Chapter 467: Each to Their Own

Fate is always full of coincidences; sometimes, the more you worry about something, the more likely it is to happen.

Carrying the joy of victory and the expectation of sharing this joy, Ailin and Kalian, who had ridden over, arrived before Luo Yan almost at the same time.

However, the moment they saw each other, that joy overflowing from their expressions converged in unison.

That was the intuition of a "Chosen."

Two invisible blades collided in the air, as if sparking invisible flames.

The warhorses they were riding simultaneously tightened their steps, their nostrils emitting slight neighs, as if sensing the pressure of the strong from that wordless silence.

That was the intuition of horses.

"Huh? Lord Demon King, why are your shoulders shaking too—"

"Hearing You You, shut up."

"Wuwu..."

Shaking?

Nonexistent.

At this moment, Luo Yan still maintained a light and breezy expression, the smile on his face like the sunshine after the clouds had dispersed; he would never break into a sweat over such a small scene.

Facts proved that even a god who dominates karma cannot resist the causality of the mortal world.

Once you put on a mask, it is destined that there will be a day it falls off; it's just a matter of time.

"Kelin, are you okay? I was truly worried to death just now... what on earth happened?"

The first to break the silence was Ailin.

Her voice was gentler than ever before, to the point that Luo Yan almost didn't react that it was her speaking.

He saw Ailin dismount cleanly.

She put the Light of Proclamation back to her waist, settled her warhorse, and with an "impeccable" posture, walked toward Kelin with large strides.

Whether in battle or "battle," she belonged to the "preemptive strike" type.

Those emerald eyes that always flickered with determination were now overflowing with gentleness and reliance.

That was a side only revealed before a certain person.

Before outsiders, she was always the hero of Campbell, but only before that "Lord God" who was only soft-hearted toward her would she become that carefree girl.

This statement wasn't actually very accurate.

Luo Yan was actually often "soft-hearted"; even for Thanos, who had betrayed him once, he just smiled and let it go.

"I am fine—"

Before his words could fall, Kalian, who had never interrupted him, interrupted for the first time in history.

"Miss Ailin Campbell, please allow me to say a word."

Kalian, who had dismounted, walked to Ailin's side, looked at Kelin with gentle light in her eyes, and then looked at Ailin; that kind gaze remained unchanged, yet she reined in the extra admiration.

"Mr. Kelin has just defeated the Chosen of Chaos; what he needs most now is rest, not questioning."

"Ques, questioning?" Ailin panicked slightly and hurriedly replied, "I didn't mean that; I was just concerned—"

"If you truly care about him, then you should let him catch his breath first."

Although she said so, Kalian had no intention of letting Kelin catch his breath.

Taking advantage of Miss Ailin's panic, she stepped forward, naturally clasped her hands together, and gripped his hand.

"Your Highness, seeing that you are safe and sound, my heart that had been hanging finally settled."

That pure and flawless gaze seemed to be enticing that distinct-knuckled hand to move forward, to feel the pious and scorching heartbeat at close range.

This was also the first time Kalian had done such a bold thing.

Those blushing cheeks were like apples in the golden autumn of October, ripe enough to fall from the branch.

However, she did not regret it.

Even for the sake of the millions in the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng, she had to represent them and keep this benevolent Lord God-child for this land of despair!

The more pious people are, the more they lie to themselves.

Kalian clearly had forgotten that she wasn't a Laine person at all, but a Lode person from further north.

Even across a distance of several inches, Luo Yan could feel the heartbeat coming from across the air.

But clearly, someone else's heartbeat was faster than hers, and their blood pressure was higher too.

"... You, you, you, what are you doing!"

Ailin said incoherently, her red ears like a steam boiler burning red, wishing she could rush up and split those clasped fingers with a sword.

This was... what kind of blasphemy!

How could someone not yet engaged grab the hand of the opposite sex so indiscreetly?!

That was clearly not a polite handshake.

She had thought her elegance and propriety would make this country girl from who knows where feel ashamed, but she didn't expect that not only did she not retreat in the face of difficulty, she had actually taken Mr. Kelin's first time right in front of her...

Wait.

