Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 104 - 100 Punishment

The target is ancient Naslan books, a female protagonist, and many "people" like Karent.

Lyle processed the information he had obtained, and Shuishui burrowed into his own sleeve.

The rubble stone walls of the Inner City District were similar to those of Cassandra, except they were dozens of times more verdant, as if lacking the beautiful spired buildings that were like works of art and reduced in number. The sunlight in Naranya preferred to shine on those emerald-like plants, unlike in Cassandra where it always hid behind rain clouds and towering spires.

Shuishui left a small clone tucked into the door hinge of the trapdoor, so that it would get a warning whenever someone went through. After Becky left the cellar, he also ordered the guards to put a vertical iron bar across the door latch. It didn’t look like the door was locked because the cellar looked more like a cell. It was the only way out, with no windows, one could imagine the darkness inside, but vampires presumably don’t need to worry about light issues.

Becky didn’t let his guard down because of the vampire’s former identity, which was good for the people of Naranya, but only for Baron Tyron.

To avoid any accidents, Lyle left the area to prevent a suspicious Becky from meeting him and altering his subsequent plans.

Subsequently, Lyle saw Karen.

She came with a sulky expression, her gaze wandering restlessly around the quiet alleys, her pomegranate-colored lips pressed tightly together, her cheeks puffing out like an inflated pufferfish — but it was just a little monkey in a huff, kicking pebbles as she went.

She even ignored Lyle.

Just as Karen was about to pass by him, an irritated Lyle gave her smooth forehead a light slap.

Slap!

The sound was loud, but the force was gentle and not painful.

Karen was startled, and she crossed her hands over her forehead where it had been hit. Obviously, she forgot about the staff in her hand; in her flustered movements, the end of the staff jabbed her own nose. Watching her bridge turn rapidly red, the big and clumsy Karen had clearly not held back on herself.

The staff clattered against Naranya’s stone ground as Karen’s palm moved to her nose, and her eyes began to well up with tears, like a little rabbit, dazedly looking toward the direction from which the initial slap had come.

"Your Highness Lyle," that mix of wanting to be angry but feeling helpless turned into a single statement.

"Such bad luck."

Lyle looked at her pitiful state and felt a little guilty.

"Actually, you can try to rub it, endure the initial pain, activate the blood flow within the vessels, and the pain will dissipate quickly."

Lyle reached out towards her nose but was quickly swatted away by an irate Karen.

"No way! It really hurts!"

Lyle rubbed the back of his hand. Was this empathy? The so-called transference of pain.

"I forgot, you can use Holy Light, so it should heal even faster."

Hearing this, Karen directed her small fist towards Lyle’s chest, stopping at the last moment.

Lyle already envisioned himself coughing up blood.

"That hurts too much!"

The joy of a narrow escape made Lyle rub his chest, relieved his body was spared this time, and he lowered his head to find Karen still staring at him intensely.

"If only Your Highness Lyle could become a monk, the current Your Highness Lyle is completely useless. Hurry up and awaken the Holy Light, His Holiness the Purifier!"

"I wish I could too, become a fine priest and bring peace to my lovely Karen’s heart."

Lyle showed his most tender smile, watching Karen with her starry eyes, like a little fan girl meeting her idol.

"Monk Lyle~" This girl really got into the role quickly.

"Knight Karen," Lyle stretched out his hands, cradling Karen’s palms in his own.

"Stop sleeping, the floor in Naranya is very cold. Finish your dream and hurry back to the hotel with me."

"..."

...

Ralph sat behind the dim light, looking at the two dispirited figures in front of him.

His voice was like the cold wind of deep winter, almost freezing one’s spine, though it seemed rather cool on this summer night.

"My two adorable colleagues, did you go out for a day trip? Where is the so-called intelligence? Lyle did fine, at least he brought back another version of the story, but you, Karen, didn’t even put on an act."

Karen sat in her chair, the tips of both feet syncing with her fingers, pressed together. She looked up at Ralph sitting opposite for a moment, then quickly lowered her head again.

"I really went after a thief, my superior! The one who stole my Silver Knight’s armor. I saw them in Naranya."

Ralph’s fingers interlaced, his palms raised to cover his chin.

"Where did you lose your armor, Miss Karen?"

"Cassandra Dawn Church, in the attached barracks for new recruits, my room."

Ralph’s eyes glinted with an unnamed light, like will-o’-the-wisps in the dark.

"You’re saying that this thief, half a month after committing the crime, appeared in Naranya, miles away, in front of you, still clad in that shiny silver armor."

"Karen, listen to yourself, do you believe it?"

Karen wanted to argue back, but Verlet walked in with a tray of pancakes and a few glasses of juice.

"Ralph, be patient with them. They’re young and inexperienced."

She approached Ralph, attempting to smooth things over.

"Verlet, you sit down too!"

The number of disheartened figures Ralph was scolding grew to three.

"You instigated this grouping, putting inexperienced young people together. You’re the real culprit!"

Verlet was very straightforward, her arms sweeping outward, hooking both Lyle and Karen into her embrace.

"That’s right, I admit it, my mistake. If you want to punish someone, Ralph, come at me. I’ll take it. How much is the fine?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

A wealthy lady’s aura pervaded the room, and it was clear that Ralph wouldn’t let her storm the court.

"My rule, Verlet, is to prescribe the right remedy. A financial punishment clearly means nothing to you, so I will punish you through something you truly care about."

Ralph went silent for ten seconds, "Verlet, what do you hate?" Ralph realized he didn’t know his so-called former colleague that well.

Verlet’s eyes sparkled. Under her arm, Lyle felt her trembling.

Verlet’s voice trembled as she revealed an emotion that was either fear or bashful happiness.

"What I hate most is being alone in a room with my gloomy superior, every minute and every second spent with him is agony for me. If there’s something I’m afraid of, it’s being in close contact with him, touching his skin, it sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it."

With a darkened face, Ralph pounded the tabletop, "Meeting adjourned, it’s late, everyone go rest."

Verlet watched Ralph’s retreating figure leave the room, "What about my punishment?" The eagerness almost bursting forth.

Ralph turned with a look of disdain, "Cancelled. My aim was to punish you, not myself."