https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-535-This-Time-Hubertian-is-Truly-a-Princess/12584780/
Chapter 534: Lanchi is Obviously an Amateur
Chapter 534: Lanchi is Obviously an Amateur
As night fell, the capital of Pokeland, Helsalem, was illuminated by dim air-raid lights, and the people on the streets exuded a sense of urgency befitting wartime.
The silhouette of the Parliament building stood out starkly against the night sky, like a lighthouse about to go dark.
In one brightly lit window among the tall buildings, Cardinal Lanchi's solemn face could be seen as he worked diligently with his secretary.
The secretary, who had once been awestruck and slightly apprehensive of him, gradually relaxed their tense posture due to his words and began to close the distance between them.
Beyond the Shadow World.
At the Ekrity Academy, the clock had just struck eight in the morning.
In Gera Memorial Square, the outdoor giant screen and the surrounding steps were bathed in bright sunshine.
However, unlike usual, the number of students watching the outdoor screen was significantly higher, and the buzz of discussion filled the air.
"A seventh-rank Shadow World?"
There was no doubt that a brief glimpse on the screen had revealed a map-type Shadow World with a staggering seven ranks.
They rarely encountered Shadow Worlds of this caliber.
Even fourth-year students might not have reached the seventh rank or come across such a world.
"How did Lanchi manage to enter a seventh-rank Shadow World? Did he find a seventh-rank team?"
It had been a semester since they last saw Lanchi, and the students of the Sage Academy were starting to miss the entertainment he brought. Little did they know that he would pull off something so daring upon his return.
"My goodness, I wonder if Dean Lorain knows he's ventured into a seventh-rank Shadow World."
Their biggest concern now was the state of Dean Lorain.
Under normal circumstances, the Sage Academy would have already convened an emergency meeting.
But with Dean Lorain away, the news might reach him later than expected.
No one knew whom the dean was entertaining at the moment, but if he found out that Lanchi and Shubellyan had ventured into a seventh-rank Shadow World, he would undoubtedly rush back to Ekrity immediately.
It was common knowledge that failure in a seventh-rank Shadow World would unleash unimaginable calamities.
Shadow Worlds were like double-edged swords; they opened periodically, infinite in number, with varying timelines and worldviews. Some were easy, while others were exceptionally dangerous. They could appear without warning at fixed or random entrances in this world, projecting fragments of historical events or alternate realities. Neglecting a Shadow World and allowing it to close on its own would also result in calamities consuming the present world.
Completing a Shadow World yielded abundant rewards, but failure brought about disasters in some parts of the world.
The higher the rank of the Shadow World, the more exponential the rewards or calamities became.
Thus, nations poured their resources into nurturing individuals adept at conquering Shadow Worlds, a responsibility that fell upon Ekrity Academy.
If a student's excessive mistake led to an accident and triggered a large-scale calamity in the present world, Ekrity Academy would bear the primary responsibility!
With Lanchi and Shubellyan as the participants, there was no question that Dean Lorain would be held accountable first and foremost.
"Originally, with the incident involving Senior Sister Asina, it is said that there are quite a few high-ranking officials in the kingdom, led by Duke Akales, who are impeaching Dean Lorain. There are also external voices from the Kingdom of Hutton who are fanning the flames. They neither want Dean Lorain's fame to grow nor do they wish for Ekrity Academy to continue monopolizing resources and support from the Association."
Many students of Ekrity Academy were deep in analysis.
From this perspective, at this critical juncture, allowing Lanchi to enter a seventh-rank Shadow World was a fatal move. If Dean Lorain wasn't self-destructing, then he was playing a grand strategy.
"Let's think positively. The seventh-rank Shadow World also offers a much larger scope for action, with ample time and freedom to explore the map. The number of ancient figures one can encounter is countless. Perhaps Lanchi, as Dean Lorain's secret weapon, is all part of the dean's plan."
Despite the majority of concerned onlookers in front of the giant screen, both from within and outside the school, there were still students who had witnessed Lanchi's previous two Shadow World adventures, choosing to trust and question later.
"But... this time's theme..."
This remark once again drew many gazes back to the screen, and the voices became hesitant.
After half a year without seeing Lanchi, he seemed to have become less adept at navigating Shadow Worlds. In such a pressing situation, he aimlessly engaged in idle chatter with his secretary, visibly causing her expression to change. No one knew what Lanchi was up to or what new skill he was employing.
