Dr. Azma stood on the podium, and the light cast a soft halo on him.
He looks perfect.
His elegant gray hair was not messy, and his compassionate eyes were full of compassion for the suffering in the world. His slender hands were gently placed on the edge of the podium, as if they were holy tools created to save lives.
The crystal chandeliers in the hall seemed to be dimmed a bit, and all the light was focused on the not-tall figure who said "I don't like this kind of occasion."
Azma's voice is not loud, but it has a strange penetrating power, as if he is standing and whispering in your ear.
"I stand here, looking at the shining jewels on your bodies, looking at the table full of delicacies that no one would even touch -" he shook his head gently, "But what I am thinking about is, how many bottles of healing potion can this pearl be exchanged for? How many days can that poured out glass of red wine help the child living in the sewer live for a few more days?"
The nobles in the audience made a commotion of shame.
"No, don't get me wrong, I'm not here to accuse you."
Azma took a step forward, his eyes softened. "Today, I am not going to waste your time with lengthy data and statistical reports. I just want to share a few true stories."
The hall fell silent.
"Three months ago, we admitted a little girl from the slums. Her name is Amy, she is seven years old this year."
Azma's eyes became soft; as if he was recalling some beautiful scene.
"She suffers from a congenital heart malformation. If she is sent to Temple for treatment, it will cost at least fifty Gold Coins. Her parents are porters at the dock, and their combined monthly income is less than ten silver coins."
"Fifty Gold Coins, for everyone here, may be just the cost of a dinner. But for Qian's family, it is an astronomical number that they can never reach in their lifetime."
He paused.
"But with free treatment from the hospital, Amy has now recovered. She can run and play like other children. Last month she also sent a painting of a man in a coat. I can only say that my painting skills are not as good as my medical skills."
The doctor made a joke to lighten the atmosphere. There was a slight laugh from the table.
"But I must tell you honestly," Azma's voice became deeper, "We also fail sometimes."
"Two weeks ago, a veteran was sent to the hospital. He participated in the border war fifteen years ago and lost his legs in an ambush. Over the years, he has been living on a meager pension, and his body has long been riddled with various old injuries."
"We tried our best, but in the end--"
Azma shook his head.
"He closed his eyes forever."
"I stood in the operating room, looking at that wrinkled face, and there was only one thought in my mind, if we could find him earlier, if we had better equipment——"
He took a deep breath.
"So tonight, I implore you, for the sake of those who are still waiting for help."
"Every Gold Coins may become the spark that lights up the hope of a family."
Applause came like a flood.
Xia Lin Looking around, he found that many noble ladies had red eyes, and even those businessmen who were usually good at calculations were generously donating money at this moment.
"This is the real saint----" Kade's eyes were full of respect, "He is practicing the teachings of Iomedae and using practical actions to help those in need."
Celia Although not that excited, her eyes were full of respect. She folded her hands on her chest and felt the wave of goodwill surging around her. This was the atmosphere that clergy most yearned for.
Xia Lin couldn't help but feel a little moved.
This Dr. Azma did not deliberately sensationalize or pile up data in his speech. He just told the true story calmly. There was the joy of success and the regret of failure.
This kind of "truth" is more lethal than any gorgeous rhetoric.
(No wonder he is so successful in the capital.)
Xia Lin was about to echo a few words, but out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of Sera in the corner.
She sat on a chair by the window, crossed her legs, and rubbed her temples with her fingers.
That expression?
It's like smelling something disgusting.
Xia Lin frowned, but his doubts were quickly dispelled by the warm atmosphere around him.
On the podium, Dr. Azma stepped aside, and several other nobles began to take turns speaking.
The content was nothing more than expressions of support and generous donations, and Xia Lin was a little distracted.
He habitually turned on [Item Appraisal] and glanced at Dr. Azma on the stage.
[Azma]
[Race: Human]
[Occupation: Alchemist Lv.7]
[Status: perfect doctor]
[Note: Is he looking at you? No, he is looking at all living beings.]
(Only level seven? It fits his "retired adventurer" persona----)
Just when Xia Lin lowered his head and was about to continue dealing with the piece of cake that he had not finished eating before.
