Chapter 115: Christina

One must admit, Alex’s talent for twisting right and wrong was formidable. In his words, the village chief and his son were the most innocent victims. The villagers adored them yet were coerced by foreigners.

Captain Brent of the town guard, determined to seek justice for the father and son, led a brave expedition into the Beast Forest. There, they uncovered a grand conspiracy—the foreigners were using the Beast Forest as a base to build a secret camp for stationing troops! Their plan was to amass forces in the forest and, when the time was right, launch a decisive attack to break through the defenses of the Xiongfeng Empire.

To thwart the foreign invasion, Brent and his valiant guards fought fiercely. Yet the enemy was overwhelming. The town guard suffered a crushing defeat, and Brent fell in battle.

Alex was captured by the foreigners and subjected to relentless torture. Alongside him was his beloved Perin, who had pledged eternal loyalty to him. Witnessing her lover’s torment firsthand, she chose to sacrifice her own happiness, submitting herself to the foreigners to gain their trust—and secretly managed to free Alex.

Driven by the desire to avenge his father’s death, to seek justice for the slaughtered villagers, and to reclaim the woman he cherished most—even though she had been defiled by the loathsome foreigners—Alex endured countless hardships to reach the city of Light, hoping the city lord would uphold justice.

It wasn’t just the city lord moved by his story; all the officials present were deeply stirred. Even Christina, the priestess behind Master Leo, shed tears.

“Alex, you are a hero of the Xiongfeng Empire!” The city lord descended the steps and helped him up. “You have endured sufferings unimaginable to others, yet you bore your sorrow and delivered such vital military intelligence to Light City. In the name of the city lord, I bestow upon you the honorary title of Guardian of Light. Your efforts will not be in vain!”

“Your Excellency!” Alex knelt, tears streaming. “I beg you to dispatch troops to eradicate the foreign forces. I am willing to lead as the vanguard and die on the battlefield without regret!”

“Of course. Our Xiongfeng Empire will never tolerate foreign intrusion!” The city lord surveyed the gathered officials with a commanding voice. “Who among you will lead the troops to eliminate these detestable foreigners?”

“I will!”

“Me too!”

“Send me, Lord!”

All the officials rose enthusiastically in response.

“Zhuoma, you will lead the army!” The city lord glanced left and right before selecting his strongest general.

“As you command!” Zhuoma was a burly, broad-shouldered man with strikingly curly brown hair atop his head, resembling a bird’s nest. Yet his imposing presence and the heavy battle axe strapped to his back marked him as a fierce warrior.

“Master Leo,” after appointing the commanding general, the city lord respectfully turned to the priest, “I would also ask you to accompany the army.”

“Your Excellency,” before Master Leo could respond, Christina stepped forward. “There is no need to trouble my teacher. I volunteer to join the campaign in his place, to serve both Light City and the Empire with my strength.”

“This…” The city lord hesitated and looked at Master Leo.

Master Leo smiled, stroking his beard. “Christina has mastered the group healing spell under my tutelage. With her accompanying the army, that will suffice.”

“Since Master Leo says so, then please proceed with the army,” the city lord said, looking to Christina.

“As you command!” Christina nodded gently, wiped away tears from her eyes, and then turned her head to offer Alex a tender smile.

With the city lord’s orders, Zhuoma immediately assembled a thousand elite city guards and set out. Christina accompanied the troops in a carriage, while Alex and the remaining town guards followed on horseback.

Zhuoma, eager to reach Blackwater Town, spurred his horse into a gallop, and the city guards followed suit, racing alongside their commander.

Alex and the town guards managed to keep up on horseback, but Christina suffered greatly from the jostling carriage ride.

Finally, just before sunset, they found a place to camp. Christina, exhausted, dismounted the carriage and lay by the fire to rest.

“Christina!” Alex fetched fresh water from a nearby river and handed it to her.

“Thank you!” She took a small sip and returned a gentle smile. “May the God of Light bless you!”

Alex smiled faintly, sitting by the fire and gazing at the setting sun.

“Alex, your beloved will surely return to your side!” Christina felt somewhat better after drinking the water. “The God of Light is merciful to all.”

“Praise be to the God of Light!” Alex clasped his hands and uttered a prayer, then sighed deeply.

“Heroes always endure far more hardship than ordinary people,” Christina said with a smile. “Alex, you are destined to be a hero of the Xiongfeng Empire. Without you, the foreign conspiracy might have gone unnoticed—its development could have inflicted great harm upon the Empire.”

“I do not wish to be a hero, Christina,” Alex turned to her with a soft sigh. “I only want to destroy the foreigners, to avenge my innocent father and the villagers. Most importantly, I want to rescue my beloved! Perin endured humiliation for me—I must save her! Whether she has been defiled or not, I will love and care for her for the rest of my life.”

“Alex, you are not only a hero but also a devoted and honorable man,” Christina clasped her hands over her chest, her eyes filled with admiration. “Rest assured, I will help you rescue Perin!”

“Christina, the foreign forces are powerful,” Alex looked into her eyes. “Your primary duty is to protect yourself. You are a priest; only by safeguarding yourself can you protect others. As for Perin, I will rescue her with my sword.”

Hearing Alex’s confident words and looking at his handsome face, Christina found herself enchanted.

Noticing her gaze, Alex smiled charmingly. “Christina, has anyone ever told you that your eyes resemble stars twinkling in the sky—beautiful and bright?”

“R-Really?” Christina blushed, her hands covering her slightly flushed cheeks. She had studied under Master Leo since childhood and never left the Temple of Light until mastering the group healing spell, finally gaining the chance to venture out. Those around her were mostly ascetic priests, unfamiliar with matters of love. Yet in front of the handsome Alex, her heart raced uncontrollably.