Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 17 17. Well, this is truly the "Holy Spear"
When Dick opened his eyes, he was greeted by another unfamiliar ceiling.

The same golden material was dotted with gems, but compared to the hut he had lived in before, this room was obviously more "holy". Those Eredar craftsmen, full of artistic germs and bored to death, even added inscriptions praising their faith around the ceiling.

But what kind person would turn his or her ceiling into a work of art that would make people feel "free of distractions" at a glance?

This doesn't look like a serious place.

Then, through his still hazy hearing, Dick caught the sound of chanting from a distance, mixed with a strange, ethereal, and long-lasting rhythm. It made one feel warm, as if being bathed in sunlight.

Okay, crime solved.

I am in the Naaru Temple.

After all, there is no other creature in the entire physical universe that can imitate the unique "singing" of the "Holy Light Tangram".

Recalling the last scene before he fell into a coma, where he saw Old Velen purifying the Well of Fel, it meant that the first "Limited Time Event: Cult of the Enlighteners and Awakeners" instance he had experienced since crossing over was probably successfully concluded, and he had even found time to defeat the "World Boss" the uncontaminated Archimonde on the way.

However, considering that Archimonde's "ascension" to demonic status with or without the infusion of fel energy is a completely different concept, Dick thought hard and felt that Archimonde's "world boss" rating should be downgraded to "regional boss".

Judging from the overall strength, this is the best evaluation we can give.

After all, before he was promoted to a demon, Principal Archimonde was at most a legendary figure.

"I've defeated two bosses in a row, and also cleared a large lecture hall and a demon's first arrival dungeon. My level must have increased by at least one level, right?"

Dick rubbed his eyes and called out his "non-golden finger" translucent light curtain.

His body had recovered well now, at least much better than the useless state he was in when he first came here. After all, he was in the Temple of Naaru, and the healing and purification of pure holy light creatures were unique in the physical universe.

The only ones who can compete with Naaru in the healing field are the monsters in the life field.

Basically, as long as he is not crushed to pieces or turned into ashes on the spot, the magical Naaru has the means to rescue him.

"Swish"

As Dick, lying on the hospital bed, gazed expectantly, a flickering light curtain unfolded before his eyes.

Golden Eredar runes also emerged to form his own character attribute bar. This scene was quite design-conscious. I don't know who was so smart to come up with this and implant it in his mind.

He looked closely:
Name: Diakham Zastins

Nickname: "Holy Spear" Dick

Title: Primary Polluter Slayer (Slightly improves efficiency when purifying fel pollution)

Race: Eredar

Life level: mortal

Status: Weak [Holy Light Shining, Rapidly Recovering]

Occupation: Senior Garrison Officer/Air

Power belongs to: Holy Light Force

Force connection status: Normal (average level of individual race)

Power Path: Eredar race-specific class "Vindicator" (Warrior/Paladin hybrid class)
Power bias: Punishment/Sanction/Judgment
Force Morality: Hand of Fate (When in the 'Fate Choice' state, you can gain a temporary additional high-intensity Holy Light Force blessing in addition to your own Holy Light blessing.)
Racial talent: Slight
New personal talents added:

All Paladin class skills recorded in Echoes of Ashes are engraved and can be activated by mobilizing Holy Light during practice or actual combat.

Art of War: Through the understanding and study of the Holy Light's morality, you can open additional career slots and master other career paths under the Holy Light Force system.

The recommended second profession is [Priest].

Zealous Devotion: Due to the external strengthening state when regaining the blessing of Holy Light, the individual can accommodate more Radiant Energy/Holy Power than the average level of the same life level.

The current individual radiant energy pool is at 150% of the average level.

Holy Light Unsheathed: Grants the [Forge Light into Sword] skill, which can transform the scorching holy light into a temporary physical weapon, or can be used to temporarily "enchant" physical weapons with light.

Because Lightforged Armorers possess higher-than-average Radiant Energy pool reserves, they can consume more Radiant Energy/Holy Power in combat to temporarily enhance the effects of their professional skills.

Overview:

The lifelong enemy of wild dogs on the roadside.

