Chapter 877: Lance and Huberian's Wonderful Day

Chapter 877: Lance and Huberian's Wonderful Day

Beyond the stage, under the starry dome of the theater...

Antanas gazed at the curtain, her face reflecting the dimly lit stage, a play of light and shadow.

Within the panoramic sound system, the Demon Governor's heartbeat and the voice of the Half-Demoness echoed through the space.

From the final scene onwards, Antanas had stopped chatting with Sinora beside her, fully engrossed in the story as if isolated from the world, fixated on the silhouettes of the demon couple.

She knew that this farewell wasn't about fear of death or survival; it was the parting that prevented them from reuniting again that terrified the Governor.

Suddenly, the theater's lighting seemed to awaken her, bringing Antanas back to her senses.

At this moment, the magnificent lights resembled stars scattering across the sky, illuminating the entire music hall and transforming it into a fantastical universe.

The towering chandelier, dozens of meters high, inside the opera house, with countless crystal prisms refracting mesmerizing light under the caress of the illumination, casting a soft yet radiant glow onto the burgundy carpet, creating a kaleidoscopic realm.

Gazing at the empty grand opera hall, Antanas leaned back in her chair, relaxing as she looked up at the sky, almost forgetting that today was just a rehearsal.

The opera, transformed into a slightly "thrilling" fantasy, was like a wolf in sheep's clothing—a contradiction between the void and reality, where the chilling curse and coldness were supposed to signify that I was no longer your dearest love.

All the eerie atmosphere and suspense were crafted to serve the ultimate heartwarming conclusion.

Two solitary souls found their answers in the end.

The melody concluded with a serene and ethereal coda, leaving a lingering resonance.

The distant tune seemed to whisper and pray, as if gazing and contemplating, perhaps never healing the wounds, but the power of love would eventually heal the scars.

The final note rang out and faded into silence, leaving a lasting impression in their hearts.

And so, the performance finally came to an end.

"Alright, well done. Today's rehearsal was excellent. We just need to fine-tune some details from now on."

Abigail stood up and applauded the actors on stage, expressing her approval.

As long as they could maintain this level of performance, she believed that the show would be a success on the day of the performance a month later.

The stage crew members all had a celebratory air of accomplishment, except for Lance and Huberian, who still seemed immersed in a dream, slightly dazed and slow to snap out of it.

Seeing this, Abigail didn't call out to them again.

Each actor's situation might be different, but many actors do become engrossed in the emotions and mental states of their characters for a short while after a performance, a phenomenon known as "difficulty in breaking character" in the acting world. On the one hand, this is due to strong character immersion; to create their roles, actors deeply think about and experience the characters' psychology during rehearsals and performances, leading to a prolonged sense of immersion.

On the other hand, there's the continuity of emotions and states; theatrical performances often involve intense emotional expressions, and the emotions and physiological states generated during performances don't disappear immediately. After two hours of wholehearted performance, actors may need time to adapt psychologically and transition back to their real-life identities.

Additionally, performances themselves are highly engaging and physically demanding, leading to excitement or exhaustion after the curtain call, affecting their state for a short while.

Abigail slowly walked onto the stage and approached Lance and Huberian.

"You two did a great job today. Rest well."

She gently patted their shoulders, then looked at Lance, indicating that they didn't need to worry about the theater's affairs, and she would take care of the rest.

"Then, Abigail, see you tomorrow."

Lance gradually regained his senses and spoke to Abigail, then fixed his gaze on Huberian, as if he couldn't bear to take his eyes off her, or perhaps he was still shaken, fearing she might suddenly disappear.

"Walk her home."

Abigail patted Lance's back, urging him to leave quickly or perhaps encouraging him to spend time alone with Huberian.

Huberian also seemed fragile at the moment; the theater and stage were no longer suitable for them. They should leave this place.

"Mhm."

Lance nodded, took Huberian's hand, and headed down the stairs.

Huberian was slightly startled when Lance took her hand, but then she, too, seemed to make a firm decision, gripping his hand tightly.

Lance and Huberian leisurely climbed the marble staircase of the audience aisle, lined with thick red carpets.

