NOVPUBThree days later.
The sky over Chinston City was washed clean by a heavy rain.
Today was a rare good weather day, with the sun piercing the thin layer of clouds over the snowy ground, illuminating the earth, even dispersing the fog and haze.
Despite the lingering chill, there was a hint of spring in the air.
The Snowfield Arena on the north side of the city-state had become the focus of the day. Its large marble floors and majestic stone pillars, mimicking a temple structure, enclosed the center of the arena, while the rising rows of seats in the perimeter formed the grandeur of the building.
Many notables from Xue Yuan Province had come to this City-state Knight Order Arena in Chinston City today.
Typically, this arena was used for training within the City-State Knights, for various competitions held within the city-state, or for some major events.
In compliment with the day’s weather, the bright morning sun shone through the opening at the top, sprinkling over the pristine white tiles on the ground, as if giving a divine blessing to the place.
Early on, many nobles dressed in luxurious clothes arrived one after another. They sat in the VIP seats high up in the arena, discussing and laughing with each other.
At the same time, many residents of Chinston City also came to watch this public duel.
As time passed, the seats in the arena became more and more filled.
The chatter of the citizens and their anticipation and curiosity for the upcoming competition created a relaxed atmosphere that hovered over the arena, waiting for the upcoming excitement and festivity.
"Perhaps today’s contest will become a much-talked-about event."
"I heard from Lord Viscount Chinston that they knew each other when they were very young, and after many years, they met again, but had to overcome this hard challenge."
"Although it’s hard for Young Master Shaar to win, isn’t it overturning the odds that make a young couple’s love story even more touching?"
"..."
In the VIP seats high above, listening to the whispering voices of these commoners, Viscount Black Bonn sniffed coldly.
"What a beautiful thing, just crush it."
Originally, when he had heard that Shaar hadn’t been seen in Chinston City for a full three days, he thought Shaar might have given up and run away.
But he didn’t expect Shaar to be in the competitor’s waiting room today, already prepared.
It seemed like those two students had taken him out of the city for special training for a full three days.
Viscount Black Bonn found it laughable. He just turned his head and asked Professor Mei Qi beside him:
"Professor Mei Qi, what do you think is the chance of winning this contest?"
"One in ten."
Mei Qi still spoke with the same certainty and absoluteness.
"Humph, this is a good day, it’s the perfect good luck charm for me to become the new Chief Executive."
Viscount Black Bonn sneered darkly.
He actually hated those two young men and women who seemed to be pretending to be calm.
The feeling of watching a play at Viscount Chinston’s parlor, as if looking down on him, was a kind of highest level of contempt.
And more importantly...
The key point is...
Those two guys must have intervened, allowing Shaar to reach Chinston City, otherwise, the Phantom Gang that he had employed could have settled Shaar on the road!
But now that they were far from the emperor, he could soon make these two pay some price in Xue Yuan Province.
Meanwhile.
On the other side of the spectator stand.
Viscount Levin Chinston, who was hosting other notables from Xue Yuan Province visiting Chinston City, followed the gaze and commotion to spot the notable figures of Lanci and Sikder.
Soon after, Viscount Levin Chinston finished making small talk with the notables around him and walked over to the two he had been eager to see.
Viscount Levin Chinston sat down next to the two very tiredly.
"I’m sorry, I couldn’t host the two honorable guests from Herram properly."
He said to Lanci and Sikder,
"I’m very sorry for the unpleasant experience you had when you just arrived in Chinston City. Please, do not blame Shaar and Lilith."
Viscount Levin Chinston sincerely bowed his head to apologize, he seemed to not mind sitting here with them, watching the duel, and chatting with them, like a friendly uncle with his neighbors’ children.
This late apology was caused by his busy public affairs, and also because he had not seen Shaar and them at the Lord’s Mansion for the past two days, according to his housekeeper.
He didn’t even know where Shaar had gone.
"It’s okay, we have a good impression of Chinston City, but there might be some lawbreakers disturbing Xue Yuan Province,"
Lanci said with a smile.
This Viscount of Chinston City was a much more easy-going, friendly and sensible person than Lanci had imagined, as could be seen from how he defended Shaar earlier.
Sikder sat quietly next to him, propped his cheek on one hand, and stared at the field.
In fact, if she wanted to, killing everyone in one province would not be difficult, all these are just minor inconveniences.
"..."
Viscount Levin Chinston fell into brief silence, taking the opportunity to observe the two young people again.
No matter the rank they held on the surface or the situation they had just mentioned at the academy, their calm demeanor that day left a deep impression on Levin Chinston. He believed these two students were not simple.
It’s hard to describe exactly what feeling they gave, or what evidence proved their uniqueness.
But Levin could tell one thing—
They were people of high position.
As for the 40 and 60 credits, they must have made up these numbers to tease Viscount Bonn.
"Could you please tell us about the current situation in Xue Yuan Province?"
Lanci took a notebook out of the inside pocket of his suit, pulled out the pen hanging by its side, and started asking Viscount Levin Chinston.
He had been conducting investigations while training Shaar these past few days. Now he had a rare opportunity to sit down and inquire, as well as confirm some information with Viscount Levin Chinston.
