Chapter 543: Lanchi's New Journey as a Diplomat
Chapter 543: Lanchi's New Journey as a Diplomat
On the morning of the seventh day, within a private study adorned with dark wooden furnishings and wallpapered walls adorned with inset bookshelves, Lanchi awaited the arrival of his escort. This secluded location, a suburban residence far from the Prime Minister's office in the Capitol, was chosen to ensure their discreet departure.
"Lanchi, how much longer must we wait?" fidgeted Cat Boss, pacing restlessly on Lanchi's lap.
Disguised for their journey, they had arrived at this clandestine meeting point early that morning. Now, they awaited the secretary who would introduce them to their guide to the Snowlands—the realm of the demon tribe.
The prospect of venturing into the demon realm filled Cat Boss with trepidation. Having never encountered the demon tribe, it struggled to imagine Lanchi venturing alone, let alone into the heart of the Demon King's lair. The mere thought of encountering powerful demons made it shudder, longing for the comfort of its restaurant.
However, once embarked upon, there was no turning back from a journey through the Shadow World. For better or worse, it would be over thirty days before it could return to the familiar surroundings of Cat Boss Restaurant and its beloved staff.
"Look on the bright side," Lanchi said, poking Cat Boss gently on its forehead. "Who knows, you might learn some new demon tribe dishes to add to your repertoire." He took a sip from his steaming cup of tea, his other hand resting casually on the armrest.
Today, Lanchi had altered his appearance, transforming into the likeness of Loki McCassy, complete with brown hair and green eyes. His usual black suit had been replaced by a bespoke Protoss-style ensemble—a white long-sleeved shirt with black trim at the collar and cuffs, paired with a sleeveless vest of muted brown, its diamond-shaped pattern formed by intersecting lines. A long, dark gray overcoat hung on a nearby coat rack, its large lapels and slanted pockets exuding an air of elegance and mystery.
"Meow, that's true," Cat Boss mused. "But I wonder if Tata and the others will like it."
"I think Tata will love it," Lanchi assured him.
"In that case, I'll give it my best shot," Cat Boss said, its confidence bolstered by the prospect of expanding its culinary horizons.
While adding a few demon tribe dishes to their menu could be a unique draw, they had no intention of turning their establishment into a full-fledged demon tribe-themed restaurant. It would not become their selling point, nor would they do anything to arouse the suspicion of the inspection authorities. There were, indeed, demon tribe-style restaurants in the Southern Continent, successfully operating with authentic demon tribe recipes. However, the risk of scrutiny was ever-present, as exemplified by the case of a popular demon tribe-themed restaurant whose staff was recently exposed as actual demons, resulting in the owner being convicted for passport forgery and illegal employment.
As they continued their conversation, Cat Boss suddenly sensed movement outside the door and quickly jumped into Lanchi's shadow, leaving him alone. The dawn light had not yet fully illuminated the room, and the soft lamplight created a warm and cozy atmosphere. Lanchi glanced out the window, observing the city of Helsharelm gradually awakening to the pale morning light. The bustling streets remained subdued, their vibrancy muted.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
"Come in," Lanchi replied, lifting his head.
The door opened to reveal the secretary, smartly dressed and carrying a stack of documents and itineraries.
"Sir, your schedule has been arranged, pending your final confirmation," the secretary reported, maintaining a professional and respectful demeanor.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Lanchi took a sip from his teacup before setting it down and preparing to greet their expected guest.
The "final confirmation" mentioned by the secretary referred to Lanchi's approval of the guide who would discreetly escort him to the demon realm. Finding an experienced and trustworthy guide capable of navigating the Perennial Night Lands was no easy feat. Lanchi trusted that the secretary had chosen wisely.
"Please wait a moment," the secretary said, exiting the study momentarily.
Soon, they returned, accompanied by a figure that caused Lanchi to pause.
Despite Lanchi being seated, he found himself at eye level with this diminutive figure. Appearing to be around eleven or twelve years old, the child wore a beret, their hair tucked neatly underneath, giving them an androgynous air. Only a few strands of light-colored hair escaping from beneath the hat hinted at their gender, framing a delicate face.
Lanchi had envisioned a capable middle-aged individual as his escort, so he was taken aback by the youthful presence before him.
"I was expecting a more seasoned bodyguard and public relations expert, someone with extensive experience who could guide me safely through the Perennial Night Lands and handle any potential problems we might encounter," Lanchi said to the secretary, his tone conveying a mixture of surprise and mild disapproval. "She seems rather young for such a role."
