Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

"Raphael is not my enemy. He is not worthy to be my enemy."

"Mr. Raymond is the one?"

“My enemy is this flawed world, and the Seraphim are merely a manifestation of it. A foolish, black-and-white world. I will become the master of this world and devour all evil.”

Chapter 261 The Cruel Past

Mr. Dark said something that sounded cool but was rather nonsensical, and those around him dismissed it as just his usual chuunibyou (delusional) behavior. Having nothing better to do, Mr. Dark lost interest in the place, used his shadow to open a portal back to Andre Academy, and went back on his own.

At least he's a leader with a conscience; the Dark Portal still exists.

The reporter glanced in the direction of the portal, his spinning head causing his tattered tablecloth to flutter in the air. "Delusion," he said, "I've got a new idea. Do you think a novel about the love-hate relationship between Mr. Darkness and an angel would be a bestseller?"

"Yes, your bones will sell very well. The Dark Boss is different from Mr. Raymond; he's a loyal reader of our magazine. If you publish it, you're dead, in every sense of the word."

The reporter put down his pen and paper and walked boredly into the portal. The delusional man followed closely behind, greeting the gentleman and Vera Liz before leaving.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Vera Liz. Every member of our family who still exists is precious to us. I hope you and the gentleman have a pleasant conversation.” Mr. Delusional disappeared behind the door.

Vera Liz stared at the dark portal. She turned to look at the gentleman, who seemed at a loss for words.

"Are all your friends idiots who like to act cool?" Vera Liz crossed her left arm with her right hand and turned her head to the side. "Although I don't hate idiots... I hate that you haven't come back to see me for so long."

“I’m so sorry, Veraliz. I was in a daze for a while after I died. When I came to my senses, I stayed at Andre Academy and some safe places. I can’t see you. Raphael left a mark on me, and he will see me when I use the power of the rats. I can’t let you face an angel.”

Vera Liz lowered her head. "So now, you still can't leave that lich academy, right? That angel still exists, and you ultimately can't live with me..."

Before the gentleman could reply, Veraliz began to console herself. "Haha, just kidding. We can't go back to the past now. I'm the leader of the witches, Evanrit. I have a new tribe, a new family, and I need to be responsible for them. They must be devastated. They need me now." Veraliz slowly backed away, a shadow spreading behind her. "However, I'll go see Andrei, not you. Andrei has the Witch of Death, who is also my sister. Well, see you next time, Evanrit… gentleman."

Vera Liz slipped into the shadows, leaving the silent gentleman standing there dumbfounded.

Lyle felt awkward, unsure if he was being ignored because of his weakness. As a third wheel silently shining in the corner, even though neither party seemed to care, he felt incredibly uncomfortable, especially in this breakup-like atmosphere. Lyle slowly moved forward, like a caterpillar, towards the dark portal.

"Lyle, don't go yet."

Ah, sir, so you knew I was here.

"Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"

“I need your help, Lyle.” The gentleman opened a portal to the shadows. “Although Veraliz seems indifferent to her Shadow Pillar, it is actually valuable for the Shadow Beast’s growth. My friend, I implore you to retrieve the pillar standing atop the mountain and protect it from the wrath of the Holy Light. Lyle, you are a human; once you shed your disguise, the patrolling paladins will not harm you. You are the only one who can do this now.”

Lyle thought about it carefully. Raphael hadn't noticed his appearance, and given his ability to withstand the scrutiny of evil detection, encountering a paladin wasn't a big deal. After all, he himself had been captured by the vengeful witch.

“I agree, sir, but how do I remove that pillar?”

“Physically pulling it out should be easy for you with Nia’s power. However, be careful of the remaining shadows surging beneath the pillar. Veraliz used it to connect to a piece of land dense with shadows before, so be careful not to get swallowed up.”

"Is this the area where the gentleman teleported me and Veraliz? It doesn't look like a very dangerous place."

“Don’t be careless. When I took over the ritual, I sensed that the Shadowlands were deep within this forest. I don’t know what happened there, or how Veraliz found it. But a place that could give birth to so many Shadow Beasts controlled by Veraliz is definitely not a pure land. Ah, but you have the Ring of Andrei, so disregard those dangers.”

Lyle smiled and removed his doctor's disguise. "Gentleman, just wait for my good news."

The gentleman nodded. "I will wait at the Cup of Extravagance. This place is too close to the Holy Light for me."

Lyle stepped into the shadow portal leading to the mountaintop altar.

Just as the gentleman was about to return, his shadow twisted on the ground and transformed into a black mouse, a mouse tightly bound to the gentleman. The mouse's shadow made the same sound as the gentleman, as if communicating, or perhaps talking to itself.

“I didn’t tell Veraliz…”

“I didn’t tell her who the destroyer of our tribe was…”

"I became a servant of the Destroyer, a Shadowborn."

“I can’t tell Veraliz that she has a better future, that she shouldn’t be haunted by the past, by the cruel past…”

"I want to protect her, but is this protection...?"

The gentleman and his shadow fell silent. The scene he had witnessed haunted him like a nightmare.

He saw it on the night he and Vera Liz escaped.

The Shadow Elder, in his colossal form, charged toward the figure—the angel wielding a dark red longsword.

Beneath the wings of an angel, a group of knights clad in black armor remained silent.

The angel yawned and casually swung the holy sword. "Another monster hideout. Hopefully, their power will be a bit of a nuisance."

The angel extended his hand toward the Shadow Beast leader.

