In a guest room of Hawk Fort, a beautiful woman lay weakly at the edge of the bed. Her golden hair clung to her forehead with sweat, her chest heaved with labored breaths, and her fair face was so pale it was almost translucent—even her lips had lost their color.
She braced herself against the edge of the bed with slender arms, attempting to stand, but her strength failed her once again and she collapsed back down, frowning deeply as a soft moan escaped her lips.
"Ah—!"
This was the seventh time Lux had tried to get up.
A Tier 2 theurgist, and yet she didn't even have the strength to stand—what an embarrassment!
It reminded her of her teacher, Arch-Theurgist Crouch, who once commented,
"An adequate theurgist. A brilliant theologian. A completely unqualified priest."
And now he'd been proven right again.
She puffed up with frustration.
She had come to Hawk Town to prove her abilities, to show that she was more than just theory. But she hadn't even been here long before she collapsed right inside Hawk Fort!
And worse still… someone had…
Just the memory of what happened before she blacked out made her expression darken. Her brows pinched together and her lips pouted angrily as she slammed her fist on the bed frame.
When I recover… you're going to pay for that!
Then, with a wince, she clutched her aching body.
"Ow, ow…"
Knock knock knock.
There was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Lux called warily.
"Rus Claydon," came a deep, magnetic voice through the door. "Revered Priestess Lux, may I come in?"
His voice was steady, his word choice polite and well-measured—putting her somewhat at ease.
"…Yes, please come in."
The door opened, and a tall, handsome man entered the room, pushing a small meal cart. His face bore a warm and sincere smile, and his eyes—dark and clear like polished black crystal—gave off a naturally trustworthy aura.
He looks familiar… Have I seen him somewhere before?
Before she could remember, he had already wheeled the cart up to her bedside.
He lifted the lid, and steam gently rose to reveal: freshly toasted white bread, a bowl of warm oatmeal, a cup of milk topped with a creamy layer, and thinly sliced, perfectly pan-fried bacon.
The aroma instantly captured Lux's full attention, pushing aside all suspicion and concern.
She had been unconscious for two days. She was starving.
Rus carefully adjusted the cart so it served as a stable dining table. Then, with elegant precision, he helped her tie on a napkin.
"Thank the Lord of Light for this blessing," Lux murmured in prayer before beginning her first breakfast at Hawk Fort.
Rus simply stood by and watched.
Even famished, a beauty was still a beauty. Lux's table manners remained graceful—eating in clean, composed motions.
Her slender fingers deftly cut a piece of bread, wrapped it in a slice of bacon, and gently placed it in her mouth with a silver spoon.
As the rich aroma of meat and grains filled her senses, Lux's expression melted into pure satisfaction. Her eyes curved into crescents, her lashes trembling with joy.
She ate elegantly, but not slowly. The breakfast was gone in short order.
"Thank you," she said at last, placing her cutlery neatly on the tray and dabbing her lips with the napkin. "Apologies—I was truly hungry."
"I'm glad you liked it," Rus said with a smile. "There's more in the kitchen if you'd like—"
"No need," Lux cut him off politely. Then she slowly raised her head and asked, "I was quite rude earlier. Since your surname is Claydon… may I ask your relation to Lord Donald?"
"I'm his nephew."
"Ah, that makes sense…" Lux nodded, realization dawning. "No wonder you looked so familiar."
Rus stiffened slightly.
Wait… did she actually forget what happened that night?
Surely no one could be that dense?
Or was she pretending? Playing dumb to lure him into letting his guard down—planning to report him once she returned to the church?
Just to be sure, Rus tested the waters: "Miss Lux, do you remember anything about what happened before you lost consciousness?"
"Before I passed out…" Lux gently rubbed her temple with a pale, jade-like finger. "I remember Lord Donald inviting me to examine a magical artifact. We went into a private chamber. I drank a cup of tea… and then everything went black."
