Chapter 12 (Mild H)

Chapter 12 (Slightly H)

The rain carried a faint metallic scent, the smell of blood, which covered the mountains and the earth, turning the land into a vast, pale purple carpet stretching endlessly towards the horizon.

After three arduous days of travel, they had left the area most severely affected by the Undead Legion. The devastation along the way was overwhelming. The Undead Legion from the North had begun a massive invasion, spreading deep into the heart of the continent. The ruined villages were clearly visible, with collapsed houses and the former residents turned into walking corpses.

Xiu attempted to seek help from the first city-state, Doron County, but failed. The city lord, having already received news of the fall of the Golden City, had shut the gates, refusing entry to any outsiders to prevent the spread of plague. After some negotiation, the lord of Doron County provided them with a horse and some food.

Thus, Xiu took Joyce on the road again. The next territory they passed through similarly heartlessly rejected them, as did the third and fourth. In one place, guards even shot arrows at them, ordering them to leave immediately.

Joyce was somewhat confused, unsure of the purpose behind Xiu's actions, but he trusted that Xiu would protect them. Along the way, Xiu often remained silent for long periods, often not speaking a word for an entire day, except for the brief moments of hope when they first escaped.

A single horse carried Xiu and Joyce across the plains, galloping towards the village at the end of the mountain range.

Heading east, they were getting farther and farther from the Golden City. Joyce was worried, as he had not yet sensed Alex's location. His brow furrowed as he leaned against Xiu, sleeping with a troubled expression.

The village opened its wooden gate, and Xiu dismounted, carrying Joyce down.

Both were cloaked, with Joyce still somewhat drowsy, leaning on Xiu and stumbling as he got off the horse.

"Who goes there?" asked the village guard.

"Travelers!" Xiu replied. "From the west!"

This was the last stop before leaving the heart of the continent. Nearby was a large lake, beyond which lay Krian Territory, guarded by the descendants of the King Hero. Further north was the vast grassland, occupied by the nomadic Sosa tribe.

Entering Krian Village, they found it crowded with people exchanging news from the Golden City. Joyce was about to ask questions, but Xiu stopped him with a gesture.

"Do not reveal your identity to anyone," Xiu whispered.

Finally, they arrived at Krian Village, outside of which lay the great grassland, and beyond that, the Northern Frontier.

"The Pope is dead!" someone shouted in the tavern. "The Bishops are finished too. This is an era of the fall of the true gods!"

A group of drunkards erupted in noise.

"To hell with the Church!" another drunkard slammed his beer mug on the table, arrogantly declaring, "I don't have to pay taxes anymore!"

The tavern burst into laughter.

Xiu and Joyce walked in, bringing with them the scent of the bloody rain.

"We will stay here temporarily," Xiu said softly.

"Alright," Joyce nodded, removing his hood. As his face was revealed, the tavern fell strangely silent, and the drunkards stared at his beautiful features. Joyce's fair skin, thick eyelashes, red lips, and clean neck made his profile resemble a flawless figure from a mural, drawing curious glances.

Xiu, using some unknown method, had Magic swirling around him, altering the color of his hair and eyes. His hair turned the same golden hue as Joyce's, and his eyes became a deep blue.

"Give us a clean room," Xiu said, placing a gold coin on the counter.

Joyce felt uncomfortable under the stares, so Xiu placed a hand on his shoulder and scanned the tavern. The patrons, noticing the broadsword on his back, quickly resumed their lively conversations.

"To the damned Pope—hahahaha—they won't get our taxes anymore!" a red-faced drunkard raised his glass.

Xiu raised his hand, but Joyce immediately held it down, gripping his palm. The bartender threw them a key and asked, "Brothers?"

Joyce's hair and eye color were similar to Xiu's, so Xiu replied, "Yes, this is my brother."

With that, he led Joyce upstairs. The rainy night was bitterly cold, and Joyce's feet were pale from the chill. Xiu snapped his fingers, and a roaring fire sprang to life in the fireplace, warming the long winter night.

"Wait here for Alex, alright?" Hugh pulled over a small stool and sat in front of Joyce, blowing into his hands, then cupping Joyce's feet to warm them.

"You seem upset. What's wrong?" Joyce asked.

"What?" Hugh looked confused for a second, then understood and replied, "No, I just..."

Hugh lifted his gaze to Joyce, then quickly averted it, a slight blush coloring his handsome face.

"Is it the Stigmata that let you sense it?" Hugh asked.

Joyce focused and felt Hugh's emotions swirling, a tangled web of tension, restraint, and a longing he couldn’t express trapped within his heart.

"Things are dangerous right now," Hugh explained. "I don't know what challenges we'll face, so we need to stay firmly on the human side."