"Power Summoning." The flames on the angel's body turned into shadows like those of a shadow beast, making him resemble a shadow beast, a terrifying and despair-inducing behemoth.

"Shadow Strike!" From behind the angel, a shadow beast much larger than the leader charged out, tearing at the pack of beasts.

"Sixth rank, so weak." The angel glanced at the knights under his command. "Go, Judges, you should be able to defeat this beast without its leader, right? Don't embarrass the Holy Light. I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up when I'm ready."

"As you wish, Your Majesty Saint George."

"Judges, obey the command of the Angel of Fire and destroy evil!"

"Power Summoning!"

The Judge Knights, clad in black armor, transformed into shadow beasts and clashed with the horde of beasts.

Chapter 262 Two Childish Imps

When the Guardians returned to Locarrot unscathed, cheers from the citizens echoed throughout the city. The distant black pillar of light was dissipating, and everything unfolded like a tense theatrical performance, with the citizens all excited spectators. Ladies stood behind their windowsills, showering the Guardians with pure white flower petals they had prepared beforehand, as if it were a rehearsal.

Everything was so harmonious.

Frey was tallying the casualties of the battle with the commander of the Firebringer Legion.

"Three new recruits..."

"What's going on! Where are the veterans who were guarding the new recruits?!"

"At that time, the group's consciousness was temporarily broken, and those three new recruits charged to the front..."

Frey took a deep breath. "Bring them here. I will ask His Majesty Raphael to personally bless them."

The legion commander scratched the back of his head. "This is enough to receive His Majesty Raphael's blessing? Well, I'll have them report for duty when they wake up."

"Huh? Wait until they wake up? Weren't they sacrificed?"

"Commander Frey, what are you thinking? They were at the forefront and suffered fatal wounds, but our Flamebringer saved them. They just couldn't bear the pain and fainted on the spot."

"You! I fucking! You bastard, why didn't you finish what you were saying?"

"I was going to finish what I was saying, but you interrupted me when you heard about the three new recruits!"

"Who would count unconsciousness in casualties! Are you an idiot? How did you become a legion commander!"

"Damn it, has our Guardian Legion ever encountered anyone fainting from pain on the battlefield? This is the first time such a thing has happened in my legion. You asked about an unusual situation, and I answered truthfully!"

Seeing the two men on the verge of fighting, the surrounding legion commanders rushed to break them up. After Frey regained his composure, Legion Commander Osnak approached. Frey glanced at him and asked, "Your recruit is unconscious too?"

Osnak chuckled sheepishly.

"Brother Frey, I've lost a man."

"Another new recruit?"

"She should be considered a new recruit."

"Her?" Frey thought of something, and his dragon fruit helmet seemed to be about to be set ablaze again.

"I was in a hurry to reconnect with the Legion members, and after the flames erupted, I forgot to look at Kallen."

Flames were burning above Frey's head, and it looked like he was about to descend into his Fiery form once again.

"Calm down, bro, calm down. It's bad for your skin."

"I'm going to fucking beat you up! Osnak, I personally instructed you to look after Karen! I trusted your character, that's why I entrusted her to you! And you forgot? Screw your bad skin, we're Firebringers! Find me someone with good skin!"

"I was wrong, boss."

"An apology is enough. What's the point of military discipline then! What kind of military discipline do we have anyway?!"

"Disobeying orders will result in being burned at the stake, boss. I am the one who rises from the ashes."

"Then you'd better get back and find Karen! If you don't, I'll use you to explain to Doranco!"

"I'll go right away."

Osnak immediately turned around, left the group, and rushed towards the city gate.

Before he could leave the main force, a streak of light flew past the guards.

It was Raphael. He flew anxiously to the Holy Cross at the top of the church and threw the four holy swords to the four corners of the city of Locarrot.

"Radiant Barrier!"

The four holy swords formed a fulcrum, enveloping Locarrot in a curtain of light.

Raphael roared in the sky, a sound that could be heard throughout the entire city.

"Guardians of the Legion, all members! Obey my orders! Drop everything you are doing! Conduct a thorough search of every corner of Locarrot! Do not let any trace of evil escape your grasp! Immediately! Now!"

"By your will!" All the guardians immediately began searching house to house for any suspicious signs in the holy city of Locarrot, leaving no place unchecked. Even though it was trespassing, the citizens of Locarrot did not resent the guardians entering their homes; on the contrary, they welcomed them quite warmly.

As for the search for Karen, it was naturally postponed.

On the mountaintop where the dark pillar stood, Lyle was moving the pillar. It would normally be an easy task, provided Nia was involved. The plan was perfect: Lyle would reach the summit, call for Nia, Nia would move the pillar, and Lyle would be done.

In reality, when Lyle reached the mountaintop, he called out to Nia, who plunged headfirst into the Shadow Pool and began consuming shadow energy. Lyle couldn't move her no matter what he tried, so he moved the stone pillars himself, nearly exhausting himself.

After standing there for about an hour, with Medusa cheering and shouting with schadenfreude, Lyle finally managed to stuff the stone pillar into the leather bag bit by bit. He collapsed to the ground, panting heavily like a dead fish.

This daughter was raised in vain.

Lyle rolled over to look at Nia, who was headfirst in the shadows, her upper body hidden from view. Her latticed tentacles swayed leisurely in the air, like a terrifying version of a sea anemone.

"Nia, we're leaving now!"

Nia responded positively, accompanied by gurgling swallowing sounds. "Almost done, just a little longer."

Ten minutes later.

"Nia?"