Chapter 30

Chapter 30

On that day, when Paracelsus disguised himself as a messenger and brought news of Duke Geyunse's critical illness, Joyce's mother immediately dropped everything and rushed to the Changyun Territory to see her father.

The messenger entered the palace, presented the House of Geyunse's token, and met with King Shak. As usual, King Shak was reading in his study. The messenger handed over the letter, which was imbued with a dark curse.

The Royal House of Shak is one of the continent's oldest regimes. Although its territory is small and secluded among the mountains at the edge of the continent, the strength accumulated over millennia is extraordinary. It is not something a lone necromancer could control by infiltrating. Within the ancient city of Danstinton, numerous ancient seals were buried. When the necromancer Paracelsus attempted to control King Shak with magic, all the palace's seals activated simultaneously.

Although the king was already fifty years old, he still had extensive combat experience and strategic judgment. As soon as he discovered the visitor's true intentions, he counterattacked immediately. Paracelsus, unable to control King Shak with mental hypnosis, retreated from the study.

Odin was still outside the Great Wall, setting up defenses. The Knight Commander led all the guards to besiege the mage. The skirmish was fought relentlessly, and Paracelsus used dark meteors and summoned hordes of evil creatures from the void.

King Shak donned his battle robe and fought personally, but he had already been severely wounded by Paracelsus in the study and was bloodied. In the end, he was defeated, pierced through the chest by Paracelsus's spear...

At the banquet table, Joyce remained silent, calmly gazing at Anita.

Anita continued, "The King Hero's blood within him surged with its final power, driving away all the dark creatures."

"What were my father's last words?" Joyce asked with a trembling voice.

Anita said, "I urged your father to leave, but he pushed everyone aside, protected Knight Commander Farma, and faced Paracelsus's spell, using his own body to block a forbidden curse."

Joyce seemed to see his father wearing a cloak, holding a sword in the midst of a sweeping hurricane, giving up everything, rushing into the darkness, and into the blade that would destroy the world.

"His blood cleansed the land," Anita continued in her cold voice. "And with his life, the King Hero's blood, and his royal power, he successfully struck Paracelsus. After his death, Paracelsus's Magic was severely depleted, and his blood inflicted wounds on Paracelsus."

"He arrogantly believed no one could stop him after His Majesty's death," Farma's heavy voice took over the narration. "He thought no one could oppose him anymore. He erected a Magic barrier, enveloping the entire Danstinton, intending to turn everyone into undead... And your mother happened to arrive at that moment. Presumably, she saw Duke Geyunse safe and sound, and vaguely guessed that there was danger. She rushed back without a second thought. She returned bearing the King Hero's holy sword—she left us her last words, and then charged into Paracelsus's Magic barrier."

Roger asked, "What were her last words?"

"Take care of my children," Farma said solemnly. "Mother won't live to see them become king and Archbishop. Don't grieve for my sacrifice. The blood of Geyunse and Shax will forever course through your souls. This is the mark left by your parents. We will always stand by your side in battle."

"Then, Paracelsus's dark realm exploded," Anita said.

"How did you escape?" Roger asked.

"The astrologer used the Star cage to lock the Magic hurricane around the palace," Farma answered. "It bought us time, and we evacuated the people of Danstinton. Odin arrived at the last moment. After we left Danstinton, we encountered Duke Geyunse, who had come to aid the king, and so we came to Lasfabel."

Joyce had imagined this scene countless times, but when he actually heard it, it still felt like his heart was being cut with a bloody knife. Immediately after, anger and pain grew in his heart. The enemy had destroyed his homeland, killed his father and mother as if it were nothing, and trampled on the dignity of Shak.

Odin said solemnly, "We will launch a counterattack one day and make him pay with blood."

Joyce nodded, but Lenian spoke up, "We need to wait for the right moment, Odin."

Garruman, Wen Lina's brother, said, "When we came to reinforce Lasfabel, my father said that this necromancer is obviously not easy to deal with."

Odin replied, "All of this is within my considerations, Garruman. We still have an army of more than ten thousand people. Now that Joyce has returned, the Holy Light is the perfect weapon against the necromancer."

"Thank you for your assistance," Joyce suddenly spoke, looking at Garruman. "In due time, I will give you all an explanation."

Garruman did not comment, only nodded.

Wen Lina said, "Since ancient times, Casagaro and Shak have been one family. We have an inescapable responsibility, so don't be polite, dear Joyce."

