Shuai Chang was overjoyed and stood up, performing a knightly salute. “I will protect you well on this journey.”
In the original plot, Ahiborn also made the same promise as they walked to their first destination, Kane Town. Using the power of light, Ahiborn healed the residents afflicted by the witch’s disease. However, while healing the last infected boy, the disease mutated and unexpectedly invaded Ahiborn’s body.
Ahiborn was the Son of Light; no matter how powerful dark magic was, it could not corrupt his body. Yet the evil energy that invaded him managed to survive under the power of light, leading Ahiborn to suspect something unusual.
Enduring his discomfort, Ahiborn healed the boy and then had Austin take him back to his room.
The Dark Lord had already taken a liking to Ahiborn’s beauty, and when Ahiborn blushed and moaned due to the strange energy, the Dark Lord wasted no time, directly consuming him using his own form.
Douglas Gale lured the Holy Son step by step into the abyss, ultimately revealing his true form directly before Ahiborn after detaching from Austin’s spiritual body. Unable to bear the shocking truth, Ahiborn felt his body, tainted by the Dark Lord, was polluted, leading him to self-immolate.
Without the Holy Son, the church was vulnerable; after its collapse, no one could stop the spread of darkness. The Dark Lord Douglas Gale led the dark mages to unify the continent of Hughes.
Shuai Chang possessed Douglas Gale’s memories and knew that the spreading witch’s disease on the continent of Hughes was not cast by dark mages, as Douglas Gale would never allow the dark mages to be unjustly accused.
He decided to personally investigate the truth. As soon as he exited the Dark Empire, he ran into Ahiborn and his companions. The church and the Dark Empire were eternal enemies, and Douglas Gale killed seven shield knights on a whim but spared Ahiborn and Austin after being captivated by Ahiborn’s beautiful face.
Shuai Chang decided to take things one step at a time. The identities of him and Ahiborn destined their romance to be fraught with challenges. How to make Ahiborn, the Son of Light, accept the power of darkness was the most troubling issue.
He first followed Ahiborn under Austin’s identity, waiting for the right moment to present the fact that darkness did not equate to evil, believing his beloved would not be too stubborn.
Shuai Chang and Ahiborn traveled day and night, finally arriving in Kane Town the next afternoon.
Tall stone houses lined the streets, and there were few people in sight. Each household had their doors and windows tightly shut, and it was almost impossible to see anyone walking outside.
Word of the Holy Son’s arrival to save them had spread everywhere. Ahiborn’s attire and the warm light radiating from him were evident from a distance.
The two lingered on the streets for a while, and finally, a bold red-haired boy opened the door and approached them. “Are you His Highness, the Holy Son?”
Shuai Chang stood next to Ahiborn cautiously. A gust of wind blew, causing Ahiborn’s large satin robe to flow in the air, and his golden hair brushed against Shuai Chang’s cheek. With a pure smile, he nodded, “May the Father of Light grant his blessings.”
The red-haired boy’s eyes lit up. “It really is His Highness the Holy Son.” While it would be disrespectful for others to call the Light God “Father,” those who did would be burned by the flames released by the Light God.
“Everyone, come out! It’s the Holy Son! His Highness the Holy Son has arrived!” The red-haired boy ran to spread the news.
Soon, those who heard the word opened their doors and windows, and within no time, Ahiborn was surrounded by the residents of Kane Town.
Shuai Chang, using the aura of Austin’s fighting spirit, spoke in a deep voice, “Please be quiet. The Holy Son will bestow the divine radiance of the Father of Light to dispel the evil. Everyone, stand still, close your eyes, and do not speak.”
His voice struck like lightning in their hearts, calming the excited residents. They began to follow his instructions, standing still and closing their eyes.
Ahiborn nodded appreciatively at Shuai Chang, raising his head to recite strange syllables, his rhythmic tone flowing from his mouth, surrounding him with a holy radiance.
The residents of Kane Town relaxed under the warm light, and the faint black mist around them dissipated. When they opened their eyes, peaceful smiles adorned their faces.
“Thank you, Your Highness the Holy Son,” the crowd bowed in gratitude, led by the red-haired boy.
The boy approached Ahiborn and introduced himself, “Your Highness the Holy Son, my name is Anserel, and I am a junior fire mage.”
Mages are classified into seven ranks: magic apprentice, junior mage, intermediate mage, senior mage, magic tutor, great magic tutor, and holy magic tutor. As the Holy Son, Ahiborn was the only Holy Magic Tutor of Light in the continent of Hughes.
“Hello, Anserel.”
Anserel curiously looked at the man in armor who stood loyally by Ahiborn’s side. “Sir Knight, were you using aura just now?” Though the knight had spoken softly, his voice carried great authority.
Shuai Chang remained silent.
Ahiborn explained for him, “Austin doesn’t like to talk. He possesses strong fighting spirit and is one of the eight shield knights of the church.”
Knights are graded into seven levels, similar to mages, with shield knights ranked lower than sword knights and holy knights.
Anserel’s eyes brightened, clearly showing interest in Austin.
Ahiborn felt a bit uncomfortable, attributing it to having exhausted too much light energy.
Austin pursed his lips into a straight line and looked at Ahiborn seriously. “I am your guardian knight.”
This time, he used his fighting spirit as well. Everyone in the room heard it, and some praised the pair’s compatibility. Ahiborn’s face flushed, revealing a hint of embarrassment.
Anserel had a slight fondness for Austin, but since Austin had chosen Ahiborn, he could not become anyone else’s guardian knight unless Ahiborn married someone else or died.
Anserel shook his head regretfully.
“Your Highness the Holy Son, let me take you to meet the mayor. Those completely infected with the witch’s disease are quarantined outside the town. The mayor goes there every morning to distribute the Holy Spring to prevent the further spread of the disease. He should have returned by now.”