Together, they stepped through the heavy, intricately carved double doors, as if entering another dimension.

Leaving the opera hall, they quickly crossed the interior corridor of the opera house, a bit hurried but still maintaining politeness.

As they passed through a large door, they finally reached the outside of the building and saw the clear and charming city.

They stood on the stone path of the riverbank park, by the northern exit of the Ikerite Opera House, near the riverside bridge.

"Lance..."

Huberian softly murmured his name, gazing at the afternoon sky of Ikerite.

The rehearsal had started in the afternoon, and by the time they finished, it was almost four or five o'clock.

"Huberian, I've always been here."

Lance spoke to her with certainty.

"I know. No matter what difficulties I encounter, you'll always appear immediately. Ever since meeting you, I've lost all other pursuits in life..."

Huberian lowered her eyes, recalling the turning points in her life. She had thought that the biggest turning point was the time when her father disappeared and her world seemed to collapse, but she never imagined that the day she met Lance at the Ikerite Academy was the moment that truly changed her life.

Sometimes, what seems like an ordinary day might just be the best day of your life.

And later, she discovered...

Perhaps there would be even better days.

I don't know when it started, but my wish to the Goddess of Fate has become a desire for you to always be by my side."

She looked up at Lance and spoke honestly.

Indeed, they were both still immersed in the emotions from earlier.

"I think my understanding of Lance has probably deepened now."

Lance's eyes still held sadness as he spoke.

Whenever Lance gazed at the stars above the Demon City, what was he thinking? Even if those shooting stars granted him a thousand wishes, he would only wish for the Demihuman Noblewoman to be by his side.

"Your eyes look more like a young man's now, no longer the eyes of a compassionate saint."

Huberian reached out to touch Lance's face, her emerald eyes softening as she looked at him.

Lance's emotions, whether joy or sorrow, were never for himself.

It was more about witnessing the happiness and suffering of others, which moved him deeply.

He never showed emotions for himself.

At some point, he had learned to experience joy during his long journey and began considering his own happiness, but he still hadn't learned to grieve. He wouldn't truly feel fear or loss from the depths of his heart.

"Do you think I've become weaker like this?"

Lance asked her, his heart now bearing a weakness, and perhaps he would never be as strong as before.

After all, everyone knew that a significant part of his strength came from his inhuman heart.

"Lance's journey is a process of forging himself through countless trials, gradually transforming from humanity to divinity, and ending the calamity of the Demon Realm. Your journey is a process of seeking love and reclaiming your human identity."

Huberian's eyes curved like autumn waters, hinting at a gentle and tender affection.

"..."

Lance didn't speak; he merely raised his hand and placed it against Huberian's, which was resting on his cheek.

The stars that were once a thousand miles away were now right beside him.

Not only could they gaze at each other, but they could even touch.

The two stood in silent stillness for a moment.

Finally, Lance led her across the bridge to the north bank of the Yara Defense Moat.

"My home is..."

Huberian had originally planned to tell Lance that her home was south of Ekitire, and both the Cat Boss Restaurant and Ekitire Academy were south of the Opera House, so they should head south. But after thinking about it, she took back her words.

The afternoon was leisurely, and they could take a longer walk.

She also wanted to spend more time with him, even if it was just for a while.

"But Lance, can you take me to the Goddess of Fate Church first?"

Huberian asked Lance.

The Paladin of the Goddess of Fate Church, Miss Florence, wanted to meet with her for a detailed discussion, and Huberian had planned to visit the temple after today's rehearsal.

As it happened, the Goddess of Fate Church was on the north bank of the Yara Defense Moat, not too far from the Opera House, and they could easily walk there.

"No problem, but your Professor Armis is in the audience at the Opera House today. Do you still want to go to the temple?"

Lance looked in the direction of the temple, unconsciously planning the route, and asked Huberian.

He knew that after returning to Ekitire, Huberian had been determined to become a priestess. After completing her graduation procedures at Ekitire Academy, her employment intention was likely to be the Goddess of Fate Church.

"No, it's Miss Florence who wants to see me."

Huberian explained to him.