Ailin, who had suddenly realized something, turned slightly pale, falling into deeper reverie.

Mr. Kelin did not shake off that woman's hand.

Could it be...

He is actually very skilled?!

Her emerald eyes were stained with a trace of sorrow, her lips trembling slightly, unable to speak.

That kind of thing—

Don't!!

Xiao Chunu always liked to let her imagination run wild; Luo Yan could guess what Ailin had misunderstood without even thinking.

Seeing through the cunning behind those innocent eyes, he sighed lightly, his voice carrying a trace of majesty.

"Kalian."

Hearing the displeasure in that voice, Kalian realized her joke had gone a bit too far, so she buried her head with an apologetic look, obediently loosening her clasped hands.

"Sorry, Your Highness, being able to meet you again, I was just too excited... I ask for your punishment."

Her apology didn't have much sincerity, otherwise she wouldn't have deliberately used such a phrasing that was easy to misunderstand.

However, she was justified.

After all, who told the other party to provoke first?

Lord God might not be able to see the little thoughts of mortals, but she saw them clearly.

Although the Laine people of the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng were a bit poor, their determination and piety would never lose to the Campbell people who were as cunning as foxes!

At this moment, the Laine people didn't know that they had been represented by a cunning little fox yet again.

Pun, punishment?!

The moment she heard this sentence, Ailin's shoulders shook lightly again, as if her heart had been struck by an arrow.

That armor protected by divine grace could block stray arrows on the battlefield, but it couldn't block the dark arrows of the spirit.

She thought of those knight novels Theresa buried at the deepest part of the bookshelf; although she had never punished anyone, the well-traveled bards had described the process in detail.

No...

Lord Kelin is definitely not that kind of person!

But...

Looking at Ailin's increasingly pale face, Luo Yan couldn't help but worry for her.

"Ailin, are you... okay?"

"I..."

Ailin wanted to say she was okay, but couldn't say it no matter what. Her gaze gradually filled with sorrow, biting her pale lips lightly, and after a moment, she squeezed out a small sentence.

"Am I... disturbing you two?"

That cowardly voice didn't sound like her at all.

Even the Chosen of Chaos had never forced her to such a dilemma.

Looking at the "tottering" Ailin, Kalian felt a bit of pity in her heart; had she really gone a bit too far?

But...

She didn't seem to have done anything, right?

Thinking this, Kalian suddenly realized a possibility, and a trace of panic flashed in her gentle eyes.

This is... advancing by retreating!

This Miss Campbell, who is proficient in military strategy, is deliberately showing weakness to the enemy, thereby arousing Lord Kelin's desire to protect!

Kalian's face turned slightly pale, her gentle eyes narrowed, and she raised her sleeve to gently wipe the sweat sliding down her cheek.

As expected of a city person...

What a good method!

"Hahahahahaha!" Watching the two "chicks pecking at each other," Hearing You You, who was peeking from the side, laughed until its stomach was about to split, rolling around in the woods.

Luo Yan didn't look at it, because he was worried he wouldn't be able to hold it in.

Looking at Ailin, who had a sorrowful face, he chose not to see the sorrow, wearing a gentle smile on his face, and answered her question literally.

"No, you came just in time... I was just about to introduce you; this is the Saintess of the Salvation Army, Lady Kalian."

"Nice to meet you, Lady Ailin," Kalian lifted her skirt and performed a commoner's etiquette appropriately. "On behalf of the millions in the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng, I thank the Campbell Duchy for their relief."

"Ailin Campbell."

Seeing Kalian reveal a formal appearance, Ailin also woke up from her little-girl act, responded with a noble etiquette, and made a formal self-introduction.

"Nice to meet you... Miss Kalian, I have heard stories about you from the refugees; everyone I met said you are the Saintess sent by Saint Xisi to save them."

She also gradually realized that she might have thought too much.

Perhaps... clasping hands and holding the other's hand was just a folk custom in the northern part of the Laine Kingdom?

Ailin convinced herself of this.

Because she suddenly remembered that when Lord Kelin first came to the Campbell Duchy, he came from the direction of the Academy Federation, which would inevitably pass through the northern part of the Laine Kingdom.

