Chapter 791: Chapter 7: Changed
Lanice, hearing Lynch point directly to the core of the issue, couldnât help but furrow her brows. She did not immediately respond but instead took a deep breath, looking intently at Lynch and countered:
âThere are rumors outside that the Lord of Emerald intends to intervene in the conflict at the Ancient Ruins⊠Is that true?â
Lynch didnât evade and simply nodded: âYes.â
This definitive answer made Laniceâs body tremble, and she immediately pursued further, her tone urgent and confused: âWhy? Lynch⊠No, Lord Saphiro! You must be well aware that according to the rules set by the Supreme Council, non-interference among the Witch Domains is the fundamental treaty! You, with the identity of the Lord of Emerald, initiating intervention in the war is illegal in terms of law!â
Upon hearing this, Lynchâs lips curled into a somewhat mocking arc. He smiled slightly, his laughter devoid of warmth:
âRules? Lanice, if I remember correctly, your Freemasonry Church, along with your lord Erodion, has already openly declared that you no longer revere the constraints of the Supreme Council, claiming independence, pursuing what you call the âonly Truthâ, havenât you?â
âA force that has openly torn up agreements, now speaking to others about rules and treaties, isnât it⊠too ironic?â
Lanice was momentarily speechless, falling into a brief silence. Her slender fingers tightened slightly, then lifted her head attempting to argue, her voice carrying a hint of misinterpreted agitation:
âThatâs because the Supreme Council itself is unjust! They have always tried to favor those decaying Wizard Families, attempting to forcibly compel us to surrender the hard-earned freedom and Faith! We are left with no choice!â
âAccording to the established rules and ancient tradition, they are the nominal legitimate rulers of this land, arenât they?â Lynch casually retorted, his tone calm yet hitting the mark. His gaze swept over the distant mountains, seemingly penetrating Space to see those desolate towns and yellow-faced, thin citizens, continuing:
âAs for freedom⊠and the new order you bring. From what Iâve seen and heard during this period, the world on this land doesnât seem to have gotten better under the rule of your Freemasonry Church.â
Laniceâs brows furrowed even deeper; she could not rebut those obvious desolations and could only steer the issue toward a more personal level, her tone carrying an unnoticeable hint of sourness and inquiry:
âLynch, you were initially ostracized and even forced by those Wizard Families to leave the Ancient Ruins, and as a result, you ended up on the Supreme Arrest Warrant! You were clearly a victim too, so why⊠why now are you speaking on their behalf?â
She paused, her gaze locked tightly onto Lynchâs eyes, as if trying to pierce through all his disguises to hit the most probable core:
âIs it because⊠of Avery? Because sheâs still at Starshine Castle, is that why youâŠâ
Lynchâs brow furrowed imperceptibly and interrupted her speculation. He did not directly answer this overly private and sharp question but instead turned his gaze back towards the roaring waterfall. His tone became distant and objective, as if stating a cold fact:
âWhich side I stand on has never depended on past grievances or personal feelings. I always speak on the side that is most beneficial to me and to the Jade Land.â
Laniceâs body again uncontrollably trembled, as if stabbed by Lynchâs cold and realistic words.
Her eyes reflected a flicker of pain, and she murmured bitterly, âYouâve changed⊠The old you, although cautious, was someone who could challenge order and confront authority for friends and for what you believed in.â
âWhen did you become so⊠so calculating, so âfactionalâ?â
Lynch gave no rebuttal to her assessment, his face showing no emotional fluctuations, merely responding calmly: âPerhaps. People change. But thatâs not important.â
His gaze regained sharpness and focus, âRight now I just want to know the answer.â
Lanice took a deep breath, as if resolved, she gripped the Priestâs Staff tightly, its head beginning to gather a faint sacred radiance, her tone decisive: âIf⊠I insist on not saying anything?â
Lynch furrowed his brows slightly, looking at her as if facing a formidable enemy, even ready to take action. A complex emotion passed through his eyes, but eventually turned into a barely audible sigh.
Anyway, with his current strength, going back to capture another High Priest for interrogation would be easy.
So he restrained the previous bureaucratic detachment, his tone softening, even carrying a hint of friendly helplessness: âIf you really donât want to say, can I really put you in a difficult position? If you donât want to talk, then go back. Letâs pretend we never met today.â
Hearing his words, seeing him no longer pressing, the sharp, icy vigilance in Laniceâs eyes finally softened somewhat, and the fingers tightly clutching the Priestâs Staff slightly relaxed.
Lynch took the opportunity to completely restore the previous cordial attitude during their talk, revealing a sincere, nostalgic smile, and said: âHonestly, being able to unexpectedly see you here really makes me very happy. It reminds me of many happy times in the past.â
âEveryone participating in the apprentice assessment together at the Shadow Tower, encouraging each other; at the Fairy Tavern, putting aside identity and troubles, drinking heartily, talking about anything without restraint, those times now seem really wonderfulâŠâ
Lanice listened silently, without interruption, but her tense shoulders visibly relaxed.
Lynch continued to summarize in a gentle tone: âIn any case, seeing you safe and sound here is truly a matter of immense joy.â
He paused, his tone carrying a subtle wistfulness, âI hope next time we can meet like this with ease, rather than on⊠an unavoidable battlefield.â
With that, he turned again, intending to truly leave, his figure appearing somewhat hazy in the waterfallâs mist.
And it wasnât until his footsteps were about to depart that Lanice finally seemed to break through some inner chains, speaking up: âFairness.â
Lynch halted his steps, turned back, and inquired with a hint of confusion: âWhat?â
Lanice lifted her head, her gaze seeming to penetrate Lynch, looking towards some void and noble existence, her voice carrying a strange, almost chanting tone: âFather God wants to lead us to create an absolutely fair world.â
Her eyes began to emit an unnatural light mixed with devotion and fanaticism, her tone becoming more determined: âIn that world, there will be no more oppression, no more exploitation, no more unfairness based on Bloodline, wealth, or power! Everyone will gain absolute, complete fairness under the light of the âonly Truthâ!â
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