Chapter 237
Chapter 237
Chapter 237
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 237 – Lan Qi’s New Journey
When the gentle, black-haired young man pressed his hand on the handle of the Cat Boss Restaurant’s door, a string of bells jingled cheerfully, as if welcoming his arrival.
The moment the door opened, a refreshing aroma of fruit tea rushed out, blending with the cold winter air, waking him up yet leaving him comfortable.
Lan Qi, carrying a small suitcase, stepped into the Cat Boss Restaurant.
Before his gaze even swept across the shop, he immediately saw Huperion and Talia sitting at a table near the entrance on the first floor, waiting for him.
The lazy afternoon sunlight slanted through the window onto the wooden table.
Talia propped her chin on one hand as she stared outside. She gave Lan Qi a glance, then—as usual—no longer put her eyes on him.
Huperion, on the other hand, cradled the little black cat in one arm, picked up Lan Qi’s suitcase, and came forward with a smile.
Outside the window, the wind chimes beneath the eaves rang again, as though whispering softly: “You’re here.”
“Lan Qi, shall we set off now?”
She had hardly ever left the royal capital in her life.
For such a far journey, she felt a little nervous.
But when she thought about it more carefully, wasn’t it just like an adventure in the Shadow World?
After all, the Shadow World was basically a long journey where you skipped the travel time in between…
“Mhm, the time’s just right.”
Lan Qi checked the time on their tickets once more, then replied.
After his words, his eyes fell upon the little black cat in Huperion’s arms.
“Are you planning to bring the Cat Boss along?”
Lan Qi noticed Huperion hadn’t put the cat down, and asked in puzzlement.
“The Cat Boss said it wants to go on a trip too.”
Huperion glanced at the cat.
Whether it could come along depended on Lan Qi’s decision.
“Meow! I may be weak, but I’m a genuine seventh-rank spirit beast!”
The Cat Boss flicked its tail proudly.
The boy and girl were setting out on a journey—it wanted to witness it properly!And besides, the humans it had raised were far too strange.
One glance, another glance…
“Uh…”
Lan Qi looked troubled after hearing that.
“Lan Qi, Huperion… Am I troubling you? I can cook for you and take care of you on the road…”
The Cat Boss asked timidly in its childish voice.
It was very good at taking care of people.
“No, I was just thinking… which kind of ticket I should buy for you.”
Law-abiding as ever, Lan Qi would never think of dodging fares.
But now he was agonizing: should he buy the Cat Boss a child’s ticket, an adult’s ticket, or maybe pay for pet or luggage transport?
A seventh-rank spirit cat was really hard to classify.
“…Why do I feel like you’re thinking something very rude…”
The Cat Boss froze, then muttered under its breath.
Huperion shook her head.
That was just how he was—always managing to express his most impolite thoughts in the most polite way.
But come to think of it, having a chef along for a long trip was nothing short of wonderful.
During their last Shadow World expedition, it was only thanks to the merchant’s bodyguard siblings who were skilled in cooking that they had good meals. Otherwise, none of them could cook, and the last four days would’ve been far less pleasant.
And safety wasn’t too much of a concern either.
Though the Cat Boss was weak in combat, its innate magic, [Shadow Slip], was an impressive self-preservation skill, a fusion of shadow and space magic. So long as its master didn’t die, it was basically never in danger.
In this world, even once in a century it was rare to find a being with space affinity, and surviving records of space magic were almost nonexistent. Only a few races could sometimes draw such talents after reaching the sixth rank.
“But what about your restaurant?”
Lan Qi remembered the Cat Boss Restaurant was always short-staffed. If its head chef left, how would it operate?
“I’ve left it to Asina and Talia! Asina’s my student now. The two of them will run the restaurant just fine!”
The Cat Boss leapt onto Lan Qi’s shoulder, speaking proudly.
“Senior Asina, huh? That’s reliable.”
Last time, Lan Qi and Huperion had borrowed some desserts from Asina to visit Talia.
Talia gave them extremely high praise.
Afterward, Asina continued sending her pastries through Huperion. Eventually, Huperion brought Asina directly to the restaurant, where the aspiring top chef bonded quickly with the gourmet critic Talia.
Now that Ikerite Academy was on break, Asina, being vice president of the student council, had no duties and was planning to focus on Honing her culinary skills anyway.
“You guys have another friend named Monast?”
The Cat Boss asked suddenly.
