Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

The enchanting notes roused my soldiers to their feet, and under my command, they charged toward Locarrot, bringing with them my malice and the plague of death.

Inlet, I have indeed changed Locarrot; the city will never again be indifferent to the sound of the flute.

Locarrot, let me repay you for everything I've struggled for and everything I've sacrificed.

I knew I was doing something wrong, so when the Holy Light destroyed me, I faced it calmly.

"But I didn't expect that death would not be a relief."

Looking at her now emaciated self, Evan Ritter's voice trailed off. Standing before her was this guy who claimed to be the academy's receptionist.

"What's your decision, my companion? Andre Academy welcomes all liches. Here, you can fulfill your regrets from your previous life and put your skills to use. Have you decided what you want to do?"

I nodded.

"I've made too many mistakes in the past. Now, I want to be a good person."

The receptionist looked at the lich, who was trying to be a good person, as if he were a lunatic.

"You mean, the kind of gentleman who is well-mannered, generous, and considerate?"

"...Yes, I want to be a gentleman."

Chapter 251 Reorganizing the Army

All the roads of Locarrot were filled with a golden torrent, and the Guardians, like drops of water in a river, converged outside the city gates, at the very edge of the darkness. They leaped from the high walls, hundreds of pounds of iron cans crashing to the ground as if nothing had happened. Like dumplings being dropped into a pot, this action possessed a magical order; as one echelon landed, the next echelon would leap down almost immediately, while the previous echelons would move ahead, clearing a landing spot for their falling comrades. Thus, the Guardians' army appeared as a perfectly functioning machine.

At the forefront of the defense were the elders of the Guardians, shields and swords against the onslaught. The newcomers, still adjusting, were mixed in with the central ranks, like Nelson, following his leader, Pierre. Entering war mode for the first time, he felt a mix of excitement and unease. His trusted older brother, Captain Pierre, punched him.

"Feeling better?" Behind Pierre's helmet, Nelson could only see those familiar, mischievous eyes.

"It hurts a little, but okay, it feels just like training now."

"Once the battle begins, it will be no different from training. If you get injured, my first aid magic will take care of you. The stinging pain you feel will not exceed that of the punch you just received. After all, it's just low-intensity, light fighting. It will help you get through the beatings you usually take."

Nelson calmed down a little. "Low intensity? Why is it low intensity? That witch who was burned to death was clearly on par with me in terms of combat strength."

“Equipment and mental state. Do you think the Guardians would send you to the battlefield as a scout without armor? Combat ability, laughable. Kid, the minimum standard for a Guardian is probably around this,” Pierre gestured to his waist, “and your level is probably around this.” Pierre’s hand moved down to his knees.

Is my current skill level not yet at the threshold of becoming a Guardian?

Pierre looked at the unconvinced Nelson and gave a simple shrug. "Strictly speaking, you're still just a reserve. According to the normal procedure, you'll only be qualified after the Holy Light Ritual has officially concluded. Show goodwill to the suffering, understand the true guardians, and witness the blessing of our leader, His Majesty Raphael. Understand our legions. The usual procedure is to tell you a story, but you can also learn through battle. After this battle, you will be a true guardian."

Nelson frowned. "So, you're saying our fight will actually be quite easy?"

"A crushing, or rather, one-sided massacre. The end time of the battle depends on the commander's mindset. By the way, he might send you to the front lines to train new recruits. Don't worry, we'll protect you; he's always thorough. Judging from their sending out a fourth-tier scout, I judge that the witch's apparent strength is equal to ours. However, enemies of equal strength to us will die. Moreover, we have an angel-level leader; even if he's weakened, he's still an ace capable of turning the tide of the battle."

As Nelson listened to his captain's explanation, his unease dissipated, but his personal kindness began to concern him with some seemingly insignificant matters. "Sir, must we really exterminate all the witches? I know we have a tradition of witch hunting, but they were once human beings too, just like us."

Another punch landed on Nelson's iron helmet, the force so great that he felt the helmet flatten. "Put away your mercy, boy. Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to yourself. Perhaps their past lives were tragic, but their existence now is an invisible plague. Do you want to watch your future daughters burn at the stake like them? The witch will turn your wife and daughters into monsters like them; this is not something kindness can change. Justice is pale and one-sided; remember that."

