Light and Darkness Gather Together

The early morning in Broken Gold Town was bustling and full of vitality.

Freshly baked rye bread gave off an outrageously tempting aroma, sausages sizzled on iron griddles, adventurers loudly discussed last night's spoils, and merchants hawked rare treasures from all over the world.

However, all this liveliness had nothing to do with Lokina.

To be exact, it had nothing to do with the Lokina who was currently squatting in a dark alley, her eyes glowing green with hunger.

That figure, wrapped tightly in a tattered gray cloak, was staring fixedly at the bakery window across the street, letting out a highly undignified gulp from her throat.

Grumble...

Lokina clutched her stomach in pain, feeling as if her stomach was fighting a tragic war of self-digestion.

Her long golden hair looked somewhat dull after going unwashed for several days, and her originally fair and exquisite face was smudged with dust, making her look exactly like a noble lady in distress.

Who could have imagined?

This pitiful young girl, who looked like she hadn't eaten in three days and could faint from hunger by the roadside at any moment, was actually the Holy Son Chiro, the one worshipped by billions of believers in the Holy Central Kingdom just a few months ago and hailed as the earthly representative of the Eternal Radiant Moon.

Of course, Chiro was merely a male identity she had been forced to use in order to survive in that damn church.

As the most talented God-Favored One of her generation, those old fogeys in the church insisted that the Holy Son must be male, forcing her to cross-dress as a boy for over a decade.

Every day she was enshrined on the divine seat like a mascot. Her chest bindings left her breathless, her smiles had to follow a standard curve, and she had to put on an unfathomably profound and lifeless facade.

She was a girl! She also wanted to wear pretty dresses, eat desserts, sleep in, and live a normal person's life!

Thus, during the decisive battle in the extreme northern icefields against the Crimson Calamity witch Felsy a few months ago, she had a stroke of genius and played along to put on a grand show of mutual destruction.

Under the cover of the witch's world-destroying forbidden spell, she successfully faked her death, threw off the heavy shackles of Holy Son Chiro, restored her original appearance and name, Lokina, and came to this remote northern border, ready to start a free and unfettered new life.

However, reality gave her a harsh slap in the face.

She discovered a fatal problem: having grown up being waited on hand and foot as the Holy Son, she was absolutely useless at everyday life.

In the church, she had clothes brought to her and meals fed to her.

Once out in the world, she realized:

Washing clothes required soap (she habitually used holy water to purify them, resulting in her clothes rotting away). Buying things required paying money (she thought the boss would gratefully gift them to her if she just bestowed a blessing). Most importantly... money runs out!

The bag of gold coins she had secretly brought out from the royal capital had long been swindled away on the road by a few pitiful-looking con artists. The current Lokina couldn't scrape together a single copper coin to save her life.

So hungry... really so hungry...

Lokina licked her chapped lips, her gaze wavering between robbing the bakery and mooching a meal at the church.

Robbing? No, that would be depraved. Although she hated the church, she was still very pious to the Goddess. Going to the church? No, if the priest there sensed her holy light, she would definitely be caught and dragged back to continue being a mascot!

Just as she was feeling despair, and even considering whether to go to the wilderness to catch mice (and roast them with holy light) to eat.

A piece of parchment posted on the notice board fluttered in the wind and landed at her feet.

[Norland Family Recruitment Notice]

[Position: Family Prayer Tutor] [Subject: Miss Aria Norland] [Requirements: Proficient in theology, upright character, able to guide a lost girl towards kindness.] [Compensation: Room and board included (Important), monthly salary of 50 gold coins, meat with every meal.]

When she saw the words room and board included and meat.

Lokina's originally dim golden eyes instantly burst forth with a radiance even more dazzling than holy light!

This...

This is simply the guidance of the gods!

Lokina grabbed the parchment, her hands trembling with excitement.

Being a prayer tutor?

Wasn't this her old profession?

Although she hated the church's rules, when it came to singing hymns, reciting scriptures, and acting like a religious charlatan... looking across the entire continent, who could be more professional than her, the original Holy Son?

This is it!

Lokina took a deep breath, patted the dust off her body (though she only got dirtier the more she patted), smoothed out her long golden hair, and tried her best to look presentable.

From today on, I'm not pretending anymore.

I am Lokina.

A... wandering theology girl chasing her dreams (of eating)!

...

Norland Castle, side hall.

Count Gael was sitting in a chair, rubbing his throbbing temples. The old butler Sebas (Old Ghost) beside him was handing over a cup of hot tea.

