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8.The Light of Salvation

The next day, Vera's face was grim as she hurried toward the dungeon.

Suspicion was like a seed; once planted, it grew uncontrollably.

Just earlier, she had caught a whiff of that strange stench on her teacher, Havier’s, clothes again.

Just as that man had said, the scent of death was so distinct that even though her teacher had used a lot of magical potions to mask it, it still couldn't be completely erased.

Taking advantage of Havier’s absence from the manor, she had started questioning and investigating all around.

The conclusion was clear—whether in terms of the time of the crime or the evidence, her teacher had significant suspicion of being involved in the murder!

When the facts were laid before her, Vera was stunned.

Her long-standing trust had prevented her from ever suspecting her teacher. Perhaps it was this trust that allowed the old mage to cover up the traces of his crime so carelessly.

But even so, Vera still refused to believe it. She didn’t even know why she was heading to the dungeon. Perhaps, she was hoping that the man’s sharp sarcasm would shatter the last of her remaining illusions.

In the dungeon, the dim light from the flames cast eerie shadows on the weathered walls. The damp air was thick with the stench of rot, making it hard to breathe. A group of prisoners slouched in the corners, their eyes hollow and full of apathy and resentment.

Loenke strolled in leisurely, clapping his hands lightly. The sound was crisp and laced with a touch of mockery. “Friends, wake up! I have a thrilling piece of news for you—your life can change right now!”

The prisoners burst out into derisive laughter. A burly man with a face full of scars raised his head, eyes filled with scorn. “Change? As if you could turn this miserable dungeon into a palace. Sir Paladin, are you insulting our intelligence?”

“A palace? Not quite,” Loenke squinted, a sly smile playing on his lips. “But making this place more comfortable than the shabby dog kennels you’ve been living in? Absolutely. The real question is—are you willing to bet on it?”

Another thin, gaunt prisoner sneered. “Bet? What’s the bet? In the end, it’s still us doing the work while you reap the rewards?”

Loenke laughed as if he had just heard the greatest joke, clapping his hands with exaggerated astonishment. “Wow, I didn’t know there was a genius hidden here! You’re absolutely right, it is you doing the work— but don’t underestimate the work itself. Sweeping floors, scrubbing walls—this isn’t just work, it’s a renovation of your lives.”

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“Life renovation?” The gaunt prisoner scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Renovation? Are you here to tell jokes?”

“Jokes? No, no, I’m here to speak the truth.” Loenke suddenly turned around, his eyes burning as he scanned each of them. “You’re stuck here, filled with complaints about the unfairness of life, but who said that prisoners have to live like dead dogs forever? Who said this place has to stink and be filthy? If life is a play, who decided you could only act in a tragedy?”

The burly man snorted. “Sounds good, but how do we know this isn’t just an excuse to get us to do the work for you?”

“Of course, it’s an excuse!” Loenke shamelessly admitted, his face breaking into a wild grin. “But the clever ones will hear the hidden meaning, and the fools will just keep circling in their doubts. Go ahead, stay lying down, let the stench of this place linger for another few years; or, you can stand up and try to turn this place into a new world with your own hands. The key is— I’m not asking you to work for someone else, I’m asking you to create something for yourselves!”

He walked to the center and pointed at the newly fixed skylight. A shaft of sunlight poured through, casting a golden glow over him, highlighting his handsome face as if it were bathed in divine light. He declared loudly, “See, this is the response of the Holy Light. If you’re willing to change, the light is right in front of you.”

The prisoners fell silent for a moment, their gazes complex. The burly man and the gaunt prisoner exchanged a glance. After a brief pause, they stood up, grabbed a nearby broom, and began to work. Slowly, the others joined in, though reluctantly, their hands still busy.

Loenke turned his back to them, a smug smile on his lips. He murmured softly, “The power of the Holy Light is truly not to be underestimated.” After a pause, he suddenly raised his voice, “Alright, gentlemen, no slacking off! Our goal today is to make this dungeon cleaner than the Earl’s bedroom! If you do a good job, I’ll teach you some Holy Light techniques that will have the guards calling you ‘big brother’!”

...

When Vera reached the entrance of the dungeon, she was completely stunned.

The dungeon? Where’s the dungeon? The Lawrence family’s grand dungeon was right here this morning!

How did it turn into a bustling construction site in just one morning?

Why had the originally narrow, gloomy entrance been expanded three times its size? Why were the guards sitting on stone benches with the prisoners, wiping sweat and chatting, laughing like it was any ordinary day?

Why were there people coming out of the passage carrying trash and debris, two by two, laughing and talking, full of energy?

Anyone who didn’t know would think they were renovating an underground palace, not a dungeon!

The dungeon guards saw Vera and quickly stood up to greet her. “Ah! Miss Vera, you’ve arrived! May the Holy Light bless you!”

The other prisoners and guards also bowed. “May the Holy Light protect you!”

Vera’s eyes went wide in disbelief. “Holy... Holy Light? Have you all become followers of the Holy Light now?”

Although the Holy Light faith was the state religion of the Estoria Kingdom, with most citizens worshiping the Goddess of Holy Light, the people before her should have been exceptions.

The dungeon guards were private soldiers of the Lawrence family, raised from childhood to only serve the family, and they worshiped the family itself, not the Holy Light.

As for the prisoners in the dungeon, if they were truly pious followers of the Holy Light, they wouldn’t have committed crimes that led them to be locked up.

Besides, everything had been normal here this morning!

The guards wore blissful smiles. “To be precise, it’s conversion!

We were originally followers of the Holy Light, we just didn’t realize it. It was Mr. Loenke who opened our eyes and brought us back to the Holy Light’s embrace, allowing us to rediscover our true selves.

Praise the Holy Light!”