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Chapter 804: Lanchi's Red Legend (Part 1)
Chapter 804: Lanchi's Red Legend (Part 1)
As the light from the fading Shadow World reached its pinnacle, it was suddenly replaced by profound darkness.
In the blink of an eye, Lanchi found himself in a transparent cabin enveloped by the eternal starlit sky.
Only a handful of stars twinkled sparingly, narrating millennia-old tales with their radiant brilliance.
Standing there as well was Thalia, holding the cat, and the starlight provided just enough illumination to discern their surroundings.
"You're here, Lanchi."
Thalia, having changed back into her usual attire, no longer resembled the pure white image of Caliere after shedding the Fallen Heaven's Veil.
"Yep, we're back."
Lanchi replied with a smile.
Each time he concluded a journey, he felt fortunate to have someone welcoming him home.
After experiencing this Shadow World, he inexplicably sensed Thalia's goodness.
Without her, even enduring the Tebiriuss Mirror would have been excruciating.
"Don't think such things."
Thalia, hearing Lanchi's unfiltered thoughts about her, felt flustered and hugged the half-cat tighter, slightly turning away so Lanchi couldn't see her face.
She spoke in a faint voice.
The cat boss observed the two of them back and forth.
The wind began to swirl in the plaza of the liminal space, sweeping over every inch of the ground. In the night sky, the stars started to move slowly, rearranging themselves into a brand-new pattern.
Music emanated from an unknown source.
The sound was grand and majestic, as if composing a magnificent chapter to mark the conclusion of the Blood Moon era.
The lingering and melancholy breeze transformed into a sigh, reverberating in the still air.
This was a peculiar space where the real world and the Shadow World intertwined, forming the liminal boundary.
In the distance, cracks quietly appeared on the transparent barrier, and through the fissures trickled a few strands of serene purple light.
Soon, they would pass through this miniature void gate and return to the familiar life of the Kreise Empire's capital, Bliarda.
"Based on the time we spent in the Shadow World, it's been a full twenty-one days. When we get back to Bliarda, it should still be morning."
Lanchi recalled and informed Thalia.
The settlement of the Shadow World was yet to manifest.
Each time, it took a while, and this eighth-tier Shadow World would likely require an even longer wait.
"You've worked hard. Order more ingredients when we get home, and I'll cook you something delicious. It's almost lunchtime anyway."
Thalia replied expressionlessly but with exceptional domesticity.
"Thank you, Thalia."
Lanchi answered with a smile.
He hadn't expected Thalia's first thought upon hearing the time to be about the lunch hour.
But the fact that she was thinking about cooking for him was something to be happy about.
Nowadays, their upper-level contact and friend, Lieutenant General Nigel from the Kingdom of Posen, had helped Thalia arrange Lanchi's fake identity as a professor and her fiance.
Thalia's occasional appearances in the capital, Bliarda, wouldn't cause much of an issue.
Furthermore, she could now cook in his home at the Saint Kreise Monastery without worry.
The two chatted in the liminal space.
"Meow, is this the settlement space for the conclusion of the Blood Moon series?"
Cat Boss asked, twitching its ears occasionally.
In its impression, this liminal space was grander than the last time it visited, and there were even shooting stars from time to time.
Gradually, a solitary melody joined in, sometimes trembling and sometimes elongating, as if desperately suppressing inner pain, deep and enduring, conveying an inescapable melancholy tone.
Occasional short notes were inserted, like the moonlight flickering in the night sky, both bright and cold.
The entire melody progressed slowly and heavily, like someone forcing a smile and staggering along a cold cliff.
The music contained profound loneliness and a hint of indiscernible madness.
"I think so. With the conclusion of the Blood Moon series of Shadow Worlds, an era has finally come to an end."
Listening to the melody of the liminal space, Lanchi replied to the black kitten in Thalia's arms.
"It's actually quite nice, meow."
Cat Boss nodded its head flexibly.
