Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 275 - 251: Guardian (5000 words, editor’s task 4/6, 5/6)_3
"Praise the Holy Light," "Praise the Holy Light," "Praise the Holy Light," the people prayed devoutly within the light barrier, led by Vitim. Some were reciting scriptures, others were blessing in silence, doing the right thing according to the teachings of the old priest.
The peaceful scene within the light barrier gave the Guardians even more motivation; they were rescuing those truly worth saving, the followers of the Holy Light, their own kin.
"We have found it! Your Excellency Raphael, we have found a hint from the Holy Light!" A few days later, an excited Guardian found Raphael in the central square dispensing blessings to the public.
"What is the hint?"
"It’s a story from the scriptures."
Raphael carefully reviewed the marked passage.
"Salt City?" It was a story. Once, there was a city so steeped in sin that the Holy Light decided to destroy it completely. An angel was sent to lead the only righteous family out of the city. They were told that during their escape, under no circumstance should they look back. Everything proceeded as expected, but in the end, out of curiosity, his wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
Raphael pondered the revelation from the Holy Light and finally knew the method of salvation.
In the very next second, Raphael arrived among the Guardians like a fresh breeze.
"The Fire of Purification is a Divine Art that can eradicate the plague. I am able to cast it, but... The Fire of Purification will only save the righteous, the bearers of the Holy Light. For others, they will turn to ashes under the fierce flames. I understand that everyone inside now is a potential follower of the Holy Light, but to fortify them to withstand the Holy Flame, how long will we need? Many people can no longer hold on."
"In the end, is it still a matter of choice?"
"No matter what, save as many as we can!" The Guardian immediately carried the news that the Holy Light could save everyone into the light dome. At first, there was joy, but soon, people realized that it would not be easy. The citizens of Salt City were a particularly indifferent and self-serving group, and in the eyes of the Holy Light, this was defined as sin, even though they had now changed, but their past remained unchanged.
Within the light barrier, it became a frenzy of the Holy Light, with everyone begging for the favor of the Holy Light. Some received it, but others did not. The despair of gaining hope and then losing it again should have made people go mad, yet they had been through similar trials. The frail elders looked at the children, now able to ignite the Holy Light, and shed tears of joy.
"Praise the Holy Light."
Everyone was racing against time, while the Paladins outside the light barrier were enduring torment.
Just then, new bad news arose. Vitim’s days were numbered due to the torment of the black plague. On the night of his passing, all those infected gathered around him, tears streaming down their faces as they gazed at his kind countenance.
Vitim smiled, looking at everyone. "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the norms of life. Do not grieve excessively, my brethren. Please believe, the Holy Light will surely save us. Praise the Holy Light."
In the final moment of his life, Vitim cast his last Divine Art, the Sacrificial Blessing. His life’s dying embers flickered like fireworks bursting in an instant. Under his brilliance, five infected inherited his Holy Light, his will. Vitim, the forerunner of the Holy Light, traded his passing for the rebirth of five radiant lives.
"In three days, I will use the Flame of Purification to end all this," Raphael returned to his room and before departing, issued the final judgment. No one could dispute his command. All the Guardians were seizing the last moments, trying to save more people.
Frey approached Pierre, who was guarding the barrier.
"Pierre."
"Yes, Commander Frey!"
"...It’s a personal matter."
"Oh, what’s up, bro?"
"It’s time for you to start a family; our lineage needs to be continued."
"Huh? You’re the older brother, you should start a family first. Besides, you’re so handsome, if you want to extend the family line, find a partner, why involve me?"
"..."
Three days later, Raphael hovered in the sky, like the Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the infected.
"Wait a minute!" Frey, including the other eleven Guardians, stepped forward.
"What is it, Frey?"
"I have thought of a way to save the remaining people, Your Excellency Raphael. The twelve of us are the strongest Paladins among the Guardians; we can create a barrier to preserve their life force."
Raphael frowned, "No, your method is futile."
"Your Excellency Raphael, please, let us try, no matter what," Frey insisted, uncharacteristically persisting.
Although Raphael was puzzled, he agreed, as it was a request from Frey, who served as his right-hand man, and after all, the plague could no longer harm them.
The twelve Paladins entered the light barrier, standing amidst the crowd waiting for the baptism of flames. "Those who have not yet perceived the Power of Holy Light, gather around us, we will attempt one last time." The twelve Guardians, like protective umbrellas, were surrounded by people waiting for salvation.
Raphael raised his sword, the Power of Holy Light transformed into scorching flames, and with a fierce slash, it crashed down thunderously.
At that moment, the twelve Paladins revealed their true intentions. How could they understand Divine Arts better than Raphael, their leader? It was merely a ruse.
Twelve Holy Light Speares materialized in their hands, the flame-engulfed tips piercing through each other’s hearts. Golden blood sprayed through the air. Frey finally met the dying condition to activate the blessing of sacrifice; his blood turned into light rain, falling upon the people around. Surely the lives of twelve young and powerful individuals should be enough to redeem these souls.
"Frey! You bastards!!" The furious roar of Raphael echoed from the heavens, like divine wrath.
Frey, facing the Fire of Purification close at hand, let out his own roar.
"What kind of redemption is a partial redemption!"
"If the Holy Light cannot save them, then I will replace the Holy Light to save them!"
"If I can’t even protect those behind me, what kind of justice am I upholding!!!"
"I’m a Guardian, damn it!!!!"
The flames devoured everything, cleansing both the plague and the sins, leaving loathsome burns on those afflicted, the sufferers. The twelve human-shaped torches standing in the fire were charred beyond recognition, barely maintaining a human form.
Radiance fell upon the twelve Fire Baths, that was the glow belonging to the Divine Kingdom.
The Angel with broken wings opened the gates of the Divine Kingdom, keeping the souls of the sacrificed under his command.
With one wing severed, Raphael barely managed to fly above, his golden feathers and blood falling upon the land illuminated by the Divine Kingdom’s glow. The flames of the twelve Fire Baths never extinguished; they looked up at the angel above them, their leader.
Raphael revealed a sacred smile.
"Your lives are under my command, my bastard commanders."
