Chapter 8: The Arrogant Outsider

In the blink of an eye.

A squad of cavalry appeared in the woods at the edge of the Sanctuary.

At their head was a young man dressed in a deep-blue mage’s robe.

An arrogant smile hung upon his face.

The star-shaped insignia on his chest gleamed, proclaiming his noble identity as a magician.

The other riders wore standard leather armor, wielding spears and swords as their wary eyes swept across the surroundings.

They reined in their horses and stopped.

Their gazes fell upon the clearing before the church.

Seven or eight newly built wooden huts, a wide stretch of freshly tilled black soil.

And a group of Refugees gathered beside a dilapidated, abandoned church.

The magician frowned.

He couldn’t help letting out a disdainful snort.

“You people, what are you doing?”

“Building houses and farming in this forsaken place? Hmph~ utterly insane!”

Ulf immediately stepped forward to confront him, forcing down his anger as he replied, “This is a Sanctuary! A place protected by the Angel, my lord!”

Hearing this, the magician burst into mocking laughter.

“Hahaha! An angel?”

“So it’s that same excuse used by those decaying believers of the old gods.”

He urged his horse a few steps forward. “Don’t you know this forest is crawling with ghouls?”

“Just last night, we wiped out a small pack— their corpses are still smoking along the road.”

“To settle here? Hahaha! That’s nothing short of suicide!”

The crowd’s faces darkened.

Marianne also stepped out bravely, holding her child as she retorted,

“We’re not insane! The ghouls don’t dare approach the church! We have the Angel’s Holy Light!”

Another refugee anxiously chimed in,

“That’s right! Lord Magician, look— we’re safe here!”

Being refuted again and again, the magician’s cold gaze swept over them all.

In his eyes, they were nothing more than ignorant insects— filled with disgust and contempt.

“Hmph, what a bunch of fools!”

“Power now lies only in the hands of Magical Truth— what nonsense ‘angel’s protection’ are you talking about!”

He flicked his finger, and a blue flame condensed at his fingertip.

A moment later, it exploded on the ground not far in front of the crowd.

The blast of heat instantly made everyone flinch backward several steps in fear.

In the past—

None of them would have dared to argue with a noble magician.

They would only bow their heads, suffer the humiliation, and admit their lowliness.

But now—

Ulf’s face turned red with anger, his fists clenched tight with cracking sounds.

Siance was also itching to act, his bow gripped tightly in hand.

They had witnessed miracles with their own eyes.

They had already bowed their heads to the Angel and the Almighty Lord, allowing no insult from anyone!

Just then—

Liz raised her hand to block Ulf, speaking in a low, steady voice, “Calm down, Ulf.”

“There’s no point arguing. Let them leave!”

The magician’s gaze immediately locked onto Liz.

Previously, he had been too busy mocking; now that he looked carefully—

He noticed her gentle features and smooth skin.

Although her face was pale, looking as though she had just recovered from a severe wound, her calm and resolute eyes were deeply captivating!

His eyes brightened, and an ambiguous smile spread across his face.

“Well, well~ what do we have here? A beautiful lady? Interesting, very interesting~~”

“Seems my trip wasn’t wasted after all!”

Liz froze for a moment.

A look of utter astonishment flashed across her face.

Years of wind and sun, coupled with a fierce scar, had long marred her looks— she had never once been called beautiful.

“Savage tigress” was what people used to call her.

Instinctively, Liz touched her cheek.

Her skin was smooth and supple, soft as that of a newborn.

It was then that she realized— after receiving the Angel’s blessing, her entire being had been renewed.

Even the wrinkles left by time had vanished.

Had there been a mirror before her—

She would have seen a woman in her early thirties, radiant with mature grace.

Nothing like a middle-aged woman at all!

“You… what did you just say? Say it again?”

Liz still sounded uncertain.

The magician, mistaking her hesitation for shyness, grinned wider. “I said, beautiful lady, your face is quite exquisite.”

“It’s a waste for you to stay in this desolate land. Come with me.”

“Work as my assistant in the Williams Territory’s Magic Tower— far better than serving a bunch of fools here!”

His eyes shamelessly drifted toward Liz’s chest, and he swallowed hard. “Well? How’s that offer sound?”

However—

The magician never expected—

Liz’s expression to change in an instant!

Her surprise turned to cold fury.

Without saying a word, the power of Holy Light erupted from within her.

A surge of divine aura burst forth, spreading like waves.

In the air, faint golden hums resonated.

The pressure was overwhelming!

The magician’s smile froze in place.

He hastily pulled his reins, retreating several steps in panic as he exclaimed, “Y-You’re a Knight of Light?!”

“Impossible! Impossible!”

“The Holy Temple Knights of the Church of Light were all wiped out the day the Undead Scourge descended!!”

Fear filled his voice. “Who… who are you?!”

Liz’s expression remained calm.

The glory of the past— she had long since let go of it.

Now, she was the sword and shield of the Angel!

“Liz Hawke.”

“Allow me to correct your mistake.”

“I am not a Knight of Light, but a Knight of Holy Light!”

“And I only guard this land. Take your men and leave— at once. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

Grinding his teeth in silence—

After a long pause, the magician finally waved his hand.

“Damn it, just my bad luck.”

He ordered his riders, “All units, withdraw! This filthy place isn’t worth our time!”

‘If it weren’t for that mission from that person, I’d have taught these filthy peasants a lesson. Hmph!’

The arrogant magician thought darkly—

Then turned his horse and galloped away with his men, disappearing swiftly into the forest shadows.

But not long after—

A sharp, agonized scream suddenly echoed from the depths of the woods.

Followed by frantic neighs and the clash of weapons.

After a while— silence.

Before the church, the Refugees looked at one another in shock and fear.

Liz frowned deeply and turned to instruct everyone.

“It seems there are still many powerful ghouls wandering in the forest.”

“They just don’t dare come close to the Sanctuary.”

“Everyone, remember— do not leave the Sanctuary’s hundred-meter boundary, or you may be attacked!”

“If you must collect building materials, stay within this range as much as possible!”

Marianne approached, holding her child.

“Lady Liz, just now… was that the sound of those riders?”

Liz nodded, sneering, “Yes. Seems this so-called ‘Magical Truth’ is nothing but a joke before corruption.”

She swept her gaze over the worried faces.

Finally, she comforted them, “Let’s continue our work.”

“The Angel’s Holy Light still protects us. This place is safer than anywhere else.”

Ulf nodded solemnly, lifting his axe.

“Yes, we have never once doubted the Angel’s might.”

“Now, everyone— let’s finish building these huts.”

“That way, everyone will have a place to rest, and we won’t have to crowd together anymore.”

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