Master, do you really want to see that... that applicant?

Sebas's expression was somewhat indescribable, with a trace of disgust in his eyes. The guards said that person's appearance is really... a bit like a refugee.

Let's see her.

Gael sighed. As long as she knows a bit of theology, it's fine. Although that girl Aria has been quite enthusiastic about learning magic from Lynch lately, her personality is getting wilder and wilder. If we don't find a teacher to teach her some self-cultivation, I'm afraid she won't be able to get married in the future.

Besides... the previous priests who came were all chased away by her asking questions like 'If the gods exist, why don't they give me candy?'

As they were speaking, the guard led a person in.

Lord Count, the applicant has been brought here.

Count Gael looked up.

Then, this experienced Mad Lion of the North was also stunned.

Standing before him was a young girl.

Although the gray cloak was a bit worn out and her face was stained with dust, it still could not conceal her astonishing beauty.

Her long golden hair was like flowing sunlight, her skin was fair and delicate, and her facial features were as exquisite as an artwork personally carved by the gods. Especially those golden eyes, clear and profound, exuding an innate sense of holiness.

How was this a beggar? This was clearly a princess in distress!

Ahem.

Lokina cleared her throat, trying hard to recall the charlatan vibe she had when she was in the church.

She slightly lifted her non-existent skirt hem and performed an impeccable church curtsy.

May the light of the Radiant Moon shine upon you, respected Lord Count.

Her voice was clear and ethereal, carrying a strange magic that could soothe people's hearts. I am Lokina, a... theology scholar currently on a pilgrimage of asceticism. Hearing that you are looking for a mentor who can guide souls, I have come to offer my services.

Count Gael was shaken by this voice.

As soon as an expert makes a move, one knows if they have what it takes.

This temperament, this way of speaking... could definitely not be faked by an ordinary tramp!

Uh... Miss Lokina, is it?

Gael sat up straight, his tone involuntarily softening. "You said you are a scholar, so I'd like to ask, for a child like my daughter who is... quite rebellious and doesn't believe in the gods, what teaching methods do you have?"

"Doesn't believe in the gods?"

Lokina smiled faintly.

That smile was like a gentle spring rain, like the illumination of holy light.

"The gods do not need the belief of mortals, My Lord."

She spoke softly, her tone compassionate and grand. "The gods are like the sun. Whether you look up or not, the light is always there. Rebellion is merely a soul losing its way in the mist. What we need to do is not force her to her knees, but... sing a song for her."

"Sing a song?" Gael was taken aback.

"Yes. The purest of sounds can reach directly into the soul."

With that, Lokina closed her eyes.

She did not chant any incantations, nor did she channel any magic. She simply opened her mouth and softly hummed a verse of the most basic Hymn of the Radiant Moon.

Hum—

In that very instant.

There were no exaggerated visual effects, nor was there any extravagant display.

But everyone present, including Count Gael, the hidden old demon Sebas, and even the guards at the door, felt an unprecedented sense of tranquility.

It was as if all the noise of the world had vanished.

As if a pair of warm, gentle hands were softly stroking their exhausted souls, washing away all anxiety, fear, and darkness.

Even the dying potted flower on the windowsill unfurled its leaves at this moment, miraculously regaining its vitality.

The song ended.

The room was utterly silent.

Count Gael's mouth was wide open, the corners of his eyes actually a little moist.

He was a warrior who had crawled out from piles of corpses, his heart like steel. Yet in that fleeting moment, he had unexpectedly recalled the long-forgotten embrace of his mother from his childhood.

"Is... is this divine magic?"

Gael muttered to himself. "No... I have seen the Archbishop of the Royal Capital cast spells, and it felt nothing like this... This is practically a miracle!"

Meanwhile, the butler Sebas in the corner was reacting as if facing a mortal enemy. His hairs stood on end, and cold sweat instantly soaked his tailcoat.

"Holy light! Extremely pure holy light!"

"This young girl named Lokina... is definitely no ordinary person! This level of holy aura makes her seem like the biological daughter of the Radiant Moon Goddess! No, this is freaking on par with the rumored dead Holy Son Chiro!"

"Come to think of it, to be able to reach this level... could it be the Holy Son himself in disguise? Uh, wasn't the Holy Son supposed to have fallen? Could the Holy Son have faked his death, just like our Lady Witch?"

"My god, this is a top-tier battle of wits!"

