novelraw Chapter 60: “Brotherhood, Come Claim the Token!”
Chapter 60: “Brotherhood, Come Claim the Token!”
Leon felt his spirits surging with excitement. The sense of loss from his family's collapse slowly faded from his heart, replaced by anticipation for participating in a great cause!
That original "fight to the death" mentality vanished, replaced by fresh vitality infusing his body.
Although he no longer had a family, he was now working for the Church's legacy. He had found a new home.
This was the Church blessed by the Lord's gaze and angelic favor, and he was the "Chosen One" under this divine watch!
Leon firmly believed he was the true Chosen One—otherwise, why would he have gained the power of a "Knight" and been tasked with continuing an ancient mission?
The location of the box was in the prison's main building.
This was the entrance building that served multiple functions: offices, inspection areas, and storage rooms.
Leon remembered clearly—when he entered yesterday, he had left all his belongings here and been searched. Unless something unexpected happened, his things should still be in this building.
He had only arrived yesterday and hadn't been here long. Even if someone wanted to transport his items, it wouldn't happen this quickly.
The transport vehicles weren't scheduled to leave until tomorrow morning. Even if the guards had stolen his belongings, he could still find them within this prison.This was an island originally designed with only one entrance/exit to prevent prisoner escapes, but now this very feature became the source of his confidence.
Thinking this, Leon reached the entrance and saw several guards at the door.
The guards immediately grew alert when they saw the clothes he was wearing. "It's not free movement time, prisoner! Return to your cell immediately! I repeat, return to your cell immediately!"
The guard's voice was loud and sharp, drawing attention from many people nearby.
Other guards gathered around with their batons, while some newly arrived prisoners also noticed this "colleague" and turned to watch with interest.
But Leon showed no reaction, simply walking forward calmly until he stood directly before the guards.
"Please step aside. I don't want to harm you!" Leon said, looking at these ordinary people without any desire to fight.
As a Knight, he should uphold the Knightly Virtues. Initiating combat without cause wasn't something he should do.
Hearing these words and seeing this not-particularly-strong prisoner, the guards laughed. "Looks like we haven't made you feel enough respect!"
Two guards raised their electric batons, activated the switches, and without hesitation jabbed them into Leon's body!
Several seconds passed, but the expected painful kneeling and wailing never came. Only the man's cold, completely unmoving expression remained!
"Brotherhood Code: If anyone obstructs our path of inheritance, we shall deliver appropriate punishment!"
Leon recited these words as light belonging to the iris flower bloomed in his palm.
The next second, his body shook violently, and the surrounding guards were thrown back like rag dolls, crashing to the ground!
As the light blossomed in his hand, everyone who fell to the ground simultaneously clutched their heads and began screaming in agony.
This wasn't caused by the impact—it was the effect of the Stigma "Iris Light Seal," delivering evil punishment to ordinary people!
If someone was a saint, completely without evil in their heart and filled with righteousness, the Stigma would enhance their power.
But if someone harbored sin and wicked thoughts in their heart, the Stigma would punish them!
Leon continued forward. With each step, the Stigma in his hand flashed, and guards rushing toward him fell clutching their heads.
As he walked, people around him continued collapsing and wailing.
They were all sinful people, so they were being punished by their own consciences!
The pain and darkness from within were punishing them, making it impossible to restrain themselves. Their loud wails became the backdrop to Leon's advance.
Witnessing this bizarre scene, everyone froze in shock.
What kind of monster was this man? Why was everyone who came near him clutching their heads and screaming?
Leon also felt somewhat disappointed. What was going on? Was there not a single good person among these guards? Were they all being taken down?
Soon he could continue forward, but "tap tap tap" footsteps from behind made Leon turn to look.
Before him stood dozens of guards armed with rifles and shotguns, with Warden Angerboda Scott in their midst.
"Mr. Leon Rancocci, please don't make any moves that might cause misunderstanding!" Angerboda said from within the crowd. "As a prisoner, you've already committed numerous crimes—murder, assaulting officers, robbery! It's not too late to surrender now!"
"I'm Warden Angerboda of Los Angeles County Prison! If you're willing to surrender, we can talk! Even pardoning your crimes isn't impossible!"
"I know you have abilities that give us headaches, but if you take one more step forward, we will open fire! Please don't bring about your own destruction!"
Angerboda hadn't come recklessly. He had carefully analyzed Leon's abilities based on the video footage, making some judgments.
This man had taken down guards who approached him, leaving them wailing on the ground, but hadn't affected those at a distance, suggesting he lacked long-range attack capabilities.
His failure to fight his way out also indicated he might not possess such ability.
With these basic assessments, Angerboda dared to appear before Leon with his men, first attempting to pacify him, then threatening him, seeing if he could recruit him as a subordinate.
Facing this scene, Leon laughed!
Looking at the crowd of guards at the entrance, the additional guards outside, and some prisoners watching from the distant square, he said softly:
"Actually, I just wanted to quietly retrieve my things and leave this place!" Leon said. "Killing that man was my mission. The mission completed, I surrendered my life!"
"Now, with this new life, I must undertake a brand new mission!"
"I am the messenger chosen by the Lord, the Knight destined to advance toward the future! This is my glorious mission!"
His words sounded mystical and rambling, making Angerboda impatient. "So you're saying you refuse to surrender, correct?"
"Temple Knights never surrender!" Leon declared loudly. "Do not block my path, or my charge will crush everything before me!"
"Open fire! Don't aim at vital areas—subdue him first!" Angerboda finally ordered, choosing to use force.
"Boom!" Guards armed with shotguns loaded with rubber bullets fired first.
The bullets struck Leon's body, but he didn't even flinch, remaining standing in place.
Attacks that would make ordinary people tremble and kneel with a single shot couldn't even make him shudder!
"You've chosen war, so I'll give you war!"
The stone on his chest flickered slightly, causing Leon to drop to one knee, pressing his hand to his forehead as he began his pre-battle prayer.
Mysterious prayer chants appeared in his mind, which he recited word by word:
"Lord of Hosts! Rock of Jacob!
You take the Red Sea as your bowstring,
The Ark as your battle standard—
Now my armor is the scale of your Holy Words,
My sword's edge is the flint and tinder of judgment!"
As he spoke these prayers, faint war drums seemed to echo through the surrounding space!
It was like the music of battlefields, imagery from ancient wars. These sounds made all the armed guards suddenly tremble with fear!
Faintly visible glowing figures appeared around him—a group of knights riding warhorses!
And Leon's voice continued praying!
"Not relying on warhorses, not depending on iron steeds,
Only raising the Cross as our spear!
Until the dust settles on the plains of Megiddo,
May the banners of the Lord's army unfurl over New Jerusalem!
Amen!"
He stood up, the white light covering his body making everyone stare. That display of piety, that radiating brilliance, made some guards even kneel on the ground, praying to him and begging for forgiveness!
They couldn't help themselves—in this country, faith in the Lord was too deeply ingrained, and what was unfolding before their eyes was clearly the Lord's miracle!
And this man was obviously either a prophet or a saint. That white light flashing in the darkness was enough to awaken everyone.
Angerboda also emerged from his original greed, trembling as he asked, "You... who are you really? What are you here for?"
"The Brotherhood, here to retrieve the token!" Leon answered softly.