A Stirring

"Richard, what are you thinking about? You've seemed to be zoning out all along the way." Paul dismounted, handed the reins to the attendant approaching from the post station, and asked as he looked at Chen Rui's somewhat absent-minded expression.

When Paul and Elisa escorted Chen Rui to the Yangshao Royal Capital, Elisa's uncle, Cardinal Roge, happened to be away inspecting a church in another city and had not yet returned. The archbishop and several bishops had gone with him, leaving only Luman, captain of the Hall of Light's knights, behind to hold the fort.

With the duel date drawing near—and Emperor Rex himself presiding over it—Paul did not dare delay. He rested for only one night at the church in the Yangshao Royal Capital, then set out early the next morning for the neighboring Dragon Brilliance Empire. Thanks to Paul's status, the two passed smoothly through the Dragon Brilliance Empire's border fortress and galloped all the way toward the nearest Dragonfang City.

The dense power of faith in the Hall of Light of the Yangshao Royal Capital had made Chen Rui's heart itch. That very night, he slipped into the prayer hall and had a "hearty meal." His strategy of sending his true body to Storm Island while leaving his external incarnation in Gaddon City to successfully serve as a stand-in had given Chen Rui a flash of inspiration. A bold plan began to brew and take shape in his heart.

Because of the fused memories, after entering the Dragon Brilliance Empire, an emotion Chen Rui himself could not quite explain began to grow within him. It seemed to be the timidity one felt upon nearing home.

"My lord, I was merely thinking that Samuel was clearly defeated by you last time, yet this time he has taken the