Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

"The inhabitants of the Wandering City, of other races, have complained to the Arcane Masters that their clan cemeteries have recently been plagued by rampant thefts. The remains of their ancestors are missing, and witnesses claim that someone saw his great-great-grandfather naked, queuing at the portal in the Dark Seventh District..." The Scholar saw the Lich Crown run up to him, its tentacles spreading out in a defiant manner, like a blooming Rafflesia.

"Tsk." The sound was so soft that the scholar thought it was an illusion. The dean smiled and pulled an application document from his pocket. "Scholar, I'm planning to apply to you for the right to use the stagnant corpses of the temporary inhabitants of the Wandering City during the war. According to Andrei law, a corpse buried for more than fifty years will lose ownership of its body, just like the writings left behind by the dead... The dead belong to the dead, just as liches belong to Andrei."

I don’t recall them signing any admission application for Andre during their lifetime. They probably never dreamed that they would have to abide by the law after death, and it wasn’t even a law they themselves wrote, the scholar thought.

"I cannot grant your application. The Wandering Alliance guarantees the autonomy of every member joining the group. Furthermore, we do not accept retroactive applications."

The dean laughed, tossed the document aside, and the Lich's Crown tore the scrap paper into pieces.

“I understand, that’s why I sent those corpse thieves. I fully respect the neutrality of the arcane practitioners. My friend, I won’t make things difficult for you. Andrei is willing to take responsibility for all the missing corpses. Please inform them that we are willing to resolve tribal disputes through legal means after the war.”

The dean's laughter did not stop, nor did the screams from the skull in his hand.

"Dean...I clearly...promised...to participate in the war..." Before his soul was drained, the dean heard his last words.

"Too slow." Without a second thought, he tossed the head aside. "Your level of awareness suggests you're better suited to be cannon fodder... and your club is finished too."

The scholar tilted his head and stared at the dean with a strange look.

“They are usually very willful, so it’s my turn to be willful this time.”

As a dragon priest, the scholar was a staunch advocate of war, and his stance aligned with that of the dean. Therefore, he comforted the scholar by saying, "You are right. After all, Andre Academy is not a democratic organization."

"Yes, we are a family business, and Andrei is a loving family."

The scholar coughed twice; his superficial manners were still inadequate.

“We are a family, I am the head of the family, and they will all have to listen to me until I am completely gone.”

"Correct, fair."

Chapter 829 Unexpected Guest

“By the way, I hope to organize a war conference to have a cordial exchange with the leaders of the various races involved in the war against the evil god.” The Dean tapped the table, indicating the true purpose of the special arrangement. “I guarantee that all traps, interference rituals, lurking personnel, and experimental accidents in the courtyard have been removed, whether they have occurred or are about to occur.”

The dean spoke earnestly, and his sincere demeanor surprised the scholars.

Would you like me to be a notary for this meeting?

“I hope that you, Mr. Scholar, will take charge of this war council. In fact, Andrei’s credibility has always been on par with the danger theory. You are the most suitable mediator. Moreover, you also prepared for the last war against the evil god, and the dragon priests ultimately won.”

But the Holy Light stole the prize, and the scholar, along with the dragon, was beaten half to death. The scholar didn't voice this; everyone knew the sensitive nature of the Dean's relationship with the Holy Light. The Soul Reaper's attitude towards the undead he had awakened was ambiguous, evident in his aggressive and belligerent demeanor. But this was a plus; the anomaly of the Andrei Lich could evoke empathy in other races, prompting them to confront their common enemy. The Andrei Lich's outward appearance had slightly improved, which was cause for celebration. He recalled the anomaly that had facilitated all of this—Lyle—and felt a sense of satisfaction and pride in his risky decision.

"It would be my honor to unite all races against a common enemy and work together as one." The scholar agreed to the dean's suggestion. Andre Academy would be the best meeting place, even though it was considered the most terrifying demonic lair by some races. But to drink and make merry with the Demon King in the demonic lair would be an extraordinary achievement. They would not refuse.

"By the way, Dean, have you, with your wisdom, come up with any valuable suggestions for the war council? I'm all ears." To increase the lich's participation in social activities, the scholar quickly entered a diligent work mode.

The dean smiled broadly, put down his work, and clapped his hands happily. "That's great! I do have a request, and I hope the person in charge of the meeting can bring it up during the meeting. If it's approved, it will definitely increase our chances of winning and improve our combat effectiveness."

The scholar's eyes shone brightly. The dean was a master of enchanting, spirit possession, and alchemy. His unique and insightful perspective would surely have a transformative effect.

"Please speak."

