https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-171-That-Radiant-Devil-Will-Never-Appear-in-the-Mortal-Realm/12584157/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-173-Lanchi-Discovers-Dai-Aishiren-s-Quirk/12584161/
Chapter 172: Lanchi's Farewell with Friends
Chapter 172: Lanchi's Farewell with Friends
In the shadow world, at the border of the Honing Empire, stood the grand Lichtenstein Castle.
Four days had passed in a flash, and the morning of the final day in the shadow world had arrived.
The moon had set, and the dawn sky was awash with a delicate silk-like hue, spreading across the horizon.
At five in the morning, an autumnal mist was quietly unfolding from the top of the castle's tower.
The tower's spire soared into the clouds, piercing the sky's mist, and a group of young men and women stood silently, their figures faint in the dawn's light.
The Civil Model Squad and the trio from the Chamber of Commerce stood atop the castle's tower, savoring the tranquil and breathtaking scenery.
"Mr. Lanchi, I hope we meet again," the young master of the Chamber of Commerce said. He had transformed from a confused youth into someone with a sense of purpose, understanding how he wanted to shape his life. And Lanchi had been his mentor and friend throughout this journey.
"Who knows when that will be," Lanchi replied with a gentle smile as he gazed down from the tower, overlooking the forest below. He felt a connection to the earth, a sense of liberation and wonder that was so different from his everyday life.
Although the young master hadn't contributed much in combat, he had been the most proactive in assisting Lanchi and Fred during the initial stages of screening for traitors.
Due to the extreme distance between the Kingdom of Cambela and the Kingdom of Hutton, with Cambela in the western region of the southern continent and Hutton at its easternmost edge, ultra-long-distance magic communication between the two kingdoms required relaying through multiple stations in other countries, making regular contact quite challenging.
"Maybe in two years?" the young master suggested after a moment's thought.
Every year, the United Kingdoms Parliament held an anniversary celebration in the Kingdom of Cambela, with smaller celebrations every five years and grand decennial celebrations. In two years' time, there would be a grand and solemn ceremony.
Besides a large number of tourists from the southern continent, royalty, high nobility, academic leaders, platinum-level and magic crystal-level challengers registered with the Southern Continent Association, and card makers would all receive official invitations from the United Kingdoms Parliament of the Southern Continent as guests of honor.
The young master believed that Lanchi wouldn't miss such an event, and they would have another opportunity to meet in the mortal world.
"See you then," Lanchi said, patting the young master's shoulder.
In two years, if all went well, he would be retired.
A trip to the Kingdom of Cambela then wouldn't be a bad idea.
The young master nodded.
After a moment of silence, he spoke again, "Mr. Lanchi, is there anything else you can teach me?" He cherished every opportunity to learn from Lanchi.
"Pay more attention to the people around you," Lanchi said, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon rather than on the young master. "If you also like her, don't make her wait too long."
Hearing these words, Hubertian, who was standing beside them, felt a jolt of surprise.
The last time they were at the Card Maker's Association, Lanchi had said something similar to Prince Enol and Sophia, and Enol had almost hugged Lanchi on the spot, leaving Sophia hanging!
Just as Hubertian was worrying about this, the young master turned to look at his bodyguard sister.
He simply looked at her quietly, saying nothing.
And the bodyguard sister stood there, transfixed.
In that moment, amidst the mist-shrouded tower, silence spoke volumes.
The sun broke through the clouds, bathing Lichtenstein Castle in a golden glow, illuminating everything with a radiant light.
The distant mountains shone with distinct colors in the sunlight, and the dew on the nearby trees sparkled.
"Goodbye," Lanchi said with a smile, turning to leave. Along with Fred and Hubertian, he walked back into the castle from the tower, leaving the fairy-tale-like setting to the young couple.
As they stepped into the corridor, the temperature noticeably warmed, and their light footsteps echoed off the stone walls. The air was filled with a sense of joy.
Everyone moved cautiously, careful not to disturb the couple still atop the tower.
"That young master isn't clueless," Hubertian whispered to Lanchi in surprise. "He understood your hint perfectly!"
Could it be that...
This guy was a matchmaker at heart, always eager to help others find love?
"I excel at mediating conflicts and disputes," Lanchi said proudly. "Helping with matchmaking is no problem at all. I'm a pro when it comes to civil matters."
"...?" Hubertian couldn't help but think that Lanchi truly seemed like an exemplary young man.
So, where did things go wrong...
"Mr. Lanchi, thank you so much for taking care of us," the male bodyguard from the Chamber of Commerce said as he accompanied them to the stairs on the fifth floor. He stopped there and expressed his sincere gratitude.
"Farewell," Lanchi said.
"See you next time," the bodyguard replied.
After bidding farewell, Lanchi, Fred, and Hubertian descended the spiral staircase, which was adorned with mirror-like brass railings. Their relaxed footsteps echoed in the castle's stairwell, mingling with the chiming of the hour from the distant cathedral.
As they passed the landing, the occasional birdsong from outside the distant windows blended with the morning symphony.
Soon, they reached the castle's ground floor.
At the end of the staircase stood a majestic door, adorned with gilded patterns that shimmered with sacred light, reflecting off the lustrous windows.
As they pushed open the door, the faint scent of candle wax wafted over from the cathedral.
