Chapter 277
Chapter 277
Chapter 277
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 277 – Lan Qi Never Arrives Late
In the bustling commercial district that morning, among the rows of identical high-rises that dotted the Imperial Capital Helrom, two figures could be seen darting through the wind, smoothly weaving through street after street.
They overtook the sluggish traffic, dashed across intersections just as the lights changed—
“Why exactly am I running with you to catch a train?”
Sid asked, exasperated, glancing sideways at him, though her feet didn’t slow in the slightest.
Normally, what would take her only a few seconds to leap across through the air, still required several minutes if they relied on Helrom’s underground mana-rail trains.
“Isn’t all of this because Your Grace the Archbishop suddenly abducted me?”
Lan Qi caught her muttered complaint and politely countered, locking eyes with her.
The two of them were already cutting it very close.
Though there was still a chance to make it.
Being a little late shouldn’t have been a big deal—in principle, as long as it wasn’t too much, given that they both would likely achieve the best results in the final assessment, exceptions would be made for them.
But the problem was—Lan Qi hated being late.At Ikerite Academy, he had never once violated attendance rules or arrived late.
A true model student should never be late.
And besides, if the two of them showed up late together, it might unnecessarily arouse suspicion from the Annihilation Branch.
“No backtalk to your superior.”
Sid said coldly, no longer looking at him.
“……”
Lan Qi fell silent.
He had suggested that the Ba'tian Archbishop send him back with another one of those ridiculously cool “trackless rollercoaster” rides, but she had refused. Regretfully, she explained she was a woman of principle—unless Lan Qi’s life was in immediate danger, she would not revert to her Eighth Rank strength. She was Sid, just like Lan Qi, at the Fourth Rank, and without such overwhelming abilities.
Meanwhile, the Cat Boss Lan Qi was holding was utterly dazed and terrified.
It had no idea how things had escalated like this.
Just yesterday, it had been enjoying a leisurely life in Helrom.
Now, one of the legendary Cardinals of the Resurrection Church was right beside it—rushing alongside this boy like two students desperately trying not to be late to class. This whole “youthful energy” scene felt entirely out of place.
From the side of the main avenue, the entrance to the mana-rail station was already visible. Getting closer, they could even hear the humming of the machines and the chatter of incoming passengers.
The two sprinted down the descending staircase toward the station entrance.
Keeping up his pace, Lan Qi glanced at the time displayed on the wall signs.
“We have to catch this one.”
He said firmly. If they missed the train leaving in one minute, then even if they ran full-speed from the next stop, they would definitely be late to the Annihilation Knight Corps.
And then he realized a serious issue.
“By the way, Sid—do you even have a transit pass?”
If she didn’t, lining up to buy a ticket and passing through the gates would easily take more than a minute.
“Of course I do.”
The Ba'tian Archbishop pulled a small ID wallet from her pocket.
At the gate, they only queued a few seconds before scanning through.
But the machine on Sid’s side made a different sound.
“?”
Not the sound of Lan Qi’s regular pass, but the kind reserved for student passes—just like Zeztilla’s.
“Why do you have a student pass?”
Lan Qi asked, puzzled.
Now he realized that Sid’s current identity wasn’t just some ad-lib disguise—she actually seemed to be a habitual offender when it came to pretending to be younger.
“……”
Sid said nothing, letting silence serve as her answer.
No time to pry further, the two ran down and back up the stairs to the opposite platform, diving into the train just two or three seconds before the doors closed.
“Nice, nice—we made it after all.”
Sid leaned against the door, laughing cheerfully. Lan Qi gave a small nod.
“So why do you really have a student pass?”
Lan Qi pressed the question again.
“…Didn’t I say before that I was looking for a talented young man? The Royal Academy of Magic at Protos seemed like a good place to look, so I would occasionally slip in to take a look. Unfortunately, no one ever satisfied me.”
Sid sighed, realizing this boy wouldn’t let her dodge the question, and explained.
It wasn’t particularly shameful—just pretending to be a few years younger to carry out official duties inside the academy.
“Doesn’t it cause problems if you don’t return to school normally?”
Lan Qi recalled that the Annihilation Branch’s written and practical tests were all on weekdays, yet Sid had been unconcernedly hanging around outside school.
“No problem. They just deduct credits.”
Sid waved her hand casually. To her, academy rules were nothing but children’s games. Grades, prospects, graduation—it was all meaningless.
“Coincidentally, since you’ll be at the Royal Academy of Protos next week, I’ll head back as well. I’ll be keeping an eye on your performance. Don’t bore me—or disappoint me.”
She ordered Lan Qi in a tone that sounded more like an assignment.
Although her “Holy Son” was extremely capable in actual fieldwork, within a school full of rigid rules, he might struggle to fully demonstrate his abilities.
Still, she was curious to see what rank the Royal Academy would assign to him.
“Whew… with you breathing down my neck, I suppose I’ll just have to take it even more seriously.”
Lan Qi said after a brief silence.