“Yeah, he’s our president.”
Lan Qi wondered how Monast knew the Cat Boss.
“Monast’s very dependable, and he’s a top student of business in the Alchemy Department. He said he really appreciated me taking care of Asina. While I’m gone, he’ll help out too, to improve the restaurant’s business, meow…”
The Cat Boss said blissfully.“I can’t help but imagine—maybe when I return, sales will have gone up twenty percent!”
“…”
Lan Qi chose not to comment.“Then go ahead and look forward to it.”
Hopefully it wouldn’t become the Cat Boss Bank by then.
At least Talia would have companions while they were gone.
Unknowingly, Talia was living more and more like an ordinary person in the capital.
Lan Qi, however, worried a bit—if Asina cooked and Talia acted as poster girl, one loving to cook and the other loving to eat, would Talia end up eating all the ingredients before the shop even opened…
“…”
Talia lifted her gaze at Lan Qi but said nothing.
And so.
After chatting briefly with the Cat Boss at the counter—
“Goodbye, Talia.”
Lan Qi and Huperion waved at Talia from the doorway.
“Goodbye.”
Talia answered in her usual manner.
“…”
But after speaking, she hesitated.
Lan Qi smiled, his hand resting on the doorknob without pressing down, as if waiting.
At last.
Talia stood up, walked quickly over, and hugged Huperion.
“Talia?”
Huperion blinked in surprise, then slowly placed her hands on Talia’s slender back, closing her eyes with a relieved smile.
“…”
Talia said nothing, only patting her hair.
It was said mothers hugged their daughters when sending them off.
But the words to say at such a time, she didn’t know.
After a moment, she released Huperion.
“Lan Qi, Huperion, travel safely.”
She added.
“Mhm, don’t worry, Talia.”
“Got it!”
Lan Qi grinned broadly.
This old lady was getting more and more humanlike.
At last, he opened the door, leaving the restaurant with Huperion and the Cat Boss.
The shop fell quiet.
“…”
Yet after their figures vanished, Talia stood still, frowning.
“Old… what…”
She muttered faintly.
“…Still can’t quite hear…”
Forget it.
She was close to mastering mind-reading anyway.
Soon, she’d clearly hear that brat’s little thoughts.
…
The sound of hooves echoed through Ikerite’s streets, carriage wheels rolling as the city’s bustling noise faded into the distance.
Afternoon sunlight spilled onto the gently rocking tourist carriage. Lan Qi and Huperion would reach Ikerite’s central station before nightfall.
In the distance, ripples spread across the winding canal, reflecting the glow of the setting sun.
They had never properly toured the royal capital together.
Now that they were relaxed, the ancient yet vibrant city seemed more beautiful than ever.
Once they left Ikerite, they would adopt their new identities.
Huperion’s disguise matched her father, Duke Migaya: dark hair and deep eyes.Lan Qi chose light brown hair, like Dean Loren, though keeping his original eye color.
For names, Huperion decided on Miriam, borrowing the first syllable from her father.
Lan Qi followed her style and chose Rocky, as tribute to Dean Loren.
Though this revealed Lan Qi’s admiration for Loren, Huperion felt imitating him too much wasn’t necessarily a good thing…
“Lan Qi, I’ll make sure to look after you.”
Holding the black cat, Huperion finally turned toward him seriously.
“You’ve always looked after me. I feel reassured.”
Lan Qi leaned back casually, the fiery evening glow flashing across his eyes.
Huperion blinked, stunned for a moment.
“In battle, of course I’ll watch over you—that was my promise from the first time we teamed up. But outside battle, too, I’ll keep an eye on you. I won’t let you run wild!”
She carefully explained the many shades of the word “watch.”
Supporting him meant not only keeping him from being reckless, but also wholeheartedly helping him at critical times.
“How could I possibly run wild…”
Lan Qi laughed softly.
At that moment, the twilight sky painted her cheeks and hair in hues of pink and orange. She shone brilliantly, radiant without need of lamplight. In that golden hour of her own, even time seemed to pause for her.
“But… if you ever feel like I’m running wild, just remind me.”
Lan Qi turned his gaze back to the road.
His ideals were lofty and firm, but he wasn’t stubborn. Huperion was a trusted companion; of course he’d listen.
But those were distant concerns.
For now, all that mattered was—
Their brand-new journey to the Northern Continent was about to begin!