You are all my wings...

"Your Excellency, I am deeply sorry to disturb your meditation; I deserve to die for it! But the thought of my doubts makes my heart burn. Excuse me, may I take a moment to ask you a question?"

Lyon was ashamed. Why was this guy using such cautious and fearful wording, as if he were about to meet the Pope?

Has the aura of trust truly taken root in him?

"Go ahead and say it, keep it concise, don't be so... particular about the wording."

“Yes, Your Excellency. It’s like this. When I was on watch last night, I noticed that there were faint eyes watching this area from the outer circle, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to be an illusion. Milo even said that I was seeing things. But I think it’s been a day since Reint and the others left. They wouldn’t really come looking for trouble, would they?”

Chapter 121 Learning Ice Reduction Magic

“I see. Your concerns are not unfounded. Here’s what we’ll do: if you encounter the same situation again, don’t hesitate to wake me up, and I’ll go with you to take a look.”

"Yes, Your Excellency, thank you for your reply. Your kind words are truly appreciated. I apologize for my rudeness, but I offer you my most sincere praise!"

"..."

This guy is really addicted to using clichés.

"In the future, use fewer platitudes in front of me; keep it simple and clear."

"No, Your Excellency, it all comes from the bottom of my heart..."

"Alright, go train now. We need to use these days to readjust your mind and body. You'll understand the benefits when you go out into battle later."

Leon interrupted Bovary's next combo attack.

Although these words may sound a little satisfying, after all, people are creatures who like to be praised and flattered.

But listening to it too much can be intoxicating and make people lose themselves.

For example, Macchiato was so captivated by Leon's charm that she forgot her purpose of leaving the cave as soon as possible.

"Yes, Your Excellency, I will carefully consider your intentions."

Bovary bowed and left.

Leon sighed, deciding to forgo eating monster meat altogether and immediately enter a meditative state.

To be honest, although this place is small and fifth-order monsters roam outside from time to time, posing a huge threat, Leon's efficiency in meditation training here is indeed much higher than before.

Especially yesterday, it seems that after being attacked by Iris again, the efficiency improved slightly once more.

Iris's reward effect can last for about six or seven hours at a time. After that time, the meditation efficiency will return to its original level.

However, this time Leon estimates that even without Iris's reward, he is confident that he can perfectly replicate the surface image of the ice reduction magic.

Although there are even deeper magical images waiting there after this.

But in any case, at least he has a basic understanding of ice magic!

Time passed slowly.

In the third hour of re-entering the meditation practice, he suddenly felt Iris's reward again.

Efficiency has been boosted once again!

93%, 95%…

Finally, in the seventh hour, 100%!

Boom!

Deep within the soul, a grand and complex magical image coalesced.

This magical imagery is extremely complex, featuring both tidal-like particle flows and an outer outline resembling a vast ocean, with countless indistinct details hidden within.

Even though it was only a preliminary condensation of surface imagery, it was already far more profound than all the magical imagery that Leon had comprehended.

Once it was formed, it immediately occupied the most central position in the mind.

Following that are the various intermediate magical images, such as Hurricane Bullet, Tornado, Cold Tide, and the unique prototype of Fire Acceleration Magic.

The outer perimeter consists of the various basic images of the four magic systems.

Then there are simple images of various miniature spells, orbiting around the major primary spell images like satellites.

Among these magical images, besides the ice reduction magic image which has already begun to demonstrate the majesty of the magic crown, the fire acceleration is also a rather special existence.

He has already successfully applied the Fire Acceleration Magic to the Fireball spell, and through this, he has mastered a special combination spell that only requires 3 points of magic power and has speed, power, and range that are similar to those of a pseudo-intermediate spell.

"For initial application, let's use the slowing spell on water defense magic. This way, I might be able to create a defense spell with low magic consumption but power comparable to a mid-level one."

Frequently applying magical imagery in actual combat can also help improve one's understanding of the essence of magic and master its deeper meaning.

A basic water-based slowing shield, if successfully tested, should be quite interesting.

I just don't know if slowing spells can be used directly on monsters.

If it can be used on monsters, the effect will be even more incredible. In the mid-stage of evolution, it should be able to directly evolve into a stun spell, forcibly controlling and interrupting the monster's skill activation.

Ice magic is similar to speed magic; it can directly affect other magics without requiring the creation of a magical energy body to attack or defend against the target, unlike the four elemental magics.

In comparison, ice reduction and speed-up spells are more concealed and silent.

This is an advantage that's almost like a bug.

In the darkness, Leon slowly opened his eyes.

He walked to the entrance of the passage, greeted Milo who was on guard duty, and crouched down to slip into the passage.

The cave is too cramped to attempt magic.

The area outside is teeming with fifth-order monsters, making it unsuitable for attempting magic.

