Clatter! Clatter!
The Temple of Light in Abundance City was far noisier today than usual. The streets were swarmed with crowds; gongs and drums thundered, and banners fluttered as if the city were holding its grandest festival.
In truth, the reality wasn’t far off. The news that Archbishop Lawrence—a man of immense power from the Royal Capital—had arrived to preside over the Paladin selection had sent shockwaves through the entire region. To the local residents, catching a glimpse of such a legendary figure was a blessing worth celebrating for a lifetime.
“Look! That’s the Archbishop’s carriage!” “O Great God of Light, please grant us a bountiful harvest this year…” “I hope my mother’s illness can be cured…”
Pious believers crowded both sides of the street. The moment the carriage came into view, they knelt in unison, bowing their heads in fervent prayer.
Swish—
Amidst the melodious strains of a holy anthem, dozens of cavalrymen cleared the path. A procession of seven or eight carriages and over a hundred retainers moved slowly toward the temple under the worshipful gaze of the masses.
“Is… is that Archbishop Lawrence?”
Inside the Temple of Light, a dozen local dignitaries had already lined up respectfully. As the city’s Inspector and a veteran Paladin Commander, Green was naturally among them. Beside him, Alice stared at the grand procession with wide eyes, her heart racing with nerves.
The Archbishop.
Alice knew how exalted this position was. Even though she was more mature than most children her age, the thought of meeting such a figure filled her with anxiety. She gripped Green’s hand tightly.
“Don’t be afraid. Archbishop Lawrence is a good man.”
Green smiled gently. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his fingers sliding across her smooth cheek before landing on her small nose for a playful pinch.
A good man…
Well, if he serves the Holy Light just like Godfather, he must be very kind, Alice thought. An inexplicable sense of peace washed over her. As long as Godfather was there, she wasn’t afraid of anything.
Clenching her small fists, Alice made a silent vow: I must become a Paladin!
“His Excellency, Archbishop Lawrence has arrived—!”
Finally, amidst the heated atmosphere, the great man from the capital made his entrance.
“Your Excellency, I am the Consul of Abundance City. It is a supreme honor to have you here. Please allow me, on behalf of all our citizens, to welcome—”
The moment the Archbishop stepped out of the luxury carriage, the Consul, who had been waiting like a coiled spring, rushed forward. He bowed low, eyes averted, hands outstretched in greeting…
But Lawrence ignored him.
To Alice’s surprise, this Archbishop looked nothing like her Godfather. He sported a meticulously groomed mustache, his robes were woven with expensive gold thread, and his mithril staff was encrusted with shimmering gems. Standing in the sunlight, he looked like a living statue from a shrine, radiating an aura of solemn authority with every movement.
She looked back at Green. He wore his perennial plain black cloak, devoid of any expensive accessories. Aside from the sword at his waist that hummed with a faint cold light, Green looked more like a common street vendor than an Inspector.
“Thank you for your hard work,” the Archbishop said. He didn’t shake the Consul’s hand. He scanned the crowd with a flat gaze, his tone carrying an unquestionable weight. “I hear Abundance City has produced quite a few talents lately?”
“Yes, yes!” Despite being snubbed, the Consul’s face showed no embarrassment. Instead, he gushed enthusiastically, “Thanks to the protection of our Lord, the guidance of the priests, the hard work of the Kingdom’s officials, and perhaps a small contribution from myself… we have indeed seen many talents.”
The Consul pointed to the pudgy boy beside him. “For instance, my son. Don’t let his dull looks fool you; he is already a Level 14 professional.”
“…” Lawrence’s gaze rested on the boy who had once bullied Alice.
“Uh… ah…” The boy stammered, his face turning pale. He seemed completely unable to withstand the Archbishop’s inscrutable gaze.
“Are these all the candidates for the Paladin selection?” Lawrence asked casually as he was ushered inside.
“Yes, yes,” the Consul hurried to keep up, acting more like a servant than the city’s highest official.
“Hmm…” Lawrence continued to scan the other guests and the children beside them—the candidates for today’s test.
“Oh?”
Just as the Archbishop seemed ready to conclude his assessment, his gaze froze.
“Green?” Lawrence’s voice held a hint of surprise. “And this young lady is…”
His icy demeanor vanished instantly upon seeing Green.
“She is my goddaughter, Alice.” Green led Alice forward, standing before the Archbishop with quiet dignity.
“Alice…” Lawrence repeated the name softly, as if the name itself held a specific meaning. “I see. You’ve worked hard all these years, Green.”
