Chapter 67: Let There Be Light
“You! Are! Talking! Complete! Nonsense!”
Cynthia roared each word, her voice echoing through the judgment hall. Her cheeks flushed red with fury, and blazing anger burned in her crimson eyes. But as soon as the words left her mouth, her expression suddenly froze—her heart began beating uncontrollably, and an unfamiliar warmth surged from her chest throughout her entire body.
(What am I… denying?)
(Why is it that whenever I think of him…)
(Could it be that I’ve… fallen for Sean?)
“Lady Cynthia, you were the one who asked me to present evidence just now.”
Ardur savored Cynthia’s ever-changing expressions, chuckling smugly. His voice suddenly turned serious as he spread his hands in a helpless gesture, though his eyes grew sharp as knives.
“Now that the evidence is conclusive, you claim it’s fake… So then, what evidence can you provide to prove he’s not a mental comfort ability user?”
Cynthia’s lips trembled slightly, but no sound came out. She bit down hard on her lower lip, tasting the metallic flavor of blood.
(What should I do… if they examine Sean’s body…)
Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Sean, her eyes full of self-blame and regret.
As long as this forbidden ability existed, even if Sean had no connection to the Ouroboros Cult, others would still be prejudiced and led astray by Ardur’s manipulations. That was his goal all along, and if that happened, it would be complete defeat.
(It’s all my fault for dragging him into this…)
Just then, Cynthia saw Sean wink at her, his lips curving into a reassuring smile that seemed to say, “Don’t worry, leave it to me.”
Cynthia’s pupils dilated slightly, a flash of bewilderment crossing her ruby-like eyes. Her slender fingers unconsciously twisted the iron chains of her shackles, her knuckles turning white from the pressure. How could this fool still be smiling at a time like this?
She stared at Sean’s smiling eyes, which held neither fear nor panic, only an inexplicable composure and confidence.
(Has he lost his mind?)
(Or does he… really have a plan?)
Cynthia’s brow furrowed unconsciously as she bit her lower lip with her teeth. She saw that faint smile playing at the corners of Sean’s mouth, like a gentle breeze across a lake in spring—gentle yet carrying undeniable power. This smile reminded her of that day on the battlefield when he had smiled at her just like this while extending his hand, and then—
(No, this isn’t the time to think about that!)
Her cheeks suddenly flushed with an almost imperceptible blush as she quickly looked away. But deep in her heart, she couldn’t help but feel a spark of anticipation, like seeing a single flame in the darkness.
Seeing Cynthia’s silence, Ardur turned toward Sean with satisfaction.
“Heretic.”
His voice was full of smug arrogance.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“Evidence?”
Sean calmly adjusted his sleeves, his movements as elegant as if he were preparing for afternoon tea. He asked softly, his voice as pleasant as a clear spring.
“Of course I do.”
Under everyone’s astonished gazes, Sean slowly raised his right hand. His slender fingers traced a graceful arc through the air, and suddenly a ball of pure light bloomed in his palm. The light was warm but not blinding, like the first rays of dawn, illuminating the entire dim judgment hall.
“This… this is…”
An elderly mage stood up trembling, his clouded eyes reflecting that sacred radiance.
“Light element!”
The audience erupted in gasps of amazement.
Ardur’s face instantly turned ugly, his lips trembling uncontrollably as his right hand unconsciously pressed against his sword hilt. Cynthia’s eyes widened, her ruby-like pupils filled with incredible light.
“Everyone, please look—what is this?”
Sean’s slender fingers gently cradled the ball of pure light, its glow flowing in his palm and illuminating his sharp Eastern features.
He tilted his head slightly, black hair sliding with the movement, his eyes holding a hint of amusement as the light orb danced lightly at his fingertips like a living sprite.
“Th-that’s light element!”
A noble lady in the audience suddenly stood up, her magic wand hitting the ground with a “thud.” Her trembling finger pointed at Sean.
“You’re actually a light attribute mage?!”
Sean’s lips curved slightly as he flicked his finger elegantly. The light orb transformed into a stream of light and merged into a nearby haggard-looking blue-robed mage. The man’s whole body shuddered, his previously dim eyes suddenly sparkled with vitality, and the tired wrinkles on his face visibly smoothed out.
“How do you feel?”
Sean asked softly, his voice like a spring breeze across a lake.
“Simply… refreshing! Like bathing in a sacred spring!”
The blue-robed mage moved his shoulders in disbelief, his voice trembling with excitement.
“This is just the most basic soothing effect of light magic. Everyone here who has attended the Light Saint’s mass knows this.”
Sean shrugged nonchalantly, his right hand lazily supporting his chin as his gaze locked onto Ardur with interest, his voice suddenly turning cold.
“If even this is to be classified as forbidden, then tell me, Mr. Ardur, what magic does the goddess allow?”
“Light element is the supreme element that directly connects to the goddess! There are no more than five light attribute mages on the entire continent!”
The judgment hall instantly erupted. Several high-ranking mages whispered among themselves, with one red-robed mage excitedly waving his arms.
“And they’re all women… a male light attribute mage is a once-in-a-century occurrence…”
Someone nearby added quietly.
Light element was considered to exist in direct connection to the Light Goddess—the highest existence among the basic elements—so light attribute mages were viewed as absolutely righteous.
The reason Heralith’s Holy Knight Order could use light attribute magic was because Heralith shared the goddess’s blessing with them. Apart from that saint surrounded by halos, no one present had really seen many other light attribute mages.
“I can testify! This is absolutely orthodox light magic! Completely different from those evil arts!”
The audience’s discussions grew louder as the blue-robed mage who had received the light orb treatment stood up, his voice booming.
Ardur’s expression kept changing, fine beads of sweat appearing at his temples. His slender fingers unconsciously rubbed the sword hilt as his lips pressed into a tight line. Just as he was racking his brains for a countermeasure, Sean suddenly stepped forward—he wouldn’t give this guy any time to react.
“I have a question I’d like to ask Mr. Ardur.”
Sean’s voice wasn’t loud, but it instantly silenced the entire judgment hall. He raised his hand, pointing at the still-lingering magical projection in the air.
“In this recording you so carefully prepared, when Lady Cynthia was in mortal danger, what were you doing?”
A sharp glint flashed in Sean’s dark eyes.
“Not only did you fail to help her, you hid in the shadows… recording?”
With each word, he took a step forward, his voice gradually rising.
“And now you’re using this recording to make a big fuss…”
The judgment hall fell silent as all eyes focused on Ardur. Sean suddenly stopped, a cold smile curving his lips.
“Let me make a bold guess—those magical beasts that attacked Lady Cynthia, they were arranged by you, weren’t they? When that plan failed, you came up with this poisonous scheme to frame her?”
Ardur’s face turned deathly pale. His right hand slammed onto the sword hilt, but under everyone’s watchful eyes, he forcibly stopped the motion. A drop of cold sweat slid down his temple, and in the deathly quiet judgment hall, that “drip” sound was clearly audible.
This mental comfort ability user was much smarter than he had imagined.