With the sky full of stars, Gray finally set out on his way back.
He rode his horse quietly all the way, silently watching the busy people around him.
*Night had fallen over Saint Lorenza, revealing an extreme polarity. Some streets were void of people, silent and still, with only the glow of the residents’ lights illuminating the desolate streets. Occasionally, there were sounds of a ruckus or laughter.*
Entering the bustling area presented a completely different scene.
Fire pits burning with sparks, rising black smoke. People coming and going endlessly. Street vendors calling out, the noise of haggling, arguments. The streets were still crowded with people. Except for the darkness and the fire pits lighting up, it seemed no different from daytime.
Gray rode his horse quietly, silently watching.
"What should we do?" the Black Cat said softly, "Actually, you should be asking this question, but since you haven’t, I had to ask it. They’re planning to reveal your identity as a Lich, what shall we do?"
Gray continued to ride his horse quietly.
"A Lich usually remains silent and does nothing; it means they’re thinking," Vivian said, "But aren’t you going to tell us what you’re thinking about?"
*After a long while of silence, Gray responded softly, "It’s nothing. Actually, I think I’m just revisiting past thoughts. Of course, there are some new ideas. They’ve been planning to reveal me... We anticipated this over two years ago. The Holy Father choosing not to reveal immediately was the real surprise for us."*
"What are the new ideas? What are they?"
*"I’m surprised whether people really hate Liches that much. Well, that’s not something new either. We knew that long ago. But what have Liches done to make them so hated?"*
"Consorting with death? That’s probably it. I think it’s not so much hatred as fear. Fear of death, which translates to fear of Liches."
*"Because of doctrine, of course, but it’s more because of the fear of death," Vivian said softly, floating around Gray. "Perhaps you can’t understand this feeling, because Liches don’t fear death. Humans are a species that appears weak but is indeed quite terrifying. They fear death; hence, the Church uses death to guide them. Hell does the same, and it has almost become a consensus. Thus, Liches became the scapegoats."*
Gray was silent again.
"These fools, do they know who they’re provoking?" the Black Cat said, "Maybe we should use the Demon Lord’s power. We have the capability to control the Church in a short time, then appoint ourselves. You will never die, and thus, it all ends."
"But that would just be replacing one tyranny with another," Gray answered weakly, "That’s not justice we seek."
*"But the justice you seek will be your demise. If your identity is revealed, according to the agreement with the Holy Spirit, they will immediately strip you of your Holy Knight status and launch an assault. At the same time, a Lich Knight whose identity is exposed would lose its usefulness, and the Demon Lord will abandon you. Thus, we won’t even be able to use the Demon Lord’s power to resist. Remember what happened in Buck Town? Four Holy Knights against one. Without the Demon Lord’s intervention, our current power isn’t much stronger than before."*
*"But what about those who follow you? If you’re defeated, their fate certainly won’t be good. And Shelley, Richie. Have you considered them? Although I hate to admit it, sometimes I do support the Holy Father’s view. There’s only justice in the process, not the result... Is this truly defending justice?"*
"What about the Demon Lord’s power?"
"We use the Demon Lord’s power, knowing full well what the Demon Lord wants. That is not a just result. If our process isn’t just, then we lose both the result and the process of justice. Surely, maybe we’ve already lost it. In that case, what’s the point of our efforts?"
*Vivian and the Black Cat fell silent suddenly.*
*"I have never escaped the initial doubt," Gray said softly, "In the course of pursuing justice, the farther I go, the more I carry. See these people around. Each one of them has their own life, their unique life trajectory. If I step into their lives, bearing my beliefs to change theirs, I then become responsible for their lives. But can I truly bear that responsibility? I know this is a form of evasion, but I must contemplate it."*
On the noisy street, Gray continued to walk quietly.
After a long time, the Black Cat could only comment, "I think the Holy Father has already influenced you. Justice in your heart is becoming heavier. Well, you think for yourself, I believe no matter how tough it gets, everything will pass."
"Mom, why doesn’t dad just kill those Church bastards?"
Little Richie suddenly blurted out during dinner, stunning Shelley. Hidden in the shadows, Catherine and Abod were equally shocked.
"Who taught you to say that?" Shelley widened her eyes.
"No... nobody taught me, I thought of it myself," Little Richie said, lowering his head in grievance.