Her brows furrowed deeper as the memory returned—and with it, her anger.
She was a theurgist. A priestess of the Church of Light. Her body was meant to be a vessel of holy purity!
But that bastard… that beast… had dared do that to her.
Unforgivable!
She'd never forget that man's face—black hair, dark eyes, sharp nose… similar to Rus, yes, but far more lecherous, sleazy-looking to the core.
Wait a second—he looked like…
Her eyes widened.
"…It was you!"
Rus blinked. Seriously? She only just remembered now?
Was she really so hungry her brain stopped working?
"Priestess Lux, please—let me explain—"
"Oh Great Lord of Light, allow me to call upon Your divine grace—!"
Holy light began to glow in her hands. Rus could only sigh, but this time, he wasn't panicking. Calmly, he began counting on his fingers.
"Three… two… one—"
Thud.
Lux collapsed onto the bed, unconscious again.
He had activated the Eye of Truth the moment he entered. It was clear as day—her energy reserves hadn't recovered. Trying to cast a spell was bound to knock her out cold.
If nothing else, she was incredibly… straightforward.
Now, Rus had a clearer picture of her disposition—and a firmer grasp on how to use it.
A few minutes later, Lux stirred awake.
Seeing Rus still sitting by the bed, she yelped, "Ah! Don't come near me! I—I demand to see Lord Donald!"
Rus's face fell with practiced grief, his voice low and heavy.
"Uncle Donald… passed away."
"What?!" Lux sat up in shock. "How… how could that be?"
"It seems you really don't remember," Rus sighed. "It was a tragedy."
"You probably know that my uncle cultivated Bloodforce Qi. And as you're well aware, energy alignment often affects a cultivator's mind and temperament."
Lux slowly nodded.
According to Church doctrine, positive energies nurtured kindness and stability, while negative energies could lead to cruelty, obsession… even madness.
As a priestess, she firmly believed it.
"My poor Uncle Donald…" Rus murmured, wiping his eyes to produce two well-timed tears. "That night, his Bloodforce went berserk. He struck you down—and I arrived just in time…"
Lux blinked in confusion. "Wait—you saved me?"
"No, as much as I'd like to say that," Rus shook his head. "I'm just an ordinary man. Uncle Donald was a Tier 2 Extraordinary—there's no way I could've fought him. His eyes were glowing red, and his whole body burned with a cloak of raging aura…"
At this, Rus paused, his face taking on a look of thoughtful confusion.
"But the strange thing is… he could've easily killed both you and me. But he didn't. He just stood there—fighting against himself. His left hand and right hand were literally wrestling with each other."
"He looked at me and said…" Rus swallowed hard, as if recalling something painful. "He said, 'Grr… kill me!'"
"I couldn't do it. He was my uncle!"
"Maybe he saw that hesitation. He threw his sword at my feet and said to me… he said…"
Lux was completely hooked, eyes wide as she leaned in. "What did he say?"
Rus pressed his fingers hard against his brow, as if digging through an agonizing memory.
"'Rus, I know you're a kind, innocent child.'"
"'But as a noble, you carry the honor and future of the Claydon family on your shoulders.'"
"'I was never a good guardian. Under my rule, the Hawk Domain has declined. And now, I'm about to commit an unforgivable sin—killing a priestess of the Light!'"
"'You must end my madness. End my sin.'"
"'Take up the sword! For the glory of the Claydon family—kill me!'"
By now, tears were streaming freely down Rus's cheeks—because digging his nails into his palm actually hurt like hell.
Lux was utterly captivated. Her sapphire-like eyes shimmered with emotion, and she wiped away tears from her cheeks. "Oh… the great Lord Donald. He truly was a remarkable man. So few can resist the madness brought on by a raging aura."
Thud.
Rus dropped to one knee. "Priestess Lux, I must confess my sins! He was my uncle, and yet… and yet I took up that sword, and I…"
"Please—judge me in the name of the Church of Light!"
