Chapter 312
Chapter 312
Chapter 312
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 312 – No One Understands Love Better Than Lan Qi
That afternoon.
The sky carried a blend of icy blue and pale colors, painting the heavens like a shattered glass screen—soft, yet tinged with a faint chill. The natural light reflected off the snow-covered world, hazy and indistinct.
Three figures braved the wind and snow until, at last, the outline of a city appeared at the edge of the frozen plains.
“Shaya, you really live up to being the heir of an assassin family. Even as a scout, you’re professional. Without you, we probably wouldn’t have found Kingston City before nightfall.”
Lan Qi grinned as he praised Shaya.
Shaya lowered his head in embarrassment.
It had been so long since he’d heard such a heartfelt compliment.
Normally, whenever people mentioned his family, it was to mock him.
But this man was different.
“You never mention me directly, yet somehow, every word points back to me.”
Sid muttered at the side.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Lan Qi rubbed his frost-numbed cheeks, looking at Sid in confusion.
“It’s nothing. Sometimes favorability points just drop directly—no need for a reminder.”
Amid wind, snow, and idle chatter, they finally arrived at the city gates.
The vast snowy plains stretched around them, the earth buried under endless white. Bitter winds occasionally swept by, lifting snowflakes that danced in the air like fine sugar powder.
This was the southern border of Kingston City. The towering walls, built from frozen earth reinforced with metal, stood like a steel canyon across the snowfield, shielding the city from the cold and all outside dangers.
The gates were forged of heavy demonic steel wood, rimmed with cold iron. Etched across them were Kingston’s crest and arcane sigils. Inside the barrier, two rows of armored guards stood at attention, orange-red plumes on their helmets swaying lightly in the wind.
The guards’ attention shifted immediately to the three figures approaching across the snow.
The trio slowed their pace, crossing the final stretch of whiteness. Producing their identification in advance, they handed it over through the briefly opened barrier passage to the captain of the knights.
The captain examined the documents carefully, then fixed his gaze on Shaya.
“Lord Shaya Candis, son of the Earl—welcome to Kingston City. Please enter and wait a moment while I contact the lord’s estate.”
Noticing that Lan Qi and Sid’s documents identified them as students of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic in the Imperial Capital Helrom, the captain refrained from speculating too much. He simply assumed they were Shaya’s companions.
The gates creaked open, chains and beams groaning. Suddenly, the bustle of the city rushed into their ears, and the scene before them changed.
Gone was the endless snowfield. On stone-paved streets, people bustled about. Smoke rose from chimneys between houses, the aroma of dinners being prepared mingling with children’s laughter as they played in the snow.
They did not have to wait long.
Soon, a carriage arrived at the square ahead, stopping gracefully.
A middle-aged man in a formal black suit approached, golden embroidery lining his cuffs and collar, a wax-sealed letter in his hand. His steps were steady yet brisk as he reached the three.
“Lord Shaya, honored guests, I am the steward of the lord’s estate.”
He bowed slightly, his voice respectful.
“Viscount Levin Kingston has learned of your arrival and sent me to receive you.”
Gesturing, he led them toward the ornate carriage marked with the Kingston crest. Its body was draped in crimson silk, its windows veiled by embroidered curtains. Opening the door, the steward revealed seats of animal pelts and delicately carved wooden armrests.
“Please, step inside.”
His smile was practiced—steady, the smile of one accustomed to serving nobility.
The three exchanged glances, then boarded the carriage with him.
Before departure, Sid asked, “Is Viscount Levin Kingston busy with important matters?”
“Yes,” the steward replied apologetically. “The viscount and his daughter would normally have welcomed Lord Shaya personally. But there are important guests at the estate, and they cannot leave at the moment. They’ve sent me in their place. My apologies.”
Sid nodded.
So, it wasn’t neglect on the viscount’s part.
According to imperial noble etiquette, even if Shaya—an earl’s son with a marriage contract—arrived unexpectedly due to travel delays, it should have been Levin Kingston or his daughter who greeted him in person.
The wheels rumbled.
Deep tracks cut into the snow, the frigid wind howling outside while the carriage remained warm within.
