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Chapter 494: Lanchi's Predicament
Chapter 494: Lanchi's Predicament
In the southernmost border of the Hutton Kingdom lies the Nanwantina Territory.
This land sits in an area blessed with a prime natural geographical location, backed by the Noxus Mountains, known as the "Sentinel's Spine". The mountain range is abundant in mineral resources and timber, and deep within its depths lie ancient ruins and hidden secrets, making it a paradise for adventurers and researchers alike.
As crossing the lengthy Noxus Mountains leads to the southern border of the Krixi Empire, most travelers interested in ancient ruins tend to stay in Nanwantina as a base for their explorations.
For merchants, however, sea travel is the more convenient option for trade with the Krixi Empire.
Nanwantina not only borders the mountains to the south but also boasts the vast "Bibo Sea" to its east, with its bustling port filled with merchant and fishing vessels. The beautiful beaches and clear waters along the coast are a favorite leisure spot for the residents of Nanwantina.
On a morning in early summer, the main station of Nanwantina's capital city greeted the sunrise.
Lanchi and Huperian hurried out of the train that had just pulled into the station.
The station was an ancient building, with moss and vines covering the corner stones, giving it a more natural feel than the central station of Ikelite.
As they walked, Lanchi introduced his hometown to Huperian.
"It's true that Nanwantina has always been a popular destination for residents of the Hutton Kingdom. But I apologize, Huperian, that the first time I bring you here, it's in such a rush to get back to the Willford home."
Lanchi responded awkwardly to Huperian's exclamations.
The day before, they had hastily packed their bags and rushed back to the Ikelite Central Station, where they bought the fastest train tickets and traveled overnight on the magic-powered rail to Nanwantina.
Huperian didn't mind the rushed journey at all; instead, she looked forward to the new adventure.
"It's alright. I've been here a few times when I was younger and always loved it."
Huperian smiled at Lanchi, "I even miss it in my dreams sometimes."
Inside the concourse, the crowd bustled with passengers and welcoming families, their quiet conversations creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Life in Nanwantina had a leisurely pace, with most shops closing by five in the afternoon.
"I see," Lanchi paused briefly, then nodded. He and Huperian weaved their way through the crowd and exited the Nanwantina station.
Behind them, the tall clock tower rang out the morning chimes, echoing through the crisp morning air.
Lanchi recalled the Gentle Hometown illusion he had experienced earlier, where he and Huperian, as young teenagers, were on a train. The view from the window seemed vaguely familiar, and now he realized it was the route from the royal capital of Ikelite to Nanwantina.
"By the way, do you think we might have met when we were kids?"
Huperian asked, her eyes fixed on Lanchi's face as they walked.
She, too, had inadvertently recalled that illusion.
Riding the train to Nanwantina with Lanchi, reality seemed to blur with her dream.
"That would depend on whether my father and your father, Duke Migaya, knew each other. Last time he didn't even realize you were a duchess and treated you like any other well-off young lady."
Lanchi felt Huperian was a bit too close for comfort, so he politely leaned back a little and replied.
After their encounter with Xia Ya in the Snow Province of the Northern Continent, Lanchi thought it wasn't impossible, depending on whether their fathers had met years ago.
"Oh!"
Huperian seemed to realize she was too close to Lanchi and quickly moved back. Perhaps she also remembered Lanchi's father's teasing comment at the Ikelite Academy hospital, "It's a wonder if Duke Migaya can marry a demoness, can Lanchi do the same?" which had left her extremely embarrassed and fleeing the scene.
"Meow, what are you two talking about?"
Cat Boss poked his head out from Lanchi's shoulder, curious about their conversation.
"That time when my father came to the royal capital, it was right after Huperian, Fred, and I had just finished our second battle with the Shadow World's Holy Land villains. We had just emerged from the Shadow World and went straight to the hospital to visit my father. It was that evening that we went to your restaurant, Cat Boss, to find Tata, and it was also the day Huperian started staying at your place. So, it was all before we even met you, Cat Boss."
Lanchi patiently explained to Cat Boss.
"Huperian, why didn't you ever mention this to Tata?"
Cat Boss turned his head to Huperian, curious about this untold story.
He had always listened to Huperian and Tata's interesting tales, but he had no idea there was such a significant event that Huperian had kept to herself.
"..."
Huperian's cheeks reddened slightly as she averted her gaze.
It was all Lanchi's father's fault for making such strange jokes, and she had almost accidentally agreed to it in her embarrassment.
The two humans and their feline companion waited briefly outside the Nanwantina station before Lanchi hailed a magical vehicle.
"Head to Heart Pulse Square North, No. 25 Norsma Street."
"No problem."
The driver, with a kind smile, gestured for the young travelers to stow their luggage and board the vehicle.
Soon, Lanchi and Huperian settled into the back seat, and the vehicle slowly started moving, navigating the cobblestone streets of Nanwantina.
