Knight and Wand

Chapter 204 Betrayal and Exile

"Those spiritual demons are all transformed from Lorelites?" Leon was surprised.

Collective demon upgrade? Are the Lorelites so crazy!?
Laura shook her head: "Not all of them. In the spirit world, there are countless primitive beings born from the wisdom and thoughts of the myriad worlds, and the species that have been able to receive the power of the spirit world are not just the Lorelits. My people are just one of them. They are different from the demons born from the original chaos."

Leon took note of it silently, then continued to ask in confusion: "Why would they be willing to become something that is neither human nor ghost?"

The wizard spread her sleeves as a matter of course: "Immortal life, powerful strength at your fingertips, infinite knowledge, endless happiness and desire. Whatever it is, if I continue to talk about it, there will be countless reasons why it is worth it.

For ordinary people or mages, if the price is only to be transformed into an inhuman being, and if they only need to indulge the emotions surging in their souls, they can grasp everything that was once forever out of reach, most people will not hesitate for a moment. "

At this point, she sighed, "In the final analysis, the price you and I see is nothing compared to what the fallen will gain."

Leon still found it unreasonable. Strength and immortality would only be worthwhile if they were put to good use. But in the spiritual world, looking at the half-corroded spiritual land, you could tell what a barren and desolate place it was.

"Even if I get all that, I'll only be trapped in the spirit world and unable to return to reality. What's the point?"

Unexpectedly, as soon as these words fell, Leon saw that Laura’s smile in front of him was a little bitter.

"You think they're the ones trapped?"

Leon frowned and said, "Don't they now have the opportunity to come to the world only through the quasi-spiritual field located between the real world and the spiritual world?"

Laura stretched out her finger and pointed at the ground.

"You are looking at it from the wrong perspective. Just like this wizard tower, it is shrouded by a magic curtain. Do you think the people outside the tower are trapped by us inside the tower?"

Leon's eyelids gradually widened and his back felt a little hairy.

He instinctively thought that those demons were sealed in the spirit world and therefore could not come to this world.

But according to what Laura said, doesn't it mean that it is not the demons that are trapped in the spirit world, but that this world itself is currently blocking the demons from the outside world?

Laura looked at the shock on his face and nodded.

"The spiritual world is part of the endless void, a boundless realm formed by the fire of wisdom bursting from countless souls.

It's not that the demons are trapped there and can't come into this world, but the earth beneath our feet has temporarily used a great power to keep things from the spiritual world out. "

"Wait a minute, you said this is only temporary, will they really come back eventually?" Leon's heart skipped a beat. He didn't expect that his doomsday delusion when he learned that the dwarves had left would come true.

No wonder the elves and dwarves got started early. Judging from the tip of the iceberg of the Lorelit civilization glimpsed from the books in the Mage Tower, if this ancient mage civilization, which had collectively upgraded itself to magic, really returned to this world and went crazy, it would be no different from the end of the world. Who wouldn't run away?
Leon suddenly became nervous.

He originally thought that he had traveled through time to "A Song of Ice and Fire", but now he is told that he actually came to the set of "The End of Time"?

"How long can this 'temporary' last? How much time is left?" He suppressed his uneasiness and asked seriously.

"It can last until the day when the sacred sun goes out."

"Ah? The sun went out?" Leon was stunned.

But just in case, he still cautiously confirmed: "Well, I'm asking, Laura, because in my hometown, the sun is actually a little bit longer-lived.

May I ask this world, how long can the holy sun above our heads continue to burn?"

The wizard thought for a moment and replied, "Using the Orland calendar you are familiar with now, it will probably be 9.6 billion years."

"Ahem." Leon almost choked on the air: "I thought, okay, I'm not afraid of this anymore"

Nearly 9.6 billion years.

The local sun has nearly twice as much remaining life as the one on Earth.

You know what, this is really temporary.

Laura looked at his relieved expression and crossed her arms to remind him, "Are you relieved now? Don't be too happy too soon. Have you forgotten the quasi-spiritual land? Even if time is chaotic in the spirit world, my fallen people will not have the patience to wait until the day when the Holy Sun goes out before returning to the desolate and dry land where nothing exists anymore."

After hearing this, Leon suddenly felt strange.

