Ah, as a priest, the feeling of saving souls and learning skills is just fantastic!

When Dick walked out of the Archon Hall, it was no exaggeration to say that his back was soaked.

Although the Eredar were famous for their tolerance and open-mindedness, the "blasphemous words" concerning faith that he had just spoken to a Grand Executor who had only recently converted to the Holy Light could genuinely have gotten him tied to a stake and burned.

Especially since he had openly spoken ill of the Holy Light while bearing the identity of a Light Walker.

In the eyes of a legendary priest like Ishana, or even more extreme religious zealots, that was undeniably "apostasy."

But that was why old Velen was absolutely someone worth knowing.

Even after hearing such arrogant and terrifying "heretical remarks," Velen had merely rebuked Dick without inflicting any harsher punishment. Dick was allowed to leave the main hall safely, carrying his new rank of "Commodore of the Vindicators."

And there was even an "unexpected delight" that Dick himself had not anticipated.

When he had boldly advised Grand Executor Velen to maintain his rationality outside of faith, he had keenly noticed that a look of immense approval had appeared on Commander Kil'jaeden's usually calm face.

It seemed that Kil'jaeden was also deeply worried about the mental state of his brother Velen.

Somehow, while whispering "slander" into Velen's ear, he had also earned a wave of goodwill from Kil'jaeden. Dick truly had not expected that, but it was hardly a bad thing.

He came from the Vindicators' ranks. Now that he had established some goodwill with the Vindicator commander, everything he did in the future was bound to go more smoothly.

Besides the letter of appointment for his new rank, Dick also held a "secret order" from the two Grand Executors.

They wanted Dick to locate the "Holy Stone" Sarkir had mentioned as quickly as possible, thereby proving that the World Soul truly existed.

To facilitate his mission, the secret order granted him the authority to freely recruit personnel to form an exploration team. Combined with Neri's squad from the Assassin Court, Dick suddenly had plenty of manpower at his disposal, which filled him with confidence about the journey ahead.

After all, he knew that godforsaken place, Krokuun, like the back of his hand!

Not only was his current identity that of a "country boy" born on the frontier, but in his previous life as a veteran player, he had thoroughly mapped out every boss spawn point in that damned place just to farm the cool-looking World Defiler transmog set.

"So, I'll head back to Oronaar City now, say goodbye to Malderan, and then take a military aircraft to Krokuun."

Looking at the two letters of appointment in his hands, Dick's previously heavy mood improved somewhat.

"I've also been specially permitted by Commander Kil'jaeden to choose equipment that suits me from the garrison armory at the Seat of the Triumvirate. This is fantastic.

It's like completing a quest, clearing the storyline, and getting a full set of gear as a reward!

Fuck, something this good actually exists?

Ah... slap the mouth, slap the mouth! As a Light Walker, I can't use foul language even in my own head. That's an important part of professional conduct and role-playing spirit!"

He raised a hand and lightly patted his mouth, then hummed a tune as he headed for the garrison armory to collect his "quest reward."

But before he had gone far, he was stopped by a sturdy tomboy who had "suddenly spawned" in front of him, her entire body gleaming with faint golden light.

No, that was not an exaggeration!

The Eredar girl before him, who should have had a petite build, stood a whole head taller than Dick. Her sculpted physique, whose biceps looked capable of strangling a Talbuk to death, made Dick deeply envious. But he knew that such visibly absurd strength was not something one could simply envy into existence.

Her unusual blue-and-gold skin alone made it clear that she was one of the "chosen of the Holy Light" from the Naaru Temple!

She was one of the six Light Walkers selected over the thousand years that the Holy Light Doctrine had spread through Eredar society—those with the greatest talent and the firmest wills.

Three men and three women, all legendary paladins.

They guarded the Temple of K'ure year-round and served as protectors of the two Grand Executors. Their combat power was formidable enough to be called "Force vanguards," easily crushing ordinary legends. They were a vital part of the defensive strength of the Seat of the Triumvirate.