As the replacement for Dean Loren's long service at the Ekitire Goddess of Fate Church, Miss Florence, the Paladin, was often at the temple, and Huberian would frequently see her. Due to their regular communication, they had developed a good relationship.

"Miss Florence, I haven't seen her in a long time. The last few formal meetings were when she asked me to help her with the Transformation: Human spell to disguise herself as a boy, and when she consulted me about some issues in the Student Council room."

Lance recalled the president's sister, a very friendly and kind priestess.

They walked through a forest path in a plaza park.

The view opened up again.

In the afternoon sky with sparse clouds, birds flew in the distance.

This place was far from the dense crowds in the commercial district across the river, and the gentle breeze caressed their faces as they walked, causing them to squint comfortably.

The Ekitire afternoon in winter was as pleasant as spring.

The bustling sounds of people, the music of the musicians, someone's laughter, and singing all reached them.

Vibrant citizens bustled along the roads outside the square, surrounded by grand architectural groups, including ancient statues adorned with legendary deities.

The Goddess of Fate statue was watching over them.

These were places Huberian would usually pass through on her way to the Goddess of Fate Church, but she wondered why Lance, who rarely visited the church, was so familiar with the route from the Opera House to the church.

The clock tower on one side of the temple square had just passed four o'clock.

The Ekitire Goddess of Fate Church stood at the end of the square.

The temple's doors were half-open, and the carved pillars were covered in vines, silently guarding this sacred place as witnesses of history.

"Recently, I've been doing more and more work for Professor Polao, and these tasks were originally Dean Loren's. Since Dean Loren is also a high priest of the Goddess of Fate Church, in a sense, am I helping the church by doing this work?"

Lance chatted with Huberian.

"I guess so. I approve of you."

Huberian initially thought it didn't count, but since it was Lance, she agreed.

They climbed the steps, and the ancient temple, forged by a thousand years of faith, appeared before them.

Their footsteps echoed through the temple's grand entrance.

When the warm natural light shone through the window lattice onto the white bas-reliefs, the various images of deities seemed to shimmer, giving them the illusion that the gods were enacting ancient legends.

"But are you really on vacation..."

Huberian always felt that this person couldn't stay idle.

It wasn't that he was eager to take on more work and keep himself busy; he simply had a passionate nature and was always willing to help others with their requests.

She understood that the tasks Lance was doing were originally the responsibilities of the Sage Academy, which had fallen to Professor Polao, the Dean of the Mage Engineering Institute, after Dean Loren's absence. In a way, Professor Polao had also handed over the work to Lance, entrusting the Sage Academy to him.

"When I can take the time to appreciate the flowers by the roadside and ponder their names, that's when I'm truly on vacation."

Lance shared his definition of vacation and work.

It wasn't about the amount of work or busyness, but rather the state of leisure he experienced within himself.

"That makes sense."

Huberian nodded again.

They walked through the solemn and tranquil depths of the temple, where towering white stone pillars stood in the main hall. As they ventured further, their footsteps echoed more clearly.

When they reached the massive door of the temple's confidential chamber, Huberian gently knocked on the door, crafted from alternating white marble and deep gray stone.

"Miss Florence, I'm Huberian. May I disturb you for a moment?"

"Please come in, please!"

The sound of books being tossed to the floor, or perhaps the accidental collapse of a pile of documents on the desk, accompanied Florence's eager voice from within.

Lance and Huberian pushed open the heavy stone door, revealing an office with a cathedral-like high ceiling. The walls were lined with white bricks, and the recessed areas were filled with books from the Goddess of Fate Church.

In the center of the cathedral-like office, a young man sat quietly behind a desk.

Florence was slightly surprised to see Lance there today, but her surprise quickly turned into a joyful welcome.

"Hello, Lance!"

Florence waved and greeted Lance and Huberian with a smile, her dimples showing.

"Come and sit down."

She stood up, gesturing for Lance and Huberian to take a seat on the sofa in the meeting area.

After Lance and Huberian closed the door, Florence casually removed her disguise, returning to her original appearance.

She looked a bit more mature than the average student at the Ekerite Academy, exuding an innocent aura. Her features were delicate, her skin smooth, and her bright red lips stood out, appearing natural rather than made-up.