It wasn't strange at all that they knew each other.

She figured that when Mr. Kelin passed through the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng, he was moved by the tragic sight of starvation everywhere, and then generously gave her some financial aid.

With his kind personality, he almost certainly would have done such a thing!

Ailin still remembered that at the charity gala in Lei Ming City, his generous and gentlemanly act of kindness.

It was also from that moment that she was attracted by his noble soul...

Thinking of this, Ailin felt ashamed of her wild imagination again.

She actually thought of the kind Mr. Kelin so unworthily... what blasphemy.

Looking at Ailin, who seemed to have returned to normal, Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

He had bet correctly again.

Only children like to explain everywhere, ending up getting darker the more they describe, falling into the trap of self-justification, and making those who unconditionally believed in them lose confidence.

The Demon King never explains!

Because not explaining is the best explanation; those who believe in him will naturally come up with ten thousand reasons for him, and those who don't believe in him will always find ten thousand tricky angles to doubt him.

Luo Yan called this "Demon King Studies," because this theory was summarized by him in the Demon King Academy.

Only Hearing You You, rolling on the ground, was left awkwardly on the spot, staring dumbfoundedly at Ailin, unable to understand how that silly child had convinced herself.

"That is a misunderstanding of the people," Kalian said with a gentle smile, as if the previous fighting and scheming didn't exist. "I am just an ordinary nun; my Lord did not send me anywhere, but I did indeed hear the oracle my Lord descended."

Ailin asked with interest.

"Oh? What did He say?"

Kalian extended her index finger, gently drew a cross on her chest, and said in a pious voice.

"He said, I must save the millions in the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng, spread the gospel of the gods to those in dire straits, and persuade them to abandon darkness and turn to light."

"It seems you succeeded," Ailin said with a gratified smile; this was the first time she had shown an affirmative expression toward this Miss Kalian. "Congratulations to you all; you have saved yourselves."

"It was also thanks to you," Kalian smiled and nodded. "If it weren't for you pinning down the power of Chaos on the front lines, if it weren't for the selfless help of Lord God-child to us, we would probably have already become fertilizer for the nest city with beautiful longing for the future."

The atmosphere of their exchange gradually became friendly, and Luo Yan relaxed his vigilance for a time.

Until Ailin's next sentence—

"God-child?" Ailin blinked, her face showing confusion. "What is that?"

Luo Yan's heartbeat, which had just calmed down, was pulled to his throat in an instant, and he subconsciously glanced in Kalian's direction.

"Lord God-child is..."

Kalian subconsciously looked at Kelin, seeing a trace of tension in those purple pupils.

Quick-witted as she was, she immediately realized something, and a pleasant smile bloomed on her surprised face.

Ah...

So that's how it is!

The respected Princess Campbell didn't know that this Mr. Kelin before her was Lord God-child.

"... In short, a very kind person."

That pleasant smile gradually carried a trace of a winner's composure; Kalian looked at Ailin, as if a true nun, lovingly watching a lost child.

Hearing this ambiguous answer, Ailin felt even more confused, and said with a wry smile.

"Can you be more specific?"

There are too many kind people.

For example, Mr. Kelin is very kind, and no matter how you look at it, he is much kinder than that guy who is playing god.

Seeing Kalian being so sensible, Luo Yan's hanging heart settled down again, handing over the work of spreading the "Gospel of the God-child" to a more professional person.

Not failing the expectations of the Lord Son of God, Karen wore a look of compassion on her face, continuing to spread the gospel of the Son of God like a lost lamb.

"He is a hermit from the depths of the Wan Ren Mountains, always generously helping everyone in dire straits."

"Some say he was born from a volcano with surging magma, and only Saint Xisi witnessed his crying."

"Therefore, people also call this child who survived the disaster the God-child... or, the Flame King."

"Flame King?! He... is the God-child?!" Ailin had an incredulous expression on her face, subconsciously blurting out, "I heard this legend in Lei Ming City!"

"Is that so? That's truly a coincidence."

