Application

In Li Lin's eyes, the news itself had a strangely unsettling air.

First, the fact that it was the God of Justice's temple exploring the ruins of the Magic Empire was a problem in itself. The God of Justice was a deity who presided over fairness and justice. Redressing the people's grievances or upholding justice was its proper business. But grave robbing and stealing artifacts were definitely not among the God of Justice's tenets. What was more, the temple was making such a show of it, clearly unafraid of anyone finding out... As the saying went, a clear conscience feared no midnight knock on the door.

Second, according to the information Li Lin had obtained, this was not the first such expedition, which made it even stranger. If a lich or someone of the sort had made a home in the ruins, it would have been normal for the temple to send repeated expeditions to wipe them out. But the temple was not a mage tower, so how could it have so much time to spend excavating ruins? Besides, Li Lin could not have been more familiar with the Magic Empire. Even though it had fallen, it would have been perfectly normal for the ruins to contain things mages wanted. But there was nothing in them connected to the gods, nothing worth a temple exploring again and again.

From this, he could draw one conclusion.

There had to be something in the ruins that the temple wanted, or rather, that the God of Justice wanted. Otherwise, the temple could not have sent one party after another to explore them. Neglecting one's proper duties would bring divine punishment. And the temple was clearly acting without any fear of punishment from the God of Justice, so it was impossible that such strange activity had not received its support. Furthermore, the temple had to know what it was and where it was. That was why it kept sending people in; otherwise, they could not have been so persistent. Finally, the thing had to be very well protected. The God of Justice was a high god, and its paladins and priests were quite formidable. If even they could not succeed on their first attempt and had to go back two or three times, then the thing had to be under tight protection.

Something important, kept under guard, and difficult to obtain.

Of the treasures the Magic Empire had collected, Li Lin knew of only a few that received such treatment.

But whatever it was they wanted, Li Lin absolutely could not let them succeed.

Of course, he could have simply stepped forward and declared himself a survivor of the Magic Empire, with the right to dispose of everything found in those ruins-whether anyone would believe him was another matter.

So Li Lin found another way.

By the time Bishop Kelen finished his daytime prayers and returned to his room, he was already very tired.

Life had not been easy lately. Friction with other countries on the western front had caused quite a few incidents. Although the God of Justice's knights had not suffered much harm, the thought that they might be sent to the battlefield for purposes that were not quite so just weighed on him. He had protested several times, asking the temple elders not to make such decisions, but... status decided everything.

"Bishop Kelen."

A measured knock sounded at the door, followed by a servant's voice.

"Someone wishes to see you."

"Who is it?"

Kelen composed his troubled thoughts and asked.

"A distinguished believer, my lord. He says he has something very important he hopes to discuss with you."

"Tell him I'm tired and resting."

"He donated three hundred gold coins."

"...Please ask the distinguished believer to wait in the guest room. I'll be there at once."

Justice and money did not conflict.

After straightening his bishop's robes, which were not particularly disheveled to begin with, Kelen left his room. Although the fatigue from his daytime prayers had not entirely faded, it was less important when facing a believer capable of donating three hundred gold coins. God of Justice above, that was enough to provide those poor knights with supplies for some time to come.

When Bishop Kelen entered the guest room, he saw Li Lin sitting nearby, waiting quietly.

An outsider.

After briefly examining Li Lin's peculiar clothes, Bishop Kelen immediately looked away. He bent slightly and gave Li Lin a bow, neither servile nor overbearing.

"May justice be with you, believer from afar."

"I follow the eternal will."

Li Lin also rose and returned the bow. His impeccable temple etiquette surprised Bishop Kelen a little. It seemed he was a devout believer. The bumpkins standing outside the doors would not have known this ancient greeting, which was passed down privately only within the temple.

"My servant said you had something very important to discuss with me."

Bishop Kelen had originally thought this might be another person who had run into trouble and come seeking help, but now he had to reconsider.

"I wonder, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well."

Li Lin sat down with a gentle smile, unconsciously flexing his fingers.

"I've heard... your temple is about to send an expedition to explore the ruins of the Magic Empire. Is that true?"

Bishop Kelen was taken aback by the question. He had not expected his visitor to have come for this.

"That is indeed the case."

He admitted it readily. After all, it was no secret. But why was this outsider asking him about it?

"You see."

Noticing Kelen's puzzlement, Li Lin offered an explanation.

"I'm a scholar... and I have a great admiration for the history of the Magic Empire's era. But the road to its ruins is simply too dangerous, and it's very difficult for someone like me to make the journey. I've heard that the God of Justice's knights are warriors each capable of fighting a hundred men, and that they've always been known for their kindness and integrity. So I hope to pay a small price to accompany you."

"Well..."

Although Li Lin's request was not entirely reasonable, it was not particularly rude either. Still, Bishop Kelen hesitated. After all, there was no precedent for it.

"Of course, I'll pay you adequately for it. I also know quite a bit about the Magic Empire. Whatever your purpose in going to the ruins, I believe I can put my knowledge at your service."

The proposal sounded rather good.

Bishop Kelen was tempted. After all, over the past thousand years, the deliberate suppression and avoidance of the Magic Empire's history had left many people knowing nothing about it. They had no way to learn about it, either. They only demonized the nation and people of that time, then lost themselves in their own fantasies, which was of little help in the present. In fact, even now, a thousand years later, venturing deep into the Magic Empire's capital remained extremely dangerous.

Almost everyone who knew about the Magic Empire was dead.

And the people they could find now knew little about the empire.

Under these circumstances, someone willing to help was naturally the best thing they could ask for, but...

"On behalf of the temple, I thank you for your kindness, honored believer."

Kelen spoke.

"But this is not an easy matter..."

"I understand perfectly."

Li Lin interrupted Bishop Kelen. Several lines of writing, glowing faintly with magical light, suddenly appeared on the back of his hand. They twisted, leaped, and rearranged themselves into a spell before immediately vanishing. Bishop Kelen did not notice any of this before Li Lin took his hand.

"Perhaps my request is a little abrupt, but I truly long to take part in such an adventure. So I still hope you'll give me a chance. As a scholar, I won't get anywhere by studying books alone. Only by traveling and seeing things for myself can I experience the existence of truth. Don't you agree? I promise I won't cause you any trouble, and I believe I can help you. After all, I know a little of the ancient magical language."

For some reason, Li Lin's words sounded quite appealing at that moment, and Bishop Kelen seemed rather tempted. When he heard the final sentence, he finally made up his mind. He did not even stop to question how a man who looked so young had learned an ancient magical language that even many old mages who had spent years immersed in their studies at mage towers had not begun to grasp. For the normally cautious Bishop Kelen, it was a rare oversight, though he himself clearly did not notice it.

"I agree to your request, honored believer."

He nodded in agreement.

After leaving the white hall and walking into a dark alley, Li Lin saw a cloud of black mist swiftly emerge from the ruby ring on his finger and condense into human form.

"I can't stand it."

Angela looked as though she had just walked out of a foul-smelling slaughterhouse.

"I didn't expect that awful place to be so nauseating."

"The God of Justice is a benevolent deity. An undead creature like you would naturally be suppressed in his temple."

As Li Lin explained, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he gave Angela a gentle pat on the head.

"Besides, there's a small matter I need your help with."

"A small matter?"

Angela was a little surprised, but after Li Lin bent down and whispered in her ear, her eyes grew fervent and greedy, filled with anticipation and delight.

"As you wish, my master."

After hearing Li Lin's suggestion, Angela extended her scarlet tongue and gently licked her lips as she answered excitedly.

As though she were looking forward to a feast.