Oh, Poor Raven

In Eagle Fortress's guest room, a beautiful woman leaned weakly against the bed. Her golden hair was plastered to her forehead with sweat, her full chest heaved violently, and her lovely face was so pale it was almost translucent. Even her lips had little color left.

Her slender arms braced against the bedside as she tried to stand, but she immediately collapsed back down. Her brows drew tightly together, and a pained hiss escaped her lips. "Hiss—"

This was Laxus's seventh attempt.

A Second-tier Divine Spellcaster who did not even have the strength to stand was truly too embarrassing!

It reminded her of her teacher, the Seventh-tier Divine Spellcaster Crouch's assessment of her: "A qualified Divine Spellcaster, an excellent theologian, but an unqualified Priest."

Her teacher had been right again!

She thought indignantly.

She had come to Eagle Town to serve as a Priest precisely to prove her abilities, yet she had barely been there for any time at all before fainting in Eagle Fortress!

And she had even been...

The moment she thought of what had happened before she lost consciousness, her expression darkened. Her brows twisted together, her lips pouted, and she punched the bedboard resentfully.

Once I regain my strength, I'll make you pay!

Then the soreness in her muscles made her frown. "Ow, ow, ow..."

Knock, knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Laxus looked over warily.

"Raven Griffith." A magnetic voice came through the door. "Honored Priest Laxus, may I come in?"

The voice was steady, and his wording elegant and appropriate. Much of Laxus's vigilance faded. "Yes, please come in."

A tall, handsome man then entered. He pushed a dining cart, with a sincere and cheerful smile on his face. His black eyes were as clear as black crystals, immediately inspiring goodwill in anyone who saw him.

This man looks familiar. Have we met before?

Before Laxus could remember, the dining cart had been pushed before her.

The cover was lifted, and the steaming vapor dispersed. Inside were several perfectly toasted white bread rolls, a bowl of oatmeal porridge, a cup of hot milk with cream floating on top, and thinly sliced, perfectly fried bacon.

It instantly drew all of Laxus's attention, making her temporarily throw every question to the back of her mind.

After all, she had slept for two days and was terribly hungry.

Raven carefully adjusted the dining cart's position, turning it into a sturdy table. Then, with nimble and proper movements, he tied a napkin around Laxus's neck.

"Thanks be to the Lord of Light for His blessing." Laxus closed her eyes and offered a brief prayer before beginning her first breakfast in Eagle Fortress.

Raven quietly watched from the side.

A beauty was still a beauty. Even after going two days without food, her dining manners remained graceful.

Her tender, scallion-like fingers held the table knife as she cut off a small piece of bread, skillfully wrapping it in a slice of bacon.

Her rosy lips parted slightly as a silver spoon delivered the little roll to her mouth. The rich fragrance of meat blended with the aroma of wheat, and Laxus was immediately conquered by that simple satisfaction. Her eyes curved into adorable crescents, and even her eyelashes trembled faintly.

She ate elegantly, but not slowly. Before long, she had finished every bit of breakfast.

"Thank you." Only then did Laxus finally recover a little of her ability to think. She placed her knife and fork back onto the plate and wiped her cherry-red lips with the napkin. "I'm sorry. I was simply too hungry."

"I'm very pleased that you enjoyed my cooking." Raven smiled. "There is more in the kitchen if you need it."

"There is no need." Laxus declined Raven's offer and slowly raised her head. "I was impolite earlier. Since your surname is Griffith, may I ask what your relationship with Mr. Donald is...?"

"I am his nephew."

"I see..." Laxus nodded in realization. "Oh, no wonder you looked so familiar."

That left Raven completely baffled.

Had she forgotten what happened that day?

Could anyone really be that dense?

Or was she pretending not to remember so he would lower his guard, intending to report him once she returned to the Church?

Thinking this, Raven cautiously asked, "Miss Laxus, do you remember what happened before you fainted?"

"Before I fainted..." Laxus's jade-white index finger gently rubbed her temple. "I only remember Mr. Donald inviting me to appraise a magical item. The two of us went into the Secret Chamber, I drank a cup of tea, and then I knew nothing."

"When I woke up again, I found that someone had actually, actually..." The more she spoke, the clearer her memories became, and the angrier she grew.

