https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-543-Lanchi-s-New-Journey-as-a-Diplomat/12584821/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-545-Lanchi-s-Snowy-Journey-with-the-Young-Girl/12584826/
Chapter 544: Lanchi, the Master Craftsman
Chapter 544: Lanchi, the Master Craftsman
"You will be escorted by the Wyvern Cavalry along with Mr. Rocky and travel to the northern border as quickly as possible. We entrust you with the safety of Mr. Rocky as you traverse the snowy fields ahead."
In the study of Lanchi's private residence, the secretary briefed the bodyguard, Sigrid, on their upcoming journey.
Sigrid nodded, glancing at Lanchi, who was leisurely sipping tea by the table.
Usually, unless there was an urgent need, they wouldn't request the Wyvern Cavalry for rapid transportation within the country to the empire's northernmost reaches.
While this could shorten their journey by several times and reduce it to half a day, the cost of air transportation would also be several times higher than traveling by land.
Furthermore, north of their location, wyverns would not be able to fly safely at night or in extreme cold and snowy weather, so they would have to switch to land travel when crossing the Land of Eternal Night.
"The route across the snowy fields must strictly follow a path through several independent city-states..."
The secretary directed Sigrid, referring to the itinerary.
Lanchi, with one hand, opened a small map booklet and casually glanced at it while waiting.
He had developed a habit of carrying a simplified map with him, even if they had a guide.
Normally, the Land of Eternal Night was treacherous—a vast expanse of snowy fields teeming with ferocious beasts, lawlessness, and hostility towards humans.
And now, they were in a state of war.
The current situation in the surrounding countries meant that there was also a possibility of encountering hidden vampire scouts on the snowy fields.
This only added to the dangers of the already treacherous journey.
As for the route across the snowy fields, it had already been carefully planned out, or rather, there was only one optimal route—
Lanchi had taken on a task to repair the statues worshipped by the beastmen in the city-states along their journey.
The beastmen held their deities in high regard and believed that their long-lasting prosperity was due to divine protection. These statues played an essential role in their worship rituals and other activities.
Unfortunately, the beastmen lacked the skills for such craftsmanship, so they usually relied on artisans from neighboring countries for maintenance. However, the growing tensions between humans and beastmen in recent years, coupled with the notoriously poor law and order in the Land of Eternal Night, had made renowned artisans reluctant to venture into the snowy fields.
Moreover, it was said that some irritable beastman overlords would attack artisans if the repairs did not meet their expectations.
This further deterred mediocre artisans from risking their lives for such precarious work.
Even Little Stone City, the closest and most amicable beastman city-state to the Peland Empire, had repeatedly sought artisans from the empire, but none of the master craftsmen were willing to take on this challenging, thankless, and highly risky job.
After all, no one could guarantee that the beastmen would be satisfied with their work.
However, if the repairs were done exceptionally well, it could also earn their favor and goodwill, as they were known for their straightforward nature.
This time, when the news spread that a master craftsman from the Peland Empire's royal family was willing to take on the task of repairing the statues in all six city-states from south to north, the beastmen were filled with anticipation, and they assured that they would do their utmost to protect Master Rocky during his journey.
Lanchi was well aware that the Land of Eternal Night, serving as the passage between the Demon World and the Peland Empire, was especially crucial during this time of war.
Gaining the support and assistance of the indigenous beastmen could provide significant advantages. Likewise, it was imperative to prevent the vampires from gaining a foothold in this region.
Lanchi would do his best to convey the invasion plans of the Honing Empire to the beastman overlords.
Even though the beastmen city-states still held strong biases against humans, someone had to take the first step towards potential change.
"This gentleman is of high stature. As you escort him through the Land of Eternal Night, please follow the instructions in this red-bound book to ensure that he remains safe and content during his stay in the beastmen city-states."
The secretary handed Sigrid a book with a red leather cover. She reluctantly glanced through it and then nodded.
If it weren't for the money, she wouldn't have wanted to escort such a fragile and demanding gentleman.
