https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-591-Lanchi-and-Sybeline-s-Candlelit-Dinner/12584914/
Chapter 590: Hubertian No Longer Wants to Be Stubborn
Chapter 590: Hubertian No Longer Wants to Be Stubborn
"Oh."
Hubertian seemed at a loss for words for a moment, merely nodding slightly before turning towards the bedroom door.
She had heard from Lisandra that as soon as Lanchi arrived in Necallis, he purchased a mansion that suited his overly enthusiastic personality of immersing himself in local customs.
But she never expected Lanchi to say that he bought it for her.
For some reason, she felt a little uneasy whenever she made eye contact with Lanchi now, but overall, it was manageable. They still had a lot to catch up on, such as the current situation in Necallis and their plans for the future. They had only engaged in small talk so far and hadn't delved into these topics yet.
Hubertian was just relieved that Lanchi hadn't seen her dream earlier.
As they walked and chatted, Lanchi led Hubertian on a tour of the villa.
They had to wait a while for Cat Boss's dinner, and on this leisurely evening, having not seen each other for a month, they both missed each other's company and slowly shared what had happened to them during that time.
Their footsteps on the wooden floor of the mansion created a rhythmic echo, forming the only melody in the villa on this midsummer night.
"Your good friend Lisandra lives not far from here. If you want to hang out with her, you can visit her anytime or invite her over."
Lanchi looked towards the row of large windows, pointing at a fence in the direction of the night's shadows.
Beyond the lawn lay a cottage surrounded by flowers.
"Er, so I'll be living here?"
Hubertian pointed at herself.
She still found it hard to think of this place as her home, even though Lanchi had just said that the mansion was bought for her. She felt that it was more likely one of Lanchi's usual jokes.
"At least for today, Caliella didn't say anything about you needing to go back. Of course, if you miss her, I can ask her to come pick you up after dinner."
Lanchi asked with a slight hesitation.
"No, it's fine. I'll just stay here."
Hubertian quickly waved her hand.
It wasn't that she disliked Caliella, but Hubertian felt that since she had rarely left the palace, it would be better not to trouble Caliella, and staying with Lanchi was a good option.
The more she thought about it, the happier she felt.
After all, the two of them had stayed in the same castle during the Lichten's Castle banquet in the past, so there was nothing strange about it.
"We'll stay here for a couple of days, and then we'll head back to the Pollant Empire," Lanchi said.
"Okay, I'll follow you wherever you go."
Having been confined to the palace for a month, Hubertian, now free, took lively steps like a butterfly.
She was immersed in the wonders of the ancient castle, whispering softly and occasionally turning back to ask Lanchi questions. Her voice was like a captivating serenade.
She marveled at the carvings on the walls and couldn't stop praising the artistic masterpieces Lanchi had designed on the ceilings.
Lanchi smiled and refrained from discussing matters related to the Shadow World with her anymore.
He would take care of everything.
As long as he completed a research experiment with his new demon friends in the Demon World and figured out what the 'key to defeating the Blood Race' in the mission objective was, he could then return to the Pollant Empire with his demon friends.
According to the information they had obtained and the latest progress, the mission objective in the Shadow World had already changed—
"Mission Objective 1: According to your understanding, there may be a way to seal the progenitor of the Blood Race in the Demon Ancestral Land, and some kind of crucial ritual principle may be found there."
Even though Lanchi now felt that he had found a new way to develop the Blood Race's economy, he still needed to complete the mission objective and respect the rules of the Shadow World.
Once the first mission objective was accomplished, his work as the diplomat, Roche McCassey, would be done, and he would only have his duties as Prime Minister Lanchi Willford left.
He could then work on the remaining tasks while taking Hubertian on a tour of the Pollant Empire.
Lanchi felt that the schedule in the Shadow World was always rushed.
For example, in the Dream Corridor Academy before, he hadn't even started to enjoy the fruits of victory when the Shadow World was about to end.