The Snowlands were known for their treacherous terrain and dangerous denizens, including tribes that posed a significant threat. Navigating through autonomous city-states also required a deft touch to avoid unnecessary entanglements.
And humans were, in fact, unwelcome in that region.
Although he himself possessed decent public relations skills, he still hoped to have a smooth journey through the Shadow World, conserving time and energy along the way.
The young girl stared at Lanchi, her purple eyes exuding an air of dominance.
"She's actually quite strong. Even a military junior officer might not be her match. More importantly, she has an excellent understanding of the Perennial Night Lands and can drive you through that area almost around the clock. Ordinary people don't have her stamina, and her credibility is impeccable."
The secretary quickly explained to Lanchi.
"I'm not questioning her abilities..."
Lanchi looked at the girl in surprise.
He could sense that the girl exuded a powerful aura, possibly possessing a cultivation of four or five realms. Even at the second or third realm for her age, she would be considered a genius in Lanchi's modern era.
However, Lanchi's main concern was how she could comprehend the intricate maps of the Perennial Night Lands at such a young age.
In truth, Lanchi had very high expectations of his guide for the Snowlands. The last time he ventured there, he had foolishly trusted a directionally-challenged companion, only to end up leading the way himself.
"..."
The girl's gaze towards Lanchi turned resolute.
She seemed to harbor ill-will towards the nobility of the Protoss Empire, and now that she had gauged Lanchi's attitude, she no longer bothered to hide her true feelings.
"Forget it, go find someone else."
The girl waved her hand and turned to leave.
She disliked it when others wasted her time, and even more so, she despised the disdainful attitude of her client.
If it weren't for the high price offered, she wouldn't have bothered coming to meet this arrogant customer after several referrals.
"My apologies. I can introduce you to other candidates if you wish, but she truly is the most trustworthy guide available, perfectly suited to your requirements."
Seeing the girl's offense towards the Prime Minister, the secretary became extremely flustered and hurried after her, trying to smooth things over.
The Prime Minister's secret itinerary must be kept confidential from all but those directly involved.
As a result, the young guide had no idea that the man before her was actually Prime Minister Willford in disguise, and she was addressing him so casually.
"No, please ask her to take on the job."
Lanchi said with a smile.
Although she was young, she exuded an aura of strength and absolute self-confidence that couldn't be feigned, clearly indicating her strong belief in her capabilities.
Moreover, he didn't want to waste any more time and hoped to depart as soon as possible.
"Miss Sigil, Mr. Loki wishes to enter into a contract with you to escort him to the Demon Realm."
The secretary immediately called out to the girl and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Demon Realm? Aren't you afraid of dying?"
The girl turned her head and glanced at Lanchi.
Previously, she hadn't heard the secretary, who was acting like an attendant, mention that the final destination was the Demon Realm. She only knew that there was a client who wanted to go to the Perennial Night Lands.
"Due to the confidential nature of the work, I didn't disclose the details of my master's destination to many people."
The secretary broke out in a cold sweat and stood in front of Lanchi to explain to Sigil.
Although children sometimes spoke without thinking, her bluntness towards the leader of the Protoss Empire was a bit too much.
He hoped that during their journey, she wouldn't offend the Prime Minister again.
"Rest assured, once I reach my destination, your job will be done, and you won't have to worry about anything else."
Lanchi nodded in response.
Upon hearing this, Sigil took the contract from the secretary's hand.
"Let me make this clear. On the road, I'll only be responsible for your safety, but once we reach the Demon Realm, our paths will part. I'm not obliged to accompany you into the Demon Realm." Sigil carefully read through the contract and said as she picked up a pen.
She was merely doing a job for money and wouldn't stop clients from committing suicide if they insisted. Moreover, she despised the Protoss Empire's elites, who had long been terrified by the vampires.
"In other words, you'll definitely protect me in the Perennial Night Lands?"
Lanchi smiled and sought confirmation from her.
"..."
She nodded.
"Then what if you also encounter danger? Shouldn't you flee and leave me behind?" Lanchi asked curiously.
Based on his observations, this girl was very straightforward and didn't seem to be deceiving him.
While this was stipulated in the contract, in the face of grave danger, most guides would naturally prioritize their own lives before considering their clients, which Lanchi could understand.
"In this world, I value courage and credibility above all else, and I won't sacrifice them for anyone." Sigil replied.
"I'm glad to be embarking on this journey with you." Lanchi took another sip from his teacup, feeling that this guide was unexpectedly impressive.
Waiting for the secretary and Sigil to finalize the last-minute instructions, they would soon be able to set off on their journey.
(End of Chapter)
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