"Damn, this is a hassle," she muttered to herself.
"Shh!" The secretary whispered, startled, "You mustn't use such coarse language in front of this gentleman." He quickly reminded Sigrid and prayed that the prime minister hadn't heard those words.
"What do you mean by 'coarse language'?" Sigrid asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"You need to be more elegant and polite in your choice of words and sentences," the secretary patiently explained.
Although he was aware that the coachman had some minor issues, such as being prone to offending the prime minister out of ignorance and fearlessness, she was indeed an expert in handling troubles. Leaving the prime minister in her care was the most reassuring option.
"I never went to school, so I don't know how to use those so-called elegant words," Sigrid said, spreading her hands.
Most of her previous escorts had been merchants traveling to the snowfields for business, and she rarely heard of a high-ranking and powerful gentleman willing to venture to the Land of Eternal Night personally. Even if there were official duties that required such a trip, it would usually be handled by professional troops, not a private commission shrouded in secrecy.
"Miss Sigrid..." The secretary felt the words stuck in his throat.
He couldn't tell Sigrid that this gentleman was the prime minister, bearing a unique and crucial task that required him to disguise his identity as he traveled northward.
"It's fine, don't worry about it, child," Lanchi said with a light laugh, setting down his teacup.
Although he personally didn't use foul language, he wouldn't force others to change their speaking habits either.
Besides, this child didn't understand.
"Alright," Sigrid agreed, and the secretary expressed his gratitude to Lanchi before continuing to explain the rest of the instructions to Sigrid.
The prime minister had never caused him any trouble and had always been considerate of his subordinates.
Sigrid glanced at Lanchi again.
This client was somewhat unexpected, and he seemed a little different from the high and mighty aristocrats she had imagined.
...
That afternoon.
The journey of several hours passed in the blink of an eye.
On the silvery snowfields of the northern border of the Pelant Empire, a young woman in a beret drove a sled, her calm and proficient demeanor blending seamlessly with the beauty of the cold world.
In front of the sled, two Snowfield Spirit Deer ran across the snow, their hooves kicking up clouds of snow as if drawing a natural roadmap on the snowfield.
After Sigrid and Lanchi had set off earlier that morning, they quickly reached the northernmost part of the Pelant Empire by air.
They then rented magical beasts that could travel fastest through the Land of Eternal Night and left the country.
The girl's face turned slightly red from the cold wind, and she gently waved the reindeer whip in her hand, making intermittent sounds.
Behind her, a man sat quietly in the back seat.
His gaze was focused on the small booklet map in his hand.
The wind ruffled the map, causing the corners of the pages to flutter lightly, as if the young man were deep in thought about the journey ahead.
"Actually, we've already covered most of today's journey. The first thing I want you to do when we arrive at our stop for the night is to find me the most spacious inn possible and help me buy some ingredients. I'll give you a grocery list, and you can just buy according to what's written on it."
Lanchi's brown hair fluttered slightly in the cold wind, and his face showed his anticipation for the journey north.
"Why don't we just eat out?" Sigrid asked, turning her head slightly.
She found these clients rather demanding.
There hadn't been much interaction between them during their journey within the Pelant Empire, as he seemed to have been tired from work in the previous few days and spent most of his time resting with his eyes closed.
"I was thinking the same, but my chef advised me to cook at home," Lanchi said, looking at the shadow of his feet and sighing.
Cat Boss always said to eat out less.
During their journey in the Northern Continent, Cat Boss had been the chef for most of the trip.
"Okay," Sigrid said, taking out a pen and jotting down a note.
After all, according to the contract, these basic expenses would be covered by the client.
The better the client fared, the more she could justify treating herself to some good food.
Usually, she was frugal, but now that her accommodation and meals were taken care of during work, and her boss didn't mind the expenses, she could just help with carrying some extra things.
Lanchi watched the crooked words she wrote and couldn't help but smile.
Even if she was a little reluctant, her professionalism was commendable, and she noted everything down.
(End of Chapter)
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