It was a whole day, and it wasn't until nightfall that Gray set out on his way back to the Lion King's Palace.

The silver moon hung high in the sky, the white-gray clouds were drifting, and the northern stars were faintly visible.

Lights have been turned on in every house. The lively streets have become deserted during the day, and every family has become warm again.

Gray rode his horse in line with the king's carriage. Or rather, the king's carriage chased his horse.

Yes, chase.

The king's face was a little ugly: "Did I offend him just now?"

"It should ...... Not really. ”

"Then why didn't he say a word and ignore me?

"This ...... Your Majesty, perhaps, the Paladin is such a character?"

The scene was very awkward, because Gray seemed to have no idea about the king's carriage walking beside him, and sometimes a turn of the card directly left the king with no way out. This tired the king's coachmen, and the guards who followed them.

At this moment, the king did not know that the two voices in Gray's head were arguing.

"Gray, I know you have a good idea. But I have to remind you that the chances of this dream coming true are almost zero. If you can do it, it means that the goal we have been pursuing for thousands of years, which is to make humanity truly accept the divine faith, has also been achieved. But 10,000 years have passed, and all we see is the constant distortion of the divine faith. We sing the praises of goodness, and as a result, they take advantage of our goodness. We fought against heresy, and as a result, everyone claimed to be a believer, and then continued to do things that were contrary to the doctrine, either openly or covertly. Even our clergy are complicit in them, and we can only acquiesce. Otherwise, the foundation of our faith in this world will collapse completely. It's like the story of Eberstald. ”

"No, Gray, I think your dream is great. That's what a knight should have dreamed of. If a paladin can't even stand upright in the sun, then what qualifies a paladin to call himself a paladin?"

"Are you egging him on?"

"Oh, I don't really understand, do you think there's anything wrong with a paladin's dreams being the same as the Holy Spirit's goals?"

"You're confusing concepts!"

"Really, tell me how I confused the concepts?"

"Gray, don't listen to her! she's a succubus, and she wants to lead you down the wrong path. She's on a mission to try to get you down! Don't believe anything she says!"

"Hehe, what do you think I'd do if I read all the words of the Bible tonight?"

"You!"

......

The palatial hall is brightly lit, and countless nobles and wealthy families gather.

Compared to the royal ball, this place is relatively small, but there are more people and it is bustling.

Duke Fernández raised his glass and greeted an elderly man in a fancy costume standing opposite, and said softly, "That one is the president of the Lion King Capital Chamber of Commerce. Not only the nobles, but also the richest merchants of the Lion King were all here. Even the chambers of commerce of neighboring countries have sent people. People with a lot of money are tired of mere material comforts, they need spiritual sublimation, and it would be great if they could get a certain title and promote to the nobility. It's okay to have no fiefdoms, after all, they are not short of money. Isn't it?"

Gray hair, fifty or sixty years old, a burly figure, a delicate mustache, a kind and friendly countenance, and elegant manners, these are the first impressions given by Duke Fernández. In fact, he was a notoriously good old man throughout the kingdom of Isaac. The tour is broad and the reviews are excellent. Before the Battle of Irene's White City, he was considered the head of the three major dukes of the kingdom of Isaac, second only to the old king in prestige.

Count Grugru, who was standing beside him, also raised his wine glass, greeted the old man in the distance, and asked softly: "Duke Fernandez has even invited merchants, the purpose of this ball is not simple, right?"

Duke Fernández looked at Count Grugrew and said with a smile: "Can't Count Grugrew understand what I mean?"

Count Gruglu shook his head and said, "However, Duke Beshire asked me to convey a word to Duke Fernández that she has no intention of claiming the throne and has no interest in infringing on the interests of the royal family. ”

Duke Fernández was stunned for a moment, but laughed slowly, and said, "Simple, direct." I like people like you, hahahaha. That's the good news. ”

Count Gruglu asked suspiciously, "Duke Fernández thinks this is good news?"

"Of course, isn't that good news, if Duke Beshir wants to take the throne, what else do we need us to do? We just need her to remain neutral. ”

But she wasn't prepared to remain neutral. ”

"What about you? are you ready to remain neutral?" said Duke Fernández meaningfully, "We can all see that Benedict II wants to win over Irene. But he doesn't seem to be very happy with the paladin's engagement to the Grugru. However, we feel that the attitude of the future father-in-law of the paladin is just as important as the attitude of the paladin's allegiance. ”

Count Gruglu was visibly stunned for a moment.