One!!!"
An uncontrollable rage suddenly exploded from Xia Lin's body!
That's the emotion coming from the demon lord's remnant soul.
Crazy, violent, and full of destructive desires.
It was like a beast that had been locked in a cage for too long and suddenly smelled something that disgusted it to the extreme.
[Kill----kill----tear----destroy----everything----that thing----that thing----]
Fragmented thoughts were like sharp knives, running rampant in Xia Lin's mind.
But it only lasted a moment.
The next second, the rage disappeared like the ebbing sea water, as if it had never appeared.
Xia Lin was covered in cold sweat.
"Xia Lin? What's wrong with you?"
Kade noticed something was wrong immediately and quickly held his arm, "Your face is so pale--are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
"No--it's okay."
Xia Lin took a deep breath, forced down the sour water surging in his stomach, and waved his hand, "Maybe it's too stuffy here, and the glass of wine just now was a bit overwhelming. I'll go to the terrace to get some fresh air."
"Do you need me to help you use Lay on Hands?"
"No, really no need." Xia Lin forced out an ugly smile, "It's just a bit boring."
"I'll go with you."
Sera suddenly stood up, put the wine glass on the passing waiter's tray, and pulled Xia Lin's other arm without any explanation, "I just happened to be fed up with the air here."
"You go ahead." Celia said empathetically, "Kade and I are waiting for you here."
The two passed through the crowd who were still moved to tears and pushed open the glass door leading to the terrace.
On the terrace, the night breeze blows.
Xia Lin leaned on the railing, breathing in the cool air.
"Tell me." Sera crossed his arms, "What just happened?"
"What about you?" Xia Lin didn't answer directly, "I saw your expression inside, as if you had stepped on something disgusting."
Sera's mouth twitched.
"My lord----" she lowered her voice, "When that doctor came on stage, I felt a kind of physical disgust."
"To what extent?"
"How to describe it----" Sera tilted his head and thought for a while, "It's like seeing a pile of excrement washed by Holy Water."
"Could it be that the doctor is too kind----which of you Old Gods can't stand it?
"Maybe," Sera shrugged, "Originally I didn't want to come, but if I can disgust the sect master, it's not in vain for me to come."
Xia Lin couldn't help laughing.
"Okay, let's talk about your situation." Sera put away his joking expression and looked at him seriously, "You were in something very wrong just now."
Xia Lin was silent for a moment.
"The thing inside me, the remnant soul of the demon lord." He whispered, "I don't know why it suddenly exploded."
"Erupt?"
"Rage also has the urge to tear everything apart." Xia Lin recalled the feeling just now, "Although it only lasted for a moment, the feeling of losing control——"
He shook his head.
Sera's expression became serious.
"You should ask the female tenant in your mind." She said, "She may know better than you what is going on in your own body."
"I also have this plan." Xia Lin nodded, "You should go back first, the speech is almost over. It will be free social time in a while, and it won't look good if we are missing half of the people."
Sera didn't show any pretense, turned around and walked back to the hall.
When he was the only one left on the terrace, Xia Lin closed his eyes and his consciousness instantly sank.
Pantheon, consciousness space.
The original background of the vast starry sky was now transformed into a pure white open kitchen.
Seratalia was wearing a pure white double-breasted chef's uniform and even a tall chef's hat.
She was holding a gleaming kitchen knife in her hand and was humming a weird tune while standing in front of the chopping board.
On the huge chopping board, the remnant soul of Demon Lord Dicasle was shrinking into a black mist ball, shivering.
"Hey, the little boss is here?"
Seeing Xia Lin appear, Seratalia chopped the kitchen knife on the chopping board, and with a "clang" sound, the black mist shrank in size again.
"What the hell is going on?" Xia Lin pointed at the black mist, "It almost shook my brain out just now outside."
"I'm confused too."
Seratalia shrugged helplessly, picked up a whetstone, and sharpened the knife, "Usually little Didi is very honest, and she will spit out bits of knowledge if she is slightly frightened. But today--"
She patted Heiwu with the back of her knife. "I don't know what happened, but it suddenly exploded."
