Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 891 - 828 Preparation (2)

He must not have noticed his appearance. Pressing close to the brick wall, the simple outline traced by light extended past the windowsill, his nose illuminated by the moonlight, becoming the brightest part of his body. The Angel was tall, but now hunched forward, leaning his body, peering to the other side. A pure and sacred figure had unwittingly assumed the sneaky air of a thief. His two wings flickered dust particles floating in the air, resembling stars hanging from his feathers. His feet stepped on damp stone steps, and seeds growing in the cracks seemed to be sprouting toward his position.

He completely failed to notice, failed to notice the light feathers striking the black-robed Plague Doctor-like figure behind him, nor did he notice my gaze.

Driven by an unknown state of mind, Karen Pembai intruded into this undead castle and found an Angel in the Land of Death with exhilaration. Not a physical entity, merely a blur of angelic light. Karen suspected these rays might not even have temperature, but her eyes could discern his existence—relying on these eyes, relying on that sense of familiarity.

Getting a little closer, I want to hear his voice.

[Lyle, I need an audience with Atrax His Excellency. He can provide us assistance.]

Karen shrank toward the darkness of the corner. She knew her heartbeat must be abnormal by now. The Angel’s holy words seized her heart with an iron grip. She restrained herself, suppressing the Holy Light bursting within her body. Patience, Karen! Further confirmation is needed! She reminded herself. Though Angels are deemed the purest and holiest of beings, though they are believed to grant the wishes of the devout, Karen still found the course of events somehow superficially surreal.

Karen did not understand what drove her actions. She felt as though the breath in her chest had been drawn out—the force that sustained her through the shock of her father’s death, endured the crisis of Holy Light, and matured her. Her fists clenched, the Holy Light lively and restless. The next voice almost sent Karen into a frenzy, causing her to adeptly use her [Detect Evil] to call out.

"You don’t need to skulk around, Gallaron Sir. You are barely twenty meters away from His Holiness the Pope. Take a few extra steps, raise your volume, and you’ll catch his attention, instead of hiding in the shadows by the wall like a mouse fearing a cat."

[I understand, I just feel a touch of homecoming jitters. Atrax His Excellency was once my mentor. He is like another father figure to me. Surely, he must have presided over funeral rites for Gallaron, the Angel of Water. After all that has transpired, might Gallaron’s resurrection disturb him?]

Lyle sensed Gallaron’s timidity, turning his head as the pointed beak of his mask aligned parallel to the wall.

"He is a Pope, after all. Just moments ago, he dined at the same table as a group of non-human entities who were once sentenced to death by Holy Light. You ought to have more faith in this old man. What could be more uplifting than him learning that another Angel survived?"

Gallaron gave a soft laugh, having quickly regained his composure, once again becoming the leader of water.

[There is something even more uplifting: I can tell His Excellency the Pope that I found a Saint Heir recognized by Raymond, and he is the key to saving the world and resurrecting Holy Light.]

Throwing up his hands in surrender, Lyle remarked helplessly, "Spare me, I’m no good at handling such matters. Please don’t drag me into your joyous reunions, Gallaron Sir."

Leaving behind those final humorous words, Gallaron flew toward the Pope, who was still in conversation with others. The elderly man maintained his gentle and humble smile, a face that seemed entirely untouched by the upheavals he had survived.

Lyle remained standing in the shadows of the stone wall, harboring a mischievous anticipation of how the placid Pope’s expression might change upon learning the news.

Nia climbed onto his back as usual, preparing to perch on his shoulder. Her tendrils twitched a few times in the air.

"Nia senses a gaze, Lyle!"

At first, Lyle felt a bit uneasy, but then figured that, being at the academy’s headquarters, there was no need to panic over such things. He rubbed Nia’s tiny tendril tips while attempting an authoritative gesture with his fingers, hoping to restore some semblance of the Society President’s dignity.

"Nia, tell me where the Peeker is."

Following Nia’s indication, the Plague Doctor caught sight of the metal-can figure.

[Uh-oh.] The Deep Sea Omen was laughing hysterically.

[Uh-oh.] The Deep Sea Omen couldn’t help but feel impending doom deeply and personally.

