Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

“We were friends, Lich Crown. You have disappointed me.” Lyle held up the Lich Crown and gently stroked its surface, as if caressing a lover’s face. “But I forgive you, because your love for Mr. Raymond is as pure and sincere as mine. You helped me wholeheartedly, and I will do my best to help Lord Raymond.”

"Promise me you'll continue to be Raymond's lapdog, okay?"

That night, Andre burst forth with a light as bright as day.

The next morning, the new Andre News was in high demand.

Front-page headline: "The Son of Holy Light passionately teaches the art of 'simp' late at night; those were the years we loved Raymond."

Chapter 686 Elian's Torture

That death changed Sister Elian a lot. She couldn't say whether the lich's indifference calmed her heartbeat or the growing shadow power eroded her faith. Now, clad in flesh and blood, the lich lady, as if reborn, decided to embark on a different life after death than in life.

First, she took off her nun's habit. She tried on the shameless demon attire, and the popular, yet ultimately indistinguishable, elven style. Regardless of the style, Elian would try them on, admiring her new self in the dressing mirror. Maintaining the cold, indifferent gaze characteristic of the dead, a polite smile on her lips, shedding all pretense, Elian changed back into her nun's habit.

Elian wouldn't buy these things. While he didn't need to hide his personal hobbies, he also didn't need His Majesty Raymond to know. Somewhat embarrassed, Elian greeted the shop owner of Silk Dream and carefully placed the clothes on its furry front legs.

"I'm sorry to trouble you again, Marika."

Marika is a female spider demon with eight deep purple eyes that have no eyelids. Her direct gaze can be quite frightening, but Elian is able to see into her heart and knows that her friend is not angry.

"Watching the lovely models put on my creations one by one is a pleasure for my eight eyes as well. Darling, would you like a glass of apple juice, or try the Spider Demon's special meat bait?" Marika used her other forelimb to serve two glasses of juice, took out a wriggling, spindle-shaped flesh worm from a small box on her back, and used magic to squeeze the worm into a pulp, adding it to her teacup.

"I'll pass for today, my protein intake is almost too high..."

The spider demon shrugged, plunged a sharp fang into the cup, and sucked the drink into its mouthpiece. "It's rare to see a rule-abiding Andrei, or perhaps your old habits have finally taken over."

After a short break, the diligent shop manager started knitting again. "Hmph~ a hollowed-out vest and a backless dress, why not just go naked? The orders these days are getting weirder and weirder... I never thought I would become friends with a former priest. That guy who created the flesh and blood disguise for you guys was really something."

Ellian frowned slightly, giving a wry smile with a bit of a headache. "Is there any logic to this? Is it your strange spider-like thinking again?"

“Just a sigh.” Marika reached out and picked up a newspaper, a brand new one. “Andrei has been like a grasshopper jumping around online lately; it’s hard not to pay attention to him. The Andrei News you asked me to buy is as interesting as ever today. Oh, even more interesting than usual.”

Elian thanked her, took the newspaper, and left the shop. The shop door opened again, and Marika's spider-like eyes stared at Elian as she poked her head back in. "Did you leave something behind?"

"A friendly reminder: Marika, don't take the Andre News seriously. The Literary Society is a bunch of troublemakers who will make up any rumor for their own amusement."

"I know, darling, I'm just watching for fun and entertainment."

Elian headed towards the teleportation portal in the Lich Quarter. Marika's shop had received a lot of new arrivals, which had delayed her considerably. She quickened her pace, deciding to hurry back to the chapel for her daily prayers; she could read the newspaper later.

"Luckily, Marika saved me a copy. This issue seems to be selling very well; I almost missed it."

……

Holy Light Chapel.

Guided by Raymond, Elian and Lofdi completed their daily prayer. Lofdi kept his eyes closed as he continued praying, as if savoring the lingering warmth of the holy light.

Elian leaned back in his chair and opened the newspaper he had put away.

Raymond, standing on the podium, glanced over here.

"My sister."

“Your Majesty Raymond.” Elian closed the newspaper and bowed.

"Is that a newspaper?"

