NOVPUBNorth Border Province.
Bandera City, a city-state perched high up on a mountain, is surrounded by towering mountain ranges and rugged cliffs. This cold region, with its eternal snowflakes and chilling winds, weaves a unique atmosphere for Bandera City.
On the snow field hundreds of meters south of Bandera City, snowflakes fell from the sky, drifting towards the earth or plunging into the bottomless mountain abyss.
At that moment, a gigantic snow sled, pulled by a massive black Demon Fox, carved its unique trail in this tranquil snowy plain.
The snow sled halted next to a frozen lake. The lake surface, flawless as white jade, reflected the pale sky. A few looming trees stood by the lake, their branches and leaves hidden under the accumulated snow.
Two figures leaped off the sled.
"Judging by the timeline, the investigation team would have arrived much earlier than us. If their route was similar, we should have been able to glean or notice their returning traces along the way," one figure mused.
Lanci, while instructing the Cat boss to stow away the portable, highly-durable snow sled, stared at the city in the distance, talking to himself.
In the snowstorm, Bandera City, seeming like a colossal deep-gray sculpture carved on the snow field, stood tall and immovable. Snowflakes fell on the iron-like towering walls, yet they always failed to turn it white.
Various towers and domes that reached straight for the sky, outside the city, were adorned with dim yellow lights amidst the snowy day, as if announcing to the world its toughness, vicissitudes, and glory.
Only a few fortresses, city-states, and villages could be seen along the way in these recent days. Geographically speaking, the two men had already reached North Border Province.
Lanci and Sikder would try to rest in towns at night. If they failed to find city-states, they could settle down at suitable open-air resting places at night. Large city-states should theoretically be much calmer, but now this city-state only gave off an oppressive feeling a hundred times stronger than the imperial capital, Herram.
Standing at a distance from the city-state, Lanci could still hear the symphony from the Imperial Army resounding from within, but the sound was almost drowned by the howling snowstorm.
The orchestral music sounded similar to the herram’s magical train station, but a careful listener would realize it had countless variations.
A grand melody that never reverted to gentleness and calm carried a profound sentiment. Glory, betrayal, final battle, and sacrifice.
To avoid unnecessary suspicions and trouble, Lanci bid the fox return temporarily and prepared to go on foot with Sikder.
Not only does one need a pass to enter Bandera City, but one’s identity would also undergo strict inspections
Security inside the city-state was tight, making it impossible to retrieve any information about the interior from a distance.
"Sikder, you must stick by me at all times."
A strong intuition told Lanci that stepping into this city-state and subsequent changes would be unpredictable.
This could be the first time he experiences a magic fight after passing through the Northern Continent while following the Protoss Empire’s scattered strange and abnormal traces.
"I know. I’ve prepared myself to look after you at all times en route. As long as I’m alive, you’re safe," Sikder affirmed.
Although Sikder not be revealing too much, she confidently carried spells dedicated to safeguarding fragile allies.
Lanci nodded.
Although he had been challenging the Shadow World, which is far superior to his level, this time was different because the battle power exceeded his greatly.
If one used the power-ranking system to measure, the Purgatory Corridor Academy would be the 45-level sub-dungeon, Sanctuary Evil Banquet would probably be level 55, and the recommended level for the upcoming North Border line of Battle might be 89.
An investigation team led by Major General Fan Leiku, with a level above 70, had likely encountered danger.
At this moment, the biggest conspiracy in the northern part of the Protoss Empire was just a stone’s throw away. The one who could reveal the only clue to the conflict between the empire and the northern powers was none other than Rocky McCarthy.
Even those planning this war would not be able to predict that the powerful Bishop of Hegemony, led by a prominent governor, would be brought to this place. This incredibly powerful ally, at least level 85 or higher, was Lanci’s greatest reliance now.
Sikder glanced at Lanci’s expression, then turned her gaze towards the city-state, teeming with uncertainties.
"You seem more relaxed than I thought. Do you have any hidden cards?" Sikder asked, smiling slightly.
Although she had not yet seen Lanci in battle, she was convinced that as a combat professional, her Saint Heir should not be shabby.
People with and without confidence display a significant difference in psychological appearance.
"I hope we won’t have to use it."
Lanci’s emerald-green eyes were full of thought, as if constantly weighing right and wrong.
Even though his state of mind was always as clear and calm as the surface of a lake, it was always rippling endlessly.
"I’ve known you for so long, and I still don’t know what your combat profession is."
Sikder realized that Lanci’s excellence had made her overlook some of his basic functionalities. Of course, even if Lanci were merely an artist, she would be quite satisfied.
If she were to guess, Lanci’s physical abilities would be completely opposite to hers, but they should complement each other well.
He might be better suited as a healer or a functional support.
Or maybe Fa Tan, who doesn’t need magic to attract hate, naturally having more skills than others.
As long as he’s well taken care of, he would be useful to her.
"I am a Sealer."
Lanci candidly told Sigrid his profession.
"What?"
Sikder frowned at Lanci.
She didn’t expect her Saint Heir to be a Sealer, who she despised the most.
She never thought of having a Sealer as a Saint Heir.
Even the priests of the Hegemony Branch would doubt whether the Bishop of Hegemony had lost his mind if they found out that their Saint of Hegemony was a Sealer just like the Bishop of Nirvana.
But after thinking about it...
Sigrid felt that if the Sealer, such a rare creature from the underworld, was one of her own, it would become exceptionally adorable.
"I really wish I could train you to the sixth level soon, so you could go up against the Saint of Nirvana."
Sigrid quickly accepted Lanci’s profession.
"Don’t misunderstand, I’m not the kind of dark Sealer like Bishop of Nirvana, all my Sealing Skills have warm and fierce nature, they were born for love and peace."
Lanci answered with certainty.
"I’ve never heard of such a Sealer."
Sigrid looked slightly confused.
But she didn’t bother to delve deeper, her Saint Heir seldom needed to step in.
She hardly remembered a time when Lanci was under attack. He never ran around aimlessly, once he had an enemy locked in sight, he would slowly saunter over, always maintaining grace and dignity.
Unlike others who were desperate to show off, his imposing demeanor seemed natural. This unique trait very much appealed to Sigrid and, in her eyes, it was a great bonus point for him.
As the profound military music in the distance finished a round, it was like snowflakes gently falling on a frosty continent. The following orchestra began anew, the sad tune suddenly became tense and confrontational. One could hear the clanging of metal and feel the flames and smoke, as if they were thrust into the eternal battle between demons and humans.
"Shall we set off?"
Sikder stretched a bit, indicating to Lanci that she was ready.
"Then let’s move."
Amidst the snow, Lanci took a step towards the battlefront border city.
