Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 258 - 241 Suitable Gift

When those Guardians clad in golden-red armor appeared among the patrol teams in the Holy City of Lokarot, the city’s residents had already immersed themselves in the fervor of celebration. The torment of taste brought by the fasting period may not have only affected travelers like Lyle. Those seemingly amiable smiles emanating from the residents, who were cradling cups of wine and basking in a sickly joyous delight, Lyle perceived as including a form of long-suppressed self-release. Regardless of the method, Lokarot had entered into the throes of the Festival of Holy Light.

Whenever they encountered the patrolling Guardians, each reveler would offer them fine wines and foods, as if converting to the Holy Light. The Guardians removed their helmets to fill them with said fare, their exposed faces revealing smiles like everyone else’s. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"The sanctity I imagined is quite different from the reality," Lyle liked the Guardians’ gentleness, but as they were showered with praise and delicacies, a flicker of doubt about the purity of the Holy Light ignited in his heart. In this city, there were still those who were being despised; the meat racks dangling on the brimming helmets about to fall seemed like a blade of irony piercing into Lyle’s eyes.

"Indeed, Lord Lyle, I too harbored doubts about the Guardians when I first witnessed this behavior. They seemed not to follow the frugality of the Holy Light. Because of this, I asked my father," Karen lifted the visor of her helmet, whispering into Lyle’s ear. "The gratitude event of the Holy Light Festival is not one-sided. That is also why I hold Raphael Pembai in such high esteem. Lord Lyle, please keep close to me."

To say keep close was an understatement – Karen’s grip was like iron tongs, leaving Lyle with no choice but to be dragged along to a restaurant, which was tucked away like a block in a secluded alley, surrounded by white walls that blanketed his field of vision. If not for Karen’s guidance, Lyle wouldn’t have ventured into such an establishment. Though the restaurant was bustling at the moment with a large crowd, the density of the Paladin Guardians was overwhelming.

"A restaurant dedicated to serving Paladins?" Lyle watched Guardian after Guardian march into the restaurant with their helmets full, not to emerge again, perhaps savoring the food?

"Let’s hurry in, Lord Lyle."

Lyle, being dragged past the queue of Guardians, squeezed through, pushed by the diminutive Karen. The Guardians, far from being displeased, responded with humble smiles to Lyle’s apologies.

Karen led Lyle to understand the Guardians.

Some new recruits among the Guardians also needed to understand themselves.

Nelson Cano had joined the ranks of the Guardians only five months before, previously training as a reserve Paladin in Duwen County, and becoming a Crusader Warrior had always been his dream. Thus, he set very high standards for himself on this pilgrimage to the Holy City. Following his captain, Nelson stood in the middle of the road, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the residents who offered food. His muscles twitched, his face numb from smiling.

His captain Pierre was a frank and rough man, very caring toward Nelson, the newcomer, and didn’t skimp on physical guidance. Nelson didn’t blame him, understanding that to learn to strike one must first learn to take a blow, especially as he felt himself getting steadily stronger under the pressure; the joy of growth only deepened his respect for this senior who seemed not much older than himself.

"Keep smiling, lad! We’re accepting people’s food here."

Nelson looked at his helmet filled with meat racks, dripping grease and aroma seeping out. "Captain Pierre, my face is almost numb, and we have received too much. We don’t need this much food," Nelson thought, leaving some thoughts unspoken.

"To accept bounties from those we protect without restraint, does it go against a Paladin’s humility? That’s what you’re thinking, right?" Pierre’s smile was unfading, "Obey orders, soldier. It’s our duty."

"Yes, captain."

Carrying the brimming food, Nelson followed behind Pierre, along with other Paladins, navigating through back alleys away from the praise and clamor. Perhaps they were looking for a secluded spot to enjoy their loot, Nelson thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile.

They reached a restaurant already packed with people, and among them, Paladins like himself laden with food were crammed into the confined space. All the seats were taken by Paladins with plates before them, piling up meat taken from their helmets. Some Guardians were holding their food, lining up one by one, and Nelson noticed the crowded line leading to the kitchen. Struck by the odd scene, he joined the queue.

Then he was yanked out by Pierre, who shoved Nelson into a seat and squeezed himself into the kitchen-bound line. "The kitchen is too early for you, newcomer. Start with the basics."

Nelson gazed at the crowded table of his fellow Paladins, struggling to speak.