The Holy Light exploded, startling a passing Liches into losing their balance. One of them glanced at the girl knight beside him, her hair flying wildly, then retreated hastily at full speed.

"Lyle!!!"

The Plague Doctor was grateful for the wall behind him, leaning his softened body against the cold stone. He could only hope Gallaron Sir, engrossed in reunion conversations, would return quickly. The ominous laughter reverberated in his head, forcing him to think of countermeasures rapidly. Lyle felt his brain was melting as he watched Karen approach him, brimming with fury, causing Lyle Butler to halt all thoughts.

With a loud bang, Karen’s fist smashed into the Andrei wall ten centimeters beside Lyle’s left ear, sending stone fragments scattering. She encircled him, her head lowered, her body trembling. Lyle’s hands withdrew to his chest, not daring to breathe loudly within the ringing in his ears.

After a moment of deep thought, Lyle tried to shorten the distance between them.

"The damage to the wall must be compensated for."

"..." Without a response, however, the trembling of the Paladin ceased.

The Law Knight happened to pass by, glancing at the scene before staring daggers at Lyle. Seeing him, the Plague Doctor felt as though he’d spotted a savior, stretching his neck and mouthing words silently. He forgot he was wearing a mask, and the Law Knight seemed disinclined to enforce justice amidst sensitive proceedings.

"The damage is going on your account, Plague Doctor. Settle your Holy Light matters amongst yourselves." The Law Knight turned and left, issuing a fine as he departed.

As he left, it felt like he took the last trace of sound with him. Silence enveloped the scene, and they could hear each other’s heartbeats—though Lyle sensed it even more profoundly.

"Long time no see, Karen."

The Paladin withdrew her fist, her softened hand resting on Lyle’s shoulder.

"Thank goodness..." Her voice was fragmented, each sound carrying traces of sobs. Karen lifted her head, crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain. "You’re okay. Lyle, thank goodness you’re okay..."

"Karen..." Lyle’s body became her anchor as, separated by an arm’s length, he watched her tearfully recount. She spoke of one Inquisitor Knight vanishing after another, priests’ disputes and hesitations, nuns’ anxieties, and her own long-repressed fears. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"I don’t know what Angels are supposed to do, but everyone has such high expectations of me. I only encountered Raymond His Excellency because I was with you, Lyle. I have no idea if I possess the talent Atrax His Excellency mentioned. My father has fallen, and Algernon the commander has fallen too. I’m scared, Lyle. But their eyes are all on me, giving me no room to say ’no.’"

Completely opening her heart, she reminded Lyle of the little girl who used to follow him. Feeling sympathetic, Lyle inwardly recognized Karen’s plight—burdened by expectations, grappling with insecurity over her abilities, and compelled to press onward by others’ goodwill and hope. Though her journey had initially been out of obligation, her achievements were impressive. Perhaps this similarity was the root of her reliance on Lyle.

"You’ve endured much, Karen."

"For the Holy Light!" Karen reflexively replied, her face flushing, tears still tracing her cheeks, now accompanied by a silly grin.

"Earlier, I overheard you and Gallaron His Excellency speaking. Sure enough, it’s you, Lyle. You must be planning something grand. Lord Lyle, does Paladin Karen need to do anything for you?"

Becoming an Angel had not significantly changed Karen. Lyle smiled, adopting an effortless demeanor, clasping her hand and leading her into the depths of the Andrei Castle.

"I need you to rest well. Come now, Sister Aryan is here too. This is a time for family to reunite, Karen."

"Auntie!" she exclaimed joyfully, stretching out her other armored arm to wipe her face vigorously. The metal gauntlet, however, was not very effective at absorbing water. In the end, Lyle lent her a sleeve.

After confirming with Loveday, Karen stepped inside the Church of Holy Light of Andrei Academy. Lyle lingered outside the doorway, whispering a few words to Loveday before quietly leaving.

[Everything is progressing smoothly, Lyle.] Gallaron returned, his radiance seeming brighter.

"I really can’t handle reunions, Gallaron Sir."

Gallaron didn’t quite understand but replied with a gentle laugh nonetheless.

[What we do is to refuse loss. Without separation, there is no need for reunions.]