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Chapter 329: Cardinal Lanchi's Challenge in the Northern Demon Territory
Chapter 329: Cardinal Lanchi's Challenge in the Northern Demon Territory
In the Northern Border Province, high up in the mountains, stood the city of Bandera, encircled by rugged peaks and craggy cliffs. The cold winds and perpetual snowfall endowed the city with a unique ambiance.
Several hundred meters south of Bandera, a vast snowfield stretched out, with snowflakes dancing in the sky, drifting down to the earth and into the depths of the mountain gorges.
A unique trail was left on this quiet snowfield by a sled pulled by a gigantic black Magikfox.
The sled came to a halt beside a frozen lake, its surface resembling a flawless white jade, reflecting the pale sky. A few majestic trees stood by the lake, their branches laden with snow.
Two figures jumped off the sled.
"Judging by the time, the investigation team must have been here long before us. If our paths were similar, we should have come across some traces of their return journey."
Cardinal Lanchi, addressing Cat Boss, instructed him to put away the portable, high-durability sled, gazing into the distance at the city, and muttering to himself.
The city of Bandera, amid the blizzard, resembled a colossal sculpture of deep gray, standing firm and unyielding. The snowflakes fell on the towering steel-like walls, yet they could never turn them white.
The city's external towers and spires, reaching for the sky, were adorned with yellowish lights in the snowy weather, as if conveying to the world its resilience, vicissitudes, and grandeur.
Along their journey, they had only passed through a handful of fortress cities and towns. Geographically speaking, the two of them had long entered the Northern Border Province.
Lanchi and Xide usually sought shelter in towns at night, and only when they couldn't find a city would they look for a suitable campsite. It was rare to come across such a large city, and theoretically, it should have been much easier. However, the city exuded an oppressiveness a hundred times more suffocating than the imperial capital, Helrom.
Standing at a distance from the city, Lanchi could already hear the imperial military string music emanating from it, the sound carrying clearly through the wind and snow.
This orchestral music was similar to that of the Helrom Demon Power Track Station, but upon closer inspection, one would find numerous variations in the melody.
The melody, which never returned to a gentle and quiet grandeur, carried a deeper emotion—one of honor, betrayal, decisive battle, and sacrifice.
To avoid unnecessary suspicion and trouble, Lanchi recalled the fox and prepared to walk the rest of the way with Xide.
Entering Bandera required not only a pass but also a strict identity check.
The city's barrier protection was formidable, and it was impossible to probe any internal information from a distance outside the city.
"Xide, be ready to protect me at all times."
Lanchi had a strong premonition that the moment he stepped into that city, unforeseen changes might occur.
This might be the first time he would have to face a decisive battle in the Demon Territory since arriving on the Northern Continent, following the trail of scattered oddities and anomalies that led to the empire.
"Understood. I was prepared to protect you even before we set out. Rest assured, as long as I'm alive, you won't die."
Although Xide hadn't revealed much to Lanchi, she had brought along spells specifically to protect fragile teammates.
Lanchi nodded.
Even though he had been challenging shadow worlds far beyond his level, this time, the gap was greater than ever, surpassing his combat capabilities by a large margin.
If one were to use the concept of levels to describe it, the Inferno Corridor Academy would be a level 45 dungeon, the Saint Evil Dinner a level 55 dungeon, and the upcoming Northern Border Frontlines a recommended level of 89.
The investigation team led by Major Fanreku, a level 70 or higher, was very likely to have met with misfortune.
At this moment, they were just a stone's throw away from the biggest conspiracy hidden in the north of the Protoss Empire. The only one who could unravel the cloud of enmity between the empire and the northern nations was him, Roche McCassy.
Even the enemy plotting this war would never have anticipated the presence of an archduke of the Dominance Sect here. This teammate, at least level 85 or higher, was Lanchi's greatest reliance at the moment.
Xide glanced at Lanchi's expression and then looked towards the city full of unknowns.
"You seem more relaxed than I expected. Do you have an ace up your sleeve?"
Xide asked with a light laugh.
Although she had not seen Lanchi fight yet, she was quite sure that her saint, being a combat job, should be no slouch either.
The difference between confidence and a lack thereof can lead to a stark contrast in one's mental state.
"I hope it won't come to that," Lanchi said, his emerald green eyes filled with contemplation, as if constantly weighing right from wrong.
Even though his state of mind remained as clear and calm as a tranquil lake, it always bore ripples that never ceased.
"We've known each other for so long, yet I still don't know what your combat job is."
Xide, deep in thought, realized that she had overlooked some of Lanchi's fundamental roles due to his excellence. Even if Lanchi were solely an artist, she would still be quite satisfied.
Based on her guess, Lanchi's physical qualities were probably the polar opposite of hers, but they should complement each other well.
He would make a good healer or functional assistant.
Or maybe a tank; he didn't need magic to attract aggro, he was naturally skilled at it.
As long as she nurtured him, he would be of great use to her.
"I am a Seal Master," Lanchi said, matter-of-factly revealing his profession to Xide.
"Huh?" Xide furrowed her brows, looking at Lanchi in surprise.
She never expected her saint to be a Seal Master, the type of fighter she disliked the most.
She hadn't even considered the possibility of taking a Seal Master under her wing as her saint.
If the priests of the Hegemony Branch were to find out that the Hegemony Saint was of the same type as the Extinction Bishop, a Seal Master, they would surely suspect that the Hegemony Church had gone mad.
However, upon further reflection, Xide felt that having a Seal Master, a rare species from the underworld, as an ally made them all the more endearing.
"I really wish I could get you to level six sooner and let you face off against the Extinction Saint."
Xide quickly accepted Lanchi's profession.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not like those gloomy Seal Masters of the Extinction Bishop lineage. All my sealing arts are warm and fervent; they were born out of love and a desire for peace."
Lanchi assured her with conviction.
"I've never heard of that kind of Seal Master," Xide said, her expression slightly confused.
But she didn't feel the need to probe further. Her saint rarely had to take action.
In fact, she couldn't even recall seeing Lanchi under attack. He never ran around recklessly; even when he had locked onto an enemy, he would slowly stroll towards them, always maintaining his poise and elegance.
Others might strive to put on a show of power, but they would hardly match the innate dignity of her saint.
This suited Xide's taste perfectly, and in her eyes, it was a definite plus.
The distant, profound military music had just finished a round, like snowflakes gently drifting down on the frozen continent, and now a new round of orchestral music began. The sad melody suddenly became tense and conflicted, with the sound of metal clashing, and the feeling of flames and smoke, as if one were in the midst of an eternal battle between demons and humans.
"Shall we go?" Xide stretched her limbs, indicating that she was ready.
"Then let's be off," Lanchi said, taking the first steps towards the Borderline City-State in the midst of the wind and snow.
---
Book Recommendation: _Your Infamous Reputation Knows No Bounds_
"Oh, vile and ruthless King, despicable and shameless Prophet, the very source of conspiracies, the vile sage with supreme knowledge... These are but a few of the vile names the citizens have bestowed upon you.
"Out of fear of your achievements and character, they also refrain from using these titles, instead opting for the more respectful 'That Noble Lord'.
"Of course, you have also garnered some goodwill, with many underground societies bestowing upon you the title of Savior. However, these very societies are currently being hunted by the Empire.
"What are your thoughts on these matters?"
A journalist asked Rogus.
"Defamation! They are defaming me! I only wanted a little bit of security at first..."
Before Rogus could finish his answer, a group of young boys and girls kicked open the door to the interview room. Shouting about friendship, bonds, and the future, they charged towards Rogus.
(End of Chapter)
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