"Yes," Joyce replied.

After these words, it was clear that everyone's mood had become heavy. Joyce couldn't eat much either. Duke Lenian, understanding the situation, said, "I must take my leave now. I still have to patrol the city tonight."

Odin nodded, and Duke Lenian left the table first. Then Anita went to observe the stars, and Wen Lina and others also left. Joyce said, "I need some quiet time."

Odin knew that Joyce would be deeply distraught after hearing the tragic news in detail, so he did not try to keep him any longer. Joyce and Roger left the greenhouse garden, walked through the skywalk, and headed towards the side hall. They saw warm, twinkling lights dotting the lakeshore of Lake Fran below the high mountain. The valley was filled with people, some of whom had migrated from Dunsington and were temporarily settled in the valley, forming scattered villages. The easternmost area was where the troops of the Kingdom of Cassagaro were stationed.

"They have kept some things from you," Roger suddenly spoke up, following behind Joyce.

"Yes," Joyce nodded, having already sensed it. "Father must have left some final words, and perhaps Anita and the Knight Commander know them."

Roger said, "If it really happened as they said, that His Majesty Shax was protecting everyone, when the forbidden spell was cast, he must have known he was about to sacrifice himself, so... at least there would have been some simple instructions."

Joyce leaned on the railing and looked down. The waters of Lake Fran resembled a massive gem in the quiet night. He mused, "If there were, what do you think he would have said?"

Roger did not answer. Joyce continued, "If I didn't pass the priest's examination, would he have wanted me to return and take the throne? Actually, I don't think it matters much..."

Roger replied, "No, I think that possibility is quite small. You're not suited to be a king, forgive me for saying so, Joyce..."

Joyce laughed and said, "It's fine, I know I'm not good at governing lands and people."

Roger nodded, "Then I guess his final words might not have been for Odin to take over, but for you to find a more suitable successor."

Joyce said, "But the bloodline of the Royal House of Shak, apart from me, is only my brother. Who else could it be?"

Roger answered, "It doesn't necessarily have to be someone from the royal bloodline. It could be a branch family, or even someone suitable from your mother's side. The divine right of kings—your father wasn't a direct descendant of the Kingdom of Shak either."

Joyce fell silent for a long time. He knew his father's identity wasn't orthodox either. On the continent, the six descendants of King Hero had branched into six different families, two of which had already declined. The remaining four families were the royal family of Ferid von, the direct line of the last generation of Paracelsus, Joyce's maternal uncle's family Geyunse von, and his father's family Shax von.

But his father wasn't a direct descendant of the Shax family, so his surname didn't include the suffix "von."

"Let's talk about it later," Roger comforted him again. "I'm just reminding you of this possibility, Joyce. But honestly, I personally think Odin is the most suitable candidate at the moment. After all, a thousand years ago, King Hero Cyrus wasn't born with the glory of a king either."

"Yes," Joyce said. "The divine right of kings—he gained the recognition of the Holy Light and earned his position through his fearless courage and effort. Sometimes I think that while bloodlines can be inherited, the nobles' emphasis on noble status and innate qualities... are all baseless nonsense."

Joyce added, "According to Master Hilmar's research on genetics, families that preserve bloodlines through inbreeding actually have more genetic diseases."

Roger laughed, putting his hands in his pockets and slightly tilting his elbow for Joyce to hold, politely saying, "You can't say it's entirely like that. I believe genetics still play a significant role in some people's bodies, such as personality and temperament."

"It should be the result of family education," Joyce's mood improved a bit, and he smiled. "I want to go see the Golden Pillar at the church in Lasfabell. Let's go."

Lasfabell was once the last holy city where King Hero visited and preached. Its church was grand, and all the rulers of the Kingdom of Shak had their weddings and coronations here. It had an extremely romantic name, Sistina Temple, which in the Shak language meant "the pool where hyacinths are born," and the flower language of hyacinths is "touching love."

The Shak people called this place "the birthplace of love." Legend has it that lovers who marry in Sistina Temple will never part, and in fact, it has been proven that couples who enter into holy matrimony here live happily ever after.

Sistina Temple is located on the summit of the side peak of Mount Belin, extending towards the southeast with an expansive platform. The mountain is covered with springtime trees, and the platform is filled with endless aquatic hyacinths.

This aquatic variety of hyacinths is very water-loving and must be submerged in shallow pools to survive and grow well. Joyce and Roger walked along the water's edge towards Sistina Temple.

