NOVPUBIn the distance, peaks covered in pure white snow stood proudly against the horizon, as if sacred water lilies in their holiness.
The Cerryti Empire’s Botswana Province boasted many famous mountains, resembling those within the Honing Empire of the Shadow World, where the Holy Temple’s ancient castle was built atop a kilometer-high mountain, and the climate at the summit remained extremely cold all year round.
Lanci was somewhat entranced as he watched and only after quite a while did he remember the "Cerryti Central Daily" that he had been reading halfway through.
[Expedition Army’s Western Front Situation is Unstoppable, Fourth Military God of the Jade Throne, Eighth Army God of the Golden Stone Throne Can’t Be Held Back!]
The bold headline stood out prominently on the front page.
Compared with the united union’s eastern regions of the kingdom, the Western Hub Zone’s situation remained the most intense, the scene often in a deadlock.
The newspaper also featured a black-and-white photograph, the death notice of yet another Eighth-order Strongman from the Allied Forces’s side quite apparent.
The soldiers of the Cretian Empire all wore expressions of joy, arms raised high as if to announce to the world this victory belonged to them.
Lanci’s breathing slowed down a fraction.
Although he was in enemy territory, he had to perfectly play the part of a Cretian Empire person, without the slightest hint of personal emotion. But whenever he saw these, he would remember Dean Loren and feel a lump in his throat.
He had no right to say that the three-on-one tactics of the Imperial Army God were despicable because he had used them too. The problem was, while Sigrid had agreed to a three-on-one against Asksan, the Army God’s three-on-one siege would definitely not have Dean Loren’s consent.
In the end, Lanci could only reclaim the calm he had back on the Northern Continent, forcing himself to forget the fact that he was actually a Kingdom person.
"This war is truly a cruel affair."
A pleasant voice came from across, interrupting Lanci’s thoughts.
Lanci slowly set down the newspaper, to see the black-haired, blue-eyed youth across from him staring intently at him; it seemed like the young man had also read the newspaper today.
Facing the other’s initiative to chat, Lanci felt he should still exchange pleasantries.
"As much as that’s true, we common folk can’t really control these matters."
Lanci shook his head slightly with a sigh.
He wanted to avoid this topic.
From the other’s attitude, he didn’t seem too supportive of the war—a Cretian Empire youth—hence Lanci was willing to talk to him. However, Lanci didn’t want to dabble in politics. This topic was very sensitive in the Capital Brilda these days. If one showed clear anti-war sentiments, one could be arrested for crimes such as demoralizing the military or treason.
"May the Lady Goddess protect the suffering common folk."
The black-haired, blue-eyed youth seemed to understand the old gentleman’s intent and prayed.
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Landry Washington."
The young man extended his hand.
Lanci noted that the other’s behavior was quite elegant, obviously the result of fine upbringing.
"I’m Lovia, a publisher."
Lanci answered truthfully, showing his respect to the other.
In the Cerryti Empire, the lack of a surname meant one was of common birth, simple and easy to understand.
"Mr. Lovia, you don’t need to be so formal. My family may have been illustrious in the past, but we have long since declined."
The black-haired, blue-eyed youth seemed to sense Lanci’s apprehension and explained voluntarily.
Lanci observed the other man for a moment.
So he was of noble birth, which explained his uncommon eloquence and yet lack of aristocratic arrogance.
"Is this your first time in the Capital Brilda?"
The youth asked.
"Yes, the border has indeed become rather unsafe lately, and I, with my aging bones, hoped to see the sights of the Capital and retire in peace."
Old man Lanci nodded and said.
"What about you? Have you, a noble, never been to Brilda before?"
He questioned the other, who, like himself, seemed unfamiliar with the Capital.
"I am also visiting the Royal Capital for the first time. In essence, I grew up as a commoner..."
The black-haired, blue-eyed youth was very talkative and began to share his noble past with Lanci.
Lanci, for his part, was merely passing time and, no longer wanting to read the newspaper, folded it neatly and listened patiently to the young man’s story.
His family, a fallen noble lineage from the border, in times past, had been a distinguished family in the Cerryti Empire. From a few generations before him, with spendthrift family heads popping up, by his generation, they had nothing left but a hereditary title, practically no different from commoners, save for the blessing of being debt-free.
"My homeland, the remote western edge of the Empire, is not a very nice place; poor and harsh, far from the Capital, but luckily, I have some talent, and with my own power, I graduated from the best magic research school on the border. I planned to live a peaceful life there, not considering reviving the family legacy. However, with the outbreak of war, to avoid conscription, I had to try applying for a job in the Capital. Surprisingly, it went quite smoothly."
Landry Washington spoke frankly.
"A man as talented as yourself, regardless of status, would have surely landed a good position anywhere, right?" 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
Old gent Lanci guessed.
Even without Talia’s help, Lanci could roughly sense the young man’s strong magic power, and that he was a research-type individual.
Staying on the border would have likely meant conscription by the military.
"You flatter me."
The black-haired, blue-eyed youth smiled and shook his head.
"It must be quite an impressive job."
Lanci inquired further.
If he inquired directly, the other might feel he was probing, but continuing the praise could make the other reveal it more naturally.
If both of their destinations were the Capital Brilda, and the other person carried the air of a bright young talent, then Lanci wouldn’t mind building as many connections as possible.
