Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

Lena Derya even felt a sense of relief. Her former wish was to be a general like her grandfather. Being forced to govern was a painful thing, although she persevered.

Bless Derya, Grandpa, if your soul... still exists.

Chapter 349 I'll Do Nothing

"Lofdi, have you been following me the whole time?" Lyle looked at the familiar Protoss. The Protoss, no longer angry, was still pale and thin, like an exquisite and bizarre work of art, completely different from the Shadow Monster of that time.

“Yes, Child of Light, following Archbishop Raymond’s orders, I was protecting you in secret,” Lofdi bowed slightly to Lyle, though Lyle only felt a gentle breeze from his invisible state. “But I messed up; I couldn’t help but reveal my whereabouts due to my blasphemous act.”

“You did a great job, Lofdi. We saved the Lyrebird without any other losses.” Lyle looked at the light emanating from the Protoss and thought of his backer. “Could we… perhaps get Mr. Raymond involved in the war to come? After all, Mr. Raymond is so powerful.”

Lofdy shook his head, turned to the commander, Mr. Ralf, whose gaze was fixed on them, and nodded. He continued, "I'm afraid that won't work, Mr. Raymond... He's very likely not going to help us."

"Because the judge is on the other side?"

“Because of the definition of justice,” Lofdi explained, noticing the confusion in Lyle’s eyes. “Archbishop Raymond must have said that the justice he believes in is the justice of humanity. However, I cannot confirm the scope of human justice at this moment.”

"As we know, Lewesser and Deria have turned their backs on the Holy Light, which means they can also be considered enemies of the Holy Light. Even if in your eyes we are doing righteous things, on the side of the human church, they may be the representatives of justice."

"Because of my own racial characteristics, I can completely stand on the sidelines and view things rationally. But can Archbishop Raymond do the same? Which side will he support: the betrayer of the Holy Light or the abuser of the Holy Light? It's hard for us to be sure."

"Child of the Holy Light, please do not let Archbishop Raymond be caught in a dilemma. You may bring not a guardian of justice, but a destroyer of the Holy Light."

Lyle, recalling how Mr. Raymond, like those judges, flicked his finger and enveloped Lewes and Deria in holy flames, suddenly felt a toothache.

Not far away, the poisonous bird finally managed to save the dying lyrebird.

His first words upon waking up.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t betray anyone, but I couldn’t control myself. My lips and my throat were just tools to them!” The lyrebird clearly remembered what had happened. He remembered what he had done and how he had brought disaster to Lewesser.

“He’s been manipulated, mind-controlled,” Lofdi’s voice explained for the weeping lyrebird. “It’s the Judge’s scheme. When the light turns into shadow, beauty becomes torment. Those who wield the shadow can do many insane things.”

“My higher-level life form, the Dark Archon, can also do this.”

Surprisingly, the Night Owl team accepted the ability very quickly because they had another thing on their minds.

"Your Majesty Cano Lewesser, King of the Night Owls." The Mad King's actions have always been a thorn in the side of the Night Owls team, but now, everything has a reasonable explanation.

Since the Holy Light can control the Lyrebird, it's possible that it also orchestrated the enmity between the two nations over a decade ago for the same purpose. Cano Lewesser is an outstanding ranger, even a paragon of the ranger class.

“My aversion to the Holy Light has grown a bit more,” said the dove to its classmate, “even though it was already infinitely large to begin with.”

"This is truly good news." A voice that didn't agree with the others came from beside him. Turning around, he saw it was Reid Deria, the founder of Deria, one of the people most hurt by that tragedy.

"Echer will probably be very happy."

Mr. Reed stood a short distance away and bowed deeply to everyone, saying, "Thank you for your help to Derya."

"Night Owl Squad, the misunderstanding between Deria and Lewesser was caused by Echel and me. All the disputes stemmed from our arrogance and conceit at the time, and now it's time for us to end it ourselves. Go back to your homes. Your mission is over. Prepare for the next war."

"Mr. Ralf, thank you for your efforts. Please allow me, as the leader of Deria, to bestow upon you the same honor of Duke of the Nation. However, war is about to break out between our two nations. Please seek refuge in a safe place."

