Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 119 - 115: Terrible Things

Karen held her staff in one hand and grasped the edge of the black elevator platform with the other.

After ending the conversation with Eliane, she walked out of the small dark room, content with the good news that Aunt Eliane was still alive.

There had always been a vague sense of foreboding in Karen’s heart, especially since her father habitually stayed in his study, frowning in thought. She had feared that some misfortune had befallen their family.

A cloud of darkness loomed over the innocence in Karen’s heart.

"It seems Father has reached his midlife crisis. Men of a certain age do like to wallow in despair," Karen said with a smile, skipping through the Golden City.

The City of Gold had been battered and wounded by some disaster; shattered mirrors in the sky sprinkled silver fragments down, and the golden pathways, having undergone melting and solidifying, had become odd-shaped, making the whole city look as if it had been kissed by a twelfth-grade typhoon.

But in Karen’s cheerful eyes, none of these were problems.

The elevator was snapped in two, hanging in the air like a maple leaf clinging to a branch in early autumn, listlessly swaying.

With a hum, Karen hiked up the skirt of her nun’s outfit a bit—since it was a gift from Aunt Eliane, she would take extra care with it. Taking a running start, she left a crack in the stone wall, her body freezing in mid-air like a photo in a vintage camera. Then, with a forceful push, the crack in the wall spread like a spiderweb, and Karen, like a cannonball, grasped the cable in the air. Her free hand wielding the staff, she used a Holy Light Energy Hammer to break the lever on the opposite shorter board.

The gear made an overburdened noise, swinging Karen, who was swinging in the air like a pendulum, back to the top.

Outside Naslan’s mausoleum, Karen stretched lazily—apparently, Lyle had defeated the vampires using the power of the Purifier, and the desolation of the Underground City was a result of the battle’s aftermath. Truly powerful.

Karen, you must also strive harder, definitely not to let down Lord Lyle. Following the light dust on the grass, Karen slowly moved forward.

As evening fell, the dense forest ahead seemed endless, and if not for the light dust marking the correct path on the ground, Karen would definitely struggle.

There was a rustling from behind the trees in the distance, and Karen gripped her staff tighter—was it a wild beast?

That familiar slender figure entered her eyes. His loose uniform was covered in crushed leaves and petals as he emerged from the bushes, first looking at the light dust and then making eye contact with Karen.

"Lord Lyle! Have you been waiting for me here?"

Anyone with a clear eye could see he wasn’t waiting for her, Lyle thought to himself. After leaving the Naslan sanctuary, it had taken some time to find his way back. Thankfully, he had finally found the light dust and a lively Karen.

"It’s great to see you, Karen."

"Woohoo! We defeated the vampires, Lord Lyle, you are truly amazing." Karen lunged at Lyle with a rocket-like headshot. The water that was meant to defend against vampire attacks finally served its purpose, and Lyle was just tackled to the ground.

"Get up quickly, we need to get back to Naranya before it gets dark." Brushing leaves from his body, Lyle struggled to meet Karen’s admiring gaze. The vampires had been defeated by Mr. Raymond, yet he received the admiration of warrior Karen despite only pretending to have a tiger’s authority.

He had to become stronger, worthy of this respect, though it was just Necromancy that he was improving.

Before twilight set in, the two returned to Naranya and were fortunate to attend the Bennet family’s banquet.

Mr. Bennet, warmhearted and not minding Karen’s and Lyle’s youthful appearances, warmly welcomed them like heroes.

It seemed that Verlet had told her father everything about their ordeal, and the merchant expressed his sincerest gratitude to them both.

After eating their fill, they saw Ralph.

It wasn’t in Verlet’s boudoir; otherwise, the current Ralph might not be in one piece.

It was a room that had been a guest bedroom. Servants and maids stood outside, waiting respectfully as Ralph lay on the central canopy bed with velvet curtains, as if it were the resting place of a princess from a fairy tale.

His lady prince sat by the bed, her hands willfully caressing his long fingers, as if trying to scrape off a layer of his calluses.

"Verlet, how is uncle doing?"

Verlet stopped her caressing, finger to her lips, "He needs to rest quietly."

"Lyle, come here." The sleeping beauty wasn’t buying it; Ralph called out his nephew’s name weakly, although his tone was still strong. At that moment, he couldn’t even ward off Verlet’s harassment.

"I’m here, uncle."

Ralph’s hand reached out towards the direction of Lyle’s voice, touching Lyle’s arm, "You’re not hurt, are you?"

He struggled to open his eyelids and after seeing Lyle for a few seconds, closed them again.

"No, uncle."

Ralph became exceptionally weak, which must be a side effect of the plague, although it was only in his veins for a few dozen seconds, he was already in a weakened state.

"Lord Lyle, please be cautious, there is a scent of Black Magic on Chief Ralph."

Karen timely reminded.

Of course, I know that, as it was my doing.

"Can Holy Light heal it?"

Karen looked at him as if he were a fool.

"Of course, it can, Lord Lyle, as long as you use the power of Holy Light, it should be a piece of cake for you, Lord Lyle."

This was quite awkward, what excuse should I come up with to refuse?

Lyle saw the expectation in Verlet’s eyes.

"Maybe... there’s no hurry to cure it, it’s a good opportunity to give my weary uncle a sick leave."

Verlet agreed enthusiastically, and she even launched an offense at Karen, "Karen, stay in Naranya for another day tomorrow, eat as many rose pastries as you want, your sister will treat you."

"I like Sister Verlet the most!"

The crisis seemed to be resolved.

Lyle let out a breath, only to be brought down by Ralph all at once, sprawling next to his ear.

Ralph spoke.

"Did you do this?"

Uncle Ralph found out? But wasn’t he knocked out from the beginning? Lyle felt uneasy in his heart.

"Which aspect?"

"The death of the vampires."

"Sort of."

"How I look now."

"...Sort of."

"Will this weak and powerless state be better by tomorrow?"

"It should be getting better soon, it’s just a side effect of the Magic I had to use."

"Black Magic?"

"A tad black." Necromancy, reviving the undead, dare I say it?

"What about the Holy Light?"

"Just a little trick."

Ralph chuckled, "I said it, my foolish nephew running out in the middle of the night to study some Holy Light, it’s not like you at all."

All Lyle could do was nod silently, trying not to make any noise, having just accidentally seen something quite significant.

After dealing with Ralph for a while, Lyle walked out of the room with Verlet, sweating profusely.

"What is my uncle wearing?"

"Ice-silk satin nightgown," Verlet’s mouth corners went up wildly, "the pink maiden series."

"I don’t know anything, didn’t see anything."

"Don’t worry, I won’t betray you."