NOVPUBThe Snowfield at the entrance to the Land of Perpetual Night was serene and vast, seemingly an untouched corner of the world.
The antlers of the Mystical Deer on the snowfield were tall and beautiful, crystal clear like ice sculptures, emitting a faint glow.
"Hey, are you very rich?"
After noting down Lanci’s request, Siegler suddenly asked, tucking away the pen and notebook with one hand.
The sled left a clear track on the snowy ground, accompanied by the sound of the Mystical Deer’s gallop and the subtle slide of the sled.
She rested a hand on the backrest and looked back at Lanci.
It was rare to see such a distinguished figure who could make an attendant so respectful. The one who seemed to be his secretary just now had been utterly panicked.
Although she was unfamiliar with the upper echelons of Hershalraym, she felt that this customer was a personage of rank that she didn’t usually come across.
"Not too bad, it’s just that if I wanted to make money, it would probably be quick."
Lanci answered.
He didn’t mind having someone to chat with on the road, as traveling with Sikder was certainly more enjoyable than traveling with Tata.
Of course, being with Tata now also had its own new pleasures.
"But could you please hold the reins with both hands and watch the road ahead?"
He gestured towards the front.
At his words, Siegler temporarily turned her head, but only halfway.
"What do you do?"
Siegler asked again.
"I’m a painter, and I know a bit about sculpture and landscape design as well."
Lanci felt somewhat resigned, seeing that Siegler’s driving habit seemed to be this way, and he couldn’t change it for the moment. He figured he could only remind her more in the future.
For now, it seemed best to answer her questions so she would focus on driving.
She appeared aloof, yet she was quite talkative and certainly not a quiet girl.
"No wonder you’re quite rich."
Siegler nodded, as though she had understood many things.
"I’m actually quite interested in paintings, like the one in your study with a group of children sitting around a fire. I didn’t look closely, but I remember the painting seemed to show a child accidentally getting his hair caught on fire, and his friends were all trying to save him."
She still wasn’t focused on the road ahead, continuing to speak to Lanci.
"Umm..."
Lanci pondered for a moment, feeling that something about Siegler’s description was off.
Or rather, it took him a moment to realize which painting Siegler was referring to.
"That painting is inspired by a Demon World opera, it’s not children sitting by a fire, but a group of demons rejoicing in Purgatory."
Lanci explained to Siegler.
He quite liked talking about art with others.
Although it wasn’t his painting, he understood what it depicted.
"Oh, so there’s a backstory, huh? They all got burned to death, so of course the demons would be jumping for joy."
Siegler shrugged regretfully.
"..."
Lanci was choked up and unable to speak for a long time.
Cat Boss was struggling to contain himself in the shadows.
Too much like Hell.
Lanci didn’t even know how to respond to that.
"Hey."
Siegler called out to Lanci again,
"I noticed on the itinerary that you need to return to Hershalraym within four weeks at the latest; could you possibly return a bit earlier? I don’t want to be away for a month."
After a few seconds of silence, Lanci nodded in agreement.
"Is it because your family will worry about you?"
Lanci wondered, considering such a young child being away for a month would surely make parents anxious, even though she was indeed very capable.
"..."
Siegler didn’t immediately reply.
"More or less."
She said.
Although she no longer needed to live in the orphanage to sustain herself, she would always return to the town’s Church orphanage to help the nuns and Priest who had helped her, and most of her earnings were sent back as well.
The smaller children would surely be crying incessantly if they didn’t see her for a month.
Now that the entire Palante Empire was in a state of anxiety, and the Church of Ceremony was a thorn in the eye of the Huo Ning Empire, if there were indeed negotiations with the Huo Ning Empire, those noble Lords would surely uproot the Church to please the Huo Ning Empire.
She really didn’t want to leave the orphanage during this time, but she truly needed the money. Everything required money, and the client had offered a very generous price, so she ultimately agreed.
However, she couldn’t possibly tell the client all this, else he would certainly drive her price down.
"I’ll try to return as early as possible, I actually hope to get back sooner too."
Lanci responded.
Siegler nodded, finally turning her attention back to the road ahead.
After driving for a while, she reached over to the seat and picked up a leather wine bag, unscrewed it with one hand, and took a small sip.
Lanci’s eyes widened.
"Are you even old enough to drink? Plus, you’re driving."
He leaned forward a bit and spoke to Siegler in the front seat.
"I’m not drinking."
Siegler answered very calmly.
"..."
Lanci didn’t speak, but he felt like Siegler was treating him like a fool—he could smell the alcohol from the wine bag through the air.
At this rate, he was going to get dizzy.
Siegler glanced back at Lanci, understanding the look in his eyes.
"Damn, I’ve been found out."
She clicked her tongue.
"Why can’t I drink? The Palante Empire doesn’t specify a drinking age, I’m not driving a magical vehicle, and besides, this isn’t even within the boundaries of the Palante Empire," she argued.
"I suggest you try some too, it’s sheep milk wine that can warm you up in the snowfield."
Siegler put the wine bag down and gestured for Lanci to take a sip.
"No need, even though it’s not illegal, I have a duty to order minors to stop drinking to prevent alcohol abuse. Early drinking not only has a negative impact on the body but also affects mental health and learning. Therefore, I need to guide minors to establish the correct outlook on life."
Lanci waved his hand dismissively, lecturing her.
"Tsk, you really interfere a lot."
Siegler held the wine bag and hesitated reluctantly for a while.
Although no one had ever taught her such things, she honestly envied children with parents who nagged at them all day.
Hearing such words made her quite uncomfortable.
In the end, she closed the cap of the wine bag and threw it to the side.
The front and rear of the sled became quiet for a long time.
As the sled moved forward, the scenery of the snowfield gradually changed, with distant snow mountains looming in and out of sight. Streaks of soft sunset light occasionally penetrated through the clouds, adding a touch of warmth to this icy and snowy world.
"By the way, Siegler, how strong are you?"
Lanci had wanted to ask earlier, mainly to confirm if his assessment was correct.
If he asked too soon, she might feel that he was questioning her strength.
Having gotten a little more familiar with her, it probably wouldn’t seem impolite to ask such a question now.
"As long as we don’t encounter any very strong sixth-order, I can take you and run without a problem," Siegler said without looking back.
She didn’t want to reveal to her client how strong she was, just to give them a rough idea. Honesty was the best policy.
"Then I’m relieved."
Lanci estimated she was a bit stronger than the fifth-order teammates he had during the Sanctuary Evil Banquet.
"Miss Siegler, I heard you’re an expert at dealing with trouble?" he asked with a light chuckle.
According to the secretary, the reason for recommending Miss Siegler wasn’t only her reliable strength, but also her formidable professional capabilities.
If that was truly the case, then once they returned to the Palante Empire, he might hire her to help him with even more tasks.
"I know how to handle the public relations in no-man’s lands, and I’m good at persuading others," Siegler stated confidently as she drove.
"Then I’m counting on you to protect me well," Lanci requested with a natural smile.
A shiver ran through Cat Boss in the shadows.
This guy always acted like he held the heroine’s script.
"Remember, stay out of trouble. If you deliberately cause problems that lead to unnecessary complications not covered in the contract, it will require extra payment if I have to work more, and I may not even be willing to get involved," Siegler reminded without committing or denying.
"Under what circumstances would you step in?" Lanci asked curiously.
"Depends on my mood," Siegler answered briefly.
