Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 94 - 90 Sea of Holy Light

"Revelation," Andrey said, "is an oracle. It is the vision shown by the Holy Light to a certain believer, which may be a display predicting the future or a portrayal of some symbolic, virtual things, yes, just like the dreams we have experienced. Those chosen believers naturally possess personal traits worthy of the Holy Light’s praise. Of course, Mr. Plague Doctor, yours are quite obvious, as you are a Purifier, which is akin to a child of the Holy Light. The revelation serves a prophetic function and carries warnings, but we believe more firmly that it is a symbol of one being recognized by the Holy Light. Destiny is always elusive; instead of harboring fears over a potential future, why not live in the present."

"What did your revelation show you?"

"A sea of golden liquid; every droplet infused with a reassuring sanctity. And a bizarre black giant, bathed within the liquid; the mere sight of it filled me with dread."

"And what about the sky above that sea? What was it like?"

"I’m not sure? Perhaps a night sky adorned with dazzling stars?" Lyle searched his memory, recalling the starry sky completely covered by the golden sea.

Raymond laughed heartily, as if he had heard some delightful news.

"What you saw, Plague Doctor, was the Sea of Holy Light."

"The Sea of Holy Light?"

"Before the advent of the Holy Light, humanity subsisted in famine, fear, and disaster, until the first human embraced the Holy Light, the first Purifier. The Holy Light, it descended from the heavens like a shooting star. As the Power of Holy Light grew and flourished, the Servants of Holy Light, that is we, known as Light Chasers by those mystics, yearned to uncover the origin of this divine boon."

"The first Radiant Pope offered us an answer. As his life neared its end, he told us that above the blue skies, above the sun, lies an eternal starry expanse. In that place, darkness is the ultimate end; all light will extinguish, all life will wither. Yet there exists a spot within this darkness that perpetually radiates its own light, feeble as a candle flame in such overwhelming gloom, but it is the light that kindles hope in our lives; that is the Sea of Holy Light."

"A lifetime devoted to following the Holy Light is an extended pilgrimage, one where the passing years shroud your darkness, where time strips away your earthly pomp. When you have nothing left but the wisdom cultivated over a lifetime and the virtues steadfastly upheld, and a Saint’s flame of life extinguishes, his will continues to burn in another form, his honed Power of Holy Light melding into the distant Sea of Holy Light, becoming the kindling that lights up hope."

"The Sea of Holy Light is an ocean formed by the will and virtues of Saints. Before my eyes, the Pope transformed into light. It is the final destination for us Light Chasers, our most exalted spiritual pursuit. But not everyone is so fortunate; some merely find themselves trapped within increasingly withered shells, awaiting a priest’s eulogy for deliverance."

"You don’t understand the joy I felt, learning that your revelation saw the Sea of Holy Light, Plague Doctor. I am truly happy for you; perhaps you will become a part of this glory."

This was the first time Raymond had lost his composure in front of Lyle, but Lyle truly felt his fervor and delight. Perhaps every Light Chaser was this obstinate, dismissive of all else, spouting righteousness with every breath, yet there indeed were those who were persistent, with eyes only for their pursuit, taking the redemption of humanity as their duty, stubborn to the point of endearment.

Lyle despised the rules imposed upon him, but he couldn’t help admiring those who rigorously followed their tenets.

However, what he saw was more than just the Sea of Holy Light.

"Mr. Raymond, about that creature, the monstrous giant bathed in the Sea of Holy Light that I saw, what is it? Could it be some cataclysm imprisoned within the Holy Light, or does the Sea of Holy Light actually serve to suppress evil as well?"

Raymond laughed and waved dismissively, "Such a thing doesn’t exist; that’s definitely a fictitious part of your revelation. It may symbolize your inner demons, fears you dare not confront, or perhaps, trials you are yet to face."

"The Holy Light holds no power to suppress evil; for it is the most resplendent force in the world, arrogant in its fervent heat. The Holy Light would never tolerate the presence of any evil force; it does not suppress evil, for it purifies all that is foreign to the point of leaving no remnants."

"The Sea of Holy Light, as the highest embodiment of the Power of Holy Light, does not permit the existence of any other entity within itself."

People tend to believe in what they see, yet harbor doubts about the unknown.

The Sea of Holy Light exists, so why wouldn’t dark giants exist, stubborn Holy Light brains.

"It seems you still have doubts in your heart, questioning the reality?"

"How about this, I will give you a demonstration." Mr. Raymond moved his left arm, and the dark gold arm-armour clacked.

"The Sea of Holy Light is not only our final destination, but it also serves another purpose. As the inheritance of generations of powerful Light Chasers, it is also our treasury. The highest existence among Holy Light Cultivators can draw power from the Sea of Holy Light..."

"Hm... Just like this." Mr. Raymond’s palm grabbed at the air, and then came...

"My eyes!!!!!!"

The brightness of the Saint Mighty Church was the most intense in Andrey, but this paled in comparison to the thing Mr. Raymond produced.

He took out what seemed to be a light bulb powered by a nuclear reactor, an endless stream of light.

Lyle was almost blinded, and it took a quarter of an hour before his vision restored clarity, but there seemed to be some problems.

"Golden? Everything I see is golden."

"This is the effect of the Droplet of the Sea of Holy Light, even the light that it emits will turn anything it shines upon golden, like your black coat, Plague Doctor. For the next two hours, it can only be temporarily called a ’golden coat.’ This ability is quite interesting, and I’m very fond of seeing those annoying wraiths turn my color."

Lyle touched his clothing, which felt like it was forged from gold, but it was indeed the familiar texture of leather and silk.

"Mr. Raymond, you said only the most powerful Holy Light Cultivators could harness the power of the Sea of Holy Light."

Raymond leaned forward maliciously, the big light bulb getting closer to Lyle.

"When have I ever denied that I’m the strongest? I’m probably... huh... the strongest Paladin alive now, maybe the strongest you’ll see in your lifetime, unless some earth-shattering, soul-stirring prodigies appear."

"That strong?" Lyle gained a clearer understanding of Mr. Raymond.

"Hm, if you start undergoing rigorous Holy Light training with me from now, perhaps one day you’ll be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with me on the Path of Holy Light."

... Probably Lyle’s understanding of Mr. Raymond wasn’t that clear.

Raymond tossed the Light Sphere in his hand, "These are ten Droplets of the Sea of Holy Light. You’ve seen it, the power of the actual object is even stronger than what you saw in your revelation. The mere light can turn you into a little golden man."

"This thing can also serve as the most effective Holy Water, if it’s thrown onto so-called evil beings, it can flay flesh and pare bones. Should it come into contact with you, Plague Doctor, all the Magic Power within you will be transformed into the Power of Holy Light, and you will only be able to use the Power of Holy Light."

"In that case, should I immediately take you for a bath?"