Joyce assumed Hugh would head back to the Golden City for help, but instead, they were moving further away. He wasn’t sure what Hugh was planning and asked, "I don't know if Yiburan is still alive."

"Even if he’s alive, it won’t help," Hugh said. "The Golden City is sealed, and the seven guardian Paladins have lost their connection to the Pope’s Holy Light, so..."

Joyce understood and nodded. Hugh continued, "Keeping you safe is the most important thing. As long as you live, Alex and I have hope."

"Why not negotiate with the lords?" Joyce asked.

"They’re nothing but lazy, incompetent idiots," Hugh said, rubbing Joyce's feet and answering in a low, serious tone. "If they find out you're a priest who can help them fight and counter the Undead Legion, they’ll lock you away and stick you with knights."

Joyce hummed in acknowledgment. Hugh added, "We’ve already tried every lord along the way. Once Alex reaches any city, he’ll find us."

Joyce understood and said, "So we just need to wait here for him."

Hugh nodded, wrapping Joyce in a blanket, and said, "Get some rest here."

Based on the information they had gathered along the way, the Golden City is trapped inside a Holy Light barrier. The Pope and the Saint of Light fused briefly, sealing the main force of the Undead Legion and suppressing the Demon Gods beneath the earth. Joyce had never read about this kind of barrier and didn’t know how to break it.

"We’ll figure something out," Hugh said, standing up and removing his cloak and shirt, showing off his toned shoulders and back as he cleaned up.

"Why don’t we return to the Kingdom of Shak?" Joyce asked.

"The mist is creeping across the land," Hugh replied. "It’s cutting off every route west. If we detour into the mountain country, I can't guarantee your safety."

"Let me see your wound," Joyce said softly.

Hugh undid his belt and stood bare before Joyce. His body had fully recovered; the blood of the Scorpion God had completely healed his skin, revealing well-defined abs and a V-line on his lower abdomen. Joyce reached out and touched the spot where Hugh's wound had been. The edges were still black, but thankfully, it hadn't spread further.

"This is a curse," Joyce said.

"I was marked by the Dark Dragon Spear of an Undead Knight," Hugh replied. "But don’t worry, your Holy Light has suppressed it."

Joyce suddenly remembered that during the Undead Legion's attack, someone had also mentioned the Dark Dragon Spear.

"Does the wielder need to be purified to lift the curse?" Joyce asked.

"Yes," Hugh said. "I know what to do. Don’t worry, Joyce, it's just a small wound."

Joyce thought about Hugh being a Spellblade. According to Alex's assessment, Hugh Kosonen was a once-in-a-generation genius, so his strength must be extraordinary. This thought slightly eased Joyce's anxiety.

Joyce hugged Hugh's waist, but Hugh pulled his hands away, pressed him onto the bed, buried his face in Joyce's shoulder, and gently kissed his neck. After a moment, they looked at each other.

"I can sense how much you miss Alex," Hugh whispered. "It's very strong."

Joyce replied, "He must still be alive, but the Black Tide has cut off our connection. I'm very worried."

"Don't worry," Xiu said in a deep voice. "He must be alive."

Joyce nodded, feeling Xiu's member pressing against him from behind.

"Is this okay?" Xiu asked, still a bit restrained.

Joyce's breathing became rapid, and Xiu's wet member gently parted Joyce's thighs. Joyce looked into his eyes and said, "We haven't completed our vows yet."

"So what?" Xiu whispered, kissing Joyce's lips and slowly pushing in.

"Ah!" Joyce's brows furrowed as he pleaded, "Be gentle..."

This time, compared to their hurried first encounter, the sensation was much more intense. Xiu's erection was straight and firm, slowly entering Joyce's depths, causing him to draw his knees up and tremble uncontrollably.

"This feels good," Joyce said, running his fingers through Xiu's short black hair. "Are you experienced?"

"No," Xiu shook his head and whispered, "I'm a virgin."

"I worship you as a god," Xiu said solemnly. "When I enter your body, my soul feels completely humbled..."

Joyce exhaled, circling Xiu's waist with his arms, allowing him to go deeper. Their naked bodies rubbed against each other, entwined. The sound of rain outside grew louder, and Xiu's movements became more intense.

"Are you thinking about Scott?" Xiu asked, studying Joyce.

"No," Joyce laughed, feeling himself on the verge of climax but deliberately controlling himself, stopping to chat. He couldn't quite articulate what he was thinking, feeling that the comfort Xiu brought him was entirely different from what Alex provided.

Alex's movements were full of control, gentleness, and care, while Xiu's had a sense of restrained savagery. He wanted to increase the intensity several times but, seeing Joyce tremble, he carefully slowed down, trying to coordinate with him.