Nelson remembered Pierre's teachings: in the same radiant light, the real high-ranking officials were also chatting idly under the glow.

Raphael stood in his room, watching the guards pass through the square in an orderly fashion. His own guard, Frey, had already packed his belongings.

"I'm ready to depart, Lord Raphael."

Raphael looked at the black stone pillars standing atop the distant mountain with disdain. "Was it necessary for you to personally participate, Frey? You didn't need to get involved in this petty squabble. The opponents are just a bunch of witches and a beast."

“I am the commander of the legion, and the legion needs me. Even a lion must go all out to hunt a rabbit. My vision is not as far-reaching as yours, but I will focus on the present. If a real accident happens, I will hold out until you come to the rescue.”

"Do as you please, I'll be there anytime I need you."

After bowing, Frey walked out of Raphael's room. Head held high, the passing guard knights, seeing Frey's dragon fruit-like helmet, all paid their respects as they passed.

Frey blended into the unit, but was called back shortly after he left. As he stopped, the rushing Guardian soldiers parted around him, completely undisturbed, making him like an island in the ocean current.

Another isolated island approached him. After the crowd dispersed, Frey saw the tall figure, the same unique flame helmet as himself, and the little girl he was carrying.

"Osnak".

"Frey, this little one wanted to go to the battlefield, but I found her hiding in the team. What should I do?" Frey looked at the little girl being lifted up and kicked in mid-air by the tall Osnak. She was wearing a set of silver knight armor given to beginners, and her pitiful strength was only at the second level, the kind of existence that could not make a splash on the battlefield.

"Just find a pillar and tie it up..."

"No! I must go save Lord Lyle the Pure One! You cannot stop me! The descendants of the Pombai family are willing to sacrifice themselves for the Holy Light!"

Osnak seized the Holy Light Hammer that Karen was wielding; the small hammer in his large hand was like a toy. "I'm starting to like this little guy, but, little girl, we're still here, it's not your turn to sacrifice yourself. We'll help you save your Pure One."

"No! I must go myself!"

"How could we possibly send a little girl like you to the battlefield?"

Seeing Karen and Osnak arguing, Frey gave the order.

“Take her with you, Osnak.”

"Yay!" "Hmm? Frey, you've changed."

"Heh, obey your superior's orders! You big oaf!"

“Frey and I are equals, you brat! Frey, sending her to the battlefield without anyone to take care of her will be very dangerous…”

"Why don't you take care of her? Osnak, don't you like her a lot?"

"No, what about my troops?"

“I will help you take command, Osnak,” Frey continued, seeing his companion’s reluctance, “and take good care of Dorgon Pompeii’s daughter.”

"Well... okay."

Karen looked at the two who had suddenly complied with her wishes, her eyes darting around on her little head.

"Hey! What the hell?! Could my father be some kind of hidden big shot?"

Frey's calm voice remained unchanged.

He isn't now, but he will be soon.

Chapter 252 The Crown of the Era

Frey arrived outside the city walls with the surging troops. In front of a gleaming procession of guardians, a horde of black shadows surged like a tide, attempting to overwhelm Locarrot's holiness.

At the forefront was a stampeding black herd of beasts. Within this vast expanse of black, it was difficult to distinguish monsters from witches. In reality, however, the herd resembled a grazing flock, with a shepherd hidden within each section. Compared to the dense, water-like density of wild beasts, the limited number of guardians formed a thin layer, seemingly as ridiculous as the city walls behind them.

However, the walls of the glass containing water are only a thin layer.

Frey surveyed the people around him. He had assembled a mixed force of veterans and new recruits. He was there to organize the military training, but the first wave of challenges would have to be handled by the veterans. Frey saw the composure hidden beneath the nonchalant look in the veterans' eyes, and the excitement and trepidation in the hearts of the new recruits.

He looked at the messenger beside him.

How are the pastors' preparations going?

"The Holy Light Barrier already erected on the city walls not only protects Locarrotde but also provides us with healing."

Frey nodded, looking ahead, the radiant holy light carrying his roar to every corner of the army.

"We are seekers of the Holy Light, protectors of humanity! Justice is with us!"

"Praise the Holy Light!" The rousing response was like a boiling tide, making the blood of all the paladins burn.

Frey issued his first order.

"Strengthen yourself! Guardian!"