"I hope our allies can accept Andrei's decision to use their fallen soldiers for battlefield production and force reproduction to ensure the sustainable development of combat effectiveness. They had better be mentally prepared, as I understand that it is a morale-affecting task."

You only crave their corpses, huh?! The dead are one thing, but the living aren't spared either!

The Dean—no, the entire Andrei—made his stance clear: they trusted their own abilities more than their allies. These dead still retained the arrogance and audacity of death; it seemed multi-racial harmony still had a long way to go.

The scholar sighed.

“I will consider it. If we really have to face a desperate situation, I think they will understand.”

The entire planet was swallowed up, and scouts from all races trembled with fear at the sight of the expanding black tide. The City of Wanderers also received intelligence that many races were evacuating and returning to their original planes. This is not hard to understand; fear is the most primal and intense emotion. Even the most loyal dragon servants took on a tragic air at this moment, for only the dead are devoid of any sense of negative feedback. Perhaps Lyle's research made them sense something, but they had already experienced death; what was there left to fear?

How is the Salvation Society doing?

"They're very quiet. They either actively cooperated with war preparations in the early stages or ignored the crisis and continued to operate, saying they would provide support. They've become numb to the apocalypse."

"Is Lyle one of them?" The scholar was very worried about his mental state. "Does he know which side Raymond is on? The worship of power has deepened to a certain extent in human intellect. The collapse of the top is like an avalanche."

The dean picked up the skull, his fingers stroking and gently tapping the smooth forehead.

“I granted him leave. He is an infant, a key figure destined to enter the battlefield. I cannot wait for him to return to normal, Mr. Scholar. Isolating him from us is the limit of what I can do.”

"Perhaps he needs a pastor."

“Pastors are a scarce resource now, like gold nuggets in the sand. Lady Elian is hiding in the chapel, and that Protoss gentleman bluntly said that she is currently overwhelmed with her own problems, as the corruption of the Holy Light has corrupted her. The beacon of humanity has fallen.”

"We should hope that family ties can be a good medicine."

……

She climbed the steps and entered the room. The ghostly maids bowed outside, but Ariana waved them away. She gently pushed open the door and first checked the bedsheets for any irregular bulges.

Yes, the blanket has a high bulge in the middle and occasionally shakes.

Ariana withdrew her hand, and carefully and slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, placing her hand on it.

"The alchemical mechanism Father left in the forest has been activated. The spreading fog has enveloped Narania. They'll be alright, before we fall. Go back and see Uncle. I'll go with you."

The thing under the blanket started shaking and soon the blanket was thrown off. Ariana dodged the blanket that was about to fall on her, but she found that the thing under the blanket was smaller than she had expected.

"Nia wants to go! Nia isn't sleepy anymore! She wants to go with Ariana!"

Ariana chuckled, not avoiding Nia's sudden pounce, and rubbed her cheek, giving the little girl a kiss.

Where is Lyle?

Nia stretched out her tentacles and pointed to the balcony.

"Here, the wind blows, and he talks to himself about ominous signs and phantoms."

“Alright, I was overthinking it. Come on, Nia, let’s not disturb him.” The two, one big and one small, walked out of the room and closed the door. The only moving thing in the room was the curtains fluttering in the wind. On the other balcony, Lyle turned his gaze away from the doorway, leaned against the railing, his body secured by a flesh-and-blood safety rope, and looked at the calm, unchanging, shimmering lake of Naslan.

We still have a chance of winning, so don't worry.

“I’m not worried. Those few days of making figurines at the social workshop have made me a little numb.” Lyle looked at the shadow at his feet. The flesh and blood that had sprung out of his body increased the size of the shadow, making it look nothing like him.

I thought you'd be more anxious because... Lyle Bouler's usual approach is to call in reinforcements.

“Mr. Raymond’s disappearance did surprise me, but I’m not the only one who is the Son of the Holy Light.”

"But thank you for your comforting words. I'm fine, really fine."

You're welcome, we're all in this together.

"..."

"Are you going to keep up the act, sir, who's parasitizing my mind? You're not a bad omen."

I don't understand what you mean, Lyle.

"Omen isn't as humane as you. Unless it's sarcastic, he won't use 'Lyle' to emphasize individual independence. Our communication is limited to self-deprecation, sir."

Okay, but first of all, I meant no harm, maybe before, but not anymore. How did you figure me out, just by the way you spoke?

“There are indeed many inhabitants in my mind, ominous signs, phantoms, but they are all integrated with my consciousness to some extent, just like my different personalities. I know what I have, and I also know what I don’t have.”

[So you were exposed from the start. Looks like I was too hasty. I thought you needed a therapist or a pastor right now.]

"May I have the honor of knowing your name, Reverend?"