Before Grand Executor Velen converted to the Holy Light, these six "Holy Light muscleheads" had been the "spokespeople" for the Holy Light Doctrine in the eyes of the Eredar.

"Brother Diakum, please wait."

The chosen of the Holy Light, dressed in training gear and carrying a radiant war spear on her back, ran toward him. Her adorable little tail, wrapped in shimmering light, swayed behind her as she solemnly said to Dick:

"Guardian Naaru K'ure requests your presence! It wishes to speak with you and has prepared a reward for your victory over a powerful foe."

"Hm?"

Dick looked in surprise at the chosen sister with a Radiant Seal floating above her forehead and asked curiously:

"I've never met Lord K'ure before... though I did have a brief encounter with Lord Lura. Why would Lord K'ure suddenly summon me?"

"I do not know, but perhaps this is the will of the Holy Light. Please come with me, Brother Diakum."

The chosen of the Holy Light answered honestly, leaving Dick somewhat awkward.

That was simply how these chosen were.

They spoke simply and sparingly, like ascetics who sought none of mortal life's pleasures. Rumor had it that they were truly immortal, that even if they died in battle, they would soon be resurrected through the grace of the Holy Light.

Dick was very envious of that ability.

The reason was simple. In the real world, something as convenient as a "resurrection spell" clearly did not exist...

If you died, you were really dead!

In the legends of any world, returning from the dead was given the grand title of a "miracle." That alone showed how precious a chance at resurrection was.

"May I have the honor of knowing your name, my radiant sister in faith?"

On the way to the Temple of K'ure with the chosen of the Holy Light, Dick quietly asked the question. The chosen glanced at him and answered briefly:

"Davenius. That is the name I bore in the secular world, but after Step Into the Holy Light, names lost their meaning."

"Well, that answer certainly sounds rather 'divine.'"

Dick sighed and said:

"But I don't think the Holy Light would wish to see you abandon your names, sister. The Holy Light requires devotion, but that does not mean we must constantly harbor an intense desire for self-destruction and sacrifice.

The principle is always simple.

If you cannot even love yourselves, how can anyone expect you to love all people?

If you truly abandon every beautiful emotion that comes with being human, can you still represent the Holy Light as symbols upon the path of healing and protection?"

"I am not good at doctrinal debates, Brother Diakum. I heard that you chose to become a priest? Mm, what you said just now really did sound like a sermon. You will surely become an excellent preacher."

Davenius nodded seriously and said:

"Your warning sounds very reasonable. I will discuss it with my other brothers and sisters. Perhaps Lord K'ure can offer me guidance."

"So I'm curious, my sister in faith. Does the voice that has constantly echoed in your mind belong to Lord K'ure, or to the Holy Light?"

Dick hesitated, then looked back and happened to see the two Grand Executors emerge from the palace.

He felt this was an opportunity to let Velen, who had only just converted, see for himself the difference between the Naaru and the Holy Light, so that the old prophet would not, as in True History of the Dark Portal, become a "blind follower" during some fatal moment in the future.

So he turned back and asked the chosen of the Holy Light before him this somewhat blasphemous question.

The question left the chosen confused. She turned to look at Dick in surprise and asked:

"What is the difference between the two? Are they not the same concept?"

"Sigh, this is exactly what I was afraid to see... Whenever I think that I might become like you in the future, I feel a wave of panic. But since I am already a priest, since you say that I will become an excellent priest who saves souls, then I cannot turn a blind eye to this 'lost lamb' before me!

Please forgive my offense."

Shaking his head, Dick stepped forward in a presumptuous gesture and grasped Davenius's hand, which was strong enough to snap his neck with ease. He looked earnestly at the chosen of the Holy Light and said:

"You must sever your spiritual connection to Lord K'ure, sister! The Naaru were born from the Light, but they cannot fully represent the Holy Light. The Naaru possess independent wills, which means they have desires, can feel anger, and can suffer loss.

Each of them has its own understanding of the Holy Light, and there are factions and moral differences even among the Naaru!