Additional Tips:

I heard you killed Archimonde? Great! So who's the next important NPC to kill? I think old Velen would be a good fit. You know, everyone hates him for his indecisiveness that always ruins things at crucial moments.

Find an opportunity to kill him!
Then he took the opportunity to become Kil'jaeden's new male favorite, allowing the charm of hook literature to take root in the hot land of Argus.

Although this still cannot resist the incoming Dark Titan, at least it can give Lord Sargeras a good look before being crushed to death.

Listen to me, it’s right! 】

"Who are these people!"

Dick frowned as he finished reading the "extra advice". He wondered if the person who left him this message might be a pervert?
The touching friendship between the noble Archon Velen and the steadfast Lord Commander Kil'jaeden is something that no other Eredar man could ever replace, not even with a "Holy Lance."

However, apart from this damn extra suggestion, the comprehensive enhancement of the new attributes still made Dick feel somewhat secure.

The return and comprehensive enhancement of the garrison officer's professional skills finally gives him the strength to fight when facing danger, and the second career column given by the "Art of War" talent can also be used to great effect.

The combination of Paladin and Priest can definitely bring out a lot of new tricks.

Most importantly, the combination of the Paladin's frontal attack and the priest's super healing is enough to increase their combat effectiveness by 1+1>2.

Otherwise, with my current level where I can barely fight against the un-upgraded Sachir even with the "Idealism Cheat", I will be doomed if I really meet those opponents in the Dark Portal official history who are more perverted than the other.

However, Dick quickly noticed the "bad news" revealed in that rather unconventional additional suggestion.

"What do you mean by 'The Dark Titan is coming'?"

The senior garrison officer on the hospital bed frowned.

If this mysterious person who left a visual personal attribute on himself is truly powerful, then his seemingly playful joke should be full of warnings and deeper meaning. As we all know, those powerful people who don't speak properly and like to be riddlers have become a "classic character setting."

After receiving this unorthodox "prophecy", Dick was no longer in the mood to lie here and heal his wounds.

He climbed up despite his weak body, and left the room wearing a loose hospital gown. When he opened the door, he saw that the temple hall with marble columns was full of priests serving the Naaru.

They were holding a baptism ceremony of unprecedented scale. Many civilians and officials were chanting hymns in the hall and waiting patiently for their baptism ceremony to begin.

"Isn't this too exaggerated?"

Dick raised his eyebrows and said in surprise:

"Although the teachings of the Holy Light have been promoted in Eredar society for a thousand years and have become mainstream, I've never seen such a long queue for food in any temple."

"This is certainly not normal, but the reason may be related to the 'miracle' you participated in earlier."

A gentle and familiar voice sounded behind Dick.

He turned around and saw the high priestess Ms. Isana who had treated him before standing there with a smile on her face, leaning on the crystal staff.

Dick paid the lady the courtesy of a garrison officer, and then said earnestly:
"I haven't thanked you for saving me before, Priest Isana. It was because you used precious medicine to help me recover that I had enough strength to survive the disaster that followed. You saved me, twice!"

"I've never met another garrison officer who understands the art of language as well as you do. It's clearly just a normal treatment, but in your mouth, it becomes a favor that makes me feel uneasy."

Priest Ishana is quite talkative and can tell jokes.

This is normal.

She has served Narulula for many years. As one of the leaders of this temple, she has to deal with believers and officials. She is also a high-ranking priest who needs to participate in sermons.

In this position, you can't be bad at speaking.

In response to Dick's kind thanks, Ms. Ishana laughed crisply, and then motioned Dick to follow him, as if to take him to visit the temple of Narulula and explain his previous doubts to him during the tour.

"You have been resting in the temple for three days, but during these three days, the people of Mac'Aree have experienced a storm of faith. The residents of Oronaar witnessed the green fel energy that soared into the sky three days ago. At the moment of the people's greatest fear and anxiety, the brilliant holy light descended like salvation.

That's a miracle!

For both clergy and kind-hearted people who turn their hearts to the Holy Light, this is an undeniable miracle."

Ms. Isana walked in front, and Dick followed behind, but he couldn't help but look at the priest's little tail that kept wagging.

no way.

