Chapter 674: Volume Nineteen: Lost Horizon - Four: Calamity
"Lord Noyola, I regret that we have met under such circumstances. Fate is indeed unpredictable, it seems we’re destined to cross paths," Rebry had fully regained his usual carefree demeanor, casually shaking his mage robe. The scepter in his hand had already silently slipped into his grasp. Facing powerhouses like Noyola and Lorenzo, no overlord on the Continent would dare to underestimate them. They represent the highest law enforcement authority of the Church of Light in the mortal world; whoever dares to provoke them, they can cast into the Abyss.
"Why? Why must it be this way, Rebry? Couldn’t we have avoided this? We didn’t wish to meet like this, but why do you continually defy the rules and provoke our bottom line?" Lorenzo had a look of pity on his face, yet the flicker of excitement in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts. It had been a long time since he encountered a worthy opponent. To cross wits with the former star of the Church of Light was not a vain trip to the Caucasus after all.
"Lord Lorenzo, I must say your words are problematic. Bottom line? What is a bottom line? Are the rules and bottom lines set by you meant to disdain all the laws of the world? Are all things in the world expected to operate and live according to your intentions? If you want us to live, we live; if you want us to die, we die—is that the rule and bottom line you set?" Rebry’s face seemed to lose some of its wrinkles, and a strange smile spread across his radiant face, "I do not intend to comply, and many others don’t either."
"Hmph, Rebry, you should be aware of the laws of the Church of Light," Lorenzo’s face turned somber, but was immediately interrupted by Komer who had been silent until now, "Is it that those who are with me thrive, and those against me perish?"
"Insolent! Are you that lord from the Caucasus, Viscount Komer? Don’t you realize that the citizens in your territory are being led step by step toward the Dark Abyss under your leadership? I cannot fathom why an aristocratic child like you would fall so low. Could it be that illegitimate lineage lacks the resistance to filth and darkness? If so, that’s the misfortune of the Caucasus!" Lorenzo, clearly less cordial than Rebry, viewed everything as the fault of this damned small aristocrat. Eliminate the root of the problem, and all would be resolved.
The word ’illegitimate’ struck Komer’s heart like a whip, reopening long-sealed scars, with fresh blood seeping through. His face contorted with distortion, "Lorenzo, don’t presume because you belong to the Court you can decide everything. I will tell you, there are many things in the world that the Church of Light cannot know, and the Church does not cover the sky with one hand."
Having successfully ignited the opponent’s anger, Lorenzo’s expression became unusually mild and calm, he nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Ah, the fox’s tail finally comes out. Very well, I am also looking forward to your performance. Things that dare to blaspheme the God of Light, I will ensure you never find peace."
Noyola seemed not to hear the clash of words between Komer and Lorenzo, focusing more on Rebry, a Light Mage he had once valued greatly. But now, fate had brought them to this impasse. Caru had become a powerhouse in the Court, second only to himself and Lorenzo. Rebry, once Caru’s equal, was now overshadowed by darkness. Perhaps this time, he could help clear the dark dust shrouding Rebry’s soul, allowing him a rebirth.
"Rebry, must we take this step?" Seeing the defiant look in the other’s eyes, Noyola knew his words would be futile, but he still wanted to try, "Can we not resolve this in some other way?"
"Sorry, I don’t think we can, Noyola. You know that you and I have always stood our ground; no one can change me, just as I cannot change you." A similarly regretful smile appeared on his lips; Rebry finally revealed his magic wand from his sleeve.