Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 912 - 847: Holy Light Inclusive Sect

The Twin Crowns hovered in Raymond’s palm, all eyes fixed upon his hand. The edges of the two crowns, symbols of their peoples, blurred slightly, showing signs of merging. The crowd watched as Raymond’s fingers brushed against the crowns, as he lifted the supreme symbols high above his head.

Crack!

The sound reverberated simultaneously in the hearts of all the Paladins and Liches.

"Ah..." A faint sigh of bewilderment echoed.

Fragments scattered. Raymond Mellock’s raised hand was now clenched, having publicly crushed the crowns of two great peoples. Once, a group of forgotten mortal kings—lone monarchs of dying civilizations—wore crowns that were less symbols of authority and more relics of lost glory. Yet even such tattered remnants, in a final moment, could unleash immense, salvatory power.

But now, what had been shattered were the mightiest of all: symbols of two peoples at their zenith. In effectively destroying the glory born of two flourishing civilizations, Raymond had exchanged it for mana equivalent to divine power.

The Paladins did not understand what the Angel of Light intended. The shockwave from the shattering of the Crown of Holy Light left them weak-kneed and blank-minded, compelled to kneel.

Thud!

The fragile frames of the Liches toppled to the ground, letting out otherworldly screams of agony.

"Aaaaaah! My thesis! My life’s work! My pinnacle of undeath!"

"Raymond! Curse you! You deserve to die! You truly deserve to die! Aaaargh!"

The Paladins, upon seeing the Liches’ miserable state, found themselves oddly consoled. Their legs steadied, their fears subsided. Human civilization had been built under the guidance of Holy Light and angels; their reverence for this glory surpassed even their own. The angel’s actions must have deeper purpose. Besides, with the world on the brink of collapse, any sacrifice seemed justified. More importantly, the pitiful sight of the lich Andre provided contrast, making them feel less unfortunate.

The Paladins bowed their heads in silence, while the Liches’ close companions showered curses freely. Other species, though feeling somewhat detached, were still thoroughly stunned by the angel’s audacious deed.

"Damn, this one’s truly a powerhouse, a legend in our time!"

"Indeed, indeed. The Holy Light Forces, the strongest of this era, their resolve is unmatched! Smashing a people’s crown without batting an eye."

"Thank heavens that leader isn’t one of ours."

The murmurs quieted as the Angel of Light descended with his proclamation—or rather, his divine decree.

"I once believed I would not err. I called upon humanity to rise from the wilds and raise their blades against all who threatened them. Holy Light was gifted to us, the awakened, as a sign of our will, our [righteousness]. I once thought I was unquestionably correct, that they must follow my will. Purification was the only path I envisioned. Yet, the brilliance of the light blinded me. My narrow-mindedness persecuted my kin. My fall was proof of my mistake."

"I misjudged myself, and I misjudged everyone. Death is a gift. In the darkness I once feared, I found the purest points of light. Even noble saints harbor shadowed hearts, while the impure dead may shine with unblemished justice. When Holy Light failed, it was these alien peoples who saved me and my kin."

"Raymond Mellock, in the name of the Holy Light, corrects his errors."

"Here and now, I establish the Holy Light Inclusive Sect. Any race, any life—so long as you firmly believe in your righteousness and act upon it—the light of justice will be with you!"

The Power of the Shattered Crown erupted into a colossal beam of light, connecting to the vast sea of Holy Light. A golden palace materialized amidst the heavens, perched atop the clouds, cascading sacred feathers of light. As holy hymns resounded, the tranquil and blessed paradise described in scripture extended the radiance of [Heaven] toward the world.

Wounds were healed, weariness evaporated, and with each breath, spirits were invigorated. Standing within that light, one could feel an unending surge of courage and determination.

It still wasn’t enough!

The Angel of Light faced the sacred sanctuary, the collective effort of humankind, and raised the Divine Spear.