"But according to what you said, Laura, wouldn't your people who have fallen into the spirit world demons have a free and easy life after entering the spirit world?

Why do they cling to this world? Since you said that the spirit world is connected to the boundless void, and there are so many stars in the sky, why do they have to come back to harm the world that once gave birth to them? "

Faced with this question, there seemed to be a hint of gloom in Laura's golden eyes.

"Because, the fallen ones did not enter the spirit world voluntarily."

“Before this land completely fell into the demonic realm, the two uncorrupted of the five Dharma Kings joined forces with their former allies to tear the country of Lorelite and the entire land it was on from this world and throw it into the spirit world.

Since then, my people who were ‘exiled’ to the abyss of the spirit world have been constantly thinking about returning to this land, destroying everything that we ‘traitors’ protected, and washing away the shame and hatred that were once expelled. Again and again.”

It was the first time Leon saw her look like this, and he lowered his voice: "Why didn't you want to tell me this before?"

Laura broke free from her past memories, raised her eyes, looked at the other person indifferently for a long time, then turned and walked towards the high steps in the hall.

Leon followed instinctively.

"Because all this has nothing to do with you. You are not the soul of this world, just like those travelers from Isulan who left on the big ark. You have the right to choose to leave." The wizard girl came to the throne and sat down slowly, looking up at the person in front of her: "The void is vast. On an astronomical scale, even the terrible disaster of the spirit world devouring the world and the devil wreaking havoc among all living beings is just a flash of sand in the starry sky. It is the same for a foreign soul like you.

Li Ang, I ask you again, do you want to go home? Leave this place behind and return to your distant hometown.

"Didn't I say that even you can't do it?" Leon asked curiously.

Laura leaned sideways, holding her cheek, squinting and chuckling: ".Who knows, maybe I lied, or maybe I just can't do it now."

Leon shook his head and said without hesitation: "My answer is still the same. If I can't take everyone with me, then I will still choose to stay here. No matter what tricks those exiled demons want to come back to cause, I will have to face it with everyone."

The white-haired girl smiled even more: "Your scope of 'everyone' has expanded a bit, right?"

"What?" Leon didn't understand.

"At first, it was just my relatives and friends, but now, how many more people are included in this scope?

The children playing and laughing in Avalon? The people working from sunrise to sunset? Or all the innocent people on this land?
Are these all people? Why do I feel that even if you can leave with a limited number of places, you will still choose to stay after sending your cherished people out of danger. "Lola asked softly.

Leon waved his hand: "You think too highly of me. If there is an unstoppable danger, I will definitely take the people around me first and run away. I can't help those who are beyond my ability."

The wizard lady raised her eyebrows and said nothing.

"Really? Then why didn't you abandon Lohak? You were just a hair's breadth away from death. It doesn't seem like something you could do."

Leon explained: "I owed him my life at the time, and I also owed Elena a favor."

Laura pointed at herself and said, “When I borrowed your body to pull him out of the water, you didn’t owe me anything. As for Elena, the ‘Leon’ she tried to save had already died of his injuries. You, like me, are just a wandering soul occupying the body of that young man. You know it very well.

Besides, there is Olivia, why would you risk your life to save her?"

Leon frowned, and said awkwardly: "Maybe. Maybe it was because I coveted Olivia's beauty at that time? So I was too excited and took the risk to show off my strength."

"If a man showed you kindness in the same way, or even an ugly and dirty beggar like Olivia, offered you help, would you just leave him alone? What about Corvis? Are you also attracted by his beauty?"

"Of course not." Leon was shocked and swore on his own that this was not the case.

"That's it. You don't have to risk your life in Longka. Even if you let the enemy wreak havoc outside the territory, what does it matter? The young lord was planning to use the lives of the people in the rear to delay time. What are you risking your life for? For fame or wealth?" Laura reached out and tapped his chest: "You risked your life because you couldn't bear to see those poor people who had nothing to do with you suffer from the sword."

Leon's face turned red after hearing what the teacher said: "What a compliment. How come I sound like a saint of the Holy Sun Religion in your mouth?"

The wizard girl smiled helplessly and said, "I don't know where your strange mentality comes from. It's as if you can't do noble things with peace of mind without finding some selfish excuses to pretend that good deeds are beneficial to yourself. It's like a kind of self-protection that refuses to show weakness.