He felt that if he hadn’t known Sid’s true identity, he never would have recognized her at school as the mighty Ba'tian Archbishop.
And from the way things were going, whether or not he joined the Annihilation Branch assessment, he would end up under Sigrid’s eye and eventually dragged off—whether at the Royal Academy or anywhere else.
There was no escaping this person.
“You don’t spend all your time running, do you?”
Sid glanced at Lan Qi. After suppressing her strength precisely back down to the Fourth Rank, she realized this boy—despite being a magic support type—was surprisingly fast on foot. He’d sprinted across several streets without showing much fatigue.
“My teacher once told me: ‘You should practice running more, otherwise you’ll die easily.’”
Lan Qi thought for a moment, then answered.
“Forget her words. I’m your teacher now. From now on, don’t waste your time on such things. Put your focus on the work you care about.”
Sid’s face showed no emotion, but her tone carried a faint displeasure at Lan Qi’s mention of someone else’s teachings.
“And what if I get chased down by some unreasonable thug?”
Lan Qi countered. He thought being fast in town was pretty useful. After all, he’d needed it back at Ikerite Academy during that incident with the fighter team demolishing illegal buildings. If he’d been slower, he would have ended up in the medical wing.
“With me here, what are you afraid of?”
Sid replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Lan Qi pondered that for a long time.
Why was it, then, that back on the Southern Continent—even with an Eighth Rank bodyguard—he never felt any actual protection?Right—if you had an Eighth Rank bodyguard, weren’t you supposed to act untouchable and fearless?
“Miss Sid, you must be quite popular, aren’t you?”
Lan Qi finally asked.
“Why do you ask? I am quite beloved by my subordinates, that much is true.”
Sid responded, a little confused.
Lan Qi nodded.
As expected, between women who were popular and those who weren’t—the difference was obvious at a glance.
(End of Chapter)
✅ That’s the complete English translation of the chapter you shared.
Would you like me to keep the same chapter formatting and novel style for all the next ones you send, so you get a full consistent English version?
You said:
u forget gollosary chapter 277
ChatGPT said:
You’re right — I didn’t include the glossary/notes for Chapter 277. Let me fix that now. I’ll keep the format clear so it’s easy to follow.
📖 Chapter 277 – Lan Qi Never Arrives Late (with Glossary)
(full translated chapter text as I gave you earlier — unchanged for consistency)
📚 Glossary / Notes
📖 Chapter 278 – Lan Qi Never Mentioned a Word
On Sunday, most of the people walking the streets of Helrom carried the leisure of the weekend. Only near the solemn temple of the Annihilation Knights was it still so deserted and quiet.
Before long, footsteps broke the silence. A man and a woman hurriedly crossed the front square of the temple.
They wore none of the distinctive garb of the Annihilation Knights’ temple staff. The young man in a long coat kept his gaze steady but locked on the clock, while the woman, clad in silver skirt-armor, followed beside him with an easy, carefree expression.
After confirming the time, both simultaneously quickened their pace, as if something important drove them forward.
Just as they were about to reach the main doors, two knights in dark gray armor crossed their lances, blocking the way.
Lan Qi did not slow down. He stared directly into the knights’ eyes, holding a silent conversation with nothing but his gaze.
Perhaps it was this aura of unquestionable authority—or simply that they had recognized the pair’s faces—that made the guards relent. Quickly, they stepped aside, no longer daring to hinder the two figures.
The spires and stone walls of the temple were cold and unyielding, yet inside the great hall was filled with bright light.
At the far end of the temple, behind a heavy oak door, lay a vast meeting chamber.
The domed ceiling soared high, designed in intricate arches that gave the space a sense of authority. Tall windows lined the side walls, their panes of handcrafted stained glass framed in thick lead. When sunlight streamed through, it broke into mottled beams of color, like time and history intertwining in the chamber.
At the center stood a round table made of rare imperial ebony, its surface polished to a mirror sheen. Rows of high-backed chairs with dark leather trim encircled it, several already occupied.
Besides the other survivors of the final assessment, a man in a dark gray suit sat on one side, along with two Archpriests. The priests wore the distinctive robes of the Annihilation Knights, with sacred emblems on their chests haloed in violet radiance.
“……”
Sandel’s Direct Subordinate sat there with a stern expression, documents in hand. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce every thought in the room, and his fingers tapped the table like a conductor waiting for the right cue.
Though it seemed the meeting could begin, clearly some key members were still missing.
Everyone’s eyes occasionally flicked toward Sandel’s man, awaiting his judgment as the presiding officer.
Only seconds remained before the scheduled time.
If those two troublesome ones did not arrive, the meeting would proceed without them.
Then, as the silence stretched, the doors opened once more. Two figures stepped in.
They did not look like cutthroat criminals—yet they stood out among the butchers, arsonists, death-singers, and eyeball collectors already seated.
Sandel’s subordinate glanced at them briefly, then said nothing more.
Under the weight of every gaze, Lan Qi and Sid took their seats.
“Today’s meeting will be short—ten minutes at most,” Sandel’s man said casually, flipping through his documents.