The music's tempo slightly quickened, and the piano chords became discordant, as if cracks were forming in the surface of inner peace.
The sound turned sharp, almost like a silent scream, startling Cat Boss and causing it to leap to the ground.
All the notes converged, and the music reached its climax, a vortex of emotions that were both sad and feverish as long-suppressed feelings finally erupted.
Then, everything slowly calmed down, returning to the solitary piano melody from the beginning, but this time, there seemed to be a hint of relief in the tune.
The chapter gradually drew to a close, leaving behind a lingering aftertaste that stirred emotions, like an unsolvable puzzle or an eternal wound that would never heal.
The final variation lingered in the air for a long time.
"Cat Boss, you're about to become a divine beast, yet you're still so timid?"
Lanchi recalled how Cat Boss would be scared by mice even when it was a seventh-tier beast.
Of course, that time it was actually the Great Poet meowing loudly, mistaking the Moon Shadow Fox for a giant black mouse.
"How can cats not be afraid of mice! Those things are terrifying!"
Cat Boss argued with Lanchi.
"Well..."
Lanchi was at a loss for words.
He couldn't decide if his common sense was flawed or if Cat Boss was different from other cats.
But as he wasn't a cat, he had no right to dispute this matter with Cat Boss, who was, indeed, a cat.
Thalia, who had been silent for a while, cleared her throat.
She had something she wanted to say since earlier, and with the settlement of the Shadow World taking longer than expected, she might as well say it now.
Finally, she had organized her thoughts.
"When we get back to the real world, you might as well call off the two fake fiancees from the Allied Spies and the Resurrection Church. Once you reach the seventh tier, I should be able to fulfill the role of your fiancee. No one is more suitable to pretend to be your wife than me."
Thalia nudged Lanchi's heel with slight assurance and spoke.
Here is the enhanced version:
Her current identity is that of a gifted magic engineering teacher in the northwestern border town of Nexasend. Now that she has resigned, she is preparing to travel to Brilerda to honor her marital engagement and become a full-time housewife.
"The problem is, they might have already made arrangements. After all, we spent twenty-one days in the Shadow World."
Lanchi pondered this, counting the days on his fingers.
He had not yet reached the seventh tier; the Shadow World could only bring him to the threshold, and he needed to complete the engraving process in the real world to truly ascend.
And during this process, it would still be challenging for him to bear the continuous magical consumption that came with Talia's presence.
"First, I must remind you that Apo is very reliable when it comes to major matters, but he is extremely unreliable with minor details. You should've seen this from the theatrical performance the other day. Even after the play ended, the temporary actor that Apo found for Abigail hadn't arrived yet. As for the fiancee, he might find you a very eccentric woman from the Church of Resurrection, and you'll have to live together under the same roof. It could be a real nightmare."
Talia furrowed her brows, sincerely explaining the worst-case scenario to him.
"Indeed."
Lanchi nodded thoughtfully.
"But what if they do send someone? Talia, you mustn't bully her. Remember, the Dimensional Branch is still one of us."
He looked at Talia as he spoke, knowing that Tolia had once said Lanchi would find a woman worthy of him, a Maccassi, and Talia might still be holding a grudge about that statement.
"I'm not that narrow-minded. I truly don't care what he said."
Talia replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Hehe, I'm curious about this 'excellent woman' from the Church of Resurrection. But let me make it clear to you beforehand—don't have high expectations of whoever Apo finds."
Not only would it be difficult for them to live under the same roof, but Talia might also take an instant dislike to the woman from the Church of Resurrection.
No matter what type of girl she was, Talia knew she wouldn't approve.
"You do care a lot, don't you...?"
Lanchi observed her expression and asked.
"No."
Talia replied firmly.
"Then, I'll rest for a while and contact Unity and Tolia. If they haven't made arrangements for a fake fiancee, we'll still have to rely on you, the most reliable master craftsman."
Lanchi proposed a solution after some thought.
"No problem."