"Your body is very sensitive. Did Alex teach you how to cooperate with him?" Xiu lowered his head, kissing Joyce's collarbone. Joyce's face flushed as he hugged Xiu's neck, sucking on his earlobe.

"He did," Joyce said seriously. "He said, 'Joyce, let's give ourselves to each other.'"

"Xiu, what about you?" Joyce whispered in his ear.

Xiu's breath hitched, and then he intensified his movements. Joyce swallowed hard, clinging to him in excitement. After a while, Xiu let out a long breath, holding Joyce and trembling.

Xiu clearly wasn't ready to leave Joyce's body yet, so he quietly held him. Joyce could feel that the dark mist within Xiu's body couldn't be completely dispelled.

They kissed each other, lying in bed, covered with a blanket, chatting softly. Joyce could sense Xiu's restraint and unease, so he stroked his head, leaning close to his face, trying to calm his inner turmoil and get to know him better.

"Are you and the teacher good friends?"

"Yes," Xiu said. "Can you sense Alex's general location?"

"I've tried many times, but I've failed," Joyce thought for a moment and shook his head. "There's fog everywhere. If you get too far from me, I can't call your Stigmata either."

"How far?" Xiu's eyebrows moved.

"Three to five kilometers," Joyce recalled when Alex left the city. "That's my limit."

Xiu considered for a long time and then nodded. Joyce traced his fingers over Xiu's face, noticing that the abilities Xiu gained from the Stigmata weren't very obvious yet, at least not in the same way as Alex's.

"Have you been practicing magic since childhood?" Joyce asked.

"I'm a Spellblade," Xiu hugged Joyce, pressing him against his warm chest. His voice was deep and steady, resonating in Joyce's mind.

"I was born with magical sensitivity," Xiu explained. "They saw me as a devil. My mother died of an illness not long after I was born, and my father was a court scholar, but he rarely came home. Later, I entered the Tuck Kingdom court and grew up with the Mercenary King's son."

Joyce said, "You're the commander of the Tuck Kingdom's army. Do you need me to accompany you back?"

Xiu fell silent, and at that moment, Joyce sensed a deep turmoil in his resolve.

"Legion Commander Kosonen is dead," Xiu said. "Now, I am called Xiu."

Joyce could vaguely sense the guilt, pain, and inescapable emotions within him. He knew Xiu bore an immense responsibility—he had led his legion to assist the Church against the Undead Horde, only to lose the entire legion on the battlefield.

Perhaps from now on, he could never return to the mercenary nation. The war had dealt him a heavy blow, and he could only live as Joyce's guardian knight.

"Your heart is heavy with pain," Joyce said, stroking Xiu's hair.

This time, Xiu did not respond but remained silent.

Joyce said, "Don't let hatred control your soul. You are strong. You are my knight..."

Xiu whispered, "I can't help it." He looked up at Joyce and said, "These days, the horrific scenes of the legion's destruction keep haunting me. I always think that one day, I will avenge my comrades."

"When the time comes for vengeance," Joyce said, "can I go with you?"

At these words, Xiu trembled slightly.

Joyce felt the dark seed within Xiu's body seemed to grow stronger. His brows furrowed deeply, wanting to say more, but knowing that at this moment, no matter what he said, Xiu might not listen.

Perhaps Xiu could help him break free from hatred. For now, Joyce could only use holy light to suppress the dark power as much as possible. He had always been understanding, knowing that the only way to comfort him now was to try a different approach.

He could no longer exert any pressure on Xiu. Along the way, Xiu had been silent more often than not, but he would gradually come to terms with what he had to face.

"Xiu," Joyce held his head, stroking his hair, and said, "I have something to tell you. Listen..."

He leaned close to Xiu's ear, kissed it, then brushed Xiu's short black hair and kissed his forehead. Xiu looked up at him with hope and expectation, their gazes softening in that moment.

"Teacher told me," Joyce said earnestly, "that the most important thing between a knight and a priest is unwavering trust in each other, trust in each other's strength, and honesty."

Xiu nodded, and Joyce continued, "No matter what you want to do in the future, no matter what difficulties you encounter, I will always be by your side. You fight for me, and I will always protect you... No matter when, no matter where, if one day you must face danger, I will wait for your return as I waited for Teacher, or I will seek you out as I sought Teacher. If you are destined to walk the path of vengeance, my holy light will always accompany you, never abandoning you."

Xiu's eyes shone like stars in the dark night. They were bare-chested, with a blanket draped over their lower bodies. Joyce lifted Xiu's chin with his fingers, their lips gently touching. This intimate gesture made Xiu's breath quicken again.