Leaning against the cushions, Shaya seemed tense, while Lan Qi and Sid sat at ease.
It was almost hard to tell who the real young master was.
Looking at the anxious, soft-spoken young man with flaxen hair, Lan Qi reached across to clap his shoulder.
“Straighten your back. Miss Lilith Kingston will probably prefer a more confident man.”
“But… I’m marrying into the Kingston family. They’d surely want a son-in-law who’s obedient and steady.”
“Lilith Kingston’s battle class is an assassin. Her entrance exam records say she fought with ruthless skill. As heir to a famous imperial assassin lineage, you’ll be a good match for her.”
Lan Qi had already begun coaching Shaya.
Shaya stared at him, confusion written between his brows.
How do you know all this?
“But I lean more toward administrative work now… Maybe I can help with their family’s trading company. I learned all the family’s assassin techniques, but I’ve hardly ever used them in real combat…”
His voice faltered with insecurity.
“I see.”
Lan Qi stroked his chin, lost in thought.
“Meow meow meow! Don’t listen to him!”
An angry voice rose from beneath the seats. A black shadow leapt up—a little black cat—landing on Lan Qi’s shoulder. Fixing its eyes on Shaya, it cried,
“Love between young men and women should be delicate, natural, like water flowing! Once this guy meddles, everything turns into the creepy shadow-world games he plays! Romance doesn’t need brute-force overtakes or heavy-duty welding!”
The cat’s fury made it tremble, yowling until it was out of breath.
“Oh, Little Black Cat, you finally showed yourself.”
Sid looked at the creature with interest.
Immediately, the “Cat Boss” flinched. Scampering to Lan Qi’s other shoulder, it shrank away from Sid, trembling.
Shaya gaped.
Even the cat was stronger than him.
Nearly at fourth-tier strength!
“…Are you thinking I’m only third-tier, meow?”
The Cat Boss glared, reading Shaya’s thoughts.
They all shared telepathic magic in the Elven tongue, creating a sense of familiarity.
“Wait… Are you actually fourth-tier?”
Shaya asked in disbelief.
“……”
The Cat Boss fell silent. After a long pause, it decided to dodge the question. Better not humiliate itself.
“Young man, just approach Miss Lilith naturally. If fate ties you together, you’ll fall in love. Don’t listen to his so-called love coaching. He doesn’t even know what ‘love’ means, and his version of it is… problematic!”
It urged Shaya earnestly.
“Uh…”
Shaya looked from the cat to Lan Qi.
He couldn’t decide who to believe.
Both seemed genuinely sincere, with no ill intent—their eyes made that clear.
And so, Shaya fell into deep conflict, unable to choose.
Silence settled over the group.
“But I think McCarthy makes sense,” Sid suddenly said after some thought. “For instance, I also prefer men stronger than myself.”
She couldn’t understand why the cat disparaged Lan Qi’s advice. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.
“……”
Lan Qi gave Sid a pitying glance.
Another one destined to remain unmarried.
“What was that look for?”
Sid asked sharply.
She’d begun to notice: her “Holy Son” rarely said anything openly rude.
But he always let it slip through his subtle expressions—a supreme form of contempt.
“Mark it as a deduction in favorability points. When you want to condemn someone, the excuses come easy.”
Lan Qi smiled faintly, as if resigned to everything.
“……”
Sid smiled and shook her head, not telling him how many points she deducted.
Off to the side—
“Meow, Shaya, are you really going to let this green-tea man teach you about love?”
The Cat Boss asked.
“But isn’t Mr. Rocky doing just fine with Miss Sid?”
Shaya asked, bewildered.
He didn’t think Lan Qi was “green tea” at all. To him, Lan Qi was a kind and gentle senior.
“Meow?”
The Cat Boss tilted its head. Lan Qi and the domineering High Priestess? Did they really get along so smoothly?
It had always thought those two were utterly mismatched—in status, power, age, and personality.
But when Shaya said it like that…
It realized there was a strange kind of harmony between them.
Wait.
If you swapped Lan Qi and Sigrid’s genders—
Wouldn’t it be the classic “Green Tea Girl and Domineering CEO” setup?!