NOVPUBAt the border of the Shadow World Huo Ning Empire, this is the Lichtenstein Castle.
Four days had swiftly passed, and it was now the morning of the end of the Shadow World.
The moon had set, the morning rays were beginning to emerge like a delicate piece of silk stretched out across the sky.
At 5 o’clock in the early morning, the autumn morning fog slowly unfolded into a botanical scroll on the viewpoint from the top of Lichtenstein Castle.
The tip of the castle tower reached into the clouds, slicing through the fog. A few young men and women stood silently atop the tower, their figures fading in and out of the morning light.
The Civilization Example Team and the three members from the Business Association stood on the castle tower, appreciating the serenity and beauty in the fleeting moments.
"Mr. Lanci, I hope to see you again," said one.
The Young Master of the Business Association had evolved into a man of aspiration, like a lost soul who had found his direction, he now understood the life he wanted to live.
And Lanci, was his mentor.
"I don’t know how long that will take," said Lanci with a faint smile, surveying the forest below the stone railing from the top of the tower. He seemed to feel a connection with the earth, a realization different from the mundane life he lived, indeed, a part of his fascinating journey.
Although the Young Master of the Business Association did not contribute much during the battle, he was a vibrant collaborator during the process of Lanci and Frey screening for traitors in the early stages.
Because the Canberra Kingdom and the Hutton Kingdom are extremely distant, the Canberra Kingdom is on the western part of the South Continent, while the Hutton Kingdom is on the easternmost point of the South Continent, the ultra-long distance communication magic between the two countries requires several national stations to switch, so it is normally difficult to communicate.
"Perhaps in two years?" said the Young Master of the Business Association after some thought.
The Kingdom Joint Council holds an annual celebration in the Canberra Kingdom, as well as a small celebration every five years and a large one every ten years. The next mega celebration is in two years, and an extremely grand festival will be held then.
In addition to the large number of tourists from various countries of the South Continent, the royal families of all countries, nobility, the leaders of academia, Platinum Level and Magic Crystal Level Challengers, and Cardmakers registered in the South Continental Association will receive official invitations from the Southern Continent Kingdom Union Council to participate in the event as guests.
The Young Master of the Business Association believed that Lanci would not miss an event of this level, and they could meet again in the real world at that time.
"See you then," said Lanci, patting the Young Master of the Business Association’s shoulder.
If all goes well, Lanci will retire in two years, and at that time, it might be not bad to travel to the Canberra Kingdom.
The Young Master of the Business Association nodded.
After a moment of silence, he asked again, "Mr. Lanci, is there anything else you can teach me?"
He cherished every opportunity he had to communicate with Lanci.
"Pay more attention to the people around you. If you like her too, don’t keep her waiting," Lanci gazed at the far horizon without looking at the Young Master of the Business Association and replied.
Listening to this, Hyperion, who was nearby, felt a bit stressed.
When Lanci encountered Prince Aynor and Sofia at the Cardmaker’s Association the last time, he also said something similar.
The result was that Prince Aynor almost embraced Lanci on the spot, leaving Sofia aside!
At the moment when Hyperion was particularly worried, the Young Master of the Business Association turned to look at his sister, his bodyguard.
He just looked at her quietly, didn’t say anything.
The bodyguard sister also froze, her eyes wide in surprise.
This moment at the high tower, wrapped in morning mist, did not need any words.
Sunlight pierced the clouds and spilled onto the Lichtenstein Castle, the world donned a cloak of golden light.
The distant mountains present layered colors under the sun, and the dew on the nearby trees shone brilliantly.
"Bye-bye," said Lanci with a smile, he left with Frey and Hyperion from the top of the tower to the fifth floor of the castle, leaving the fairytale setting to the two of them.
Entering the corridor, the air was noticeably warmer, and the light footsteps echoed in the stone corridor, filled with a sense of joy.
Everyone moved carefully when leaving so as not to disturb the two people on the tower.
"The Young Master is not a blockhead, he understood your words very clearly!" Hyperion whispered to Lanci in amazement.
Could it be that this guy is really an angel who likes to facilitate romance for others?
"I am best at mediating disputes, helping with blind dates and social gatherings is not a problem, and various civil issues are my strengths," Lanci confidently replied with a laugh, he simply enjoyed helping others.
"...?" Hyperion felt only now did Lanci seemed like a good young man. Where did the problem arise?
"Mr. Lanci, really thank you very much for your care for us," the male bodyguard of the Business Association also left the tower with them. He escorted them to the fifth floor stairway, stopped at this point, and expressed his sincere thanks to Lanci.
"Goodbye."
"See you."
After the farewells, Lanci’s trio walked down the spiral staircase lined with polished copper handrails, their light footsteps echoed through the castle hallway, creating an amusing contrast with the regular chime from the distant sacred hall.
At the corner of every floor, against the occasional chirping of birds outside the distant windows, it composed a symphony of dawn.
Soon, they reached the ground floor of the castle.