Talia nodded in agreement after a slight hesitation.
Although she would have preferred for Lanchi to agree directly, she felt relieved that he considered her the most reliable option.
After all, even if they could send a fake fiancee, she wouldn't be able to compare to Talia. Having an eighth-tier princess pretend to be engaged was a rare opportunity, and Lanchi would soon realize that Talia was the only optimal solution. Her beauty and qualities were irreplaceable by any other woman.
"Actually, it's not that I want to pretend to be your fiancee. It's just that if someone in Brilerda accidentally spreads the news of our fake marriage to Huberian, she'll be heartbroken. So it's better if I do it."
Talia added.
"Indeed... such misunderstandings are common in espionage. It's difficult to clarify whether it's a real or fake marriage before the mission is complete."
Lanchi understood this principle well. National enmity, family feuds, and special missions often led to situations that were hard to explain.
"As you know, I'm always tight-lipped. So, even if we pretend to be a couple in Brilerda, when we return to Eccli, I will act as if nothing happened. There's no way I'll let Huberry have any misunderstandings."
Talia said nonchalantly.
"Meow."
Cat Boss's mouth formed an 'X', and he dared not speak as he looked at the pair. He still remembered that Valentine's Day in the Flower Capital, Pariere, when Talia had held Lanchi's hand and communicated with Huberian at the Cologne Day Bridge Inn. Along with Aetio and Countess Rosalinda, he had been scared out of his wits while boating and spying from outside the restaurant.
Now, it seemed like Talia was taking things even further.
In Talia's opinion, as long as Huberian didn't find out, it was as if nothing had happened. And all of Talia's experiences with Lanchi were ultimately helping Huberian—they were a form of protection for her.
In this regard, Talia seemed to have inherited Caliera's gentle ways, and most of the time, she valued protection over reality. So, sometimes she could comfortably make judgments that went against human morality, based on her demonic logic.
Of course, the premise was that she wasn't discovered, or she wouldn't be able to deceive herself either.
"Oh, Cat Boss, are you very scared?"
Lanchi looked down at Cat Boss. The little black cat was both nervous and curious, taking in this new environment with fresh eyes. This was only his second time seeing the critical space after passing through the Shadow World.
"You participated in both crucial battles in this Shadow World, so you'll definitely get a reward. Don't worry."
Lanchi picked up the restless little black cat and reassured him. He knew what Cat Boss was worrying about. From previous experiences, Lanchi had realized that the greater the deviation from the true historical trajectory during the Shadow World challenges, the longer the settlement process tended to be.
The way he had completed the final node of the Blood Moon Calamity series also deviated from the actual history of Lanceros. Although they had reached a similar conclusion, his journey through the Shadow World was ultimately more of a comedy than the tragedy that Lanceros had experienced.
"... "
Talia glanced at Lanchi.
"By the way, now that you've completed all four Shadow Worlds of the Blood Moon Calamity series, will the rewards be even greater at the final settlement?"
She had heard Lanchi and Huberian mention that after they first completed the Shadow World, they had seen information about the four nodes of the Blood Moon Calamity series. Afterward, with each completed Shadow World, they had gotten closer to the final node. Now that they had reached the end, she wondered if the rewards would be even more significant.
The trio had merely completed the task at hand and did nothing further, so they would likely receive a minimal reward.
If they had used the Tiberian Cube, and after learning the truth, completed the 'additional task' in this Shadow World, they might have reaped a far greater reward.
"I assume that's how it should work in theory, but I can't be sure," Lanchi replied, eagerly raising his hand and clenching his fist as he examined his palm.
"But that's not the most important thing. The journey of self-discovery is far more powerful and precious than any strength gained from magic cards."
In truth, he had genuinely enjoyed these lengthy sojourns through the Shadow Worlds.
Lessons without a measure of pain are meaningless.
However, by enduring and overcoming such trials, one forges an unyielding spirit that cannot be broken by adversity.
A heart of steel, akin to that of Rankloos.