Sister, you should devote yourself to the Holy Light itself, rather than allowing yourself to become the puppet of a Naaru. In terms of personhood, we are equal to the Naaru...

Lord K'ure!

If you can hear my words, please release this sister's mind.

This prolonged spiritual connection is not protection, but a shameful assimilation. It is precisely why Arcane Mages despise you. If you truly wish for the Holy Light to shelter the Eredar, if you want the Holy Light to merge with the World Soul, then please use a gentler method!"

Dick held the chosen of the Holy Light's hand, but his words were not meant for the woman before him. Through her spiritual connection with Naaru K'ure, Dick was certain that the Naaru within the temple ahead could hear him.

The Naaru were just like that!

They were naturally kind and willing to protect every kind person around them.

They used their immense inborn spiritual power to delve into the minds of their followers and provide mental protection, but they overlooked the fact that mortal minds were too fragile to endure such spiritual "protection" for long.

A short connection could protect the mind, but prolonged spiritual resonance caused Light Walkers to confuse the doctrines of the Holy Light under the influence of the Naaru's brilliantly radiant voice, and to sincerely regard the Naaru as incarnations of the Holy Light.

In a sense, that understanding was not entirely wrong.

But the problem was that, as Dick had said, the Naaru were not as pure as people believed.

They had their own thoughts and independent consciousness, which meant that a Naaru's way of doing things would have a lasting influence on the Light Walkers who followed it.

The worst example of this would be the Army of the Light that appeared later.

Under the leadership of Xe'ra, the primal Naaru known as the "Mother of Holy Light," whose methods were radical and whose prophetic abilities were formidable, the entire Army of the Light became the kind of "Holy Light lunatics" despised by many.

Those soldiers who had fought for ten thousand years generally developed a fanatical obedience, treating the voice of Xe'ra as the will of the Holy Light. Only after Brother Egg blasted Xe'ra apart with a single eye beam did the Army of the Light slowly return to normal.

Beyond that, the "blind obedience" and "fanaticism" carried by the force of the Holy Light had also created something as outrageous as "Holy Light Tyrant Yrel" in Draenor of another timeline. They "purged" the entire world with the Holy Light, capturing everyone who refused to obey the Holy Light Doctrine and forcibly Lightforging them.

And then there were the even more extreme hotheads of the Scarlet Crusade...

Seriously, what was the difference between this kind of "crusade" and the demons of the Burning Legion?

Dick had indeed chosen to walk the Holy Light Path, but that did not mean he intended to walk the path of those "lunatics." Seeing that the chosen of the Holy Light already showed signs of "fanaticization," he naturally had to save whoever he could.

And while he was at it, he could raise his priest class level.

Well, there was nothing shameful about leveling up.

Besides, Guardian Naaru K'ure was a famous "moderate" among the Naaru. In True History of the Dark Portal, this Naaru of noble character truly gave everything for the fate of the Eredar.

It was trustworthy and worthy of respect.

That was why Dick dared to make such a demand of K'ure at this time.

Under Dick's watchful gaze, Sister Davenius clutched her forehead and cried out in pain a few seconds later before collapsing to the ground. This powerful chosen of the Holy Light was unafraid of pain, yet at this moment she writhed on the ground like a fish pulled from water, her eyes filled with confusion.

Like a bewildered infant opening its eyes to see the world for the first time.

"Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid. Deep Breath. It is normal to feel a sense of loss. Recite the doctrines of the Holy Light with me, sister."

Dick tightly gripped Davenius's hand.

Using his identity as a "priest apprentice," he did everything he could to soothe the agitated chosen of the Holy Light. After calling to her again and again, he finally managed to calm Davenius down.

Her body was perfectly healthy, but her mind seemed as though it had suffered a grave illness.

She clutched Dick's hand tightly and said helplessly:

"I can't hear it anymore... the voice of the Holy Light. No... I've awakened... My reason has returned. It was like I'd been dreaming. I was wrapped in golden light, and I became lost... I could neither hear nor see, like a puppet on strings... Heavens!

Heavens...

I have awakened."

