Chapter 4: The Fiendish Threat

“Lord Nuoyola, it’s unfortunate to meet you under such circumstances. Life is full of uncertainties; it seems we’re destined to meet after all.” Rebrí had fully regained his usual carefree demeanor. He casually shook off his mage robes, and his staff slipped silently from his hand. No ruler on the continent dared to underestimate someone as powerful as Nuoyola and Lorenzo—they represented the highest authority of the Light Church in the mortal world. Anyone who dared provoke them could be thrown into the abyss.
“Why? Why must it be like this, Rebrí? Can’t we avoid this? We didn’t want to meet under these circumstances, but why do you keep breaking the rules and provoking us?” Lorenzo wore a pitiful expression, but the excitement in the corners of his eyes revealed his true thoughts. It had been a long time since he’d encountered a worthy opponent. Fighting against a former star of the Light Church made this trip to the Caucasus worthwhile.
“Lord Lorenzo, I must say your words are flawed. ‘Bottom line’? What exactly is that? Just because you’ve set certain rules does that mean you can disregard all laws of the world? Everything in this world must operate and live according to your wishes—you decide when we live or die. Is that your so-called ‘bottom line’?” The wrinkles on Rebrí’s face seemed to fade, and a strange smile appeared on his radiant face. “I don’t intend to obey, and many others neither do.”
“Hmph, Rebrí. You should know the laws of our Light Church…” Lorenzo’s expression darkened, but he was immediately interrupted by Comer, who had remained silent until then: “Is it ‘those who follow me thrive, those who oppose me perish’?”
“Dare you! Are you Viscount Comer, the lord of the Caucasus? Don’t you realize that the people in your territory are gradually slipping into darkness under your leadership? I can’t understand how a nobleman like you could sink to such a level. Is it because illegitimate bloodlines are less resistant to corruption and darkness? If so, I can only say it’s a tragedy for the Caucasus!” Lorenzo’s attitude toward Comer was far less tolerant than Rebrí’s. In his eyes, it was all the fault of this damned minor noble—eradicating the problem would solve everything.

The words “illegitimate” struck like a whip against the long-forgotten wounds in Komer’s heart, causing the scabs to crack and fresh blood to seep out. His face twisted into a grotesque expression. “Lorenzo, don’t think just because you’re part of the Tribunal that you can decide everything. I’ll tell you—there are many things in this world that your Light Church doesn’t know. Your Light Church can’t cover the sky with its hands.”

Success only fueled the other’s anger, yet Lorenzo’s expression became unusually calm and serene. He nodded slightly and smiled, saying, “The fox’s tail has finally shown itself. Good. I’m also looking forward to your performance. Those who dare to desecrate the God of Light will never be allowed to rise again.”

Seemingly unaware of the exchange between Komer and Lorenzo, Noyola was more focused on the Light Mage who had once been highly regarded by her. But fate had brought the two of them to this point. Karu had become one of the strongest members of the Tribunal, second only to her and Lorenzo. Rebrí, who used to be on par with Karu, was now shrouded in darkness. Perhaps this time she could help him shake off the darkness covering his heart and let him be reborn.

“Rebrí, do we really have to go this far?” Seeing the unhidden determination in his defiant gaze, Noyola knew her persuasion wouldn’t work, but she still wanted to try. “Can’t we find another way to solve this?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t think so, Noyola. You know, we’ve always had to stick to what belongs to us. No one can change me, just as I can’t change you.” A hint of regretful smile appeared on Rebrí’s lips as the staff in his sleeve finally came into view.

Noyola’s pupils contracted slightly. She knew he had revealed his staff, meaning he had no intention of surrendering. This battle was inevitable. And it seemed that little nobleman was just as stubborn as Lorenzo, refusing to back down, even showing an aggressive attitude. Perhaps the Tribunal’s sharp sword hadn’t been drawn in too long, and many had forgotten its true nature.

“Rebri, since both of us have our own convictions, it seems there’s no need for further words between us. I don’t like to resolve disputes in this way, but it’s often unavoidable. I guess your lord friend shares the same view. How about this: I duel you, and Lorenzo faces off against that lord? What do you say?” A gentle smile graced his face like a flowing spring; even at the brink of conflict, the Inquisition leader’s demeanor remained calm and natural.

