Chapter 662: The Will of the Light

The Cathedral of Light, Lordaeron.

The cathedral had miraculously escaped the ravages of war when the orcs invaded the city.

Even when Deathwing almost completely destroyed the palace, the Light still shielded the cathedral.

People often said that the splendor of the Light would shield the cathedral and the entire Church of the Light from calamity.

This time, it seemed like the Church of the Light's good fortune had run out.

Outside the pure white cathedral, every clergy member hurried about with unshakeable sorrow on their faces. Even the bright white towers of the cathedral seemed to be shrouded in a shadow.

After several major events, almost every other nation in the Alliance seemed to want to see Lordaeron suffer misfortune, but this did not include Alonsus Faol.

Unlike Terenas Menethil, who was ostensibly righteous but still schemed for his own national interests, Alonsus was a truly selfless saint.

Long ago in Dalaran, a missionary from Lordaeron tossed a copper coin into a fountain, making a wish: "I hope that one day I can spread the way of the Light among the common people and teach them the meaning of the three virtues."

Before the orc invasion, Alonsus did just that. He preached across the entire Eastern Kingdoms, spreading the hopeful Light throughout the seven human nations, establishing churches of the Light in every country and city, spreading virtues, calling on people to foster orphans who had lost their parents, inspiring every criminal, and trying to lead everyone onto the path of righteousness.

After the Dark Portal war began, he was the first to call on all nations to accept refugees from Stormwind, and he mobilized the entire Church of the Light to continue to support the frontline fighting without complaint during the most intense times of the war, calming people's frightened hearts and giving them confidence and courage.

After the war, he was also the first to stand up, calling on wealthy households and nobles with surplus finances to donate to the restoration of the nations of Stormwind and Stromgarde, which had been destroyed in the war.

To fight against evil, he traveled everywhere, speaking everywhere.

To promote justice, he created the great profession of Paladin.

For the revival of humanity, he worked tirelessly for the revival of all countries.

He was a truly noble person.

If Terenas made the term 'people of Lordaeron' shameful, then Alonsus was the key to making 'people of Lordaeron' great again.

Every king of the Alliance might not give Terenas the time of day, but for Alonsus, this truly kind and noble elder, the kings often gave the utmost support.

But now, without any warning, Alonsus has fallen.

At this time, the kings of various countries who were still in Lordaeron almost gathered in the cathedral. Even those who had left returned immediately, and even Genn Greymane of Gilneas, who had withdrawn from the Alliance, sent ministers to offer condolences.

Following a solemn Uther, Duke, Llane, and Anduin, among others, were heavy-hearted.

To this day, the Priest's [Cure Disease] has matured, and general minor illnesses will not invade Archbishop Alonsus's body. Duke secretly asked Uther if the Archbishop was cursed, but Uther shook his head.

Outside the Archbishop's bedroom, Duke saw a somewhat despondent Llane. Llane's eyes were red, and he had probably cried a little.

Not every king of a fallen nation has a spiritual leader like Anduin to assist them, and not every king has a versatile Duke to support the entire country.

When Stromgarde was destroyed and Stromgarde perished, the one who accompanied Llane the most was Archbishop Alonsus. And at the key moment of restoration, the one who gave the most help to the people of Stromgarde, apart from Duke, was Alonsus.

Alonsus suddenly fell, and even Llane, a man who has experienced great storms, felt as if some vital pillar in his heart had collapsed.

Except for Boralus Foutagen, who is still regent in Stormwind, and Reginald Vereesa, who is commanding Duke's private army in Redridge Mountains, all the Paladins are standing outside the door.

Seeing Duke and others arrive, Llane, with bitterness in his mouth, said, "Archbishop Faol has limited time. According to the Archbishop's wishes, Uther will lead you in one by one."

The first to go in was Llane, and five minutes later, Llane came out with a heavy heart.

Surprisingly, Anduin Lothar, who was thought to have the best relationship with Alonsus, was arranged to be the second to last.

And the last, most valued person, surprisingly, was arranged by the Archbishop to be Duke.

Fifteen minutes later, Anduin came out with tear-stained cheeks.

Uther bowed his head: "Duke, the master wishes to see you alone."

Everyone was utterly astonished.

As Faol's senior disciple, and the most outstanding and proud Paladin, Uther, whose fairness and bravery have long surpassed national boundaries, has been by the Archbishop's side since he fell ill. Basically, every time Faol met with dignitaries from various countries, at least one disciple would accompany him, generally rotating between Uther, Tirion, and Saidan.

Now it's a private meeting?

What exactly does Alonsus want to say to Duke that even Uther, such a just Paladin, cannot overhear?

Everyone's curiosity was piqued.

Duke entered.

It was a bright and simple room, without the thick medicinal smell one might expect, just a gentle golden light of nature and peace permeating the room.

Alonsus sat upright at the head of the bed, not looking like a man on his deathbed at all.

Seeing Duke's astonishment, Alonsus smiled, "I don't look like a dying man, do I?"

Duke nodded. A person like Alonsus does not need lies, even kind ones.

"I once thought that as long as the soul is pure, the Light that the human body can contain is infinite. Unfortunately, compared to my soul, what couldn't bear it first was my mortal body," Alonsus said with a bitter smile.

"This..."

"Let's put it this way, my body cannot bear such a massive power of the Light, my organs have begun to forget how they originally worked, resulting in my body uncontrollably weakening. It's pitiful, isn't it? The Archbishop, who once vowed to save people with the Light, is actually dying under the Light." His face bore an even more bitter smile.

"Your Excellency, you are too demanding. Humans are not Naaru, purely composed of Light beings."

"Naaru? Pure Light beings?" Alonsus suddenly became curious.

Duke realized he had misspoken. Now, even the counterattack on Draenor is not being discussed, the Alliance has not encountered the Draenei, and naturally, they would not know about the Naaru. He could only bluff that he had read a depiction of such a race in the library of Karazhan, but had not witnessed it himself.

Alonsus saw through Duke's cover-up, but he did not accuse Duke.

Instead, he said, "Duke, are you willing to inherit my will?"