At the end of the staircase, an imposing door stood before them. Massive gate adorned with gold trim design, reflected a holy light under the reflection of the glazed window.
Pushing open the door, they were greeted with the faint scent of candles from the chapel.
Inside the chapel, three clergymen were conducting the morning prayer.
Under the rose window of the chapel, they knelt side by side in front of the altar, their heads bowed deeply, hands clasped together, and their lips gently reciting the prayer.
Every strand of air in the chapel was filled with a sense of peace and harmony. The enormous chandelier hanging from the high ceiling seemed significantly solemn in the tranquil environment, filled with natural light, illuminating the entire church.
The whispering priests, their devoted prayers, and the occasional flickering of candlelight creates a serene atmosphere in the morning.
Lanci and his companions stood silently by, not disturbing their morning prayers, watching the priests focusing on their prayers.
It wasn’t until the end of the morning prayers.
The three clergymen also walked towards them.
"I wish we could meet again on the Northern Continent, if there’s a chance in the future."
The leading priest bowed and said.
They had important duties,
And with the current turmoil in the Northern Continent, they couldn’t abandon their posts.
Only if things calm down in the future, there might be a chance to be dispatched to the Southern Continent.
"Who knows? Destiny will guide us."
Lanci spread his hands and laughed.
"..."
Hyperion remained silent.
In fact, in three months, she and Lanci would truly be heading to the Northern Continent.
She only hoped not to encounter these three men in the Northern Continent.
By then, if she and Lanci conceal their identities and disguise as bandits, bumping into the clergy would be incredibly awkward.
Everyone is bidding their final farewells.
There were only a few minutes left, at dawn, half-past five, the Shadow World would come to an end.
The dream-like five-day vacation was finally coming to an end.
"That reminds me, I’m going to check on the princess."
Lanci looked at the large clock and said.
"Go ahead, we’ll meet in the Fringe Space."
Once the Shadow World ends, all the challengers will be transported back to the entrance of the Void Gate where they initially entered, and each team would enter an individual Fringe Space to complete the final calculations and distribution of rewards in the Shadow World.
...
The second floor of the castle, room 201.
Princess Alexia sat quietly on the bed, gazing out the window.
The golden leaves were lifted by the breeze, bringing rustling sound of falling leaves, morning fog enveloping the castle, draping a mysterious veil over the valley and forest.
If it were possible, she didn’t want this Shadow World experience to end.
Because she didn’t want to return to the real world filled with the Blood Clan, a living nightmare.
Even if she would be locked in this room forever in this Shadow World, she’d prefer it, because it gave her reassurance.
Upon hearing the sound of the door lock, she looked at the opened door in surprise, and Lanci who walked in.
"Your Highness Alexia, it’s time for me to bid you farewell for now."
Lanci greeted her, while also saying goodbye.
"You came alone?"
Alexia asked.
"I thought fewer people would make you feel more comfortable."
Lanci said with a smile.
"..."
Alexia hesitated for a moment.
Deep down, she did hope that only Lanci would come because he was the one who had seen her cry the most.
"Actually, I usually appear as a very aloof princess, it’s just because you’ve seen my embarrassments that I let down my guard."
She spread her hands and asked, revealing a small secret like an innocent young girl.
"So if you see me maintaining an indifferent demeanor the next time we meet privately, it means there’s danger."
As she said this,
Alexia seemed to regain her princess-like aura, even her expression becoming a few shades more serious.
Because she was telling Lanci ——
If the next time they meet she has become a puppet of the Blood Clan, don’t believe her anymore.
"Princess Alexia, you mustn’t expose yourself and don’t capitulate to the Blood Clan."
He didn’t hesitate for a moment, giving an immediate answer.
This left Alexia silent.
She seemed lost for words.
After a long while, 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓅𝓊𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
"Lanci Welfort."
"What is it?"
"I will be waiting for you in the Cerryti Empire."
In other words,
It meant she was begging him to come.
But Alexia couldn’t say the words "Please come and save me".
When she opened her mouth, the words turned into other phrases.
"I will definitely come."
The white shadow, Lanci’s back disappeared outside the door.
But his calm and unwavering voice was clearly heard.
At the same time, as the hand of the sacred hall’s clock pointed at half past five, time seemed to slow down in an instant, awaiting some kind of change.
The princess of the Cerryti Empire sat in a daze.
She reached out her hand towards the blurry shadow emerging in the white world, seemingly pleading for help.
"This time, without that demon affecting my emotions, why..."
Although she was still locked in the high tower,
But there was a faint glimmer of fragile hope in her heart.
Alexia murmured, fervently wiping the tears that kept flowing from her invisible eyes.
The diffused brightness permeated the fog, and the entire castle began to rise like a bubble.
The first rays of dawn, delicately and quietly flowed through the dissipating walls into the sacred hall.
The five-day and five-night [Sacred Hall Villains Banquet] was finally reaching the moment of final calculation.
