Chapter 30: Long Life to…?!

Li Qiuchen made a gesture toward Jocelyn, who was still handling the roasted meat beside him.

Jocelyn understood instantly and patted the Destruction Armor Iron Block in her pocket, then continued eating.

She didn’t care about who they were going to beat up later—that was Li Qiuchen’s problem to worry about.

“Sir, you probably don’t understand the kind of personality this priest you’re impersonating has. You’re well-versed in church law and ancient texts, using them with ease.”

Kaili stood up, drawing her Knight’s Longsword once again.

This time, her movements were slow but firm, like a kind of judgment.

“But the priest’s power never lay in books or words. You have no loyalty to the Goddess at all.”

Everyone present was utterly shocked by Kaili’s actions, including Wright.

Even if the judgment was unfair, he’d never considered directly opposing a priest.

Huo En only watched the scene with a faint smile.

If this guy was just pretending to be a priest, it might be negotiable, but if he also wanted to steal the power of the magic beast…

“Interesting.”

Aescher still smiled as the longsword pointed at him.

He clapped his hands.

“Now, there are two cases on the Judgment Table.”

“Miss, are you doubting my identity?”

“You don’t need to pretend you don’t know me. The assassin sent to kill me last night was yours. You know I’m acquainted with the real Priest Aescher.”

“I would disrupt your plans, wouldn’t I?”

Kaili stared at him, almost interrogating.

“Ridiculous accusation, but no one can prove true or false.”

“By the way, Huo En, you still haven’t answered my question. Do you still wish to revive your wife?”

Aescher no longer responded directly to Kaili, turning to Huo En instead.

Obviously, as Priest Aescher’s authority began to waver, Baron Huo En, who’d just been standing on the judgment seat, became the upper hand once more.

“You don’t need to spread lies here.”

“The temple needs your testimony to clarify where Priest Aescher has gone.”

As Kaili spoke, she suddenly thrust her sword toward him with both hands.

She had to take him down before Huo En decided to cooperate with him.

Now!

Jocelyn, having received Li Qiuchen’s signal, pressed the Armor Iron Box, stepped onto a chair, and charged straight at Aescher.

The armor formed in mid-air, and a nearly two-meter-tall heavy-armored knight crashed down like a mountain.

The most shocking was Wright.

He reached into his coat and drew a silver Magic Staff.

No matter what, he had to find the answer today—even if he had to strike a real priest!

His casting speed was terrifying—three Fireballs formed instantly, arranged in a triangular formation, flying toward Aescher.

Li Qiuchen gripped the Blue Crystal tightly, chanting.

The magic within the Blue Crystal was drained rapidly.

The knife and fork before him floated into the air, charged with power, and finally shot like sharp blades at the “Aescher” priest.

Sensing threats from four directions, Aescher showed no fear.

He extended his right hand forward.

“Mirage Shield!”

Magic gathered like a whirlpool in his palm, forming a nearly solid transparent shield.

Kaili’s sword was first to strike the shield.

A powerful force bounced back from the tip, sending her sliding back several steps despite her two-handed grip, before she could steady herself.

Then, Jocelyn’s Destruction Armor wrapped around her in midair, colliding powerfully with the shield and rebounding to crash against the wall.

Wright’s Fireballs tried to swerve around the shield.

He controlled their trajectory with all his might, three Fireballs tracing arcs through the air.

The shield split into three, blocking each Fireball.

The Fireballs shot back toward Wright.

He rolled to the side, familiar with the movement.

The Fireballs left black explosion marks on the floor, but didn’t harm him.

Li Qiuchen’s knife and fork reached last.

They hovered against the transparent shield, suspended as if struggling, but gradually lost ground.

Just as they were about to be deflected, Li Qiuchen clenched the Blue Crystal, drawing out all remaining magic.

His right hand traced a seal in the air, chanting.

The knife and fork suddenly spun rapidly, resonating with the whirlpool in Aescher’s palm.

Ripples spread across the transparent shield.

Aescher looked surprised.

“Dispel Spell of the Path of Law Magic?”

His internal magic instantly flowed to his palm.

The two powers deadlocked.

Bang—!

The knife rebounded, shooting straight at Li Qiuchen’s face.

But a black-armored arm blocked it.

The knife struck Jocelyn’s outstretched armor and fell to the ground without leaving even a scratch.

Whoosh—!

The remaining spinning fork blade pierced the shield in an instant.

Aescher dodged sideways, but the fork left a long, shallow red line on his face before pinning itself into the wooden wall behind him, only its handle exposed.

Aescher looked solemnly at the unremarkable northern boy.

Li Qiuchen panted heavily from exhaustion, unable to continue fighting.

The other three watched Aescher warily.

Jocelyn, in her black heavy armor, guarded Li Qiuchen’s side.

Wright, holding his Magic Staff, and Kaili, gripping her sword with both hands, stood together.

The rest stared in shock at the scene, at a loss for words.

“Baron, can you give me an answer now?”

Aescher urged again.

“I think of reviving her every moment. Your conditions should be the same as your predecessor’s, right?”

Baron Huo En replied.

“Of course. I can even share the power equally with you. Not only can you revive your beloved, but you’ll also gain extraordinary strength.”

Aescher smiled and extended his fist.

The Oath of the Mercenary—an agreement sealing the promise.

Baron Huo En glanced at the oil painting on the wall—Linna at age twenty, smiling at him.

He bumped his fist against Aescher’s.

“You’re much more generous than your predecessor. I hope our cooperation is pleasant.”

Aescher stepped forward confidently, as if intending to face Li Qiuchen and the others alone.

“Priest, Qiuchen, what are you doing?”

Tide, hiding in the corner, tried to persuade them.

“Boss, don’t you understand? None of us are leaving this room alive today—including you.”

Kaili shouted.

Tide was about to protest when Aescher spoke with a laugh.

“Clever girl. But sadly, it’s usually the beautiful, foolish ones who live long lives…”

He was interrupted.

He looked down—a sword tip had emerged from his chest.

A cold voice sounded in his ear.

“You’re as foolish as your predecessor, always thinking power can buy anything.”

It was Huo En.

“Don’t you…want to revive…her?”

Blood dripped from Aescher’s lips.

He asked, faltering.

Huo En smiled bitterly.

He already knew the answer.

Back then, after the Old Sorcerer finished the preservation spell on Linna’s corpse, Huo En doubted its effect.

The Old Sorcerer explained the spell’s effect—it would keep her body from decaying unless she refused resurrection, waiting for the soul’s return.

Now, Huo En looked up at the wide oil painting, grief filling his eyes.

“She already refused me long ago.”

“So that’s how it is.”

Aescher’s voice grew light, his complexion no longer pale.

“Is this how you killed the Old Sorcerer back then?”

Dark mist spread from his body.

The blood vanished from his wound, and the blade embedded in him began to dissolve.

The iron corroded rapidly, consumed by his flesh.

“Kill him, now!”

Kaili shouted, charging with her sword.