https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-325-Lanchi-and-the-Imperial-Capital-Prison-s-School-Collaboration-Project/12584472/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-327-Cardinal-Lanchi-s-Performance-was-Truly-Magnificent/12584480/
Chapter 326: The Conclusion of Cardinal Lanchi's Visit to the Snowfield Province
Chapter 326: The Conclusion of Cardinal Lanchi's Visit to the Snowfield Province
The late afternoon light cast a soft white glow on the walls of Kingston City, and the chill in the air deepened as the sun sank lower in the snow-covered landscape. The edges of the walls were still lined with a thin layer of snow, and the silver-white blanket, slow to melt, made the brick patterns stand out even more clearly in the daylight.
Cardinal Lanchi's discussions with the lords of the city-states were also coming to an end.
Tomorrow, after finalizing the matters that only he, as governor, could conclude, he would be leaving the Snowfield Province and heading further north to the distant Northern Border Province.
"By the way, regarding the incident with Professor Mechi, I heard that an investigative team came from the Imperial Capital. It was because of the information you disclosed to these visitors from the Capital that you mistakenly believed him to be me. I'm a little curious about what exactly they told you."
Cardinal Lanchi turned back to ask the city-state lords.
The lords' expressions immediately became a bit awkward.
After a final investigation, it turned out that Professor Mechi was a Ghost Party cadre who had once taught at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy. Later, after leaving his position, he went to live in the Box Mountain Province. Taking advantage of the current situation, the information gap, and his extremely strong ability to incite, he found an opportunity and almost infiltrated the upper echelons of the Snowfield Province.
If Professor Mechi and Viscount Bonn had really colluded to dominate the Snowfield Province, the consequences would have been unimaginable. They might have had to pay an irreparable price even before they could uncover the truth.
It could be said that on this matter, no matter how much the governor punished them for their mistake, they would have no complaints.
The lords briefly exchanged glances, then Lord Levin Kingston spoke up.
"Recently, there has been a rumor that the northernmost city of Bonn has received unidentified vagrants who claim that something terrifying has happened in the north. However, when we actually contacted the Northern Border Province, we found that this was not the case, and we couldn't even verify the identity that the vagrant claimed. It was as if this person had been fabricated out of thin air. His mental state was also clearly disturbed, and he was soon sent to the hospital, after which he took his own life."
"Was there an onsite investigation in the north?"
Cardinal Lanchi stroked his chin and nodded.
In fact, from his conversation with Viscount Kingston, Cardinal Lanchi already knew that the investigative team had been ordered not to disclose any information, so he asked directly. The lords might have tried to be evasive, or it might have been a hassle to try and extract all the key information from them.
From the investigative team's route, Cardinal Lanchi also had his suspicions. Most likely, it had something to do with the Northern Border Province, which was the ultimate destination that Cloris had entrusted him to investigate. Even Cloris's father, Moro Tian, the Duke of Berenhart and holder of the 'Original Stone Tablet-Undead', had disappeared in this northern region.
"This matter is too absurd," added one of the lords by Cardinal Lanchi's side. "Not only did we receive such vagrants in the Snowfield Province, but other northern city-states have also encountered similar cases, which eventually attracted the attention of the Imperial Capital. They dispatched a elite investigative team led by Major Fanleiku."
"Major Fanleiku..."
Cardinal Lanchi murmured to himself.
He had heard of this Imperial General in the Capital. Major Fanleiku was born into a noble family in the Protoss Empire and had received strict military training and strategic education from a young age. Even as a teenager, he displayed extraordinary leadership and combat abilities. Now, at just thirty-five years old, he was already a renowned Seventh-Rank powerhouse and an Imperial Major.
"The Empire's decision to send out Major Fanleiku suggests that the potential threat of this situation is even greater than what we currently see on the surface."
"It's terrifying right now. We can't communicate with the south, and transportation to the north has been temporarily cut off. The communication stations up north are often unstable, and we fear that enemies we cannot withstand might surge forth at any moment. The main garrisons are in the Northern Border Province and the Northwest Province, so it's unlikely that the Imperial Capital will allocate forces to concentrate on this largely snowy region with relatively small cities like the Snowfield Province."
"Back when the tracks were still operational, we sent spies to investigate and verify the situation on the ground, and indeed, there didn't seem to be any issues."
As Lanchi pondered, one of the lords sighed and added, "It's probably not that big of a deal. After all, the war hasn't broken out yet, and there are sufficient defenses along the northern border to prevent any unforeseen incidents."
"It's more likely that spies from enemy nations are trying to spread panic and suspicion in the north," another lord speculated.
"What exactly is this terrifying situation that has you all so concerned?" Lanchi inquired further.
Now that they were all together, they naturally couldn't afford to be perfunctory when connecting this matter to the mishap with Professor Mechi. Seeing someone break the taboo and speak up, the others also felt emboldened to voice their thoughts.
His sharp question hung in the air like an icy dagger, causing everyone present to feel the tense atmosphere.
The nobles exchanged glances, their eyes filled with unease and hesitation. Some swallowed nervously, while others subconsciously fiddled with their garments.
In the midst of this silence, only the soft sound of breathing and shifting gazes could be heard.
Finally, Levin Kingston stepped forward, his eyes steady and his face lined with determination. The wrinkles on his face and his silver-gray hair added a sense of calm and dignity to his demeanor.
"That vagrant..." Levin Kingston's voice faltered as he struggled to find the right words.
"He said that the Northern Border Province has been... annihilated. It has been turned into a crimson wasteland." He whispered these words into Lanchi's ear.
This absurd news was something no one would easily believe, but it sent a chill down their spines, especially in the current climate of impending war. If this information were to spread, it could spark panic, regardless of how improbable it seemed.
"...'
Lanchi fell silent once more, deep in contemplation.
Standing atop the city walls, he gazed into the distance, where the icy mountain range was obscured by frost and snow, its contours indiscernible.
Even the father of Cloris, the Duke of Berenhart, had disappeared in that region, indicating an extremely perilous situation.
If he were to go there alone, his chances of survival would be slim.
Initially, Lanchi had believed that with the power of the Holy Church of Dominance, he would be absolutely safe. However, it now appeared that as he ventured further north, he might encounter dangers even the Holy Church would struggle to handle.
Something was brewing in that distant north, and it seemed to be approaching a critical point unbeknownst to them.
"Askr, do you seek to endanger the Empire?" Lanchi murmured, his lips barely moving as he gazed northward into the icy winds. His emerald eyes shone like a beacon.
Whatever the situation was in the north, guarded by the Bishop of Silence, the primary responsibility lay with Bishop Askr of Silence.
Lanchi, the Grand Governor, was determined to get to the bottom of this and expose all the evil deeds in the Imperial Capital of Helrom!
(End of Chapter)
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