The next morning, Li Qiuchen woke up naturally for the first time in a while.
What a beautiful morning.
He immediately checked the condition of the Blue Crystal—one-fourth of it had already been consumed.
This basically matched the records stating that a single Blue Crystal could support four uses of the Fool’s Food Ritual.
By drawing on the Blue Crystal’s mana, he had also reawakened his own Source of Mana.
However, the Source of Mana within him was unusually weak, even inferior to a newly initiated magic apprentice.
Because he had always bound his Source of Mana to the Zhesi Gem, but now that the Zhesi Gem was destroyed, it could only linger within him in a faint, illusory form.
So, should he start over and give up binding to the Zhesi Gem?
As soon as Li Qiuchen posed the question, his heart immediately rejected the idea.
He tried to find a reason.
There seemed to be many: the special nature of the Zhesi Gem, the integration of multiple systems, the fact that starting over meant beginning from scratch.
But Li Qiuchen felt none of these were the real answer.
He liked to dissect himself, to look at the world and at himself from a purely rational perspective.
Creating a purely rational “other” that stood outside himself often allowed him to see things his own perspective missed.
For example, he clearly knew that he was just a cowardly guy with a lustful heart but no guts.
He liked the affection Belinda von Taya showed him, but was unwilling to shoulder the complicated responsibilities of the Imperial Royal Family.
He tolerated Reina’s early deceptions because he had no other choice.
He liked Hestia Shadowsong’s admiration, helping her felt like helping himself, and he forgave her in hopes that his own childhood mischief could also be forgiven.
Everyone has their own dark corners—it’s just that you can’t see them from your own position.
The blade of reason can cut through illusory falsehoods.
Just like at this moment, he calmly dismissed all the answers his mind offered and locked onto the truth—a kind of intuition.
A familiar, almost suggestive intuition told him not to abandon the Zhesi Gem.
That intuition had saved him many times.
He slowly focused on his chest.
The Zhesi Gem immediately responded, as if telling him it would always be there.
He temporarily gave up the idea of replacing the Source of Mana.
After all, the Zhesi Gem had accompanied him through the road of Demon Sealing Battle, each fight granting it a unique trait.
Since it still existed even after being burned by the Fire of Destruction, perhaps one day, the Zhesi Gem could truly be restored.
Li Qiuchen turned around.
He saw Jocelyn, at some unknown point, gnawing on a piece of bread she’d somehow procured.
He couldn’t help but sigh in despair.
“Old Four, you can’t keep eating like this. Do something productive.”
Jocelyn paused mid-bite, glanced around, and saw that Tide had gone upstairs early to repair the house, leaving the place empty.
She reached out her right hand towards Li Qiuchen.
A wisp of black flame rose and then slowly extinguished in her palm.
“Fire of Destruction?”
Li Qiuchen was shocked.
Though the flame was weak, it undeniably existed.
“How did you awaken it?”
“You don’t really think all I do every day is eat, do you?”
The girl looked disdainful, then resumed gnawing on the bread.
Only then did Li Qiuchen remember that Jocelyn had told him long ago—the fuel for the Fire of Destruction was her food.
Still, loving food was always her nature.
The two had become close friends through food; back in middle school, the cafeteria was terrible, and they’d teamed up to sneak out for beef and egg fried rice, which was how they’d met.
He still remembered the time they got caught sneaking out and their parents were called in.
Jocelyn’s parents lectured her earnestly about focusing on studies, not falling in love too early, and definitely not climbing walls—it was dangerous.
Jocelyn said nothing.
She simply invited her parents to the cafeteria, bought food, handed them chopsticks, and after two bites, everyone fell silent.
Her parents quietly put down their chopsticks, never bringing up the wall-climbing again, only reminding her to be careful.
In middle school, Jocelyn’s motto was always, “Life is hard, studying is painful, but good food cannot be betrayed.”
After arriving in another world, because of the Fire of Destruction, she’d become a true foodie—her love for food far surpassed Li Qiuchen’s.
Suddenly, a bell sounded outside the tavern.
The bell tower beside the Temple of the God of War rang out, urging people to gather.
Since the old priest’s death, the bell had remained silent.
Tide and Naili had changed into ordinary clothes and came down from upstairs.
Kaili was still dressed as a Demon Hunter.
Li Qiuchen and Jocelyn tidied up and followed the three outside the Oak Barrel Tavern, joining the flow of townsfolk heading towards the temple at the center of town.
Blackwater Town was laid out in a radiating pattern, with the Temple of the God of War as its central pillar of faith, the Oak Barrel Tavern and Bread Shop flanking the south and north.
On the east, Horn Baron’s castle overlooked the town; to the west lay the heavily sealed Abandoned Mine—the former lifeblood of the settlement.
Stone roads from the old era were especially flat.
The townsfolk were optimistic and lively.
Li Qiuchen could see sunflowers melted from scrap metal in front of the blacksmith’s.
Fresh wild daisies were always placed outside Uncle Wright’s Bread Shop, in thanks for his free bread.
With the arrival of the New Priest and the complete cleansing of contaminated people from the mine, the town seemed ready to come back to life.
Every resident carried such hope.
As for the two assassins from last night, the sheriff only traced them to the notorious Fourth Adventurers’ Guild.