Kalian secretly glanced at Kelin; seeing that Ailin still hadn't recognized that the respected Lord God-child was right in front of her, a trace of triumphant glee couldn't help but float in her eyes.

The outcome is decided.

Although this Miss Ailin met Lord Kelin before she did, it was clear that her understanding of him was far inferior to her own.

Not only did she deeply understand him, but she also possessed a shared secret with him.

Undoubtedly, she was the one closest to Lord God-child!

As for this Campbell princess—

She figured she was just a pawn of Lord God-child.

Realizing this, Kalian's hostility toward Ailin dissipated, and she even became willing to share.

There are many nuns serving the gods.

She had never hoped to receive all the grace; as long as she was the one closest to Lord God—at the very least, closer than this Campbell person—it was enough.

Deep in Kalian's heart, there had always been a deep sense of inferiority, especially when facing noble people; the more she restrained herself from showing her true self, the more she played the Saintess Lord God-child hoped she would play.

Under normal circumstances, she would never reveal the inferiority deep in her heart, unless she felt threatened.

For example, a noble who clearly already possessed everything, yet still wanted to snatch the last umbrella from her hands when she had nothing.

Perhaps, this was the source of that previous hostility.

She had never had hostility toward Miss Shala, and was even extra kind... even though that Miss Shala always had a "strangers keep away" expression; let alone getting close, even saying a word was difficult.

"... I can talk about his stories for three days and three nights; if you are interested, I would be very happy to spread his gospel to you."

Kalian stepped forward and gripped Ailin's hand; the action of fingers interlaced and gripped tightly startled the latter.

However, when she met that pure and flawless gaze, Ailin suppressed the urge to pull her hand back, squeezed out a sunny and cheerful smile on her face, and laughed as she said.

"Ah... really? That's great; I am very interested in his stories... although I hold reservations about the so-called God-child claim."

Firstly, she was worried that her strength would hurt this weak and kind girl, and secondly, at this moment, she was ashamed for previously misunderstanding their pure friendship.

The person this Miss Kalian admired seemed to be the "Flame King," not Lord Kelin.

And, it turned out that the northern part of the Laine Kingdom really had such indiscreet... cough, unusual customs.

That's great.

Mr. Kelin had one more reason for his innocence, and Ailin felt increasingly at ease.

Looking at Ailin, who had a sunny smile on her face, Kalian's smile also became increasingly pleasant.

Holding that soft hand tightly, she said in an enthusiastic and frank voice, as if they were sisters.

"... It doesn't matter; we don't force others to follow our truth. Lord God-child tells us that people have the right to believe, and also the right not to believe."

"Is that so? That's truly a noble idea."

Ailin was filled with awe and continued.

"By the way, can you introduce me to that Mr. Flame King? I want to express my gratitude to him in person regarding his help to the refugees outside Lei Ming City on behalf of the royal family."

"That might be a bit difficult," Kalian's face showed a trace of trouble, and she let go of Ailin's hand. "That gentleman doesn't like others to disturb his cultivation; even if I want to see him, it depends on fate."

"I see... then please convey the greetings of the Campbell royal family for me; I won't rashly disturb that gentleman." Ailin's face showed a disappointed expression, seemingly feeling regret for not being able to see that kind person.

Kalian saw her regret, blinked gently, and comforted her.

"Actually... you don't need to feel regret; perhaps that kind gentleman has already received your gratitude."

"Thank you for your comfort, Lady Kalian," Ailin smiled, regained her spirit, looked at Lord Kelin, who was taciturn due to fatigue, and continued with a gentle gaze. "I have nothing to regret... because..."

She probably thought of another "wonderful" love word, but unfortunately, she was too shy, and the words reached her lips but she couldn't say them.

Kalian's face carried an ambiguous smile, that gentle gaze seeming to say "I understand you."

And even meant "May the Lord bless you."

What a guy with bad taste.

Luo Yan found that the "guys with bad taste" he encountered today seemed to be exceptionally many.

Poor Ailin was played in the palm of this cunning country bumpkin, yet she was completely unaware.

Of course, Luo Yan believed Kalian wasn't doing this out of malice; she was just trying to "act on orders."

