NOVPUBOn the morning of the seventh day.
The office was decorated with dark wooden furniture, and the wallpapered walls were adorned with a few inset bookshelves.
This was not the Prime Minister’s office at the Congressional Building but a study in a private estate owned by Lanci, situated closer to the outskirts of Hershalraym.
"Lanci, how much longer do we have to wait?"
Cat Boss scrambled around on Lanci’s clothes.
They had disguised themselves early that morning and arrived at this secluded departure point.
Waiting for the secretary to bring the person who would escort them to the Snowfield.
The prospect of embarking on a journey to the Demon World of this era made Cat Boss quite nervous.
Having never seen what the Demon World looks like, it was hard to imagine Lanci even contemplating venturing alone into the Demon King’s Castle.
Just the thought of possibly encountering living members of the Great Demon Clan sent shivers down Cat Boss’s spine, and he wanted to return to his restaurant immediately.
However, once the journey in the Shadow World commenced, there could be no turning back, and, regardless of anything, it still had to spend over thirty days in this Shadow World before it could return to Boss Cat Restaurant and see its lovely employees again.
"Look on the bright side, what if you learn some Demon World cuisine? Your menu could become even richer," Lanci said, poking Cat Boss’s forehead. On the other side of his hand was a cup of freshly brewed tea still steaming.
Today he had severed the live feed from the Shadow World Record Program and changed into the appearance of Rocky McCarthy with brown hair and green eyes. His clothing was no longer the usual black suit of the Prime Minister but a Protoss-style suit custom-made by the tailor—
A white long-sleeve shirt with black trim on the collar and cuffs, a beige vest with no sleeves and rhombus chessboard patterns separated by dark brown stripes, and there was also a dark gray long coat hanging on the coat rack, with a large lapel and two slanted pockets that added an elegant and mysterious air.
"That’s true, meow, but I wonder if Tata and the others will take to it," Cat Boss mused.
"I think Tata will like it a lot," Lanci commented.
"Then I might as well try my best to learn. I can’t accomplish nothing in this Shadow World, meow," Cat Boss rallied some confidence.
While mastering a few Demon World flavored dishes could add a unique touch to the restaurant, they were by no means an authentic Demon World-themed restaurant, wouldn’t market it as such, and certainly didn’t want to arouse the suspicions of the regulatory authorities.
There indeed are restaurants styled after the Demon World in the South Continent, inheriting recipes passed down from the Demon World, with successful examples that are very popular. The only risk is the potential to be scrutinized; there have been Demon World-style restaurants found out where, astonishingly, the entire staff was genuinely from the Demon Race, leading to the restaurant owner being convicted for passport forgery and illegal employment.
The man and cat chatted like this.
Until Cat Boss felt some slight commotion outside the door and jumped into Lanci’s shadow, leaving him alone.
The day had not yet fully dawned, and the indoor lighting was soft and warm. Lanci quietly glanced out of the window.
The streetscape of Hershalraym was being gradually lit by the faint morning light; the city’s hustle and bustle began to wake but still seemed dim.
Knock, knock.
Before long, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Lanci responded, lifting his head.
The door was then pushed open.
The secretary, dressed appropriately, walked in holding some documents and an itinerary.
"Sir, your schedule has been arranged, it just lacks your final confirmation," he reported his duty to Lanci with a respectful and professional demeanor.
Lanci nodded in understanding, took the teacup to his lips for a gentle sip, and prepared to welcome the visitor who was soon to arrive.
The final confirmation the secretary referred to was asking Lanci to see for himself whether he agreed to have this guide escort him secretly to the Demon World.
It was not easy to find a guide with sufficient experience to escort him through the Land of Perpetual Night, and finding one trustworthy and reputable was even more challenging.
He trusted that it was not easy for the secretary to find such a candidate.
"Please wait a moment," the secretary said with a bow before exiting the study.
Shortly after, he returned, bringing a figure with him.
However.
The figure following the secretary into the study gave Lanci a moment of slight astonishment.
Even sitting down, Lanci felt he could look straight at the diminutive figure.
Appearing to be about eleven or twelve years old, wearing a beret with hair neatly tucked under the hat, it was ambigously androgynous.
Had it not been for the few light strands of hair that fell naturally from the side of the face, one might not have readily identified her as a girl.
Lanci had imagined someone mature and middle-aged.
He had not expected the secretary to introduce such a child.
"I believe what I need is an experienced bodyguard and a public relations person who can take me safely across the Land of Perpetual Night and handle any trouble we might encounter. She seems too young for that," Lanci said, looking at the secretary and making his point somewhat diplomatically.