"It's all right, sister. Lord K'ure did not deliberately manipulate you. It is simply that mortal minds cannot resist the pull of such great power. Just as travelers in darkness are drawn toward torchlight until they finally rush into it like moths to a flame, this is not your fault."

Like a qualified priest, Dick said gently:

"Rest, sister. You will be fine after some sleep. Please remember that you must remain firm in your principles from now on. That oath not only restrains us; it also protects us.

Be sure to use principles and reason as boundaries, leaving enough room for your soul and faith."

"Thank you, thank you, wise Brother Diakum. You... you saved my soul."

Davenius, one of the chosen of the Holy Light, sincerely expressed her gratitude to Dick.

She did not become fearful of the Holy Light because of this. Becoming one of the chosen proved that her will was beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

Yet even so, when she was helped to her feet and looked toward the Temple of K'ure, a trace of distance appeared in her eyes.

That was proper and necessary!

Dick had always believed that one should revere great things, but never blindly follow them at the cost of one's own reason. Those who were truly great would never wish to see such "fanaticism."

Once anything went to an extreme, it would bring disaster, no matter how good its original intentions were.

Kil'jaeden and Velen, standing atop the ruler's platform, witnessed this scene as well. Kil'jaeden shook his head, then silently patted Velen's shoulder from behind, signaling his brother to take this as a warning. At the same time, he became even more satisfied with Dick, this "wise believer."

The rosary beads in Velen's hand turned a little faster.

The scene before him struck him deeply, forcing him to begin examining how the faith he had only just embraced ought to develop.

Dick then entered the Temple of K'ure as though nothing had happened.

He had assumed that the Guardian Naaru would surely discuss matters concerning the Holy Light and the World Soul with him, but to his surprise, the Naaru simply wished to reward this Light Walker for his contributions to Eredar civilization.

K'ure had prepared a gift for Dick.

A complete set of meticulously crafted Lightforged Armaments was carried out by priests and placed before him.

Looking at the "tangram" Naaru before him, floating above the holy platform—a massive, wondrous geometric body entirely composed of radiant crystals, constantly rotating as it released an ethereal song—Dick suddenly felt remorse for his own "dark heart."

Indeed, K'ure did not seem like the sort of Naaru that plotted conspiracies.

Its heart was quite pure.

It could even protect an "alien soul" while shattered and dying, something only a true Good Person could do, and in doing so it had indirectly affected the future of another race deeply intertwined with the Draenei.

For those reasons, Dick remained in the Temple of K'ure longer than he had expected.

Besides kneeling on one knee before the Naaru's seat and using the Naaru's Holy Light to complete his prayers for the day, he also took the time to check his Character Card.

When he awakened Davenius just now, several notifications had appeared before his eyes:

[Successfully soothed a lost believer. Priest skill "Mind Soothe" learned! Current skill proficiency: Beginner. Please continue practicing to increase the skill's power.]

[Successfully awakened a confused believer. Advanced priest skill "Psychic Prayer" learned! Current skill proficiency: Beginner. Please continue practicing to increase the skill's power.]

"The priest class slot was granted by the Art of War talent, so it doesn't have the absurd 'class skill imprinting' effect of the Veil of the Afterlife. I'll have to explore and practice this class myself.

Come to think of it, even skill imprinting only gave me a series of basic paladin skills. I still have to figure out advanced skills like Guardians of Kings, Avenger's Shield, and Believe in Brother Chun on my own."

Dick prayed as he sighed inwardly:

"There's a lot to do next, but that's fine. Learning skills and practicing skills are what make growth feel real. Mm, now this feels like a proper progression game."

"By the Holy Light! The Naaru has bestowed a blessing!"

Amid Dick's thoughts, a clamor rose around him.

He looked up in surprise and saw a wisp of light drifting down from the gently rotating Naaru K'ure before him. It transformed into a bright feather of light and landed upon his forehead.

The instant it made contact, the Mark of the Light Walker on his forehead erupted with brilliance.

At the same time, more notifications appeared before his eyes:

[External power connected! Power path identified as: Holy Light Force. Connection mode: Blessing!