"Every year during the Sacred Blessing Festival," Joyce explained to Roger, "the entire population of Lasfabell, including the residents of Dunsington, come here to participate in the ceremony."

Roger said, "It's truly unbelievable that such a large holy city as Lasfabell doesn't have a bishop."

"Yes," Joyce said softly. "It's been several hundred years, and Father Domian has been managing it in the meantime."

Joyce's feelings were deeply conflicted. If this scene had ever appeared in his mind, it would have been Pope Uther himself coming here on a clear day, with hyacinths blooming, the spring breeze and the fallen yellow ginkgo leaves, and the people venerating him as he knelt before the pope to receive his coronation.

But he never expected that the day he returned to Sistina Temple would be on such a night.

The entire Lasfabell appeared to be asleep. Joyce entered the gates of Sistina Temple, where a priest was reading at the center of the sanctuary. Seeing him arrive, the priest immediately opened his arms and walked towards him.

"My dear Joyce—" Father Domian shook as he approached. He was nearly seventy years old, and when Joyce used to come here for vacations as a child, he would always visit the old priest.

Domian had so much to say, and with his age, he often rambled. He hugged Joyce, tears streaming down his face, crying uncontrollably. Joyce, overcome with emotion, almost cried again. Roger, fearing it would stir Joyce's sorrow once more, quickly said, "Father, the Golden Pillar..."

"It's right up there!" Domian stammered, his lips quivering. "I’ll take Joyce... no, Your Excellency, please follow me."

"Just call me Joyce," Joyce said, his eyes glistening, holding Domian's withered hand as they walked around the central courtyard of the Sistina Temple towards the side hall. There, a massive slope led to a platform extending over a hundred meters, built according to the mountain terrain.

On the platform stood a white archway, inscribed with ancient words:

"Pride humbles, but the humble shall be exalted."

On either side of the archway were statues guarding the mountains, gazing into the distance. On the left was King Hero Cyrus, resting on his holy sword, and on the right was the statue of Alan Shax, the wise king of the Kingdom of Shak, who had lost his eyes in a war. Legend says that after his death, he became a soaring goshawk, eternally guarding the mountainous kingdom.

At the center of the platform stood the towering Golden Pillar, dozens of meters high. The ground was crisscrossed with streams of flowing water. Every time Joyce had come here before, the patterns on the ground seemed strange to him, like countless small streams.

But after so many events, he finally understood the arrangement of this place.

"These are runes," Joyce said.

"Yes," Roger nodded. "Lasfabel was clearly constructed following strict rules."

The platform displayed a circular array pattern, with water flowing in an orderly manner along the embedded channels. Joyce walked by, holding his breath, feeling that the Bishop who built Lasfabel was a genius. Once the Golden Pillar is activated, this platform could unleash immense power.

However, he heard a conversation between two people standing at the end of the platform—it was Odin and Anita.

Odin appeared unfazed by Joyce's arrival. He turned slightly and said, "I thought you would arrive tomorrow."

"The sooner the Golden Pillar is activated, the safer we’ll be," Joyce replied.

Odin nodded at Roger, but Joyce cautiously observed Anita, who was cloaked in black, resembling a shadowy mage. She bowed to Odin and turned to leave.

As she passed Joyce, he suddenly spoke, "Your prophecy came true; the continent has plunged into darkness."

"That was simply the guidance of the Stars," Anita replied calmly, her tone emotionless.

Joyce: "Since you could foresee the start of the Holy War and the fall of the continent, I don't believe you couldn’t predict the death of my parents."

"Everything is under the control of fate," Anita said indifferently. "Even if I had foreseen it, what could have been done, Your Excellency?"

After saying this, Anita left again.

"Wait," Joyce said coldly.

"Joyce," Odin said, "Anita has served the Kingdom of Shak long before you were born. I don't want you to speak to her in such a tone."

For a moment, the five on the platform fell into an eerie standoff.

Roger spoke up: "Your Highness Odin, by divine right, you should refer to Joyce as 'Your Excellency.'"

Odin: "..."

Joyce added, "Since nothing can be changed, let me ask—what was the purpose of your prophecy? Was peering into the future just to satisfy your curiosity, Anita?"

Anita did not answer immediately. After a moment, she said solemnly, "Your Excellency, I understand your grief over the loss of your parents, but in this calamity, my stance is aligned with yours. If my words have been impolite, I beg your forgiveness."