"Would you like to meet Duke Tangis?" asked Duke Fernández casually.

"Duke Tangis in the Lion King's Capital?" asked Count Glogru in a low voice.

"Yes, would you like to meet him? If it's you, I can introduce him. As he spoke, Duke Fernandez picked up his glass, smiled, and gave Count Grugrew a "you know" look: "Just now he told me that your granddaughter Shelley did not attend the afternoon tea party, he is very sorry, if I see you, I will be able to make up for this regret." ”

......

"That's not right, maybe I've become a pious succubus under your divine education? Are you so unconfident in yourself? I don't think there's anything wrong with his thinking, if a paladin's dream is not in line with the Holy Spirit's goals, then what right does he have to say he's religious?

"It's different! He's Gray! You're misleading him! People say that dreaming of the Spirit's goal is just a little bit of progress toward that goal! And you know Gray is really going to the finish line!"

"Oh, I see, your so-called sacred faith is just talking. Gray, do you want me to tell you about another faith? Unlike the Divine Faith, we are really ready to fulfill the faith! It's fun! You can do whatever you want!"

"You!"

Catherine was already panting with rage, but Vivien was getting happier the more noisy she was.

The black cat was silent.

Gray whispered, "Catherine, don't worry. ”

"Huh?"

"I'm not going to mess around. I knew it wouldn't be easy, so although I had the idea, I just asked the author to help me write the book, and I didn't directly reveal my identity. ”

"Seriously, I'm really glad you didn't reveal your identity directly. At least...... Things are still under control. ”

"Maybe that book will be popular? It's like when I read The Knight's Guide, and I'll love him no matter what the main character is. Because his chivalry is real, that's good enough, isn't it?"

"Gray, no one likes a novel in which a lich is the main character. Didn't you see the author's reaction? I never thought that such a book would sell well, I just hope you don't be too disappointed when it doesn't sell well. ”

Gray's soul fire flickered, and his mood was a little low.

"Really, what did you say this morning?" Vivien quickly interjected, "How can you believe that man said he had a brain problem this morning? Don't worry, Gray. I'm a big fan of books where the lich is the main character. ”

"Really?" Gray was overjoyed, and the fire in his soul suddenly flourished again.

"Of course it's true, your story is amazing!" Vivien said earnestly.

"Gray. Catherine was already a little frustrated: "I must remind you once again that it is better not to listen to the words of the devil!

"Isn't she right?"

She was ...... Gray, demons are the best at deceiving, and one of the most important of their tricks is to say half-truths and half-truths, so that you can't tell right from wrong. It can even be all true, but lead you to a bad end. ”

"I don't understand how the truth can lead people to a bad end. ”

"It's called a word of words! You know? They are everywhere! Even if you are devout in your desire for the light, they can take advantage of your desire for the light!"

Gray was silent for a long time, and then said softly, "This is my own decision, and it has nothing to do with her." ”

"This ......," Catherine didn't know what to say.

"Catherine, I assure you, I will never reveal my identity without complete certainty. Then, let's work together to stand in the sun one day, shall we?" asked Gray in a whisper.

This time it was Catherine's turn to be silent, and there was silence for a long time, and in the end, Catherine could only reply tiredly: "Okay. In any case, you can't reveal your identity yourself, you know, I won't care about anything else, but this one, you have to listen to me. ”

"Thank you, Catherine!" said Gray.

He's like a child, easily sad, easily lost, but also easily rejuvenated.

After a pause, Catherine said to Vivien, "Vivian, let's talk. ”

"Yes. Vivian replied cheerfully.

Two faint flashes of light, one white and one red, and Gray's mind fell completely silent.

"Black cat?"

"Huh?"

"Don't you have anything to say?"

"Actually, there are quite a lot, but I don't think I can convince myself...... Maybe you're right, like you did when you charged. So, forget it. ”

"Thank you. ”

Wandering, Gray rode on his horse. Next to the chariot chasing the king. And, of course, a whole bunch of guards.

The silver moon passed through the clouds, and the moonlight swayed down.

In this winter, the entire lion king is transformed into a beautiful picture. Cold, but dreamy nights.