Chapter 340 - Paladin
There were many luxurious carriages parked outside the castellan’s mansion, and the guests who came in those vehicles had donned gorgeous outfits. Anyone would be able to tell that they were big shots with noble background and status. That night, the mansion guards were really busy. They had no time to rest since the afternoon, and were busy with nodding their heads and bowing to all the guests.
The guests that visited tonight were not limited to the nobles in the capital of Alanna. There was also Lasorick—son of Doland’s castellan—as well as William, the legendary figure of Doland City, a well-known collector and appraiser who lived a modest life as the owner of the Time Consignment Store…
However, the arrival of several guests confused the guards. Although those three men and one woman seemed to keep a low profile, the castellan, Arathor, actually went to welcome them in person. When the castellan of Doland visited them a few years ago, he did not even enjoy such a grand welcome.
“Could they be the secret envoys sent by His Highness?” one of the guards asked the others. Although the guests had already gone into the mansion, the guards still could not get over it.
“Mage Felic, we’re here.” Sienna’s voice could be heard after the carriage stopped outside the castellan’s mansion.
“Sure,” responded Lin Li. He did not forget to neaten the long robe he was wearing. With the unhappy experience back at the mansion of the Jarrosus’ castellan, he wore a tailored rune robe made from the Gilded Rose. With its delicate craftsmanship, it looked very smart on Lin Li, just as though he was really a nobleman…
Behind Lin Li was Norfeller. The high-ranking Vampire was Lin Li’s only attendant tonight—he had no other choice but to leave Ujfalusi at home. That dude was a set of bones that emitted heavy death energy. Although it was usually covered by his long black robe, if anything were to go wrong at the gathering, people were bound to be scared to death.
After he readied himself with the Pyroblast, the four people with divine occupation had gotten in front of them too.
“Darn Undead creature! How dare you show yourself at Castellan Arathor’s banquet? Do you think you can escape being purified by the Holy Light?” A cold but clear voice left the scarlet lips of the sexy female Paladin. That was supposed to be a beautiful scene, but Lin Li did not have the time to appreciate it. The only thing he felt was headache. A true headache…
Sh*t, these devotees were really risking their lives…
While Lin Li was cussing internally, he was all smiles on his face. “Hello there, I’m wondering if there is any misunderstanding?”
“Yucks!” Who knew that his face full of friendly smiles would be faced with a face filled with disgust. It belonged to that pretty female Paladin. It was as though she was not interacting with a living human, but dirty trash fished out from the drain.
“As a human being, are you not ashamed to align yourself with Undead creatures?”
Lin Li was not enraged by how harshly those people scolded him. He rubbed his chin casually and smiled at them. “What’s wrong with that?”
The surroundings became quiet at once. The female Paladin stood there in shock, not knowing how to react. Being one of the strongest believers of the Brilliance Shrine, she had slaughtered countless Undead creatures in the 20-plus years of her life. She had also encountered many Necromancers who wallowed in degeneration. But, it was her first time seeing such a prideful Necromancer, who portrayed himself as a righteous man…
H-how could there be such a person in this world?
“Y-You… you…” At that moment, the gaze of the female Paladin became very uncertain.
“What are you trying to say…?” Lin Li asked as he rubbed his nose. He moved a step forward to close the distance between him and the sexy Paladin. He then lowered his voice teasingly as he asked, “I heard that this pretty lady wants to purify us?”
“T-that’s right!” The female Paladin stuttered as she took a step back subconsciously. Although she was a true follower of the Brilliance Shrine, she could not help but be intimidated when that stranger closed up on her.
“Is that so? Then that’s great! But, I’m unsure of a thing…
“Can this beautiful lady enlighten us about the theurgy of the Brilliance Shrine? I’m so curious to know if it’s really powerful enough to purify any high-ranking Undead creature without alarming anyone around them?”
Lin Li took a pause before he shamelessly continued, “I’m dying to know how many innocent lives would the righteous and holy theurgy implicate when you are purifying me and my friend! Would it be one life, or two…? Hmm, I think that’s too little, isn’t it? Since there are at least a hundred people at this banquet, it will be lucky if half of them can survive that righteous and holy theurgy.
“I wonder how lucky would Castellan Arathor be? If his luck is bad, it is going to be troublesome…”
As Lin Li finished his speech, the other three Priests looked at their surroundings uneasily. All of the guests were immersed in joyous exchanges. Glasses of wine were clinked politely, and no one had noticed the tension brewing between the light and the dark in that corner.
When they turned back to look at Lin Li, their gazes were all filled with hesitation. Then, a senior-looking Priest spoke something to the ear of the female Paladin in a low voice.
Before she left, the female Paladin told Lin Li angrily, “You won’t be laughing for long.”
“Phew…” After seeing the four people return to their seats, Lin Li took a long deep sigh in relief…
Eek, that was close.
Brave fronts were not to be put on recklessly.
The three Priests could easily have the ability of Archbishops. If a battle were to break out, they should be no weaker than Archmages of around level-17 or level-18. On top of that, with a Paladin whose ability he could not decipher, Lin Li did not have the confidence to match them even though his ability was at the peak of level-17.
Furthermore, the Brilliance Shrine was an outpost in the Felan Kingdom. Hence, they had many believers living in Roland City. If they were to know that he was on good terms with the Undead, what mattered was not all the gossip, but the possibility of him losing his food worth a million gold coins…!
Lin Li could only gamble. He still remembered what Englos said to him when he was in Alanna. He said that the devotees of the Holy Light would not leave anyone at his peril, or harm the innocent due to their own interest. At that moment, Lin Li could’ve only bet that they were indeed firm believers. It was a lucky and wise decision. Otherwise, the banquet would really be turned upside down.
Yet, the fact that there was no trouble now did not mean that there would not be issues happening later. In fact, Lin Li could expect those fellas to find trouble with him after the banquet. Hence, while they were seated, Lin Li was already devising ways to overcome the potential threat…
He indeed had zero chance against a group of three level-17 or level-18 Priests and a Paladin. But, if he could launch a sneak attack against one of them, the rest would be less threatening. Now that Norfeller had the Heaven’s Wrath with him, he was definitely stronger than he’d been in the ruins of Syer Town.
To Lin Li, the easiest target to launch a sneak attack had to be that sexy female Paladin. As compared to the three other wily old foxes, the little girl should be the most innocent one, and thus the most likely to step into his trap.
Lin Li had neither morals nor tenderness toward women. Chivalry, compassion, and righteousness were traits that were definitely missing in his dictionary.
However, what trap should I set? It might be too obvious if I try to lure the tiger away from its lair. If they are not tricked by me, I will be exposing myself! Should I just use poison? I still have half of the Manticore’s tail in my Ring of Endless Storm…
Time passed very quickly; when that fella was still harboring ill intentions, the banquet officially started. The first person who raised his cup to everyone was the castellan of Roland, Arathor.
“A toast to my all of my distinguished guests!”