NOVPUBThat same afternoon.
The sky was a blend of icy blue and light hues, turning it into a frozen, cracked azure screen. The gentle yet slightly cold natural light in this pure white world was reflected by the snow, making it incredibly blurred.
Bracing the snowstorm, three figures finally saw the outline of a city-state at the end of the snowfield.
"Shaar, you truly are the inheriter of the Assassin Family, thoroughly professional even as a scout. Without you, we wouldn’t have found Chinston City till nightfall."
Lanci complimented Shaar with a smirk.
Shaar bowed his head slightly, somewhat embarrassed.
It had been a long time since he last heard such sincere praise.
Usually, people mentioned his family only to ridicule him.
But this person was different.
"Every single word you say seems to indirectly refer to me."
Sikder grumbled at the side.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Lanci touched his cheek, slightly numb from frostbite, and looked at Sikder, puzzled.
"Nevermind, sometimes favorability is directly subtracted, no reminder service is needed."
Among the sound of wind, snow and their voices, they gradually reached the gate of the city-state.
The vast snowfield was completely covered in white snow, and the bone-chilling wind would sometimes raise a flurry, making the snowflakes flutter in the air like fine sugar frost.
This was the southern boundary of Chinston City. The city walls were tall and made of metal and frozen dirt. They loomed like a steel canyon on the snowfield, blocking the cold wind and all external threats.
The city gate was made of sturdy Demon World steel wood. It was decorated with cold iron and embroidered with the sigil of Chinston City and Magic Sigil on it. Inside the enchantment, two rows of guards with weapons and armors stood, their orange-red feathers on their helmets fluttering in the cold wind.
The sightlines of the guards instantly shifted upon the approach of the three figures, turning towards the distant snowfield.
The three of them slowed down, crossed the last stretch of the boundless snowfield, took out their proof of identity in advance, and handed it over to the Knight Captain leading the guards through the brief opening in the protective barrier.
Upon a thorough inspection, the captain’s gaze fell directly on Shaar.
"Son of Count Shaar Candis, welcome to our Chinston City. Could you and your friends please step inside the city and wait? I will contact the Lord’s Mansion for you."
When the knight captain learned from their credentials that Lanci and Sikder were students from the Protoss Royal Magic Academy in Herram, he didn’t speculate about their relationship with Shaar but instead, assumed them to be Shaar’s friends.
The gate slowly opened. The heavy chains and wooden beams made a dull noise. The hustle and bustle of the city filled their ears immediately, and the scenery unfolded before their eyes.
Gone was the endless snowfield. People occasionally shuttled across the distant bluestone-paved streets. Smoke was rising from the houses, and the aroma of dinner preparations wafted in the air. Children could even be spotted having snowball fights.
What followed was a period of waiting.
Without waiting too long at the entrance of the city, a carriage came rushing to meet them and stopped in the open square not far away.
A man in a classic black suit walked over. His sleeve cuffs and collar were embroidered with golden patterns. In his hand, he held a wax-sealed letter. His strides, although steady, quickly brought him before the three.
"Young master Shaar, and two distinguished guests, I am the steward of the Lord’s Mansion."
He bowed slightly, speaking with respect,
"Lord Viscount Levin Chinston has been informed of your arrival and has sent me to welcome you."
He motioned for the trio to follow him towards the exquisite carriage with the Quinston Family emblem engraved on it. The carriage was draped in deep red silk, the windows were obscured by thin embroidered curtains. The steward opened the door to reveal animal skin cushions and delicately carved wooden handrails within.
"Please, get in."
The steward offered a small smile, showcasing a well-measured, composed demeanor befitting a servant to the nobles.
The three exchanged a look and boarded the carriage after the steward.
Just before the carriage started moving,
"I wonder if Viscount Levin Chinston is busy with important matters?"
Sikder asked the steward.
"Yes, Lord Viscount and Miss Lilith were supposed to personally receive Young master Shaar, but there are other distinguished guests at the Lord’s Mansion right now, and they are unable to leave. I was sent to receive you in their stead. I deeply apologize."
The steward apologized.
Sikder nodded.
It seemed that the Viscount wasn’t intentionally slighting Shaar.
According to the etiquette of the nobles in the Protoss Empire, even if the engaged son of a Count, Shaar, arrived unannounced, he should still be personally received by Viscount Levin Chinston or Miss Lilith.
The rumbling sound of the carriage echoed around.
The wheels of the carriage left deep tracks in the thick snow. Although the cold wind blew outside, the interior of the carriage was exceptionally warm.
