NOVPUBThree days later, early in the morning.
On the northern side of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, a stone building adorned with dark gray reliefs, is under unusually strict guard today.
This Redmond Building, serving as the main administrative center of the school and built in 1728, is one of the most representative and magnificent classical structures in the school. It is not included in the refurbishment plan proposed by the new principal, Rocky McCarthy, and will maintain its original appearance for a long time to come.
The office of Rocky McCarthy, as well as the meeting and reception areas for important external visitors, are all located on the upper floors of Redmond Building.
Even if students pass by downstairs, they only take a glance and quickly walk past.
They roughly know who Rocky McCarthy is receiving today.
Once the "Campus Youth Penitentiary Action" plan proposed by Rocky McCarthy is successfully implemented, the enforcement of school rules will be further consolidated in the future.
The school will maintain the principle of taking care of the safety of the students’ lives, and change the punishment for students into a more socially valuable method. 𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖕𝔲𝖇.𝖈𝖔𝖒
Of course, a single order from the school is not enough to attract Warden Bacas.
If it’s just about discussing this plan, more so, it’s Warden Bacas who wants to get acquainted with Rocky McCarthy, or to sell him a small favor.
However, adding the large-scale cooperation plan of Xue Yuan Province, everything changes.
This is a wealth that is irresistible and overwhelming like a flood. The trial cooperation of the transfer of the first batch of prisoners from the Phantom Gang of Xue Yuan Province alone has made Warden Bacas a bit afraid to calculate the future value of the project.
Now it’s probably Bacas who’s asking Principal Rocky for something.
On the third floor of Redmond Building, Rocky McCarthy, dressed as usual, is slowly walking down the corridor of this ancient building with a man in his thirties. Everything around them is immersed in solemn historical art.
"Sorry, Mr. Rocky, I’m a little late. The election for Bishop is approaching and disturbances have increased. The workload at the Imperial Police Department is too heavy," said Warden Bacas, who apologized quite politely to Principal Rocky.
He isn’t wearing the warden uniform of Herram Prison today, but rather a neatly tailored suit. His hair is tidy, and he is wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, giving people an impression of seriousness, integrity, and education. However, people in the Imperial Capital of Herram know about his style and he is not an ordinary person who dares to interact with.
He usually treats prisoners and subordinates with a kind of dignified, indifferent, and unquestionable tone, and his smile is often false, sarcastic, and mocking. But when facing Rocky McCarthy, he also becomes polite.
Upon hearing this, Lanci just nodded slightly, looking ahead as if considering something.
The two tread on the soft floor of the corridor, the deep red carpet under their feet is rich in color, thick in texture, and delicate in pattern. It flows slowly under their feet. The complex golden patterns decorated on the wooden wall on both sides of the corridor glimmer subtly under the light, just like their thoughts at this moment.
"With great power comes great responsibility, I understand that very well," Lanci responded with a polite smile and a sigh,
"But indeed, when it comes to the Bishop election that’s taking place in three days, it gives me a headache."
Suddenly, Lanci seemed to remember something bothering him and he muttered undecidedly.
For these neutral people in the imperial capital, in fact, if there is no clear inclination, voting is like gambling; only if they vote for the Bishop who eventually wins can they avoid offending people.
"If Mr. Rocky has heard any rumors, please share one or two with me," Warden Bacas asked Lanci for advice.
Since Lanci would mention this, he certainly had some thoughts, otherwise he would not just accidentally dig out the key point from Bacas’s words.
In the past few days, Bacas also tried to probe the news. He was already inclined to ask Lanci for advice, but did not expect Lanci to understand his meaning so quickly.
Lanci hesitated.
"All I know is that the dignitaries and the imperial army in the north hold the Nirvana Branch in high esteem. As far as I’m concerned, I still favor Asksan the most," Lanci turned back and looked at the corridor, making sure no one was around before he spoke to Warden Bacas.
"..."
Bacas was staring at Lanci’s green eyes. It was a sincere look from the heart. He seemed to very much hope that Asksan would fare well.
"Seems like great minds think alike," said Bacas, gradually nodding slowly.
Indeed, Rocky McCarthy is the governor of the Xue Yuan Province and the North is the area guarded by the Bishop of Nirvana. It is not surprising that Lanci has some exchanges with the Nirvana Branch.
The two passed by a series of neatly arranged large windows in a row. These windows frame the outside world, like exquisite paintings, displaying the courtyard of the academy, ancient Herram-style buildings in the distance, lush trees, and the newly renovated campus landscape under Lanci’s plan.
When he came to the academy today, Bacas had been amazed by the sceanery.
He originally thought that Rocky McCarthy was just a unique leader and administrator, who liked to create some bad works with his power. He didn’t expect his artistic attainment to be truly breathtaking.
Even without considering Rocky McCarthy’s current status in the empire, Bacas was certain that Rocky McCarthy’s works would be rare in the Protoss Empire in the future. Besides the designs of these public artifacts, it will be invaluable as legendary level for anyone who owns a piece of Rocky McCarthy’s private works.
This also makes Bacas confident that he has to build a good relationship with the man beside him.
So Bacas, with such thoughts, slowly walked a while longer with Lanci.
"Mr. Rocky, later tonight, I have an acquaintance who wants to have a private chat with you. He decided on the spur of the moment, and today he just confirmed that he could meet you. I don’t know if you are available," Warden Bacas said to the Lanci, who was walking with his hands behind his back, in a slightly lower voice.
"Oh? May I ask who it is?" Lanci raised his eyebrows in surprise, looking at Bacas.
"Duke Morotian Berenhaldhardt."
Warden Bacas quietly mentioned his name.
"Why would Mr. Berenhald need you to deliver a message if he wanted to see me?" Rocky asked with a certain demeanor, looking at Warden Bacas.
When he first came to the Northern Continent, even though he was a mere unknown figure in the Protoss Empire, he had already heard of the name, Duke Morotian Berenhaldhardt.
Duchess Cloris’s father, Duke Morotian Berenhaldhardt, is the holder of the [Original Slabstone - Undead] and one of the supreme powerhouses in the Protoss Empire.
He did not expect to be sought out by the Duke today.