"Ahem."
Viscount Levin Chinston instinctively sat up straight and cleared his throat.
It wasn’t clear if this was a conditioned response, or because he had just recently hosted an inspection team from Herram in the imperial capital, or perhaps because the young man before him had a distinctive aura.
Sikder only listened quietly on the side. Naturally, she understood why Lanci had not exposed the fake Professor Mei Qi at the Lord’s Mansion in Chinston City initially.
Although they could expose the imposter immediately, it would be highly imprudent to do so without first fully understanding a situation in a secluded town where news generally did not reach.
Her Saint Heir loved to play the long game.
"Well, it begins with the historical issues of our Xue Yuan Province, which is the vacancy in the governor’s position," Viscount Levin Chinston started to explain with a sigh.
As a remote province that had long been autonomous, Xue Yuan Province had an accepted or default agreement—
The appointment of a governor required the approval from several city-state lords.
Since this winter, the Phantom Gang had become increasingly rampant.
And the lords were pretty sure they couldn’t let these criminals run wild any longer.
"However, there’s always disagreement over the choice of candidate. The local aristocrats all hope to have someone from their own family serving as governor. As for those from the imperial capital who are capable and influential, they wouldn’t come to Xue Yuan Province given the current situation. For those who are incompetent, the lords wouldn’t let them serve in the position. Thus, the stalemate continues."
"Until Professor Mei Qi arrived in our Xue Yuan Province and reached Bonn City. He quickly became good friends with Viscount Black Bonn. Soon after, Viscount Black Bonn introduced him to the other lords."
Viscount Levin Chinston said this, his eyes helpless as they locked onto Lanci. He assumed they didn’t need to hear more to understand the situation.
Professor Mei Qi indeed had an ID from the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, which was undeniable.
Viscount Black Bonn took advantage of Professor Mei Qi’s authority, momentum, and connections to quickly form a coalition with many of the influential nobles, which became a group of shared interests. Once formed, it could begin to squeeze those unwilling to join them out. Apparently, Viscount Black Bonn wanted to use this opportunity to appoint himself to the governor’s position.
While some lords may have already made their decisions, Viscount Levin Chinston hadn’t yet declared his stance.
It seems that today’s duel might just be Viscount Black Bonn’s chance to get everyone to make a statement regarding the governor’s position.
"Haven’t any of you lords doubted the authenticity of Mei Qi’s identity?"
While noting down the statements, Lanci raised his head to ask.
"Some visitors from the imperial capital passed through our cities a few days ago. They confirmed the recent changes in the Protoss Royal Magic Academy and offered information that was in line with what Professor Mei Qi himself revealed. But the visitors didn’t know much about the details of the academy’s reformation. They only knew about what happened just after they left the imperial capital."
Viscount Levin Chinston looked pained and shook his head as he gave his quiet reply.
After that, they dared not offend Professor Mei Qi at all.
"I see."
Lanci nodded. The "visitors" Viscount Chinston mentioned should be the investigation team. However, Viscount Levin Chinston’s description was vague, suggesting there might be an order to keep the matter confidential.
He closed his notebook.
"I think Xue Yuan Province really needs a competent governor."
Lanci looked at the field again, his thoughts drifting as he cradled the cat whose head had transformed into a weeping likeness of a cat and spoke to himself.
"..."
Viscount Levin Chinston did not understand what Lanci meant by that.
Maybe Lanci, coming from Herram in the imperial capital, was indeed dissatisfied with the current situation in their Xue Yuan Province.
But right now, Viscount Levin Chinston simply had no energy left to consider and worry about the bigger picture.
He didn’t know how Shaar could win his fight against Dean today.
He dearly wished that Shaar would win.
If Shaar won, things wouldn’t go so smoothly for Viscount Black Bonn today, indirectly proving that Professor Mei Qi’s teachings weren’t that special.
But he saw little chance of Shaar winning... He could only pray to the secret legacy of the Candis family.
And Shaar’s two friends, who had accompanied him for a full three days of training, were a demonstration of the power of friendship!
The young man was like a sleeping lion. Perhaps he possessed a magic called courage, and once it was awakened by love, it could create miracles!
Ding, ding.
With the ringing of the bells, it was now time for the contestants agreed upon to enter the field for the decisive duel.
Finally.
A figure slowly emerged from the entrance near the seats where Lanci and his party sat.
In the shadows, the ancient iron on the wooden door emitted a dull creaking sound, and the sunlight merely illuminated some unstable dust in the corridor.
The figure gradually emerging from the shadows was clothed in a bloodstained mix of dark red and black chainmail leather. It was as if the countless enemies’ blood and flesh had left their marks on his attire.
The rich smell of blood even floated to the stands, causing many to cover their noses in horror and discomfort.
His pale cheeks held a sickly beauty. His eyes were deep-set, the spark within having been extinguished long ago. Only a pair of deep black pupils remained, filled with despair and coldness. His swift steps were like the rhythm of a drum. Each time he stepped, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, as if countless resentful souls were reaching out to him from under his shadow.
When Viscount Levin Chinston saw Shaar appear again, he was momentarily stupefied.
Is this… my dear nephew...?!