Who hired them and why they targeted Kaili remained unknown.
Kaili’s accusations against the Baron were rejected due to lack of evidence.
Everyone gathered before the carriage at the temple’s entrance as the bell tolled.
They began to chant the holy hymn.
“Spring of Praise, flowing from my heart, flows beneath His unbreakable Sword of the Saint; Spring of Praise, flowing from my heart, peace everlasting through His majesty…”
The carriage curtain slowly opened.
The new priest had a rather handsome face.
The young man wore a black-and-blue striped holy robe, smiling as he looked around.
He paused slightly when he saw Kaili, but quickly returned to normal.
Like a ripple on a lake, almost no one noticed.
Yet Li Qiuchen sharply sensed a hint of discord.
Not just because of the young age, but also a burning warning in his chest.
When he tried to use [Discern], the Zhesi Gem flickered weakly in his mind, then fell silent—the mana within him was depleted.
“What’s the name of the new priest?” Kaili frowned at Tide.
“Father Aescher. The most renowned Justice Priest in the South. The Mayor went to invite him several times, and finally succeeded this time.”
Tide replied.
“You say he’s Father Aescher?”
Kaili asked, doubt heavy in her voice.
“Miss Kaili, is there a problem?”
Li Qiuchen asked, wondering if she sensed something, too.
“This Father Aescher is different from the one I imagined.”
Kaili’s voice was cold, with a chilling edge.
“Because he’s too young?”
Naili looked at Li Qiuchen.
“Cousin Qiuchen, your relationship with the Demon Hunter seems much better now?”
“Ah… Mm.”
Li Qiuchen could only answer vaguely, a little embarrassed.
Kaili, who’d been staring at the speaking Father Aescher, noticed Li Qiuchen’s discomfort and gave him a gentle, understanding smile.
Li Qiuchen silently rolled his eyes.
Father Aescher spread his arms.
“In any case, sorry to disappoint—preaching will be postponed for two days.”
I still need to familiarize myself with the temple.”
“Father! Do you need any help?”
A warm-hearted person called out.
“Please let us know if you need anything. We’ll do our best!”
Someone immediately chimed in.
“No need. I can handle all temple matters alone. In fact, before coming here, the Mayor already explained the situation to me.”
Father Aescher replied with polite smile.
“Father, we’ve captured a… uh, Contaminated by Dark Energy. We need your purification.”
“Also, there are still several contaminated beings left in the mine.”
Everyone began to explain the situation.
Aescher’s face showed interest.
“Father, does your arrival mean that Blackwater Town’s Temple of the God of War is functioning normally again?”
Uncle Wright suddenly raised his hand to ask.
“Yes. Aside from preaching, all other matters have returned to normal.”
Father Aescher answered courteously.
“Messenger of the Goddess, I accuse the local lord, Horn Baron, of murder, desecration, and multiple other crimes. I beg for your just judgment.”
Uncle Wright’s voice wasn’t loud but echoed through the square.
When he spoke, all other sounds fell silent, leaving only his words.
His voice was clear.
Some looked at him in confusion, others in fear.
Beside the carriage, Horn Baron’s expression was calm, as if he hadn’t heard a word.
Kairui’s face went pale, while Kemel’s eyes turned poisonous, staring through the crowd at the always good-natured baker.
Aescher continued to smile.
“You’re saying you accuse the local lord?”
“Yes. I, Orbo Wright, under the witness of the Militia Regiment Seventeen priest eleven years ago, formally joined the faith. My registry belongs to Kuma Town. For eleven years, I have never forgotten to pay the church tax. Now, I beseech you—and the Goddess—for a fair judgment.”
Uncle Wright’s voice was steady.
He was like a boulder, speaking as he stared at Father Aescher on the carriage.
“Let the Judgement Gem shine for you.”
Aescher looked around.
“Which of you is Horn Baron?”
“I, Father. I am here.”
Horn Baron answered seriously, bowing.
“What is your response to the accusation?”
“I have no comment.”
Horn Baron replied coolly.
The tension in the air was like a bowstring drawn taut.
Everyone lowered their breathing, yet both parties at the center remained calm.
“This is a grave slander against our lord! Father, before your arrival, Baron Horn himself handled an assassination within the town. For years, he’s kept this place safe.”
Kemel was first to object, regretting not bringing his sword.
“It seems the situation is complicated. We’ll need an appropriate place for both sides to debate—a meeting hall would be best. Mayor, where were church trials usually held?”
Aescher turned to the elderly man behind him.
“A trial? They were usually in the Meeting Hall of the baron’s castle. But this time…”
The Mayor hesitated.
“Let’s follow the old custom.”
Aescher addressed the crowd.
“Anyone who wishes to observe may come along.”
Naili turned to Li Qiuchen.
“Cousin, will you go with me?”
“Are you siding with Kairui?”
Jocelyn asked.
“No, I’m not siding with anyone,”
Naili looked at Li Qiuchen with pleading eyes.
“I just want to know the truth.”
“Let’s go together.”
Li Qiuchen replied.
In fact, he was also curious about what secrets were buried beneath the mine.
And this mysterious priest—what kind of existence was he to make the Zhesi Gem send a warning?
No one noticed a bat flying overhead, soaring towards the mine.