With that, Anita turned, looked up at Joyce, knelt before him, and kissed the ground in front of him.

This gesture made it hard for Joyce to keep challenging her. Yet, as Anita met his gaze, he vaguely sensed something familiar.

It was a deeply concealed, self-restrained determination in her eyes, giving Joyce an extremely subtle feeling.

He had surely felt this kind of unwavering determination before—like a rock, unshaken by fear or crisis, determined to fight to the end. But where had he seen such a gaze? Joyce couldn’t quite recall.

Anita stood up and excused herself, only then did Odin speak sarcastically, "Knight Pierre, I bet you don’t know about the relationship between me and your Knight Commander."

"Keep public and private matters separate," Roger said. "Knight Commander Scott sent me to accompany Joyce because I’m the calmest of my brothers."

Odin said coldly, "But this is a meeting between brothers, you should call me brother-in-law, Knight Pierre, though I’m starting to doubt if you deserve to."

Roger said politely, "Before the Golden Pillar, everyone should call Joyce 'Your Excellency.' Your Highness Odin, the family banquet is over. If you want to change how you address me, let me know ahead of time next time. I believe Knight Commander Scott would not mind calling you brother-in-law, Your Highness."

Joyce laughed. Odin was always talkative, but he didn’t expect Roger to outdo him.

Odin looked at Joyce and said, "Do you want me to bow to you too?"

Joyce replied, "Let’s skip the formalities, brother."

At this, Odin was left speechless.

Roger gestured for Joyce to step forward and talk privately with Odin, while he took out his notebook to analyze the runic circuits on the ground.

Odin stood at the platform’s edge, hand on the railing, staring into the distance.

The bright moonlight lit up the mountain peaks like a silver ocean. Far off, barely visible, the Sigrand Basin’s peak was shrouded in thick dark clouds, with lightning occasionally twisting and rolling within.

"That used to be our home," Odin whispered.

"How is the situation?" Joyce walked up to Odin and asked.

"It’s bad," Odin replied.

He stepped aside, put his arm around Joyce, and let him stand at the railing. The two brothers looked into the distance.

"The Sigrand Basin has turned into a pit of undead horrors. When the capital fell, despite our efforts, Farma didn’t mention that we only saved a few—fifty thousand civilians died."

Joyce's breath caught, Odin murmured, "It was a true apocalypse."

Joyce said softly, "You did your best, brother. Don’t blame yourself."

Odin's voice was as if recounting a nightmare: "Paracelsus built a bone mountain in Danstington, turning every corpse—even those buried—into undead. See that lightning over there?"

"Our palace lies beneath that lightning," Odin said. "At its peak, thousands of Gargoyles circle. Paracelsus gathered mages and apprentices to conduct experiments, using the living and the dead alike."

Joyce asked, "Does sunlight reach there?"

"No," Odin said. "To retake Danstington, we’ll have to sacrifice lives—our warriors must kill the undead at least three times to destroy them. Fire can no longer stop the necromancer; he will summon a bloody rain from the sky, and anyone touched by the rain will be infected with plague."

Joyce said, "My holy light can purify them."

"Too many," Odin said. "You must conserve your strength. You need to restrain Paracelsus."

Joyce remained silent, Odin continued, "I am facing many difficulties now. Duke Casagaro is watching closely. They promised to assist, but only if they can get a share. The morale of Shak is at its lowest. The people do not want to fight; they feel that fighting against monsters is tantamount to suicide."

Roger stood in the distance, looked up at Odin.

"Grandfather’s army will assist you," Joyce said without hesitation. "The teacher will lead them here, to help you without any conditions."

Odin said, "But I have no confidence. Internal and external troubles have almost driven me to the brink. Since moving the capital to Lasfabel, I have faced multiple pressures from within and without. The ministers urge me to send troops as soon as possible. Farma tells me that sending troops to fight Paracelsus now is tantamount to hitting a rock with an egg, seeking death."

"He is right," Joyce pondered for a moment, then replied.

"I need your explanation," Odin said, "Joyce, confer the title upon me."

Joyce frowned slightly. At this moment, Odin turned around to face him directly, the moonlight illuminating his face, and said, "I need the people's approval and the authority to command the army for a counterattack."

Joyce remained silent, pondering. Odin continued, "Now, I’m the only one who can take the throne."

Joyce didn’t respond but instead looked out toward the distant basin.

Odin frowned. "Don’t you trust me?"

Joyce replied, "It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I need to talk to my teacher, brother."