Xiu wrapped his arms around Joyce's waist, covering them both with the blanket, as if wanting to enter him again. Joyce asked, "Do you... want to go again?"

"I need you, Joyce," Xiu replied, his expression cold as he rolled on top of Joyce and began to enter him.

Joyce pleaded, "Be gentle... I suspect you just want to have sex with me."

Xiu couldn't help but laugh, his mood finally fully restored. His smile radiated sunshine and infectious joy, like a carefree child. Joyce felt him enter his body again, filling the already slick passage.

"I..." Joyce murmured.

Suddenly, the village bells rang out, and Xiu immediately looked up.

"It's not the Undead Legion," Joyce sensed the dark tide approaching, but there was no movement this time. Outside the village, roars and screams echoed.

Danger was close at hand. Xiu could no longer continue. He stood up, went to the window, and saw the red glow of flames lighting up the sky. Clearly, someone had set fire to the northern part of the village. Joyce got up to dress, and Xiu said, "Stay here. I'll go check."

Joyce looked at Xiu, silent. Xiu thought for a moment and said, "Come on, let's go together."

Joyce followed Xiu down the stairs, worried about Xiu's recent injuries and whether he could handle the situation. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Xiu sensed Joyce's concern and said, "It's not the Undead Legion. They pose no threat to me. Don't worry."

A group of cavalry entered the village, driving men, women, and children to the village square. In the rainy night, torches crackled as the cavalry kicked open doors and dragged out the residents.

A young man clad in animal fur, his chest bare, sat astride a horse and shouted with authority and anger.

"Residents of Crian, pay attention!" the translator shouted. "Stand still! Prince Sylin has something to say!"

The square fell silent. Crian Village was the final frontier for diplomatic and trade relations between the continent and the nomadic tribes of the grassland. Many traveling merchants had gathered here, and they were furious upon hearing this.

"You can't treat us like this!" a man dressed as a merchant shouted angrily. "This breaches the grassland pact!"

The village chief stepped forward and said, "Your Highness Sylin, according to the treaty between the Crian Autonomous Region and the Kingdom of Kane..."

The young man didn't need to ask to know what he was saying and impatiently shouted something. The translator said, "The treaty has been annulled. The Lord of Crian is dead, and civil unrest has broken out within the city-state. Now, the Kingdom of Kane's guards have assumed control here."

The square erupted in an uproar. Just as the villagers and travelers were about to protest, the young man named Sylin roared a few more words. The translator immediately said, "From now on, clear out of your homes. You must leave! Leave now, head south! All of you, leave Crian!"

"Locals, assemble in the largest house. Set off now, quickly!"

At that moment, a disturbance erupted at the entrance of the inn in the northeast corner of the village. A swordsman, like a panther in the night, appeared and with a single sword strike, sent the obstructing cavalry flying!

The crowd erupted in chaos. The prince on horseback, Sylin, shifted his expression. The swordsman swung his broadsword and hurled it towards Sylin. The sound of wind blades whizzed from left and right. Sylin instantly sensed an instinctive danger, sprang off his horse, and leaped backward, twisting in mid-air. However, Xiu moved faster. In a few moves, he had already appeared in front of Sylin's horse. With several swishes of his sword, wind blades erupted in all directions. Sylin's face was grazed by a wind blade, and blood sprayed out. Immediately after, Xiu leaped into the air.

Sylin, in mid-air, drew the curved sword from his waist at the most critical moment and swung it. The two clashed in mid-air, and Xiu's arm burst with the glowing light of Stigmata.

The next moment, the curved sword and the broadsword collided, emitting a shrill sound. Sylin was hurled back to the ground by Xiu's sword.

Joyce stood on the side of the street, withdrawing his hand and slipping it back into his cloak.

Xiu landed steadily, driving his sword into the ground. No one dared to come near.

"Get lost," Xiu said coldly. "No matter who you are."

Prince Sylin fell in a rather disheveled state, struggling to get up in the mud. The cavalry surrounded Xiu, trapping him in a circle. The translator was so frightened that he couldn't speak, his face pale. He stammered, "You... you are..."

Xiu was only wearing a black sleeveless shirt on his upper body. The Stigmata on his arm lit up with a light that flowed along his arm into the hilt of his sword and then down the blade into the ground. Instantly, a sacred energy circle formed, buzzing as it lit up beneath his feet.

"He's from the Church!" someone exclaimed.

However, the holy energy light extinguished, and the hues of magic swirled within the circle. Flames rose, water condensed into ice crystals, and wind and sand swept through, all appearing simultaneously in the four directions of the circle. Xiu extended his left hand, and a flame ignited in his palm.