Unwavering will, divine incarnation, king's blessing, inexhaustible source, weapon blessing, impregnable bulwark...

Beams of light appeared on the paladins, making this largest race on the surface, whose members were all at the fifth rank, even more terrifying. Various enhancements enveloped the guardians, making them resemble dazzling, high-roller warriors. However, before the beast horde arrived, under the witches' solemn gaze, they watched helplessly as their enemies grew stronger, so strong it was almost suffocating.

Frey extended his palm, and the power within his innate abilities began to act upon the legion.

Fourth-tier talent, Cluster Awareness. This is a support-oriented talent that makes the user more united within a group, flexibly fulfilling each part of the collective, and also strengthening themselves through the group, although the bonus is very small. Under normal circumstances, this is a talent that accumulates significantly. Especially at the fourth tier after joining a clan, this talent seems less powerful.

Following Frey's actions, all the guardians also displayed their talents.

Fourth-tier talent, Collective Consciousness. All talents overlapped, originating from the same source. This collective power amplified to an terrifying degree, and under the collective effect, the guardians heard each other's voices. Nelson, astonished, perceived the voice within his own heart, looking at Pierre and feeling the triumph rising within him.

As I said, the Guardians are a whole, a whole that cannot be more whole than the whole.

The Guardian Legion has developed a hive consciousness, their connection to one another surpassing words and blood ties. This is terrifying—an army that obeys orders without question; no, orders still require channels of communication, and their actions are like controlled hands and feet.

Feeling the fighting spirit of others surging from within him, Nelson had never felt so joyful. His holy light emitted a cheerful, spirited roar, and the shining holy light merged with the holy light of everyone else, forming a golden sky that tore apart the shadows overhead.

Nelson roared with ecstasy, and in that roar, he heard Pierre's roar from within his own mind.

Welcome to the Guardians, Nelson, and welcome to our whole group.

"All newcomers, third-tier divine spell, Holy Light Spear, Projectile!"

Nelson acted faster than Frey's command, for he already knew what to do. The burning holy flames drew a light-forged spear from his palm, and following the movements of a veteran's memory, he swayed with practiced ease, his movements as precise as a sculpture.

He missed. The rain of holy light from the spear fell on the shadow beasts' heads, and his spear, having deviated from its original target, impaled the two shadow beasts twenty meters off course, where they were consumed by holy flames.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

This might be the downside of the Hive Consciousness. Nelson could clearly feel his seniors mocking him. Just moments ago, all 521 of his fellow Guardians had openly laughed at him. Nelson could easily recognize each and every one of them; such blatant laughter wasn't punishable by public humiliation. Fortunately, he wasn't the only newcomer to make a mistake. While more people were laughing at him, Nelson quickly went to mock others, hahahaha.

“Newcomers need time to adapt, that’s understandable,” Frey said, offering words of understanding. But his true thoughts were on everyone’s mind.

Damn it, I've taught you how to do it, I've shown you step by step, and you bunch of brats still managed to make mistakes. Are you underdeveloped?

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Fortunately, Frey issued new orders, preventing the Guardians from collapsing due to his laughter.

Three baptisms of holy light from the spears nearly annihilated the initial horde of beasts, allowing the new Guardians to fully adapt to the mentorship of the veterans. Among the Guardians, all the newcomers vanished, replaced by a group of seemingly experienced veterans who, despite lacking practical experience, were now merely pretending to be seasoned veterans.

The shadow beasts were too numerous, pouring down from the mountain in an endless stream. Three long-range javelins flew like a drizzle as they closed in on the guardians.

At the forefront, the guardians raised their shields, which shone brightly and glittered like diamonds.

The roaring monster came before them, its clawed arms raised high, then slammed down with its gaping maw.

At this moment, Frey issued new instructions.

"Guardians, all troops, charge!"

Instead of defending against the charge, the entire Guardians launched a counter-charge. Frankly, this was incredibly foolish. The enemy had already accumulated significant kinetic energy through a prolonged acceleration, while you were charging at zero acceleration, right in front of them. This was akin to colliding head-on with a speeding train.

Fortunately, the holy light wasn't real. The guardian's shield collided with the lunging shadow beast, and as a result, the shadow beast's body, under the flash of holy light, shattered and collapsed like paper. The guardian's running speed wasn't even reduced. Like a salmon swimming upstream, it tore the beast tide in two.