Out with the old scars, in with a new life.
"Your mentality is consistently admirable. If it were me, I definitely wouldn't want to relive those three experiences with the Tiberian Cube," Talliah remarked, shaking her head and sighing, a smile playing on her lips.
"Meow, what happened during those experiences? And what is this Tiberian Cube you speak of?" Cat Boss inquired, recalling the incident at the Inferno Corridor Academy where Lanchi and Tata had vanished for an entire day.
Ever since then, from Cat Boss's perspective, Lanchi had made the impulsive decision to venture towards the Demon King's City and head southward.
Moreover, the relationship between Lanchi and Tata seemed to have blossomed even further, not just in their interactions but in their deeper understanding of each other's hearts, evolving from friends to kindred spirits.
Cat Boss suspected that their disappearance had been the turning point in the progression of the Shadow World.
"Listen, Cat Boss. If you ever come across a mirror in the shape of a six-sided cube, approach it with caution and refrain from touching it recklessly," Lanchi said, poking Cat Boss's head gently in admonishment.
The Tiberian Cube, an ominous legendary magical artifact, had likely faded from history, never to be seen again.
As the three of them chatted leisurely in their home within the St. Cryxis Monastery, amidst the sparkling starlight of the peculiar space, a message suddenly appeared, flashing with white halos that scrolled through the dark void—
【The Shadow World "Eternal Punishment Unending" has been cleared.】
【Calculating evaluation...】
【Due to the challenge being tackled by a team consisting of Lanchi, Talliah, and Yammy, the evaluation will be conducted as a group.】
【In this exploration-type Shadow World, your team spent a total of 21 days within. In addition to completing the primary objective, your team ventured into Blood Moon City during the Blood Moon Calamity era and defeated several powerful foes: the Ninth Progenitor, Marquess Bernhard; the Eighth Progenitor, Marquess Somocet; the Seventh Progenitor, Marchioness Heritier; and the Third Progenitor, Duke Lachar.】
【Your team has achieved the following:】
【Saint Peland Teachings S—Through your influence, the seeds of change you planted in the Peland Empire finally blossomed, giving birth to the Saint Peland Teachings. The rise of a second-generation Pope, who may be even more radical than the first, could lead to the conquest of the entire southern continent.】
【Journey D—You retraced your steps on a familiar path.】
【Peaceful Era A—You resisted the temptation of hatred and heartache, instead choosing to seek peace.】
【Desecration of Love SS—You understood the complex love of the Desecration Lord, Merogus. By defeating her and showing mercy, you earned her friendship.】
【Musical Mastery C—Your efforts guided the Great Loving Poet to become a legendary beauty, freeing her from her obsession with musical instruments, and even shedding her former moniker.】
"Wait, what is the meaning of this evaluation!" Talliah exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and confusion on her face.
"Thankfully, the Shadow World was kind enough not to mention the 'Legendary Voice Actor C' achievement," Lanchi said with a chuckle, raising his hand and taking a half-step back as he covered his mouth to suppress his laughter.
Recalling the final moments in the Shadow World, where Talliah had squeaked out, "The legendary beauty, Lanfu, has arrived," he knew that he would treasure that memory forever.
"Lanchi, you're dead meat! I'm going to kill you!" Talliah threatened, grabbing Lanchi by the neck and shaking him playfully, only to be greeted by his infectious laughter.
【Kaliya's Phantom S—As the former regent of the Demon World, you remained devoted to your dearest friend even after losing your powers, becoming her guardian spirit. You aided your friend in achieving their goals and expertly navigated through the Blood Clan's intricate web of conspiracies.】
【The Tyrant of the Black Sun SSSS—You held the power of life and death over a hundred million beings.】
"Meow, you two, pay attention to the conclusion of the evaluation!" Cat Boss said, shaking his head and sighing.
