Chapter 214 212-The Heart-Stirring Holy Light
Lehman didn't believe Ethan had the ability to fulfill his promise.
To him, Ethan was nothing but an arrogant young man who didn't understand the gravity of the situation, oblivious to the true nature of the monsters on the surface — they were not your run-of-the-mill creatures.
Thus, Lehman eagerly anticipated the moment Ethan would reveal a face of dismay, a golden opportunity to teach this presumptuous kid a lesson on the rules that governed the frontline.
Ethan, however, remained indifferent to Lehman's expectations.
With Rhine's permission, he instructed all the wounded soldiers to gather together. Then, he activated the Holy Light Realm.
Having used the Holy Light Realm several times before, Ethan was relatively experienced in manipulating it.
Now, its coverage was immensely expansive; maximized, it could envelop the entire underground headquarters.
However, such a feat would consume an astronomical amount of energy, which even Ethan could not sustain for an extended period.
Hence, he chose to restrict the Holy Light Realm to an area spanning several meters around him.
Golden rays of Holy Light seemed to descend from mid-air, perfectly bathing everyone present — including Rhine, Lehman, Sherry, and Eileen — in its warm embrace.
Many couldn't help but close their eyes, yielding to the serene sensation as their bodies completely relaxed.
Then, a ripple of unrest stirred among the wounded soldiers.
"It feels so good!"
"This is the purest Holy Light I have ever experienced. It's even better than the Holy Light spell cast by the saint herself."
The soldiers kept showering praises, and amidst them, some noticed something extraordinary, voicing their astonishment:
"My wounds are healing! This is incredible. Weren't we told that Holy Light was ineffective?"
"I feel it too; my arm is regaining sensation."
"My wounds are also closing."
"..."
Suddenly, the underground medical camp became a hub of noisy excitement,
Many wounded soldiers were excitedly exchanging words, with numerous individuals shedding tears of elation.
The healing of their wounds signified that they had been granted another shot at life.
It was an overwhelmingly emotional moment.
Only those who have faced death could truly grasp the preciousness of life.
At this moment, Lehman too became overtaken by emotion, tears streaming down his face.
"Good! Good! Good!" Lehman exclaimed loudly.
Following this, he did something completely unexpected.
Lehman walked up to Ethan and, bending both knees, knelt down before him, speaking sincerely, "Lord Black Dragon, I was too arrogant before, misunderstanding you. Please forgive me. I sincerely thank you for saving these soldiers. If there's anything you need assistance with in the future, I won't hesitate to help."
Ethan hadn't anticipated this move from Lehman.
He hastily helped Lehman up, smiling as he spoke, "General Lehman, you're being too formal. Besides, I am just a nobody; your distrust towards me was entirely justified."
"No, I was indeed in the wrong. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that," Lehman continued seriously.
"Well then, I accept your apology. Let's let bygones be bygones," Ethan responded.
Lehman was a straightforward man, not one to evade responsibility when he realized he had erred.
He chose to amend his ways and apologize sincerely.
Likewise, the wellbeing of his soldiers was of utmost importance to him.
The luminescence of the Holy Light Realm persisted for over ten minutes.
Under its glow, the injuries of the wounded soldiers essentially healed.
Those not fully recovered would only require a day or two of rest.
"Thank you, Lord Black Dragon!"
The soldiers chanted in unison, reverently addressing Ethan.
Ethan acknowledged their gratitude, also earning praise from Lady Rhine, "Black Dragon, I too must apologize. You truly surpassed all expectations. Also, how long can you maintain a Holy Light Realm like this, and what's the maximum range it can cover?"
"Expanding the range by another fold shouldn't be a problem," Ethan assessed before providing the information.
The maximum scope of the Holy Light Realm naturally wasn't limited to this, but stating the true extent would be too extravagant for Lady Rhine and the others to believe.
The range Ethan provided was precisely where his energy absorption and expenditure balanced.
After all, the Holy Light Realm was a domain-type skill that could maintain its effect continuously once activated.
"Twice the range?!"
Lady Rhine couldn't help but exclaim.
Her eyes brightened as she asked promptly, "In that case, Black Dragon, would you be interested in joining the command post?"
