Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 260 - 243 Purifier·Pseudo

Lokarot boasted a magnificent structure, its outer walls made of marble bricks, upon which exquisite bas-reliefs were carved. The golden gates, inlaid with agate, led to a main hall filled with gold and silver. Such splendor could satisfy anyone’s vanity; it was meant to be a place admired and envied by the citizens. If it weren’t for the dazzling light of the church, the Lord’s Mansion at the center of the Holy City should have been the pinnacle of ostentatious praise.

"The additional gilded tiles and jade cups are meaningless, your so-called sublimation is just one step closer to vulgarity. Hmph, brainwashed by the Holy Light, fools all," Duke Tracy said as he drew the curtains, blocking the light from entering his mansion. The bad news brought by the butler had soured his mood considerably; the cooked beef in his mouth tasted as bland as wax. Perhaps it was his mood that affected the taste, or perhaps it was that foolish chef still adhering to the idiotic fasting rituals of the so-called Holy Light ceremonies. The Holy Light made these clods forget who they were, a lowly chef even dared to cast a questioning glance at me. Those from the Royal Family are idiots as well, talking about limiting theocracy, but turning a deaf ear to the Guardian invasion of my city. Tracy certainly took the butler’s warning to heart; a change was coming, but he was powerless to stop it. His own private troops were too weak, with even some brainwashed by the Holy Light among them.

Tracy felt his head swell, his bloodshot eyes turning a deep red in the darkness. Holding a knife, he shredded a religious book that had once been a gift from a former friend. In the darkness, a voice of unyielding resentment echoed, not ceasing until Duke Tracy’s Guardians arrived by his side.

"My lord, the guards at the city gates have intercepted a few humans of unclear origin. After confirmation by the Guardian Paladins, those people possess an unusual power within them. To avoid startling the enemy, we have doubled the inspection time at the checkpoints, and for now, they are safe."

Duke Tracy’s gaze wandered, his blood-red eyes gleaming in the dark. "Is that so? Those Paladins are actually seeking my counsel? Don’t they usually execute first and report afterward in the name of safety? What, have they changed their ways?" His words dripped with mockery. Then he remembered something, his eyes gleaming strangely as a smile cracked his lips.

"I understand now, those Paladins think those unusual people are my reliance, some mysterious force hidden by the nobles. They don’t want to cause offense to the nobility." Tracy looked at his guardsmen bowing their heads in his view, their embarrassment confirming his suspicions. "The reason they’re so composed is that the power is too weak; the bared fangs pose no threat." Tracy’s complexion turned crimson with the clear understanding that, in the eyes of the Guardians, he was nothing more than a powerless nobleman.

"Duke, should we execute those anomalies? For the peace of Lokarot."

Tracy was well aware of the motives of the mystics that had come to Lokarot during the Holy Light ceremonies; they were enemies of the Holy Light. But now, wasn’t stirring up chaos exactly what he desired?

"No, let them into the city; they are my honored guests."

The guard was momentarily taken aback, muscle memory kicking in as he responded to the Duke. "Yes, my lord, I will bring the guests to your mansion..."

"No, take my guests to where they should go."

"Where they should go?"

"My loyal guard, surely you know of some secret paths? Paths that lead to where the masked people dwell. Take my guests there." Whoever they were, they were fated to be the disruptors of Lokarot. Tracy, having governed Lokarot for many years, of course, knew of the fragile class balance here. Now, all it took was an extra weight to trigger conflict in the city and drag the self-righteous guardians into it. Rumor and public opinion were not to be underestimated; it was time to teach those shiny idiots a lesson. Thanks to the almighty Holy Light, no matter how much the city was disturbed, those lowlifes would only see the Holy Light above. Yes, praise belongs to the Holy Light, and so does the blame.

"When you leave my mansion, you’ll forget everything about this place, won’t you? My ’loyal’ guard." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Your will, my lord duke."

"No, your etiquette is mistaken," said Tracy, his laughter resonating in the dark mansion just as the guard looked confused. "Yes, praise the Holy Light."

"...Praise the Holy Light, Duke Tracy."

When your vision is tainted by gold, it’s probably much like the scene before Lyle’s eyes. The Guardians are a noble troop of paladins, but they are equally adept at boasting and banter. Especially when excited, they would shine with light, like an ocean of low-wattage light bulbs, almost like a bunch of small Raymonds. Their previous display of holiness now seemed like nothing more than a pretense, and the trash talk they exchanged had truly amazed Lyle. A few masked sufferers quietly led away children who were engrossed in watching the Guardians, prompting a strange smile on Lyle’s face as he wondered if he, too, should take a certain little girl with him.

There stood Karen among the robust paladins, slowly being assimilated by them. She recounted her own experiences of defeating vampires and vanquishing the Evil God. Although her involvement was limited, and her lame storytelling evoked laughter from the surrounding paladins.

