https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-363-Lanchi-s-Emotional-Investment-in-Sigrid/12584528/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-365-Lanchi-Returns-to-His-Imperial-Capital-Helrom/12584530/
Chapter 364: Lanchi's Northern Journey Comes to an End
Chapter 364: Lanchi's Northern Journey Comes to an End
Rock Junction Station, Foundation Level.
Lanchi led the way in silence, a chain dangling from his hand, securing the slender wrist of a woman at the other end.
They traversed a secluded stairway, the metal of the handcuffs occasionally clinking with crisp clarity, creating a rhythmic accompaniment to their footsteps.
At the end of the passage lay a slope that led up to the sunlit platform level.
Lanchi narrowed his eyes slightly, while Cider at his side bowed her head, concealing her gaze.
Beams of natural light streamed through the glass canopy above the platform, casting speckles of light that danced like scattered coins on the ground, occasionally interrupted by their footsteps.
The platform was sparsely populated, with passengers either sitting uneasily on benches or standing at the edge, gazing down the tracks.
Even before they came to a complete stop, a mag-lev train rumbled into the station at the far end of the tracks, its carriages trailing behind with a loud hum.
The gleaming metal of the train body reflected the sunlight, and the insignia of the Protoss Empire flashed by as each carriage swiftly passed by.
Lanchi and Cider stood waiting at the painted line on the ground.
The train gradually slowed and came to a smooth stop, its doors sliding open to release a faint, translucent mist, the residual warmth from the magi-tech regulators dissipating into the air.
"Get on," Lanchi ordered, his voice tinged with indifference.
Without needing to be prompted by the handcuffs, Cider followed Lanchi onto the carriage, her silence speaking volumes.
Her obedient demeanor, like that of a puppet, kept curious onlookers from daring to glance their way, and they could only imagine the fate that awaited the young prisoner.
The two stepped into the dedicated carriage at the rear of the mag-lev train.
Unlike the other carriages ahead, this one was designed with a more fortified and enclosed structure, boasting unique protective and secretive features. Access to the interior compartments, including that of the crew, required special permission.
As they entered one of the inner compartments, the door closed behind them with a heavy metallic thud, reverberating within the spacious cabin.
"Finally, off duty!"
The two sat down in front of the seats, both looking as if they had just concluded an exhausting journey, leaning back in their chairs with a sense of relief.
Lanchi, for one, had no intention of moving a muscle, having spent the entire morning working for Askesan. He was truly exhausted.
"When are these coming off?" Cider asked, lifting her right hand that rested on the armrest, the handcuffs jingling lightly.
"They'll be removed when the crew brings lunch. We need to maintain appearances until then," Lanchi replied.
After all, they were technically officers carrying out an official prisoner transfer, and they had to keep up the act until they boarded the next train and reverted their appearances.
But for now, their arduous journey across the Empire's northern regions had finally come to an end, and they could look forward to returning to the familiar imperial capital of Helrom.
"This journey has certainly been eventful," Lanchi mused, as if recalling the events of the past month or so.
Cider looked at him, offering no comment.
"It's been eventful for me, at least. You, on the other hand, haven't suffered any injuries at all," she finally said, her gaze shifting away.
This guy hadn't even gotten his clothes dirty throughout the entire trip.
Back in the snowy fields when they fought the Ghost Party, she was the one doing all the work, punching them one by one, while Lanchi hung back like a supervisor.
"I promised to protect you, didn't I?" Lanchi said with a self-satisfied smile.
Cider fixed her eyes on his face, feeling that he was taking things too lightly. She considered retorting, but after a moment's hesitation, she let it go.
His smile, so natural and sincere, seemed to be thanking her—thanking her for keeping him safe.
"You're lucky you're not a girl. Otherwise, I'd have to worship you as a saint, and even then, I'd still be annoyed," Cider said, conceding with an exasperated expression.
At first, she had even wished that the person she fancied was a girl. Now, she was just relieved that he wasn't.
"So, what level have you recovered to now?" Lanchi asked after some thought.
He noticed that Cider no longer looked as fatigued as she had been in the snowy fields, and her spirits seemed to have lifted.
"Around the fifth level, I suppose. This is probably my limit. The more I recover, the more I feel the shackles of the seal's power. It's like my state is being locked down," Sigrid replied, her expression turning grim.
While she could defend herself in the imperial capital of Helrom, compared to her previous self, she felt unimaginably weak.
"But if I can break this seal, I might become even stronger than before."
She clenched her fist, speaking to herself.
This was both a calamity and a trial; anything that didn't kill her would only make her stronger.
However, seeing Sigrid's unwavering demeanor, Lanchi's assessment was—
"Forget it."
Lanchi's eyes held a hint of pity.
She was already too strong to find a husband; if she became even stronger, it would be even more impossible.
"..."
Cider bit her lip, her fists shaking with anger.
If the prisoner hadn't stood up and started beating the nearby Son of Annihilation, which might have caught the attention of the people outside the glass window on the platform, she would have taken action already.
"Saint."
"Hmm?"
"If you ever meet a woman who can read minds in the future, just run. Turn around and run, don't ask questions and don't think about anything else."
"Why?"
"In this world, the only person who would treat you like this is probably just me."
Cider's smile was more of a grimace as she spoke through gritted teeth.
Even though she had reminded him a few times, she felt that he didn't quite believe her. He was either going to push his luck to the very end without ever crashing, or if he did crash, it would be an epic-level disaster. She didn't want to end up at the crematorium identifying her Saint.
"Rest assured, very few people can master top-tier spiritual magic like mind-reading in just a few years, not even my most ambitious disciple, Zestila," Lanchi said confidently, stroking his finger.
"No one understands demonic talent better than I do."
Compared to humans, demons were more likely to possess innate magic, and such spiritual magic was akin to epic-level spells. However, in the present world, pure-blooded demons with such talents were extremely rare.
"..."
Seeing Lanchi's confident expression, Cider fell silent.
She had seen Zestila, that young girl, during the monthly assessment at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, where she had been watching Saint teach his students while staying at Gloria's mansion.
Even if Zestila learned mind-reading in the future, she wouldn't pose a threat to Lanchi, as she deeply respected her teacher.
But what if she met an older woman who knew mind-reading? Sigrid dared not imagine what might happen.
In the brief moment of silence that followed, a series of clear announcements echoed through all the carriages, rhythmic and formulaic, signaling the start of the journey.
As the announcements ended, the carriages trembled slightly, and the seats began to gently push against their backs.
Lanchi's gaze drifted through the window, observing the outside world.
At first, everything on the platform moved slowly. The signs and benches alongside the platform were sliding by leisurely, and the sunlight left floating bands of light on the glass windows.
The scenery outside the window began to retreat lazily, gradually creating distance between them.
On the opposite platform, the passengers and station staff who had been within sight were now slowly disappearing behind the train.
Until a familiar figure once again caught his eye, and his gaze met, through the glass window, with that of the young lady of the Milford Earl's household, who was waiting for another train on the opposite platform.
(End of Chapter)
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