Chapter 693: Lanchi Receives a Date Challenge
Chapter 693: Lanchi Receives a Date Challenge
On an autumn morning shrouded in mist, a grand mansion stood quietly amidst a maple forest in District 2 on the south bank of Parisia.
The majestic structure, built with gray stones and a roof tiled in black, had chimneys towering at both ends, though no smoke had risen from them for years.
Golden and reddish-brown maple leaves gently drifted downward, forming a thick carpet on the dry stone steps.
"Then I shall submit this report, and I would appreciate it if you could review the documents, Count Baptiste."
In the reception hall, a sergeant major from the Senate Execution Force, clad in a black military uniform, sat on a sofa next to an oak coffee table, handing a rhombus-shaped leather-bound file to Count Baptiste.
This was the Baptiste family's old mansion.
After their mansion in District 4 on the north bank was largely destroyed, it would take some time to repair it.
So the whole family moved here.
"Thank you, General Nigel."
Count Baptiste expressed his gratitude as he accepted the file.
Regarding the riot a couple of days ago, the Baptiste family was involved in an investigation related to the spread of curses.
If the investigators intended to make things difficult for the Baptiste family, the inquiry could be extremely harsh.
However, it seemed that Executioner Nigel and their family butler, as well as Christina, were on good terms.
As a result, the investigation was more like a mutual exchange of information.
"You're welcome," Nigel shook his head.
After that riot, many other things happened.
Among them, the Senate hoped that he would take over District 10 of the Bersen Demon World in place of his teacher, Perlman, and the Demon World expected Nigel to lead the investigation into the historical remnants of Grand Wizard Paloni's Grudge Records. Nigel declined them all and chose to remain by Tiffany's side.
Consequently, due to his role as the apparent hero of this battle, widely trusted by the residents of Flower City and the demons of the Bersen Demon World, he was promoted from colonel of the Parisia Defense Force to the rank of major general.
The only additional task Nigel took on was some post-battle cleanup.
For instance, he took the initiative to handle the investigation into the Baptiste family.
He excelled at producing a flawless report based entirely on facts while also preventing hostile factions from taking advantage of the situation to harm the Baptiste family.
Innoan was the one he had rescued from the crazed demons in the Bersen Demon World, and after that rainy night's battle, he had a good idea of what had transpired and the outcome.
The two chatted away.
The Baptiste family's butler stood in a corner of the room.
He was dressed as always, in a black butler uniform with a dark green striped necktie at his collar.
The brown-haired, green-eyed butler silently prepared tea and snacks at a small table in the corner of the room, skillfully placing tea leaves into a silver teapot, adding hot water, and then covering the pot to let the leaves steep, filling the air with a rich, fragrant aroma.
The master of the house and the officer conversed at the long table, their expressions solemn, brows furrowed as they quietly exchanged opinions.
"Please enjoy your tea, gentlemen."
The butler served tea to the two men, his eyes briefly meeting those of the officer.
They nodded slightly to each other.
Even though they were acquainted, they simply acknowledged each other politely while focused on their respective tasks.
"Rochi, thank you for coming to our home today."
Count Baptiste directly expressed his gratitude to Lanchi.
"It's no trouble, it's my duty."
Lanchi replied and took the tray away, no longer disturbing them.
He felt that there wasn't much work to do today.
Compared to the Count's mansion on the north bank, this old mansion was half the size, and the maids were so efficient that everything was already in order.
After a moment's thought, Lanchi walked down the corridor and climbed the stairs to the second floor, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet.
When he reached the small reception room on the second floor, he saw Miss Christina sitting by the tall French windows.
At that moment, she was lost in thought, propping her chin with her hand and gazing out at the colorful autumn scenery of Parisia.
Her hair had been cut shorter, just grazing her shoulders, as a portion of it had been burnt by the mysterious demon's attack the other day.
Lanchi walked up to Christina and gently placed the tea tray on the round table next to her.
Christina seemed to snap out of her reverie and turned to look at Lanchi.
"Oh, it's you, Rochi."
Christina gradually relaxed, her gaze returning to the autumn scenery outside, her thoughts wandering once more.
The reddish-brown maple leaves danced gracefully in the gentle breeze, and a few leaves gently adhered to the glass.
"Miss, why do you look so listless?"
The butler stood behind her on her right and inquired with a smile.
Christina glanced back at Lanchi, as if she wanted to say something, but after a moment's hesitation, she changed her mind.
This butler had a knack for asking questions to which he already knew the answers, giving him an annoying "know-it-all" vibe.
She lifted her teacup, taking a sip of the warm beverage, the heat of which seemed to dispel some of the autumn chill.
"Rochi, thank you for the linden flower tea," Christina said softly, her voice as smooth as silk.
"If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask," Lanchi said as he stepped back to give her some space.
Just as Lanchi was about to leave.
