Chapter 257
Chapter 257
Chapter 257
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 257 – Lan Qi Questions Understanding and Becomes Talia
A week later.
As night descended, the distant town gradually lit up with lamps, echoing the newly emerged stars above.
In this quiet night, the magic-powered train sped swiftly along the tracks, passing through magnificent mountains, dense forests, and serene lakes.
Inside the carriage, the lamps reflected off dark wooden floors and bronze wrought-iron decorations, the elegant lacquered walls carrying the marks of time, as though whispering the traces of years gone by.
Passengers stood or sat, weaving together various conversations. Ladies in gowns lightly swirled ruby-red wine in their glasses while whispering with companions beside them, while in a corner, groups of young people chatted eagerly, their eyes filled with yearning and anticipation for the imperial capital of Protos.
Conductors, dressed neatly in dark uniforms, patrolled the carriages as usual, occasionally being stopped by passengers, answering politely with warm smiles.
In a high-class private cabin toward the front of the train, by the window sat a young man and a young woman.
The young man’s outfit was a blend of vintage and elegance: a white long-sleeved shirt with black trim on the collar and cuffs, a fitted beige vest divided into diamond patterns by dark-brown stripes, and on the wall hung a deep-gray long coat with a wide lapel and two slanted pockets, carrying an air of both mystery and elegance.
This was a set of northern-continent style clothes tailor-made for Lan Qi by the old tailor in Lilom City who usually worked for Viscount Francis.
He now sat quietly in the cabin, reading a book.
Opposite him, Zestira was already dressed in the uniform of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic.
Though Zestira could have worn a hat to conceal her demonic traits and avoid many strange looks during the journey, she refused to cover them.
She didn’t think her demonic features were wrong.
While the Protos Empire also had its own magic railway, from a remote town like Lilom one had to first travel to the southwestern main city before being able to board this train to the capital.
Most of the time, the two focused on their own books.
Unfamiliar scenery and flashes of light passed by swiftly outside the window.
Zestira closed the book in her hands and placed it beside her. She didn’t pick up another, since there were no more to read.
She wasn’t fond of scholarly books—she liked magic tomes.
But magic books were troublesome to get through security, considered restricted items, so she hadn’t brought any.
A glance at the color of Lan Qi’s book was enough for her to know what he was reading.
Chronicles of the Holy War, published by the Imperial Royal Magic Academy Press, authored by Cido Arendal—detailing the great war that swept across both the northern and southern continents a hundred years ago, and the rise and fall of the demons.
Though filled with some fabrications and dramatized parts born from the author’s imagination, the secrets of that Holy War remained unclear even today.
“You really are someone from the southern continent.”
Zestira said.
She had long been convinced of Lan Qi’s origins, but seeing him so engrossed in a northern history book, more than any evidence, it confirmed it.
Lan Qi heard her voice, smiled, and put down the book, looking across the table.
“Information in the southern continent about the north is full of truth and falsehood, impossible to tell apart. Only by coming here in person can one confirm what’s real.”
This book, in fact, he had borrowed from Viscount Francis.
He hadn’t expected Zestira to have read it too. Based on what he knew of her, she shouldn’t have liked historical books.
The southern continent had only been touched by the flames of war, never fully engulfed, so their records of the northern Holy War were shallow. Southern books about the north were mostly dramatized—nine parts false for every one part true.
As for the history written by the Protos Empire… who knew how much of it was true. History was always about selective telling. Lan Qi was just reading casually.
Zestira nodded slightly.
She too had heard many versions of southern rumors, but most were clearly false, riddled with contradictions.
“Any references you don’t understand?”
She was used to teaching Lan Qi; whenever she saw him potentially struggling, she instinctively felt concerned.
“It’s fine. I understand enough.”
Lan Qi already knew a bit of the northern background. Though much of the documentation was cryptic, with the general outline in mind, this book wasn’t too hard to grasp.
“That’s good. If there’s something you don’t understand, ask me.”
Zestira said.
“Alright.”
Lan Qi smiled back.
Since she was willing to chat, he thought he might as well close the book, slipping the silk bookmark tied to the spine between its pages and setting it aside.
“Do you have any favorite historical figures?”
He asked.
It was better to talk about people when discussing history—first, it showed the other’s stance, preventing awkward or displeasing comments.
Zestira thought for a moment.
“I like a few of the demon generals… but my favorite should be Talia.”
“…?”
Lan Qi froze slightly, before quickly masking his reaction.
He hadn’t expected to suddenly hear such a familiar name here.
He flipped through the Chronicles of the Holy War again, and indeed saw Talia’s name among its pages.
So she had even made it into northern history books—no surprise for such an ancient relic.
“What kind of traits did this ancient woman have?”
Lan Qi asked curiously. To him, aside from beauty, strength, and immortality, he didn’t know what else was special about her.
“She was resilient, powerful, and full of talent. Beneath her cold exterior was a rational heart. She’s the kind of woman I most wish to become. And… if one day the demons could restore their kingdom, I believe it would be her who could accomplish it.”
When Zestira spoke of Talia, her calm tone carried a rare trace of yearning.
“Why?”
Lan Qi asked, even more puzzled.
He thought Talia had no way of restoring anything. She was already happily retired in Ikerite.
Forget rebuilding a kingdom—she probably wouldn’t even want to leave the Hedon Kingdom now.
“She never lost herself to desire, unlike other demons. In the demon world, there’s an old saying: If there ever appears a demon without desire, that would be the most terrifying and powerful of all demons. Perhaps that is why Talia survived past the demon race’s downfall, becoming the last princess.”
Zestira said earnestly.
(End of this chapter)