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Chapter 464: The Eve of Cardinal Lanchi's Election
Chapter 464: The Eve of Cardinal Lanchi's Election
Back to the story.
It was rare for Helrom to experience such gloomy and rainy weather in late April.
In the northernmost part of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy in Helrom, near a spacious church with vast blue windows reflecting the starry sky and moonlight, there was a lake that mirrored the moon's peaceful glow. By its shore stood two figures, one of them being Cardinal Lanchi, who had exchanged his usual formal attire for a casual ensemble, showcasing his black hair and green eyes. Accompanying him was Sigrid, dressed in a homely dress, wrapped in Lanchi's coat, and cradling a small black cat in her arms.
Before leaving, Lanchi had suggested that Sigrid bring a coat, but she insisted that she didn't need one, confident in her robust health. However, upon reaching the lake, she realized how significant the temperature drop was at night.
Lanchi, seeing her shivering, had no choice but to lend her his coat.
They sat by the lakeside bench, relishing the fresh air after the heavy rain.
Unknowingly, the days leading up to the cardinal election had passed, and it was now the eve of the event.
Lanchi had been incredibly efficient in selecting the ancient Protoss artifacts, seemingly having decided on the cards he wanted before even visiting the Endless Library. He swiftly returned to Gloria's mansion, their Bastion branch base, and began card crafting.
On this eve of the cardinal election, the relentless rain finally took a respite, allowing Lanchi to finish his preparations. Sigrid, eager for a change of scenery, requested that he take her on a tour of the school.
Having spent a week cooped up in Gloria's house, she felt like she was turning into a shut-in.
Lanchi, understanding her restlessness, readily agreed.
It was important for older women to get out and about; otherwise, their chances of marriage would diminish.
With the presence of both Antanas and Pranay monitoring the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, the place was much safer than before. Even an eighth-rank intruder would be detected immediately.
Lanchi and Sigrid strolled north from Gloria's mansion, wandering aimlessly through the school grounds. They eventually reached the lake just north of Redmond Hall, where they sat on a bench, taking in the night sky and the serene waters.
In the distance, the soft outlines of hills and trees blended with the glittering lights of Helrom, creating a mystical backdrop to their night-time vista.
Under the dancing phosphorescent stars, the murky lake seemed to stretch endlessly, its distant shores merging with the horizon in a never-ending path to the sky.
The two of them sat in silence, soaking in the breathtaking scenery.
Occasionally, Sigrid would swing her legs, lean back, and gaze up at the stars, deep in thought.
Enveloped in this kaleidoscopic landscape, her mind wandered back to the events of the past two months, which felt like an eternity.
They had traversed the dark northern snowfields, where ashen miasma blanketed the land, and winged shadows flitted across the moon. They had endured arduous blizzards and obstacles, finally returning to the imperial capital of Helrom.
Yet, this gloom seemed to follow them, threatening to shroud the capital and dispel the approaching spring.
"How confident are you?" Sigrid finally turned to Lanchi, her eyes fixed on his face.
"To be honest, I don't know," Lanchi replied. "My dearest friend once told me that gambling doesn't guarantee victory, but sometimes not taking a risk is a sure way to lose. So, I can't really predict what will happen tomorrow during the chaotic clash between the factions. Everything has been moving too fast for me lately.
Cardinal Lanchi gazed up at the heavens, his voice calm and measured as he spoke, "Perhaps it's a matter of talent, or perhaps it's my heart's true calling. Before I knew it, I found myself seated at the round table."
In essence, he was merely a fourth-rank novice who had recently left his homeland, unintentionally swept up in the schemes of powerful figures amidst the tumult.
Thick clouds drifted by, momentarily obscuring the moonlight and casting the faces of Lanchi and Sigrid in alternating light and shadow as they sat on the long bench.
The cat, Boss, in Sigrid's arms, opened its mouth as if to speak, but thought better of it and retracted its head. It decided to continue pretending to be an ordinary cat and not interrupt the conversation between the two humans.
Before their departure for the Northern Continent, Boss had doubted just how outrageous Lanchi could be. Now, it believed it.
Lanchi's "natural talent" was a bit outrageous; it was clear that the Southern Continent had restricted his growth and potential. Indeed, this young man had transformed amidst the winds and clouds of the Northern Continent!
At that moment, Boss could only pray for Lanchi to bring it back to the Southern Continent soon and return to the peaceful routine of their restaurant and campus life. Every time it thought about Lanchi's promise to introduce it to a few capable individuals, it felt thrilled, knowing that better days lay ahead.
Sigrid noticed the cat's movement and stroked its head gently before following Lanchi's gaze towards the starry sky.
"Your Holiness, have you ever thought that now that we've come this far, if you win it all tomorrow, not only will you be able to fulfill your wish to 'observe' the [Primal Tablet-Seal], but you might even become the new Cardinal?"
She gently bumped Lanchi's shoulder as she asked, a playful smile on her face.
"Impossible," Lanchi shook his head immediately. "In this lifetime, I will never become a Cardinal. My roots are in the Southern Continent, and being a Cardinal is out of the question there."
In the Northern Continent, it was a different story. This was a land of constant turmoil, where various organizations and nations held differing views and designations for the different branches of the church.
However, the Southern Continent had a well-established and orderly United Parliament, which unanimously deemed the Resurrection Church as an extremist organization and targeted them as wanted criminals.
The Cardinals of the Southern Continent were no ordinary figures. There was Ivanos, the Bishop of Destruction, and Famer, the Bishop of Decay—each more terrifying than Askesang. Even the mighty Krei Xin Empire of the Southern Continent found these individuals a constant thorn in their side, and lesser nations would face true calamity if they ever drew the attention of a Cardinal.
In the peaceful lands of the Southern Continent, people lived in fear of the Cardinals.
Forget about Cardinals; even a high priest of the Resurrection Church could strike fear into the hearts of ordinary folk.
"Then why don't you move to the Northern Continent permanently? Aren't your assets here comparable to those in the Southern Continent? And with me protecting you here, who would dare lay a finger on you?" Sigrid pressed further.
She had considered the possibility of meeting Lanchi's family one day, but given his description of the situation in the Southern Continent, she feared that her very presence might traumatize his family beyond repair. So, if she ever visited, she would have to disguise herself as an ordinary girl to put their minds at ease.
"Theoretically, the Protoss Empire has already become my second homeland, but I also hold deep affection for the Kingdom of Horton. So, if I were to choose a place to retire, I would still prefer my homeland," Lanchi replied, turning his head to look at her and offering a sincere answer.
From the start, he had no intention of hiding his origins from Sigrid, especially since she knew about his relationship with Loren and had likely already guessed his roots in the Southern Continent.
(End of Chapter)
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