Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 119: Revelations

"Start talking."

Riku took a deep breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "High Archon," he began.

"Call me Seraphina,"

"Well, Seraphina, my name is Riku. I am not your enemy. The Crimson Creep, the conspiracy in this city... it is far worse than you imagine. I came to you because I need your help to uncover a major conspiracy."

"How can I believe you? For all I have seen, you are a spy and a leacher that peeks on others." Seraphina harrumphed, still unresolved on the previous matter.

"I am not your enemy," Riku repeated, his voice steady despite the High Archon’s icy glare. "I want to help the people. In fact, I am the one who created the healing talismans that have been circulating in Luxia."

Seraphina let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "You? The creator? A commoner claims to have crafted an artifact that baffles our finest mages? Do you take me for a fool?"

Riku sighed. Words were clearly useless. "Then let me show you."

He reached into his satchel and pulled out one of the gleaming copper talismans, its runes glowing with a soft, steady warmth. Seraphina’s eyes narrowed in recognition.

"The Hummer Talisman," she acknowledged, her tone still dismissive. "This is the talisman, yes. But it proves nothing. Many people have this with them."

"You’re right," Riku agreed. "By itself, it’s just a vessel. But watch."

He held the talisman flat in his palm. Focusing his will, he channeled a new spell, one far more potent than the minor healing it currently held.

Sacred Heal. [-200 goodwill points]

[Current goodwill points - 104,210]

A torrent of pure, brilliant golden light, far more intense and radiant than before, poured from Riku’s hand into the talisman. The copper piece flared violently, overwhelmed by the sheer power. This time, it didn’t just glow; it blazed, casting the entire room in the light of a miniature sun. The ambient healing aura it now emitted was so powerful that the very air felt clean and revitalizing.

Seraphina gasped, taking an involuntary step back. Her professional skepticism shattered in an instant. As a High Archon, a master of holy arts, she knew the signature of that spell. It was healing magic of a purity and magnitude she had only ever read about. To cast it so effortlessly... it was impossible.

"You... " she whispered, her eyes wide with shock, her grip on her sword finally slackening. "That power... How? You are just a leacher..."

Riku handed over the talisman to Seraphina to inspect, which she did with accepted with trembling hands.

"It is not fake..." She muttered to herself.

"Do you believe me now, High Archon? I am not a spy. I am the only one who seems to be trying to stop what’s coming." Riku said with a smile.

Seraphina stared at him, her entire perception of the man before her completely overturned. The pervert, the spy... had just demonstrated a divine power that far exceeded her own. She sank into the chair she had just vacated, her mind reeling. "Tell me," she said, her voice now quiet and deprived of its earlier hostility.

"Tell me everything."

Seeing he finally had her attention, Riku wasted no time. He recounted what he had witnessed in the meeting earlier. He described the gathering, naming each member of the inner circle. He spoke of the New Chamberlain’s political cover-ups, of Lady Vayne’s failed plot against her brother, and of Lord Malakor’s shadowy authority. He also spoke about the bodyguard, Vyon, who was pulling the strings secretly.

Seraphina listened, her face growing paler with each revelation. But her eyes particularly flared up when she heard the name of Lady Vayne.

"It cannot be.... Lady Vayne? Do you know who she is?" She spoke furiously.

"Yes, and with all of them, there was one more person, complicit in all of it - your superior - The Grand Luminar."

"No," Seraphina whispered, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"He was responsible to report on all the current updates on the church," Riku pressed on, "In fact, he was the one who reported the success of my talismans as a ’disruption’ to their plans. He is one of them, High Archon."

"Lies!" Seraphina shot to her feet, her chair clattering backward. The shock on her face had curdled into pure, unadulterated rage. "You dare slander the name of the Grand Luminar? The spiritual leader of Luxia? You think I will believe such a monstrous, baseless accusation from a... a charlatan?"

"It’s the truth!" Riku insisted, standing his ground.

"The truth?" she spat, her voice trembling with fury. "I have dedicated my life to the Light, served under the Grand Luminar for two decades! He is a pillar of faith! You come here, trespassing in my chambers, spewing insane conspiracies, and you expect me to betray everything I know based on the word of a man who was spying on me in my bath?"

"I have heard enough!" she snarled. She shoved past Riku, her face a mask of furious denial. "You are either a madman or a far more dangerous enemy than I imagined!"

She stormed out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind her, leaving Riku alone in the now silent bedroom.

"Ahhh, should have expected that." Riku shook his head wryly.

----------------

After a while, Riku stepped onto the gardens of the mansion. He saw Seraphina sitting on one of the chairs, gazing blankly into the surroundings. Slowly, he went and sat on one of the nearby chairs.

"Have you calmed down now?" Riku asked gently.

"You.. why have you not left yet?" Seraphina broke out of her reverie and hissed at Riku again.

"I cannot leave, High Archon Seraphina. I need your help to fight against these people." Riku urged again.

"I am sorry," Seraphina spoke in a neutral tone. "I am just a servant under the Grand Luminar. I cannot accept such baseless acquisitions and go out on a hunt abandoning my official duties."

"Please leave before I call the Capital Wardens."