Chapter 247
Chapter 247
Chapter 247
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 247: Lan Qi’s Positive Work Attitude
The ship finally docked. A massive iron anchor plunged down into the sea with a booming crash, white spray bursting up as the thick ropes were tightly secured to the great iron rings of the pier.
Before Viscount Francis even disembarked, attendants from the lord’s manor were already waiting with a prepared carriage.
Lan Qi followed Viscount Francis, descending the gangway to the pier and boarding the carriage that would take them directly to the lord’s manor.
The horse hooves tapped lightly on the cobblestone, their rhythmic echoes weaving together with the distant roar of waves.
Lan Qi gazed quietly out the window. In the distance, the silhouette of the lighthouse stood against the blazing evening glow. The architecture seemed built not just with stone, but with emotion and history—each wall and brick carrying the marks of craftsmanship. It was a town utterly different from Ikerite.
They said the capital of Protos was the truly unique one—its advanced magi-tech constructions combined with remnants of demon heritage gave the city a fantastical, chaotic order full of diversity.
If possible, Lan Qi still wished to finish his assigned research quickly, then enjoy a carefree time with Huperion in the capital.
After all, Dean Loren himself had said they could delay their return for two months without risk of expulsion—so naturally they should fully savor this academic-project-attached vacation.
Lan Qi also needed to work hard to establish himself in the Protos Empire.
“Viscount, may I begin teaching your daughter tomorrow?”
Lan Qi thought for a moment, then asked Viscount Francis, who sat opposite him in the carriage.
“You may, of course,” the Viscount replied, “but… don’t you wish to rest a little first?”
His gaze lingered on the bandages wrapped around Lan Qi.
“It’s nothing serious. These wounds won’t affect my brain.”
Lan Qi smiled as he answered.
Once he entered his “striving mode,” he hated wasting even a single day.
Now that the Resurrection Church had legal approval, it was clear from the people’s attitude in Lilom City that resurrection cultists still remained unwelcome in much of the Empire.
If he wanted to use his [Certificate of Resurrection – Destruction] through official channels to gain recognized imperial citizenship, then his status would forever be tied to the Church.
But that certificate itself had flaws—at least bishops had the authority to review its authenticity—so he couldn’t rely on it all the way up to an audience with the Annihilation Bishop. At best, it was a shortcut to quickly connect with the Resurrection Church in the northern continent.
What he really wanted was a mundane provincial resident identity, which would let him establish a legitimate career in the Empire, and later, when he joined the Annihilation branch, obtain a true [Certificate of Resurrection – Annihilation]. That way, his civil identity and his cultist identity would remain separate.
Viscount Francis’ earlier promise had been broad—so long as Lan Qi could fulfill the role of tutor for his daughter, the Viscount had even offered to let him name his own conditions.
Of course, the Viscount understood exactly what Lan Qi needed most. Even so, the fact he still made that promise showed his tacit approval of arranging Lan Qi’s identity.
“Mr. Rocky, you might consider resting for two days first before trying to work. Teaching her will not be easy. I’ll have the manor prepare a full set of Protos Empire theoretical magic textbooks for you.”
Viscount Francis’ tone carried helpless concern.
He feared this young man was enduring both physical pain and mental strain.
“I can skim through all the books I’ll need for tomorrow’s lesson tonight. Living here in the manor and eating for free without working would make me feel guilty.”
Lan Qi still smiled with confidence.
In truth, he didn’t even need to look.
Professor Bolao’s series of books was as good as any nation’s textbooks, and Lan Qi had already thoroughly mastered and internalized them.
All he really needed was to quickly understand the syllabus of the Royal Academy of Magic in Protos. The Viscount’s hope, after all, was simply that his daughter, the heavily unbalanced student Zestira, could pass her future courses, avoid trouble in that rigid, exam-heavy academy, and adapt to the communication style of “teaching.”
“…Very well, then I leave it to you.”
Viscount Francis sighed but nodded in agreement.
At the very least, the young man’s attitude showed sincerity and confidence in his abilities.
“But if you plan to start tomorrow morning, then there are things I must tell you now.”
The Viscount’s brows furrowed, his expression growing heavy.
He had originally planned to let Lan Qi stay a couple of days before slowly explaining—but now he could only tell him on the road.
“My daughter, Zestira, is not bad at heart. But since childhood, because of her demon features, she has suffered much prejudice… Even if people consider her identity, there are things hidden in their eyes that no child can be fooled by…”
His words carried deep guilt.
“I never should have taken her to the provincial capital or the imperial city. There, the great nobles never regarded her as human. Her already sensitive heart suffered wounds I cannot imagine.”
He knew he could never truly empathize with her, nor could he fathom the ordeal she had endured during the Royal Academy’s preparatory exam.
Since their return to Lilom City, she had locked herself away, rarely leaving her room.
Lan Qi listened attentively, occasionally patting the Viscount’s shoulder, offering suggestions and comforting words like a counselor. Unknowingly, the sky outside had grown dark. Their carriage passed an ancient arched bridge, its streetlamps and historic buildings glowing softly—they were nearly at the manor.
“Please don’t worry. I’ll sincerely try to communicate with her soul. In my homeland, the culture is different from yours. Perhaps a few years ago there were still prejudices against demons, but now, at least in my academy, no one discriminates against them anymore. Even pure-blooded demons can enjoy peaceful days in the capital—eating, sleeping, carefree, without a single worry.”
Lan Qi gave his assurance.
Viscount Francis knew this gentle youth was painting an idealized, almost fanciful picture, perhaps to ease his worries.
A hundred years ago, the demon wars had ravaged the southern continent. Even if southern nations didn’t harbor as much hatred as the Empire, they certainly didn’t treat demons so kindly.
The more he conversed with Lan Qi, the more Francis felt grounded in reality.
This young man thought things far too simple.
His daughter not only hated prejudice, but also feared pity, rejected charity, and, scarred by repeated hurts, had built a defensive, almost aggressive isolation until she completely severed herself from others and denied them altogether.
The Viscount deeply understood how such an incurable, chronic heart-sickness could evolve into her present state.
And because he understood, he knew all too well that this was nearly an unsolvable knot.
Perhaps he was only grasping at straws by placing hope in this chance-met youth.
But no matter what, he could only cling to even a faint sliver of hope, and attempt anything possible.
(End of Chapter)