"Andre News".

The Angel of Light gave a cold snort, kindly reminding the nun.

"Don't believe anything written by George's cronies; they can't even squeeze out a drop of ink from the bottom of their heads. Don't let falsehoods cloud your judgment."

Elian nodded in agreement. "I understand, Your Majesty. This is for entertainment."

“Yes.” Raymond turned back and continued praying.

A few minutes later.

"Pfft...pfft pfft...pfft hahahahaha!!!" The unrestrained, impolite laughter interrupted the sacred prayer. Raymond turned around with some displeasure and saw his sister sprawled on the bench like a maggot, her whole body convulsing, a newspaper covering her face, enjoying the ultimate pleasure.

Elian recovered by clutching her stomach. She felt a little embarrassed when she saw Raymond and Lofdi looking at her.

"Today's news... pfft, hahaha... exceptionally interesting, Lord Raymond." Elian was looking at the article on Lyle's sycophantic behavior, the image of the Plague Doctor clearly visible in the main illustration, and the content of the conversation highlighted in bold and framed. Elian immediately pictured the scene. The thought of Lyle confessing his feelings to Raymond against his will was hilarious; this was probably the charm of the contrast. That Lyle guy, actually uttering such words so loudly! Andrei's rising star, a force to be reckoned with!

Elian cupped her face in her hands, her lips curving upwards as if out of control, and an uncontrollable laugh escaped from between her teeth.

"I must show this to the person involved," the malicious Elian thought. He really wanted to see His Majesty Raymond's reaction—would he be angry or silent?

The Divergent Elian opened the door to pleasure.

"Your Majesty Raymond, would you like to take a look at this?"

"boring……"

"There's Lyle..."

The flames of holy light exploded right next to Elian. She squinted, only able to sense the Crusader King teleporting to her side and using the power of holy light to protect the newspaper.

Elian closed his eyes and lowered his head. This was bad; his shadow was about to be ignited by pleasure. He'd better give Lord Raymond some face and let him calm down.

Although the joke was a bit outrageous, Mr. Raymond will surely forgive Lyle, after all, she is his most beloved Pure One. Yes, that's right, His Majesty Raymond is a magnanimous person.

Elian awaited Raymond's reaction, but she forgot that her position and Raymond's position, and her thoughts and Raymond's thoughts, were different.

A moment later, she looked up and saw Raymond standing silently in place.

The nun felt uneasy. His Majesty Raymond's reaction seemed off. Was he really angry? Lyle had gone too far with his teasing this time; she should quickly try to calm him down.

"Your Majesty Raymond, do not be discouraged. People are different, and such errors are forgivable. Everyone makes mistakes..."

Raymond nodded and sighed.

“You’re right, Elian, I was really wrong. I haven’t been good enough to Lyle.”

"You said no...wait?! Wait, wait, wait!!! What did you say?!"

“I said, I haven’t been good enough to our Pure Ones, I haven’t paid enough attention to Lyle, I never expected…” Raymond looked up in disappointment, covering his face with his left hand, “I never expected Lyle to admire me so much.”

Are you stupid? Those bishops' paladin training really lacked any ability to read between the lines? You actually believed that?!

Ellian was incredulous that Raymond had actually taken such an obvious act seriously.

"Um, Your Majesty, you don't actually believe that, do you?!"

"Why don't you believe me?" Raymond answered without hesitation.

"This is obviously fake."

"How can it be fake? What Lyle said must be true!"

That's it, this leader is hopeless.

"This isn't what Lyle said, it's what the Literary Society said. The Literary Society is a bunch of scoundrels who spread rumors and cause trouble. They never tell the truth."

Raymond shook his head.

“You’re wrong, Elian. No one is a villain forever. Even the dregs of literature will one day speak the truth. Look, they spoke the truth today. The Holy Light is forgiving. We must preserve a sliver of possibility for every soul waiting for redemption. You’re too extreme, my sister.”

You didn't say that before!!! Did you leave room for possibility when you went to offer help?!

Elian was deeply worried about the future of the Holy Light Chapel, as his bishop seemed to have been poisoned by a deadly poison called the Purifier.