But no matter what, you don't need to hide anything in front of me, our souls are close to each other, and I can always feel your sincerity and kindness. "

But when she said this, she thought of something: "Of course, the only difference is that you are lustful. In this respect, you are a hypocritical and prudish playboy~"

The corners of Leon's mouth, which had just been somewhat pleased with the compliment, suddenly collapsed. He wanted to argue that it was all unreliable demonic hallucinations, but Laura interrupted him by shaking her hand.

"Okay, you, from now on, when you act to protect the ones you love, remember to protect yourself. They love you as well. If the people around you lose you, the pain they will have to endure will be the same as if you lost them."

Leon listened to this advice and nodded seriously: "Well, I remember it."

He stared at Miss Mage and suddenly asked curiously, "What about you, Laura?"

How did this ancient Dharma king view himself?

After just a few months of being together, would she be sad because she lost me?

The white-haired girl's golden eyes were slightly startled.

But she soon smiled tenderly. "Of course I love you too.
You deserve to be loved.”

".!"

This straightforward answer was really unexpected for Leon.

Even though he didn't think anything wrong about this meaningful word, his heart was still beating fast.

Laura noticed his nervousness and raised her eyebrows in amusement.

"Are you attracted to me already? Don't let your imagination run wild. I'll go tell that kid about your fickleness."

Leon was so shocked that he shook his head to clarify: "No, no, absolutely not. It's friendship and care. I feel deeply honored that the teacher loves his students."

The white-haired girl curved her beautiful eyebrows and said, "Hmm~ It's not a bad idea to think so. Just think of it as me being too lonely as an old man. I have no offspring, and seeing a good child like you come all the way with difficulty, maybe I can't help but want to pamper you."

After saying that, she waved her hand, smiled, and said in an extremely pleasant voice: "Come here and let me touch you~"

Once is new, several times become familiar.

Seeing the little teacher waving as usual, Leon had no choice but to move closer skillfully, squatted down with his hands on his knees, and obediently handed over his head.

It was indeed extremely embarrassing for a big and strong man to be stroked on the head by the little girl-like Laura in front of the throne.

Fortunately, there was no one else watching in the Mage Tower, so he let his little aunt satisfy her feelings as a teacher. Leon closed his eyes, feeling quite comfortable anyway.

Touching the soft black hair, my fingers gently touch the reality.

In a place that Leon couldn't see, the golden eyes showed an inextricable reluctance.
Dinner time in the main castle is as lively as ever.

Aunt Milia, the head cook, was unwilling to accept the maternity leave offered by Leon, even though her belly had grown bigger recently. She was still busy in the kitchen leading the cooks.

The head maid, Little Lina, also directed the maids in an orderly manner, spreading delicious food all over the table.

The newly installed candlelight chandelier filled the hall with warm dim light.

Leon looked at Lohak with interest.

The big guy deliberately ignored his sister's contempt and sat on Elena's left, trying to ease the awkwardness by sitting across from his sister while racking his brains to find clumsy things to talk to Miss Sally on his right. He looked silly, and it was only thanks to Elena's help in picking up the conversation for her brother that the conversation didn't die out.

At this rate, it’s hard to say when this will happen. Leon shook his head and turned to look at the high-end player on the other side.

Azerien and Miss Raya sat together. The two who had already made an engagement, hugged each other and talked and laughed quietly. They looked so intimate, like a pair of swans.
Leon tightened Olivia's hand, sighing that this boy didn't know who he learned to be so corny.

He retracted his gaze and looked at the younger brother beside him.

Corvis was talking seriously with Miss Milena, and if you listened carefully, he was answering some medical questions.

This is not surprising, as the young man is a knowledgeable wizard and has been imparting advanced medical knowledge to the doctor's daughter.

With the dual knowledge of the mage Tanelorelit's life science and Atias's medicine, Akao is definitely one of the best medical masters in the Western Continent. He has also recently begun to study the human body repair techniques recorded in the magic book. It can be expected that he can help old Brian completely cure the lame leg that has been lame for many years in the near future.

But Brian was not here today, and after the southern tour, the uncle took half of the army and returned to Selva for daily training.

