Leon looked at Alicia, who was following closely behind him—even nudging Thomas aside by a step. After a brief hesitation, he said:
“Alicia is... the savior of Old Hunter and myself.”
Thomas blinked, then broke into a natural smile. “A savior? Wait... I think I’ve seen a similar story in the acrobatic troupes of the Imperial Capital...”
“It’s not that dramatic,” Leon said. “Please put whatever stories you have in your head aside, Uncle Thomas. Alicia truly is our savior. Since she has no place to stay in Solainem, I’ve brought her to the manor.”
Having said that, Leon turned to Alicia and said, “Alicia, you really don’t have to keep following us...”
“No!” Alicia’s attitude was firm. “You, danger! I, protect!”
Leon massaged his forehead.
Perhaps affected by Juliet’s death, Alicia had been sticking to his side since early this morning, claiming she was worried he might encounter danger and that she needed to protect him.
Leon had tried his best to persuade her, explaining that the city guard had already begun a city-wide search for any remaining vampires, that he was perfectly safe in the manor, and that with his divine spells, his combat power wasn't weak... and so on.
But Alicia remained stubbornly by his side.
In her eyes, perhaps simply returning the 《Hand of Divine Spells》 wasn't enough to repay him for saving her life. To ensure she didn't meet an untimely end before she could finish repaying her debt, like Juliet had, Alicia was determined to stay close and protect him properly.
“I see! I understand, Young Master Leon!”
Thomas watched the interaction between Leon and Alicia, a somewhat mischievous grin spreading across his bearded face.
Leon felt that with a smile like that, Thomas definitely didn't understand a thing.
“Miss Alicia, are you a half-blood wood elf?” Thomas asked, noticing her emerald-like, brilliant pupils.
“Wood... elf? Half-blood?” Alicia looked somewhat confused.
Thomas explained:
“Wood elves are a race known for their long, pointed ears, exquisite and handsome features, and slender, well-proportioned builds.”
“Their hair is usually gold or silver, and their eyes are green or amber.”
“However, emerald eyes as brilliant as yours, Miss Alicia, are rare even among the wood elves of the 【World Forest】.”
Hearing this, Alicia still shook her head in confusion.
Leon explained, “Alicia grew up in a small-town orphanage and doesn't know who her parents were.”
A look of realization dawned on Thomas’s face, and he said repeatedly, “My apologies for asking such a question.”
...
They arrived at the manor’s great hall.
Leon sat down on a soft sofa. Before he could even speak, Alicia sat down right next to him.
Seeing this, Thomas didn't try to squeeze onto the sofa but sat across from Leon instead.
“Young Master Leon, besides guarding you and transporting that small Gray Mist Barrier, the Master also asked me to bring you a message.”
Thomas got straight to the point.
Seeing Thomas’s solemn expression, Leon asked, “What message?”
Thomas glanced at Alicia. Leon understood and said to her, “I need to speak with Uncle Thomas for a moment. Alicia, could you wait outside for a bit?”
Alicia was puzzled. Why did she have to wait outside just to talk?
Leon added, “It’s a secret.”
Alicia nodded and stood quietly outside.
Thomas watched Alicia’s retreating figure and first murmured, “Those eyes really do look like the wood elves I’ve seen,” before continuing:
“Young Master, are you aware of the Priest Assessment taking place in a little over a week?”
Leon nodded.
Thomas continued with a serious expression, “This Priest Assessment is of extraordinary significance. It’s not just a formalistic exercise, but a major event pushed forward by both His Majesty and the Pope, drawing the attention of the entire Imperial Capital.”
Leon said, “I heard Bishop Miles mention it. But why would His Majesty and the Pope suddenly hold such an assessment?”
Thomas replied, “The Priest Assessment is only the beginning of this change.”
“According to the Master’s deductions, His Majesty’s true intention is to conduct a comprehensive reform of the Sacred Light Church—just like the previous 《Human Rights Bill》.”
“His Majesty hopes to maintain the purity of the Sacred Light Church by clearing out those noble priests who are just there to make up the numbers and serve no purpose. He wants the church to truly return to the Holy Light itself, rather than being a vassal for noble interests.”
Hearing this, Leon’s eyes sharpened. “Isn't that a bit too radical?”
The previous 《Human Rights Bill》 only damaged the pride of the Heron Empire’s nobility; it didn't shake their fundamental interests.
However, this church reform was entirely different.
For nobles, money, power, and influence could all be acquired through children sent into the church as priests. If the incompetent noble priests were completely purged from the Sacred Light Church, it would be no different from cutting off a noble's arm.
Thomas shook his head slightly and said, “This is an order directly from His Majesty. Perhaps he has already made thorough preparations.”
He suddenly changed the subject. “However, Young Master Leon, the point of what the Master asked me to tell you isn't about that.”
“What is the point?” Leon asked. Could there be something even more significant in the Imperial Capital?
“The Master’s meaning is this.” Thomas stared at Leon, enunciating each word clearly:
“Because of the Priest Assessment, His Majesty and the Pope are watching very closely. Even the Master doesn't dare to intervene.”
“So—for this Priest Assessment, you’ll have to rely on yourself, Young Master.”
Leon was stunned, then confused, then thoughtful, then realized what was happening, and finally laughed out of frustration.
He stared at Thomas. “You think that with my level of divine spells, I’ll fail the assessment and be kicked out of the church, so you’re giving me a warning now?”
Thomas raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “It’s not me, it’s the Master... uh, it’s not the Master either.”
“Young Master Leon, actually, this is just to give you some small, slight psychological expectations...”
Leon’s eyelids twitched. “Let’s go!”
“Young Master, where are we going?”
“To the square! Gather all the warriors of the Falcon Warband. I’m going to duel you in front of them!”
...
“Young Master, is this really necessary?”
Thomas asked Leon as he looked at the warband warriors gathering around to watch the excitement.
“Uncle Thomas, combat is also a part of the Priest Assessment. Just think of this as a sparring session,” Leon said, standing not far from Thomas.
Thomas nodded. “I understand, Young Master Le—”
Hum!
Before he could finish his sentence, a massive Hammer of Holy Light suddenly manifested in mid-air.
The head of the hammer bore prismatic spikes. The handle quickly pressed down, pulling the spiked head to its peak height.
Immediately following that, it crashed down with terrifying force!
Boom!
The sound of metal clashing exploded, and a shockwave swept across the square, kicking up dust into the eyes of the watching warriors.
Such a display left them speechless.
The power of this 【Hammer of Holy Light】 was several levels stronger than they had imagined.
But they remembered that at his sixteenth birthday banquet four months ago... the Young Master hadn't even mastered the Hammer of Holy Light spell, had he?
In just four months, he could use a newly mastered divine spell with such power?!
“I see. Young Master Leon, I apologize for looking down on your divine spell proficiency before.” As the air settled, Thomas’s voice rang out.
However, faced with Leon’s sudden hammer strike, Thomas had only slightly raised the black spear in his hand to easily block it.
With a sweep of his spear, the mental energy concentrated in the Hammer of Holy Light was shattered, and the hammer dissipated into brilliant light.
“As expected of the 【Black Spear】...”
Leon wasn't surprised by this.
After all, this Uncle Thomas of his was one of the strongest bloodline warriors among those of the Silver rank.
Specifically, he was at the peak of the Silver rank—half-step Gold.
Rate on N.U.
