https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-360-Hurrian-Also-Has-Hate-Sucking-Passive/12584525/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-362-Cardinal-Lanchi-s-Protection/12584527/
Chapter 361: Lanchi Comes Across a Young Lady in Need of Assistance
Chapter 361: Lanchi Comes Across a Young Lady in Need of Assistance
The concourse of Rock Junction Station, usually orderly, was now in a slight state of chaos for unknown reasons.
The battle-ready postures of the Extinction Clerics were swift and decisive, and the alertness in their eyes revealed the importance of their current mission. Under the lamplight, the cast iron and glass structure looked especially cold and hard, reflecting the tense faces of the passengers.
All eyes were focused on the two young noble ladies who were blocked at the checkpoint.
"If there is no suspicion about Miss Mirian Milford, we guarantee that we will not harm you in any way, and we will release you immediately after proving your innocence."
The Grand Cleric, who had ordered to block them, bowed slightly and said politely.
"..."
The queue of passengers behind them snaked through the corridor, everyone waiting, as if some incident was about to erupt. The mood of the ordinary Imperial passengers was cooling, just like the temperature in the concourse, gradually dropping towards freezing point.
Not just Shuburyan and Mishula, but everyone in the distance knew that the promises of the Extinction Branch Clerics were not to be trusted.
In this silence, the air was suddenly pierced by a faint, unexpected rustling sound.
Without lifting his head, the Grand Cleric waited for the two noble ladies in front of him to make a statement.
"I will miss the opening hours of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, and without evidence and an arrest warrant, you cannot arrest nobles of the Empire at will."
Even though Shuburyan seemed to have no temper earlier, her eyes narrowed slightly at this moment, a hint of annoyance flashing in them. She found it hard to accept the arbitrariness of the Extinction Branch.
"If we really have a problem, you can bring the legal documents from the Police Department and come to our school in Helrom to arrest us. Regardless of whether we agree or not, the school will cooperate with you immediately."
Mishula also stepped forward, her voice even stronger.
Their train to the imperial capital, Helrom, was scheduled to depart at 11 am. There was a three-hour interval between the train from Milford County to Box Mountain Province and the train from Box Mountain to the imperial capital, Helrom. Considering the time it might take to transfer, Milford Earl had given them ample time to rest and prepare along the way.
However, being intercepted and taken to the Extinction Knights' headquarters would cause them to miss their scheduled train, regardless of the investigation outcome. If they were detained for a day or two and had to buy tickets at the last minute, they would most likely be unable to enter the Protoss Royal Magic Academy for a week.
That strict and semi-closed school had cruel rules: students were not allowed to leave on weekdays, and as an extreme form of punishment and maintenance of credit evaluation rules, students who did not return on time were also not allowed to enter midway.
"Sorry, but we have the priority of execution for confidential matters related to the Northern War. If you want to sue us, please contact Milford Earl."
The Grand Cleric glanced at Mishula, his words still polite, but a chill was beginning to form in his eyes.
It was as if he was telling her that if she continued to make trouble, he would teach her a lesson she would never forget, regardless of whether she was a count's daughter or not.
Shuburyan immediately held Mishula's hand tighter and pulled her behind her.
"Our Milford family has never offended your Extinction Branch. The Milford Earl is going to the imperial capital to vote next week. Are you trying to drag the Extinction Bishop down with you?"
She didn't let Mishula retort anymore but asked directly herself.
"..."
A hint of hesitation flashed in the Grand Cleric's eyes, but it quickly faded, and he became resolute again.
"Even if Lord Milford will be disappointed in our Extinction Branch because of this, I must still keep her here. It is my duty, please forgive me."
"He showed not a hint of compromise.
If he had intended to give some consideration to the Milford family's influence, he was now prepared to burn that bridge.
"...
Seeing the attitude of the Grand Cleric of the Extinction Branch, Shuburyan's nerves tightened as she gripped Mishula's hand.
If they tried to escape now, forcibly breaking away from Box Mountain Province would likely be possible, but doing so would undoubtedly bring harm to the Milford family who had helped forge her false identity.
However, if she complied and went with them to the temple of the Extinction Knights, any change in the situation might leave her unable to escape, and the more they investigated, the more likely her cover would be blown.
Either way, it seemed like a dead end.
"I'll go with you," Shuburyan finally sighed in resignation, her heart filled with complex emotions.
No matter what, even with the important task she carried, she couldn't betray the Milford family for her own safety.
"I want to stay with my sister," Mishula said, her lips pressed tightly together as she clung to Shuburyan's arm, determined not to let go.
The Grand Cleric let out a cold laugh. These two proud and arrogant noble ladies had wasted so much of his time with their words; now, even if Mishula wanted to leave, he wouldn't let her go.
If they continued to maintain this attitude, he would have to make sure they were properly 'tamed' at the temple of the Extinction Knights. Even if they were only used as hostages, their influence would ensure that Milford Earl obediently cast his vote for the Extinction Bishop without any mishaps.
Once the Extinction Bishop was elected, the cooperation between the Protoss Empire and the Resurrection Church would be set in stone. Even if Milford Earl saw his two daughters mistreated or killed, he would have to endure it and remain silent.
"Very well, then, you two can go together," the Grand Cleric said, signaling to the heavily-armed knights behind him to lead the two ladies away. The many passengers who had been waiting in line behind them also chose to step aside.
Those who were scheduled to take the train in a few hours had already left the queue and gone elsewhere, leaving only those who were about to depart soon, waiting with difficulty.
Despite the blockage causing a delay during the transfer, no one dared to complain.
In the ensuing silence, what weighed heavily on Shuburyan's heart was the bitter realization that she hadn't made any mistakes, and these Extinction Clerics didn't seem to have spotted any flaws in her disguise; it was simply bad luck that had led them to detain her.
Shuburyan was all too familiar with this kind of luck. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't escape her misfortune, and it always ended up hurting those who tried to help her. In the end, even her powerful father, who had always protected her, seemed to have been affected by her bad luck, as he had gone missing.
She always felt like she was cursed, that fate always dealt her the worse hand.
Until she met Lanchi, a man with an unusually sturdy fate, her bad luck seemed to turn into good fortune. It was as if he carried all her luck with him.
Now, without Lanchi, that sense of powerlessness returned.
But she knew she couldn't shout for him like she had in the Corridor of Purgatory, expecting him to suddenly appear and save her.
"Goddess, what should I do now?" she wondered.
Just then, the huddled crowd parted once more, as if the military guards were clearing a path through them.
Shuburyan's dimmed gaze lifted slightly, drawn by the commotion.
"What are you all doing?"
A voice, tinged with confusion and impatience, rang out.
It seemed the blockage at the checkpoint had been going on for quite some time, and the speaker felt it was highly inappropriate.
(End of Chapter)
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