The Polite Intruder

Noticing the commotion here, a group of guards clad in magitech armor closed in, raising their arcane firearms at Xia Lun.

"Freeze! Hands up! Or we’ll open fire!"

Not shooting immediately—how considerate of them.

Xia Lun chuckled and waved at the guards. "Be my guest."

The soldiers exchanged glances, but one of them finally lost patience and pulled the trigger.

"BOOM—"

The cannon-sized barrel roared as flames erupted from the muzzle, launching a crimson bullet—crafted from magicite—straight at Xia Lun…

Only for him to catch it midair.

Xia Lun examined the bullet in his hand. Its tip was made of magicite, brimming with volatile energy. A little more stimulation, and it would explode. He’d exerted some effort to carefully snatch it out of the air.

"Fire! Fire!"

Seeing this unbelievable sight, the guards hesitated no longer and unleashed a barrage.

Flames erupted around Xia Lun, swallowing his figure in a storm of fireballs.

Behind Aina, Mo Lini gasped, covering her mouth, while Liyana blinked in shock.

As the flames dissipated, Xia Lun stood unharmed. Catching those bullets had been a hassle, so he’d simply let them hit—not like they could hurt him anyway.

"Hey, Xia Lun, what’s your outfit made of? It didn’t even singe!" Liyana asked, astonished.

The flames might not have harmed him, but they should’ve reduced his clothes to ashes.

"I reinforced them with mana, Liyana," Xia Lun replied dryly. "I’m not some exhibitionist freak."

Aina swallowed hard, her mind conjuring some… inappropriate imagery.

Xia Lun moved like a phantom, darting past the guards before they could react.

Unable to track his movements, the guards collapsed one after another, unconscious.

This time, he didn’t bother stripping them of their magitech armor—just knocked them out.

"Let’s go." Finishing up, Xia Lun beckoned to Mo Lini and the others as if they were tourists heading to the next attraction.

And it was quite the attraction. The Grand Cathedral’s interior was breathtaking.

The vaulted ceiling stretched like an umbrella’s ribs, with multicolored beams of light slicing through stained glass windows, illuminating floating dust motes.

Thick, pale stone pillars supported the dome, while brass candelabras embedded in the smooth walls cast twisted shadows.

Rows of pews filled the central hall, flanked by two winged angel statues at the front platform—their swords crossed in an eternal duel.

Angels—spiritual beings, said to be the Goddess’s loyal servants.

Xia Lun glanced at Aina beside him, who responded with a sweet smile.

The Goddess had been slain. He wondered what state the angels were in now.

But the cathedral was empty. The guards outside had already been dealt with.

This place was clearly reserved for prayers and sermons, unused otherwise.

A side door led to a corridor through a garden, connecting to another cluster of antique buildings.

The garden was meticulously kept, with white roses and pink magnolias lining the path.

Midway through the corridor, a young man blocked their way.

"So you’re the intruders? Bold of you to cause trouble in the Grand Cathedral."

Roy frowned as he scrutinized Xia Lun. The guy looked about his age—hardly intimidating.

Xia Lun noted his priestly robes, identical to Klein’s back in Nameless Village.

This wasn’t just any priest—he was a bishop.

Roy seemed disappointed. Xia Lun looked utterly relaxed, like a tourist with his entourage of girls. No extraordinary aura either—just a pretty face. Surely no match for him.

"Are you an Apostle of Twilight?" Xia Lun asked.

Liyana facepalmed. So this was his method of identifying them? Just… asking outright?

Seriously?

"Huh? Apostle of Twilight?" Roy’s brow furrowed. "Not really. I’m just here to get stronger. Never heard any ‘Hero’s Revelation.’ The others want to resurrect the Hero, but I don’t care—as long as I get to fight them afterward… Wait, who even are you? Why should I tell you this?"

"Mo Lini," Liyana whispered, patting the girl’s head (still adorned with Little Blue). "This guy’s even more naive than you."

Mo Lini blinked but stayed silent.

A faint blue glow flickered in Xia Lun’s eyes.

"If you’re not an Apostle, mind stepping aside? We need to pass through," Xia Lun said politely.

"Hey, you’re intruders, right?" Roy pointed at him. "I don’t care what you’re here for, but if you want me to move, you’ll have to beat me first. Otherwise, surrender and pick a cell in the dungeon."

With that ultimatum, Xia Lun had no choice.

He understood, though. From Roy’s perspective, letting them pass wasn’t an option. A fight was inevitable.

"Xia Lun, I’ll handle this! You go ahead!" Liyana suddenly declared from behind Aina.

Xia Lun turned, giving her a weird look.

"Uh, I just thought the moment called for it," Liyana admitted sheepishly, sticking out her tongue. "You get the sentiment, right? Never mind—carry on."

Seizing the opening, Roy lunged at blinding speed, his hand chopping toward Xia Lun’s neck like a blade.

"Fighting’s no joke. Don’t underestimate me, bastard," Roy spat coldly.

Xia Lun’s gaze was still on Aina, but his hand had already clamped onto Roy’s head.

Before Roy could react, an overwhelming force sent him crashing down.

CRASH—

Xia Lun drove Roy’s skull into the marble floor, fracturing it radially in a web of cracks.

"My apologies, sir. I’m in a hurry," Xia Lun murmured, dusting his hands off as Roy lay motionless—completely unconscious.