle did not persist and just watched as the Night Owl Squad and Mr. Reed went their separate ways.

Walking silently to Ralph’s side, Lyle prepared to send Ralph off.

"So, my nephew, can you tell me how your miraculous magic helped the two ’former kings’?"

Ralph had noticed too, huh? Well, Uncle was the old head of spies, after all. Lyle no longer felt like hiding; his heart felt empty.

"Uncle, actually, I am a Spirit Summoner, also commonly known as a necromancer."

"Hmm, Mr. Lyle Butler, your uncle, that’s me, used to be the kingdom’s spy and assassin, and now I’m a Clandestine Enforcer for Cassandra. Fraud, extortion, you name it, I’m an expert."

"Oh." It seemed that Ralph was not intent on delving into the evils of necromancy.

"But if you dare to desecrate your parents’ bodies, I’ll be very angry." Ralph looked at the disheartened Lyle and tugged at his hat brim. "Silly nephew."

"Huh?"

"Do you know what kind of man is the most handsome?"

"...Uncle, someone like you?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"...You could say that, a man hidden behind the scenes like me is the most handsome." Ralph stretched lazily, "My assignment is complete, and I plan to experience the local culture, give myself a short vacation; I’m not in a hurry to go back."

"Oh."

"I plan to vacation in Dreya."

"?"

Ralph stepped into the shadows, "The lingo of Cassandra: an action unknown is an action that does not exist." In the darkness, Ralph’s eyes turned to bright yellow vertical pupils, those wild pupils seeming to twinkle with delight.

"Helping in secret comes with no reward, so I wouldn’t do such a foolish thing that’s all effort with no thanks, silly nephew."