https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-306-Cardinal-Lanchi-Draws-a-Clear-Line-Between-Public-and-Private-Affairs/12584422/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-308-The-Lost-Soul-in-the-Northern-Snowfield/12584424/
Chapter 307: Lanchi Starts to Let Loose
Chapter 307: Lanchi Starts to Let Loose
With a slight jolt, the passengers inside the carriage realized that they had arrived at Rock Junction Station, and the magic-powered train was slowly coming to a stop.
Outside the window, the grand concourse of the station gradually came into view.
The station's interior was spacious and bright, with a ceiling made of transparent glass that allowed natural light to flood the entire hall. Adorning the walls were works of art by local artists, depicting the history and culture of Rock Junction Mountain.
Each platform was supported by massive stone pillars seamlessly integrated into the station's main structure. In the past, trains from the northern regions frequently passed through here, connecting the northern cities with the southern regions of Protoss. However, today, the number of trains arriving at the once bustling station seemed strangely scarce, giving it a desolate feel.
Lanchi and Xide stood up from their seats within the carriage, luggage in hand.
As they made their way down the aisle and off the train, they noticed that the platform was patrolled by numerous uniformed Imperial soldiers. Dressed in black military attire, they held gleaming weapons in their hands.
Each soldier wore an expressionless face, as if they were a part of the Rock Junction Station itself—stern and resolute.
The merchant passengers appeared uneasy, cautiously disembarking from the train, trying to avoid eye contact with the soldiers as much as possible.
There were two passageways at the platform level leading to the concourse level: one for transfers and the other for exiting the station.
Most passengers headed toward the exit.
Lanchi and Xide, on the other hand, found themselves alone as they walked through the transfer passageway.
It wasn't until they neared the checkpoint that they finally spotted more Imperial soldiers guarding the area.
At the inspection counter stood a captain, as indicated by the medals on his left chest, of medium build and a stern countenance. His sharp eyes constantly scanned each and every person who passed through.
Lanchi and Xide exchanged a glance before continuing toward the inspection counter.
As they approached, the captain swept them with a cold, hard gaze.
"Name, identity, and destination."
The captain's voice was deep and commanding.
"Loki McCassy, and this is my companion, Xide Novia," Lanchi replied calmly, handing over their passports and documents. "We are clerics from the Imperial Capital, Helrom, tasked with assisting the branch in the north with official business."
Though prepared for a less-than-warm reception, Lanchi provided truthful information, expecting that the captain wouldn't give them too hard a time.
The captain nodded and picked up a magical instrument from the desk to verify their documents.
"So, you're clerics from the Church of Annihilation," he said, his tone noticeably softer after confirming their identities.
Lanchi and Xide shared another glance.
Apparently, the Church of Annihilation enjoyed a certain level of esteem in the north, enough for even Imperial officers to treat its clerics with respect.
In the southern provinces, the Church of Resurrection was often viewed with disdain.
Perhaps it was indeed due to their proximity to the front lines.
When times were peaceful, the Church of Resurrection was seen as a threat, but in times of danger, they represented safety.
In the face of war and unknown terrors, aligning with the Church of Resurrection gave one a sense of relying on the shadows.
"If you're heading toward the northwest province, you'll likely have to wait until tomorrow morning due to the massive train delays caused by the blizzard in the north," the captain informed them. "And if you plan to continue further north, I'm afraid you'll be waiting for quite some time."
"It seems that you'll have to wait for quite some time if you plan on heading further north," the captain added with a hint of regret.
Though he was unsure of the exact itinerary of the two clerics, he knew that beyond this city, there were only two directions to go—back the way they came or forge ahead north.
"Why would we have to wait so long if we want to continue north?" Lanchi asked, not revealing the transfer tickets that the Imperial Capital's Church of Annihilation branch had purchased for them to the Northwest Province. He intended to buy tickets to continue northward only after passing through the checkpoint in the city-state of Rock Junction Mountain with Xide by his side to investigate the dangerous northern front lines.
However, it seemed that travel to the north was challenging at the moment.
Xide remained silent, letting Lanchi take the lead in their journey, as she was responsible for handling any potential fights that might arise.
"To be honest, I wouldn't recommend going any further north," the captain mused.
"What's happening up north?" Lanchi asked, his curiosity piqued.
"There's a critical section of the tracks north of here that's broken, and it's difficult to repair in this blizzard. There haven't been any trains coming from the north for several days. If you insist on traveling that way, you'll either have to find an alternative means of land transport or wait for the city-state to fix the tracks," the captain explained, pulling out a map and pointing out the routes and the problematic areas. "Also, I've heard that there have been numerous disappearances in the north this year, and the security situation is very volatile. Be extra cautious if you must go that way."
The captain lowered his voice as if sharing a secret. "Indeed. And on top of that, the Empire sent a special investigator from the capital just the other day. I don't know what happened, but the governor of the Rock Junction Province also dispatched an investigation team to accompany them to the northern regions to assess the situation on the ground."
"If you insist on traveling north, I suggest you don't go any further than the city of Chesterston. Aside from the harsh weather, the terrain is extremely treacherous. Without local guidance, setting aside all other dangers, you might find yourselves buried or frozen to death in the mountain blizzards," the captain advised, clearly not wanting to dwell on this topic for too long. He quickly changed the subject and asked if they needed help securing accommodations for the night in the city-state.
He could tell that these two elites from the capital were no ordinary individuals, and their abilities would be considered exceptional and powerful even in his region.
However, the map beyond this point was not something that young adventurers should attempt to navigate.
...
After a brief stay at the checkpoint, the pair bid farewell to the captain and made their way back to the concourse level.
"Are you scared? Be careful, or we might both end up getting kidnapped," Xide teased, seeing Lanchi's uncharacteristically pensive silence.
The original plan to head directly north was Lanchi's impulsive idea, and Xide wouldn't have minded following the original route to the Northwest Province to capture the Etherian Kingdom spies and followers of the Church of the Goddess of Fate who had infiltrated the Empire.
It was obvious that traveling further north would be extremely dangerous, whereas the Northwest Province was much safer.
Lanchi stroked his chin, his expression grave as he pondered their next move.
"The more lawless a place is, the more they need someone like me," Lanchi muttered to himself.
"?" The cat boss, hidden in the shadows, furrowed his brow.
Although Lanchi's words sounded righteous, they struck a chord of fear in the cat.
After all, he had heard tales of this man's exploits in the shadow world of the Holy Church.
This man was a trafficker himself!
He was always threatening to harvest the organs of others!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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