Welcome, everyone

After a long rest, everyone finally regained their strength. With no undead to disturb them, they could even sleep soundly. It felt wonderful to everyone, but even so, the rift Li Lin had left behind had not been completely mended. The knights who had heard the "truth" from Li Lin sought confirmation from Duncan, but Duncan clearly did not answer their questions directly, leaving the atmosphere between them somewhat tense.

After resting, everyone packed up their belongings and continued onward. Li Lin held Angela's hand and spoke softly to her about the history before them: the glory of this place, its former splendor, and everything that had once been here. Of course, Duncan wanted to interrupt him several times and denounce the "utterly nonsensical" rumors Li Lin was spreading. In the end, however, he held back. He had more important things to do than discuss "heretical propaganda" here.

"The gods all made their decisions here, decisions that affected the world and their followers. A large portion of them had to be carried out by Arcane Mages."

At this point, a hint of pride entered Li Lin's voice.

"According to the rules, gods cannot come directly to the Prime Material Plane, because this continent simply cannot withstand the energy they possess. But humans need the gods' help, and the gods need to draw power from human faith. So they seek out Arcane Mages to act as their representatives. Arcane Mages don't need to preach doctrine like priests, or fight for their beliefs like knights. But their existence is still indispensable. They provide the gods with divine artifacts and services, doing things the gods cannot have others do. In return, the gods reward them."

Looking at the exquisitely decorated statues on either side, Li Lin paused in his account. Angela listened to him with great interest. The others, too, could not help losing themselves in Li Lin's beautiful cadence, as though he were chanting an epic, and imagining the scene as it had been. Although their faith held that all gods other than the God of Justice were evil gods, and that opposing justice made them evil, Li Lin's description was hard to regard with malice. Even the things that would normally have sounded like blasphemy now seemed especially credible.

"Sister, is that really true?"

Fina hesitantly asked her sister, but Mina said nothing. She only shook her head, her face full of confusion.

"I don't know."

Although Mina did not believe Li Lin deep down, the towering structure before her now gave an unusually real impression.

"I think you should be very familiar with this statue."

As he spoke, Li Lin stopped in front of one of the statues. The others raised their torches and looked up, and their expressions soon changed.

"That's the God of Justice...!"

The paladins immediately lowered their heads and performed a sacred salute to the statue. The two priests also took out their holy symbols and began to pray silently.

"Enough!!"

Duncan's furious shout broke the silence. He glared at Li Lin, his voice full of rage.

"This is a dwelling of evil! Those mages built these statues only to blaspheme the gods! And they even placed the great God of Justice alongside the statues of those other evil gods! This is plainly an insult!!"

"During the Magic Empire, there were no evil gods..."

"Mr. Li Lin! Please be quiet."

Duncan stepped forward, clearly unwilling to hear any more from Li Lin.

"We asked you here because we hoped to rely on your knowledge in our service, not to listen to these baseless rumors! If you slander our great god again, you will have to pay the price!"

"I'm sorry. I was too rash."

Li Lin said nothing more and quickly fell silent. But the way the others looked at Duncan had changed somewhat, whether they knew him well or not.

"Stupid lowly animal."

Angela opened her eyes slightly, taking in every change within the group. She sneered softly, speaking to herself in a voice no one but Li Lin could hear.

"Anger is the beginning of failure."

After passing through the corridor lined with sculptures of countless gods, the group came to a spacious hall. It was also the best-preserved part of the building, with scarcely any damage. The white floor seemed never to have been covered in dust, and even the beautiful patterns carved into it remained exquisitely intricate. Li Lin pondered for a moment, then took the paper from inside his clothes and checked it before pointing at the stone stele in the middle.

"Is this the place?"

Duncan asked. Clearly, he was still very unhappy about what Li Lin had said earlier, so his tone was rather brusque.

"This is it."