Upon entering the Shadow World, one assumes an unpredictable new identity to enact historical fragments.
Sometimes, the assigned role may align perfectly with one's profession, while other times, it could be a dreadful position requiring special expertise to navigate.
The higher the position, the greater the demands on one's abilities, and the more formidable the tasks become.
They had never seen anyone with such bad luck to enter a Shadow World and find themselves in the role of a beleaguered prime minister right from the start!
Usually, anyone who draws such an identity effectively ends their game before it even begins.
...
Hutton Kingdom, the city of Ekriti.
Not far from the Municipal Hall, stood the Duke of Akales' mansion, its grandeur reflecting the family's power and influence.
The air was filled with a subtle fragrance emanating from a row of potted plants near the parlor window.
Deep blue tapestries hung on the walls, bearing the Akales family crest, a symbol of the fusion of power, commerce, and humanities.
Two middle-aged men, dressed in exquisite clothing, sat calmly on a sofa, discussing recent important matters of the kingdom across a low tea table inlaid with rubies.
Suddenly, the visiting Marquis of Gasiges seemed to remember something.
"Duke Akales, leave Lorain to me. Although his reputation has been strong lately, it cannot cover up his decline in education."
Marquis Gasiges leaned forward slightly, appearing ready to take the lead, and promised the Duke of Akales,
"Abandoning Asina was a ridiculous act that even His Majesty the King lamented about. Lorain has obviously dropped the ball this time."
"... "
Duke Akales scrutinized Marquis Gasiges, giving a slight nod.
He gazed out the window, his thoughts seemingly drifting, leaving Marquis Gasiges unable to fathom his mood.
Not long after,
Footsteps echoed through the Duke's mansion, and a secretary-like attendant entered the parlor with a strict yet elegant gait.
The attendant approached Duke Akales and bent slightly, speaking in a volume only audible to the three of them.
As the Duke listened to the attendant's words, his usually unflappable expression began to show signs of surprise.
After the attendant withdrew,
Duke Akales murmured Lorain's name, clenching his fists.
"Lorain... Have you finally reaped the consequences of spoiling your students too much?"
He muttered to himself, as if an old grudge had finally found an opportunity for revenge.
"Hahaha."
Marquis Gasiges, sitting beside him, couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing Duke Akales' words.
Lorain was too much of a jester.
They had initially been concerned that the incident with Asina might not be enough to impeach Lorain, but now, even if the opposition didn't kick him while he was down, the Hutton Kingdom would be hard-pressed to withstand the pressure from the United Parliament and the Shadow World Management Association of the South Continent Kingdoms.
If the seventh-rank Shadow World failed and brought about a catastrophe, it would severely damage the international reputation of both the Hutton Kingdom and Ekriti Academy!
"Lanchi, is he the student who always hangs around with Miyaja's daughter?"
Duke Akales inquired.
He didn't know much about the newcomers of Ekriti Academy and only vaguely recalled hearing about a Sage Court freshman named Lanchi who had defeated the Holy Maiden of Destruction, thus giving Lorain another young genius after Asina.
His primary impression of this young man named Lanchi was that he was good at sucking up to Miyaja's daughter and seemed to be aiming for an early retirement with a comfortable life.
"That's the one."
Marquis Gasiges slapped the armrest of the sofa, a malicious smile on his face,
"Now it's perfect. No matter how much pressure the United Parliament and the international community exert in the coming days, we'll just push Lorain forward and give him our full support. After all, he's not the type to shirk responsibility."
When the tide was against Lorain, there was no need to openly offend him. They could play both sides, pretending to be his supporters while secretly dragging him down.
In the following days, Lorain would likely be unable to distinguish between those who genuinely wanted to help him and those who were pulling him deeper into the quagmire.
As the saying goes, a just cause attracts much support, an unjust one little, they didn't need to lift a finger. Naturally, various forces would suppress Lorain, and public opinion would turn against him, painting him as an extremely reckless and failed principal!
With the seventh-rank Shadow World, a hellish start, even if Lorain's students were extraordinarily talented, they wouldn't be able to turn the tide of public opinion for their teacher this time.
Not even understanding politics himself, what could that young man named Lanchi possibly achieve as a prime minister?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