Lux shook her head, her voice gentle. "No, Lord Rus. This was not your fault—"
"It was my fault!" Rus shouted, cutting her off. "I not only killed Uncle Donald, I also concealed the truth of his death to inherit the title. I even kept you here in the castle and failed to report the incident to the Church!"
"These are my sins!"
Looking at Rus's tear-streaked face, Lux suddenly felt a deep pang of guilt.
She hadn't realized this pure-hearted young man was carrying such a terrible secret. Killing his own uncle—how horrific must that have been?
And yet, to fulfill his uncle's last wish, he had kept the truth buried, enduring it alone.
She could picture it now: Rus pretending Donald had died naturally, rejecting all requests to view the body, facing suspicion and scorn from relatives, branded cold-blooded, selfish, greedy—all to protect Donald's legacy.
What a noble, tragic soul.
And she? She had misjudged him. Thought he had impure intentions toward her. But if he truly meant her harm… would she really be lying here unharmed?
"Oh, poor Rus," Lux whispered.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders like a nun comforting a child scolded by the abbess, pulling him gently into her embrace.
"This is not your fault. You protected Baron Donald's reputation. You fulfilled his final wish. You hurt no innocent soul."
"Cry if you must. The merciful Lord of Light will forgive all your sins."
Rus stopped breathing for a moment.
Her embrace was vast—like the sea itself.
But warmer, softer, and fragrant with the scent of innocence only a girl like her could possess.
He inhaled deeply, and let out a soft sob.
Ten minutes later, Rus slowly lifted his head, his eyes clearer than ever.
"Priestess Lux… thank you for your compassion and understanding."
"I'll reveal the truth of my uncle's death to the world. I can't live in shame, not under the Light's teachings."
But Lux gently shook her head.
"No, Lord Rus. You mustn't."
"Baron Donald used the last of his willpower to protect my life—and the Claydon family's honor. I won't allow his final wish to be dishonored. His reputation must be preserved."
Rus looked deeply moved, but still hesitated. "But… doesn't that go against the teachings of the Light?"
"To bring joy and peace to the faithful is the will of the Light," Lux said firmly. "And as a servant of His will, it is my duty to carry that out."
She extended her hand solemnly. "I will share the burden of this sin with you."
Sunlight poured through the window, illuminating her face. In that moment, she looked pure, radiant—holy.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, Rus felt a flicker of real guilt.
This was the first time someone had offered him sincere help—not out of self-interest, but true faith and kindness.
He couldn't tell her the truth. Not yet.
But he would remember this moment—and find a way to repay her one day.
"Thank you for your trust, Priestess Lux." He took her hand and performed a proper kiss on her fingers.
This time, he resisted every instinct to flirt.
The heavy mood finally dissolved.
Lux smiled. "Since Lord Donald has passed, then you will be the next Baron. As Hawk Town's official priestess, I imagine we'll have many opportunities to… share this burden."
"I look forward to it," Rus replied. "But I've only just arrived in the domain. Is there anything important I should be aware of?"
"I don't know much about territory management myself," Lux said thoughtfully. "You'd be better off asking Steward Gordon about that."
"However… There is one thing. In two months, the Bloody Highlands to the west will enter their rainy season. That's when raiders and bandits usually come down to plunder supplies and wealth."
"Back when Baron Donald was here, no one dared make a move. But now… I suggest reinforcing the domain's defenses."
Rus nodded solemnly. "Thank you. I'll go speak with Mr. Gordon right away."
"I'll be taking my leave as well," Lux said, now able to stand with the help of the bed. "As a priestess, I must return to my duties as soon as I'm able."
"Allow me to escort you."
A few minutes later, Rus stood at the castle gate, watching Lux walk away from Hawk Fort.
At last, the final obstacle Donald had left behind was gone.
It was time to begin building his future.
"Mr. Gordon," he said, turning back toward the halls, "bring Eric to me."