Odin was almost incredulous. "You’re the Bishop—why do you need to consult Alex?"

Joyce explained, "Just to get his opinion, brother. We’re bound by the oath of master and servant. He is my knight and also my guardian."

At that moment, he could almost clearly feel Odin's anger, but it was only for a brief moment before Odin controlled himself. Instead of getting mad, he laughed. "Fine, you listen to Alex for everything. Now you’re the Bishop, yes, and I’m just a prince, Bishop..."

"I am also doing this for the country," Joyce responded. "Things aren’t as simple as you think. I represent the Church."

"Is the Church telling you to wait even longer? Without a king, how can the people fight?!" Odin exclaimed. "Joyce! Can’t you stop being so childish?! Anyone can see there’s no choice but to let me take the throne now! If you don’t trust me, why did you even come back?"

"Because this is my homeland!" Joyce retorted. "I came back to protect it!"

Odin said, "You don’t realize how serious things are right now! Why can’t you just listen to me for once? If I weren’t here, do you think Shak would still be standing? If our parents knew their sacrifice led to us arguing like this..."

Joyce patiently repeated, "I’m not against you taking the throne, I just said that I must consult with Alex first!"

Odin asked, "What if he thinks I’m not fit for it?"

Joyce was speechless. Odin sneered, "If he says no, then you can all leave. Shak doesn’t want you here."

"Why?" Joyce instead calmed down, saying bluntly, "You don’t have the right to say that. By divine right, I’m the leader of this country now. I’m the Bishop. Especially since you’re not even on the throne yet, even if father were here, he would have to respect my wishes."

Odin said, "Fine, you manage everything then, the army is yours, the territory is yours, I will leave."

Odin was almost mad with anger, he turned and left. Joyce suddenly felt the situation was quite ridiculous and couldn’t help but laugh.

"I love you, brother," Joyce took the initiative to concede, explaining, "My love for you has remained unchanged over the years. I think you should talk to our teacher. I came home not to control you, but to assist you."

Odin completely ignored Joyce, passing by the Golden Pillar and Roger, quickly descended the platform and left.

"It seems I messed up again," Joyce said gloomily.

Roger said, "You both are too impulsive, really don’t understand what tact is, is this a family trait?"

Joyce laughed bitterly. "Perhaps."

Roger asked, "Do you need me to stop him?"

"No," Joyce said, "He won’t leave, he’s just talking. I bet things will be back to normal tomorrow."

Joyce walked up to the Golden Pillar and began the ritual. For some reason, Odin's words kept echoing in his mind. He started to think about the current situation in Shak, including the interference of Casagaro, and the attitudes of Farma, the scholars, even Anita towards Odin.

He must be struggling alone, but he is too impatient, always has been since childhood. Odin is always eager to do something, perhaps due to insecurity, or perhaps our parents gave him too much responsibility and pressure.

Joyce still remembered the day Odin went to steal the Dragon God's Orb.

Just then, Odin returned.

He stood on the other side of the Golden Pillar, frowning. "What are you doing?"

"I’ve been thinking about you," Joyce said.

Odin said, "What’s the point of pressing your hand on this?"

"You’ll see in a moment," Joyce replied.

"Don’t just casually start any ritual," Odin replied. "You might attract Paracelsus’s army—after all, he doesn’t even know you’re back yet."

"Don’t worry," Joyce explained. "Lighting up the Golden Pillar can protect this valley—its power is equal to an entire army."

Odin sighed and asked, "When will you perform our wedding ceremony?"

"First the coronation, then the wedding. Be patient," Joyce said.

Odin fell silent, watching Joyce light up the runes one by one. Joyce said, "You’re too impatient, brother—always rushing things."

Odin said in a deep voice, "You’re not me, you don’t understand my feelings. Ever since you were young, you’ve had countless people looking out for you. Even if you messed up, someone would always step in and clean up after you."

Joyce, while activating the Golden Pillar, said, "But I haven’t made any mistakes. The more impatient you are, the more likely you are to mess up, brother. I’m sure the teacher will choose the right time to help you secure your position. After all, who else can be king besides you?"

Odin said coldly, "Alex is arrogant and looks down on everyone. He doesn’t approve of me like you do."

Joyce replied, "Because you do have flaws. Who doesn’t? Instead of complaining about being underestimated, you should reflect on yourself more. That’s what father said."

Odin scoffed casually, "That’s because you’ve never been underestimated."

