https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-676-The-Mystifying-Bond-Between-Lanchi-and-Thalia-Part-1-/12585053/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-677-Unsealing-Lanchi-and-Thalia-s-Shadow-Weaving-Record-Part-1-/12585055/
Chapter 676: The Mystifying Bond Between Lanchi and Thalia (Part 2)
Chapter 676: The Mystifying Bond Between Lanchi and Thalia (Part 2)
She wouldn't allow anyone else to harm the demon she had saved.
"The situation isn't that bad yet. For now, it's just a 'possibility.' If her life is in danger, I'll notify you immediately."
Sergeant Nigel put down his coffee cup and shook his head, indicating that they should listen to what he had to say.
"I've done some preliminary investigations into your backgrounds, so please forgive me. Mr. Lanchi, you are indeed the chief disciple of Grand Priest Lauren, and also an exceptionally talented Card Maker. As for Miss Tata, you grew up together with Lanchi in the South Van Tina Territory since childhood, and you currently reside in the royal capital of Icelyte, working near his school."
Nigel glanced at the two, verifying the information he had gathered.
Although he wasn't sure how much of this information was true, the two sitting across from him didn't seem to have much of an age difference.
However, he believed that the young woman before him, Tata, possessed a mysterious strength that belied her youthful appearance.
"..."
Lanchi and Thalia exchanged a glance.
It seemed that their backgrounds were more or less accurate.
However, they certainly didn't look like childhood neighbors.
Thalia's registered residence was in the South Van Tina Border Territory, and it was Hans, the butler of the Wilford family, who had pulled some strings to get her the necessary documents. Perhaps that was why Nigel's investigation led him to believe that they grew up together as neighbors.
Additionally, Lanchi's current registered Card Maker level in the South Continent Card Maker Association should be Gold-level.
Back then, after he passed the registration exam, Vice President Lawrence of the Icelyte branch of the South Continent Card Maker Association had temporarily given him a Gold-level license.
It wasn't until recently, after a thorough review, that he officially obtained his Platinum-level authorization, moving up from the "provisional Platinum-level."
For safety reasons, only a few people in the Kingdom of Bosen knew about his Platinum-level status, including Countess Rosalinda, who was in charge of arranging his work, and the powerhouses in the Senate. His true level would only be publicly announced by the South Continent Card Maker Association after he returned safely to the Kingdom of Hutton.
Nigel didn't explicitly mention Lanchi's Card Maker level either.
"The reason I analyzed your backgrounds is that, in my opinion, your encounter that night was not entirely coincidental."
Nigel shared his thoughts with the duo.
"Why?"
Lanchi asked.
In his estimation, Nigel was not only a highly competent kingdom officer but also a sharp-minded investigator.
"According to my investigation, you, as a student of Icelyte's Sage Academy, have a very good relationship with your classmate, Miss Subelian, the half-demon Duchess of Hutton. You are also known to be someone who treats demons fairly."
Nigel fixed his gaze on Lanchi as he spoke.
Thalia remained silent, listening intently. Although she knew, as Bolao had said, that Lanchi viewed people uniquely, only caring about individuals rather than the groups they belonged to, she appreciated the fact that he didn't judge people based on labels. It was because of this that she had gradually come to accept and even want to be friends with Lanchi.
"If someone had known beforehand that you might be biased towards demons and cast a curse on Lisancey, who was about to board the ship, there was a high probability that we would have ended up fighting that night."
Nigel posed a question, presenting his hypothesis.
Lanchi and Thalia nodded thoughtfully, both acknowledging the likelihood of such a scenario.
On that fateful night, Lanchi might have ended up fighting with Executioner Nigel over his defense of Lisancey.
Normally, Lanchi wasn't known for his prowess in direct combat, even though he was the chief disciple of the Grand Priest.
If the powerful Seventh-Rank Executioner Nigel had accidentally struck down Lanchi with a single blow, it could have sparked a conflict between the Kingdom of Hutton and the Kingdom of Bosen.
In the most extreme case, ignoring the looming threat of the Krei Xi Empire to the south and the internal crisis posed by the 'Curse of Great Mage Paloni's Resentment,' the Kingdom of Bosen would have had to deal with the fallout of a potential split, not to mention the pressure and distrust from its allies.
It was difficult to imagine how dire the situation could have become.
"The matter always comes back to Lisancey. I'm currently doing my best to help her gain freedom. There are differing opinions within the Senate, as Lisancey's case resembles that of an asymptomatic carrier."
