Novalia said, “Half a month ago, a plague suddenly broke out in the barracks. Emperor Leo and I went to investigate.”
“Just as we arrived at the camp, we saw a six-winged angel descend and cure the plague with holy water.”
“To our surprise, the angel exposed Leo’s identity as an undead in front of everyone. She claimed the plague was a disaster caused by him, and burned him to ashes with Holy Fire right before our eyes.”
Ning Busan’s face was a picture of utter confusion. “Leo was killed by an angel?”
“Yes.”
“You saw it with your own eyes?”
Novalia nodded with difficulty. “Yes, I saw it with my own eyes.”
Ning Busan’s expression became somewhat subtle.
Wait a minute...
If he remembered correctly, the undead did not fear Holy Fire.
Would someone as crafty as Leo really die so easily?
There was clearly something fishy going on!
A flicker of sympathy passed through Novalia's eyes. “I know you must be devastated right now, but you don't have to put on a brave face in front of me.”
Ning Busan said expressionlessly, “I am indeed so, so devastated.”
With that, he even wiped away a nonexistent tear.
There was no emotion, nor any acting skills whatsoever.
Novalia fell silent.
Ning Busan’s reaction made her start to doubt herself.
Could Emperor Leo still be alive?
But she had indeed seen Emperor Leo burned to ashes by the Holy Fire.
Or had Emperor Leo used some sort of illusion?
“Alright, let’s not worry about him for now,” Ning Busan said. “How much do you know about that angel?”
Novalia said, “Siphra is a six-winged angel under the God of Light. She claims she was sent by the God of Light to resolve the plague in the human world and spread his teachings.”
“Is the plague resolved now?”
“...It is resolved, but not completely,” Novalia frowned and explained. “Many mutated, red-eyed rats have appeared in the empire. They are the ones causing the plague.”
“Siphra carries the Fountain of Holy Water gifted by the God of Light, and she is distributing holy water for free to the infected citizens at the Light Cathedral.”
“But as long as the red-eyed rats are not completely wiped out, the plague in the empire will never truly disappear.”
Ning Busan understood.
The first batch of Evernight Beasts sent to the human world by the God of Darkness must be this swarm of plague-carrying rats.
In that case, there were three things he needed to do now: kill the red-eyed rats, snatch the Fountain of Holy Water, and capture the six-winged angel.
Either way, he had to bring this six-winged angel back to Hell.
Ning Busan asked, “If I want to capture that six-winged angel, I can just go straight to the Light Cathedral, right?”
“Siphra isn't good at fighting, but if you want to take her away, I'm afraid it won't be that easy.”
“How so?”
“There are three Grand Swordsmen and twenty swordsmen at the Light Cathedral, protecting Siphra round the clock.”
Ning Busan chuckled.
He guessed that most of them were the students he had taught.
In the next second, Novalia added, “Teacher Saige and Mistress Mowen are there too.”
Ning Busan asked in shock, “So many people are protecting her?”
Novalia said, “She has the Fountain of Holy Water with her. We are afraid she might be targeted by people with ulterior motives, so naturally, we have to ensure airtight security.”
Ning Busan burst out laughing.
People with ulterior motives?
So it turns out they're just guarding against me?
Novalia asked, “Should I find a way to summon Siphra to the palace so you can make your move here?”
“No need, I’ll find a way myself.” Ning Busan paused, then asked, “Aren't you curious about why I want to capture that angel?”
“Whatever you do, you must have your reasons.”
“Is that so?” Ning Busan shed his disguise. His black eyes turned into vertical purple pupils, and his legs transformed into a slowly slithering snake tail. His entire body radiated a sinister, dark aura. “Even if I've turned into this, you still choose to believe in me?”
Novalia was taken aback at first, but then she nodded without any hesitation. “I believe in you.”
Ning Busan shrugged. “I thought you'd be frightened.”
“I am indeed a bit surprised. How did you become a demon?”
“It’s a long story, but it’s necessary for you to hear it.”
At the very least, Ning Busan wanted her to know what the Dawn Empire was facing, and who their true enemy was.
Novalia’s gaze became grave and sharp. “Since we could resist the xenos, we can certainly resist the Evernight Beasts as well.”
“It's not quite the same...” Ning Busan said. “I’ve studied the weaknesses of the Evernight Beasts. Only pure light magic can cause harm to them. Start preparing early and invite the Elven Clan to help.”
Novalia’s face turned grim. “By then, I'm afraid it won't just be the Evernight Beasts. There will also be a steady stream of angels descending.”
Ning Busan gave an grunt of agreement. “Exactly. The plague is just a prelude. The Dawn Empire will become a battlefield where the Evernight Beasts and the angels clash.”
With that, Ning Busan raised his hand and shot a beam of white light into Novalia’s body.
Novalia’s eyes gradually lit up. She felt a familiar power surging into her body.
“This is... this is my magic talent.” Novalia’s voice trembled slightly.
“I’ve brought your magic talent back for you,” Ning Busan said. “Novalia, do what you think is right, and leave the rest to me.”
As long as the God of Darkness did not personally descend, he could protect this mortal world.
If the God of Darkness really did show up, Ning Busan didn't believe the God of Light could still sit idly in his Heaven.
It was best to play both sides and drag things out for now.
Once either the God of Light or the God of Darkness lost their patience, they would inevitably go to war.
Either Heaven would fall, Hell would be lost, or both sides would suffer heavy losses.
No matter the outcome, it would be better than the human world being caught in the middle.
Novalia watched Ning Busan's figure vanish into the shadows and said softly, “Take care.”
...
The Light Cathedral.
This was the cathedral of the God of Light. Constructed entirely of white marble, its structure was magnificent and sacred.
The main gate towered high, carved with a relief of the God of Light. Inside, the dome was lofty and spacious, with a massive light crystal suspended in the center, illuminating the entire hall.
Tall windows were set with stained glass, and sunlight filtered through them, casting colorful patterns of light and shadow on the floor.
At this moment, a long queue had formed in the prayer corridor.
At the end of the line stood an angel.
Siphra's long golden hair reached her waist, and her skin was as translucent as moonlight. She wore a silver-white robe embroidered with golden runes, and the three pairs of pure white wings behind her were holy and dazzling.
Bestowing holy water and dispelling the illness of the infected commoners was her mission.
She watched as these humans ecstatically drank the holy water, then devoutly praised the God of Light.
It was always the same, without any variation.
It wasn't until the line grew shorter and the cathedral was completely empty that a youth with black hair and black eyes walked in.
Siphra knew he was not here to receive holy water, because he did not carry the scent of illness.
But he carried the scent of a demon.
Rate on N.U.
