Lyle had no idea that his squalid, craven demeanor was on display in front of all the residents of the City of Wandering. Compared to the fierce and roaring pose of the young Demon Race member swinging his fists, Lyle’s thief-like lowliness was not at all endearing.

Although the Andrey Liches didn’t care and became carefree again after confirming Lyle’s safety, they were meticulously assessing Lyle’s actions.

"Mr. Plague Doctor’s movement, ah, three parts cautious, seven parts timid, utterly servile. Look at him tiptoeing, that’s the probing of someone lacking confidence. And his triple glances back with each step reveal his apprehensions. The glance over his shoulder—fantastic, like the scene of Prometheus stealing the Holy Fire right before my eyes!"

"Mr. Plague Doctor is really despicable, a true Lich of ours."

"Hehe, the Plague Doctor is still a bit young. If it were me, I’d definitely send the Demon Race a big gift while sneaking away."

"Despicable! Under the heavens, who could match your baseness?"

"Hahahaha, you flatter me. I say, little brother, you’re just a bit behind me." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Words like despicable and evil, for the Liches, are probably compliments, especially Lyle’s actions, which give the people of Andrey a sense of superiority as if they were strategizing behind the scenes.

The simple-minded Demon Race who only know how to fight will lose to us Liches soon enough! Indeed, wisdom is more important than strength.

Although a little annoyed by Lyle’s demeanor, the Demon Race didn’t comment much. Cunning is also one of the qualities the Demon Race pursues, although the Black Abyssal Demons prioritize strength above all.

But they were anxious; their own were about to lose, and their base had been stolen from under their noses. How could they bear it? So the Demon Race began to secretly curse and pray.

The Demon Race’s anxiety and the Liches’ ease provided the best entertainment for the other races. Ironically, just a short while ago, their roles had been reversed.

The three members of the Literature Club helped up the three members of the Necromancer Figure Club who had been beaten down, the gentleman patted the shoulder that had been unknowingly stepped on countless times, and chuckled.

"Quite the mischief, junior. You should have told us sooner that the Plague Doctor was alright, saving us the worry. Look at you, falling over like that. Don’t be so careless next time."

Shiny didn’t say much, knowing full well the hypocrisy of the person before him. All smiles when it’s peaceful, ruthless when there’s trouble. Such a lousy character, truly befitting of a colleague.

Thinking this, it seems only the Plague Doctor doesn’t fit in at all.

The group of eight united once more to watch the next phase of the match.

"The Spine Wheel is shattered; that remote control device is completely useless now, right?"

"Yes, we can’t offer any more help to Mr. Plague Doctor. From now on, he must rely on himself."

"Then let’s wish him well."

"Wish him well? Wish Mr. Plague Doctor continued success?"

"Wish that he doesn’t settle the score with us too harshly in the fall."

Miracle and the journalist exchanged glances, their heads shaking like rattle drums.

"What? Settle what score? I’ve never taken part in any plan to betray Mr. Plague Doctor, I’ve never been to the site, never played with the gaming device; I know nothing."

Flexibility smirked sinisterly.

"Mr. Plague Doctor will surely realize we three have been up to mischief. When the time comes, we will definitely expose you all."

"Flexibility! Don’t go too far! We had no idea the Spine Wheel would explode!"

The controller raised both hands in protest, "Who knows what you don’t know? As your comrades, equally guilty of betraying Mr. Plague Doctor, just take a little more blame for us."

"How despicable, Necromancer Figure Club."

"Oh please, the notorious name of Andrei’s scum reverberates like thunder. The Magic Research Society’s law-breaking duo shouldn’t be modest; you’re all famous figures of Andrei."

On the surface, the three factions made an agreement, secretly planning to report the other two once Lyle was released. As for themselves, they were just helpless and despicable, without a chance to stop anything! Who are we? We’re the Plague Doctor’s best colleagues/friends/seniors!

While the Andrey Liches were embroiled in excited discussions, Raymond merely found them noisy.

Andrey’s Light, Raymond Mellock, devoted his full attention to Lyle’s safety.