She pointed at the remnant soul with a kitchen knife. "Look, I'm so scared now."
Xia Lin took a few steps closer and carefully observed the black remnant soul.
It's really shaking.
"What is it afraid of?" Xia Lin asked with a frown.
She put down the kitchen knife and wiped her hands on her apron.
"I don't know, but one thing is for sure." Her tone became serious, "It's definitely not easy to make the remnant soul of a demon lord fear such a thing."
"I think she's so scared mainly because of you..." Xia Lin complained in his heart
Xia Lin remembered the scene when Dr. Azma was scanned just now.
[Occupation: Alchemist Lv.7]
[Status: perfect doctor]
Regardless of whether it was because of the doctor or not, but also the reaction of the Sera master.
That scanned knot is most likely a disguise.
But it doesn't matter if you pretend, there are too many bosses in this world, as long as they don't do bad things or don't hinder you, that's fine.
It is better to do less than to do more.
"Anyway, keep an eye on it." Xia Lin retracted his thoughts and said seriously, "Tonight's banquet is not over yet, don't let it go wild on this occasion."
"As you command, little boss~"
Seratalia made an exaggerated skirt-lifting ceremony, "Tonight's main course is - Pan-fried Devil's Fear Sashimi!"
When Xia Lin returned to the hall, the speech session was over.
The banquet entered free social time, and waiters wearing beak masks were busy during the banquet.
Dr. Azma had already stepped off the stage and was immediately surrounded by a group of nobles who were eager to make friends. Several other noble nobles and officials also began to wander around in various circles, and the banquet entered a stage of free social interaction.
Xia Lin looked around and found that his teammates were doing well.
Kade is surrounded by a group of chattering noble girls.
"Your Excellency Philip, I heard that you made great contributions in the battle of New Stefan?"
"Can you tell me about the situation at that time?"
"Are you engaged now?"
"My sister said she would like to meet you."
The poor paladin blushed as red as an apple and stood there helplessly, like a little sheep surrounded by wolves.
Just when Xia Lin was about to step forward to rescue him, a tall figure walked over one step ahead of him.
It was the level 20 female paladin Platinum rank, Arisa·Novaros, who walked over with a smile while holding a wine glass.
"Sorry, Ladys." Although she was smiling, her aura instantly made the girls get out of the way, "I am very interested in the shield defense skills of this young Knight. Can you borrow him for a few minutes?"
Although the noble girls were reluctant, no one dared to offend her, so they could only disperse angrily.
Kade seemed to have received an amnesty, thanking Arisa again and again.
On the other side, Celia is sitting in the rest area.
She did not take the initiative to socialize, but her unique charm and deep understanding of doctrine attracted a large number of clergy.
Both Sharunlai's Priest and Abada's banker followers are all surrounding her at this moment.
"Miss Celia, your understanding of Nothikura Goddess's teachings is truly unique----"
"The dual-domain Priest is rare. It's really admirable that you can combine darkness and Charm so harmoniously.
"The church and the bank share a brick wall, that's a very good saying——"
"Although we have different beliefs, some of your views really inspired me a lot----"
Celia responded with a smile and was at ease.
As for Sera----
She was standing in the corner of the hall, talking to several Tieflings who also had special horns.
Although her attitude was still arrogant, she at least started to communicate.
Xia Lin nodded with satisfaction.
(Looks like everyone has something to do.)
He dealt with several waves of guests who came over to toast, and declined several businessmen who tried to get close to him. Finally, he found a pillar and leaned against it.
Yawned in the shadows.
(It's so tiring----This situation consumes more energy than fighting----)
"Xia Lin."
A deep female voice sounded in his ear.
Xia Lin turned his head and found that Sky had stood beside him at some point.
"Follow me."
She didn't explain much, turned around and walked towards the deeper shadow behind the pillar.
Xia Lin raised his eyebrows and followed.
Behind the pillar is a small rest area, which is empty at the moment.
Sky stood there, the moonlight streaming in from the window, giving her silver hair a soft halo.
Xia Lin looked her up and down.
Today's Sky is very different from usual.
