Chapter 273
Chapter 273
Chapter 273
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 273 – Lan Qi Received a Direct Recruitment
The floor-to-ceiling windows several meters behind the throne of Westde were covered by waterfall-like thick curtains, so that almost no light from outside could penetrate. Only through occasional gaps could one glimpse the clouds outside and the silhouettes of distant buildings.
In this space luxurious enough to resemble a private collection hall, she and Lan Qi stood at a distance, gazing at each other.
“I am the Ba'tian Cardinal, Sigrid.”
Westde calmly spoke these words.
“……”
Although Lan Qi’s expression did not change, his hesitation betrayed that he seemed a little caught off guard.
It was not because he had suddenly and unexpectedly met a Cardinal of the Resurrection Church for the first time.
Rather, it was because he could not comprehend the way this woman’s brain worked.
A Cardinal also went undercover in the Annihilation Branch?
The Annihilation Branch really would not have guessed the Ba'tian Cardinal would play this way!
But Lan Qi had no qualification to criticize the Ba'tian Cardinal, because he himself happened to be doing the same thing. Their operations overlapped by coinSidence, which led to the current situation.
“Such is the version of the Empire now. Acting within Protos territory, intelligence is everything.”
As though she could see Lan Qi’s confusion, Ba'tian Cardinal Sigrid spread her right hand slightly and said,“Instead of taking the risk of the Annihilation Branch sneaking spies inside while we openly recruit talent, I may as well go directly into the Annihilation Branch, and then seize the very best talent for myself.”
What she wanted, she never stole—she always just took directly.
“So, you don’t plan to keep infiltrating the high ranks of the Annihilation Branch to cause sabotage?”
Lan Qi asked with a trace of puzzlement.
“That kind of underhanded trick is something only petty people do. I cannot.”
Sigrid seemed to recall the long-standing actions of the Annihilation Branch, clicking her tongue with disdain.
Her purpose now achieved, she no longer intended to use the identity of Westde.
Lan Qi was stunned again at these words.
He had thought the Ba'tian Cardinal was playing a deep game.
But it turned out her motive seemed simpler than he imagined.
She just purely wanted to snatch away the new leader recruited by the Annihilation Branch.
And then personally give Lan Qi a direct recruitment offer.
Even while Lan Qi still appeared calm, his shadow had already begun to waver.
“……!”
Just being at this distance from the Ba'tian Cardinal, the Cat Boss was terrified enough to want to die.
In its whole life, it had never before seen a Cardinal-level existence of the Resurrection Church—yet now, such a disaster-bringing being, capable of destroying heaven and earth, was right before its eyes!
This was a fear born deep in the heart, an unavoidable dread of a power far beyond its comprehension.
Under such pressure, it could only tremble helplessly, praying that the throne’s occupant—this being more terrifying than a legendary eighth-rank dragon—not notice it, so that it might have a chance to live.
“Your shadow is trembling.”
Sigrid was very patient with Lan Qi, not minding his silence, and muttered as she stared at his shadow.
Immediately, Lan Qi’s shadow seemed to shudder more violently, twisting further.
“I have no interest in harming such a weak creature, unless you challenge me first, little one.”
Her eyes seemed able to pierce through the shadow and see the Cat Boss—nothing could hide, even across space.
“……!!”
At the end of her words, the Cat Boss hesitated.Finally, the little black cat with its fur bristling emerged from the shadow and climbed onto Lan Qi, curling itself tightly. Its whole body was wrapped in icy fear.
Only by staying in Lan Qi’s hands could it feel the faintest trace of safety.
It only hoped that before this terrifying being, it could at least live on in insignificance.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
Lan Qi held the Cat Boss properly, gently patting it to calm it.“So, Cardinal, did you take notice of my performance in the Annihilation Branch assessment?”
Lan Qi raised his head again, respectfully saluting Sigrid and asking.
He could not be entirely sure whether the Ba'tian Cardinal came to him because of the reconstruction of the Southwestern Province, or because of his assessment in the Annihilation Branch.
In the Southwestern Province, apart from the first meeting with the Silver-Armored Cleric on Viscount Francis’s ship, the other clerics—being transmitters and transmission routes—had neither seen his true face nor contacted his real body.
And Lan Qi’s indoctrination should have been quite thorough; he had only been in the imperial capital Helrom for a few days.
Even if the Ba'tian Cardinal had gone in person to investigate the Southwestern Province, she could not have traced so quickly to the Silver-Armored Cleric and then from him learned the Pioneer’s true identity.
“That’s right. Although I don’t know your score in the first round of assessment, and your second-round performance was merely average, I greatly appreciated your performance in the final assessment.”
Sigrid raised her hand, pointing directly at Lan Qi,“You are very good. I want you—to be my direct subordinate.”
“……”
This left Lan Qi a little troubled.
Back in Ikerite, no one had ever valued him so highly.
Yet here in the North Continent, he had immediately attracted the favor of a Cardinal.
The Ba'tian Cardinal indeed showed him considerable respect. The treatment she offered was clearly two grades higher than what the Annihilation Branch could give. Even if he requested to view the Stone Tablet, she likely would not make things too difficult.
But the problem was, he had no desire to view the [Original Stone Tablet – Foundation]. What he wanted to see was the [Original Stone Tablet – Seal]!
And if he officially chose the Ba'tian Cardinal’s faction, especially as a direct subordinate, he could forget about staying undercover in the Annihilation Branch.
“If I join, can I continue to stay undercover in the Annihilation Branch?”
Lan Qi asked.
“…… Quite the calculation. You want to eat from both sides, is that it?”
Sigrid smiled as she stared into Lan Qi’s emerald eyes, as if reading his mind.
“But isn’t me sabotaging the Annihilation Branch from within the most beneficial to you?”
Lan Qi explained.
It seemed the Ba'tian Cardinal possessed an especially heavy sense of control.
“I told you, I don’t like doing such things. My direct subordinates should stay by my side, follow my commands, and act for me.”
When she heard Lan Qi’s second question, the Ba'tian Cardinal’s expression clearly grew more impatient.
“With such crooked thoughts, you’ll easily die in the Annihilation Branch. Do you not understand what kind of person the Annihilation Cardinal is? A clever fellow like you should know. Compared to that, staying with me—as long as you are loyal—I will not punish you, and I will even protect you with my power.”
Lan Qi looked straight at Ba'tian Cardinal Sigrid, unafraid of the death that could fall on him at any moment, only calmly thinking.
“Say yes, meow… Say yes, meow…”
“Whichever faction you’re in, it’s the same… but obviously it’s better here, meow…”
The Cat Boss in Lan Qi’s arms trembled, muttering desperately in a tiny voice.
It no longer cared whether Lan Qi joined the Resurrection Church. It only feared Lan Qi would foolishly refuse the Ba'tian Cardinal!
If he answered no in that instant, the two of them would probably meet their end right here!
(End of this Chapter)