Outside the window, the architectural style of the city-state was a refreshing change from Ikelite, with the rising sun painting the streets in a golden hue. Rows of neatly trimmed European ash trees lined the roads, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze.
Cat Boss sat between Lanchi and Huperian, looking from one to the other.
Ever since yesterday, Lanchi had been feeling somewhat restless for reasons unknown.
Cat Boss suspected that Lanchi might be falling ill.
"Speaking of which, Lanchi, is it really alright for me to suddenly show up at your doorstep like this?" Huperian asked, feeling increasingly nervous as they drew closer to Lanchi's home.
"It's fine. My father has also said that you're welcome to visit Nanwantina Territory anytime, and he has a very good impression of you," Lanchi reassured her.
"Oh, is that so?" Huperian murmured softly.
With that assurance, her anxiety lessened.
She had to continue making a good impression on the Willford family.
However, she was confident that there wouldn't be any problems. After all, she was a professional spy and priestess trained by the Ice Witch; it was impossible for her to mess up while visiting a friend's home.
The vehicle passed through the city center, known as "Heart Pulse Square," the bustling political, economic, and cultural hub of the Nanwantina territory. A sculpture of the Nanwantina margrave from centuries ago stood in the square, commemorating the city's founder and history.
Lanchi's home was not far now, located in the northwest corner of the city along a branch of the avenue known as "Guardian's Path."
The street was spacious and quiet, lined with tall oak trees and neatly trimmed hedges.
As the vehicle progressed, the silhouette of the mansion gradually came into view outside the window.
The Willford family mansion was an elegant three-story building with pale yellow limestone walls and a deep red glazed tile roof.
The family crest was carved into the oak front door, and two copper vases filled with blooming blue and white irises sat by the entrance, emitting a faint fragrance.
"We're here, Huperian," Lanchi announced.
"Okay," Huperian replied.
The vehicle stopped on the street outside the mansion's courtyard, and Lanchi and Huperian alighted, retrieved their luggage, and ascended the stone steps leading to the courtyard's main entrance.
The hedges on either side of the steps were neatly trimmed, dew-kissed, and shimmering in the morning sunlight.
"Young Master Lanchi, you're back?" the guard at the door exclaimed in surprise, immediately hurrying forward to take their luggage and Cat Boss.
It had been over half a year since they last saw Lanchi, and they had missed him dearly.
The once-notorious rich young master Lanchi had turned over a new leaf during the two months before he left home to study in Ikelite, and the servants in the mansion had grown fond of this reformed young man.
"I'm just back temporarily. Please take care of the luggage for us," Lanchi said to the servants as they made their way through the garden towards the front door.
"Meow! I'm not luggage!" Cat Boss struggled in the guard's arms before leaping out of his grasp and dashing into the garden.
"Holy smokes! A talking cat?!" the guards exclaimed, stunned by the small black cat's ability to speak.
Cat Boss quickly caught up with Lanchi and Huperian and followed them into the mansion.
The spacious entrance hall was bright and welcoming, with ancestral portraits and exquisite wall lamps adorning the walls. The patter of light footsteps echoed on the stairs, indicating that the household was already awake and preparing for the new day.
As the door closed behind them, Lanchi and Huperian stepped into the Willford residence. It seemed the family had just finished breakfast, and the servants were clearing away the dishes.
Before they could take more than a few steps, a familiar deep voice reached them from not far away.
"Oh? Young Master Lanchi?"
In the spacious first-floor living room, Hans turned and noticed the pair. As the Willford family's butler, he was overseeing the day's affairs.
Hans was slender and upright, his white hair neatly combed, his face etched with the marks of time and deep wrinkles. Yet, his eyes still sparkled with intelligence and kindness.
"Yes, Hans, I'm back," Lanchi nodded.
Sometimes Lanchi felt that Hans was like an assassin; even when facing someone he disliked, he would maintain a perfect smile. But now, Lanchi was no longer afraid of him.
Although he didn't know how a wealthy merchant family from the Nanwantina Border Territory had managed to hire such an incredibly powerful sixth-stage butler, Lanchi trusted that Hans was loyal to their family.
"Young Master, you've grown stronger," Hans said, first with surprise and then with a look of relief.
Then, Hans' gaze shifted to Huperian, who stood beside Lanchi, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly in surprise at the unexpected guest. "Oh, and is this Miss Huperian?"
"Y-yes," Huperian stammered, taken aback that Hans knew her name. She quickly nodded in confirmation.
She could tell that this butler had a good relationship with Lanchi.
"Mr. Noe mentioned you to me the last time he returned from the royal capital. He has always looked forward to the day when Lanchi would invite you to visit Nanwantina Territory, and now that day has come," Hans explained, maintaining his composure and etiquette as an experienced butler. "Allow me to inform Master Willford of your arrival in the second-floor study. Rest assured that we will take good care of Miss Huperian during your stay."
