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Chapter 545: Lanchi's Snowy Journey with the Young Girl
Chapter 545: Lanchi's Snowy Journey with the Young Girl
The snowy field at the entrance of the Land of Eternal Night was quiet and vast, as if it were an untouched corner of the world.
The antlers of the Shadow Deer shone bright and erect, translucent like ice sculptures, emitting a faint glow.
"Hey, are you rich?"
Sigrid asked out of the blue after jotting down Lanchi's requests. She closed her notebook with one hand, her pen tucked away.
The sled left a clear trail in the snow, accompanied by the sound of the deer's hooves and the soft sliding of the sled.
With one hand resting on the backrest, she turned to regard Lanchi.
It was rare to see someone who could make an attendant as dignified as Lanchi so respectful. That secretary-like person from earlier had looked utterly terrified.
Although she was unfamiliar with the upper echelons of Helsarem, she sensed that this client was a member of the elite that she rarely encountered.
"I'm alright, but if I wanted to make money, I'd probably be able to do it pretty quickly."
Lanchi replied.
He didn't mind having someone to chat with on the journey; traveling with Sid was much more enjoyable than traveling with Tata, for instance.
Of course, spending time with Tata now had its own unique charm.
"But could you please hold the reins with both hands and watch the road ahead?"
He lifted a finger and pointed forward.
Sigrid turned her head back for a moment but only halfway.
"What do you do?"
She asked.
"I'm a painter, and I also know a bit about sculpting and landscape design."
Lanchi replied helplessly. Sigrid's driving style seemed set in stone, and it didn't seem like she could change it anytime soon. He figured he'd have to remind her often during the trip.
For now, answering her questions might help put her at ease as she drove.
Her attitude was cold, but she seemed talkative, not the quiet type.
"No wonder you're rich."
Sigrid nodded, as if she had figured out a lot.
"I'm quite interested in painting, like that painting in your study of a group of children gathered around a fire. I didn't get a good look at it, but I remember one of the children's hair catching fire, and their companions trying to save them."
She continued, still not focusing on the road ahead.
"Hmm..."
Lanchi pondered for a moment, feeling that something about Sigrid's description was amiss.
Or perhaps he needed a moment to understand what painting she was referring to.
"That painting is based on a Demon World opera. It's not about children sitting around a fire but a group of demons rejoicing in the abyss."
Lanchi explained.
He quite enjoyed discussing art with others.
Although the painting wasn't his, he understood its meaning.
"Oh, so there's a continuation to the story. They all burned to death, so the demons were indeed rejoicing."
Sigrid shrugged regretfully.
"..."
Lanchi was left speechless for a moment.
Cat Boss, lurking in the shadows, was struggling to hold it together.
This was too hellish.
Even Lanchi didn't know how to respond to her.
"Hey."
Sigrid called out to Lanchi again.
"I noticed that according to the itinerary, you need to return to Helsarem within four weeks at the latest. Can we make it back a little earlier? I don't want to be away for a whole month."
Lanchi, who had been silent for a few seconds, nodded.
"Is it because your family will worry about you?"
Lanchi thought about it. Such a young child, away from home for a month—her family would definitely be concerned, even if she was exceptionally strong.
"..."
Sigrid didn't answer immediately.
"Something like that."
She said.
Although she could now support herself and didn't have to live in the orphanage, she often returned to the small town's church orphanage to help the nuns and priests who had once taken care of her. Most of her money was also sent back to them.
Those children, younger than her, would surely throw a tantrum if they didn't see her for a month.
With the entire Pelant Empire in turmoil and the Holy Rite Church being a thorn in Honing Empire's side, if peace negotiations with the Honing Empire were successful, those noble elders would undoubtedly eradicate the church to demonstrate their sincerity.
She didn't want to leave the orphanage during this time, but she needed money. Everything required money, and the price offered by this client was too good to refuse, so she had ultimately agreed.
"There's no way she could tell her client about these things, otherwise, they'd definitely lowball her."
"In that case, I'll try to get back earlier. To be honest, I'd like to get back sooner, too." Lanchi replied.
Sigrid nodded and finally turned her head to focus on the road ahead.
After driving for a while, she picked up a leather wine pouch from the seat and took a small sip, skillfully twisting the top with one hand.
Lanchi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you really old enough to drink at your age? And you're driving!" He leaned forward slightly and said to Sigrid in the front seat.
"I'm not drinking," Sigrid replied calmly.
"..." Lanchi was speechless. He could smell the alcohol wafting from the wine pouch even from a distance, and it seemed absurd that she was denying it.
If this continued, he would start feeling dizzy.
Sigrid glanced back at Lanchi, understanding his unspoken concern.
"Damn, he found out," she muttered to herself.
"Why can't I drink? There's no legal drinking age in the Pelant Empire, and I'm not driving a magic-powered vehicle. Besides, we're not even within the borders of the Pelant Empire," she argued.
"I suggest you try some of this sheep's milk wine, it's great for warming up in the snowfield," Sigrid offered, placing the wine pouch back and inviting Lanchi to take a sip.
"No, thank you. While it may not be illegal, I have an obligation to stop minors from drinking. Early alcohol consumption can have negative effects on the body and can impact mental health and academic performance. It's my duty to guide minors toward developing healthy lifestyle habits," Lanchi waved his hand in refusal, lecturing her.
"Tsk, you're so full of rules," Sigrid reluctantly hesitated, holding the wine pouch.
While no one had ever taught her about these rules, she honestly envied the children who had parents to nag them constantly.
Hearing such words made her feel uncomfortable.
In the end, she closed the wine pouch and tossed it aside.
Silence filled the space between the front and back rows of the sled.
As the sled advanced, the snowfield landscape gradually changed, with distant snow-capped mountains looming in the horizon, and soft rays of sunset occasionally piercing through the clouds, adding a touch of warmth to the icy world.
"By the way, Sigrid, how strong are you?" Lanchi asked, something he had been curious about for a while. He wanted to confirm if his assessment of her strength was accurate.
He had refrained from asking earlier as he didn't want to seem like he was questioning her abilities. Now that they had gotten slightly more acquainted, it felt more appropriate to bring it up.
"As long as we don't encounter any strong sixth-ranks, I can guarantee your safe escape," Sigrid replied without turning her head.
She didn't want to reveal too much about her strength to the client and simply gave a rough estimate to assure him.
"That's a relief," Lanchi said, estimating that she was probably stronger than the fifth-rank teammate he had during the Saintly Evil Doers' banquet.
"Miss Sigrid, I heard that you're an expert at handling troublesome situations?" Lanchi inquired with a light laugh.
According to the secretary, the reason they recommended Miss Sigrid was not only because of her reliable strength but also because of her exceptional business capabilities.
If that was the case, he might consider hiring her for additional assistance upon their return to the Pelant Empire.
"I'm quite adept at handling public relations in lawless areas, and I'm good at persuading others," Sigrid replied confidently as she steered the sled.
"Then I'm counting on you. Please make sure to protect me," Lanchi requested with a natural smile.
The Cat Boss, lurking in the shadows, shuddered.
This guy always acts like he's the male lead in a story.
"Remember, try not to cause trouble. If you actively stir up unnecessary trouble that wasn't accounted for in the contract, causing me extra work, I'll have to charge you extra, and I might not even be willing to lend a hand," Sigrid neither agreed nor disagreed, simply reminding him once again.
"Under what circumstances would you be willing to lend a hand?" Lanchi asked, curious.
"It depends on my mood," Sigrid replied briefly.
(End of Chapter)
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