She was a Divine Spellcaster, a Priest of the Church of Light! Her body was destined to be devoted to the Lord of Light!

Yet that damned man had done such a thing to her. It was simply, simply unforgivable!

She would never forget that man's appearance for as long as she lived: black hair, black eyes, a high nose bridge. Though he looked very much like this Raven, he seemed as lecherous as could be...

Wait, he looked very similar?

She raised her head and stared at Raven, her eyes widening into perfect circles. "I remember now. It was you!"

Raven was dumbfounded as well. She had really only recognized him now? Had hunger made her stupid?!

"Priest Laxus, listen to my explanation..."

"Great Lord of Light, please permit me to call upon Your blessing—"

Seeing the light bloom in her hand, Raven sighed inwardly. Yet now, he was no longer anxious. He lowered his head and counted on his fingers. "Three, two, one!"

The instant he finished speaking, thud—Laxus collapsed onto the bed.

The moment he entered, he had activated the Eye of Truth and seen everything clearly. The energy in Laxus's body had not recovered at all. Having overdrawn it so severely, how could she not faint?

But now it seemed that this Laxus truly was simple-minded. Raven's plan became clear in his heart as well.

A few minutes later, Laxus slowly woke up. The moment she saw Raven seated before her, she let out a startled cry. "Ah! You, don't come any closer! I want to see Baron Donald!"

A trace of grief appeared in Raven's eyes as he said in a low voice, "Uncle Donald... has passed away."

"What?!" Laxus was utterly shocked. "How could that be...?"

"It seems you truly do not remember anything." Raven sighed. "It was a tragedy."

"You should know that Uncle Donald cultivated Bloody Battle Qi, and the nature of energy often affects a person's thoughts and heart."

Laxus slowly nodded.

According to the Church of Light's doctrines, positive energy would make practitioners increasingly kind and steady, while negative energy would make them gloomy, extreme, and even evil.

As a Church Priest, Laxus firmly believed this.

"My poor Uncle Donald." Raven took a deep breath and rubbed his fingers against his eyes, squeezing out two tears. "That night, the Bloody Battle Qi in his body suddenly ran wild and knocked you unconscious. When I heard the commotion, I rushed to the scene..."

Laxus asked in confusion, "You saved me?"

"No, though I wish I could say that." Raven shook his head. "But I am only an ordinary person, while Uncle Donald was a Second-tier Transcendent. I could not possibly have been his match. His eyes were red at the time, and Battle Qi blazed all over his body like a cloak..."

At this point, confusion appeared on Raven's face. "He could clearly have killed you and killed me, but for some reason, he stood there while his left and right hands struggled against each other..."

"He said to me." Raven swallowed, as if extremely unwilling to recall that scene. "'Guh... kill me...!'"

"Of course I would not do that. He was my uncle!"

"Perhaps he saw through my thoughts. Uncle Donald threw his sword at my feet and said to me, said to me..."

Laxus was already completely immersed in the story and pressed, "What did he say?"

Raven fiercely pinched the bridge of his nose with his right hand, as though falling into a deep and distant memory:

"'Raven, I know you are a kind and innocent child.'"

"'But as a noble, you bear the glory and future of the Griffith Family upon your shoulders.'"

"'I have not been a qualified guardian. Eagle Territory has declined day by day under my rule, and now I am about to commit the monstrous crime of murdering a Priest!'"

"'Now, you must be the one to end my sins.'"

"'Pick up the sword! For the glory of the Griffith Family, the glory of the Griffith Family! Kill me!'"

As he spoke, hot tears streamed down Raven's face—digging his nails into his flesh really hurt!

Laxus had been completely captured by the story Raven wove. Her sapphire-like eyes shimmered with tears as she wiped them away with her fingers. "Oh, great Baron Donald. He truly was an extraordinary man. Few people can resist the evil will brought by rampaging Battle Qi."

Thud.

Raven suddenly dropped to one knee. "Priest Laxus, I wish to confess my sins! He was my uncle, yet I, I picked up the sword and..."

"Please, on behalf of the Church of Light, judge me!"

Laxus shook her head. "No, Mr. Raven, this is not your fault..."