Li Lin nodded, then took Angela's hand and walked forward. The others were about to follow, but Duncan stopped them with an outstretched hand. Only after making sure there was no danger did he lead them into the hall. His actions naturally displeased the others as well. How could a knight of the God of Justice do something so evil as letting an innocent person scout the way for him?

Passing the stone stele, Li Lin walked onto the raised platform ahead. He looked at the thirteen stone armchairs arranged in a row before him, his heart exceptionally stirred. Li Lin reached out toward one of the chairs and closed his eyes, as if sensing something, or perhaps waiting for something...

"Mr. Li Lin, what should we do next?"

Looking at the ancient Magic Empire writing on the stele, Duncan spoke again. With the goal they were about to achieve so close at hand, he seemed to have little patience left.

But at that moment, the situation suddenly changed.

Dazzling magical script suddenly appeared on the previously empty floor. A fierce wind swept up around the group, enveloping them, and with a deafening roar, a bolt of lightning appeared out of nowhere and struck the floor beside Duncan. But the lightning did not disappear. Instead, it spread out like a spiderweb, trapping everyone securely inside.

"What happened?"

Everyone was astonished by the sudden change. The paladins drew their longswords and watched their surroundings in alarm and uncertainty.

"Perhaps I should say, welcome, everyone."

Li Lin's voice rang out again. The group looked toward the sound and saw him sitting in the centermost chair on the raised platform, a confident, haughty smile on his face. Angela stood beside him, her scarlet eyes open at some unknown point, looking at the people trapped in the cage of lightning as though they were lab mice.

"Who exactly are you?!"

Duncan shouted sharply. A radiant holy flame had already enveloped him, ready to unleash a lethal strike at any moment.

"I am the master of this place."

Li Lin waved a hand in a welcoming gesture.

"I was once, and still am now... I represent the Arcane Mages-although I'm the only one left, I still welcome you to my country. All of you."

"Accomplice of the evil gods!"

Duncan roared and swung his longsword, striking hard at the cage of lightning before him. Holy flame met lightning, unleashing a power of unparalleled strength. But after a tremendous roar, everything remained as it was. The cage of lightning had not been broken, while Duncan had been driven back several steps by the powerful recoil.

"Don't imagine you can break free."

Li Lin watched Duncan's actions calmly, as though watching a pitiful creature on the verge of death.

"Even if your God of Justice came here in person, he wouldn't be able to break free. This was built to guard against divine power in the first place. I advise you not to struggle in vain any longer."

"...Cunning heretic, justice will not yield here, nor will it fall."

Duncan gritted his teeth and stared at Li Lin.

"Whatever your plot is, even if it costs us our lives, we will stop you!!"

In response to Duncan's words, Li Lin gently shook his head.

"Although I could kill you with my own hands and destroy you, I believe there are people who want to do it more than I do right now."

Footsteps sounded behind the group. The paladins turned toward the way they had come, and soon several figures appeared in the doorway. In the light of the lightning, their appearances were clearly visible. But upon seeing them, even Li Lin could not help freezing for a moment.

"Hiss-! God of Betrayers!!"

The succubus spread her wings with a whoosh, and her snakelike eyes revealed boundless hatred.

The angel floating beside her said nothing, but raised her spear and aimed it at the people trapped in the cage. Only the elf, after struggling to suppress her inner anger, did not immediately raise her weapon. Instead, she glanced at Li Lin, who was sitting on the raised platform, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.

"Honored Arcane Mage, we have finally found you."

"Likewise. I'm glad to see you all again."

As he spoke, Li Lin stood up and looked at the uninvited guests one by one. Though they belonged to different races and wore different clothing, their eyes shone with a mysterious wisdom and power no mortal could possess. After only a moment's thought, Li Lin had already guessed their true identities. The discovery surprised him considerably, for he had never imagined he would receive such "lavish" treatment.

"I never expected you all to come in person, even going so far as to descend as gods to welcome my return. I'm truly flattered, Your Majesty, Elf Goddess."