Nigel took out a copy of an investigation report from the file bag he had brought and showed them the publicly available portions.
The Senate meetings were attended not only by the powerful dukes and princes of the Kingdom of Bosen but also by the four demon lords of the Bosen Demon World.
In the past.
When dealing with the 'Curse of Great Mage Paloni's Resentment.'
"The afflicted one was under immense mental stress and would enter an irreversible frenzy mutation state."
"However, Lisancey, who was imprisoned and terrified upon learning of her impending execution, showed no signs of frenzy at all."
"Currently, the Senate is divided between those who believe that rules should be followed and no exceptions made to shield afflicted demons, and those who think that Lisancey is a unique, benign afflicted demon who should be protected so that critical intelligence can be gathered from her."
"So, Mr. Nigel, did you conceal from the Senate the fact that the two of us can cure the frenzy mutation curse?"
Lanchi came to this conclusion after reading through the file and setting it down.
At present, the Senate's determination was that Lisancey had suppressed the curse through her willpower alone.
They were completely unaware of Lanchi and Thalia's involvement.
Obviously, Nigel had been judicious in his report, omitting their heroic actions during the airship and street unrest incidents.
"Don't jump to conclusions; I merely reported what I observed."
Nigel picked up the porcelain cup, sipping his coffee as he gazed out the window and murmured.
"Thank you, Mr. Nigel."
Lanchi said with a hint of a smile.
What he had just said was Nigel's way of absolving himself of any blame.
If Nigel had reported that the curse-breaking was their doing, not only would the Senate have launched an intensive investigation into them, but the mastermind behind the curse would also have targeted them immediately.
Thanks to Executioner Nigel, Lanchi and Thalia could continue their stay in the flower city of Pariel without worry.
"What we've discussed so far isn't the main point. The important thing is that I must caution you to be vigilant about your safety while in the Kingdom of Bosen."
Nigel finished his coffee, his expression turning slightly solemn as he addressed Lanchi and Thalia.
"Why do you say that?"
Lanchi asked.
Although if there were any real danger, he could always transform into the noble Northern Continental, Rocky McCarthy, and Thalia would also disappear without a trace.
But next week's Platinum-level Card Maker exam required him to attend as Lanchi Wilford at the South Continent Card Maker Association's Pariel branch, where he would meet with Countess Rosalinda.
"Do you know what the implications are of saving Miss Lisancey and suppressing her irreversible curse?"
Nigel posed a question first.
"That Lisancey, who was once doomed, can now cooperate with your investigation and divulge some crucial information?"
Thalia hesitantly ventured a guess.
From her interactions with Lisancey, she could sense the malevolence emanating from the curse, and it seemed almost impossible to remove it without the intervention of the caster.
If it weren't for her, the Demon King, Lisancey would have surely met the same fate as other afflicted individuals—
Either executed by the Executioners or spiraling into a frenzy until self-destruction.
There was no chance of recovery once the curse took hold.
"That's right. After regaining her sanity, Miss Lisancey has cooperated with our investigation and revealed a lot of what we would consider key information."
Nigel nodded and took out a recording crystal from his pocket, placing it into a projection device on the cabinet next to the office wall.
"According to our current analysis of the intelligence, the critical factor that led to her becoming an afflicted one stems from Miss Lisancey's encounter with a mysterious man shortly after her arrival in Pariel. According to her description, this man exuded a bone-chilling aura that filled her with dread."
At that moment, the projection device displayed the footage from the station's surveillance cameras, which the Executioner squad had obtained through the police.
"He asked Miss Lisancey if she hated humans, and upon hearing her answer, he smiled and walked away."
Nigel continued to explain as he manipulated the recording crystal to control the footage.
"What did Lisancey answer?"
Lanchi also turned his attention to the footage that was beginning to play.
In the footage, Lisancey stood alone at the edge of the station platform, her figure appearing somewhat blurry due to the deep shadows cast by the night's darkness.
"She was filled with fear, feeling that if she denied it, her soul would be dragged into the abyss, so she answered yes."
Nigel calmly recounted Lisancey's testimony during their interrogation, anticipating Lanchi's questions.
In truth, Nigel could empathize with Lisancey, a demon who had grown up in the Kingdom of Bosen.
