Loris climbed out of the rubble and straightened his crooked helmet. Only then did he notice He Xi and the others approaching in the distance.
The cleric immediately went from grimacing in pain to expressionless. He ran his right hand over the sun emblem on his chest and struck a solemn pose, as if the person who had just been sent flying wasn't him at all.
"Adventurers! It seems the guidance of the Holy Light has brought you here at this crucial moment!"
He pointed toward the front at the skeletons. "Do you see that? Such immense evil has actually taken root in this land! These undead creatures have defiled the cycle of life."
Loris stepped forward, his eyes burning as he looked at He Xi. "Now, I, Loris, swordsman of the Holy Sun Church in Rose Town and member of the Hand of Radiance, formally extend an invitation to you!" He paused, seemingly giving He Xi time to savor this "honor." "This is an opportunity for your soul to bathe in glory! Join me and fight alongside me! Together, let us wipe these filthy undead creatures from the earth and let the radiance of the Holy Sun shine once more upon this forgotten corner!"
He Xi looked at him expressionlessly. His gaze passed over Loris's deliberately steadfast posture, swept across the dents in his armor, and then fell on the hand gripping his sword hilt, which was still trembling faintly.
"So..." He Xi slowly began, "you mean you can't beat them yourself and want us to help?"
Loris's expression froze for an instant before he quickly composed himself.
"Shallow! Adventurer, your interpretation is far too worldly. This isn't a request for assistance, but a matter of responsibility..."
Before he could finish, the tall skeleton wielding a great axe had