NOVPUBMore than an hour later.
The clock had just struck five in the afternoon.
Outside the principal’s office of the Hong Meng De Building, a torrential downpour was raging, each raindrop striking a loud note against the glass behind Lanci. The intermittent flashes of lightning and thunder made the sky alternately bright and dark, as if the entire world was shrouded in chaos.
The dark wooden furniture lent the space a sense of calm. A bronze desk lamp stood silently on the desk, casting a warm, soft light, dispelling the chill from the stormy weather outside.
Lanci sat alone in his office, back straight, both hands on the documents on his desk, next to a cup of coffee that had gone cold.
His gaze was focused on the papers on the desk, occasionally picking up a pen to underline important sections or write notes in the margins.
Ordinarily, the school finished work at five.
However, today was a little different. Accoridng to the appointment, Duke Morotian should be arriving soon. This was why Lanci had not yet left his office to finish his day’s work at the school.
The steady ticking of the clock echoed throughout the room.
Lanci paid no attention to the time but focused intently and unhurriedly on his work, undisturbed by the thunderstorm and strong wind outside. He was immersed in his academic and administrative duties, his presence creating a tranquil and orderly atmosphere around him.
Until the office door is gently knocked and the voice of an administrator from the Hong Meng De Building could be heard from outside the door:
"Mr. Rocky, Duke Berenhald is here."
"Please enter."
Lanci raised his head, looking towards the door. His voice was calm and firm.
The door slowly opened, revealing a staffer standing respectfully by the entrance. Following him was a tall, commanding man.
This legendary figure of the Protoss Empire, who also possessed the Original Slabs and was the strongest man in the world, appeared to be in his thirties.
He was dressed in a finely tailored dark coat. The collar was slightly turned up, exuding a sense of elegance. His face was finely contoured, with a firm jawline. His temperament revealed some semblance to Cloris, but compared to the more casual Cloris, the gaze of Duke Morotian seemed to hide profound thoughts that were not easily discernible.
"I have long wished to visit Mr. Rocky McCarthy, but recently we have both been overwhelmed with public affairs, and there have been too many changes in the empire."
Duke Morotian removed his hat and looked at Lanci.
Although it was pouring outside, not a single drop of water had fallen on Duke Morotian. He walked confidently into Lanci’s office without even wetting the carpet.
"The same for me. Today, I finally have the honor to meet Duke Berenhald. During this time indeed we have been busy, which is quite exhausting."
Lanci put down his pen and gestured towards the conversation area on the left side of the office.
He then stood up and walked over, inviting Duke Morotian to take a seat on the sofa.
Usually, seeing such a big shot, or the strongest person of the era, one would feel somewhat nervous.
But Lanci was accustomed to being with Loren and didn’t feel any discomfort.
They exchanged pleasantries, creating a formal but not rigid atmosphere. As an administrative staff member brought in some black tea and then quietly shut the door behind them, the conversation became private.
"Duke Berenhald, did you come to see me today because something is bothering you?"
Lanci gave Duke Morotian a slight smile and studied his face.
"Of course."
Duke Morotian picked up his cup of tea from the table and looked somewhat helpless.
"It’s actually about one of your associate professors. He has been missing for some time. Every time I try to find him, it feels like I’ve missed him."
His gaze casually drifted to the bookshelf in Lanci’s office, seeming to notice a prominent book, "Chronicles of Holy War." Nearby was a lush plant from the Demon World. Its green leaves seemed vibrant under the light, adding a distinctive color to the elegant office.
"Are you talking about Associate Professor Xido?"
Like Duke Morotian, Lanci also glanced over, confident that Xido was the person whom Duke Morotian was referring to.
Recent media reports have been tracking and following up on the case of Duchess Cloris, accused of treason, and the missing Associate Professor Xido. Although the case could not yet be defined, it often pointed to Xido- possibly due to the power of the Duke Berenhald’s family’s influence, as vague accusations still circulated about Duchess Cloris.
However, Lanci previously wasn’t sure if Duke Morotian knew about Xido’s connection with Cloris.
"He has bewitched my daughter."
Duke Morotian’s fingers tapped lightly on the table, and his tone became more cautious.
"So it seems, it was also my negligence."
Lanci’s eyes lowered, he averted his gaze and apologized.
"No, Principal Rocky must not have known. After all, my daughter Cloris is quite intelligent and sometimes even I don’t understand her."
Duke Morotian hastily waved his hands as though he had misunderstood Lanci’s words, he didn’t mean to blame him.
"If Associate Professor Xido was able to successfully deceive her, then it is my responsibility as her father to save her. I’m the one to blame for not discovering this earlier and it also explains why Principal Rocky didn’t either."
As the two spoke, in another administrative office, Pranay, watched the situation in the principal’s office with his Magic Eye.
Thanks to the barrier previously prepared by Antanas, even Duke Morotian couldn’t detect that within a nearby room, three eighth-order professors were observing the principal’s office.
"Pranay, why are you so quiet?"
Antanas patted Pranay’s shoulder, asking.
She could also sense the situation inside the barrier with her Innate Magic. But she had a feeling Pranay was analyzing something.
Earlier in the principal’s office, the New King had roughly explained the situation in the Protoss Empire over the past three months, the turmoil in the north, and what they would have to face next.
"The New King is not sure if Duke Morotian knows that he had contact with Cloris and Xido. There seems to be an implicit hint in Duke Morotian’s words."
Pranay finally spoke, explaining to Antanas or perhaps translating the subtext of the conversation between the New King and Duke Morotian.
"Really? Aren’t they just having a casual chat? The New King seemed genuine to me, even his apology earlier was flavored with a bit of tea, making Duke Morotian feel somewhat embarrassed."
Antanas scratched her head in confusion.
Pranay glanced at Antanas, not arguing further.
To a thousand members of the Demon Race, there would be a thousand different perceptions of the New King. Whether the New King’s performance was pure or flavored with tea, naive or cunning, each member of the Demon Race would have a different answer. It was certainly possible for the New King to possess all those attributes.
