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Chapter 504: Loren Doesn't Want to Add Clothes in Cold Weather
Chapter 504: Loren Doesn't Want to Add Clothes in Cold Weather
In the vast expanse of the South Vantyna territory, a magitech train sped across the plains, its path flanked by open fields, vibrant flower meadows, and serene lakes that seemed all the more tranquil amidst the train's rushing passage. Within one of the train carriages, the clock struck a little past five in the afternoon, and warm, golden sunlight danced across the wooden interior, bathing the passengers in its gentle glow as they sat in quiet contemplation or engaged in hushed conversations.
Tucked away in an unassuming corner sat four clergy members, positioned on either side of a table.
"The folk customs in the South Vantyna territory—"
Loren was in the midst of conversing with the three other younger-looking clergy members when he suddenly paused, as if remembering something, and trailed off.
Accompanying Loren from Ikeli to South Vantyna were three other clergy members: a Scout Sentinel who often acted independently, and a pair consisting of a Guardian Knight and a Healing Cleric.
These three were like his students, and he frequently took them along on missions as a form of training.
Although Loren could have easily flown directly to the South Vantyna territory using magic, a journey that would have been many times faster, and despite possessing a permit for high-speed movement spells within the country, they, as eighth-rank powerhouses, generally refrained from employing such methods of transportation unless faced with exceptional circumstances.
"Regardless, be extra vigilant while in the South Vantyna territory. That Cardinal from the Northern Continent may pass right by you, or even strike up a conversation, and you might not realize it at all."
Loren offered a word of caution.
The primary objective of their trip to the South Vantyna territory was to preemptively thwart any schemes orchestrated by the newly appointed Cardinal.
Of course, they had also accepted a commission from the United Kingdoms Parliament, entrusting the Church of the Goddess of Fate to investigate recent mysterious occurrences along the border between the Kingdom of Horton and the Kresce Empire.
For the past two months, whispers and rumors emanating from the Kresce Empire had unsettled the dozens of small and large kingdoms that comprised the United Kingdoms of the Southern Continent.
As the true behemoth and overlord of the Southern Continent, the Kresce Empire was an adversary that no single kingdom could hope to challenge.
And among the Empire's Twelve War Gods were adversaries that even Loren himself would find extremely formidable.
Should they ever unleash their wrath, the consequences would be catastrophic for both the nobility and the common folk alike.
"Hahaha, whenever the Northern Continent is mentioned, I can't help but laugh," the Healing Cleric, a youthful maiden clad in the white robes of a clergy member, leaned back in her chair, unaffected by Loren's stern demeanor, and chuckled. "I wonder what kind of evidence Cardinal Dimensional presented to Cardinal Destruction that could have truly convinced him that Mr. Loren isn't in the Southern Continent."
Recalling the scene of Loren's unexpected appearance, his expression darkened by the line of questioning, which had startled the Destruction Clergy, she found it amusing and thought that Loren exuded the aura of a behind-the-scenes main antagonist—an impression that she found captivating.
"It really has nothing to do with me," Loren sighed, his expression conveying his exasperation. "I was just as bewildered that day when the church suddenly came under attack. It made me quite angry."
The most outlandish rumor doing the rounds suggested that the Protos Empire was erecting a monument in his honor in Imperial Square, and that the peace talks between the Aithailand Kingdom and the Protos Empire had resulted in an agreement named after him—the 'Loren Krantel Accord.' Furthermore, the northern nations of the Northern Continent, upon hearing tales of his exploits, had come to revere him as a god of peace.
Why would the Church of Resurrection believe such outlandish stories?
"Yes, if Teacher Loren could truly conspire to traverse between the two continents in the blink of an eye, I would find him a bit frightening."
The Scout Sentinel, a short-haired maiden wearing a light armor under her cotton-padded robe, sat expressionlessly by the window, nodding in agreement.
Loren's consistent display of pure-hearted benevolence made it hard to imagine him being untruthful.
"Teacher Loren," the Guardian Knight, seated beside Loren, sporting a hairstyle similar to his sister, the Scout Sentinel, but preferring the company of the Healing Cleric, chimed in. "If you were to slick your hair back, change your gaze, and don a meaningful smile, wow..."
As Loren listened to their playful banter, he could only gaze out the window, lost in his thoughts.
At that moment, Loren found the concept of reputation and fame rather terrifying.
Some media outlets, quick to believe the rumors emanating from the Northern Continent, had begun to spread exaggerated tales, claiming to see shadows of the Holy Emperor in his actions. They speculated that should chaos engulf the world, regardless of whether he desired it or not, the people of the Northern Continent would want to thrust him into the role of their leader.
Fortunately, on the Southern Continent, his reputation was merely favorable. Setting aside the non-aligned Kresce Empire, even within the United Kingdoms Parliament, where he was an ally, he was merely a fringe candidate for the next Speaker, his name mentioned only as an afterthought.