This power has been judged harmless.

To reward your devotion to the path of the Holy Light, Naaru K'ure has granted you its Holy Light power. Your "Mark of the Light Walker" has been replaced with "Mark of Naaru's Blessing".

Permanent individual status obtained: [K'ure's Divine Hymn]

Status effects:

The maximum capacity of the individual's Radiant Energy Pool has increased slightly (10% total); radiant damage dealt by Holy Light combat techniques has increased slightly; affinity with the Holy Light Force has increased slightly.

Class effects:

The Guardian Naaru has taught you a series of priest class skills:

Priest skill [Power Word: Shield] learned.

Priest skill [Power Word: Fortitude] learned.

Priest skill [Power Word: Radiance] learned.

Priest skill [Power Word: Life] learned.

Priest skill [Power Word: Barrier] learned.

Priest skill [Inner Fire] learned.

Priest skill [Prayer of Healing] learned.

High-level priest skill [Lightwell] learned.

High-level priest skill [Holy Halo] learned.

High-level priest skill [Divine Hymn] learned.

Additional effects:

Special language [Naaru Language] learned. Character Card language database updated.]

As the blessing took effect, Dick's mind was instantly filled with a vast number of priestly techniques, and just as if he had mastered a "foreign language," he easily understood the spiritual exchange contained within the Naaru's ethereal song.

A gentle, deep male voice rang out in his mind:

"Hand of Fate, born in the era before the coming darkness, the Holy Light watches over you. Continue upon your path. Should you require aid, Lura and I will surely give everything we have."

"Thank you for your blessing, noble guardian Naaru."

At that moment, Dick seemed to have made some sort of decision. He replied:

"I should be humble, but as you said, the Dark Night Era is approaching. So please be prepared. Perhaps very soon, we truly will need help from the Holy Light.

"Yes, it will be a miracle born of desperation—a miracle belonging only to the Holy Light!"

"Hey, why is your head so pointy, Vindicator?"

That was the first thing Malderan's brat, Maraad, said when Dick returned to Oronaar City that evening to have dinner at Malderan's home.

That Argus version of "kid speak" nearly broke Dick's composure.

Having arrived with gifts in hand, he immediately glared at the little rascal who had no filter, just about to say, "Then let me ask you this," when Malderan, having heard the commotion, hurried out.

The old Vindicator, looking embarrassed, grabbed his son and gave him a smack on the backside before apologizing awkwardly, "Don't mind him, Dick. Kids this age always have strange ideas... though your head really is a little..."

"It's because of the holy mark."

Dick kept a straight face and pointed to the Mark of Naaru's Blessing on his forehead, flickering like a golden flame, as he explained to Malderan:

"Lord K'ure rewarded my dedication. Perhaps because the Grand Executor did not grant me a reward befitting my merits, that Naaru, being a generous one, used its blessing to compensate me.

"But the problem is that this thing differs from the Holy Light marks of other Vindicators.

"It is alive.

"When I'm not fighting, it merely remains quietly lit. It can even conceal all traces of my holy power, making me look like an ordinary warrior. Naturally, children mistake that point of light for part of my forehead, which makes my head seem pointy."

"A Naaru's blessing? Mm, for Holy Light Believers like us, that is the highest reward."

Malderan laughed heartily as he accepted the fruits and vegetables Dick had bought along the way, then invited Dick into his home. Why else would one say that old Mac'Aree folk of true Eredar stock were Old Money with hidden depths?

Malderan the Vindicator's residence alone could be called a small estate.

And this was Oronaar City, where every inch of land was worth a fortune, not some remote place like Krokuun. This house alone proved just how well the old Vindicator had concealed his wealth.

His wife was a gentle and beautiful woman by either Eredar or human standards, clearly born into a distinguished family.

Still, Malderan's smile tonight carried a measure of guilt.

He knew that some of the rewards he had received should have belonged to Dick. It was only because Dick's identity had been tainted that...

