Oh!
Guests.
A flicker stirred within Fan Zhuo’s heart. So that means……
Could the magic array that suddenly appeared and then collapsed last night be the very target Lucien was investigating?
“Big brothers, what are you looking for?”
Little Green bounced over, her innocent big eyes full of curiosity. “If it’s to find something bad, we can help!”
“No need.” Lucien rejected coldly, clearly not trusting these “filthy” beings to provide any useful information.
At that moment, the surrounding giant trees began to emit even brighter light.
The Ancient Guardian Trees, which had stood silently tall, revealed delicate female faces on their trunks, their gentle gazes fixed on the three uninvited guests.
Old John gasped sharply, “Even these ancient trees are…”
“They are all our sisters.”
Little Green said matter-of-factly, “They are the oldest guardians of the forest, having lived here for thousands of years. Usually, they sleep, only awakening when they sense special visitors.”
Fan Zhuo looked up. The faces on those towering trees were all watching him, their eyes filled with an indescribable tenderness and curiosity.
Apparently, the special aura he carried—his “sympathy for monsters”—was perceptible even to these ancient beings.
Lucien’s expression darkened further.
He gripped his sword hilt tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force.
“Lord Valois….”
The two Holy Paladins trailing behind finally couldn’t hold back, their voices tinged with obvious pain. “This environment is affecting us too much!”
“Shut up!” Lucien snapped fiercely. “As warriors of the Holy Church, how can you be influenced by this filth?”
Fan Zhuo noticed the two Holy Paladins looked truly unwell.
Their eyes were tightly shut, sweat beading on their foreheads as if enduring great agony.
“Why are these monsters still allowed to remain?”
Lucien turned to Old John, his tone laden with doubt. “According to Holy Church doctrine, this level of filth should have been purified long ago.”
Old John smiled wryly. “Lord Valois, you don’t know. This forest has a special significance.”
“What kind of significance?”
“First, although their lifestyles are a bit… free-spirited, they have never actively harmed any humans.”
Old John carefully explained, “Second, the life energy generated by this forest is crucial to the ecological balance of all Asphodel. Reckless elimination could trigger unpredictable consequences.”
“Most importantly…”
Old John lowered his voice, “this area is under the direct protection order of the Warden of Zone A herself. She said the existence of these tree spirits and flower fairies plays a key role in an important project within the prison.”
Lucien’s frown deepened.
Even he dared not lightly challenge the authority of the Zone A Warden.
Moreover, to this day, he didn’t know who truly backed that Warden behind the scenes…
Fan Zhuo and Old John fell back in the group. Taking advantage of Lucien inspecting other areas, Fan Zhuo lowered his voice to ask,
“Old John, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Does the Holy Light of the Holy Church not affect combat?”
Fan Zhuo pointed at the two agonized Holy Paladins ahead.
“For example, if an enemy female warrior suddenly lifts her clothes or something, wouldn’t that cause our fighters to lose their will to fight?”
“Don’t say it!” Old John hurriedly waved his hand, an expression of ‘how do you know this?’ flashing across his face.
“See those two Holy Paladins? On the battlefield, once the Holy Light activates, it cuts through everything indiscriminately, no matter what! They don’t even blink!”
“Why?”
“Holy Light does indeed automatically block all ‘impure’ images, that’s true, but these guys are not to be underestimated!”
Old John explained, “In their eyes, they can’t see anything clearly. So in battle, they fight even more ferociously because they don’t know what they’re actually cutting.”
Fan Zhuo suddenly understood.
“What about Lord Lucien?” Fan Zhuo asked curiously. “He seems less affected than those two Holy Paladins.”
“Lord Valois is a genius among geniuses, with willpower far beyond ordinary men.”
Old John lowered his voice. “And reportedly, he’s undergone special training since childhood, allowing him to resist this influence to some extent. But…”
Old John glanced at Lucien’s back up ahead, hesitating to speak further.
“But what?”
“Nothing, just feels like his condition today is a bit strange.” Old John shook his head. “Forget it, let’s not talk about this. We should keep moving.”
The three pressed deeper into the forest.
At that moment, a soft, gentle singing drifted from the forest’s depths.
The song was ethereal and beautiful, like a heavenly melody that made one want to lose themselves in it.
“It’s the Elf Maidens singing,” Little Green said excitedly. “Every evening, they offer the forest their Blessing Song.”
Following the song’s guidance, the four arrived at a more open clearing.
There, a dozen or so tall, breathtakingly beautiful Elf Maidens gathered.
They had pointed ears and long hair like cascading waterfalls, wearing only simple dresses woven from petals and leaves.
The elves formed a circle, hand in hand, dancing gracefully under the moonlight.
Their dance was elegant and pure, every movement filled with praise for life itself.
“So beautiful…” Fan Zhuo couldn’t help but admire.
This was truly one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen.
The Elf Maidens’ dance bore no trace of vulgarity, purely a hymn to nature and life.
However, Lucien’s reaction was completely different.
“That’s enough!” he suddenly exploded, drawing his longsword at his waist.
“I’ve had enough of this filthy performance!”
The silver blade gleamed sharply under the moonlight, radiating a fierce killing intent.
The Elf Maidens were startled by this sudden hostility, stopping their dance and watching the stranger cautiously.
“Lord Valois, calm down!” Old John hurried forward to block him. “They mean no harm!”
“No harm?” Lucien’s eyes glittered with danger. “Their very existence is a desecration of the Holy Light! This level of corruption must be purified!”
Watching the scene unfold, Fan Zhuo felt a surge of inexplicable anger.
These Elf Maidens hadn’t done anything wrong, only living in their own way—why should they be “purified”?
“Wait.”
Fan Zhuo stepped forward, standing between Lucien and the Elf Maidens. “Lord Valois, your purpose here is to investigate heresy, not to slaughter innocent lives.”
“Innocent?” Lucien sneered coldly. “Do you think these filthy beings are innocent?”
“They truly are innocent.”
Fan Zhuo’s voice was calm and resolute. “They have harmed no one, simply living according to their nature. If they are to be killed simply for living differently, how are we any different from the real demons?”
Lucien’s sword tip pointed at Fan Zhuo. “You dare question the Holy Church’s doctrine?”
“I question mistaken prejudice.” Fan Zhuo stood firm. “True Holy Light should be one of tolerance and mercy, not blind slaughter.”