"This is my fault!" Raven loudly interrupted Laxus. "Not only did I kill Uncle Donald, I also concealed the true cause of his death in order to inherit his Nobility Title. I even kept you in the fortress and did not report it to the Holy See!"

"These are all my sins..."

Looking at the tears on Raven's handsome face, Laxus suddenly felt somewhat regretful.

She had never imagined that such a huge secret rested in the heart of this innocent and kind young man. Killing his own uncle with his own hands—what a terrible thing that must have been!

And to fulfill his uncle's final wish, he had to conceal the truth and bury such a terrible secret deep within his heart.

Laxus could almost picture the scene.

To preserve Donald's reputation, Raven had insisted that Donald died normally. Then he had to refuse all requests to view the body, face the misunderstanding and hostility of every friend and relative alone, and bear accusations of being cold-blooded, selfish, and greedy, suffering such undeserved blame.

What a pitiful, what a strong person!

Yet as someone involved, she not only knew none of this, but had even misunderstood him as having improper intentions toward her. That was truly wrong of her.

If he had truly harbored such intentions, how could she possibly be lying here completely unharmed?

"Oh, my poor Raven." Laxus wrapped an arm around Raven's shoulder. Like comforting a sister in the Church who had been scolded by a matron, she pulled him into her embrace.

"This is not your fault. You protected Baron Donald's reputation and fulfilled his last wish. You did not harm any innocent person."

"Cry, cry. The merciful Lord of Light will forgive all your sins."

Raven's breathing stopped at that moment.

Laxus's embrace was as broad as the sea.

Yet softer and more fragrant than the sea, carrying the unique scent of a pure young maiden.

He took a deep breath, then began to sob softly.

More than ten minutes later, Raven slowly raised his head, his eyes bright and clear. "Priest Laxus, thank you for your comfort and understanding."

"I will immediately announce the truth behind my uncle's death. I will never betray the teachings of the God of Light."

Laxus shook her head and said, "No, Mr. Raven, you cannot do that."

"Mr. Donald used his final will to protect my life and the Griffith Family's reputation. I will not allow his last wish to be disturbed. His reputation must be preserved."

Raven showed a moved expression, but still said, "But that does not conform to the Lord of Light's teachings."

"Bringing happiness to His believers is itself the Lord of Light's sacred wish. As His representative, I also have the duty to practice His teachings." Determination filled Laxus's face as she extended her hand. "I am willing to bear this responsibility with you."

Bright sunlight shone through the window onto Laxus's face, making her seem so pure and sacred at that moment.

For a moment, Raven even felt a small pang of guilt.

This was the first time since crossing over that someone had sincerely helped him without doing so for profit or calculation.

But Raven would never reveal the entire truth. He could only remember this in his heart for now and compensate her in the future.

"Thank you for your trust, Priest Laxus." Taking Laxus's hand, Raven performed a proper hand-kiss.

This time, he restrained his instincts.

The previously rather stiff atmosphere melted away.

Laxus said, "Since Mr. Donald has passed away, Mr. Raven, you will be the next Baron. I am the Priest of Eagle Town's Church. In the future, we will have many chances to atone for this sin together."

Raven nodded. "I look forward to that day. But I have only recently arrived in the territory. Is there anything I should pay particular attention to?"

"My knowledge of territory management is limited as well. For matters concerning Eagle Town, you would be better off asking Butler Gordon."

Laxus thought for a moment before saying, "But there is one thing you must take note of. In two months, the Bloody Highlands to the west will enter its rainy season. Whenever that happens, wandering bandits and horse thieves come down from there to plunder supplies and wealth."

"Previously, Baron Donald was stationed at Eagle Fortress, so few dared to cause trouble. But now... I can only advise you to strengthen the territory's defenses."

Raven slowly nodded. "Thank you. Then please rest for now. I will go discuss preparations with Mr. Gordon immediately."

"No, I must leave as well." Having recovered some strength, Laxus supported herself against the bed and stood. "I am a Priest. Since I can stand, I have a duty to remain at my post."

"I will see you out."

A few minutes later, as he watched Laxus leave Eagle Fortress through its gates, the final weight in Raven's heart fell away.

The troubles Donald had left him were finally all resolved.

It was time to make something grand of himself!

"Mr. Gordon, bring Eric to me!"