"No, no, that won't be necessary. And please, there's no need for formalities with me," Huperian quickly responded.
Huperian waved her hands dismissively.
She and Lanchi still had to return to Ikelite Academy to submit their report; how could she stay at Lanchi's house? From the way the elderly housekeeper was talking, it seemed they were preparing to arrange for her and Lanchi to have a good time sightseeing in Nanwantina.
"By the way, Hans, are we expecting any guests these days?"
Lanchi interrupted their conversation, his expression solemn as he asked.
Housekeeper Hans turned to observe Lanchi, rarely having seen the young master with such an expression.
The last time the young master seemed visibly uneasy was when he had found Hans in the living room, asking him to help deal with the matter of the pigeon he had accidentally brought back.
"We don't have any guests, but earlier this morning, before the two of you arrived, Miss Tata came over for breakfast, and Franxin is currently showing her around the house."
Hans paused slightly, but quickly regained his composure, his voice remaining steady.
In his opinion, Tata was nominally their estate manager, and although she rarely came to the house, she was also considered Lanchi's tutor, so she wasn't exactly a guest.
As Lanchi's most familiar maid, Franxin had also met Tata several times, and Tata was the person she was closest to in the household.
The only strange thing was that Miss Tata and Young Master Lanchi had returned separately, each unaware of the other's itinerary.
"!?!"
Lanchi's eyes widened in shock.
He had thought that nothing had happened when he saw how peaceful the mansion looked, but now it seemed that Death had arrived before him.
Currently, he didn't know where Tata was wandering in the house, but her target was undoubtedly his bedroom on the second floor!
I don't want to be Tata's number one brother—! Lanchi's sweat dripped down his back, and he felt like he had returned to a nightmare as he let out a mental scream.
This was a gravitational force known as fate.
Calm down.
Think positively.
Things aren't as bad as they seem.
The mansion still looks peaceful, which means Tata isn't angry yet. She must not have reached the second-floor bedroom!
As long as he could get back to his room before her, hide that painting, and replace it with a portrait of a poor, pitiful old lady, everything would be fine!
There was still hope for him.
"Hans, I have something to do!"
Without further explanation, Lanchi rushed towards the stairs, as if all his anxiety and fatigue had disappeared in that moment.
As he sprinted down the second-floor corridor, he saw Franxin, the maid, cleaning the hallway.
"Hey, Young Master Lanchi, you're back!"
As soon as Franxin saw Lanchi, a delighted smile spread across her face.
She had been happy to see Tata return, and now, to her surprise, Lanchi had come back as well.
"Yes, I'm back. We'll talk later!"
Lanchi merely replied hastily, his voice hurried and brief as he didn't stop running.
His only goal now was his bedroom at the end of the corridor!
"As expected, Young Master Lanchi likes Miss Tata the most, rushing to see her so eagerly."
Franxin smiled to herself, but before she could say anything else, she saw Huperian approaching.
Franxin covered her mouth, her eyes conveying her thoughts: Oh my, Young Master Lanchi has brought two young ladies home! Despite her curiosity and shock, she maintained her professional demeanor and bowed to Huperian, knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
On the other end of the corridor, Lanchi skidded to a stop by the door frame, gripping the doorknob to his bedroom.
Lanchi's heart raced, yet he finally felt a sense of relief in this moment.
Wait a moment.
Shouldn't Franxin be accompanying Tata on the tour of the mansion?
If Tata wasn't with Franxin, then where was she?
Lanchi frowned slightly, having been too flustered earlier to realize this issue.
The door was slightly ajar, revealing a gentle ray of light, and Lanchi's confusion and tension intertwined.
As the bedroom door fully opened, Lanchi stood in the doorway, stunned by the scene before him.
The spacious bedroom was filled with sunlight filtering through sheer curtains, creating a dappled pattern on the floor.
Everything in the room was neatly arranged, and although the owner hadn't lived here for a long time, it was clear that someone regularly cleaned the place.
The most eye-catching feature was a portrait on the wall, depicting a woman in a tattered gray cloak, her eyes revealing a hint of melancholy and resilience, beautiful like a wolf in the snow.
And standing in front of that painting.
Was a woman with gray hair, her profile turned towards Lanchi, her tailored jacket and neatly tied silk necktie giving her an elegant and strict appearance.
A gentle breeze brushed her face, causing the gray strands of hair draped over her shoulders to flutter slightly.
In those golden eyes that gazed upon the portrait, confusion, emotion, and astonishment swirled.
In this tranquil moment, the figure with gray hair and golden eyes seemed to blend into the surroundings, becoming a part of the painting itself, and yet her presence seemed to be the true focal point of the artwork.
Lanchi stood at the doorway, his slight backward step startling Talia.
In that instant when Talia's golden eyes met Lanchi's.
Lanchi's heart stopped.
(End of Chapter)
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