Lyle despicable? Nonsense, the blindness of fools; that is the wisdom of the Holy Light! A paladin is not some brute who misuses his strength, although I often do...but who dares to call me a fool!

Raymond continued to listen to that unsightly Dwarf Demon’s commentary with the aid of the hearing device given to him by the Dean. His hearing was excellent, but the device, which was supposed to shield him from the corrosive sounds of the Demon Race, was forcefully recommended by the Dean, claiming it would protect Raymond. Although he did not fear those sounds, he had equipped it, a device that resembled a crown, due to the Dean’s unreasonable and persistent harassment.

A halo that emitted a dazzling golden light, just like an angel’s, indeed had good selling appeal.

Hearing device... this was the entire Andrei’s malice towards Raymond.

It was a part of Fallen Angel Raymontos’ plan.

It had been mentioned before that, with the efforts of the Literature Club and Andrei, Raymond had a popular Fallen Angel persona among the Demon Race, and the Holy Light even started to become fashionable among them, although it was nearly impossible for these demons to learn it.

During the City of Wandering competition, this idol plan continued.

That headband, which purported to block demonic sounds with the hearing device, was in truth a fantasy-distorting halo crafted by an illusionist from Andrei. It processed the sounds made by the Demon Race, and according to Raymond’s stereotypes about the demons, the enemies of the Holy Light, everything he heard was modified to fit his own impressions.

And now, there was a small error.

Bigby’s commentary was continuing.

"Look! The Plague Doctor from Andrei Academy, that despicable Lich! He’s dodging the demons’ strife, trying to steal the fruits of victory while the excellent young demons slaughter each other. How despicable!"

Through this distorted device, what Raymond heard was.

"Look! The Plague Doctor from Andrei Academy, that wise Paladin! Seemingly dodging the demons’ strife, while the evil, lower-level demons slaughter one another, he’s preparing to ambush, to judge these evil beings, how just!"

Raymond was stunned!

So this was how it was, the Purifier he regarded highly was not trying to flee but seeking an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the Demon Race. Andrei pursued only victory, yet Lyle voluntarily chose to punish the demons. He did this, not for Andrei! But for the Holy Light! For justice! For his esteemed predecessor, Raymond, me!

Raymond was moved by himself.

He looked with disgust at the Liches laughing around him.

You fools, Lyle is fighting for you, and yet you laugh and jeer at him struggling alone. How shameful, in that sunless Hell Plane, only Lyle was fighting a tough battle! No! He wasn’t alone!

Raymond stood up abruptly! He raised his right hand towards the sky!

The power of the Holy Light gathered in Raymond’s hand, and he thought.

The stubborn old Dean wouldn’t allow me to intervene, but I must do something.

Purifier Lyle! The Holy Light is with you!

A beam of Holy Light pierced the sky, vanishing into the distance.

Nobody reacted at first until an anomaly appeared on the screen, in the Hell Plane.

Can you imagine? In the murky gloom of the Hell Plane, a pure beam of light pierced the firmament, the light restrained within, becoming a pillar that covered the location. Raymond’s roar echoed throughout Hell.

"Plague Doctor! Don’t be disheartened! Don’t get discouraged! I, Raymond Mellock, will always stand behind you! Watching over you with the Holy Light! Purifier! Crush those fiends!"

Raymond’s declaration echoed like thunder in the Hell Plane. No one knew how his voice had appeared in the Hell Plane, nor did anyone care about the reason.

The strife among the Demons Race stopped, and they stared dumbfounded at the pillar of light, at Lyle bathed in Holy Light.

The Demon Race erupted!

"It’s Lord Raymontos! That is the Holy Light of King of the Black Abyss Raymontos!"

"Lord Raymontos is watching our battle!"

"There’s the Plague Doctor of the Prince of the Black Abyss! Challenge him! Defeat him! Overcome him! We will gain the Fallen King’s favor! Bathe in his glory!"

"The supreme glory! Raymontos above all!!!!!!"

"Charge!!!!!!"

Lyle stood petrified, bathed in the only column of light in Hell.

He had been exposed, and those demons charged at him like bulls in heat.

Lyle was stunned.