NOVPUBRock Box Mountain is one of the transportation hub city-states in the north of the Protoss Empire.
Surrounded by undulating mountains, a winding stream passes through the city, bringing endless vitality when spring arrives.
The architectural style is deeply influenced by the mountainous elements, mainly using stone and wood, ingeniously blending with the surrounding natural landscape.
But this year’s climate is peculiar, and extraordinarily cold.
Even the cities in the southern part of the Empire, known for their year-round warmth, reportedly began to see snowfall at the onset of winter.
Even now, at the beginning of March, there is no sign of the cold wave receding. Occasionally, heavy snow will fall, dyeing most of the city’s buildings white, perfectly blending with the surrounding snowy landscape and icy mountains.
The Magic Energy Train Station of Rock Box Mountain is located on the farthest western side of the city-state, known as Rock Intersection. It is one of the busiest transit stations in the entire city-state and even the northern region. The station building itself is a masterpiece of art. This architectural marvel combines modern technology with traditional stone processing, making it sturdy and capable of blocking the cold wind.
The sound of brakes and the friction between the train wheels and the tracks gradually amplified on the station’s railway tracks.
A Magic Energy Train from the south swiftly arrived at the platform level.
Inside the compartment, next to the window in the front row seats.
"It seems we’ve reached the regulated area."
Lanci closed the book in his hand, put it away, and looking at the gradually slowing scenery outside the window, he voiced his thoughts.
According to the itinerary, they both should disembark at this city, then undergo inspection, and take the next train.
Or rather, all passengers coming to this station have only two options after their transit passes have undergone identity checks.
Continueing northwards leads to the northern border frontline.
Heading west will reach Xi Bei Province, which also borders the Aestheland Kingdom.
"Let’s face it, even I haven’t been here before."
Sikder yawned and said with his hand over his mouth.
When the three bishops chose their mission areas, the Bishop of Hegemony chose the relatively stable and conservative south, while the Bishop of Nirvana chose the chaotic and war-torn capital to the north and west, and the Mourning Bishop chose the wealthier but politically complex east of the capital.
Almost one-third each, with the capital Herram as the intersection.
Starting from the north of Lanci and Sikder, there are no longer priests of the Silver-armored Hegemony Branch, but gray-clothed priests of Nirvana and dark blue-clothed priests of the Mourning Clan. As they reach further north to the control area, there are only priests of Nirvana.
"Why didn’t you choose the East?"
Lanci asked curiously.
Although these are issues that should not be discussed casually in public, it’s because other people wouldn’t understand what they were talking about, that it didn’t really matter.
"There’s significant noble power in the east, with many strong individuals. Their relationships and factions are very stable. If I went there, I’d either have to please the big nobles or have to establish many cooperative relationships with them."
Sikder explained, his arms crossed.
The public elections, to be held in the capital in a little over a month, will mainly revolve around the votes in the hands of the nobles of the Upper House and the officials of the Lower House.
Although choosing the east would give a considerable advantage in terms of crucial votes.
However, Sikder’s personality is evidently not one that would serve the empire’s major power holders well. If they dared to push their luck, she might end up killing the nobles.
Even a clan with an eighth-order guardian, she could kill if she wanted to, no one could stop her.
But if she did so, her chances of becoming the spokesperson for the Rebirth Church in the Protoss Empire would be all but lost.
She would rather choose the north than choose the east.
"I see."
Lanci nodded. He supposed that made sense.
Seeing as he, the Pioneer, was helping, the Hegemony Branch would be able to easily win the substantial support of various nobles and officials in the south, even without doing anything.
The key was to figure out how the Nirvana Branch in the north and the Mourning Branch in the east had developed.
The situation in the east was relatively easy to handle, as the Hegemony Branch had spies there to report on conditions in real-time.
The north, with its information blockade, had serious delays in information transmission, even though the information-handling priests of the Hegemony Branch had been sent there.
That’s why Sikder, as a member of the Hegemony Branch, decided to have a look for herself.
More importantly, if they could cause some chaos, they might be able to severely damage the prestige of the Nirvana Branch in the north.
"By the way, what’s the stance of those eastern imperial nobles towards the war?"
Lanci was unsure whether his understanding of the east was accurate, seeing that getting insider information was not simple.
Sikder had chosen the south, so she would understand the differences between the three regions of the empire.
Lanci had heard that some powerful nobles needed wars to solidify their positions, seeing that some families had based their positions on military power. He had also heard that the big nobles wanted to trap each other, but each could not bow out, and he had heard that some families were already dealing in military industry, preparing for the war.
"All of them. But once a war breaks out, most of the eastern nobles are completely dragging their feet. They always prioritize their own interests. So, essentially, they are the anti-war faction."
"..."
"I don’t want to deal with those big nobles, I simply chose the more resolute conservative faction in the south."
Sikder clearly didn’t think much of those big powerholders in the east nor was she interested in their power or wealth.
But after some thought, a glint appeared in her eyes as she looked at Lanci at her side,
"By rights, before long, those eastern nobles should know the name Rocky McCarthy."
"Why’s that?"
"There are quite a few nobles who want to send their children to the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, the best school in the Protoss Empire."
If they heard that this Rocky McCarthy was the current principal, they might give him some respect.
"I have always been very strict in separating my public affairs from my private ones. You can’t expect to use my position to your advantage."
Lanci reminded her.
He didn’t want this sacred profession of his to be misused by Sikder.
Public is public, private is private.
The Protoss Royal Magic Academy was his personal property and should not be used for the public business of the Hegemony Branch.
"Tsk, affection points decreased."
Sikder clicked her tongue.
"Hey, didn’t you say that Sikder’s character and you are different? Why would my affection points for Sikder decrease?"
Lanci opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"Because Sikder is a very willful girl."
"..."
Lanci wanted to retort but restrained himself.
He really wanted to ask about the Bishop’s actual age, but he feared that if he asked this question, Sikder might leave the team.
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ps: there’s an easter egg chapter earlier with Lanci Hyperion, Frey, the Cat boss, and their beloved doll.