He had heard tales of the Saintly Evil Banquet, where the Great Loving Poet had been fixated on the organ. And at the Mackasy Restaurant in the Dark Day Eclipse Magic Realm, the piano had almost fallen victim to the poet's destructive tendencies.
In this regard, Tata displayed far more refinement than the Great Loving Poet.
Despite the poet's musical prowess, she looked down upon musical instruments.
Ever since Tata had 'melted' the Great Loving Poet, Lanchi no longer worried about her causing similar incidents. Should the poet accidentally damage any priceless musical instruments, Lanchi, as the summoner, would be held accountable for any losses incurred by his summoned beings.
Cat Boss vividly remembered the incident involving the priceless piano in Duke Migaya's mansion. A foreign merchant had once offered a staggering eighteen thousand pounds for it, but the Duke had refused to sell.
After the Duke's disappearance, it was only due to the piano's weight and the intricate barriers within the mansion that it hadn't been stolen.
That piano was also the most likely target for Lanfu's attention.
However, after utilizing Talliah's powers for so long, Lanchi probably didn't want Lanfu to return.
As they continued their playful banter, the Shadow World's evaluation concluded with the following:
【Blood Moon City Siege S—With the aid of powerful demon companions, your team breached the defenses of Blood Moon City, which was undermanned during the Blood Moon Calamity era.】
【Recognition of the Great Demons A—You earned the recognition and respect of the ancient Great Demons: the Desecration Lord, the Bone Lord, the Mercury Lord, and the Almighty Lord.】
【Return to Inferno City C—You returned to the city where you once wielded the power of lightning.】
【Nuclear Fusion Expert E—You are unaware of the true significance of your actions.
The Achievements Unlocked
["Thibelius' Mirror S—You have braved the perilous path left by the ancient arch-demon, Lord, three times."]
["Endless Spacetime E—You have endured an overly lengthy punishment."]
["Little Spark C—You protected the little spark left by Kaliera, and it will carry on new stories and hopes."]
[...]
["Ride the Wind Home E—Return with the gentle breeze, with the pattering rain, forget everything, let go of all old dreams, until your heart is brimming."]
"..."
Talia slowly released Lanchi and watched as the combing process came to a halt.
"Some of these achievements seem to belong to Hyperian and his team. We can see their shared achievements as well."
Lanchi, too, gazed at the comprehensible words and chatted with Talia.
["Achievement Combing Complete. Evaluation Generation Finished."]
["You have traveled a long and arduous journey, through darkness and distant places. You heard their voices, weighing each choice, sinking deeper into the embrace of tranquility. A tide of love swept over you, knocking you down. You encountered a soul that rose from the depths, even though your heart had stopped beating, you couldn't help but feel uneasy."]
["A lifetime, a path, burdened by one heavy load after another. No one remembers, yet the tortured souls always yearn for heaven."]
["The song of fate that rang out then was the beginning of a new path forged by destiny."]
["The crescent moon will once again be full, reenacting meetings and farewells."]
["Comprehensive Evaluation: SSS"]
["Tier Enhancement: Lanchi Six-tier → Six-tier (Limit), Talia Eight-tier → Eight-tier, Yammi Eight-tier → Nine-tier."]
As the rewards were tallied, Cat Boss broke through to the next tier.
Lanchi, already at the sixth tier, reached the limit of this stage and was temporarily prevented from advancing to the seventh tier due to the promotion conditions.
Talia, on the other hand, looked at her hands in mild surprise, feeling the enhancement in her strength and magical power.
"Master, how about you?"
Lanchi asked Talia.
"According to your leveling system, I should be around Level 83 or 84 now?"
Talia guessed, unsure.
Even without Lanchi's mark empowering her, she believed she could now match the formidable foe Perlman from Flora.
With Lanchi's enhancement, she would fear no battle, not even against the lowest-ranked war god!
Having confirmed her newfound strength, Talia couldn't help but feel excited. Finally, she was no longer the weakest among the great demons.
"You are truly Master's outstanding disciple!
(End of Chapter)
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