A shadow slipped silently over the high walls of the Lawrence family estate, disappearing into the dense northern woods under the cover of night.
The forest at night was a world of its own—shrouded in an ink-black darkness with only sparse moonlight filtering through the leaves, scattering broken patches of light that danced in the cold wind. The faint rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of twigs seemed to whisper of unseen dangers lurking just out of sight.
Luo Wenkai navigated the treacherous terrain with the grace of a feline, his steps deliberate and soundless. He avoided brittle branches and dried leaves that might betray his position. Behind him, faint echoes of pursuit broke the silence—a low shout here, the muffled clink of armor there—growing clearer in the stillness of the forest.
A sudden flurry of wings startled him as an owl took flight from a nearby branch, scattering dry leaves in its wake. Luo Wenkai froze mid-step, his breath catching as his sharp eyes scanned the dark surroundings. The forest air carried the faint scent of earth and greenery, but there was also a subtle metallic tang—the unmistakable sound of swords being unsheathed.
His brow furrowed as he crouched low, pressing his back against the gnarled trunk of a massive tree. Holding his staff tightly, he stilled his breath and waited until the faint noises faded. Only then did he emerge cautiously from the shadows.
Carefully covering his tracks as he pressed deeper into the woods, Luo Wenkai’s mind remained sharp despite the weight of the bounty he carried—both literal and metaphorical.
Having just made a fortune selling "holy water" to the gullible townsfolk, he couldn’t help but feel smug. Copper coins may not match the allure of silver drachmas or gold marks, but when they piled up? They could weigh just as heavy.
Pausing to check his backtrail, Luo Wenkai’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden vibration from the pouch strapped to his waist.
“Alright, alright! I get it!” he muttered irritably, yanking the pouch free and uncorking it with practiced ease. A swirl of pale purple mist spilled out, coalescing into the tiny figure of a sulking demoness—none other than the mischievous Lilith.
Perched indignantly on his shoulders, she tugged at his hair and ears, her voice rising in a furious tirade. “You brute! Do you have any idea how much that hurt?!”
“You’re one to talk!” Luo Wenkai shot back, his patience wearing thin. “How many times have I told you? When I throw the holy water, you immediately pop out. Not too early, not too late. Is that too much to ask?”
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Lilith puffed out her cheeks in defiance. “Well, excuse me for dozing off! Maybe if your so-called ‘rituals’ didn’t take forever, I wouldn’t fall asleep!”
“Dozing off? You’re a succubus for crying out loud! What kind of self-respecting demon falls asleep at night? Shameful! Absolutely disgraceful!”
Flushed with embarrassment, Lilith pointed an accusing finger at him. “And you call yourself a Holy Knight?! You’re the most disgraceful of all! A so-called champion of light who badmouths the Goddess every chance you get—and yet, you invoke her name so devoutly when making your ‘holy water!’ Hypocrite!”
“Business is business, darling,” Luo Wenkai replied with a dismissive wave. “The Holy Light Goddess is just the figurehead of the company. I’m just a hardworking employee doing fieldwork. The money goes to me, and the blame? Well, that’s hers to shoulder. It’s called ‘delegation,’ look it up.”
“Delegation?! You absolute scoundrel! I’ll bite you to death!” Lilith screeched, her sharp teeth snapping at his ear.
“Alright, that’s enough!” Luo Wenkai snarled, shoving her back. “Put your foot near my face again, and you’ll regret it!”
Suddenly, a sharp whoosh cut through the air. Luo Wenkai’s reflexes kicked in, his hand darting out to catch the arrow mere inches from Lilith’s head. He sighed, shoving the squirming demon under his arm.
“We’ve got company,” he said calmly, his eyes narrowing as armored soldiers emerged from the darkness, surrounding him in a tight circle.
From the crowd stepped none other than Vera and her black-robed mentor, Havel, their faces alight with triumph.
“See, teacher? Just as you predicted, he’s running away tonight,” Vera said with a smug grin.
Luo Wenkai, still clutching Lilith like a misbehaving pet, chuckled. “Miss Vera, let’s not be so dramatic. ‘Running away’ is such an ugly phrase. I prefer to call it ‘quietly taking my leave after a job well done.’ Your estate’s safe now, but there’s a whole wide world out there begging for my help.”
Vera’s lips curled into a cold sneer. “Help? You mean more lies and cons, don’t you, Luo Wenkai? Or should I address you properly… Saint Luo Wenkai?”
The light in Luo Wenkai’s eyes dimmed, his casual grin tightening into a sharp edge. “You… dug into my past?”
“Saint Luo Wenkai,” Vera began, her voice dripping with venom. “One of the five candidates for Holy Son, heralded as the prodigy with perfect light-element affinity. Five years ago, you appeared in the Holy City like a bolt of lightning, earning the favor of both the Pope and the legendary knight, Constantine.
“In two short years, you gained countless titles: ‘Disgrace of the Holy Knights,’ ‘Tarnished Light,’ ‘Holy Sin,’ and ‘The Unforgivable One.’ Three years ago, during the Sacred Advent Festival, you committed blasphemy against the Goddess herself, leading to your exile and a cataclysm-level bounty from the Tribunal.”
Luo Wenkai feigned a yawn, sticking a finger in his ear. “Wow, you’ve really done your homework. So? What now? Planning to cash me in for the reward?”
Vera’s grip tightened on her staff, her eyes blazing with fury. “You’ve defiled the name of the Holy Knights, colluded with demons, and swindled innocent people! I’ll not only drag you back to the Holy City but make you return every copper you’ve stolen!”
“Excuse me?” Luo Wenkai retorted, his grin returning. “I only sell authentic holy water, thank you very much. If you don’t know quality when you see it, that’s on you.”
Vera’s face darkened. “Guards, seize him!”