The silver-white evening dress was cut to an extremely slim fit, which perfectly accentuated her figure. Especially her breasts, which seemed to be much fuller than before?
"Sky." Xia Lin said with a smile, "You are dressed beautifully today."
Sky's face turned red slightly, but he tried to stay calm. "This is just a formal dress, nothing special."
"Oh? Then what do you want from me?"
Sky looked around to make sure no one noticed them, then lowered his voice and said, "Bad Girl Plan, the first stage is completed."
"Tell me about it."
"I followed the method you taught me and gave all the credit for the sewer to Mina." The corners of Sky's mouth raised slightly, "That silly girl boasted that she was a Valkyrie in the report. I was so scared that I almost believed it."
"What's the result?"
"Mad Rat Gang was destroyed. When the commandos rushed in, they encountered fierce resistance. Mad Rat himself was hit head-on by [Flame Strike] and was blown to pieces."
"Judgment of life and death unknown."
"----If you don't know whether you are alive or dead, you are dead." Xia Lin clapped his hands.
"Congratulations to Miss Sky, you have eliminated a huge harm to the capital."
"I think so too." Sky shrugged, "But that's what Inquisition's report said, so there wasn't even any scum left on the scene."
"Any other gains?"
Sky nodded and took out a ring from the small bag on his waist.
It was the strange ring that Xia Lin gave to her Investigation before.
"I looked through the records in the archives and found out the true name and efficacy of this thing."
She handed the ring back to Xia Lin and whispered, "[Dreamer's Fragment]. It is said to be a relic of a fallen god. The wearer can create his own world in dreams.
However, the specific usage methods and restrictions are not recorded in detail in the archives."
Xia Lin took the ring, thoughtfully.
"Will that be useful in solving this case?"
"No." Sky said calmly, "But I think you should know."
"----Thank you."
Xia Lin takes the ring to Space Bag.
"Okay, I'm going back." Sky adjusted his skirt, "If you don't go back, Grand Inquisitor should come find me."
She turned around to leave.
Xia Lin looked at her back that was straight because of nervousness, and suddenly stopped her.
"Wait."
"What else is there?" Sky stopped and turned back in confusion.
"I have a suggestion about the disguise of a bad girl." Xia Lin said seriously.
Sky immediately became serious. "What suggestions? Did I not manage my expression well just now? Or is there something wrong with my walking posture?"
"Neither."
"What is that? Tell me."
"Choose a dress next time----" Xia Lin paused, "It's best to change the style.
"Change the style?" Sky was stunned for a moment, then blushed a little, "Xia Lin, you----what style do you like?"
"No."
Xia Lin shook his head, with a serious expression as if he was discussing some important military matter.
"I mean, this style----you pad it, it's too obvious."
The air solidified.
Sky's face changed from reddish, to pink, and then to tomato red.
Her mouth opened again and again, but she couldn't say a word.
Three seconds later.
"Xia Lin!"
Her voice was trembling, and her hand subconsciously pressed on the sword at her waist.
"You ---- you rascal! I ---- I don't have a pad! That's ---- that's the effect of magic enhancement! You ----"
A voice suddenly rang.
The voice had no fluctuations, had a kind of hoarseness polished by sandpaper, and was very close.
It sounded almost close to the back of Sky's head.
"Sky----So you are here too."
"Yeah!!!"
Sky's body suddenly froze.
She was already on the verge of bursting out with shame and anger, and her nerves were tense. She was frightened by this sudden voice and her hair stood on end.
His mind went blank, and his body's fighting instinct took over.
She subconsciously completed the action of "drawing the sword" smoothly, then turned around and executed a standard thrust!
Xia Lin It's too late to stop it.
Pfft.
The long sword accurately cut into the shoulder of the person behind him.
No blood splattered.
It felt like stabbing a piece of dead wood.
Sky kept swinging the sword and froze in place. The blush on his face had not gone away, and now he was a little more frightened.
Ruiwen stood there with the sword on his shoulder, not even frowning.
She tilted her head, her swirling eyes looking straight at Xia Lin across Sky.
His tone was as calm as if he was asking for directions, "----Long time no see. Are you ---- practicing swordsmanship?"