Holy energy might be something people were used to, but the power of magic shocked everyone. The translator immediately shouted in fear, and even without his translation, the Kane cavalry began to retreat, afraid to provoke this swordsman who wielded a broadsword with skill and could manipulate magic.

Xiu said in a deep voice, "Now, release the women and children, get out. I'll count to three."

"Three."

All the cavalry retreated step by step. The translator stumbled to help Prince Sylin up. Prince Sylin wanted to say something more, but he was protected by the cavalry and retreated from the village.

As he left, he inadvertently turned back and saw Joyce walking towards Xiu.

The village fell into silence. The villagers looked at Xiu and Joyce. Xiu, however, was already accustomed to these fearful, monster-like gazes. He explained to Joyce, "Don't worry about my strength. Your brother Odin's attack sword techniques were trained by me, and his defensive shield strikes were drilled by Alex. Otherwise, with the curriculum of the Shake court knights, he would have had a hard time handling the ranger's tasks."

Joyce nodded, his brows filled with concern. The villagers were murmuring among themselves. Joyce said, "Everyone, go back to sleep. It's over."

He was silent for a while. Xiu reached out his hand, and Joyce took it. Suddenly, Joyce said, "Did you notice when that prince was fleeing?"

"What?" Xiu asked.

"He was afraid," Joyce said in a low voice. "From the moment I first saw him, fear has been following him like a shadow."

Xiu recalled how Sylin had been very nervous when he first entered the village, both in speech and demeanor. He nodded and said, "Yes."

"I tried to influence him with holy energy," Joyce whispered. "I temporarily dispelled some of his fear. He also noticed me. Why did he suddenly bring his cavalry and charge into Crian Village to take over here?"

Xiu frowned slightly, wondering why the Sosa cavalry had charged in at midnight. He decided to find out more, but it was already too late tonight, so they had to sleep for now.

Late into the night, the entire village gradually fell asleep. Mist rolled in from somewhere far away, quietly enveloping the land. The night was pitch black, and the sky had been starless for a long time. Joyce held a book, reading by the fireplace, while Xiu sat silently beside him, cleaning his greatsword.

"What are you reading?" Xiu asked.

"Some legends," Joyce replied. "You should sleep first."

Xiu pulled the blanket over both of them and asked, "Did Gregory sacrifice himself?"

"No, he's still alive," Joyce answered. "He just used a holy energy burst."

"What's that?" Xiu frowned.

"The priest's only self-defense skill," Joyce added. "You know, a priest's body is very fragile. When the knights can't get back in time, I can release the holy energy in my body to create a force field, temporarily sealing the enemies within it until you all come to rescue me."

Xiu understood and said, "Like a mage's magic blast."

"The idea is similar," Joyce replied. "But the effect is different. I only read about holy energy burst in an ancient book. It said that only when the guardian knights arrive can the seal be lifted."

"How is it lifted?" Xiu asked.

"I don't know," Joyce said helplessly. "It didn't say how to remove it, but I'm sure Yiburan will know how. And when Uther activated the holy energy burst, he used the power of the Saint of Light, so I..."

Joyce thought for a moment and said, "I'm not too worried about Uther's situation. Worrying about him isn't as important as worrying about ourselves."

Xiu laughed again and said, "Don't worry, do you also doubt Alex?"

Joyce curled up in the blanket, looking at Xiu like a child, then reached out his hand, silently answering all of Xiu's questions. Xiu gently embraced him, letting Joyce nuzzle against his face.

The rain kept falling, and the world seemed covered in endless black mist. Joyce closed his eyes, recalling the scenes from their journey. They had learned some information about the Undead Legion along the way, but many things left Joyce puzzled.

Who had betrayed the Church? Where had the other guardian knights gone? Bishop Wendell had apostatized, but Joyce hadn't noticed anything wrong with him.

He slowly fell asleep to the sound of rain. In the long night, the land was plunged into darkness, and countless skeletal claws broke through the soil.

A soft holy light glowed from Joyce's body, becoming the only light source in the black mist.

A familiar figure stood in front of him, facing away.

Joyce: "!!!"

"Teacher—!" Joyce heard Alex's voice, and in an instant, his scalp tingled.

"Joyce?" Alex murmured.

"Joyce!"

"Teacher! Teacher! I'm here—!" Joyce could hardly control his emotions. In an instant, the holy light surged, and he rushed forward, but the black mist engulfed him, causing him to lose his way.

"Joyce!" Alex immediately said. "Calm down! Where are you?"

Joyce could see the figure in the black mist, even catching a glimpse of the Stigmata on Alex's neck, the icy crystal emitting a flash of white light.