"Your Majesty Raymond, please set aside your personal feelings and look at this matter rationally. Think about it carefully. This is a joke, a hoax, it's fake."

Raymond reached out and stopped Elian, his eyes filled with scrutiny and a hint of hostility.

"No, what Lyle said didn't happen? Those academic gatherings did happen. Don't try to comfort me, Elian. My perspective was indeed too narrow before. Yes, I was wrong. I was blind to Lyle's dedication. I even... I actually felt a slight dissatisfaction with Lyle's resurrection of the dragon. I am truly unforgivable. I betrayed his burning passion! But I can't continue to deceive myself. I have realized my mistake, and I will correct it immediately! I will absolutely! Absolutely cherish this adoration! The bond of the pure is unbreakable!"

Elian felt like she was going crazy. What should she do? Raymond Melok, the Angel of Light, had fooled herself with his self-deception. She really didn't want a leader like that. The Holy Light was tainted. The nun's sense of mission was crying out.

“Your Majesty Raymond, you… Lyle isn’t like that. He’s a normal boy… He… is a necromancer, a necromancer, the mortal enemy of the Holy Light.”

“Yes, I understand. That was a sacrifice Lyle made.”

Sacrifice my foot! His Spine Wheel specialty stores are practically opening up in churches; he's clearly enjoying it!

Elian tried to struggle a little more, but Raymond interrupted her.

"Enough, Elian, enough. You've fallen into darkness. Can't you face yourself properly? You belittle the Pure One just because his heart is too noble, Elian! I don't remember you being like this. Has darkness truly corrupted you? Stop it. The way you irrationally belittle Lyle is pathetic and pitiful."

I've fallen into demonic possession? I... I'm so angry!! I should be the one feeling sorry for you, you... you damned Lord Raymond.

It's hopeless, utterly hopeless. Elian abandoned his leader and decided to stand by and watch. He couldn't reason with him, and he couldn't fight him. Raymond was no different from a rogue; he insisted that Lyle was the truth, so destroy him, just do it already.

Elian was furious and sat there sulking with his arms crossed.

"Arian, Arian..."

"What is it, Your Majesty Raymond, the steadfast and wise one?"

"I want to be nicer to Lyle, how can I do that?"

Elian chuckled. He leaned back, resting his hands on the bench, shadows swirling across his body like venomous snakes flicking their tongues.

"How much better could it be? Considering His Majesty Raymond's past attitude towards Lyle, he offered to be a free henchman and impart all his knowledge, but Lyle didn't accept it. Wanting something even better? Ha, difficult. It's a pity you're a man, otherwise it would be best to repay him with your body."

“Oh. There’s nothing to regret.” Raymond said calmly.

Elian dropped the newspaper she was holding; her heart shattered, her composure completely shattered. Some of the rebellious nuns felt their faith crumbling, their reason collapsing. What had His Holiness Raymond just said? What outrageous things had he said? No way! The Holy Light could really be tainted!

“Um… Your Majesty Raymond… I… I didn’t understand just now, could you explain it? Um… what do you mean by ‘not a pity’…”

“Ah, that…” Raymond pointed to the trembling nun. “I said there’s nothing to regret. I may be a man, but you, Elian, aren’t…”

"Ah, that's alright... Hmm? Wait, wait, wait?! How did this get to me?! No... No way, Your Majesty Raymond!!!"

The holy light made Raymond appear incredibly tall.

"Sister Elian, the Holy Light now has a great mission for you to fulfill. As a nun, bring warmth and care to the Pure Lyle."

Go to hell! Are you going to gang up on Naslan?!

"Then I am still a Divergent. As a Divergent, can I bring pain and torment to Lyle the Pure?"

Elian decided to drag someone into the mess at random.

"Lofdi!!! Your Majesty Raymond, I believe Lofdi is more suited than I to the mission of comforting the pure!!!"

"Stop it, we're not even the same race..."

"Is one of the Naslan sisters human?! Maybe they just have a thing for this?! Perfect, absolutely!!!"