"Rochi, stay with me a little longer," Christina suddenly requested.
"It's hard to believe that Miss doesn't despise me anymore," Lanchi paused in his tracks, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Christina shot him a glance.
"Actually, I've also realized that you're not a bad person. It was my fault for prejudging you and treating you with suspicion. I should be the one thanking you for your care and concern for our family during this time."
"I have to say, you taught Innoan how to be a kind person, and I know nothing about it. You, who know more, have more say in the matter."
Usually, she wouldn't want to exchange more than a few words with Butler Rochi, but for some reason, there were things she felt she could only confide in him.
A gentle smile tugged at Lanchi's lips as he listened.
"Aspiration is the emotion furthest from understanding, and love is the bridge between the paucity of knowledge and its abundance."
He, too, followed Christina's gaze, looking out into the distance.
Christina and Ivanoth were never meant to be part of the same world.
Christina could not possibly understand Ivanoth, and Ivanoth's admiration for Christina would never be conveyed.
But that didn't mean their brief intersection of lives wasn't beautiful.
At the very least, Christina would come to realize in her future that her kindness and bravery could inspire others and even create miracles.
"Rochi, I must say, you're quite something. You've taught Innoan so much that is healthy and right."
Christina felt as if she had just woken up from a dream whenever she thought of Innoan's true identity as the Bishop of Destruction.
A dream that didn't quite feel real.
Her companionship alone might not have been enough to change Innoan.
It was also thanks to having a good teacher like Rochi, who instilled a whole new sense of right and wrong in Innoan, a blank slate at the time.
"Well now, Miss, would you like to hear some of it, too?"
Lanchi asked with a hint of interest, picking up on her train of thought.
He remembered how Christina would always fall asleep while sitting in on Innoan's psychological counseling sessions.
If he were the teacher, he would be quite saddened to have such a student in his class.
"Hmm, I'm not much for philosophical discussions, and I think my mindset is pretty normal. Do you think I need to learn any of it?"
Christina shook her head but asked nonetheless.
She felt that what Butler Rochi usually talked about lacked the practicality of magic, the accessibility of humanities and social sciences, and the versatility of mathematics and physics.
"It's a field of study that won't cause any troubles if you don't learn it."
Lanchi replied with a slight smile, his eyelashes casting a shadow on his cheeks.
"I thought for sure you'd try to sell it to me like a salesperson."
Christina fixed her gaze on Lanchi, who was standing behind her.
She felt like this butler had changed somehow, but observing his expression and tone, perhaps he had simply come to terms with things.
"But, Rochi, have you noticed something?"
Christina asked, changing the subject.
"What is it?"
Lanchi asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Today is Wednesday."
Christina replied, her confusion mirroring his.
It was a statement, but her tone suggested a question.
"My deepest apologies. My absence on Monday was a major work mishap, and I won't make any excuses for it."
Lanchi bowed his head, his embarrassment evident.
"..."
Christina stared at him, sensing his sincere remorse.
She didn't mean to torture him, but she felt he truly hadn't realized the issue—that today was a day off.
However, seeing this resourceful butler display such an expression was rather intriguing to her.
"I never thought you'd play hooky, Rochi."
Christina mused, a slight curve forming on her lips.
"But that's fine. It's clear that you're an unqualified butler, so it's reasonable for me to fire you for this, right?"
She added with a hint of mischief.
"Indeed, I have no rebuttal. I shall take my leave."
Lanchi smiled wryly at her, feeling that this might be an indelible blemish on his otherwise impeccable career.
He never imagined that one day he would be fired for playing truant, not since he first became a principal.
"Then, once the funds from my bet at the Saint Silvervine Arena come through, I'll give you a call, and we can sign the contract termination agreement."
Christina nodded in satisfaction.
"Alright, you can get back to work now, Butler Rochi. But the Baptiste family will always welcome you. Feel free to visit us anytime."
She turned and waved at Lanchi, seeing him out.
"..."
Lanchi hesitated for a moment.
As he prepared to bid farewell, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a hair accessory.
"Christina, Innoan asked me to give this to you."
The small hair accessory that Lanchi took out of his pocket was a silver hairpin, intricately carved into the shape of a lush rose with tiny rubies adorning the edges of its petals. It sparkled brilliantly in the natural light.
He held out the hairpin to Christina, his expression gentle yet solemn.
This was one of Innoan's hair accessories.
Christina had given it to her originally, but it had been damaged in the battle. Lanchi had repaired it.
Christina stared at the familiar hairpin, her hand reaching out to take it.
Her fingertips brushed over the rose, as if caressing a memory.
"Innoan..."
Christina's voice quivered, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
The tears finally spilled over, trailing down her cheeks and leaving a glistening trail.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Lanchi prepared to depart.