"I'm..." Joyce snapped back to reality, feeling the black mist discovering their presence, growing thicker, threatening to completely engulf them. Joyce immediately shouted, "I'm in Krian Village! I'm with Xiu!"

"Wait there for us!" Alex's steady voice said. "We're very close now. I'll find you as soon as possible!"

Joyce said, "Where are you? That's great, you're okay..."

Joyce stood barefoot on the barren, desolate ground, and Alex struggled to control his excitement, speaking quickly, "Long story short, Joyce, one of the Hell Knights has betrayed the Church. He killed Archbishop Wendell. Watch out for anyone who might be a spy."

"Who is it?" Joyce felt a chill run down his spine.

Alex continued, "I don't know! By the time I heard the news and rushed back, the Golden City had already fallen! How is Hugh? We've been looking for you all these days. From Dolon County, we learned that Hugh took you westward."

"He's fine," Joyce said, "just a bit injured..."

At that moment, a pair of blood-red eyes opened in the black mist, and Joyce couldn't help but scream, opening his eyes, and instantly woke.

Meanwhile, Hugh suddenly sat up, gasping for breath, his eyes flickering with black flames.

"Hugh!" Joyce was startled; it seemed Hugh had also had a nightmare.

Hugh exhaled a long, difficult breath, drenched in sweat, his upper body bare, his eyes vacant as he panted, his brows furrowed, his features twisted.

"Are you okay, Hugh?" Joyce quickly knelt on the bed, looking into his eyes, "Look at me, Hugh, look at me, it's me, I'm Joyce."

On Hugh's arm, the icy Stigmata was surrounded by black flames, and Joyce was immediately alarmed. He pressed his palm against the Stigmata on Hugh's arm, feeling a searing pain akin to burning, the intense corrosion reminiscent of the pain they felt when they made their pact that night. Enduring the pain, he firmly pressed the Stigmata, leaned in, and kissed Hugh's lips.

The tide of holy light gently dispelled the throbbing darkness, and the dangerous aura emanating from Hugh's body subsided, like a black panther retracting its fierce fur, gradually calming down.

Joyce sighed in relief, leaving Hugh's lips, and touched his handsome but pale face, asking, "What happened?"

"Nothing, just a dream," Hugh seemed unaware of the changes in his body, looking up to see Joyce's worried expression, "What? Did I scare you?"

Joyce composed himself and smiled, "No, what dream?"

Hugh replied, "There was a pair of eyes, always watching me."

Joyce said, "I'm here."

They quietly held each other, Hugh's skin damp with sweat. He touched Joyce's head, held his hips, let him straddle his waist, and kissed him passionately.

After a moment, Hugh spoke again, "I feel like I'm cursed."

Joyce's heart tightened, "Don't think that way..."

"I'm sure," Hugh said wearily, "No matter where we go, those eyes follow... the curse might be right here..."

He lowered his head, and Joyce followed his gaze, looking at the gray scar mark on Hugh's side.

"They've been looking for me," Hugh said gravely.

"Who?" Joyce asked.

"The Hell Knights," Hugh answered, "The ones who branded me with the Dark Dragon Lance."

"The holy light has suppressed it," Joyce comforted, "it won't happen, don't overthink it."

Hugh sighed, his brows slightly furrowed, and Joyce pressed his forehead against his, whispering, "The teacher will be here soon, and we'll figure it out then."

Hugh closed his eyes and nodded, "You sense Alex?"

Joyce hummed in agreement, "He's nearby, he'll find us soon."

Hugh got up, opened the window, and looked outside. The sky was already light, but the rust-colored rain hadn't stopped yet. The gray mist, from who knows where, began to form, gradually enveloping the entire village.

"I smell the stench of the undead," Joyce murmured, "we need to get them out of here immediately!"

"I hope Alex can get here first," said Xiu. "I think we should leave now."

Joyce stood up and said, "Let's go find the village chief."

As Joyce ran out of the inn, he saw many villagers also stepping out, standing in the fog, looking up, seemingly puzzled by the sudden mist.

The village chief noticed Joyce and asked, "Are you a cleric?"

"You must leave here immediately," Joyce said. "The Black Tide is upon us!"

All the villagers tensed up instantly. Joyce recalled yesterday's invasion by the Sosa clan. Their kingdom, named Kain, was a participant in the Red War, holding vast territories in the central and northern grasslands. They mostly stayed within their own borders, only coming to the Krian region every autumn to purchase goods.

The villagers didn't understand the reason for yesterday's invasion, but Joyce knew it all too well. The only possible explanation was...

"The North," Joyce snapped back to reality and said, "Let's go, everyone needs to leave. If we can retreat, make your way to Shak as quickly as possible and find Prince Odin. Let me think."