Ten wings unfurled, chains linking to the shaft of Longinus’ spear.

Raymond the Angel of Light hurled the long spear. The Light Spear tore through the air with a shriek, piercing the ethereal hall above. Heaven trembled, letting out a mournful wail. And the angel, who should have been its guardian, gripped the chain attached to the spear and murmured, "Light, you have towered above for far too long."

"Come down! Witness these warriors who fight for you!"

The Paladins were in a state of numbness.

Under the pull of the Divine Spear, Heaven began to descend. Its crumbling fragments, emanating sanctity rivaling any Legion Commander, fell amidst the Holy Light Sea, which had been pierced, spilling resplendent droplets of light rain.

The fragments embedded into the dirt, revitalizing lifeless lands soaked in black mud. Plants grew, filth vanished. Beneath the rain of light, both the living and the undead felt an invigorating power. The fallen stood once more, bathed in radiance. Elves, Dwarves, Liches, and Ogres—beings erased by the [world]—reemerged in Holy Light.

The radiance showed no signs of waning. The departed returned within its glow.

"Wasn’t I devoured by black mud?"

"Knight of the Inquisitor Legion, Algernon of the Legion! The enemy is that damned Fire Bath!"

"Atrax Your Majesty and the priests! Thankfully, you’re still alive! Wait, why am I alive?"

"Wasn’t I burnt to ashes by a corrupted Paladin?"

"I was killed by the aftermath of a corrupted angel."

"What the—Raymond’s glowing! Wasn’t he corrupted? Which timeline is this?"

"What? The Angel of Light corrupted? I shall judge you for blasphemy against the saints. Immediate execution."

"Algernon of the Legion Commander, it’s great to see you’re unharmed... Saint George Your Highness! Still as dark as ever, damn glad to see you! The Inquisitor Legion awaits your command!"

An angel descended from the light. Gallaron Loshutar furrowed his brow, looking at Raphael, who greeted him, and the smirking George nearby. Confused, he flicked his hair, casting stray thoughts aside. Can’t figure it out? Don’t think about it. It’s probably something Raymond did.

"So, who’s our target this time?"

Raymond finally exhausted the Power of the Shattered Crown, exhaling slowly to steady himself amidst the demands of the Holy Light. Leisurely manipulating the fallen pieces of Heaven, he forged them into an immense sanctuary of radiant light.

[Sky Collapse·Mortal Divine Kingdom]: Grants Immortality, Eternal Mental, and Blessing of the Holy Light to all races within the sanctuary. Every being was clad in Golden Holy Armor, joining the Legion of Light.

Raymond gestured, and a massive Holy Scroll manifested above the sanctuary, inscribed with the honor of every warrior in radiant light. Even if they perished, their deeds in battling the Evil Gods would allow them resurrection in the Divine Kingdom.

"Erase them from your [world], Triton. The Holy Light remembers the warriors’ [glory]."

A Lich who once battled Raymond in the Black Abyss Arena growled quietly, cursing under his breath. New packaging, same nonsense—damn Holy Light catastrophe, still so vile. Shameless plagiarism. Does your Holy Light have no original abilities? Humph, despicable justice.

The World Recorder Triton’s tendrils rippled in irritation, its divine authority provoked, yet this changed nothing.

[Even if you resurrect every being in the world—tenfold, a hundredfold. You cannot defeat the [world].]

"I know. I’ve said this already. This is merely my gratitude to the peoples who saved me."

"Now, the war against the Evil Gods truly begins."

Raymond chuckled smugly.

"Let me show you the true strength of the Holy Light Inclusive Sect."

[To all pursuers of light, across time and species—to all righteous hearts: I, Raymond Mellock, leader of the Holy Light Inclusive Sect, hereby forge a pact of friendship and mutual aid, unbroken until the light within hearts fades and time reaches its end.]

Raymond Mellock, the Angel of Light, had learned to ask for help.