Lyon planned to use earth magic to dig out a suitable training ground in the passage.

This also provides a good opportunity to practice earth magic, which I don't use much.

……

Another eight hours have passed.

Brillita awakens.

Mark, who happened to be on duty, discovered that she had woken up.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency! Stop practicing magic! The Holy Maiden has awakened!"

His exclamation reached the training ground next door, which Lyon had recently dug up.

Lyon finished training and walked over quickly.

Upon entering the cave, the first thing you see is Britta, her eyes glazed over, who has just sat up.

Beside her were several knights who, upon hearing the news, sat up in shock from their deathbeds, each with a concerned expression.

On the contrary, Iris and Macchiato were still in meditation.

Upon closer inspection, Britta appeared somewhat dazed, as if she had experienced something unusual while unconscious.

This was a posture Lyon had never seen before.

She is beautiful in general, but she is also solemn and holy, with a slightly cold demeanor. Her long and narrow eyebrows and eyes are pretty, but they give people a sense of pressure and authority.

When dealing with Iris, she sometimes displays a teasing and mischievous expression, while when dealing with Leon, she occasionally shows the kindness of a leader and a slightly subtle, distorted concern.

But most of the time, she gives people the feeling of being awe-inspiring and unapproachable, making people dare not disrespect her.

The knights were very low-key in front of her, as docile as mice in front of a cat.

This must be the pressure she exerts on others due to her status and past achievements.

However, seeing Britta's slightly bewildered side, Leon was struck by a sudden realization that this side of Britta was more real.

"Your Holiness, it seems that although you were injured, you had a good dream, which released a lot of latent pressure, right?"

Britta then came to her senses:

How did you figure that out?

Her voice was calm, but tinged with a hint of surprise.

Leon laughed:

“Holy Maiden, people only reveal their most unguarded selves the moment they wake up, and just now, seeing your appearance, I immediately understood a key point.”

"What's the problem?"

"There's nothing wrong with it, it's just too beautiful. I think if the Holy Maiden weren't so tense all the time, she would have even more charm. Just like the sky only has the purest vastness and expanse, and endless blue, an endless world, when it's not covered by dark clouds, doesn't it?"

A faint blush crept up Burelita's long, straight, porcelain-white neck, as delicate as a swan's.

The knights noticed the change in Britta and were dumbfounded.

[Rita's affection level increased by 4%, current affection level is 66%]

摲通.

It was Carl. He walked over to say something to Leon, but slipped and fell, ending up kneeling towards Leon.

Chapter 122 The Future of the Papacy

"Damn it, Your Excellency really knows how to talk."

After hesitating for a long time, Carl said this while kneeling.

"Really? That's strange. How does the word 'damn' end up being associated with something that can talk?"

Leon, of course, knew what Carl meant by "damn it."

"You deserve to die just because you can talk! Your Majesty, please say something to teach this insolent fellow a lesson!"

Karl was seething with hatred. He turned to look at Burelita and found that the blush had spread beyond her long, swan-like neck, reaching her cheeks and spreading into a beautiful pinkish-white blush, making the usually dignified Burelita blush with a touch of shyness.

Not only that, Berylita's reaction speed also seemed to have slowed down.

After Karl called out a few times, Britta blinked as if she had come to her senses:

"Oh, sorry, Carl, what did you just say?"

She began to regain her composure at this point, and when she said the last sentence, "It came back," her face had returned to its usual holy, solemn, and inviolable state.

“I’ve lost my composure. I remember now, Karl. You don’t need to repeat it.”

She reached out to stop Carl.

Then he looked at Lyon:

"Your suggestion is very valuable. Thank you, Lyon. I will consider it carefully."

"Yes, Your Excellency, please feel free to ask if you need any assistance."

Lyon nodded, feeling a little regretful.

Hearing Brierita say this, he knew that Brierita was not prepared to give up her current way of doing things.

She might seriously consider it, but for the sake of the bigger picture and her own ideals, she probably can only occasionally reward herself with a completely relaxed attitude.

Of course, Lyon wasn't going to try to persuade him any further; there would be plenty of time in the future.

Her current style is more effective in managing subordinates, but it also creates more pressure.

Perhaps because her nature is more gentle, all her holiness and solemnity are a disguise, a mask to fulfill the great title of saint.

When people do not follow their nature, they will inevitably feel mentally exhausted.

When will Berylita be as free as Iris, with only a little pressure, before she can truly feel happy?

When she can finally let down all her guard and pretense, that will be the time when her meditative state and way of handling things reach a new level.

With this in mind, Lyon also decided to proceed gradually and suggested:

"So, Your Excellency, would you like to order some food? And then get your body back to its peak condition as soon as possible?"

"I'm sorry, I dragged everyone down before."

Berylita apologized.

Milo quickly handed over a large pile of spare jerky and water pouches.