Most importantly, she shared the same pear wood hair color as the president.

This made both Lance and Huberian feel a sense of closeness to her.

"Miss Florence, it's been a long time."

Lance and Huberian took their seats, greeting Florence.

During their student council days, they had both received a lot of help from the president. After the three of them dealt with the Herthon Capital bullies, it was the president who helped them with the follow-up matters, ensuring a smooth resolution.

"The Invisibility Transformation Spell you made for me is so useful! It's no wonder you're a Platinum Class Card Maker."

Florence sincerely praised Lance without a hint of flattery.

"You're too kind, you're too kind! I might be the most novice Platinum Class Card Maker when I'm alone, haha!"

Lance laughed in response.

He had heard from Huberian about Florence's state after learning of Loren's death at the hands of the Three Gods of War.

But now, there was no trace of the tears she had shed for a period; instead, her face seemed to radiate with a newfound glow.

Seeing this, Lance felt relieved.

"Miss Florence, what did you want to see me about today?"

Huberian asked Florence.

"Do I need to leave?"

Lance also quickly asked the two of them.

"No, no!"

Florence waved her hands repeatedly.

It wasn't a major matter within the church, and Lance was already aware of the situation.

"You should know that in about a month, Loren will return to the Herton Kingdom, and he might pass through Ekerite for a day or two..."

Florence nervously fidgeted with her fingers, explaining to the two of them.

She had originally planned to return to the western hub of the Southern Continent, the Kingdom of Cambella, after staying here for a while.

Due to the war, she had been staying here for several months.

Now that the war had initially ended, she probably wouldn't be able to stay here for long before returning home.

In her hometown of the Kingdom of Cambella, she mostly had to disguise herself as a man, so most people perceived her as a young man.

All of this was because she was born into the Athelrede family, a military meritorious family in the western part of the Southern Continent's Kingdom of Cambella. As the eldest daughter, Florence was designated as the next head of the family after the birth of her younger brother. When Duke Athelrede discovered that his eldest son lacked combat talent, he decided to groom his eldest daughter, Florence, as the next heir.

But before that, she wanted to see Loren one more time.

If she couldn't see him this time, the next time they met might be years from now.

The western hub wasn't as close to Loren as the eastern region, and the hatred and vigilance towards the Crethe Empire were unlikely to diminish anytime soon. Unknowingly, Florence and Loren were becoming the emperor of an enemy country and the daughter of a duke.

"It's indeed difficult. By then, he might not even know you're a woman, let alone consider marrying you into the Crethe Empire."

Lance scratched his chin, already contemplating the outcome of the brotherly route.

If Florence couldn't see Loren this time, the brotherly route would essentially be closed.

"Wait, what are you talking about, Lance!"

Florence's face turned red, and she straightened her arms, shaking her palms.

She, she didn't really think about that...

Well, maybe she did, or at least a little bit...

Deep down, she didn't want to lose that tiny glimmer of hope.

"Who knows if he'll become an emperor... Will he still recognize me as a brother if he becomes an emperor..."

Florence muttered, feeling hopeless. She knew that her fantasies would be incredibly difficult to realize.

The current situation was filled with absurdity.

Even if she met Loren, what could she do? She couldn't possibly make plans to hang out with the Emperor of the Empire like they were close brothers.

Moreover, her status in the Cambella Empire was special, and even if she met the Emperor of Crethe, she couldn't speak casually. Instead, she had to treat the encounter seriously as an envoy.

Before Lanchi could offer any guidance—

"A month from now, go meet Loren as your true self."

Huberian encouraged her.

"Huh?"

Florence let out a surprised and flustered sound.

"No, no, no! If he suddenly sees me as a girl, he'll definitely find it strange. What kind of guy would dress up as a girl?"

She shook her head repeatedly.

"Impossible! He'll be utterly surprised by your transformation!"

Huberian spoke to Florence with unwavering conviction.

"..."

Lanchi stood by, hesitant to speak. He had intended to provide emotional support to Florence, just as he used to in the student council room, but today, Huberian was unusually assertive.