A long time ago, he had hinted to her that she should serve as Ailin's "evangelist."

A soul full of justice was moving from the Campbell Duchy toward Dusk City; now she had finally walked to Dusk City, standing at the crossroads of fate.

Compared to telling the legend of the Flame King himself, borrowing Kalian's mouth to convey what he wanted Ailin to know was undoubtedly much more convenient.

What's more—

Right now, he still needed Kalian to do another thing.

Looking at the two women who had suddenly become like sisters, Luo Yan coughed lightly, interrupting their exchange.

"Kalian," Luo Yan's expression became serious. "Next, I want to tell you something; I hope... you can keep a secret for Miss Ailin."

Keep a secret?

Kalian froze for a moment, suddenly panicking a bit; how could there be a secret she didn't know?

However, Ailin was clearly more panicked than her, looking at Kelin like a frightened deer, her eyes seemingly asking silently—

'Do I need to tell her?'

She guessed what Lord Kelin was about to say, but honestly, she didn't fully trust this so-called Saintess yet.

She didn't doubt her kindness was real, but no one knew if she had truly heard the oracle.

Lord Kelin's problem was that he trusted others too easily, but not everyone was as honest as herself.

'This is necessary.'

Luo Yan responded to Ailin with a firm gaze and signaled her to hand everything over to him with peace of mind.

Ailin indeed settled down, nodded lightly in hesitation, closed her mouth, and handed everything over to him.

"May I ask... what is the matter?"

Kalian's voice carried a trace of faint resentment, but she still brought out the breadth of mind and tolerance to accept everything, fulfilled her duty as a nun, and looked at Mr. Kelin to take an oath.

"I am willing to swear to the god I serve that I will keep my mouth shut about every word I hear today."

"I believe you will keep your mouth shut."

Luo Yan looked at Kalian and said a sentence that caused the smile on the latter's face to freeze on the spot.

"For some reason, Miss Ailin has become a vampire... that is, what people often call a bloodsucker."

"Now, I'm afraid only you can help her."

On the western border of the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng, a mighty army was advancing toward Dusk City.

Walking at the front of the army, Haigemo Devalu was riding a white warhorse.

His face was handsome, his stature tall, wearing a set of full plate armor stamped with a lion crest, his slightly curly golden hair fluttering in the breeze.

Although he was over fifty years old, he looked no different from someone in his early thirties. His whole body probably only had those eyes that could show the vicissitudes matching his age.

As the "Radiant Knight" of the Laine Kingdom, Haigemo was often praised by those who admired him as the "Knight King of the Knight's Home," the "Epic running on the earth."

He, who strictly adhered to the knight's creed, was the most loyal believer of Saint Xisi and the most pious ally of the Church. He and the knights under his command always appeared where Saint Xisi needed them most.

Haigemo was not only a noble knight but also a pious believer.

He was willing to lead the knights under his command to respond to all holy wars, spreading the glory of the Devalu family to every corner of the continent... even if his brother had no interest in this.

Besides secular praise, as the younger brother of King Xiodeng, he also held the power second only to the King.

He was not only the commander of the Lionheart Knights but also the only powerhouse in the Laine Kingdom possessing demigod-level strength!

It was precisely because of his demigod-level strength that, although he was born only a few years after Xiodeng, he looked much younger than the latter, who had no heart to hone his knightly skills.

It was also for this reason that his brother had always harbored serious wariness toward him, to the point that when such a serious disaster occurred in the province directly under the royal family, he didn't reveal a word to him...

To the point that an originally ordinary rebellion had brewed into such a blasphemous disaster.

When he found out, he immediately mobilized the Knights and mobilized the conscripts in his territory to set off.

Haigemo, riding on his horse, had been marching with the team for a long time, when he suddenly looked at the squire beside him and asked.

"How much longer until we arrive?"

Facing the inquiry of the Knight Commander, the squire beside him immediately reported.

"Reporting to Your Highness, ahead is the Lion Griffin Cliff territory; at the latest in three days, we will arrive at Dusk City!"

Three days, huh...

A trace of sorrow appeared on Haigemo's face, and he looked up toward the horizon.

