NOVPUBThe small but delicate guest room was filled with warm-hued furniture and curtains.
Under the chandelier, the young man sitting on the bed stood up and yielded a deep bow to Viscount Francis.
"Thank you for your life-saving grace, Lord Viscount."
There was a slight weariness in the clear and mild voice of the young man.
This was a state of just adapting to the translation magic.
Viscount Francis nodded with a smile, gesturing the young man to sit down, and then took a seat on a chair nearby himself. He never posed as a nobleman.
"Please, do not fret, young man. I assume you are quite unfamiliar with this place, could you tell me about your experiences? Where did you come from and where are your headed to?"
Finally Viscount Francis asked aloud.
"I am a scholar from the Hutton Kingdom in the Southern Continent. This time I wanted to complete an academic goal on the Northern Continent, but I encountered a magic storm, causing a shipwreck... and then the next thing I knew, you all had rescued me."
The brunette young man seemed hesitant, but finally spoke up.
Viscount Francis listened with a ripple of thought bubbling inside.
The Hutton Kingdom on the Southern Continent is a well-known and powerful country, even Francis had heard of it.
There were also some influential personalities, such as the Great Priest from the Church of the Goddess of Destiny, who happens to be a native of the Hutton Kingdom.
Viscount Francis knew that the young man’s experiences may have some correlation, more or less, with the recent turmoil caused by the magic storm at the sea.
Indeed, the rate of maritime tragedy lately has increased significantly, particularly ships coming from the Southern Continent.
Although the young man might have concealed some crucial points in his statement, Viscount Francis could still feel the sincerity of it.
"I’m sorry, but all of my identity documents were lost along with my luggage."
The young man added.
Viscount Francis waved his hand, not intending to challenge the youth’s identity excessively or to interrogate him further.
During his breakfast, his secretary had already confirmed that the young man was fluent in the language of the Southern Continent, and he could easily read books transmitted from there even without the translation magic. Also through conversation, the secretary found out that the young man had a profound understanding of the social situation and culture of the Southern Continent.
It was undoubtedly a Southern Continent character, some things are simply unattainable via studying and imitation.
More importantly, his gentle temperament made it hard for anyone to suspect him of being a bad guy.
He didn’t possess any threat of force either.
The young man’s attire wasn’t extravagant, but from his deportment and politeness, one could instantly see that he must be a scholarly gentleman of a significant family, likely separated from his guard during the shipwreck.
"I am not going to delve deep into your identity, for obsessing over something that can’t be ascertained eventually turns into needless suspicion. There is only one thing I wish to confirm, are you with the Church of the Goddess of Destiny?"
Asked Viscount Francis.
"No, I don’t believe in Gods."
Lanci answered, confused.
"Phew."
Viscount Francis sighed with relief.
"May I ask why you asked me that?"
The expression on Lanci’s face did not change, it was still full of bewilderment.
"If you were a priest, after aiding you, I would be subject to charges such as fraternizing with a heretical Church or being a spy in the current Protoss Empire. However, I would not harm you, I would just let you land on the shore outside the city, and give you some food."
Viscount Francis said,
"The Church of the Goddess of Destiny is now a heretic Church in the Protoss Empire, currently being purged by the empire."
He was aware it must seem absurd to people from the Southern Continent.
On hearing Viscount Francis briefly explaining the present political affairs of the Protoss Empire, Lanci’s expression grew even more bewildered.
It was too strange a version, wondering if the Rebirth Church could go public now?
But Lanci quickly accepted it.
For it’s better to adapt to the version, rather than wait for the version to pass.
After a brief conversation, Lanci roughly figured out where he was. He also explained his current predicament to Viscount Francis -
"Mr. Francis, I am trying to find my companions. Can you help me?"
Lanci sincerely said.
"Mr. Rocky, I deeply regret your plight, but at such a period, the help that I can offer you is limited."
After hearing this, Viscount Francis let out a sigh.
He could see that the lost companion was very important to the young man.