Joyce replied, "So you think I was just loafing around in the library?"

"Stop lecturing me," Odin said, sounding bored.

"Just offering a little advice," Joyce replied. "Because I love you, that’s why I say this. Your strength or weakness reflects on my honor or disgrace. We’re brothers—born brothers. The bond of blood is like the connection of Stigmata; it can’t be broken."

Odin stood for a while longer, then said, "Need any help?"

"No," Roger, who had been listening all along, said. "Your Highness, just standing here is the greatest help you can give Joyce."

Odin had to walk around the Golden Pillar, looking up at Joyce’s masterpiece, he said again, "There’s a dragon in the dark valley to the east—maybe we can lure it here..."

Joyce said helplessly, "You’d better not. The Dragon God Orb has already caused enough trouble—I haven’t even settled things with Anita yet."

Odin sighed, a bit annoyed, Joyce asked again, "Did your nanny say anything about Shaq’s future?"

"Rasfabel will fall," Odin said. "Consumed by a great fire, everyone died, struggling in the flames."

Joyce was shocked, but Roger said, "Stay focused, Joyce."

Roger walked over from the other side, placing his hand on the Golden Pillar as well, assisting Joyce in stabilizing the power on it. Although he couldn’t light up the runes, he could guide Joyce’s holy power, helping him control the energy flow of the runes.

Joyce said, "What else?"

"Undead," Odin said. "Undead are everywhere, rising from the ground."

"That’s why I hate prophecies," Joyce replied. "Just like I hated spoilers when I was studying—I wanted to strangle anyone who revealed the fates of historical figures."

Odin laughed and said, "But even she herself isn’t very sure about the accuracy of the prophecy. The consequences of the Dragon God Orb, she didn’t foresee."

As Odin’s words fell, the light rune at the top of the Golden Pillar lit up.

In an instant, the light on the platform blazed like the sun, like a fiery inferno. Joyce was witnessing this overwhelming holy light for the first time in his life!

It was as if the hand of a deity, illuminating the entire valley and covering the land of the mountains. The intensity of the holy light had already caused a burning sensation in everyone. Immediately, beneath the Golden Pillar, the platform crisscrossed with streams of water that instantly lit up with holy light!

It was a massive sacred pool covering thousands of square meters, rapidly expanding outward with the radiant fluctuations of the Golden Pillar. The entire platform erupted in intense light, and all the runes carved into the ground simultaneously shone! In the next moment, the lingering glow of the sacred water spread to the hyacinth pool, then swept across the entire valley like a tidal wave.

The sacred water spread into Lake Fran, which emitted a bright light that illuminated the night sky. The long night briefly ended, and all of Lasfabel shone like a city of gold!

In the next moment, the Golden Pillar emitted a resonant hum, shooting holy light into the night sky. However, this holy light was different from all the previous pillars of light; it gathered into a single beam of ignited fire, roaring with immense power. Within the flames, the faint cry of a phoenix was heard, like a Goshawk spreading its wings, shaking open its vast feathers, gently circling above the Sistina Temple, and then soaring into the sky. With a single flap of its wings, its feathers scattered, transforming into countless drifting runes of light, spreading in all directions.

The giant eagle flew toward the top of the Golden Pillar, folded its wings, and transformed into a radiant rune. Everything fell back into silence. The city stirred to life, its residents, awestruck, pouring out of their homes, gazing from afar at the holy fire atop the mountain peak. Unlike all the other Golden Pillars, the holy light here, once ignited, revealed a massive rune of light at the top of the roaring flames, slowly rotating.

"This... should be enough..." Joyce took a trembling step back, completely unprepared for the sheer intensity of Lasfabel's holy light. Truly, it was the sacred heart of the mountain realm. He couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like in the City of Gold.

Odin was utterly dumbfounded and asked, "What’s the point of this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of Gargoyles flew in from the eastern horizon. Clearly, the necromancers entrenched in Danstinton had detected the anomaly in Lasfabel and sent out their aerial scouts. Odin immediately commanded, "Return to the palace!"

Roger quickly moved to protect Joyce as they prepared to retreat. Alarm bells rang throughout the city, and the Gargoyles, blotting out the moonlight, flapped their wings as they approached. However, the Golden Pillar seemed to sense the arrival of these unwelcome guests. With a resonant hum, it emitted a divine shockwave that rippled through the air. In an instant, the Gargoyles howled as they fled from the shadow of Mount Belin.