"Don't worry about it! I'm not someone who craves fame and glory, Malderan. Besides, I'm not suited to be a commanding general. In fact, I have a mission of my own to carry out.

"After dinner tonight, I'll rest for a night and leave tomorrow."

At the dining table, while waiting for the servants to bring out the dishes, Dick sincerely told his friend:

"I can't tell you what the mission is, but after you reach your posting in the Antoran Wastes, you must hurry and train your troops. This storm isn't over yet."

Hearing Dick's warning, the old Vindicator nodded solemnly.

But tonight was a family dinner, and the atmosphere clearly wasn't suited for such serious matters. Before long, Dick had become acquainted with Malderan's two children.

Maraad, who was the same age as Dick, was undoubtedly an energetic little troublemaker. After receiving a radiant military short sword from Dick, he whooped and charged into the garden, beginning to "slaughter" the poor, expensive flowers. His furious mother promptly dragged him back into the living room by the ear.

Compared to the energetic Maraad, his younger sister Lelan was much quieter.

The little girl sat beside her father, listening intently as "Uncle Diakum" animatedly spun tall tales, especially the story of how he had hunted down an evil Shadow Panther that had devoured a herdsman's Talbuk in the Petrified Forest of Krokuun during his youth. Her tiny fists clenched tightly as she listened with rapt attention.

Dick was very fond of this big-eyed little girl.

Perhaps because he knew what dark fate this lovely girl would suffer in another history.

Maraad was soon drawn into the story as well. Clutching that gleaming Lightforged short sword, he sat nearby and imagined himself becoming a great frontier hero who punished evil and protected the innocent.

"When I grow up, I'll become a Vindicator as amazing as you!"

After Dick finished the story, Maraad clenched his fist and shouted:

"Father says you're the most outstanding Vindicator he's ever seen. You'll definitely become our great hero one day! A great hero whose name will go down in history, just like Commander Kil'jaeden."

"However, the thing I was proudest of in my youth was not becoming a high-ranking Vindicator, child."

Dick stroked Maraad's head and said softly:

"The thing I was proudest of was bravely stepping forward to protect my 'family' when the Shadow Panther charged into the orphanage where I lived. Though we have all gone our separate ways now, and may never cross paths much again in the future.

"I still believe that I was at my strongest on that night.

"You do not have to become an outstanding Vindicator leader, but you must protect your family well—especially your little sister. Little Lelan sees you as someone she can depend on, and you must give her enough peace of mind in return.

"Promise me!

"Become your sister's guardian. Don't let down this sword I gave you, all right?"

With a childlike gesture, he held out his Little Finger to Maraad.

Amid the laughter of Malderan, his wife, and Lelan, little Maraad pressed his lips together and, as solemnly as if establishing his Holy Light Doctrine, reached out and hooked his Little Finger with Dick's.

Mm, contract established!

May the Holy Light bless these two children, so that ten thousand years from now they would not have to endure the pain and despair of being torn apart by life and death...

Dick looked at the two children, then at the happy family before him. In that instant, he suddenly gained a deeper understanding of his doctrine as the Hand of Fate.

Why should preventing tragedy rely on fate showing mercy? Hadn't he come here precisely to stop all of this?

Wasn't that his doctrine—and his oath?

Mm, like other Holy Light Walkers, Dick decided to regard this sudden realization as guidance from the Holy Light. The gloom that had weighed on him after Sarkir revealed the despairing truth was swept away in that instant!

That's right. Fate had indeed slapped him hard across the face, but this fight wasn't over yet.

He would keep trying to seize fate by the throat, then find the right chance to beat its face into a pulp. Just wait—this "Holy Gun" would never allow Argus's dark future to play out again! This butterfly was truly about to start flapping its wings.

Ps:

Thank you to brother "Blazing Wind of the South" for the Alliance Leader reward. The bonus chapter will be counted after release. Thanks for the support, brother.

Also, there was an error yesterday in the description of the number of tentacles on the egg and Ake. Mm, you guys guessed right—I was also fooled by fake images online. I'll fix it when I have time in the next few days. Thanks for pointing it out!