"Is Lynch your friend, Priest?" the elf asked.
"Friend, not quite," Kuboert replied honestly. "But we are acquainted."
"In that case, please co with ." The three elves stood up, adjusting the weapons in their hands. "You helped us drive away these undead creatures, so we can’t just stand by and let you wander aimlessly in this forest. Put away your weapons, we will take you to et the Mage friend."
Thus, while Heather was busy crafting magic scrolls, Lynch received news of Priest Kuboert’s visit.
Since Kuboert was not soone familiar to the elves, he could not step into the range of the Holy Mountain, especially in this sensitive ti before the war, where the vigilance was even more stringent. Lynch could only co down from the mountain, et him in a small boat on the lake.
The arrival of the Light God Priest did not bring light; Heather hadn’t seen the sun for three days. A thick layer of clouds shrouded the entire lake, casting a gray hue over its originally beautiful scenery.
This didn’t help Lynch’s mood. The overnight work left him exhausted, and the days when the three moons would darken together were drawing near. The Mage believed that on nights without moonlight, undead creatures with dark vision could gain the greatest attack advantage; elves, in that mont, would struggle to showcase their precise arrow skills. As long as there is a bit of moonlight, elves beco the finest archers, but on that day, Heather would be very vulnerable.
Zilvra had not sent any news after leaving. Lynch believed she should be capable of taking care of herself, but unease gradually crept into his heart. It was a kind of concern he seldom experienced, and it slowly turned into anxiety and irritability. Several tis, he lost control of his hand gripping the pen, leaving unwanted ink marks on the delicate magic scrolls. The Mage picked up the powerful wand multiple tis, tempted to imdiately find the undead army and unleash "terrifying and lethal" magic upon them. Yet, on the other hand, a voice in his heart reminded him: "This isn’t you, the you that should stay calm and rational."
Just before eting Kuboert, Lynch had such an emotional outburst. He clawed at his hair, using the pain to calm himself. Fortunately, no one noticed the scene. Soka had gone off with Yilinrui to learn archery, and the elf guards at the Mage’s door were sent back to their original positions by Lynch.
"Hello, Mr. Lynch, we et again," Kuboert said. "I hope this eting can be a new beginning, connecting us with friendship instead of misunderstanding."
"Hello, Priest," Lynch responded expressionlessly, his mind still on his recent odd temper.
The elf steering the boats tied them together, letting them drift on the calm lake. Here, there were no waves, and the rowers didn’t need to concentrate intensely on the navigation.
"Mage, on my way here, I noticed the elf kingdom seems to be facing so trouble. Perhaps I could extend a helping hand," Priest Kuboert said. "You know, I left the sacred Pate’s Temple to seek friendship in other realms. I’d be very grateful if you could introduce to the king here."
"It’s not a king who resides here, but an empress," Lynch said. "Next ti, please understand the situation before speaking. Besides, I’m not the master here. If you need an introduction, you should ask the elves here."
Kuboert showed no anger at Lynch’s icy tone. He maintained a smile, looking kindly at the young Mage before him.
Lynch shook his head, feeling he might have been too harsh. He pointed to the Holy Mountain behind him and said, "That is Heather, the elves’ Holy Land, and their empress resides there. As long as you mind your words and don’t offend that wise one, I’ll ask the elves for their opinion."
"Thank you very much, Mage," Kuboert replied.
Lynch turned, noting that the boats were manned by mbers of the Moon Hand Guard sent by the Great Druid. The Mage knew these elite elf warriors were not there to protect him, but Princess Yilinrui. Moreover, the Moon Hand Guard, as the Empress’s imperial guard, also decided which outsiders could et the Empress and which could not.
"Caidi (the elf’s na), this man is a priest from sacred Pate," Lynch said fluently in the elf language. "They have great experience in dispelling undead."
The elf thought for a mont, looking between the Mage and Priest, then nodded.
"Thank you, elf friend," Kuboert said. "And thank you, Mr. Lynch, as well."
"You’re welco, Main Priest of Pate," Lynch responded. "I suspect that just a resurrected young Mage wouldn’t bring you all the way to the elves’ kingdom. Besides, given the current situation in sacred Pate, you wouldn’t be traveling just for leisure. Mr. Kuboert, what exactly is your purpose here?"
"Yes, I admit I have another aim for coming here," Kuboert said, hastily sitting down as the boat began to glide. "The bishop of Pate Temple has given a glorious mission, to welco the new Light Saintess."
"Light Saintess? That’s an unusual title," Lynch remarked. "I’ve never heard of such a position in Pate. ’Light Saintess’... could you an Soka?"
"Exactly, Mage. Your analysis is spot on," Kuboert said. "When I saw the angel, I foresaw this day. In the hardest tis for sacred Pate, our great Light God never abandoned us devout believers, constantly granting us strength. Now, another angel has been sent to assist, guide, and inspire us. Although this angel didn’t directly descend upon Light God Pate’s temple, isn’t this process of searching outside and enduring hardships precisely the trial gifted by Light God?"
Lynch smirked, not comnting on the religious rhetoric. If he were to tell Kuboert now that Soka was secretly born to his angelic parents to hide among mortals temporarily, he wondered how the Main Priest would react.
"Thank you for taking care of this Holy Maiden, Mage," Kuboert expressed. "The bishop will personally bestow the title of ’Light Saintess’ upon the angel, such a great honor that will be! I can already see that mont of glory approaching!"
If that were to happen, Light God would likely beco aware of Soka’s existence. Although Pate seed like a benevolent deity, in the Mage’s eyes, all gods were rely beings with more power—who knows what thoughts would erge from their divine minds filled with powers?
"No, that’s impossible," Lynch declared. "Until her parents return, Soka will be fully under my guardianship. The ’Light Saintess’ title will not be placed upon her."
"Why?" Kuboert asked. "Is it because you’re upset over my careless words or sothing else I did wrong?"
"I’m not the narrow-minded person you imagine," Lynch replied. "I’ve moved past being angry over a ’life less than death’ matter; besides, there’s really nothing wrong with what you intend to do..."
Lynch looked at Kuboert, his eyes piercing into his soul.
"It’s just not appropriate."
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