??Chapter 73: Chapter One: Confrontation
Chapter 73: Chapter One: Confrontation
The deep grey cloak enveloped the tall, lean figure completely, but as the other party leisurely turned around, the purple-robed priest still recognized at a glance the odd lord who had just t with him in the bar that morning. His profound gaze was as cold as snowlt from age-old glacial ice, seeping through his whole body. That look was as if he were regarding a lifeless corpse, involuntarily sending a chill down his spine.
However, years of steadiness forged on the battlefield kept the purple-robed priest from being intimidated by the other’s murderous gaze; on the contrary, it piqued his interest. The other clearly bore ill will towards him, but he was eager to understand what exactly did the other want by summoning him to this remote place? A threat? Extortion? A lesson? A warning? Or was it to silence him by killing him? Although the priest also believed that since the other dared to summon him here, he must have sothing to rely on, within a hundred ters it was only the two of them. Did the other think his own strength sufficient to threaten or intimidate him, to the point where he would ekly obey the other? Up until this mont, he still hadn’t figured out the true purpose behind being lured here.
“No, Sir Malone, please don’t put it so harshly. I invited you here at your request. When we t this morning, I found you very interested in , but the tavern was crowded and inconvenient. I also know you must have many doubts in your mind you wish to clear up, so I took the liberty to invite you here. Now, if you have any questions, feel free to ask
directly; I have nothing to hide,” replied the young lord wrapped in the cloak, his manner seeming very submissive, but the priest still sensed sothing amiss in his words. For soone who had just t him to speak so openly and trustingly, it could only an a great conspiracy behind it: either he considered the priest a confidant, or he saw him as a harmless dead man. Thinking of the word “dead man,” Malone grew even more vigilant. Could this fellow really an to silence him just because he asked a few extra questions in the tavern? But even if he were a dark magician, that seed unlikely to motivate such thoughts. Malone felt there must be sothing behind this eting he was not privy to, and at that mont, he regretted coming alone to this appointnt.
“Your baron, I do have so doubts about your identity. I sense that you possess strong magic power, and pardon my bluntness, but the magic abilities you exhibit lean towards the pan-dark series. I’m curious why, as a noble, you would disregard a common rule observed across the Continent, that upright and noble people would not dabble in such filthy matters. Don’t you think this contradicts the creed upheld by the Kingdom of Nicosia for centuries?” asked Malone, his curiosity overriding all other concerns, his inferences laid out openly despite knowing the other had malevolent intentions.
“Heh, filthy matters? You speak as if imbued with moral righteousness. As if dark magic is filthy and base, while your light magic is noble and pure? I see no inherent connection between the two. Good and evil reside in one’s actions, not in the magic they cultivate. Preposterous! There are plenty within your Church of Light wearing holy robes while committing vile deeds. As for interpreting the creed upheld by the Kingdom of Nicosia for centuries, that is not for the Church of Light to decide; it is up to the Kingdom of Nicosia,” responded Kor with a boldness that suggested a decision had been made.
“Young man, your words are flawed. Do you an to suggest that a person with a pure heart and high morals would practice necromancy, which manipulates corpses and skeletons, or study dark magic that can darken and twist one’s soul into malice and venom? Such self-evident truth you dare to question, makes
doubt the authenticity of your barony.” Malone had heard enough of such sophistry; he was not interested in further debate. Confirming the other’s true identity was sufficient; a dark magician, or perhaps necromancer, who stands as a noble and even a lord of the land, was outrageous news that would cause a stir anywhere. Even in the comparatively liberal Cyprus. This could even bring disaster to his entire family. Malone’s eyes held a trace of pity as they fixed on the other.
Kor also regarded the pitiable figure before him with an odd sentint. Since he had already disclosed all his secrets so freely and the other remained calm and collected, it spoke volus about the man’s confidence in his abilities; and Kor could not fathom any other reason. Hadn’t he thought about the fact that since he still agreed to et him after knowing his identity, he must have so assurance of his own?
Perhaps it was the bringing together of two equally proud individuals that all had to end with a decisive outco.
Their gazes finally clashed again in the air, like intertwining lightning bolts too tangled to separate easily. Upon recognizing the formidable strength of the other, both Kor and Malone simultaneously raised their estimation of each other.
“Sir Malone, I believe we truly need to establish so thod to prove or resolve the differences in our understanding. Would you agree with my view?” Even on the brink of conflict, Kor still maintained the decorum required of nobility.
“Very well, I suspect Your Baron invited
to this place of exquisite beauty with this very intention in mind. Of course, before we reach a conclusion, I am keen to know why Your Excellency chose to practice such dark magic. I can see that you have a rare talent in the mastery of magic, and if you had not strayed but pursued the orthodox magic skills, I reckon you could have claid a place for yourself in the whole Continent’s magical community. It’s not too late to rectify your course now, and I hope you will seriously consider my proposal. If you would join
on a journey to Marco, I believe we could start anew,” Malone spoke with the elegance always present on his face; it was not necessarily a sign of tranquility behind the composure, but this steadiness nevertheless earned Kor’s respect, despite his resolved intent to kill. However, by now, it was not a matter that could be resolved by re words persuading one side to change the fateful duel ahead.
“Sir Malone, perhaps you’ve heard the saying, ‘Those who stand for different principles cannot plan together.’ I have never thought of the magic I practice as filthy or contemptible. Just as I have said before, the purity and goodness of one’s heart should not be judged by the type of skills they practice. Likewise, a person who looks handso and wears fine clothes is not necessarily pure of heart, and soone who looks ugly, fierce, and wears tattered clothing is not definitely a villain. It is too arbitrary and subjective for you, the Church of Light, to determine a person’s nature based solely on a skill or, shall we say, knowledge, right? Besides, there are countless hypocrites in this world, and not everyone in the Church of Light necessarily possesses a noble heart. I’ve had my fair share of experiences in this regard,” Kor said, his eyes always flickering with a hint of mockery, yet his tone was extraordinarily calm and natural, as though he was engaged in a friendly academic discussion with a good friend.
Sadness deepened in his eyes. In that mont, the Purple-robed Priest abandoned the idea of persuading the other. Although the other’s tone was gentle, the determination revealed in his words and actions was clear and unabashed. To think that a few words could sway soone so steadfast in conviction and already harboring deep prejudices against the Bright Holy Teaching was a fool’s dream. Perhaps only by overwhelming him with a display of raw power could he compel this man to truly settle down and listen to reason.
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