The vigilant Sebas quietly slipped his hand toward the poisoned blade hidden in his sleeve, his gaze turning incredibly cold and sinister.

"Um..."

Lokina opened her eyes and somewhat embarrassedly rubbed her stomach, breaking the sacred silence. "Lord Count, was my demonstration... alright?"

"If possible... could I get an advance on a meal? Even leftover bread from last night would do."

This sudden contrast jolted Count Gael back to reality.

"Alright! More than alright!"

Gael slammed his hand on the table and stood up, rushing over excitedly to grasp Lokina's hands.

Lokina shrank back in slight disgust, but endured it for the sake of a meal.

"What leftover bread! I'm going to give you the highest standard of treatment!"

"Sebas! Hurry! Go prepare a banquet! Tonight I shall host a welcoming feast for Teacher Lokina!"

"And... Teacher Lokina, from today onward, you are Aria's dedicated prayer teacher! Besides teaching her, you can do whatever you want! Just please don't leave!"

I struck gold!

Gael laughed wildly in his heart. With this level of skill, she'd be fully qualified even to be a Cardinal in the Royal Capital! And all she wants is room and board? This is practically a steal!

"Thank you, My Lord! You are truly a good person!"

Hearing the word banquet, Lokina was so moved she almost burst into tears.

Finally...

Finally she wouldn't have to go hungry!

The happy life of free room and board, here I come!

...

Just as Lokina was rejoicing over the upcoming feast.

On the other side of the castle, in the Rose Courtyard.

Lynch was holding a wrench, making final adjustments to the heating pipes in the basement.

"Done."

Lynch wiped the grease off his hands and glanced at the system panel.

[Main Quest: Demon Lair Expansion (Phase Two)] [Current Progress: Surveillance Eye Installation (3/3) — Completed.] [Environmental Modification: Temperature Control Array — Completed.] [Congratulations, Host! Quest Completion: 100%!]

[Distributing Rewards...] [Congratulations, Host, for breaking through the Tier 3 bottleneck and advancing to Tier 4 (Initial Stage)!] [Acquired New Skill: Void Portal (Miniature).] [Acquired Title: Lurking Shadow (Stealth speed in darkness +50%, easier to gain the trust of villainous factions).]

Hum—!

A surge of magic, far more majestic and condensed than before, instantly filled Lynch's limbs and bones.

He could feel his perception range expanding by more than double. With just a thought, he could even faintly touch a sliver of spatial laws.

"Tier 4 now..."

Lynch clenched his fists, feeling the power. "Now in Shattered Gold Town, besides that old butler who is a bit hard to read, there shouldn't be anyone capable of threatening us."

"Lynch!"

Felsy's voice came from upstairs. "That old man said there's a banquet tonight to welcome the new teacher. He told me to change my clothes."

"A new teacher?"

Lynch paused for a moment. "Besides me, there's another teacher?"

He walked out of the basement and went up to the second-floor bedroom.

At this moment, Felsy was standing in front of the mirror, trying on a black evening gown that Sebas had just sent over.

It was a long dress with an extremely bold cut that perfectly accentuated the curves of her figure. The backless design revealed her snow-white skin, and dark gold rose patterns were embroidered along the hem.

Coupled with her silver hair and aloof temperament.

Her beauty was simply breathtaking.

"What? Staring blankly?"

Felsy saw Lynch standing dumbfounded at the door through the mirror, a smug smirk curling the corners of her lips. "Is this dress... a bit too revealing?"

"Not revealing, it's just right."

Lynch walked over, hugged her from behind, and planted a kiss on her smooth back. "You're only allowed to wear it at home for me to see. If you go out, you must wear a shawl."

"So bossy."

Felsy snorted softly, but her eyes were full of smiles.

"I heard the new teacher teaches theology."

Felsy said casually as she put on her earrings. "I think her name is Lokina or something? I hope she's an interesting person, not boring like those old fogeys from the church."

"A theology teacher?"

Lynch helped her adjust her necklace. "That's perfect. We have one for brains and one for brawn, plus your noble etiquette. That girl Aria is in for it now."

The two exchanged a smile, full of that tacit understanding of grinding a brat into the ground.

However.

Little did they know.

What kind of chaotic battlefield the upcoming banquet would turn out to be.

That "interesting Lokina" not only knew Felsy, but had also been her long-time rival for over a decade in a strictly one-sided love-hate relationship.

A grand drama of reunited nemeses, each harboring their own ulterior motives, was about to raise its curtains in the dining hall of Norland Castle.