"Do you think I should go?" Gray asked the Black Cat, Catherine, and Vivian.
"I think it’s best if you go. The threat in the letter is too obvious," the Black Cat replied.
"I also think you should go," Catherine said, "according to your pact with the Holy Spirit. If the humans launch a crusade after learning your true identity as a Lich, then Heaven will also crusade against you. At that time, whether the Demon Lord’s power can help is still unknown. Even if it can, you won’t be able to rely on borrowed power to defeat the Holy Spirit."
"Is the Holy Spirit certain to crusade against me?" Gray asked.
"Definitely. It’s a decision, not something any single Holy Spirit can change. It even resembles a covenant."
"I hope you understand one thing," Catherine added, "if your identity is revealed and the humans launch a crusade, and then Heaven joins the crusade, everything you’ve done will be invalidated. Not only can you not move forward, but everything you’ve done before will be nullified. Do you want that?"
"I don’t want that, but..." Gray didn’t continue; he merely stood silently, a bit dazed as his soul flame flickered quietly.
After a while, Gray said softly, "I’ll go take care of my own matters first."
With that, Gray turned and left his room, closing the door behind him.
The room was left with only Catherine, the Black Cat, and Vivian, who had been silent throughout.
"This is very bad, isn’t it?" Catherine said softly, "You all have been encouraging Gray to fight against injustice. Yes, I know he has enough power. Fighting evil is a very commendable thing. But... Gray is ultimately a Lich. That’s his biggest problem. Once revealed, everything ends. How could it feel good to realize that one’s identity is the biggest obstacle to justice?"
"I don’t understand what you’re saying!" Vivian retorted in a huff, "Gray can defeat Heaven’s crusade, and even if he can’t win, he can at least break even."
"Really? Are you sure about that? Can Gray do it without the Demon Lord’s support?"
"The Demon Lord will definitely support him!"
"Why would the Demon Lord support him? Because he’s a Lich, an outcast, who can cause a schism in the Church. But what if Gray revitalizes the Church instead? Will the Demon Lord still support him? What if the Holy Spirit’s goal is to revitalize the Church? Which side will Gray stand on then? Will Gray help the Demon Lord or the Holy Spirit? Will he become a pawn for the Holy Spirit? Have you thought about that?"
Vivian was at a loss for words after a barrage of questions. The Black Cat listened quietly.
Catherine continued, "’Free things are the most expensive.’ Isn’t that one of your demons’ sayings? The Demon Lord lent Gray his power, asking for nothing in return. But is it really free? By lending Gray his power, the Demon Lord also cast a spell on Gray—he absolutely cannot lose, he cannot even defy the Demon Lord’s will. If he loses or defies the Demon Lord, everyone standing with him will suffer. The more brilliant today’s success, the more vicious tomorrow’s backlash. And the Demon Lord holds the power to strip away Gray’s foundation of success at any time. How do you think Gray should face this? Bow to the Demon Lord because of his identity as a Lich and abandon the justice he has been tirelessly pursuing, or ignore the fate of those close to him? This isn’t just his problem."
Vivian fell completely silent, wide-eyed and panicked.
"This is only the beginning. Gray must decide whether to drop everything to meet with Cedric V immediately or continue with his plans and take a huge risk. In this game, both the Demon Lord and the Holy Spirit are far beyond us in skill. Gray wants to deliver justice to everyone, but who will deliver justice to Gray?"
The Black Cat and Catherine exchanged silent glances, while Vivian remained wide-eyed.
After a long pause, Catherine sighed softly, "If possible, I wish Gray would stop now. I know this isn’t something an Angel should say, but I really think so. I know he won’t agree, and you... should not encourage him to be radical."
Time passed, with a stillness like the calm before a storm.
On the Keltos Continent, everyone and every creature continued with their lives. Willing or not, "tomorrow" will ultimately come.
Gray did not drop everything as Cedric V requested and immediately head to Black Dragon City, the capital of the Gustav Empire.
"I will not abandon what I should be doing to go to Black Dragon City for personal reasons. Undoubtedly, awaiting me there will be a secret agreement. If I agree to it, then what difference is there between me and the Cardinal Court I’ve judged? Faith is the cornerstone of it all. If I can’t uphold the baseline of faith, then I can’t uphold anything."
*Yes, if moving forward step by step is for the purpose of compromise, then what is the point of everything done before? Why not quietly and cleanly remain a Lich?*
Thus, amidst the stillness, undercurrents began to flow once more.
As Gray continued his judgment of the Cardinal Court, pirated copies of "The Lich Knight" began to appear one by one in the market. These books were not sold, for no one wanted to buy them. Gray’s opponents distributed them for free. "Holy Knight Gray, who never removes his mask, is actually a Lich." Such rumors began to spread in various places.