However, the direction his gaze reached was not Dusk City, but the distant west.

Before long, a dense mass of black dots appeared where his gaze reached, approaching in his direction.

That was a group of griffins.

On the back of every griffin rode a knight wearing a black robe.

Unlike the knights on the ground, these griffin knights were much more taciturn, and their whole bodies exuded a terrifying aura.

Led by the griffin knight at the front, the overwhelming griffin knights landed just like that, like a flock of crows.

Watching the griffins descending from the sky, many conscripts who had never seen a magical beast in their lives showed fearful expressions, pushing each other and dodging to the side.

The Campbell people at least had to undergo one or two weeks of training before going to the battlefield, while they were still farming until three days ago.

The only calm ones were probably the Lionheart Knights.

However, facing those taciturn black-robed knights, many still tightened their nerves.

Although he guessed the identity of that group, Haigemo still drew the short sword at his waist and shouted with great momentum.

"Who goes there!"

A man wearing a black robe jumped off the griffin, taking out a sword-shaped cross pendant from his bosom.

Amidst the crisp sound of jingling, a hoarse voice came from his mouth, like the call of a vulture.

"Inquisition."

Hearing this name, expressions of surprise appeared on the faces of the knights, and they looked at each other for a time.

Haigemo's pupils contracted slightly, but he still put away the sword in his hand and softened his tone.

"There are only pious subjects and herds of cattle and sheep here; what is the Inquisition doing here?"

The man wearing the black robe said expressionlessly.

"Suppressing rebellion."

Haigemo stared at him and said.

"That is the internal affair of the Kingdom; we just learned of the situation and are going to deal with this matter!"

A playful smile appeared on the face of the man wearing the black robe, and his hoarse voice sounded as if he were mocking.

"You should have dealt with it long ago."

Haigemo was speechless for a time, unable to say a word, but his fists were clenched tightly.

Perhaps...

This was his brother's purpose.

After learning that the fire in the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng was completely out of control, the King didn't want to manage it even more.

Because once it reached that step, the Empire would cover for them.

However, this was not without a price; the shame of inviting the Inquisition would cause the Laine Kingdom to lose prestige, would cause the Devalu family to be disgraced, and would cause innocent people to suffer pain far exceeding famine.

Xiodeng didn't care.

But he cared.

"Blasphemy has already invited divine punishment; the holy judgment has already executed the Chosen of Chaos, but the pollution has not been eradicated." The man wearing the black robe said expressionlessly, "I am ordered by the Pope to go to the God-forsaken land to eradicate all chaos; now I need you to obey my orders."

Those who slaughter clergy will be executed by fire.

Those who ignore the slaughter of clergy will have their eyes gouged out.

Those who slander the "Holy Word" will have their tongues cut out.

Those who blaspheme corpses will be exposed in the wilderness.

There are fifty articles in total... each with a corresponding extreme punishment!

This is not only an eye-for-an-eye against the apostles of Chaos, but also a necessary means to eradicate the corruption of Chaos.

Even if the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng becomes barren, it is not a pity!

Actually, compared to a thousand years ago, they are already very civilized—even benevolent.

A thousand years ago, when the Empire and the people of the Dragon God were still allies, the Mad Speaker bewitched by the "Mist of Deception" once took the capital of the Empire, almost destroying the Empire's foundation.

At that time, they didn't have fifty commandments, nor did they have an Inquisition; they just burned everyone with a fire.

Whether they were perpetrators, victims, or neither, just people implicated.

Haigemo looked at the man wearing the black robe, his eyes looking straight into his.

"What is your name."

The man wearing the black robe put away the cross pendant, answered with a normal expression, and reported his position together.

"Ximenez, Chief Inquisitor."

"Ximenez, since you have brought the Pope's decree, I will obey your dispatch, but I reiterate once again: our swords will not be aimed at the subjects of the Empire."

Haigemo looked into his eyes and emphasized again.

"Laine people are also subjects of the Empire, although they do not live in the Holy City."

Ximenez nodded slightly, his face still expressionless.

"Of course."

"The 'Holy Word' indeed writes it this way." ===== CHAPTER 468 =====