https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-316-The-Bad-News-is-that-the-Person-by-Lanchi-s-Side-is-Sigrid/12584451/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-318-Cardinal-Lanchi-s-Masterful-Training-Camp/12584462/
Chapter 317: Lanchi's Bloody Love Song
Chapter 317: Lanchi's Bloody Love Song
Three days later.
The skies over Queenstown were washed spotless by a heavy downpour.
Today, the rare good weather saw the sun piercing through the thin clouds above the snowy ground, its rays reaching down to dispel the haze.
Despite the lingering chill, there was a hint of spring in the air.
Located on the northern side of the city, the Snowfield Arena had become the focal point of the day. Marble floors and majestic stone pillars emulated a temple-like structure encircling the center of the arena, while ascending tiers of seating formed the entirety of this majestic building.
Today, many of the Snowfield Province's elite had gathered in this Knights' Arena of Queenstown.
Often used for the internal training of the city's knighthood, tournaments, or grand events, the arena was a hub of activity.
Complementing the fine weather, the morning sun shone through the opening at the apex, casting its light on the pristine floor tiles below, as if bestowing a sacred blessing upon the venue.
Noblemen and women, dressed in their finest attire, began to arrive early, taking their places in the VIP seats high above the arena. They chatted and laughed, their voices carrying a sense of anticipation.
As time passed, the arena gradually filled with spectators.
The citizens' chatter, laced with excitement and curiosity about the upcoming match, created a lively atmosphere that hung in the air, awaiting the spectacle to come.
"Perhaps today's contest will become a legendary tale."
"I heard from Viscount Queenstown that the two of them have known each other since they were very young. Years later, they meet again, only to face such a challenge."
"Although it will be difficult for Sir Shaia to emerge victorious, isn't it precisely these kinds of against-all-odds triumphs that make the romance of youth so captivating?"
"…."
Up in the VIP seats, Viscount Blake Born heard the lively chatter of the commoners and let out a cold hmph.
"What a beautiful thing it is. Let's just trample all over it and be done."
He had heard that for three whole days, there had been no sign of Shaia in Queenstown, and he had begun to suspect that Shaia might have forfeited the match and fled.
But here he was, in the competitors' preparation room, ready for the duel.
Apparently, those two students had taken him out of the city for special training.
Viscount Blake Born found this amusing. He turned his head to the side and addressed Professor Machi, who was seated next to him.
"Professor Machi, what do you think the chances of victory are for each party?"
"Ten to zero." Machi replied with unwavering certainty.
"Hehe, today's auspicious day is a perfect omen for my inauguration as governor." Viscount Blake Born said with a sinister smile.
He truly despised the calm and collected demeanor of that young man and woman.
Back in Viscount Queenstown's parlor, he had felt like they were constantly looking down on him—a supreme form of disdain.
And the most crucial point…
They had foiled his plan to have Shaia dealt with by the Ghost Party on the boy's journey here.
Most likely, those two had interfered, ensuring Shaia's safe arrival in Queenstown!
But soon, with the higher-ups far away, he would make them pay a price for their actions here in Snowfield Province.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the stands.
Viscount Levin Queenstown, busy entertaining other visiting dignitaries from Snowfield Province, finally spotted the distinctive figures of Lanchi and Xide amidst the crowd in the VIP seats.
After a short while, having concluded his greetings, Viscount Levin made his way over to where the two guests from Helrom sat.
"My apologies for not being able to entertain you properly, esteemed guests from Helrom," Viscount Levin said as he sat down wearily next to them. "I feel personally responsible for the unpleasant experience you had upon your arrival in Queenstown, and I ask that you not hold it against Shaia and Lillis."
Viscount Levin Queenstown offered a sincere apology, his head bowed. He seemed unbothered by the idea of sitting with them and chatting like an uncle with the neighborhood youngsters.
This belated apology came about due to his busy schedule and the fact that, according to his butler, Shaia hadn't been seen at the manor for the past two days.
In fact, he himself hadn't seen where Shaia had gone.
"It's quite alright. We have a favorable impression of Queenstown, but there do seem to be some unruly elements causing trouble in Snowfield Province," Lanchi replied with a smile.
The Viscount of Queenstown was more easygoing and amiable than he had imagined, as evidenced by his unwavering support for Shaia.
Xide, seated beside Lanchi, remained silent, propping her cheek with one hand as she gazed down at the arena.
In truth, if she wished, wiping out an entire province would be child's play. All that was happening here was but petty mischief.
"…."
Viscount Levin remained silent for a moment before using the brief lull in the conversation to study the two youths once more.
Regardless of their apparent social status or the revelation of their academic standing, the air of composure they had maintained that day left a deep impression on Viscount Levin. He believed that these two students were far from ordinary.
It was difficult to describe the exact feeling or pinpoint specific evidence of their uniqueness.
But Viscount Levin could discern one thing—
They were individuals of high standing.
As for the 40 and 60 credits, they must have made those numbers up to mock Viscount Born.
"May I trouble you to share with us the current situation in Snowfield Province?" Lanchi asked, taking out a notebook from his suit pocket and a pen from its side.
In addition to training Shaia these past few days, Lanchi had been conducting his own investigations. Now, he finally had the opportunity to sit down with Viscount Levin and verify the information he had gathered.