There were many dangerous races and tribes on the Snowfield.
Passing through autonomous independent city-states could also lead to unfortunate incidents without proper local knowledge.
Humans were actually unwelcome in that place.
Although Lanci had quite the ability for public relations himself, he still hoped that his journey in the Shadow World would be trouble-free, saving him both time and energy on the road.
The girl silently stared at Lanci, her purple eyes exceptionally strong.
"She is actually quite strong, not even a military Captain might be her match, and most importantly, she is very familiar with the Land of Perpetual Night and is capable of driving you through that area almost all day long. Ordinary people do not possess her endurance, and her credit is quite good."
The secretary hastily explained to Lanci.
"I am not questioning her strength..."
Lanci looked at the girl in surprise.
He could feel that the aura emanating from this girl was extremely powerful, probably around the Fourth and Fifth Orders. To have Second and Third Order strength at this age would have made her a genius in Lanci’s era.
However, what Lanci was mainly curious about was how a girl this young could understand the complex maps of the Land of Perpetual Night.
Lanci’s standards for a guide in the Snowfield were quite high. The last time he trusted someone who turned out to be directionally challenged, he ended up having to lead the way the entire time.
"..."
The girl’s gaze towards Lanci became stern.
She seemed to have an inherent hostility against the noble class of the Palante Empire and did not want to work for them; now that she confirmed Lanci’s attitude, she did not bother to hide it anymore.
"Forget it, find someone else."
The girl waved her hand dismissively and turned to leave.
She did not like others wasting her time, and even less so, she disliked the disdainful attitude of the clients.
If it were not for the high price they offered, she would not have taken the time to meet with the esteemed customer after several referrals.
"I’m sorry, I can introduce someone else to you, but she really is the best guide with a great reputation, very much in line with your requirements."
Seeing her offend the Prime Minister, the secretary became extremely worried, chasing after her while trying to smooth things over.
The Prime Minister’s secret itinerary could not be known to anyone else.
Thus, the Snowfield guide girl had no idea that the man she was talking to was actually Prime Minister Wilford in disguise and was speaking to the Prime Minister in such a manner.
"No, please ask her to take the job."
Lanci said with a smile.
Although she was young, she seemed to possess a strong presence reflective of a powerful being. This absolute confidence could not be faked, and evidently, she was very confident in her professional abilities.
Moreover, he did not want to delay any further at this point and preferred to depart immediately.
"Miss Siegler, Mr. Rocky would like to sign a contract with you to escort him to the Demon World."
The secretary immediately called out to the girl, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
"The Demon World? Are you not afraid of dying?"
The girl turned back, giving Lanci a glance.
Previously, she had not heard the secretary, who seemed more like an attendant, mention that their final destination was the Demon World, only that there was a client looking to travel to the Land of Perpetual Night.
"Due to the confidential nature of my lord’s work, we did not inform more people about his destination."
The secretary, sweating profusely, stepped in front of Lanci to explain to Siegler.
Although a child’s words are thoughtless, speaking to the leader of the Palante Empire in such a manner, she was a bit too forthright.
He hoped that she would not offend the Prime Minister again on the upcoming journey.
"Rest assured, once you deliver me to my destination, your job will be done, and you needn’t worry any further."
Lanci nodded in response.
Upon hearing this, Siegler took the contract from the secretary’s hand.
"Let’s make it clear, on the road I’ll only be responsible for whether you live or die, but once we reach the Demon World, we will have no further involvement, and I am not obligated to accompany you into the Demon World," Siegler stated firmly, scrutinizing the contract once more before picking up a pen.
She was just doing her job for the money and would not stop a client from seeking death, especially as she disliked the nobility of the Palante Empire, who had long been terrified by the Blood Clan.
"So you’re saying that you will surely protect me in the Land of Perpetual Night?"
Lanci asked with a smile for confirmation.
"..."
She nodded.
"What if you yourself are in danger? You should not abandon me and run away, correct?"
Lanci asked out of curiosity.
From his observation, this kid was very straightforward and had no intent to deceive him.
Even though this was written in the contract, in the face of real danger, most guides would prioritize their own lives over their clients’, which Lanci found understandable.
"In this world, what I have is courage and credit, and I won’t sacrifice them for anyone," Siegler replied.
"I’m pleased to embark on this journey with you," Lanci said, picking up his tea cup for another sip, finding this guide unexpectedly agreeable.
He waited for the secretary to give Siegler the final instructions, and then they would be able to set off together.