The tiny, cute and naughty little tail of the Eredar women is their "unique skill". Because it is too eye-catching, it is an important factor that leads countless lords to call Eredar women "little hooves".

And judging from the frequency of the wagging of the little tail decorated with rubies, Priest Ishana was obviously in a very good mood.

She looked at the pious civilians and officials who were baptized before her, revealing the joy that a clergyman should have when seeing the flourishing of faith. She made a triangular religious gesture on her chest and continued to explain to Dick:

"Because that miracle truly demonstrated the will of 'Holy Light protecting the Eredar,' many previously neutral civilians felt the touch and enlightenment of the Holy Light. Not only the Lura Temple, but also the K'ure Temple, closer to the Archon's Seat, has been receiving more than ten times the usual number of visitors and baptisms these past few days.

I heard that the brothers and sisters of the Holy Light Church in Oronaar are exhausted.

You participated in the battle against evil three days ago, Brother Diakum. I also learned through some private channels that you played a very important, even decisive role.

Therefore, I am honored to lead you, a true 'Warrior of the Holy Light', to tour our temple today.

It is also an honor for the Lula Temple.”

"You're too polite. I only did a small part in this, and it's not worthy of praise or boasting."

Dick waved his hand with the humility of a Holy Light believer and said:

"It was the sinner Thal'kiel who defeated Archimonde, it was General Elodus and his loyal warriors who routed the cultists and demons, and it was Archon Velen who purified the Fel Well. You see, even without my participation, that tragedy would have been resolved safely.

If my role in something that happened was minimal, then it means I wasn't important enough to be praised. I simply did what was expected of me in my profession and position. But now that I've come to this, I'm guessing that the officials eagerly came to be baptized, besides being inspired by the Holy Light, was it also because Grand Archon Velen converted to the Holy Light in a moment of crisis?"

"Well, although we don't like this kind of baptism with a purpose, we still understand the principle of being one with the light and dust."

Priest Isana sighed and said:
"Under the guidance of His Majesty Lura, I am a rational person in the field of faith. I am not interested in the conflict between the Holy Light Doctrine and the Arcane Tradition, nor am I willing to participate in it. I will not narrowly regard the Holy Light Doctrine as the only path to salvation for the Eredar civilization. However, the conversion of these officials can expand our influence.

This will allow the way of Holy Light to be better spread on the land of Argus, thereby better protecting our people.

This is not a bad thing.

It just makes people feel uncomfortable.

I claimed illness and skipped today's baptism. Rather than preaching to these officials spouting high-minded doctrines, I'd rather be with my true brothers and sisters and share my insights and experiences in faith."

"What a coincidence, I do the same."

Dick laughed heartily and said shamelessly:
"It is precisely because I cannot flatter and curry favor that I cannot be reused by the ambitious Archimonde's faction, but this is not a bad thing. If I cannot uphold this valuable quality, I will not have the opportunity to atone for my mistakes after I have done something wrong.

However, Priest Ishana"

"You should call me 'Sister Faith,' Brother Diakham."

Isana gently corrected Dick's statement. She pointed to the reception room in front of her, high up in the temple, and said:

"Although you've escaped danger thanks to Archon Viren's personal treatment, you're still weak. Let's talk there. I can guess what you want to ask.

Do not worry.

Your companions all survived and have received awards commensurate with their achievements."

The two of them entered the reception room decorated with incense, one after the other.

Ms. Isana poured Dick a cup of a drink that the Eredar liked. This semi-solidified yogurt drink, made with the milk of Talbuk sheep and raspberries unique to Mac'are, tasted great and was rich in nutrition that the patient needed.

When Dick drank the third cup like a cow, Isana said with a smile:
"Brother Maldran, who performed as glorious a service as you, awoke yesterday and was subsequently summoned to the Archon's Seat. I heard that Lord Commander Kil'jaeden bestowed upon him the rank of 'Brigadier General of the Garrison' and assigned him to the Antoran Plains as military commander.

This "three-level promotion" model clearly doesn't conform to the normal promotion process, but considering the Maldran brothers' achievements, many brothers and sisters feel that this award is a bit low. However, considering the newly revealed blood relationship between the Maldran brothers and General Elodus, I believe this may be to avoid gossip.