The second time in the Shadow World was slightly better. During the Saint's Banquet, everyone had finished their task in one day and got to play for four days.
Unfortunately, that place was a desolate castle in the mountains, and they couldn't go out anywhere. It felt a bit like a club group activity.
This time, the Shadow World was a completely open map. Except for the Southern Continent, which was an enemy country during the war, and visas were difficult to obtain, the Northern Continent was mostly open for travel.
Lanchi had made up his mind the moment he arrived.
He was determined to turn the situation in the Shadow World around early on so that Hubertian could have a good time and be free and happy in this Shadow World.
If there was another opportunity next time, he would definitely conquer the Southern Continent as well, so that Hubertian could go wherever she wanted.
Indeed, compared to drawing on paper, it felt much more satisfying to draw on a map.
This was the ultimate goal of an art student.
Lanchi watched Hubertian's happy exploration of the villa, his hands in his pockets, and a smile on his face as he followed behind her.
The corridors of the mansion seemed like portals to unknown realms, and each wall lamp resembled a warm hand reaching out to offer assistance and dispel the darkness of the night.
Hubertian hesitated, feeling guided.
She walked through an indoor courtyard surrounded by blooming flowers.
Descending the marble staircase, the next level gradually came into view, presenting a subtle transformation—there were no lavish decorations here. Instead, the entire indoor space had been transformed into a fragrant garden. Daffodils shone brightly, hawthorn flowers were pure as foam, plum blossoms adorned the branches, and the pale golden hues of honeysuckle flowers captivated her.
The corridor stretched endlessly forward.
With a refreshing tranquility, Hubertian and Lanchi strolled through a series of Necallis-style music halls and guest rooms restored in the style of the ancient Demon World era. Each place was unusually quiet, as if invisible spectators were silently watching their every move.
As Lanchi closed the thick doors to the library, which seemed to lead to another time and space, Hubertian faintly heard a deep laugh emanating from one of the classrooms in the Corridor of Purgatory.
Upon closer inspection, the design of the mansion incorporated many architectural elements from the Corridor of Purgatory Academy.
"It seems you can't forget about that school after all," Hubertian sighed.
"Don't you like it?" Lanchi asked, looking at her questioningly.
"No, I love it," Hubertian replied with a hint of a smile, shaking her head.
The two of them reminisced about their first time in the Shadow World, when they had attended that ancient and renowned magical school.
Hubertian had thought that day was the best day of her life.
Later, she discovered that there would be even better days.
Perhaps today was one of them.
"In the story, does the Witch never get a chance to return to the Corridor of Purgatory with the Sun's Son?" Hubertian asked suddenly, a thought occurring to her.
After all, in the background prompt for this Shadow World, she played the role of the Witch, while Lanchi was the Sun's Son.
In their first Shadow World, the Sun's Son had infiltrated the Corridor of Purgatory and eloped with the Witch, and they had become companions in the human world.
In the second Shadow World, the true historical story was that the Witch had died during the Saint's Banquet, offering her royal blood to the Sun's Son.
So, from then on, there was no more Witch, only the Sun's Son, solitary and alone.
And now, in this Shadow World, they had entered a "hypothetical" timeline, different from history, due to a slight shift in the story.
"Hmm, probably. But perhaps even so, the Sun's Son would still build his villa in a similar fashion, waiting for someone who would never return," Lanchi mused, trying to guess the Sun's Son's feelings, having played the role three times himself.
Chatting idly, they walked back towards the stairs.
The next level retained its antique charm, with walls covered in rose and lavender silk satin, and vibrant flowers finding their haven here.
Finally, they reached Lanchi's private space, which included a bedroom, a guest room, and a study styled like the Principal's office.
Seated in the study, they sampled a small amount of the rare demon world flower wine that Lanchi had retrieved from a wall cabinet.
Lanchi himself didn't dare to drink it, but after discovering Hubertian's surprising capacity for alcohol in the sixth layer of the Helrom Prison, he now offered her a taste whenever they came across some wine.