Inside, three clerics were engaged in morning prayers.
Kneeling side by side before the altar, Lanchi, Fred, and Hubertian bowed their heads, their hands clasped in prayer as they softly recited the liturgy alongside the clerics in the rose window-lit cathedral.
The air within the sacred walls was imbued with a sense of serenity and harmony. The massive chandelier hanging from the high ceiling took on an even more solemn aura in the quiet surroundings, bathed in natural light that illuminated the entire church.
The whispered devotions, earnest prayers, and the occasional flicker of candlelight created a peaceful atmosphere for this morning's ritual.
Lanchi and his companions stood quietly, respecting the clerics' morning devotions as they watched with reverence.
Until the morning prayers came to a close.
The three clerics approached them.
"It would be wonderful to meet you again in the Northern Continent," the leading cleric said with a bow.
They had important duties to attend to.
And now, with the turmoil in the Northern Continent, they could not afford to leave their posts unattended.
Unless the situation stabilized, they would not be assigned to the Southern Continent.
"Who knows what the future holds. Destiny guides all," Lanchi replied with a casual smile and a shrug.
"..."
Hubertian remained silent.
In fact, in three months' time, she and Lanchi would be heading to the Northern Continent.
She just hoped that they wouldn't encounter these three individuals there.
If they happened to meet, with their identities concealed as bandits and their true selves as law enforcers, it would be extremely awkward if they encountered each other as enemies.
Everyone bid their final farewells.
There were only a few minutes left until 5:30 am, when the Shadow World would come to an end.
This dreamlike five-day vacation would soon draw to a close.
"By the way, I'll go and see the Princess," Lanchi said, glancing at the large clock.
"See you in the Liminal Space," he added.
Later, when the Shadow World ended, all challengers would be transported back to the Void Gates through which they had entered the Shadow World, and each team would enter a separate Liminal Space to complete the settlement and distribution of rewards.
...
On the second floor of the castle, in Room 201, Princess Alexicia sat quietly on the bed, gazing out the window.
Golden leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, filling the air with a soft, rustling sound. The morning mist enveloped the castle, shrouding the valley and forest in an air of mystery.
If given a choice, she would rather this Shadow World not end.
Because she didn't want to return to the real world filled with vampires and nightmares.
Even if it meant being locked up in this room forever, she would accept it, for here she found solace.
Hearing the sound of the door unlocking, she looked up in surprise at the opening door and Lanchi's entrance.
"Your Highness Alexicia, it's time for me to bid you farewell," Lanchi greeted her, his words serving as both a greeting and a goodbye.
"Did you come alone?" Alexicia asked.
"I thought it would be less overwhelming for you if I came by myself," Lanchi replied with a gentle smile.
"..."
Alexicia hesitated for a moment.
In her heart, she truly wished for Lanchi to come alone, as he had witnessed her most vulnerable moments.
"I usually appear as a very aloof and distant princess, but only you have seen me at my most embarrassing," she admitted, her hands spread open as she confided in him like a young girl sharing a secret.
"So, if the next time you see me in private, and I still maintain this cold demeanor, it means I'm in danger," she continued.
As she spoke these words, Alexicia's demeanor transformed, and she exuded the aura of a regal princess, her expression turning stern.
For she was also conveying a hidden message to Lanchi—
If they were to meet again and she had become a puppet of the vampires, he should not trust her.
"Your Highness Alexicia, do not reveal yourself, and do not submit to the vampires," Lanchi replied without a moment's hesitation.
His immediate response left Alexicia speechless.
She was at a loss for words.
After a long pause, she spoke again.
"Lanchi Wilford."
"Yes?"
"I'll be waiting for you in the Krexi Empire."
In other words, she was imploring him to come to her rescue.
However, Alexicia couldn't bring herself to say, "Please come and save me."
When she opened her mouth to speak, the words that came out were different.
"I will definitely come," Lanchi assured her.
The white-clad figure, Lanchi's retreating back, had already disappeared beyond the doorway.
But his soft and unwavering voice lingered in the room.
At the same time, as the minute hand of the cathedral's grand clock inched towards 5:30, time seemed to slow down, anticipating the impending transformation.
The Princess of the Krexi Empire sat in a daze.
She reached out her hand, as if pleading, towards the vague shadows that appeared in the white world.
"This time, without the presence of that demon influencing my emotions, why am I still..."
Even though she remained locked in the tower, a cage of her own making.
A fragile glimmer of hope had taken root in her heart.
Alexicia murmured to herself, desperately wiping away the unceasing flow of tears that spilled from her unseen eyes.
As mist filled the air, a radiant glow enveloped the entire castle, causing it to seem ethereal and dreamlike.
A hint of dawn's light, subtle and quiet, seeped through the dissipating walls and into the cathedral.
The five-day, five-night [Cathedral Villainous Banquet] was drawing to its climactic conclusion.
This chapter corresponds to the plot in the later volumes. The third volume focuses on the Cardinal story arc in the Northern Continent, the fourth and fifth volumes will be lighter and more comedic with a focus on daily life, the sixth volume will be set in the Southern Continent and center around the Krexi Empire, and the extra volume will be about the Demon World's restoration.
I managed to write 6,000 words today. I've done my best! Please support me with your monthly votes at the end of the month and the beginning of the next!
(End of Chapter)
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