The previous incident, where he had crushed the offensive of the Destruction Branch, had earned him some acclaim among the kingdoms of the United Kingdoms Parliament, but such luck would not present itself a second time.
Loren always believed that luck was something one had to earn through good deeds.
He often shared this belief with Migaya.
As a result, Migaya would frequently scare little Shubilian, telling her that a lack of good deeds would bring bad luck. Occasionally, whenever Shubilian acted naughty, Migaya would also playfully "control" her luck, ultimately convincing the young girl of the connection between luck and good deeds. As a result, Shubilian grew up more well-behaved than any of her peers her age.
Thinking about it now, Migaya's behavior was not very meritorious, especially considering that he himself was not one to accumulate merit...
"Although the Destruction Bishop has stayed away from the Kingdom of Horton after the last incident, the Destruction Son, Salomon, may still be lurking around."
The voices of the three clerics interrupted Loren's train of thought as they discussed the latest intelligence on the Destruction Faction from the United Kingdoms Parliament.
Bishop Ivanoth of the Destruction Faction was known for her vengeful nature, and even if she held back, it only meant that she would exact a crueler revenge in the future, with interest.
"If any of you three encounter Salomon, don't hesitate for a moment. Run with all your might."
Loren's voice turned grave, causing the other three to shudder involuntarily.
"This guy is completely different from the Destruction Saintess. It would only take him a minute or two to finish all of you off."
Loren continued his warning.
It wasn't that these three, whom he had painstakingly cultivated into sixth-rank clerics, were weak, but rather that seventh-rank Salomon was not an enemy that a light strike team could handle.
Even with someone to tank damage, another to heal, and a third to deal damage, it still wouldn't be enough.
"We also want to shine for Teacher Loren, just like Brother Ranchi."
The Guardian Knight sighed.
"The Destruction Saintess is the Destruction Saintess, and the Destruction Son is the Destruction Son. In my heart, you are already amazing. No matter how outrageous Ranchi is, he wouldn't possibly go and kill the Destruction Son too. Don't overthink it."
Whenever Loren thought of Ranchi, he felt a mix of emotions.
"If one day the Destruction Son really dies, and it's at Ranchi's hands, do you think Cardinal Dimensional will actually pay up?"
"I think he was just joking."
"Don't be so sure. If Cardinal Dimensional really transfers 20,000 pounds, then I can't say what Destruction Bishop Ivanoth will do. Whether she'll go after Cardinal Dimensional or Ranchi first..."
Listening to his students' discussion, Loren covered his forehead once more.
"Ivanoth might also come after me first, determined to fight me to the death. I really don't want to deal with that crazy woman."
Although Loren had never interacted with Cardinal Torriado of the Dimensional Faction, he got the sense that the man was a real jerk. Originally, after Ranchi killed the Destruction Saintess, Bishop Ivanoth of the Destruction Faction had grudgingly acknowledged her loss and refrained from personally seeking revenge on Ranchi. However, after being goaded by Cardinal Dimensional and having the incident publicized by the media of the South Continent's United Kingdoms Parliament, with the story spreading to other countries, Ivanoth might very well flip the table.
Upon hearing this, the three clerics tensed up.
Ivanoth, an eighth-rank powerhouse and holder of the [Original Stone Tablet-Fire], was capable of bringing about a nation-destroying catastrophe if she truly went mad.
In the face of her apocalyptic flames, they, at their level, would instantly turn to ashes.
"But don't worry, even if Ivanoth is strong, she can't attack the Kingdom of Horton alone."
Noticing their nervousness, Loren softened his tone and explained, "The South Vantyna territory has border defense barriers and city defense barriers. Even if a Cardinal were to sneak in, any hostile actions would immediately trigger an alarm reaching the royal capital, along with suppressive debuffs within the barrier's range."
"Are there times when the barriers fail?"
The Scout Sentinel suddenly asked.
"There was an incident like that in the past, so we added permission restrictions. To interfere with the South Vantyna border barrier, one would need to obtain the key from the royal capital and the key from the South Vantyna lord's mansion simultaneously. Only then could they emergency-brake the barrier and attack the energy station to prevent it from restarting."
As Loren responded, a slight sense of unease crept into his heart.
While it was unlikely that someone could sneak in and obtain the key from the South Vantyna lord's mansion, the key in the royal capital was practically impossible to steal.
The atmosphere in the train car was warm and cozy, with the occasional laughter and conversation of passengers filling the air. Outside, the main city of the South Vantyna territory drew closer and closer.
Loren gazed at the moon, which had risen early and glowed with a faint crimson hue, and felt that aside from the strange moon phase, nothing seemed amiss.
(End of Chapter)
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