Emily's face was somber as she hurried towards the direction of the dungeon.
Suspicion is like a seed; once planted, it takes root and grows uncontrollably.
Just now, she once again smelled that strange stench on her teacher Moslian's clothes.
Just as that man had said, the scent of death is so distinctive that even though her teacher had used a large amount of magic potion to dispel and cover it, it could not be completely eradicated.
She then took advantage of Moslian Mage's absence from the manor to start a comprehensive inquiry and investigation.
The conclusion was that, both in terms of the time of the crime and physical evidence, her teacher was a major suspect in the murder case!
When the facts were laid out in front of her, Emily was dumbfounded.
Years of trust had made her never even suspect her own teacher. Perhaps it was precisely because of this trust that the old mage's covering of the crime traces was also quite sloppy.
Even so, Emily was still unwilling to admit it. She didn't even know why she came to the dungeon; perhaps she hoped that man's sharp sarcasm might completely shatter her remaining illusions.
But when she reached the entrance of the dungeon, she was stunned.
The dungeon? Where is our Lawrence Family's enormous dungeon? It was right here this morning!
How did it become a bustling construction site in the span of a morning?
Why has the originally narrow and dark entrance been widened threefold! Why are the guards at the door sitting with the prisoners on the stone blocks, wiping sweat, drinking water, chatting, and laughing?
From time to time, people are carrying out garbage and waste from the passage, in pairs, chatting and laughing, full of enthusiasm!
Those who know will see it's a dungeon, but those who don't might think it's an underground palace being built here!
The dungeon guards saw Emily and quickly stood up to greet her: "Ah! Miss Emily, you're here! May the Holy Light bless you!"
Other prisoners and guards also greeted her: "May the Holy Light protect you!"
Emily's eyes widened, and her face was full of incredulity: "Holy... Holy Light? Have you all become believers of the Holy Light?"
Although the Holy Light God Church is the state religion of the Holy Grant Duchy and the citizens generally believe in the Holy Light Goddess, these two groups in front of her were supposed to be exceptions.
The cell guards are the Lawrence Family's private soldiers, raised by the Lawrence Family since childhood, only believing in the Lawrence Family.
As for these prisoners in the dungeon, there was even less to say; if they were truly good believers of the Holy Light, they wouldn't have committed crimes and been caught.
Moreover, everything was normal here this morning!
The guard's face was filled with a blissful smile: "Strictly speaking, it's conversion!
We were originally believers of the Holy Light, just unaware of it. It was Mr. Wright who awakened us, allowing us to return to the embrace of the Holy Light, finding our true selves again.
Praise the Holy Light!"
"So it was that guy causing trouble! Where... where is he?"
"Sir, he is conducting morning prayers."
"It's already late morning! What morning prayers? Take me to him! Quickly!"
The guard said nothing and turned to lead Emily into the dungeon. At this point, not only had the passage been widened, but the stairs had also been renovated and reinforced, making it more suitable for walking up and down.
The interior of the dungeon was also full of vitality, as guards and prisoners were conducting a major cleaning. A large amount of garbage was being cleared, and people were carrying fresh water to sprinkle and wipe.
The previously dim and fetid cells were transformed with everyone's efforts, with an air filled with the mixed smell of moisture and dust.
Led by the guard, Emily arrived at the cell where Lette was held.
At some point, a skylight had opened in the dungeon, casting a beam of light that fell right on Lette. This scene appeared particularly sacred in the dim cell.
Combined with his weathered cloak, melancholic eyes, and handsome face, Emily found herself somewhat entranced.
"Since you're here, why not come in and sit for a while?"
Emily snapped out of her daze, cautiously stepping in after the guards opened the cell door.
"What exactly have you done? How did the dungeon turn into this mess in just a morning?"
"Well, that's quite unfair. Your dungeon was already a mess before. Isn't it better now?"
Lette didn't even lift his head as he loudly called out, "Come on! Let's go through the slogan once more!"
In an instant, everyone in the cell stopped what they were doing, stood tall and recited in unison.
"Holy Light People! Holy Light Soul! Holy Light are the crème de la crème! Work hard! Go for it! A beautiful life is in our hands!"
After shouting the slogan, they enthusiastically returned to their new tasks.
Emily watched the scene before her in horror, not recovering for a long time.
"What! What exactly have you done to them?"
Lette shrugged: "Nothing much, I just made them realize that life can indeed be wonderful, and life can indeed be meaningful.
The reason they currently live such hard and painful lives is that they haven't found the right way or method.
Like fish wanting to soar in the sky, and birds wanting to swim in the sea, hardship naturally follows them.
Yet the Holy Light can guide them to rediscover themselves, bringing life back on track, making life meaningful."
"Rea.... really?"
Lette rolled his eyes: "Of course that's false! I was just bored, baptizing their thoughts a bit.
Plus your dungeon's environment was just too terrible, so I came up with an excuse to fool these people into doing a big cleanup to improve the living conditions.
If believing in the Holy Light led to happiness, why would there have been a Holy War a hundred years ago? Were all the rebels masochists who hoped for unhappy lives?"
Emily, being a noble and a believer of the Holy Light Goddess, couldn't help but feel infuriated at his words.
"As a Holy Knight, is this how you treat your faith?"
"Let's get this straight, my occupation is Holy Knight. But personally, I'm a practitioner of Holy Light utilitarianism."
"Holy Light, utilitarianism?"
Lette grinned: "Meaning, the Holy Light is there to be used, not to be believed in. Useful Holy Light is good Holy Light.
Compared to those so-called doctrines, precepts, codes, and duties, I care more about how much benefit, convenience, and privilege the Holy Light can bring me.
Instead of delving into the Holy Scripture, diligently practicing Divine Arts, and piously praying to the Holy Light Goddess, I'm more interested in how to use the Holy Scripture, Divine Arts, the Church Court, and the Goddess to achieve my desired goals or effects."
"Despicable and shameless! This is desecration of the Holy Light Scripture! It's disrespect to the Holy Light Goddess!
Why would someone as vile as you be favored by the Holy Light? It's truly unfair!"
"'Fair' isn't really a term for a noble lady like you to use, right?
The annual revenue of the town's tavern doesn't match the weekly expenses of the Count's Manor, not to mention those toiling tenant farmers.
If you love fairness so much, why don't you distribute your wealth to aid the poor?"
Emily's face reddened, unable to think of a rebuttal, she could only gasp angrily.
Lette laughed heartily at the sight: "Alright, alright, don't get so worked up like a little toad. I'm not interested in meddling in you nobles' trivial matters.
But you came looking for me, surely not for fairness, right?
Spill it, what did you discover?
Oh, or should I say, did you finally discover something?"