Christina closed her eyes, letting the tears flow freely, clutching the hairpin tightly as if it were her last connection to Innoan.
"Will I ever get to see her again?"
Christina reached out and grabbed the hem of Lanchi's butler uniform, her voice laced with desperation.
"It's best if we never meet again."
Lanchi replied, his gaze fixed on her.
He believed that Christina, as a young lady living in the correct world, would be better off never encountering the Bishop of Destruction again.
"Wonderful... Wonderful..."
Tears streamed down Christina's pale cheeks, converging at her chin into a sparkling droplet that fell onto her light blue skirt, leaving a dark, spreading stain.
Her lips quivered as she tried to force a smile, but the tears kept flowing uncontrollably.
"As long as she's alive, loneliness can't defeat me."
Christina held it close to her cheek, and her smile, through her tears, was bitter-sweet, filled with relief and emotion.
"Rochi, thank you."
Christina murmured to herself, her voice filled with solace.
She closed her eyes, her eyelashes still wet with tears.
"..."
Lanchi's eyes flickered, and he pressed his lips together, looking away.
"I should get back to work."
He emphasized again and quickly left.
Watching Christina's expression, a mix of sorrow and joy, his heart was filled with conflicting emotions.
Lanchi left the room, closing the door behind him, and walked alone down the long corridor, his footsteps echoing in the empty space.
He felt the need to get some fresh air outside.
Reaching the balcony on the other side of the third floor, he paused.
"Hoo—"
He leaned against the railing, gazing at the garden below, and took a deep breath.
Then he stood there, staring at the maple forest outside, as the leaves silently fell.
"Meow."
A small black cat quietly jumped onto the railing and sat next to Lanchi's hand.
It lifted its head, its bright eyes fixed on Rochi, and its tail swayed gently.
"..."
"Cat Boss, don't fall down."
Lanchi reached out and stroked the little black cat's smooth fur.
"Have you forgotten that I'm a divine beast?"
Cat Boss asked in its soft voice.
It could use psychokinesis magic, and even an ordinary cat wouldn't have a problem with falling from this height.
"Meow, are you feeling down?"
Cat Boss blinked and made a soft sound.
"Actually, I feel that not telling her the truth was a mistake."
Lanchi muttered to himself, his voice deep and weary.
Some people believe that lying is always immoral, regardless of the consequences.
Others argue that one should focus on the consequences of an action, and if an action brings more overall happiness than unhappiness, then it is moral.
But sometimes, by only considering the consequences, one may overlook the autonomy of the participants.
"Of course, it's definitely better not to tell Christina the truth, meow."
Cat Boss felt that Lanchi had done nothing wrong, but seeing Christina like this made it feel a little sadder.
"Cat Boss, imagine if you could connect your brain to a magical terminal machine, something more advanced than the artificial shadow world terminal. It could bring endless joy to your remaining life, only happiness, and no sadness. If given the choice, would you want this machine?"
Lanchi stroked the little black cat's back gently, a wry smile on his face.
Cat Boss was about to answer when Lanchi continued:
"Note that once you enter this experience machine, you will be forever separated from the real world and unable to return. However, you yourself may not realize this fact, and you won't be able to distinguish whether you are in the real world or a virtual world. The ups and downs that your life should have will be replaced by smooth sailing."
"Meow..."
Cat Boss listened, feeling that this was a wonderful idea.
But upon further reflection, wasn't this the same as falling into a gentle and comforting illusion?
However, this machine didn't seem to have the negative effects of falling into a gentle illusion, and it was simply a harmless experience.
"Why wouldn't you want to enter it? What's stopping you from choosing this endless happiness?"
Lanchi seemed to read Cat Boss's hesitation and understood what it was thinking.
If one follows hedonism, the most important thing in life is to maximize net happiness because happiness is life's most precious gift. Therefore, what one should strive for is whatever brings the greatest amount of happiness.
In other words, the feeling of falling into a gentle illusion.
But what is it that prevents you from choosing this endless happiness?
"This is precisely what this question aims to prove and refute. We still have sufficient reason not to enter this machine."
Lanchi explained to Cat Boss.
"What, meow?"
The little black cat jumped onto Lanchi's shoulder, looking at him curiously.
It felt that the answer was within its grasp, yet it couldn't quite put its paw on it.
"Authenticity."
Lanchi's eyes, bright green like emeralds, reflected his thoughtful expression.
"This may be a rather special example, but for Christina, which is more important, protection or authenticity? Compared to the peace of mind that comes from being deceived, is the pain of knowing the truth a better option for her?"
His eyes once again turned to the maple trees outside the railing.
If Christina didn't know the truth, she was essentially living in her own "experience machine."
While she wouldn't be hurt, it wasn't real.
Lanchi's magic, [Falling into a Gentle Illusion], was something he would use without hesitation against enemies, but he would never use it on his allies.