She lived in constant fear, always mindful not to harm humans, even though she might not have any malicious intentions. Her feelings towards humans couldn't be simply described as either liking or hating them, but there were undoubtedly moments in her life that caused her sadness and pain.
And so, in that moment, she answered with 'yes, I hate them.'
"From her statement, it's evident that she envies humans and even wishes she could be one herself."
Nigel added.
Some docile demons, rather than staying in the Bosen Demon World, actually prefer the culture and lifestyle of humans in the Kingdom of Bosen, but they can never truly be accepted as humans.
At that moment...
The scene on the projection changed.
Under the dim station lights, the platform was sparsely populated, and Lisancey, dressed in a gown, stood in a corner, her hand tightly clutching a soon-to-expire ticket. Her figure exuded a sense of bewilderment and anxiety.
Suddenly, her gaze shifted to one side of the platform.
Someone was slowly walking towards her.
This man, his face was remarkably ordinary, yet he stood out starkly on the platform.
He approached the young woman, each step seemingly crossing an invisible boundary.
The recording only captured muffled noises, unable to discern specific voices.
"What are you waiting for?"
A voice could be heard.
The man asked, his tone devoid of any inflection, his voice both gentle and cold, like the midnight wind brushing past a lonely soul.
In that instant, Lisancey's deepest fears were mercilessly exposed, her body trembling with dread.
She tried to answer, but her voice was barely audible.
The man paid no heed to her response, almost as if he hadn't noticed her at all, and simply walked past her.
Then, a train roared by, blocking their figures from view.
Lisancey boarded the train, and the man's figure vanished without a trace.
The footage ended, and Nigel turned off the projection device.
"When you try to focus on his face, the details become blurred, and you find yourself unable to recall his features, only retaining the deep fear and unease he instilled. He's like a sentinel in a dream, lingering at the fringes of consciousness, both distant and intimately close."
"Mr. Nigel, we should get going."
Lanchi stood up, signaling that it was time for them to take their leave. A few days ago, the trio had met aboard the floating castle airship, and during the turmoil, it was this Executioner who had let them go and even provided his contact information.
"Of course. Please be careful." Nigel stood up and saw them off. He had anticipated their departure, given the sensitive nature of their discussion.
"Likewise, please take care as well." Lanchi nodded, his expression conveying his understanding of the potential dangers they faced. With that, they bid farewell and exited the office.
Descending the spiral staircase, Lanchi and Thalia found themselves back in the bustling city of Pariel. The vibrant atmosphere and lively streets were a stark contrast to the solemn atmosphere of Nigel's office.
"So, what do you think?" Lanchi asked, his eyes scanning the busy street as they walked.
"I think Sergeant Nigel is a very capable person. He's not only competent in his work but also has a keen mind for investigation. It's no wonder he's a Seventh-Rank Executioner," Thalia replied, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the bustling cityscape.
"Indeed. And he's also a trustworthy person. He didn't reveal anything about our involvement in lifting Lisancey's curse, which is a relief. It seems we can continue our stay in Pariel without worry," Lanchi said, his voice laced with gratitude.
"Mhm. It's a good thing we didn't cause too much trouble. If we had, we might have attracted the attention of the mastermind behind the curse," Thalia agreed, her eyes darting around discreetly as if expecting something to happen at any moment.
"Well, we did what we had to do. We couldn't just stand by and watch Lisancey suffer. Besides, we managed to keep a low profile, and with any luck, the mastermind won't be able to trace it back to us," Lanchi said, his tone confident yet cautious.
As they strolled through the lively streets of Pariel, their conversation turned to the recent developments and the potential acceleration of events. The knowledge that their actions had inadvertently influenced the delicate balance between the Senate and the curse spreader added a sense of urgency to their discussions.
"It seems like things are about to get very interesting in the Kingdom of Bosen. We'll have to be extra vigilant from now on," Lanchi remarked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the implications.
"Indeed. And we must also be prepared for the possibility that our actions will be discovered by the mastermind. If that happens, we'll need to be ready to deal with any repercussions," Thalia said, her voice steady but laced with a hint of concern.
"Don't worry, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, let's focus on enjoying our time in Pariel and making the most of our stay here," Lanchi said, his tone lightening as he tried to ease the tension between them.
As they continued their walk, their conversation shifted to lighter topics, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the city and the beauty it had to offer. But despite the cheerful facade, both Lanchi and Thalia knew that danger lurked in the shadows, and their peaceful days in Pariel might soon come to an end.
(End of Chapter)
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