True to form, Hubertian drank two small cups and likened it to sparkling water.
Lanchi laughed with relief.
He didn't attach much importance to the wealth within his mansion; it all seemed insignificant now that Hubertian was here.
As they descended to the third floor, a solemn door loomed before them. The gilded patterns embedded in the tall doors shimmered with mystical light, reflecting off the glass windows.
Two more floors below was the restaurant level.
Opening the door, they were greeted by the faint scent of candle-scented incense from the third floor.
"Today has been so much fun. It's only because I found you that the Shadow World has become enjoyable," Lanchi said, beaming with joy.
It had been a long time since they had enjoyed themselves like this together.
They had explored every corner of the royal capital of Icariot, or at least Hubertian, as a local, had. Icariot held no interest for her beyond being her residence.
"Yes, I feel the same. Every day has been so happy since I met you," Hubertian replied.
Her emotions had gone through several transformations during their walk.
From initial unease, to joy, and now, in their long-awaited reunion, she had fallen into a state of oblivion.
She had endured torturous nights in the palace, anxiously awaiting Lanchi's arrival in the demon world, her tension indescribable.
Now, finally, her emotions could be released, no longer bound by the anxious clock.
"Right, Hubertian, I want to take you somewhere," Lanchi said, remembering something and looking in a particular direction.
"What?" Hubertian, who had been intending to explore further, turned back with newfound interest at Lanchi's words.
"Follow me," Lanchi said with a light laugh, snapping his fingers.
The next floor down was the restaurant, which might be a bit noisy.
Fortunately, there was a nice terrace on this third floor.
Lanchi invited Hubertian to join him on the open-air garden terrace.
As they stepped outside, their field of vision expanded.
The terrace was furnished with wooden floors and rocking benches, offering a clear view of the vastness of Lanchi's estate, along with the refreshing outdoor air.
The midsummer night's moon hung even higher in the sky, and the boundless night sky over the Necallis Sea was adorned with a row of silvery stardust.
Here, they could finally hear the music and opera from the restaurant below, along with the occasional light clinking of glasses, imagining the fine wine frothing in slender glasses as guests gently touched them together.
But Lanchi had something similar here.
In this mansion, unknown wines and a full set of glasses could be found just a few steps away, and the terrace was no exception.
Lanchi led Hubertian to the very edge of the terrace.
They stood in a row, leaning on the stone railing, gazing at the shimmering waters of the bay, immersed in the tranquility and beauty of the moment.
"If not for the fog tonight, we would be able to see the outline of the palace on the other side," Lanchi murmured,
"At the end of the bay, the blue light of the palace barrier never goes out, always shining so brightly."
Lanchi reached out towards the distance, his words reflecting the sense of loss that the blue light now held for them.
Hubertian turned her head to look at his face.
"So, you've been watching me from across the way this whole time?" Hubertian slowly spoke up, finally realizing where she was and why Lanchi had bought this mansion after arriving in the Demon World.
From this vantage point, the beam of light from the palace seemed so close, as if it were within reach, bridging the distance between them.
The distance between them was like that of the stars to the sun.
And now, it was merely a regular light across the bay.
They now stood side by side.
"Yeah, to be honest, I've been a bit worried these past few days, wondering if you were doing alright over there. Thankfully, Lisandra told me that you were safe in the palace," Lanchi admitted, turning to look across the shore again, relishing the leisurely moment.
The wind outside picked up, and the lights of Necallis Island twinkled in the distance, with the mag-lev trains on the bridge shuttling passengers back and forth.
A prolonged silence hung between them.
Mainly because Hubertian fell quiet.
"So, you do dream as well." Hubertian mused.
"Of course, I too can fall into the Land of Gentle Slumber," Lanchi replied, feeling that Hubertian seemed to view him as some sort of monster.
In reality, he was very normal.
"Lanchi, if the content of my dreams changes while I'm in the Land of Gentle Slumber, what does that mean?" Hubertian asked, gazing out at the bay.