On the other side, Theresa, Martha, and Vereesa were chatting with Miss Margarina, and Larian and several newly joined knights were nowhere to be seen.

They recently volunteered to escort the mining exploration team sent by Earl Elliver to the Dwarf Mine to set up camp. The letter from the feudal lord of Achesburg was full of praise and appreciation. Leon had just returned home and had not had time to pay attention to this matter. However, since Azerien and Ms. Martha were handling the matters of mining cooperation with the family, he was happy to have some free time for the time being.

Although not everyone was there, Leon still felt safe and at ease as he rested his chin on his hand and looked at his family and friends gathered around the long table, laughing and having a great time.

Love, even if the world changes, is still a great word.

Does he love everyone?

of course.

After admitting this in his heart, Leon felt somewhat relieved.

The reason why I say it is corny is that this word in my mind has been given an overly monotonous meaning by modern times.

In fact, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. If this word sounds too shameful, it is okay to replace this feeling with "benevolence". However, there is indeed no word in Feru that corresponds to the Chinese word "benevolence".

Leon looked at his brother beside him and asked seriously: "Akao, do you love me?"

The conversation among several people nearby suddenly fell silent. Lohak looked over in surprise, and the big man opened his mouth, thinking he had heard wrongly.

Corvis was also stunned, but looking at his master's expression, he did not misunderstand anything. He nodded and replied: ". I respect and love you, even more than my life."

Leon blinked, surprised at the boy's level of respect for him, but he knew that he was always serious and never lied.

Corvis smiled and said, "Before I met you, I had nothing, but now I have everything. Loving you means loving my new life and myself now."

Feeling the other party's gratitude, Leon patted Akao's shoulder and recalled Laura's words.

Yes, why did I want to risk my life to save this boy?
It's not that complicated.

He just wanted to see this sincere child live well, rather than die alone in a corner where no one cared.

"What about you? Lohak? Do you love me too?" Leon said with a smile.

After reacting, Lohak patted his chest and said without pretense: "Of course! I am the same. I respect you like a brother. In fact, back in the cave, I felt that you were as reliable as an older brother, although I don't have a brother."

"This is my first time having a brother like you who is a head taller than me." Leon said with a smile.

If I could replace the dead girl who had been fighting with me since childhood in my previous life with Lohak, I would probably have less worries in my childhood.

Seeing Leon's gaze turned to him, Azerien smiled and nodded: "You are a close friend that I am proud of, and a brother that I respect very much."

"Me too, me too! Brother Leon, I love you too~!" Lina, who was sitting on the left, raised her hand and shouted excitedly. As she spoke, she glanced sideways and saw that the little friends next to her couldn't let go, so she shouted again: "Selena and Remi too~!"

".Haha, okay, okay, I love you all too, let's eat." Leon raised his glass.

It feels really good to be loved by so many people, and it makes my heart warm.

"What about me? Why don't you ask me?" Olivia leaned over dissatisfiedly and pinched her lover's palm.

"Do you even need to ask?"

Leon nudged her forehead affectionately.

After an unknown amount of time, he opened his eyes in confusion.

Before your eyes is an unusually tall dome and familiar, ornate relief colonnades.

There is also a fuzzy white mist that always surrounds the surroundings.

He withdrew his gaze from the endless haze and lowered his head, only to find that under his feet was a staircase corridor that seemed to be suspended in the air halfway up the mountain.

When did he get here? A sense of déjà vu made him turn around and look towards the end of the stairs.

The huge and solemn throne still stands there silently.
I have to go there. I have to go there.

It has to be quick.
He walked up with his legs as tired as lead, even though it was so far away.

".Can you still feel it?"

The voice is familiar, very familiar.
He moved his dry lips and tried to answer, but found it so difficult, as if he could not feel any water or blood in his throat.

".certainly"

Just a simple response almost exhausted all his strength. His feet inevitably lost strength and he fell on the stairs. He found that his legs turned to ashes.

He felt no pain and had to continue to hold on to the steps in front of him with his hands to avoid rolling down the high stairs.

I can't stand up anymore, but I can keep climbing.
".Like the sun?"

sun?

He raised his head, but everything was so white that he couldn't see clearly.

The sun, in that case, would be too cruel to just watch fairly.

Darkness is falling before our eyes.
(End of this chapter)