As for our five young brothers and sisters, they were also personally received by the two archons.

They were awarded the title of 'Garrison Warrior', and not only were they officially appointed as garrison commanders, but they also received the honor of being bestowed with the 'Holy Seal of Glory' by His Majesty Naruk Ulei.

Their future is visibly bright.

Judging from these two arrangements, you will probably be summoned to the Archon's seat soon, but I have heard some disturbing rumors.

You might”

"I'll be hidden by the snow."

Dick was not surprised by this result.

He picked up the scripture commentary on the table and flipped through it, saying casually:

"After all, I am a tainted person. The dark deeds I once participated in cannot be forgiven in the name of atonement. The concept of offsetting merits and demerits does not exist in Eredar civilization. I will probably be granted an honorary title and assigned to a position far away from the capital of Mac'Aree, waiting for the right time to be re-employed.

But trust me, Sister Ishana.

After experiencing life and death, I no longer value these false names.

The only thing I care about now is that the culprit who caused this chaos, Thal'kiel the Enlightener, has not been executed, right?"

"Sachir has been imprisoned."

Ishana said with a serious and regretful expression:

"The Grand Archon demands that all of Thal'kiel's spellcasting abilities be abolished and the demonic energy within him be purified. The Assassin's Court also needs to extract important intelligence from him. In fact, Thal'kiel is currently imprisoned in the underground prison area of the Lura Temple.

We don't know much about the evil energy, so the process of purifying it is not going smoothly.

Alas, when I was a child, I listened to the Enlightener’s explanation of the arcane path under the guidance of my parents. My parents are both spellcasters and they admire Thal’kiel very much. I don’t know if they can accept the cruel truth in front of them. ”

"He's here?"

Dick looked up, raised his eyebrows and said:
"Can I go meet him? I'm not trying to vent my anger or insult you, Sister Isana. I'm just curious about how a spiritual leader like the Enlightenment could have fallen into this state in just over a decade.

Perhaps it is the enlightenment of the Holy Light.

But I always feel that this matter will not end so easily. Perhaps everything we are experiencing now is just the calm before the real storm.

I want to meet him!
Perhaps this can answer the doubts in my mind.”

"Well, under normal circumstances I cannot agree to your request. After all, Sachir's imprisonment level is too high, and the guards of the Assassin's Court are watching him day and night."

Priestess Isana hesitated, but then she said:

"But Captain Naili came to your ward to see you yesterday. She said she has a good relationship with you, so if you use personal connections, you might be able to get a chance to visit Sachir. Do you need me to introduce you?"

"That's great, thank you for your help, Sister Isana."

Dick made a serious request. Isana nodded and stood up to summon a pastor sister to find Captain Naili. Then she returned to the reception hall and saw Dick holding the scripture interpretation in his hand and said to her:

"So, at this stage, the brothers and sisters of the Lula Temple's understanding of the Holy Light doctrine is still at the elementary stage of 'guiding people to good' and 'protecting souls'?"

"what?"

Ishana was confused by the question.

She looked at Dick with a strange look in her eyes and said:

"Although garrisons are also walkers of the Holy Light, you generally don't show much interest in doctrines and scriptures. This isn't contempt, but rather that garrisons need to fight with the blessings of the Holy Light, so your understanding of doctrines is generally more pragmatic.

And what you're saying now is, are you going to debate with me here? With a legendary priest who has served the Naaru for nearly a thousand years?"

"It's not as serious as a debate on scriptures. I just found my own morality after experiencing the blessing of the Holy Light. I am more curious about the interpretation of the Holy Light on a conceptual level."

Dick finally stated his purpose. He said:
"I wish to understand the concept of the Holy Light from a deeper perspective. Perhaps I can become a Vindicator while also following your path, Sister Isana. Perhaps while I protect the people, I can also become a priest who champions their hearts.

I don't know if I can do it.

But I figured if this was the light of enlightenment, then I should give it a try.”

"Holy Light, a garrison officer who voluntarily wants to become a priest! The Holy Light will surely bless you with enlightenment and wisdom."