"Ahem."
Viscount Levin Queenstown instinctively straightened up and cleared his throat.
Whether it was a reflex or because he had recently hosted an investigation team from the imperial capital, Helrom, or perhaps due to the unique aura exuded by the young man before him, his reaction was prompted by something.
Xide, sitting beside him, remained silent, quietly listening. She understood why Lanchi hadn't exposed the imposter Machi back at Lord Queenstown's mansion.
Although they could have unmasked the fraud immediately, it would have been foolish to do so without first gathering information and understanding the situation in a town cut off from news and intelligence.
The Holy Son of her family enjoyed playing the long game.
"Sigh, this goes back to the historical legacy of our Snowfield Province and the vacancy of the governor's position."
Viscount Levin Queenstown sighed as he narrated the story to the two guests...
As a remote province with a long history of autonomy, the Snowfield Province had an acknowledged or tacit agreement—
The appointment of a governor required the approval of several city-state lords.
Starting this winter, the Ghost Party had become increasingly rampant.
The lords were convinced that they could no longer allow criminals to run amok.
"But we couldn't agree on a candidate. The local aristocrats all wanted to promote someone from their own family for the governor's position. As for those capable and resourceful individuals from the imperial capital, they wouldn't want to leave Helrom and come to our Snowfield Province during such turbulent times. And the lords wouldn't approve of an incapable candidate, so the stalemate continued."
"Then Professor Machi passed through our Snowfield Province, arrived in Bonn City, and befriended Viscount Blake Born. Soon after, Viscount Born introduced him to the other lords."
Viscount Levin Queenstown's expression turned resigned as he looked at Lanchi, believing there was no need to elaborate further. The two guests from the imperial capital should understand the situation by now.
There was no doubt that Professor Machi possessed credentials from the Royal Magic Academy of Protoss.
Viscount Blake Born had quickly leveraged Professor Machi's authority, influence, and connections to win over many aristocrats, forming a powerful interest group. And once such a group was formed, they could start squeezing out those who refused to join them. It seemed apparent that Viscount Blake Born intended to seize the opportunity to appoint himself as governor.
The other lords might have already made up their minds, but Viscount Levin Queenstown had not yet revealed his stance.
At the moment, it appeared that today's duel would be used by Viscount Blake Born to pressure everyone into declaring their support for his bid for the governorship.
"Didn't any of you lords question Machi's identity?"
Lanchi asked, lifting his head from his notebook, where he had been jotting down the Viscount's statements.
"A few days ago, we had some guests from the imperial capital, and they did confirm the recent changes at the Royal Magic Academy of Protoss, which matched what Machi had hinted at or inadvertently revealed about his own experiences. However, even those guests from Helrom weren't clear about the internal details of the reforms at the Academy. They only knew that it happened just as they were leaving the imperial capital."
Viscount Levin Queenstown shook his head and answered in a low voice, his face filled with dismay.
Since then, they had been too intimidated to offend Professor Machi.
"I understand."
Lanchi nodded. Viscount Levin's "guests from the imperial capital" likely referred to the investigation team, but the Viscount had described them in a very vague manner, as if there was a gag order in place preventing him from saying more.
Lanchi closed the notebook in his hands.
"I think the Snowfield Province does need a capable governor."
Lanchi spoke again, cradling the tearful Cat Boss, who had transformed back into a crying cat, in his arms. His gaze drifted towards the arena as he lost himself in thought.
"..."
Viscount Levin Queenstown was unsure what Lanchi meant by that statement.
Perhaps Lanchi, having come from the imperial capital of Helrom, was indeed dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the Snowfield Province.
However, at this point, Viscount Levin Queenstown felt powerless to worry about the bigger picture.
He didn't even know how Shaia would fare against Dean in today's duel.
He desperately hoped that Shaia would emerge victorious.
If Shaia won, it would be a setback for Viscount Blake Born, and it would also indirectly show that Professor Machi's teachings were not as impressive as claimed.
But he couldn't see much hope for Shaia's victory... he could only pray that the secret heritage of the Candys family would come into play.
And Shaia's two friends, who had accompanied him through three days of intensive training, were a testament to the power of friendship! That lion-like boy, dormant but courageous, might possess a magic called bravery, and once awakened by love, he could create miracles!
Clang, clang.
As the bell rang, signaling the start of the promised duel, the contestants were about to enter the arena.
Finally.
From the entrance near where Lanchi and his companions were seated, a figure slowly emerged.
In the shadows, the ancient iron of the wooden door creaked as it opened, and the sunlight illuminated only a small portion of the unstable dust in the corridor.
In the shadows, a figure gradually appeared, clad in blood-red and pitch-black chainmail and leather armor, stained with dried blood that seemed to be a mixture of countless enemies' blood and flesh.
The thick, putrid scent of blood wafted up to the spectator stands, causing many to cover their noses in disgust and horror.
His pale face held a morbid beauty, his deep-set eyes now devoid of sparks, leaving only a pair of dark, despairing, and cold irises. His swift strides were like drumbeats, each one causing the temperature around him to drop several degrees, as if countless vengeful spirits lurked in his shadow, reaching out to him.
When Viscount Levin Queenstown saw Shaia's transformed appearance, he was momentarily stunned.
Is... is this really my nephew...?!
(End of Chapter)
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