"I'd be pleased to serve you, Commander."
Ethan agreed without hesitation, as this was precisely his goal.
"Good!"
Lady Rhine nodded, subsequently announcing Ethan's appointment, "Black Dragon, from now on, you will be the head of the wounded soldiers' camp at the command post, responsible for their healing process. Of course, this position is temporary. When the others return, I will convene a meeting to reconsider your role."
"Thank you, Commander!"
Ethan nodded, accepting the assignment.
After declaring the appointment, Lady Rhine was the first to return to her office.
Appointing a key member was not a simple matter; it necessitated adjustments within the command post's departments.
Moreover, the utility of the Holy Light extended far beyond this.
Especially given the immense power of the Holy Light displayed by Ethan, it held enormous significance on the front lines, potentially even influencing the tide of victory in a battlefield scenario.
Although, presently, it seemed the war was destined for failure.
"Ah..."
Thinking of this, Lady Rhine sighed heavily as she returned to her dwelling.
She removed her coat and draped it over a coat rack before picking up a book from a shelf.
Inside the book, a sheet of paper was tucked, bearing news regarding the Angry Dragon.
...
"Black Dragon, Sherry, this will be your assigned room."
After leaving the infirmary, Eileen led Ethan and Sherry back the way they had come, entering a left passage midway down the main road.
At the end of the passage was a long row of rooms.
Eileen directly chose the best one for Ethan and Sherry.
Ethan was very satisfied with the room.
The one chosen by Eileen not only had ample space, but all kinds of furniture were already arranged neatly, and there was a special lighting fixture that made the room bright and welcoming.
"I am very pleased, thank you, Captain Eileen," Ethan expressed his gratitude.
Eileen smiled and said, "No need for that, if anyone should be thankful, it's me. Without people, I could never return to the front lines again. Also, if you encounter any issues, feel free to tell me. I will help you. Speaking with Lehman works too. You helped him immensely; he won't refuse you."
Ethan nodded in agreement.
At that moment, as Eileen was preparing to leave and Ethan and Sherry accompanied her to the door, Apothecary old John suddenly appeared. Seeing the group, he was quite surprised and asked, "Eileen, what brings you here?"
"Teacher," Eileen quickly greeted.
She then explained to Ethan, "The teacher also resides here."
After speaking, Eileen turned to Apothecary old John and said, "Teacher, Black Dragon has been appointed by the commander as the head of the infirmary camp. I brought him here to find accommodations."
"I see," old John nodded, looking at Ethan with a curious gaze in his eyes.
After the explanation, Eileen left.
Old John then said to Ethan, "Young man, come give me a hand."
Only then did Ethan notice that old John was carrying a towering stack of items, which were even taller than the man himself.
"What are these?" Ethan asked curiously while joining Sherry in helping him carry the load.
Old John revealed a smile on his face, speaking with evident satisfaction, "These are all my treasures, some are apparatuses for concocting reagents, and others are reagents that have already been prepared."
For some reason, old John seemed to have warmed up a bit more to Ethan and Sherry.
Old John's residence was the third one to the right of Ethan's.
The two helped carry the items inside, gently placing them on the floor.
Old John then brought hot tea for both Ethan and Sherry.
The trio sat around a table.
Subsequently, old John said with a smile, "I did not expect you to actually gain Lady Rhine's approval, it is somewhat beyond my expectations."
"Is there a problem with that?" Ethan inquired curiously, considering his abilities, earning approval naturally wasn't difficult.
Old John chuckled, speaking mysteriously, "Young man, do you think you were acknowledged just because you possess a potent Holy Light ability? No, no, it certainly isn't so. Lady Rhine has the power of foresight. Although it's limited, your inclusion signifies that you hold benefits for the headquarters."
However, what old John didn't realize was that Lady Rhine actually had not utilized her foresight ability.
In the true contemplations of Lady Rhine, given Ethan's immensely powerful Holy Light healing ability, regardless of what Ethan did next, it wouldn't make the situation worse because this was a war destined for failure.
Yet...
In Lady Rhine's residence, Rhine sat on a chair, quiet and serene, exuding a tranquil aura.
She was flipping through a book, intently focused on an illustration within it.
It depicted a dragon.