As if realizing something profound, the Archbishop did the unthinkable for a man of his status—he knelt down slightly to give Alice a warm smile. “Little girl, do you want to become a Paladin?”
“I…”
A trace of hesitation flickered in Alice’s eyes. She was terrified of being separated from her Godfather. but then she remembered his words from the day he brought her home: “Alice, you must become the light.” Her expression hardened with resolve.
“I do, Your Excellency! I want to become a Paladin!” she said loudly.
“Good.” The Archbishop looked pleased. He pulled a crystal-clear sphere from his robes. “Ladies and gentlemen, I assume you brought your children here today in hopes of applying for the Paladin trials?”
“Our initial selection is simple,” Lawrence explained clearly. “If you can resonate with this crystal ball, it means the child has an affinity for the Light element. While they may not necessarily become a Paladin knighted by the Pope, they will at least be qualified to be raised within the Temple of Light.”
Whoosh—
The eyes of everyone in the room lit up. These powerful figures hadn’t gathered at dawn for nothing. Even if they were still debating whether their children should actually become Paladins, the benefits of being trained in the Temple of Light were self-evident. That was the Temple of Light! An organization whose influence spanned the human world, and whose orders even kings obeyed!
“Lord Consul, let’s start with your son,” Lawrence said, sitting at the head of the temple hall.
“Yes!” The Consul dragged his son forward.
Hum—
The pudgy hand rested on the crystal for a long time before it finally emitted a dim, flickering light.
“Low-tier aptitude,” the Archbishop said emotionlessly.
“My Lord,” the Consul gritted his teeth, whispering, “I am willing to donate an entire estate as a token of my gratitude for the Church’s protection.”
“Pass,” Lawrence said casually, changing his tune instantly.
After the Consul’s profuse thanks, the other dignitaries stepped forward one by one.
“Pass.” “Pass.”
None of them managed to make the crystal shine brightly, but as long as there was a flicker—and a “donation” from the parents—Lawrence would lazily sign a passing grade.
Is this what the Paladin selection is truly like? Alice’s face was a mask of confusion, her eyes filling with disappointment. She had expected a rigorous trial of the Light’s commandments; she never imagined these pampered brats could buy their way through so easily. If so, why did Godfather care so much about this?
Wrapped in this worry, it was finally Alice’s turn to face the Archbishop.
“Speaking of which, Alice is probably the only one in this generation with a real chance to be trained as a true Paladin, right?” “Of course. Didn’t you see the Archbishop ignore even the Consul but speak privately to Mr. Green?” “They’re both from the Church system, after all… Hmph, that slum brat sure got lucky.” “Hey, shut up! Do you want to die? You’re insulting a future Paladin!”
Amidst the heavy expectations and the sea of whispers, Alice raised her small hand and placed it gently on the crystal.
One breath. Two. A long moment passed. The crystal ball did not react at all.
“Huh… is it broken?” “Impossible. The Archbishop brought it himself.” “Could it be… that she can’t sense the Light element at all?”
Buzz—
The moment the “star of hope” and the city’s famous genius failed to show even basic affinity, the crowd’s attitude flipped.
“Tch, I knew it. Slum trash is slum trash. How could the Great God of Light favor her?” “Haha, Mr. Green was just asking for humiliation. He knew his goddaughter had problems and still brought her here to get slapped in the face by the Archbishop?”
Amidst the sneers, Alice turned deathly pale. How? How can this be? Can I really not feel the Light?
“As I thought.” Lawrence’s face showed no surprise; instead, there was a mix of relief and pity. He put the crystal away and shook his head slightly at Green.
“I’m sorry, Green. There is nothing I can do.” The Archbishop then calmly announced the result: “Alice. Fail.”
No… no! It must be a mistake!
Alice froze. She didn’t care about the malicious mocking around her. But… but she didn’t want to bring shame or disappointment to her Godfather!
“I… Your Excellency, I…” Alice opened her mouth, wanting to say something, anything.
“I’m sorry, child. Truly.” For some reason, there was a flash of genuine apology in Lawrence’s eyes.
“No… how…” Alice’s eyes filled with tears, but she forced herself not to break down. She didn’t dare turn around. She couldn’t bear to see the look of disappointment on Green’s face.
Brush.
Just as she stood there paralyzed, a hand firmly gripped her cold, small hand.
“Let’s go, Alice,” that familiar voice said, as warm as ever. “We’re going home.”
Green shielded his goddaughter behind him, just as he always had.