Reed turned around, and although Lyle knew that he was just a disguise with flesh and blood, in his eyes, Mr. Reed's upright figure was as full and substantial as the tower in the center of Dreya.

“Mr. Lyle Bouler. It has been a great fortune for Echer and me to have met you. With your help, death is no longer our bondage, but our second life. Lyle, Dereya will be your eternal ally. Now, please leave.”

"Next, it will be a war between me and Echer."

“Mr. Reed, there is actually something I can help with…”

“Lyle, you’ve given us more than enough help. We are kings, not pathetic wretches! We have our own things to face.” Reed’s voice roared like a lion, then he calmed down and patted the boy on the shoulder. “To be honest, I don’t know how to repay the help you’ve given me. Please let us have fewer debts of gratitude.”

Lyle ultimately did not persist, and simply watched as the Night Owls and Mr. Reed parted ways.

Lyle silently walked up to Ralf and prepared to see him off.

"So, my nephew, could you tell me how your amazing magic helped the two 'former kings'?"

Did Ralph notice it too? Yes, his uncle was a seasoned spymaster. Lyle no longer had the heart to hide it; his heart felt empty.

"Uncle, actually I am a necromancer, also known as a necromancer."

“Well, Mr. Lyle Buller, I used to be a spy and assassin for the kingdom, and now I'm a corrupt cop in Cassandale. I'm an expert in fraud and extortion.”

"Oh." It seems Ralph has no intention of pursuing the evil of necromancy.

“But I will be very angry if you dare to desecrate your parents’ remains.” Ralph looked at the dejected Lyle and pulled down his hat brim. “Foolish nephew.”

"Ok?"

Do you know what kind of man is the most handsome?

"...Uncle, are you like this?"

“…I guess so. A man like me, hiding behind the scenes, is the most handsome.” Ralf stretched. “The mission is complete. I plan to experience some foreign cultures and take a short vacation. I’m not in a hurry to go back.”

"Oh."

"I plan to vacation in Dreyer."

"?"

Ralph stepped into the shadows. "Cassandra's slang, 'If you don't know something, you don't exist.'" In the darkness, Ralph's eyes turned into bright yellow vertical pupils, those wild pupils seeming to hold pleasure.

"Helping in secret is unrewarding, so I won't do such a thankless and foolish thing, you stupid nephew."

Chapter 350 The Marriage Contract in a Dream

Was Ralph implying that he should work secretly? Lyle's mind immediately started racing. Well, Reid and Echel, those two old fogies, couldn't bring themselves to ask him, a young man, for help again, but they didn't say he couldn't wander around, right?

I chatting with someone doesn't count as helping, right? I climbing the tower out of boredom doesn't count as helping, right? Anyway, Ralf has already gone on vacation, so I can stretch my muscles a bit.

Lina Deria returned to her room exhausted after a full day of battle mobilization. Her initiative in preparing for war had salvaged some goodwill in the eyes of the Deria people; at least they hadn't impeached her, the queen who had lost the remains of her founder.

"What's wrong with those guys?" Lina complained, recalling how those old knights, who had looked so grim not long ago, suddenly seemed more confident than her. They would occasionally give her a strange smile, and when she asked, they would leave with a mysterious remark.

"Your Majesty, the bloodline of Derya will forever protect this country." Of course, we are royalty; of course I will protect it. A group of normally simple-minded knights suddenly transformed into riddle-solving experts, forcing the Queen to devote even more energy to her work.

Regarding war preparations, Lina Derek was personally involved in every detail, meticulously investigating each aspect: provisions, weapons, and personnel. For Lina to win the war, everything had to be done to perfection. She worked until nightfall, and then Lina needed a good night's sleep. War command would drain her energy, and she needed to recharge. Lying down on her simple bed, the exhausted queen quickly drifted off to sleep.

Unbeknownst to anyone, outside the imposing, solemn royal tower, a slender figure hung on the wall, exposed to the cold wind. Dreyar was built on a desolate plain, with no buildings or trees to provide shelter, and the tower, its landmark, was the tallest. This made Lyle, as he climbed, feel like a sailor braving a storm. Perhaps "drowned dog" was a more fitting description.

Even Nia, whose prosthetic leg had been transformed into a climbing aid, was trembling in the wind. The swaying and insecure feeling made her feel like she could throw Lyle off at any moment.