Of course, Lyle, we're not strangers; you must have heard of me.

My name is Galarón Loshutar.

As his memories began to work, Lyle recalled everything about that blood-red figure, and his final moments when he was crushed by the ominous sign—it seemed that wasn't the end.

"...Water Angel?"

Blood Angel, Little Bühler, we still have a few scores to settle.

Chapter 830 Mental Peace

A former enemy appeared in his mind, intangible and untouchable, and this former angel certainly wouldn't be idle within Lyle's body. So much time had passed, and the dormant enemy had resurfaced; would he bring revenge or something even more dangerous? Yet, Lyle remained unmoved.

"Is Mr. Galarón my enemy?" The sun was warm, and a gentle breeze blew, creating a relaxed atmosphere that made it impossible for him to lift his head in tension. Most importantly, Lyle sensed no hostility. He easily accepted the reality of the Blood Angel residing within him, and his beating heart continued to pump blood at its usual rate.

[Being killed, having your independent existence eliminated—don't you think that's enough to make me angry?]

Lyle saw the ghost maid feeding the mercury snakes by the lake. The spirits and alchemical creations had a glass-like texture in the sunlight, and they looked beautiful.

“After I advanced to the fifth level of the Locked Realm, my sense of malice became very acute, Mr. Galaron. You now feel to me like a crystal that shines brightly, so pure that you are almost not a normal life form. You should be considered a Holy Spirit now. And didn’t you just say that you were too impatient and mistakenly thought that I needed a priest, which is why you appeared?”

"Can I interpret this as you having become like that Crusader leader of the past?"

[How could I have mistaken you for a corgi? Or have you simply grown up? Lyle.]

Galaron's presence began to grow stronger. Although there was nothing around him, Lyle still felt that he was beside him.

As the leader of the angels, I study human life force—restoration, self-healing, regeneration, and even immortality. When you were consumed by the ominous signs, I infiltrated your spirit. At that time, I was still that blood-sucking fallen angel, and my purpose in lurking was nothing more than to corrupt your mind and seize your body. But you made a bold decision, causing even the Galaron Loshutar residing within you to be altered.

[In the extraction of malice from Poswa, you absorbed all the hidden malice of that land, and with God's grace, formed the core of malice within your heart. All malice flowed through your body, and also through me, buried in your soul. The malice I was tainted by also flowed away with the pull. Simply put, you baptized the Blood Angel.]

You have taken away the malice within me, the malice that led me to my descent into a bloodthirsty monster. You have purified me, granting me the liberation I so desperately craved. This kindness is beyond repayment, Lyle Bühler. I am willing to become your servant, offering my humble assistance.

"...Mr. Galaron, are you planning to stay here and not leave?"

[To infiltrate another's mind at will is a depraved and sordid act, and my current power is insufficient to reshape my body.]

"I can create a soulless body for you..."

[Taken from corpses, isn't it? I disdain using the blasphemous results of necromancy.]

"...Mr. Galarón, are you really not going to pursue our entanglement with Dagonlis?"

[Little Buller, you are my benefactor, and I only wish to repay you with all my might. My dependence on your body is a last resort. Moreover, I have also observed your motives closely; you are special. Raymond and George take great care of you, you have close relationships with three of the four angels, and you are destined for the Holy Light.]

“I was also chased by Raphael.”

"Are you sure you don't want to switch to Holy Light? Raymond is exceptionally talented but not particularly good at teaching, and George is somewhat foolish and presumptuous. I can volunteer to be your mentor. It's not an exaggeration; before becoming a Crusader leader, I was an excellent preacher."

“Thank you for your recommendation, Mr. Galaron.” Lyle politely declined to convert to the Holy Light, just as he had countless times before. Galaron, sensing Lyle's resistance, quickly changed the subject. He was a talkative and humorous man, especially when teasing his angelic brothers. Poetry, architecture, sculpture, ancient etiquette, and intricate rituals—Galaron could speak of them vividly. He could even chime in on discussions of necromancy, making Lyle feel that this water angel was like a scholar from the side of the Holy Light. Oh, and he also had a fondness for monsters, was a protector of small animals, and a dragon.

Justice will not fall, Lyle. The more we face difficulties, the more steadfast our faith should be—not a fervent devotion to the Holy Light or any powerful being, but rather to what our hearts truly love.

"Even now, with the Holy Light about to be extinguished and all the angels fallen, Mr. Galaron, why are you so confident in the situation, having once betrayed the Holy Light? You don't seem like the kind of blind believer who doesn't consider the current situation."

Unseen and untouchable, yet perceived, the will of the Water Angel shines as brightly as the sun.