https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-271-Lanchi-s-Formidable-Opponent/12584339/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-273-Lanchi-Receives-a-Direct-Offer/12584342/
Chapter 272: Cardinal Lanchi's Misfortunes and Grievances
Chapter 272: Cardinal Lanchi's Misfortunes and Grievances
The following day.
The sun shyly pierced through the heavy clouds, and each ray of light that broke through the gloom seemed to release golden bonds, faintly illuminating the outlines of the bustling pedestrians and magical beasts on Helrom Street.
Every window of the buildings lining the street had become a miniature theater of life, with small magical beasts or alchemical creatures resting their tentacles and tails on the windowsills, curiously peering out at the outside world.
And on this morning.
Cardinal Lanchi had already left the inn near the Protorus Royal Magic Academy.
He was on his way to the Temple of the Knights of Annihilation.
Tomorrow he would begin his five-day workweek at the academy.
Today, as it was the last day of the weekend, he needed to visit the temple in the morning to meet with the high priest who had granted him the Certificate of Resurrection of the Annihilation Branch and receive his future work arrangements.
As Lanchi strolled leisurely, he heard the voice of Cat Boss in his ear.
The two of them, man and cat, depended on each other in a foreign land, and Cat Boss would never stop chattering to him.
"Meow, Lanchi, now that you're the new leader of the Annihilation Branch... you're not going to meet with Archbishop Askesang, are you...?"
If it really came to that, he wouldn't dare follow this kid to meet the cardinal!
Just appearing in the line of sight of that embodiment of calamity would leave one without any power to resist, and one wrong move could result in annihilation.
"Rest assured, I've been diligently working on my thesis, and I've never forgotten my original intention."
Lanchi replied calmly.
"Meow! Why don't you focus more on developing your career in the Empire! I feel like the Dominance Branch is safer than the Annihilation Branch!"
Cat Boss felt that he was pulling a fast one.
Who are you trying to kid by running off to join the Resurrection Church as an undercover agent?!
He thought that Lanchi must have accidentally drunk some fake alcohol and was now tipsy.
Cat Boss had already heard from Tata about the jokes this kid had made due to his alcoholism in the border city-state of Nantiina.
He worried that Lanchi would sink deeper and deeper and wouldn't be able to turn back. In comparison, whatever business he wanted to pursue in the Empire, Cat Boss would fully support and encourage him to go all out, as long as he didn't continue to get involved with the Resurrection Church.
"Rest assured, I've completely cut ties with the Dominance Branch. A pioneer is a pioneer, and Rocky is Rocky. Your journey to the Empire will definitely be satisfying."
Lanchi turned his head, looked at his shadow, raised his eyelids, and gave Cat Boss a smile.
"..."
Meow, let's trust him one more time.
The air of the city was filled with the unique scent of magical potions, along with a faint hint of rain-soaked fragrance.
Lanchi walked along the road paved with neat rectangular stones.
As he turned each corner, the number of pedestrians on the street gradually diminished.
Even the windows of the tall buildings seemed deserted.
Then, a detail caught Lanchi's eye.
Not far ahead, a woman was walking towards the temple. Her long hair swayed gently in the breeze, falling upon her silver skirt armor. The thin skirt armor had an ancient design, and every joint showcased the craftsman's exquisite skill. The sunlight shining on her armor emitted a soft white light, like flowing water.
Lanchi recognized this woman in silver skirt armor.
Their destination was obviously the Knights of Annihilation.
And this woman, named Xide, was one of the reasons for the postponement of the final assessment.
However, Lanchi had no interaction with her, and since they would be colleagues in the future, they would eventually get to know each other. There was no need to take the initiative to greet her.
As Lanchi thought this, he walked into the next street, and before he knew it, a cold hand had grabbed his upper arm!
The hand was so powerful that it seemed like it could easily crush his bones, but the owner of the hand precisely controlled the force to ensure no harm came to him.
"You..."
Lanchi didn't have time to react because he truly felt no hostility, or perhaps the other party was too strong for him. His nerves couldn't keep up with their speed.
In the instant he saw their shadow, the wind howled in his ears, and all gravity seemed to disappear. The soles of his shoes lost all contact with the ground, and the oppressive feeling of the air assured him that he had been grabbed and taken high into the sky above Helrom.
The emerald green light in Lanchi's eyes cut through the mist of Helrom, leaving a clear trail. The clouds swiftly passed on both sides, bringing a chilling sensation.
