Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 197 - 184: The Immortal Justice

"Speak out your troubles carefully, Plague Doctor. In the presence of the Holy Light, there’s no need to hold back. Whether it’s myself or Mr. Raymond, we are both qualified Holy Light Cultivators."

"You should know the purpose of the Confession Room, right? Lay bare your heart, Plague Doctor, we will listen to your troubles. And we guarantee that your secrets will only be revealed under the light within this chapel."

Lyle stepped out of that warm atmosphere because he felt offended, but he quickly came to terms with it and naturally turned his gaze to Mr. Raymond.

Raymond looked back at the Plague Doctor with a refreshing smile shining through his golden armor.

"Don’t mind what Aryan said, Plague Doctor. If it truly is a secret that’s hard to share, I could actually step aside and use this time to test my new Divine Arts with a few clubs," Mr. Raymond said, evidently unconcerned with Lyle’s display of resistance towards himself.

"There’s no need, Mr. Raymond. I’m judging the heart of a gentleman with my petty concerns. I think my secret probably isn’t anything significant to you."

Upon relinquishing the burden of his secret, Lyle indeed felt more relaxed.

"I am, in fact, a human, a living human being who arrived at the Andrei Academy by a series of fortunate mishaps."

"Is that so?" Mr. Raymond was silent for a few seconds. He took off his helmet, and beneath it was a human skull forged in gold, with golden flames rising in the eye sockets, the fierce blaze almost spouting out. His jawbone moved up and down, and he let out a hearty laugh, "Hahaha, isn’t that a good thing, Mr. Plague Doctor? You’re alive. What can be more exhilarating than being alive? You shouldn’t be troubled by it."

"So, Mr. Raymond is also a Lich, then?"

"Yes, the Andrei Lich Academy. Everyone here is a similar existence, except for you."

"That’s exactly what troubles me. I am very fond of the Andrei Academy, and I trust and rely on everyone associated with Andrei, but you are Liches, you are the undead. This separation between life and death had once put me in a dilemma..."

"Andrei is not suitable for you, Plague Doctor. Andrei isn’t suitable for any living being."

Lyle smiled. He looked at the two flames in Mr. Raymond’s eyes, "Mr. Raymond, Lady Aryan has also said the same thing to me."

"Aryan is not wrong, Plague Doctor. The dead have their world, and the living have theirs. You should not spend your precious and finite life among a group of the dead. It should be about the colors of life, not the ashen greys of death. Even if you truly love it here, it wouldn’t be too late to come after peacefully living out your life. The world has its own rules."

Listening to Mr. Raymond’s sincere yet stern advice, Lyle seemed very at ease.

"Andrei is not monochrome, Mr. Raymond, and the outside world is not colorful. I have gained everything I could obtain at Andrei: respected elders, sincere friends, and... love that’s etched in my bones."

Lyle patted his garment and stood up, "I apologize, Mr. Raymond, but I’m afraid I cannot accept your advice, although I’m sure what you say is right. But compared to what I seek, the barrier of death really seems trivial. I choose to stay at Andrei and to keep my identity hidden. Aryan, I am very grateful to you. After speaking these thoughts, I do feel much better in my heart."

Raymond watched Lyle’s figure in silence. After a long while, he finally spoke.

"Plague Doctor, you’ve shared your secret. As an exchange, I will tell you mine. "

"In life, I was a powerful Crusader warrior. I participated in that heretical conquest war. When I was alive, the war was already in its final stages with the support of my brothers and sisters, and we had won. What awaited us was unparalleled glory and praise."

"But I died."

"The war for conquest ultimately failed to bring the blessings of the Holy Light to every human. When I was first resurrected, I was filled with loss and confusion. I had no understanding of the cause of my death, only that I had lost everything dear to me. I became an enemy of the Holy Light, and even the only brother who walked with me had fallen into darkness."

"Amidst my solitude, it was the Dean who inspired me."

"[Feel like you have nothing to do? Experiencing the cold and sorrow of death? Why not come to me, for I plan to open an academy for Liches, to accept those souls lost in idleness and bewilderment. And you as well, child. My academy will welcome all powers, including your Holy Light. Don’t you find it exciting? Although I don’t quite understand the mindset of you Preachers, if the power of the Holy Light can transcend death and be promoted among Liches, your Holy Light would be delighted as well, wouldn’t it?]"

"It was the Dean and my own strength that allowed me to rally." Raymond opened his palm, and within it, a ball of Holy Flame burned fiercely.

"My teacher once taught me that the Holy Light is revelation, the embodiment of power for everyone who bears a duty."

"I hold firm to that saying. My life is devoted to justice, and my Holy Light will burn fervently for the enlightenment of humanity."

"After my death, I looked upon the Holy Light still in my grasp. I understood my duty; my quest for justice still existed, and my broken body could still burn for justice."

"I joined the Andrei Academy. Melok Raymond might be dead, but Mr. Raymond will still burn."

"I will demonstrate the justice of the Holy Light at Andrei Academy."

Lyle interrupted Mr. Raymond’s speech.

"Mr. Raymond, to display the justice of the Holy Light, is there not a gentler way than by brutally beating the members of Andrei?"

Raymond shook his head.

"Plague Doctor, my justice is humanity’s justice."

"Can’t you feel it? Those strange new magical studies and powers constantly emerging from Andrei. Even I find those dangerous powers troublesome."

"Can you imagine? Should those terrifying powers be exposed to the world along with Andrei Academy, especially in the hands of Liches who value life as nothing, it would be a disaster for humanity."

"Therefore, I will keep getting stronger, become stronger than everyone else. I will be the true terror of Andrei Academy, letting those obsessed with research understand that there is still a man named Raymond above them, whose Holy Light hurts very much, and that the Holy Light is still suppressing them. I am the final barrier preventing Andrei from harming humanity."

"Every group seen as a threat to humanity will receive a personal visit from me, and each member of every group marked by the Salvation Association will be ravaged by me. Above their heads, the Holy Light will shine eternally."

"I will forever uphold the justice of the Holy Light and suppress all forces of Andrei, until the end of time."

"This is my justice, the justice of Raymond."