Isana gave a somewhat exaggerated compliment, then sat down opposite Dick with great interest.

As a clergyman who educates the world, she has a natural passion for "saving souls", not to mention that she now has to guide a garrison officer to embark on the path of priesthood, which has been extremely rare in the past thousand years.

To be honest, most of those who can become garrison commanders are not the kind with quick thinking to delve into doctrine. They may be firm, pious and fanatical enough, but it would be better to ask them to challenge demons with war hammers than to ask them to debate scriptures.

Again, if the garrison officers could understand the scriptures and debate them skillfully from the beginning, why didn't they become priests, which is a higher social status? Is it because they didn't want to?
But soon, Ms. Ishana felt something was wrong.

She had originally thought this would be a "pastoral enlightenment" that would begin with basic doctrines and scriptures, but as they chatted, she discovered that the Diakum brother's thinking was extremely, if not entirely, abnormal.

First, talk to him about the origin of the Holy Light.

While the general doctrine holds that Holy Light is the embodiment of hope and healing, Dick told her that it is the first ray of primordial light born from the boundless darkness during the Great Order of Light and Darkness in the physical universe. It has never been some ethereal symbolic concept; on the contrary, Holy Light is a truly cosmic power entity!
Precisely because it broke through the original darkness and brought light to all things in the world, it has the same symbolic significance of "the foundation of the universe" as other forces.

But it was obvious that she could not answer such a grand topic, so Priest Ishana changed the subject somewhat abruptly.

She talked to Dick about the universal value of the "three-phase transformation" of the Holy Light, and then Dick told her that he believed the so-called "three-phase transformation" was only the most basic manifestation of the Holy Light in the physical universe.

Its protection, healing and punishment can be viewed and analyzed from a more flexible perspective!
For example, the fusion of punishment and healing can give rise to a new path of 'self-discipline', which is an advanced combat technique applicable to the concepts of garrison officers and priests. He vowed that a skilled discipline priest who had practiced hard for many years could easily defeat ten garrison recruits in actual combat.

Ms. Ishana's cold sweat had already soaked her collar.

Seeing that she couldn't give a more in-depth answer in this regard, Dick was a little disappointed, and then took the initiative to talk about the concept of "light and shadow".

He believed that there was some kind of high-level symbolic connection between the original holy light and the boundless darkness that gave birth to it, and that the mutual generation of light and shadow permeated the development of the entire holy light doctrine.

He also believed that in addition to properly mastering the healing and protection of the Holy Light, priests should also try to explore the other side of the light, namely the shadow.

After all, if there is no shadow, then even the brightest holy light will lose its meaning of existence.

This paradox of light and darkness, and the concept of twins, nearly made Isana leap up and accuse her "Diachem Brothers" of being shameful heretics infiltrating the ranks of loyal garrison officers! No wonder he'd volunteered to go undercover with the cultists. You and the cultists really do have something in common, don't you?
However, when Dick asked her rather sharply whether a legendary priest like her had ever heard the whispers and temptations from the "Shadow Under the Light" when she was engaged in deep holy light meditation, Isana shut her mouth decisively and awkwardly.

How did a garrison officer like Diakum know this "secret" that only high-ranking priests could access?
Is it true that he was enlightened by the Holy Light as he said?

The debate went on like this until an hour later, when Captain Naili, with a bandage still wrapped around her tail, came to pick up Dick to meet Sachir. She was shocked to see Dick pouring himself a goat milk drink in the reception room.

Opposite him, the high priestess Ms. Isana was in an indescribable state with a pale face and eyes closed.

"What's up with her?"

Nari asked doubtfully:
"She looks terrible. Do you want me to call a doctor?"

“My Dao heart is broken, it’s just a small problem.

Sister Isana just had a new understanding of the doctrine while debating with me. Let's not disturb her."

Dick stood up and made a "hush" gesture, then asked Nari to take him to see Sachir.

When leaving the reception hall, he did not forget to close the door politely for Ishana who was in the midst of "epiphany", and then glanced at the second profession of "Priest Apprentice" that he had just taken up in his character interface.

He smiled with satisfaction.

Hey, things like changing jobs really need to be taught by professionals.

(End of this chapter)