Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 542 - 496 Mood

When Karen first laid eyes on Lyle, her heart was moved. The esteemed Purifier she respected put himself in danger for her sake, and the guilt she felt over her own reckless actions, along with this touch of emotion, acted as a catalyst, slowly elevating the feelings buried in Karen’s heart.

Then, then she saw that woman, a wry smile hidden in Lyle’s embrace, the very embodiment of mischief.

It was the first time Karen felt the urge to kill. She thought of the teachings of Raphael, her Holy Light Mentor and leader of the Crusaders.

With age, people change, but the Holy Light remains constant. The Holy Light is like a mirror, reflecting the Paladin’s innermost heart. If you start doubting the Holy Light, it is because your thoughts are constantly falling into decay. Such decay is a form of growth, a growth that brings purity down to the mundanity of the world.

Now, Karen had a new understanding of Raphael’s teachings. Whether it was the betrayal of Priest Studeman or her own inner heart, they were telling Karen that there are things in this world that aren’t so pure, and they existed in her heart too.

Her view of the Purifier Lyle was also changing, turning into a sensation that made her blush and her heart race, especially when those eyes were gazing at her. Karen felt shy.

Where is my armor? Why am I wearing these flimsy clothes? Damn it, I’ve let Lyle see me in shame! But... does he like this kind of dress? After all, Lyle has never worn armor.

Do I look good in this? The taste of the vampires seems not too bad. Karen glanced around, taking in the noble attire of the Blood Clan members.

As expected, the most ravishing one was still that dark-haired mischievous woman. She noticed my gaze and pulled Lyle closer into her arms!

And she was laughing! Laugh on, next time I’ll fill your embrace with my war hammer.

The ceremony began quickly, and Karen watched Joshua, who was embracing her, reveal his sharp fangs. To those two coldly glowing teeth, she only felt amused. They weren’t even as long as a dagger; what could they possibly do?

Comforting herself with that thought, still, Karen’s face showed panic. Without her protective armor, without the combat-ready Holy Light, she felt like a sitting duck, completely vulnerable.

Then a miracle happened. Joshua’s body exploded with a wound, and that terribly ominous old man took his fallen legion and flew out, and she was swiftly taken into Lyle’s arms.

Karen found herself in Lyle’s embrace, she thought her body would be flushed with warmth, like the stones in a fireplace from her childhood. But it wasn’t, because as well as Lyle’s lean arms, there was also a thick tendril attached to his back.

A twisting, writhing black tendril, such limbs only belonged to the most evil of monsters in the tales of the Crusaders.

Lyle is a Purifier! This must be a delusion!

Thinking this, Karen then saw the surging tendrils burst forth from behind Lyle, as if a portal had been installed on his back. The tendrils, ten times his size, formed a high wall that shook the castle violently.

"Lyle... sir..."

She was in his arms, but he didn’t seem to hear her. Two fierce, bone-like arms appeared beside Lyle. His face twisted grotesquely as he chanted the Curse, spreading death’s tainted magical force to the vampire beasts.

Karen gazed at Lyle’s profile, feeling... somehow estranged...

People change. Could it be the same for Purifiers? That warm sensation in her heart grew colder, and a sense of sorrow entered Karen’s naive mind.

Lyle and the girl named Beatrice seemed to have a close relationship. Lyle’s helpless smile and Beatrice’s occasionally benevolent patience amidst her devilish temperament caused Karen to rethink, those emotions welling up to the point of utterance began to fade.

Holy Light above.

Suddenly, Lyle seemed to become another person, emitting a dreadful laugh, his cold aura akin to Mr. Ralph, but even more pitch-black.

When that familiar voice laughed while sentencing the Blood Clan to death, Karen... felt a bit scared.

Was that still the Purifier? Could it be that the true nature of the Child of the Holy Light is like this?

Under the ceaseless brainwashing of the fallen at Degonris, Karen, upon hearing the filth under the Holy Light, finally saw the person she respected so much, take on an extreme posture.

Karen’s faith collapsed in a moment, her radiance dimmed, and deep within her heart, a "hole" began to form.

"It’s okay, Karen, how do you feel?"

Lyle’s call brought Karen back. The concern in Lyle’s eyes and his gentle smile made Karen’s light shine once again.

"Lord Lyle..." His familiar words and actions made Karen feel a sense of deja vu. Which one was the real Lyle?

"Did they torture you?!" Lyle was worried. Damage on the soul level...

"Omen." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The elongated shadow rose from the ground, its claw-like hands of a withered corpse reaching relentlessly toward Karen’s head.

"Don’t come any closer!" That sinister feeling was eating away at Karen’s heart, and she finally couldn’t hold back from uttering these words.

Lyle paused, then realized his oversight. For a Paladin, both Nia’s tentacles and the fearful shadow of the omen were too stimulating.

"I’m sorry, Lyle." It was Karen who spoke first in that awkward moment, not lifting her head, sitting on the ground hugging her knees.

Lyle chuckled slightly, skillfully patting Karen’s head.

"Hahaha, it’s my lack of consideration. It’s fortunate that you didn’t immediately swing your hammer at me. I’m the one who should apologize, Karen."

I’m not that kind of person. Karen defended herself quietly in her mind.

The tentacles and shadows quietly disappeared, and fortunately, the castle was sturdy enough that only one wall collapsed after losing the support of the tentacles.

The sounds of fighting from Beatrice’s side reached their ears.

"Karen, your body seems fine. Beatrice needs my angels. The vampires in the castle have been mostly cleared out; you should be careful, and you’ll be alright."

I’ll help. The idea formed instantly in her mind, and Karen intended to stand up like that, but that strange feeling in her heart snagged her again.

Lyle only saw Karen sit up a bit, her brown eyes meeting his, like a withering leaf touching the ground, no longer lively. Karen Pembai exhibited a gentility that Lyle had never seen in her before.

Her eyes were like pools of autumn water, spirited, yet revealing nothing within, and her smile was serene, like the evening breeze that had blown through an autumn maple forest.

"Lyle, you and Beatrice make a good match."

Lyle had never imagined hearing such words from Karen’s lips, so he could only respond hastily out of instinct.

"Um... thank you..."

Lyle joined the battle, but the image of Karen’s smiling face lingered in his mind.

Karen had grown, too.