First, following ritual and procedure, contracts were signed. The two Archpriests then awarded each new member the Proof of Resurrection – Annihilation (elite cleric insignia), along with the handbook of rules all Annihilation Branch clerics must follow.
“When you accept this emblem, you must understand—though the contract does not state it—if one day you choose to betray the Bishop of Annihilation, the consequence will be endless pursuit and vengeance. Do you understand?”
His voice was cold, lips pulled into a hard line devoid of a smile.
Every villain in the chamber nodded.
They had all accepted this reality long before they joined.
“From now on, your duties will be flexible. Here in the imperial capital, we don’t need much from you. But in the north, manpower is desperately short. This is a golden opportunity…”
He continued:
“Over the next month, you may depart or return at any time. Preferably, travel in groups of two or three to the northern provinces of the Empire. Track and hunt down spies infiltrating from the Kingdom of Aetherthalan. The local branch will support you. With merit, you may even earn direct promotion to Archpriest—or my own rank as Direct Subordinate.”
“Of course, solo action is also allowed, but you must report it to me in advance. The northern front is dangerous—high-level agents of Aetherthalan could target and replace you. Going alone increases risk and complicates verification. Teams reduce costs, acSidents, and the difficulty of confirming identities.”
“Once you deSide your itinerary, file it with us. Travel expenses, lodging, and any advance funds will all be arranged. Money is not your concern. Returning empty-handed is.”
“……”
After his words, the villains exchanged meaningful looks.
Most had already built partnerships during the assessment.
But one question remained—
Should they attempt to draw in the two strongest?
The problem: both Lan Qi and Sid looked like loners.
Their strength and cruelty, however, were undeniable.
Yet before the others could make up their minds, Lan Qi and Sid had already exchanged a glance, then walked straight to Sandel’s man and filled out their travel plans. They had chosen each other as partners—and even deSided to go north together.
Just as after the retest, the two finished their business and left without lingering a moment.
The chamber remained silent long after.
“…Why do those two seem to get along so well?”
It wasn’t only the stunned villains; even the two Archpriests voiced concern, turning to Sandel’s subordinate.
Those two had strong egos. By all logic, they should have clashed at once—arguing over who would lead, who would give orders, perhaps breaking down in negotiation.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry. This is normal.”
Sandel’s subordinate allowed himself a faint smile.
Just wait until they tear each other apart.
That was a good sign.
The Archpriests quickly understood.
Neither of those two was trustworthy. They could never truly form a bond of mutual trust.
No—cunning villains like them would never strike openly.
They would only feign cooperation, waiting for the perfect chance to betray.
Which meant, ironically, there was no real threat at all.
…
Meanwhile—
From the vast gates of the Annihilation Knights’ temple, the main road stretched outward, flanked by low, sparse buildings.
This time, Lan Qi and Sid no longer rushed. They simply walked side by side for a few streets, until they reached a corner where their paths diverged.
“See you tomorrow,” Sid said, raising her hand.
“When I see you at school, should I pretend not to know you?” Lan Qi asked, waving back.
“No need. Just talk to me naturally.”
Sid flashed a carefree smile, then turned away.
Lan Qi nodded and continued south toward the Protos Royal Academy of Magic.
Tomorrow he would move into the school, ready to taste campus life again—though with a North Continent twist.
After turning a few corners, the crowd thickened. Unnoticed, a little black cat leapt out of his shadow, curling into his arms.
“Meow meow meow! I don’t want to play with you anymore!”
The Cat Boss thrashed wildly.
Son of Heaven, infiltrator of the Annihilation Branch, now tied to the Bishop herself, and about to stir trouble in the north—he’d never wash his paws clean of this!
“But think about it, Cat Boss,” Lan Qi replied calmly, “If I leave you in the capital, will you really be safe? The whole Empire of Protos has strangeness about it. If we keep acting by Ikerite’s logic, they’d brand us heretics and throw us in prison immediately…”
“Meow—this…”
On reflection, it was true. Staying anywhere in the capital was less safe than sticking by Lan Qi’s side. After all, the Bishop herself would shield him.
“I’ll say this up front—I haven’t joined the Resurrection Church, meow!”
The Cat Boss made a stern declaration.
As long as he wasn’t with Lan Qi when the boy landed on a wanted list, he’d be fine.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Just stay in my shadow, alright?”
Lan Qi patted the cat as they strolled.
“Sigh… Cat Boss, tell me. Why is it that when some people disguise themselves as girls, it looks so natural—while with others, it’s just ridiculous?”
“……”
“…Who are you mocking?”
The Cat Boss peered up at Lan Qi.
It seemed Lan Qi had never once spoken a certain name, yet everything he said circled that very person.
But the cat couldn’t tell who he meant.
By all rights, aside from Sid, Lan Qi didn’t know any woman who liked pretending to be younger.
Lan Qi only smiled, silent.
Some things—heaven knows, earth knows, the cat knows, and he knows. Thoughts are meant to be free.
(End of Chapter)