Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 257 - 240: The Current Situation of the Holy Light
Thirty minutes later, Frey returned to Raphael’s room. The door had already been removed, so Frey could see the state of his leader from outside the room. Raphael manipulated four Divine Artifacts to float stair-like in the air. He himself was lying on a makeshift chaise lounge made of swords, his head down, his arms dangling through the gaps between the swords, resembling a disheartened fish. For comfort, Raphael had taken apart a cushion and laid it over himself. You could have just lain on a couch!
"My lord, please mind your image."
Raphael casually waved his hand, his voice distorted as it came through the cushion.
"It doesn’t matter, they are all acquaintances."
Frey placed the vase he brought casually on the table, and inserted the artificial flowers into it.
"And those new nuns, my lord, they still harbor dreams about you in their hearts."
Raphael turned his face out from the cushion.
"Let them give up on such thoughts; it’s not good for their growth to grow fond of someone old enough to be their grandfather."
Frey shook his head, unsurprised. He sat on the bench without a cushion, resting just like Raphael.
"My lord, I have a question. When you were in Lokarot, why did you promote Dover to bishop? He wasn’t a sincere cleric, which we could all see. But back then, you still chose him. Could you tell me why?"
Raphael turned over, reached out to open the glass window, and looked out at the Lokarot bathed in light.
"At that time, Lokarot was too fragile, short-staffed, and the administrative organs had completely collapsed. What Lokarot needed then was not faith but the vitality brought by strong governance capabilities. To find such ability within the Guardian Legion was wishful thinking, hence I settled for the capable Dover. Today’s Lokarot proves that my decision back then was not wrong."
"But the true citizens of Lokarot are suffering discrimination."
"Yes, and that is why Dover needs to step down, along with that so-called duke, and roll out of Lokarot. With the governance system in place and the city nearing stability, it’s time to remove the troublemakers and install our own people. Maybe it’s too peaceful; they have forgotten that the Guardians are an armed force, not on-call security."
"Appointing Dover as a bishop, having him build a Holy City, and then kicking him away once everything is settled... So, you were playing a long game."
"Frey, don’t make it sound like I’ve mistreated them. They have lived comfortably in Lokarot for a long time. Why don’t you think about the wealth they’ve plundered from this city?"
"So you’re going to let them take away Lokarot’s wealth? Basically, they have been working for free."
"Owning wealth brings joy to body and soul; they have already received happiness. The Guardians will eliminate threats to humanity, including purging our own corruption. The prolonged splendor has allowed some glory-eating vermin to appear within the Holy Light; our insides need a major cleanse."
Frey looked at Raphael, who was getting serious, and smiled.
"The Guardian Legion will always follow in your footsteps."
Raphael waved his hand dismissively at Frey’s display of loyalty, "I have never worried about the Guardians; you are my arms. You’d better spend your time doing more practical things. By the way, how is the preparation for the Ceremony of the Holy Light going?"
"Aside from the regular maintenance of public order and city defenses, the new Guardians have already joined the veterans in our activities. I believe it won’t be long before the new recruits will become one with us."
Raphael nodded, "The Holy Light of today needs settling. Our strength is too scattered. Ever since...," Raphael’s face darkened, and after a two or three seconds’ pause, he continued, "Are the Purifier Legion and Inquisitor Legion still fighting their own battles?"
"Yes, without their leader, they are lost. The Purifiers are nowhere to be found, but the Inquisitors did report to the Holy See last month; they were applying for the Holy See’s war protocol."
"War protocol? Whom do they want to fight?"
"I don’t know, the enemies of the Holy Light, that’s for certain. The Inquisitors didn’t panic after losing their leader. Instead, they have been actively working to improve themselves, aiming to advance a new leader by initiating war to punish the heretics."
Raphael frowned, "Having ambition is good, but waging war is not a good way for promotion, and being aggressive does no good for proselytizing. Besides, becoming a crusader leader is not so easy—otherwise, there wouldn’t just be the four of us. In any case, they are our brothers; if we can help, we should. After the ceremony of the Holy Light concludes, Frey, you shall lead a detachment of the Guardian Legion to assist the commander of the Inquisitor Legion."
"Your will shall be my command."
Raphael reverted to his casual demeanor, swinging his legs in the air and resting his chin in his right hand as he looked at Frey.
"I’m saying, my commander, if the Inquisitors are so ambitious, why don’t you show some spirit? Why don’t you let the Guardians bring forth a second leader? Or is the matter of becoming stronger one where you practice modesty?"
"The Guardians most likely will not have a second leader."
"Why not?"
"Because of you."
"Me?"
"You are our recognized leader. Every Guardian expresses absolute loyalty and admiration toward you, seeing themselves as your followers. With no thought of surpassing you, we naturally cannot reach your height."
"So you lads blame your lack of progress on me?"
"In a sense, yes, Your Excellency Raphael. In our eyes, you are the perfect leader, and no matter what, we cannot surpass you."
"...It’s because of your unanimous sentiment that others think the Guardians are only good at group fighting, with weak individual strength."
"Being adept at group fighting is enough; we are an army, not brutes who blindly pursue physical strength."
"Suit yourselves."
"If Lord Raphael wishes to seek strength, you can certainly elevate yourself. As far as I know, above the eight-tier level of crusader leaders, there exists an even higher level. Lord Raphael, you could definitely take it a step further, just like that Exalted One did."
After Frey’s voice faded, he received no reply for a long time, and he looked curiously toward Raphael.
The usually capricious Excellency was unusually silent, his eyes lifelessly staring at the void in front of him. In those soft eyes, which were no less beautiful than a woman’s, there was no color. It wasn’t until Frey felt concern that his leader finally moved.
Raphael closed his eyes and then opened them again, emitting a slight sigh. His voice was as gentle as ever, but it seemed to carry something else.
"That’s why I’m your leader of the Guardians, after all."