The young man’s calmness, poise, and comprehension did not resemble someone who had just returned from the brink of death, which made Viscount Francis reaffirm his quality once more.
However, without a legitimate identity in the empire, it was fine in their small town, but potentially very difficult to move about in the current territory of the Protoss Empire to the north.
Viscount Francis did not dare to risk using his authority as a lord to falsify an identity for the young man at this time.
"If you’re willing, I can settle you in Lilom City and get you a job," he offered.
This was all Viscount Francis could do to help him.
If Rocky could earn enough money, they could take him with them the next time they went to the eastern port city. There, he could buy a passage back to the South Continent, a ticket home at least. As well as making a good connection, perhaps if in the future he ever needed to go to the South Continent, it would be nice to have someone he knew there.
"May I ask what kind of job it is?"
Raised and cared for by people, Lanci felt somewhat embarrassed to be living off others. If he could earn a bit of Protoss Empire currency, it would make things a lot easier when he was within the empire’s borders.
However, the way he looked seemed unfit for physical labour, and for critical office jobs, even a friendly person like Viscount Francis wouldn’t rashly hand them over to a foreign visitor he had just met.
"You mentioned that you are a scholar, right? And that you are proficient in the Magic Family Tree and Magical Engineering."
Viscount Francis slowly started.
"My daughter gives me quite a headache. She refuses to go to school and has dismissed all her many tutors, including experienced tutors from other cities that I invited for her... She actually has passed the preliminary examination for the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, but I fear she would not be able to continue her studies there given her current state."
His daughter was exceptionally talented, even eerily so. As long as she didn’t waste her talent, she would inevitably become a strong person. By that time, no one would dare to look down on her, and she would have ample self-defense capabilities.
At his wit’s end, Viscount Francis saw the unique newcomer from the South Continent and thought maybe it was worth a try.
"Tutoring? Sure thing."
Lanci brightened at the idea, instantly agreeing.
That was precisely what he needed!
"Don’t get your hopes up too much. She’s a tough one to teach."
Viscount Francis warned with a shake of his head.
"Really? But if she approves of me, wouldn’t the reward be extremely generous?"
Lanci’s enthusiasm seemed only increased.
As the headmaster of Corridor Academy, there was no student he couldn’t teach.
"Hmph, just state your conditions."
Viscount Francis had never seen such a confident person.
You could even call it narcissistic.
Perhaps he was indeed a young scholar from the South Continent with some skills, but educational science was far from simple.
Especially when applied to extremely problematic children.
At worst, if teaching didn’t work out, he could simply give him a different job.
But if he could become a tutor she approved of, he would even use his authority to provide him with a new identity and send him to study alongside her at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy in the capital city.
The fastest place to look for people would undoubtedly be in the capital, where information flowed the most.
"All right. You just leave it to me to meet her."
Lanci said with a guarantee.
Viscount Francis rose, walking slowly to the door, then turned back and stared at the young man once more.
"Take a good rest first. You’re still a wounded man, you know. Looks like a storm will hit tonight, and the ship might rock you into a sleepless night."
With that, Viscount Francis opened the cabin door and stepped outside.
After closing the door behind Lanci, Viscount Francis revealed a relieved smile.
Regardless, the young man was a good man who was well-liked. Despite learning of the devilish characteristics of his prospective student, he didn’t show the slightest hesitation.
Indeed, the South Continent had simple folk customs.
"My lord, aren’t you worried that he might harm the young lady?"
The secretary asked as he walked with Viscount Francis down the ship’s hallway.
"No worries. She’s more than capable of overpowering that lad." 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Viscount Francis gave a dismissive wave.
The young man might be more than first-order, but his magic power level was merely at this strength, and it was clear he had not trained in close combat.
If the young man’s magic power was a disguise, and he could make it so smooth and natural, then he must at least be a seventh-order, or even a higher, supreme being. If he had ill intentions, it would take just a thought to achieve his aims.