The three found comfort in the soft seat. Shaar seemed a bit restrained, while Lanci and Sikder acted quite naturally.
For a moment, it was hard to tell who was the Young master.
Looking at the anxious, mild, albeit slightly weak looking young man with flaxen hair, Lanci patted Shaar, who was sitting across from him, on the shoulder.
"Straighten up your chest. Miss Lilith Chinston would probably prefer a more dominant man."
"But... I’m here to marry into the Quinston Family, they would probably prefer an obedient son-in-law, right?"
"Lilith Chinston is an assassin by profession, and she has shown an extremely ferocious side during her exams, as noted in her school report. You, being a descendant of a well-known assassin family in the empire, should be well-suited for her."
Lanci had started guiding Shaar.
Shaar looked at Lanci, confusion written all over his face.
How do you know all this?
"But I lean more towards the administrative side now... If I help the Quinstons with their business dealings, perhaps that might be more useful. Although I’m well-versed in the family techniques, I’ve hardly used them in combat…"
Shaar spoke with uncertainty.
"I see."
Lanci stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"Meow meow meow! Don’t listen to him!"
A burst of furious meowing surfaced from underneath, followed by a black shadow. The little black cat bounded up to the seat, climbed onto Lanci’s shoulder, and addressed Shaar.
"Young love is keen on subtlety and natural development, any involvement from him will turn all the heartwarming narratives into bizarre Shadow World episodes! Love doesn’t call for aggressive overtaking and strong welding!"
The cat boss indignantly accused Lanci, puffing and panting with fury so much that he couldn’t catch his breath for quite a while.
"Oh, Little Black Cat, you finally showed up."
Sikder looked at the cat perched on Lanci’s shoulder with interest.
The next second, the cat boss worms its way onto Lanci’s other shoulder, as if shrinking back, shivering and keeping a distance from Sikder.
Shaar was amazed at this elf cat.
Even this cat was stronger than him.
It had a level nearly reaching the fourth-order!
"...Do you think I’m only a third-order meow?"
The cat boss seemed to have read Shaar’s mind, he sternly stared at him and asked.
They both knew the telekinesis magic of the elf language, which gave them a sense of intimacy.
"Could it be...you’re actually a fourth-order?"
Shaar asked incredulously.
"..."
The cat boss kept silent for a while, choosing to sidestep the question, it’s better to not humiliate oneself,
"Young man, just naturally get to know Miss Lilith. If you both are meant for each other, you’ll eventually fall in love. Don’t ever take his love advice, this fellah has no clue about love, his concept of love is even more problematic!"
The cat spoke earnestly to Shaar.
"Um..." 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Shaar glanced at the little black cat, then looked at Lanci.
He was at a loss as to who to trust.
Both seemed very sincere, full of good intentions for him, there was no doubt about it, he could even see it in their eyes.
So, Shaar was stuck in a huge dilemma, unable to make a decision.
There was a moment of silence between the three men and a cat.
"But I agree with what Macksey said, for example, I’m also attracted to men who are stronger than me."
After thinking for a while, Sikder voiced her perspective as a woman.
She didn’t understand why this little black cat was belittling Lanci’s love advice so much, nothing seemed wrong.
"..."
Lanci glanced at Sikder sympathetically.
Added to the list of unmarried women.
"What did you mean by that look just now?"
Sikder asked.
She had figured out that her saint would never utter any rude words.
But very often, he expressed everything with his nuanced expressions, which was the highest level of disdain.
"Guess I lose some likability, huh? When you want to condemn someone, there’s always an excuse, isn’t there?"
The indifference that hung on Lanci’s face resembled a helpless smile.
"..."
Sikder chuckled and shook her head, without telling Lanci how much likability she had deducted.
On one side.
"Meow, so Shaar, are you really going to listen to this green tea’s love lessons?"
Looking at Shaar, the cat boss asked.
"But isn’t Mr. Rocky getting along very well with Miss Sikder?"
Shaar asked the cat boss with confusion.
He believed that senior Rocky was not a green tea at all, but indeed a kind-hearted young man.
"Meow?"
The cat boss tilted its head. Lanci and Bishop of Hegemony? Did they really get along well?
From what he gathered, the two had quite disparate identities, capabilities, ages, and personalities.
But as Shaar put it...
He did find them surprisingly harmonious.
Wait a minute.
If the genders of Lanci and Sigrid were switched.
Green tea girl and domineering CEO!