Joyce found a piece of paper and wrote a few lines for the village chief, instructing him to take the note to Shak, where his brother would arrange a new place for them to settle.

Back in the room, the villagers had already started to evacuate. Joyce saw Xiu holding his right wrist with his left hand, his right palm flat, a blazing fireball materializing in his hand. As he used magic, his hair and eyebrows subtly changed color, turning a faint red.

"Your hunch is likely correct. The Undead Legion must have invaded the grasslands," Xiu said, focusing on the fireball in his hand.

"Maybe they followed the Sosa people," Joyce said, watching Xiu's movements, knowing he was practicing his control over magical power. Spellblades were naturally adept at learning magic, but it also made their souls and minds more susceptible to the influence of magical energy.

Xiu tilted his palm, his hands facing each other, then separated. The flame shifted from orange-red to purple, then to blue, followed by ice crystals and mist. His hair gradually turned deep blue. Just as Joyce wondered if the next magic would be wind, Xiu withdrew his magical energy.

They walked around the village, noticing fewer people. Many villagers were at the village entrance, loading their belongings and possessions onto carts.

Xiu gazed at the Krian region across the way, the castle now shrouded in the mist. The fog silently advanced across the lake's surface, and Joyce instinctively sensed danger.

The fog grew darker, gradually turning a gloomy gray. Joyce decisively said, "We need to leave. We can't wait for the teacher any longer."

They returned from the lakeside and were about to head to the inn when they heard the flapping of wings. A snow-white Pegasus descended from the heavens, landing on the street, folding its wings. The rider dismounted, the clang of iron boots hitting the ground.

It was Yiburan! Joyce was overjoyed and was about to step forward, but Xiu said, "Wait!"

Xiu pulled Joyce behind a house and whispered, "What is he doing here?"

Only then did Joyce realize the strangeness of Yiburan's appearance. They peeked from behind the house. The bustling street was in the early morning, and the residents of Krian town passed by, curiously glancing at Yiburan. Yiburan stopped and asked passersby something.

Joyce: "..."

Xiu whispered, "Look at his wrist."

Joyce followed Xiu's gaze and saw the dark Stigmata of the Pope on the back of Yiburan's wrist. Shocked beyond words, the only thought that came to mind was, "This is terrible, how could this happen?"

"He betrayed the Church! It's him!" Joyce instantly recalled past fragments:

Archbishop Wendell told them in the restricted section of the library, "The gravest danger lies within."

At that time, perhaps Wendell had already discovered Yiburan's betrayal but, due to Alex's friendship with Yiburan, did not dare to disclose the truth outright, only hinting at it. How many accomplices did Yiburan have within the Church?

And finally, before the sacred energy blast, the words he spoke... clearly, the Pope knew too.

Joyce felt as if he had fallen into icy water, remembering Alex's warning. Yiburan appeared to be tracking someone's location. In the middle of the road, a villager pointed the way for Yiburan, who then mounted the Pegasus and flew away. Joyce finally breathed a sigh of relief, assuming they had seen him and Xiu depart the village for the lakeside, thinking they had already left. Thank goodness.

Joyce turned to look at Xiu, whose expression was complex, his lips trembling slightly. After a moment, as if making up his mind, he said, "Hurry, time is running out. We need to gather enough food."

After the Pegasus left, the fog nearly swallowed the entire Krian village. Xiu and Joyce entered the town for the second time, the village now almost empty. Xiu went to the grocery store to search for bread and cold meat. This journey, they were uncertain when they would reach the next supply point.

As Xiu had just left the village with supplies, a deep roar echoed from the misty depths.

Joyce stopped in his tracks, while Xiu, without a word, scaled the roof by grabbing the eaves and looked into the distance.

"We’re in trouble," Xiu said gravely. "The Undead Legion’s all around us, Joyce. Mount up!"

Joyce shouted, "Fall back to the south!"

The assault was sudden. Swarms of black Gargoyles screeched as they dove, flapping their wings. Xiu roared, "No time! Joyce, stay behind me!"

Joyce stumbled behind Xiu, who wielded a greatsword, holding it horizontally and closing his eyes. The sword ignited, glowing a fiery red. The world spun as a fireball launched from the sword, arcing through the air and hitting the first diving Gargoyle with a thunderous blast!

The Gargoyle, engulfed in flames, plummeted to the ground. Everyone scrambled to take cover behind Xiu as the sky filled with swarms of black demons. Flames erupted from Xiu’s body, and his hair instantly turned from black to a fiery orange-red!

The Spellblade unleashed a barrage of magic, and fireballs shot up one after another, like a dazzling meteor shower shooting skyward!

