Advancing by Retreating

"We are all God's sheepdogs!"

"I was lost, I traversed the darkness, and arrived here. The strange surroundings filled me with fear. The lambs who hated me, the sheepdogs who rejected me, only amplified my terror."

"Oh, I understand now. It's because I look different from them, because I have a pair of terrifying black eyes."

Ning Xiuyuan's calm voice echoed through the Ashborn Grand Hall.

As he spoke, the agitated expressions on the faces of the priests showed a hint of unnaturalness. They asked themselves, how much of their doubt towards Arthur was based on facts, and how much was due to his alien race identity?

With this thought, a third of their anger unconsciously dissipated.

"But the shepherds here did not despise me. They took me in, gave me work, provided me with food, and gave me a shelter in the storm."

"I am very grateful. I diligently study the language and script here every day, patrol the tents regardless of the weather, guard the bonfire, and listen to the teachings."

"I gradually understood that the night gave me black eyes, but I can use them to find the light."

As his words fell, they were like a Divine Word, deafening and shaking, causing countless priests to tremble and their hearts to stir with an indescribable tremor!

Bishop Byron, in particular, looked at Ning Xiuyuan with surprise, his heart moved.

Black eyes, seeking the light?

What a beautiful metaphor. This was the truest depiction of divine grace.

This sentence should be written into the sacred canon for educating heretics!

"One day, I walked into a tent and suddenly discovered a terrifying venomous snake biting the ear of a swaddled infant. I was furious, and terrified!"

"I had never experienced such a scene before!"

The priests in the hall fell silent.

Yes, Arthur was not a professionally educated monk. When he wandered here, he couldn't even understand the local language.

Facing a terrifying uncontrolled entity, fear is a natural human instinct. Were their demands of him too harsh?

In fact, even they, when facing an uncontrolled entity, how many could guarantee absolute rationality?

"I instinctively wanted to flee, but I restrained myself. I roared and growled, trying to drive it away and attract my companions."

"But it was unmoved, and no sheepdogs came to help me."

"The infant's cries reached my ears, and my heart was twisted with pain!"

"I remembered the shepherd's teachings, gathered my courage, and pounced, biting the venomous snake to death, tearing it apart, and eating it."

"The infant was still crying. Oh, its ear was bitten off, bleeding profusely. My heart ached, so I stepped forward and licked its ear, hoping to alleviate its pain."

"Just then, a group of adults rushed in. They grabbed clubs and surrounded me, beating me desperately."

At this point in the story, countless priests instinctively clenched their fists.

They were immersed in the story... I clearly saved the infant, but because of a well-intentioned act, I was misunderstood, and instead met with misunderstanding and beatings. This is simply too unfair.

Isn't this story a true reflection of Arthur's current predicament?

He clearly saved Orlando, but because of Orlando's loss of control, all his merits were erased, and he was even blamed. This is unfair! And even more unfair!

The emotional nuns even had tears in their eyes. The world shouldn't be like this!

"They cursed and roared, mixed with the infant's cries, which made me very sad."

Ning Xiuyuan's narration continued. Just as everyone thought he was going to plead his grievance, his next sentence made everyone with a conscience tremble.

"I knew they blamed me for not protecting the infant well. I am guilty, and I am willing to accept punishment. I only hope the child stops crying."

A seemingly unrelated story concluded.

The Ashborn Grand Hall fell into a long silence.

Rhodes' angry and cold expression froze, and a hint of shame and self-doubt appeared in his eyes.

The agitated priests quieted down.

"Mister Lamplighter, please forgive my transgression! I should not have speculated and doubted you before the truth was ascertained. I am very sorry for the misunderstanding caused and deeply regret it!"

Father Rhodes spoke.

"No, I should be the one apologizing. It was my timidity and cowardice that I didn't try to retaliate immediately," Ning Xiuyuan said, suppressing the disgust in his heart, his expression humble.

"You have already done more than enough. If it weren't for you, Orlando's loss of control might have caused even greater disaster!"

Father Rhodes finally acknowledged Ning Xiuyuan's contribution.

"All credit goes to God. I am merely an extension of God's will."

Ning Xiuyuan remained very humble.

This scene, in the eyes of all the priests, evoked deep emotion.

Perhaps they had truly misunderstood Arthur.

Such devout faith was rare, even among priests.

"Silence!" Bishop Byron tapped his silver pastoral staff. His gaze swept across the hall, and he announced loudly, "Arthur's self-defense has concluded. Does anyone object?"

The hall was silent. They looked at each other. The previously agitated scene was gone. No one doubted, no one objected.

Even the few with dark intentions knew it wasn't the time to voice their opposition. Arthur had already used a brilliant little story to clarify that he wasn't a god; he was a mortal who could make mistakes, feel fear, and hesitate!

He had merely made an error in not seizing the right moment. No, it wasn't even an error, just a misstep. To completely negate his contributions because of a small misstep was equivalent to negating the Dawn Doctrine and human nature. Who would dare to step forward when facing an uncontrolled entity in the future?

Facing a silent audience, Bishop Byron nodded with satisfaction and announced loudly, "Since no one objects, I declare the Orlando loss of control incident, regarding the trial of Arthur, to be not guilty!"

"Clap, clap, clap, clap..."

Scattered applause first came from the audience, then it grew more fervent, with countless people standing up!

Everyone was expressing their shame and agreement.

Surrounded by the applause, Ning Xiuyuan looked calmly at the countless priests who had fallen into self-admiration. At that moment, his heart felt incredibly peaceful.

There was no sense of relief, nor was there any smugness from having argued his case. Instead, a lingering sense of disgust filled his heart.

If he had been clumsy with his words, would he have been forever branded as selfish and unwilling to help the dying after this trial?

Wasn't this bullying the honest person?

Anger gradually grew in Ning Xiuyuan's heart, but his expression became even more humble.

The trial was over.

The priests who had given him enthusiastic applause at the meeting, whether out of awkwardness or shame, did not come forward to offer apologies or comfort afterward.

They dispersed in small groups, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Ning Xiuyuan stood before the entrance of Ashborn Grand Hall, looking up at the sky, his mind in a daze.

After a long while, he finally came back to his senses, took a slight breath, and carrying the crystal lantern that never left his side, headed to the church to continue his duties.

—Before his strength was sufficient, he had to maintain the image of a devout believer.

This would be his greatest protection.

Upon arriving at the church, everything was as it had been during his absence of a few days.

It was clear that his identity as the Lamplighter was dispensable to the Church.

Ning Xiuyuan gave a self-deprecating laugh in his heart. After diligently inspecting the church, he returned to the stable dormitory.

Upon entering the stable, he first went to the horse stalls.

The horses told him that no guests had visited the stable during his absence.

It seemed the Church hadn't sent anyone to search his room.

Of course, this might only be true on the surface. In reality, if they had sent ghost rats, the horses might not have detected them.

Just as Ning Xiuyuan was about to leave, the horses' ears in the stable suddenly swiveled, pointing towards the entrance.

Ning Xiuyuan's heart stirred, and he pretended not to notice.

"Excuse me, does Mr. Arthur live here?"

A clear voice called out.

Is this... Angela?

Ning Xiuyuan turned his head and saw a girl in her early twenties, with a face full of freckles and a white headscarf, peeking in and asking.

"He doesn't live here," Ning Xiuyuan said with a serious expression.

"Ah?" Angela's eyes widened. She recognized Ning Xiuyuan's voice.

"He lives in the groom's quarters."

Angela froze, then let out a snicker, covering her mouth as she laughed.