“No, Nojora. Let me be the one to savor this experience with an old friend. I haven’t tried it in ages. Of course, if this lord is also eager for action, I have no objection to him joining us in this ‘symphony,’” Lorenzo interrupted Nojora’s plans.

Nojora frowned slightly. As soon as he stepped into Damorsk Fortress, he felt the powerful magical atmosphere surrounding it. What surprised him most was that this magical energy wasn’t pure dark magic, but rather the intense radiation emitted by the magic matrix beneath the obelisks. Although he had already learned from Karu and Boriz that Damorsk Fortress contained various peculiarities, including magic arrays, Nojora, who had long dealt with dark forces, didn’t care much about such dark spells and arrays. Light existed to cleanse darkness, and it was the Inquisition’s duty to eradicate the soil in which darkness grew. He had endured many trials, but Damorsk Fortress gave him a feeling unlike anything he had experienced before.

Both Rebri and that young lord gave him strange impressions. Rebri was still somewhat understandable—after all, he came from the Light Church. Even if he had been tainted by darkness, his true nature could never be erased. Nojora was confident he could help this lost lamb return to the embrace of the God of Light. But that young lord gave him a sense of confusion and ambiguity, like an impenetrable fog of mystery. Nojora had never felt such things before. Though he believed he could resolve this trouble as usual, he had a badpremonition—that this confrontation might bring many unexpected consequences.

With a deep glance at the obelisk that reflected strange light in the sunlight, faint shadows arose in Noroya’s mind. This was not a dark magic array but rather something that could be used to activate a starry sky magic array through some kind of spell. It was noon, the perfect time to unleash starry sky magic. Perhaps their choice of time was inappropriate; maybe they should have chosen an overcast day with thick clouds? Noroya smiled self-mockingly—when had she become so lacking in confidence?

Apart from the influence of the magic matrix, Lorenzo had also underestimated that guy a bit. Maybe Lorenzo could handle Rebrí and that little lord, but not with his current mindset. Even if he tried to warn them now, it would only have the opposite effect. But as long as he was there, he believed those two wouldn’t be able to cause any trouble. With Karu and Boriz monitoring around, even if anything chaotic happened, it shouldn’t escape their grasp.

Taking a slight step back, Noroya appeared to intend to withdraw, but she had no real intention of moving away. Rebrí sighed inwardly—Noroya was still Noroya; she would never do anything without being sure of success. If it were just Lorenzo alone, and if he and Komer gave it their all, along with using the power of the magic matrix, maybe a miracle could happen. But with Noroya standing by, all hope was gone. It was better this way; he no longer needed to worry about gains and losses and could focus on performing well in this battle.

Almost without any warning, Rebrí’s wide robe billowed suddenly, and his sharp gaze fixed on Lorenzo’s calm face. The clear sky suddenly darkened as a massive wind column formed in midair. A shrill howling sound seemed to appear out of nowhere, twisting as it headed toward Lorenzo.

“A tornado column?! Rebrí, have you sunk so low as to rely on such a crude wind spell for a show? It will disappoint me greatly.” With a cold wave of his hand, Lorenzo didn’t even need to cast a spell—intense scattered light burst from around his body. “You’d better see what the Light Holy Church can do!”

Silver-white light collided in the air and instantly converged into a light sphere seemingly confined within a certain space. It rushed toward the incoming tornado column. At the moment of impact, the brilliant light sphere exploded violently. Powerful light energy broke free from the restraining barrier and spread out. The spinning wind column, struck head-on by the light energy, scattered instantly.

With a soft hum from his nostrils, Lebrí ignored the verbal provocation. The battle had just begun—time for this overconfident fool to see his true strength after all these years. With a gentle sway of his staff, the wind elements that had scattered reassembled as if receiving some command. But this time, instead of forming one massive tornado, they twisted in the air into countless blue-black conical funnels—a strange color resulting from the wind elements being compressed to their limit, filled with a magical power capable of devouring everything.