"Don’t worry, newbie, it’s simple," the helpful senior beside him began to show Nelson hand by hand... how to heat food with Holy Light... "Yes, with the Divine Arts of Holy Flame, the temperature is just right for grilling meat, ah! Tilt your wrist down a bit, your posture is a bit off... The fire’s lower, put more power into the Holy Light. Good, maintain that temperature for twelve minutes. Alright, newcomer, your task is done, but you need to refine your control over the Holy Light."

Nelson looked at the steaming, sizzling meat in his plate, feeling as if a string in his head had snapped.

Holy Light cooking class? Watching the Guardians file toward the kitchen, Nelson was struck with his own dismal but real thoughts—Could it be that the kitchen was also...

A pillar of flame erupted from the kitchen window, and the Paladins released their protective Divine Arts, marveling at the spectacle. "It’s the Holy Flame Burst Fry, my goodness, which master’s delicacy is about to emerge?"

Nelson’s worldview came crashing down. So when a cute, amiable-looking girl approached with some simple raw vegetables, he passed along the green produce mechanically.

"The presentation and garnish are also very important, a beautiful design can affect a person’s appetite; it’s an art form."

The words of the senior Guardian beside me only served to irritate me further, as Nelson found himself engulfed in feelings of humiliation and impatience. His views on the Guardians had changed—a group of Crusader Warriors partaking in these meaningless pastimes with the Holy Light, and Nelson regretted it. Agitated, he grabbed some lettuce leaves, tore them apart aimlessly, and threw them onto his plate.

The nearby Guardians, seeing his actions, did not intervene but simply focused on perfecting their own dishes.

What was next? The start of the foolish feast? Just when Nelson thought he was prepared to face something even worse, one Guardian after another, each with meticulously prepared dishes, stood up and lined up towards the back door of the restaurant. There, the girl with a warm smile happily chatted with other Paladins. Behind her, a large pile of white masks awaited.

It was Nelson’s turn; the girl’s eyes held a pure shine, like droplets on a lotus flower glistening in the sunlight. She handed a mask to Nelson, her beautiful eyes twinkling like stars.

"Praise the Holy Light, my lord Guardian. This is your mask."

"A mask?"

The girl smiled, "Of course, you may also choose not to wear a mask. It’s an item from my people, a simple symbol, but I believe the children will love the handsome you."

Behind Nelson, other Guardians were already donning their masks, "Newcomer, you’d best wear it; it’s a sign of respect for the sufferers."

Nelson was not a troublemaker; he expressed his thanks to the girl, put on the mask, and passed through the back door.

On the other side, was another world.

A world not touched by light, surrounded by shadow-covered walls, broken stones and rubble piled on one side, with walls coated in uneven resin. Nelson and the other Guardians stood to one side; on the other, a group of children wearing masks and tattered clothes eyed them curiously. They hid behind adults, curiously observing these people in shining armor.

The Guardians, holding their carefully prepared food, walked over.

One by one, Paladins bent their knees, offering the aromatic food to them.

"Child, may the Holy Light bless you."

Two identical masks, one higher than the other, looked into each other’s eyes.

"Praise the Holy Light, thank you, my lord Guardian."

Guardians exchanged food for smiles, cooked with the blessings of the Holy Light, and in return, received a smile, a hug, a small gift, and praise for the Holy Light. This was the Guardians’ activity during the Holy Light ceremony, providing aid to those in need.

Nelson felt grateful for his mask, as his shameful complexion was about to be publicly known. Oh my Holy Light, I actually doubted my faith. Looking at the food in his hands that he had casually thrown together, he finally understood his companions’ glances. They knew he would regret it sooner or later.

This humiliation was his punishment.

But he still had a responsibility. Nelson, with steps as heavy as a thousand pounds, knelt before a child, witnessing his hesitant demeanor, and handed over his own food.

"I am sorry, child, my food was not treated with the care it deserved, but my blessings for you are as sincere and passionate as those of my fellows. May the Holy Light bless you, child. I hope you can accept my poor offering."

The child hesitated, then pulled out a rough, uneven stone from behind his back, "Mr. Guardian, this... this is the gift I prepared for you. It’s just an ordinary stone I found... but I didn’t manage to finish it. I wanted to make it into a smooth river stone, but I didn’t succeed. Praise the Holy Light, may you please accept my gratitude?"

Nelson took his hand.

"Thank you, child, nothing could be more fitting for me."