"Karen Pembai of the Pembai Family, you’re far more entertaining than your father. But boasting of victory isn’t victory. How can you prove that everything is true? In your adventures, every time it gets critical, you faint, and afterward, the monsters are dealt with. What kind of story is that? ’The Sleeping Paladin Karen Pembai’ (The Sleeping Mouri Kogoro)? That’s too fake, Little Karen."

Karen, surrounded by the laughter of the paladins, stamped her foot in anger. Just as Lyle thought she would pick up the Holy Light warhammer and start hammering the paladins, Karen didn’t lose her head to rage. Perhaps knowing the gap in strength between herself and the Crusader Warriors, she pointed straight at Lyle, who was sitting to one side, pretending to be uninvolved.

"Everything I’ve said is true! Sir Lyle, the Purifier, can testify for me, because he was also a companion in our adventure!"

Don’t drag me into this! Lyle roared in his heart, but the eyes of the surrounding paladins were already upon him. Thanks to the masked sufferer, his face remained unseen, but I’m a Spirit Summoner!

"The Purifier?" "That legendary Purifier?" The paladins’ interest in the authenticity of Karen’s adventure dwindled as they shifted their focus to Lyle. Karen raised her voice with strong pride, "Yes, Lord Lyle is indeed the legendary Purifier! The first time I met Lord Lyle, when I used Detect Evil on him, I discovered his hidden identity. At that time, he was a marshal..."

The gaze of the paladins returned to Karen, "That... Little Karen, you used the Divine Arts of Detect Evil on someone you met for the first time?"

"What’s wrong with that?"

"That’s an offensive act. In fact, if you were a Crusader Warrior and you used that Divine Art on people around you, they would take it as an insult to their devotion to the faith, and it could lead to blows."

"But," the legend clearly says that ’Detect Evil’ is used as a greeting."

"That’s just a legend, and it’s only a good provocation tactic when you’re unbeatable," Lyle replied.

While Karen grappled with her inner turmoil, Lyle quietly asked a nearby Paladin, "Is ’Detect Evil’ truly a provocation?"

"Yes, if you want to challenge someone to a duel, I suggest you cast ’Detect Evil’ on him. Ultimately, only one will remain standing," the Paladin explained.

"Then how did Karen survive until now? I mean, she must have encountered other Paladins at the church, yet her habits have not been corrected."

The masked Paladin leaned over to Lyle’s ear.

"We vow not to harm women and children."

Understanding the principle, Lyle looked at Karen and thought to himself that she was indeed a brat in need of education.

"Lord Lyle, could you show us the symbol of your purity as a Purifier? If you truly are a Purifier, we would introduce you to our leader, Raphael Pembai. It would be our collective fortune as Apostles of the Holy Light. So, Lord Lyle, may I cast ’Detect Evil’ on you?"

All the Paladins around turned their heads to look this way, and Lyle, facing the multitude of eager eyes behind the masks—eyes that couldn’t be denied—remembered that as a Spirit Summoner, he shouldn’t come into excessive contact with the Holy Light. But he also remembered, before leaving Andrey, Mr. Raymond had left his blessing on him; in matters of power, Mr. Raymond was very reliable.

If you’re deceiving me, Mr. Raymond, and I end up on the chariot of Holy Light, I will seek revenge. With this resolve, Lyle nodded to them.

Detect Evil.

Lyle felt the impact of the Holy Energy as more than twenty beams of light descended upon him almost simultaneously, his body shaking slightly. This was nothing compared to Mr. Raymond’s ’Detect Evil Meteor’ technique. His body, feeling provoked, sensed a surge of power trying to burst forth, but then that power was throttled, as if a kitten grabbed by the scruff had become docile once again.

Lyle’s body glowed faintly, the mere afterglow of ’Detect Evil.’

The gleam in the Guardian Paladin’s eyes dimmed slightly.

"Were we mistaken?" "Come to think of it, encountering a newly-born Purifier at the festival of Holy Light would be like a dream. This is reality; things aren’t that smooth."

The Paladins muttered their regrets, one encouraging Lyle.

"It’s alright, Lord Lyle. Even though you’re not a Purifier, your body is highly suited for practicing the Holy Light. If you’re interested, I could... I could introduce you to our legion commander."

Lyle smiled and declined the offer, then looking at Karen, his eyes filled with apology. Karen, who had witnessed the entire scene, stood still as if struck by a major blow. It must have been like the despair of losing a five-million lottery ticket.

Just then, a child grabbed Lyle’s clothing. From beneath her mask, a voice spoke.

"Big brother, there’s a lady Rachel brought who wants to see you over there."

Rachel? Did she need his help with something? Filled with curiosity, Lyle walked toward the gloomy alleyway.

Karen meant to follow, but a Paladin stopped her.

"Little Karen, don’t disturb Lord Lyle," he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"The story between a big brother and a lady is too complex to explain to you. Just don’t go, for Lyle’s future," he insisted.