Indeed, one thing she couldn't quite figure out after waking up was the magic of the Land of Gentle Slumber.
Perhaps only the Fallen Qi and Lanchi could provide her with an answer.
Lanchi was also an expert in the Land of Gentle Slumber.
"It means that you believe there are more dreams that you can't make come true in reality," Lanchi replied, his tone taking on a professional air as if he were a psychological counselor. He walked over to the nearest table on the balcony, picked up a glass, and poured two glasses of grape juice, which even he could drink, handing one to Hubertian.
A fleeting look of disappointment flashed in Hubertian's eyes.
But she quickly concealed it.
"I see," she whispered, sounding relieved.
As expected.
Dreams that couldn't come true.
This dream of a church wedding was indeed too absurd, to the point that even her subconscious was convinced of it.
"But have you noticed? Reality is drawing closer to your Land of Gentle Slumber, which means it can still come true," Lanchi suddenly said.
"You see, there aren't many people in the Kingdom of Herton who would dare to bully you now. We also have a lead on Duke Migaya, and Anatans and the others might be able to help us find Miss Yifatia. In short—no matter what dreams you have, I'll help you make them come true."
Lanchi looked at her, raising the glass in his hand and smiling as he made this promise.
Upon hearing his words, Hubertian seemed to freeze for a moment, and when she came back to her senses, she found herself standing under a sky filled with shimmering phosphorescent lights.
The sight before her left her dumbfounded once more.
On the boundless and murky sea, at the end of a long journey, the horizon merged with the sky.
"......"
Hubertian stared at the young man, the night sky, and the stars behind him.
The stars of midsummer were spread out across the vast sky, like fragments of time, shining with eternal brilliance, weaving a brilliant star map in the sky, blending the depth and fantasy of the night into one.
The world of the Land of Gentle Slumber seemed to have not yet melted away, and her heartbeat echoed, repeating itself over and over in her half-dream, half-awake state.
She remembered that in her deep sleep at midnight, a tired her would always appear in her dreams.
Had she really woken up?
She didn't know.
She thought she had just lost to Lanchi's cleverness and believed that everything was fate.
At this moment, she still didn't want to wake up.
But maybe...
If she were to give up now, it wouldn't be as simple as just nodding her head.
A surge of emotion welled up in her heart, and she mustered all her strength to lean towards Lanchi, tiptoed, and kissed him on the face.
As Lanchi gazed out at the sea, his eyes widened suddenly.
He felt an indescribable sensation gently brush past his cheek, like a cool breeze or the lightest feather, leaving a soft touch on his skin.
"Lanchi, thank you," Hubertian said awkwardly, her words like a gentle stream, soft yet intense.
Lanchi remained silent for several seconds, only turning his head to look at Hubertian as if he had entered a dreamlike state.
Hubertian never expected that her action would leave Lanchi looking so dazed and confused.
Gradually, she felt embarrassed, her heart pounding like drums as she lowered her head and tugged at her sleeve.
If Lanchi felt that she had crossed a line, the worst-case scenario was that they might not even be able to remain friends.
"Hubertian..."
However, Lanchi didn't seem to mind Hubertian's kiss at all and remained close to her, completely relaxed, as if something else had just occurred to him.
"What's wrong?" Hubertian asked, seeing Lanchi's expression.
Although her heartbeat suddenly sped up again, she somehow felt relieved and even experienced a surge of joy.
"I went live..."
Lanchi was worried that Loren wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure, so he planned to do a short broadcast to give Dean Loren a peace of mind and let him know that he had successfully picked up Hubertian.
But he never expected Hubertian to kiss him out of the blue.
Now, Dean Loren might be feeling even more pressure.
The people of Herton thought that the seventh-tier Shadow World was still in a state of collapse, with fourth and fifth-tier students struggling to survive. However, the live broadcast revealed a different reality—a romantic midsummer night's love story.
Hubertian: "??!"
She covered her face.
"Ahhh..."
She felt like she couldn't go back to Ikelite.
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(End of Chapter)
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