That brat! I've already promised her unlimited food for 24 hours, and she's still trying to raise the price by pretending to be on the verge of collapse, trying to pry more delicious food out of her stingy guardian.

Lyle looked down at the steel torrent passing through the darkness below. Those were the Drea Knights on night duty. If he fell, they wouldn't even need to attack him; their dense, straight-up spears would poke holes in him as he fell.

"Twelve dishes from Mr. Raymond, no more!" That's after being pestered by Raymond for twelve hours.

Nia pulled Lyle up with satisfaction and they continued climbing.

As for why Lyle came here in the middle of the night, it was mainly because of that stubborn tsundere, Reid Deria. He clearly adored his granddaughter, Lina, but stubbornly refused to get close to her. Even when Echel and Keira were interacting intimately, he just watched longingly from the sidelines. Even when making final preparations, he met with his loyal old subordinates and these elite Deria knights to discuss a solution and meticulously plan, but he wouldn't tell the already overwhelmed Queen Lina, and even demanded that the knights keep it a secret from the Queen.

Poor Queen Lina, kept in the dark by all those close to her, she was the only one who truly felt the crisis.

Lyle, an outsider, couldn't stand it anymore, so tonight he decided to give poor Queen Lina some encouragement.

In the end, he still had to ask his all-powerful uncle for help. The Immersion Stone, a device that allows entry into other people's dreams—who knows how much Ralf actually knew about the Dream Walker's abilities?

She secretly climbed into Queen Lina's boudoir and used Nia to subtly enter Queen Lina's dream.

That seemed like a nightmare.

In the dream, Queen Lina, dressed in a revealing aristocratic gown, was engrossed in her work at her desk, reviewing official documents.

This...this is her usual job, isn't it? Does she think her daily actions are just a nightmare? Looking at this girl who's putting on a brave face, Lyle quickly found her true nature within the dream.

The nightmare changed. Ralph's abilities granted him the authority of a dream walker, and Lyle easily altered the dream.

At this time, Queen Lina was still Princess Lina.

Despite being the same age as those in the real world, she had long, glossy black hair, as clear as the night sky, trailing behind her on a velvet drape. Her lips were painted with alluring color, her face lightly powdered, and she wore a light, flowing dress. She wore no heavy armor, nor did she have calloused hands.

Lying on the soft bed, her beautiful black hair became her best comforter.

Neither of Dreya's two former kings had passed away. Her father governed the country well, and the old king, Ride, retired and became his granddaughter's private painter, painting portraits of her from the age of five until she was twenty.

In her dream, Lina didn't need to rule; her only worry was how to ride the pony Rhett gave her, even though in reality this was just a trivial matter for the warlike Queen Lina.

Lyle wove a beautiful dream into Lina's subconscious, but that was not his real purpose.

It was time for me to step in and offer Her Majesty some tangible encouragement.

Lyle knocked on the door.

Lina's dream shifted. She seemed to suddenly realize something, tearing her dress to shreds, revealing not smooth skin but gleaming black armor beneath. Her Majesty the Queen held a massive lance, pointing it directly at the stranger who had suddenly intruded into her dream.

"You've distorted my dreams, monster!"

Monster? Lyle looked at his hands. They were indeed no longer the human hands he remembered. Perhaps Lina's rejection reaction had turned him into some hideous monster.

Lyle did a gentleman's hat-tipping.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty Queen Lina. I am not your enemy."

"No? No, it's not that you'd intrude into my dreams and twist my will?!"

“I haven’t changed your mind, Lina. I’ve simply drawn out your deepest desires. I appreciate your efforts and have decided to support you in person.”

"Thank you, it's a great honor to receive encouragement from a monster."

Lyle felt a little wronged. What had you done to me?

Let's get down to business first.

"I have another task for me during this visit: I would like to tell you something."

Lina did not lower her lance.

"what's up?"

Lyle originally intended to reveal Reed's existence and his plans, but considering Lina's own capacity to accept things and the current circumstances, she was more likely to regard the situation as an absurd dream.

Therefore, it would be best to give her some suggestive words that are closely related to reality.

then.

"Your Majesty, the bloodline of Derya will forever protect this country."