Chapter 357 The Villain Lady Arrives 186

Chapter 357 The Villain Lady Arrives 186

The atmosphere of the dinner became more warm and harmonious because of this episode. Soldiers gathered around and expressed their care and encouragement to Ryan in their own ways. Some handed him a glass of wine, hoping that he could forget his troubles; some shared their combat experiences, hoping to help him; and some simply patted him on the back, telling him with silent body language: "You are not alone."

Ryan was surrounded by this warmth and felt unprecedented happiness and satisfaction. He began to actively try to integrate into this big family. Although his voice was still soft, his eyes became brighter and brighter, full of longing and expectation for the future.

As time went by, the dinner was coming to an end. But this unexpected friendship was like a spring, quietly nourishing everyone's heart. Alice suggested that everyone raise a toast to celebrate the successful conclusion of the dinner and Ryan's growth and transformation.

"Cheers to our unity and friendship! Cheers to Ryan's growth and courage!" Alice's voice echoed throughout the hall, with hope flashing in her eyes.

"Cheers!" Everyone responded in unison, and the glasses clinked again, making a clear and pleasant sound. This time, the clinking of glasses was not only a celebration of victory, but also a testimony of the deep friendship between each other.

After the dinner, the soldiers were not in a hurry to disperse. They gathered in groups of two or three to continue chatting, or walked alone in the corridors of the castle, enjoying this rare tranquility and freedom. Ryan chose to stay with Alice and Tariq. He had many questions to ask and many experiences to share.

"Lady Alice, I've always wanted to know, what makes you stand so firmly on the side of justice?" Ryan mustered up the courage to ask, his eyes full of desire and curiosity.

Alice smiled slightly, her eyes seemed to penetrate the boundaries of time and space, returning to the moment that determined her fate. "It's because of faith," she said softly, "I believe there is a power in the world that can transcend all darkness and evil, that is love and justice. It is this faith that has supported me through countless difficulties and obstacles."

Tariq also joined the conversation: "For me, protecting the peace and tranquility of this land is my mission. No matter what challenges and difficulties I face, I will not back down."

Ryan's facial expression changed subtly during the words of Alice and Tariq, and his eyes sparkled with an unprecedented light, a spark of excitement and complex emotions. He stared at the two seniors, as if he had found the direction he had been missing for a long time in their figures, and a smile rose unconsciously at the corner of his mouth, but behind that smile, there were hidden secrets and calculations that were unknown to others.

"Really... shocking words." Ryan's voice trembled slightly, and he deliberately made his tone sound more sincere. "I never thought that a person could be so powerful because of his beliefs. Lady Alice, your words are like stars, illuminating the confusion in my heart."

However, deep in his heart, an indescribable contempt quietly grew. He sneered secretly, thinking: "What a stupid belief, it's just a tool for me to get close to you and achieve my goal." Ryan's eyes quickly swept across a trace of haze, and then returned to his pious look, as if everything just now was just an illusion.

Alice didn't notice Ryan's inner turmoil. She continued to share gently: "Ryan, everyone has a light in their heart. That light may be weak, but as long as we persist, we can gather it into a force that illuminates the darkness. I hope you can also find your own light and use it to guide your path."

Tariq patted Ryan on the shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement: "Young man, remember, a true warrior must not only have the courage to face the enemy, but also the courage to face his own heart. Your future is written by you."

Ryan suppressed his inner fluctuations, lowered his head pretending to be moved, and said softly: "I am deeply inspired by your words. I... I also want to do something for this world, even if it is just an insignificant part." Although his voice was light, it carried a firmness that could not be ignored, as if at this moment, he was really moved by their words.

However, the following conversation was part of his careful planning. "Lady Alice, I often think how wonderful it would be if I could join the Church of Light and become like you and Lord Tariq. I believe that under your leadership, I will definitely find my own mission." Ryan's words were full of longing, but his eyes revealed a hint of cunning.

Alice's eyes flashed with surprise when she heard this, and then turned into a warm smile: "Ryan, I feel your heart. But joining the Church of Light is not easy. It requires true faith and dedication. However, if you really want to, I can recommend you to the church, but remember, you have to walk your own path."

Tariq was more direct: "Boy, don't just talk. The Church of Light needs action, people who can stand up and protect others at critical moments. If you really want to join, you must be prepared to face all challenges."

Ryan was secretly proud in his heart, but appeared more humble: "Yes, I understand. I will work hard to prove myself and not let you two down." His words were full of determination, but behind that determination, hidden was a desire for power and an obsession with revenge.

In the following days, Ryan seemed to have changed. He trained more diligently and actively participated in every mission. With his actions, he won the recognition of his comrades and gradually gained the trust of Alice and Tariq. Whenever it was late at night, he would sit alone in the corner of the castle, gazing at the stars in the distance, with both anticipation for the upcoming plan and deep remorse for self-deception.

"What am I doing?" Ryan asked himself countless times, but each time his reason was devoured by the flames of revenge. "I must do this for those innocent lives and for the justice in my heart." He comforted himself in this way, even though the so-called "justice" had long been distorted.

Finally, the opportunity came. The Church of Light was about to hold an important ceremony, inviting believers and allies from all over the world to participate. Ryan knew that this was the best time for him to infiltrate the church and expose the dark side hidden behind the light. He made careful preparations, ostensibly to protect the smooth progress of the ceremony, but in fact he was secretly collecting evidence and planning to deliver a fatal blow at the most critical moment.

However, just before he was about to take action, an unexpected discovery plunged him into a deep contradiction. It turned out that the "truth" he was pursuing was much more complicated than he had imagined. There was indeed corruption and injustice within the Church of Light, but there were more believers who silently dedicated themselves and adhered to their faith. They guarded the peace and tranquility of this land in their own way, and never gave up hope even in the darkest moments.

Ryan's heart was deeply shaken. He began to question his original intention. Was he really fighting for justice as he thought? Or was he just fighting to satisfy his personal desires and revenge? In countless sleepless nights, he repeatedly questioned his soul and finally made a difficult decision.

On the day of the ceremony, Ryan did not choose to reveal the so-called "truth", but stood on the side of light, using his own strength to protect everyone. When the crisis was resolved and everyone cheered, he stood quietly outside the crowd, looking at the sky that became brighter because of his choice.