Gargoyles fell one by one, struck by the fireballs. Buildings erupted in flames, and in an instant, the creatures soared higher, evading the ground attacks and charging into the sky!

Xiu opened his eyes, gasping for breath as he leaned on his greatsword, one hand clutching a gray scar on his side. Joyce instantly sensed the searing pain channeled through the Stigmata and quickly embraced Xiu to soothe his agony.

"Stop using magic!" Joyce urged.

"I’ll manage..." Xiu waved his hand, barely managing to speak. "How many are still here? Take cover in the houses! The ground forces are coming... Joyce! Go! Now!"

Xiu shoved Joyce into the grocery store. The moment he opened the door, the ground trembled. In an instant, ghouls surged like a tidal wave, overwhelming the entire village of Crian!

The charge shook all the buildings in the village. Shelves in the grocery store collapsed, and jars and bottles tumbled down. Joyce raised his arms to shield his head and hid behind the counter.

The tremors grew stronger, as if a thousand horses were charging through the village. A ghoul pressed Xiu, smashed through the window, and fell inside.

More and more ghouls swarmed into the grocery store like locusts. Xiu struck with a single move, and ice crystals exploded, pushing the first ghoul back. But more black monsters surged in. Xiu's leather armor was torn off, and his shoulder was slashed, leaving a bloody gash as he was thrown behind the counter!

As Xiu's heavy body fell, it landed on top of Joyce. Joyce braced himself against Xiu's back with his arms, gritting his teeth and shouting, "Xiu—!"

He raised one hand, pressed it against Xiu's back, and channeled all his strength, infusing holy light into Xiu's body, pushing him out from behind the counter. In that instant, the Stigmata on Xiu's arm erupted with a brilliant white light. Gripping his greatsword, Xiu swung it with a mighty force!

With a thunderous roar, the holy light destroyed nearly half of the grocery store. The ghouls screeched hoarsely, retreating from the searing light!

Xiu, covered in blood and severely wounded, switched his sword to his left hand and staggered back behind the counter. Joyce immediately reached out to hold him, his other hand glowing with holy light, ready to heal him.

But Xiu instead grabbed Joyce and pushed him behind the counter, opening the cellar door with one hand. Just before falling in, Xiu released a wave of fire.

The fire spread, and the entire grocery store collapsed into ruins. The cellar was plunged into darkness.

"How are you?" Joyce whispered. "Let me see."

A holy light illuminated the faces of Joyce and Xiu. Where the healing magic touched, Xiu's wounds rapidly closed. Joyce sighed in relief, but Xiu firmly pressed Joyce's hand, stopping him from continuing the healing.

Before Joyce could speak, a deafening explosion shook the entire ground.

In the darkness, fear silently spread. Another tremor followed, this time closer.

"What is that?" Xiu asked warily.

"A flesh giant," Joyce whispered. "You haven’t seen one before. Don’t be reckless."

The sound was almost certainly that of the giant Alex had slain in the north. Xiu moved to a crack in the floor, peering through the falling dust to glimpse the outside.

With a loud "thud," a flesh giant stomped its foot, crushing a house into rubble.

The two of them stayed quietly in the darkness. Xiu held Joyce in one arm and peered out through the crack in the cellar door above.

In his dream, Joyce had witnessed the power of the flesh-and-blood giants firsthand. These massive giants, over ten meters tall, were merely the vanguard of the Undead Legion, possibly serving as siege engines. The Church had once sent dozens of guardian knights to take one down. Even with Xiu's strength, if he managed to drive it away, he would likely suffer severe injuries.

The giant took another step, shaking the earth.

"I suspect they're just passing through," Joyce whispered.

Xiu nodded, holding Joyce's hand, and said, "Don't use the Holy Light now, to avoid attracting more enemies."

Joyce gently kissed Xiu, his heart aching, while Xiu held him by the shoulders.

The flesh-and-blood giants moved through the village and gradually distanced themselves. Joyce and Xiu both sighed in relief—they had guessed right; the true destination of these undead was not Crion Village.

The next wave was slow-moving zombies, followed by countless black flames sweeping across the sky.

They were heading south, and Joyce remembered the Golden City, sealed by Uther. It seemed the Undead Legion had launched a full-scale invasion of Middle Earth from all directions...

As the Undead Legion departed, Xiu took Joyce's hand and was about to step out of the cellar when Yiburan's Pegasus once again soared down from the sky, landing on the ground.

Yiburan sat on the horse, silent, turning to inspect the charred houses and the traces of battle before raising his palm, revealing a black orb of light.

The orb flashed instantly, and the world inverted into black and white.

Sensing this, Xiu, still in the cellar, immediately pressed his hand to his side wound.