He was a little worried that even if Loren saw Florence's true self, he might not be too surprised. He might even ask, "Brother, why are you dressed like this today?" Loren had probably seen it all and was no longer fazed by such things. He had already formed the preconception that Florence was a boy and wouldn't even consider the possibility of her being a real girl.

"Miss Florence, you're an incredibly cute girl! Take off your armor."

Huberian continued to encourage Florence wholeheartedly.

Today, she was determined to push Florence to take that step.

Florence couldn't afford to regret it anymore.

"Really... really?"

Florence averted her gaze, feeling awkward, and looked at her palms.

She had never imagined that she would transform into the appearance of a wife. She couldn't even take good care of her own life, and Loren's home was in disarray, requiring the services of a housekeeper to clean up.

Sometimes, she secretly wished they could just be brothers for life.

"Listen to me, I'm right about this."

Huberian spoke with determination, as if she were Florence's superior priestess.

Her gaze seemed to tell Florence that following Instructor Huberian's lead was the wise choice.

"Okay..."

Florence finally gave in to Huberian's forceful request.

Her heart raced as she nodded, and just the thought of giving Loren a surprise in a month made her nervous and restless, almost to the point of confessing to the goddess.

"Huberian..."

Florence glanced at Huberian with a meaningful look.

The last time they made a promise that when Florence went out with Loren again, Huberian would help her and give her some guidance. Even Lanchi didn't know about this.

What was once an impossible promise had now come to the moment of fulfillment.

"Don't worry."

Huberian also nodded seriously.

On the day of the date, she would provide Miss Florence with the utmost support.

...

Half an hour later.

In the dusk of Ekitire, Lanchi and Huberian strolled once again in the Temple Square of the northern district of Ekitire.

The journey back to the ducal mansion in the southern district was still far, even if they took a carriage, it would be a considerable distance.

The warm orange sunlight bathed the bustling city-state, casting a golden hue on the towering buildings.

The setting sun slowly descended on the horizon, and the sky gradually transformed from bright golden yellow to soft rose red and violet.

"Lanchi, we still need to work hard on tomorrow's rehearsal."

Huberian ran towards the direction of the lakeside bridge, deliberately creating some distance between them, and then turned back to speak to him from the bridge.

The gentle breeze ruffled Huberian's long hair.

This subtle distance felt like their rehearsal on stage.

"Sure, I'll be counting on you on the day of the performance a month from now. If I slip up, I'll need you to cover for me."

Lanchi smiled, appearing less confident than usual.

Of course, it was also possible that he was just habitually downplaying himself.

But Huberian didn't mind.

"Don't worry, I'll be there for you."

Huberian patted her chest, making a promise.

She raised her hand to her mouth as if holding a microphone and coughed lightly.

"Hold my hand, and be with me for life."

Huberian said to Lanchi, her hand raised.

Her lips curved upwards in joy, and her bright eyes sparkled, reflecting the sunset behind her.

"..."

Lanchi stared at her, slightly dazed, as if time had frozen in that golden moment.

Huberian smiled playfully at him.

It was as if she was telling him that they were practicing their lines.

However, she wouldn't reveal whether there was any other meaning to it.

Lanchi walked towards her.

The clock on the tower ticked steadily.

The sound of waves rippled across the lakeside.

Someone seemed to have brought a drifting dream to this place.

Lanchi extended his hand and tightly embraced her shoulders.

"Huh?"

Huberian was taken aback as he hugged her.

"You're not a ghost, do you really think I can't hold you?"

Lanchi hugged her tightly, leaving her no room to escape.

"Hey, hey?"

Huberian felt he was breaking the rules.

"The gods have brought us together, and no one can tear us apart."

He spoke as if reciting his lines from the stage.

"That's not Lanchi's line, it's mine!"

Huberian's cheeks flushed as she looked at Lanchi.

Lanchi was using the same method to counter her.

In the play, there was a director watching over them, so they couldn't change their lines, but this was outside the play, and she couldn't outsmart Lanchi! In the end, she had to give up resisting and let herself be captured by Lanchi.

She stood still, not moving a muscle.

Only the setting sun's rays danced, and the shadows of the trees swayed gently.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end