Buildings, streets, vehicles, and people—all of these blended into blurry shadows in his eyes, with every detail torn apart by speed, leaving only a chaotic mix of colors and shadows.
The next second, everything started to accelerate. The icy wind almost forced his eyes shut, and this roller coaster-like bird's-eye view of the city-state resembled shattered colored glass fragments. Amid the deafening wind, Lanchi's head was filled with a buzzing sound, and the biting cold air made it difficult for him to breathe. Each breath felt like it was being drawn from an ice cellar.
As his vision blurred and his consciousness drifted away, the hand still held him firmly, the force akin to that of a magic spell, supporting his balance and serving as his sole anchor in this high-altitude world.
Just as he was about to succumb to the encroaching darkness, their speed abruptly slowed, and he was gently lowered onto a flat surface, the impact jolting his senses back to awareness.
"..."
Rubbing his forehead, Lanchi steadied his swaying body, realizing that in just over ten seconds, he had been transported to an entirely different location.
He now stood within an ancient yet majestic building.
"If there's a next time, could you please refrain from bringing me here in such a manner?"
Lanchi lowered his hand and shook his head, still feeling a sense of weakness throughout his body.
His heart was strong, and this rollercoaster-like experience hadn't caused him to faint.
However, he had been abruptly bound, and despite his captor's apparent attempt at gentleness, the vast difference in their strength and physical fitness was evident. If Lanchi's rank had been any lower, he would likely have lost consciousness by now.
The silver-skirted figure who had brought him here, Xide, paid him no heed as she strode towards her main seat, her demeanor that of a queen ruling over this domain.
The space they occupied was grand, with tall door frames and intricate carvings adorning the walls, along with various mysterious objects and ancient paintings. At a glance, it resembled a private museum, exuding a profound and serene atmosphere, and every detail spoke of priceless artifacts gathered from different regions and eras.
The floor was made of aged, dark brown wood, each plank slightly worn, possessing unique textures and hues, each with a story to tell, as if their very imperfections enhanced their value.
Moreover, the entire hall, spanning hundreds of square meters, felt exceptionally spacious, with only the main seat, or perhaps the sole throne of this space, backed by shelves filled with all manner of bottles and jars, from amber-hued cups to clear, watery liquors, all quietly awaiting their moment of selection.
At that moment, Lanchi's recovering vision finally allowed him to clearly see the figure who had forcibly brought him here.
Xide.
Her attire had changed.
Her tall stature remained, with her light-colored hair cascading down to her waist, and her eyes shone like stars in the night sky or violets blooming in spring. Her aura screamed of ambition, akin to a queen ruling over this very land—she was not content with merely controlling what lay before her but sought to conquer all that her eyes beheld.
"Most of the time, I don't like working with others, and some find me domineering, prone to interfering and provoking others, unable to collaborate. But I know that I will never easily let go of anything that benefits me."
She introduced herself calmly, her assertive and tranquil gaze resembling a clear, reflective lake with a piercing sword at its heart, ready to stab into her opponent's heart.
"May I ask why Your Excellency has brought me here?"
Lanchi offered a slight Imperial salute. Until he could discern Xide's true identity and intentions, he didn't plan on saying much.
There was nothing to fear.
His life was, quite literally, in her hands. If she had malicious intentions, his chances of successfully resisting through force were obviously nil.
With her back turned to Lanchi, Xide remained silent as she slowly ascended her throne.
She was a cold beauty, indifferent to Lanchi's feelings and concerned only with her own desires. The Xide identity had been a mere disguise, along with the illusion magic she had employed.
"You may not have heard of the name Sigride."
Xide propped her chin up with one hand, her gaze fixed on Lanchi, though she seemed to appreciate his composure.
"But you must have heard of another name."
Her right thumb bore a holy sigil, which she flipped like a coin, sending a fleeting silver gleam through the air before catching it again.
Even in that brief moment, Lanchi recognized it.
At the center of the sigil was a silver moon crown, its radiance forming a crescent moon, as if enemies would be reduced to fragments, their shattered weapons and tragic fates scattered among the stars lining the crown's edge.
This style of holy sigil was all too familiar to him.
He had seen too many of them on the bodies of the Hegemonic Clerics in the Southwest Province.
The only difference was—
The one Xide possessed shone with an incredibly domineering and dazzling orange radiance!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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