Now, his understanding of magic may have changed, and some things may not be describable in terms of right and wrong.
"I don't understand, meow. I'm just a little kitten."
Cat Boss shook his head.
"I think lies are more like a tool? For example, Tata can use a knife to chop vegetables, but she can also hold a knife to your neck. You can only judge the user's right or wrong, but you can't comment on the morality of the knife itself. Meow, I don't think there's a problem with you not telling Christina. She's still so young; she can't be allowed to be disheartened."
"Whoo..."
Lanchi was amused by its analogy.
It was probably more because of the content of Cat Boss' analogy.
Forget about the fact that he kind of missed Tata, who would threaten him with a knife at the slightest disagreement. Now that she quietly cooks, Lanchi feels like he's missing that adrenaline rush.
The man and the cat were goofing off together.
Lanchi was immersed in his thoughts, and the little black cat on his shoulder was quietly curled up.
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Rochi, you're here."
Lanchi turned around and saw the young Count Kyle standing in the corridor outside the balcony, smiling at him.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Young Master Kyle?"
Lanchi asked with a hint of apology.
He felt that because of his slacking off, Kyle might have something to ask him, and had been looking for him around the mansion.
Kyle waved his hand, walked up to Lanchi, and leaned on the railing next to him.
"It's nothing. I just wanted to tell you to get some rest early."
Kyle said to him.
"I haven't been fired yet..."
Lanchi was a little dumbfounded, looking at Kyle in confusion.
"Rochi, even though our family may need your help these days, today is actually a statutory holiday, and you don't need to come to work."
Kyle chuckled and patted Lanchi's shoulder.
"..."
Perhaps because Lanchi had been sleeping for almost two days, his mind was a little fuzzy, and he didn't even realize that today was the Flower Fireworks Festival, a holiday in the Kingdom of Bersen.
Recalling, Nigel had indeed told him on Monday evening that it would be the Flower Fireworks Festival in two days.
"Oh, oh..."
Lanchi nodded.
He had never slept so long that he only remembered it was Wednesday, and he would overlook this.
"You've been working hard these days. Take a few more days off. This old mansion is easy to manage."
Kyle understood and nodded,
"Thank you for your concern. After Christina cried a while ago, she seemed much more spirited, and she's back to her usual carefree self."
He had just gone upstairs to check on his sister, and as he had expected, after talking with Rochi, she was feeling much better.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Lanchi picked up the little black cat on his shoulder and bid farewell to Kyle as he headed towards the butler's resting room on the first floor.
Minutes later.
He changed into casual clothes and left the old Baptiste mansion.
The dazzling morning sun of the autumn day shone on him, bringing a hint of warmth.
He strolled along the streets of the south bank of Parisia, soon leaving the maple forest behind, and the rows of plane trees lined the streets once more.
"I never thought I'd have such a free day today."
Lanchi took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh air, and murmured.
In this environment, his restlessness and fatigue gradually dissipated, replaced by a rare sense of peace and relaxation.
There weren't many pedestrians, and a reviving sense of tranquility and harmony filled the streets.
"Lanchi, meow, there's a communication."
Suddenly, Cat Boss jumped onto Lanchi's head and hung upside down, handing him a purple magic card.
"Who would be looking for me at this time..."
Lanchi took the communication magic card in confusion.
During this time, all the magic cards on his body, except for the unbound epic ones, had been changed to reduce magic power consumption, increase spirit attributes, and accelerate magic power recovery. He had been keeping these tool magic cards with Cat Boss.
It felt like Cat Boss had become a cat-shaped phone.
...
Flower City, North Bank of Parisia.
A majestic iron tower stood tall at the end of the Selina River, its imposing figure reaching for the sky.
In the square below the tower, an elegant lady stood quietly, her smooth gray hair flowing like a waterfall, and a white noble dress draped her noble and graceful figure. In the morning sun, the fabric shimmered with a soft and gentle glow.
The approaching footsteps disturbed the lady deep in thought.
She turned and looked to her side.
Her bright golden eyes fell on Lanchi, who was standing at a distance.
After receiving Talia's communication, Lanchi arrived at the agreed-upon meeting spot on the North Shore's 1st District to meet with her.
He looked at Talia with a puzzled expression, unsure why she had suddenly called him over.
Moreover, Talia seemed to have dressed up for the occasion.
"Lanchi, let's go on a date!"
Talia had changed into a new outfit and pointed at him as she declared, as if challenging him to a duel.
The wind blew, carrying with it falling leaves, and rustled Lanchi's hair, but his expression remained one of surprise.
"Me... with you?"
Lanchi pointed at himself and Talia, his face full of uncertainty.
"Yes."
Talia nodded seriously.
Today, to get back at Lanchi for this month of torment, she decided to pretend to be a perfect gentle lady and thoroughly disgust him!
(End of Chapter)
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