Chapter 313
Chapter 313
Chapter 313
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 313 – Lan Qi’s Impostor as Headmaster
The carriage of the lord’s estate traveled through the undulating roads of the city-state.
In the distance, the bell tower of the church pierced the stillness of the afternoon, the tall spire’s hands slowly moving as the bells rang from time to time, reminding the townsfolk of the flow of time.
Far away, the mountain range outside the city stretched into the sky. The massive, ice-sculpted peaks were dyed a faint gold by the afternoon sun, like silent guardians watching over the land.
After less than half an hour’s ride, they were about to arrive at the lord’s estate.
The butler had said that since they were friends of young master Shaya, the lord’s estate would also provide guest rooms for them, so they didn’t need to look for an inn in Kingston City.
Inside the carriage, a small black cat was now playing hide-and-seek on Lan Qi’s shoulder and back.
Despite the cat boss moving about nonstop, Lan Qi still gazed out the window, lost in thought.
This northern journey had begun smoothly.
The main goal was to investigate what was going on with those special slaughter units of the Demon King’s army stationed at the northern frontier.
Only by digging out some solid intel could they stop the countdown above Lady Chloris’s head.
This was not only Chloris’s request but also an agreement. As long as she was kept safe, her ducal family would become Lan Qi’s long-term backing, a crucial step for him to rise higher in the Empire’s power structure.
Though becoming acting headmaster of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic was already an achievement, it was still far from enough to shake Huperion.
The headmaster’s position itself offered little help for her imperial journey, nor could it make her more comfortable or entertained.
He had to keep pushing, to stand in the brightest spotlight and wait for her return.
Now, there was a lead: an investigation team from the capital had gone north earlier, but neither he nor Chloris knew what they were investigating.
This intel was known only to a handful of lords in the Snow Field province. Unless one was very close, they likely wouldn’t share it.
Although Lan Qi had several lords he could try to coax information from, the nearest was Viscount Levin Kingston.
Lost in thought, Lan Qi barely noticed as the carriage rolled through the city center, down crisscrossing stone alleys, until they reached the lord’s estate.
A massive iron gate loomed, flanked by bronze eagle-head carvings. The high walls were overgrown with hardy evergreen vines, their tenacity shining even in this frigid winter.
The carriage stopped. Once the three stepped down, the butler was already at the door, bowing slightly and gesturing for them to enter.
Through the garden, their eyes fell on a majestic mansion: dark gray stone walls dusted with snow, huge windows framed with heavy woodwork, faint glimpses of brown-toned interiors through the glass.
The butler opened a carved double door, revealing a spacious hall with mosaic tiles underfoot, landscape and portrait paintings on the walls, and a giant crystal chandelier casting light onto richly woven carpets.
Led to a sofa, the three sat down to await the lord.
Around them, deep red curtains nearly touched the ground. Golden candlesticks flickered faintly. In the center, a roaring fireplace spread warmth, making the hall cozy and elegant.
“Please wait a moment. The lord and young lady will be here soon,” the butler said, signaling attendants to serve tea before bowing out.
Silence filled the grand hall.
On the sofa, trimmed with gold edges and embroidered with the Kingston family crest—a golden shield set with emeralds and rubies above the family motto—Lan Qi and Shaya sat quietly, while Sid sipped tea leisurely.
“Who could this important guest be? After all, Shaya, you’re the viscount’s future son-in-law, and a count’s heir at that.”
She spoke casually.
“Whether Miss Lilith agrees to this marriage is still uncertain,” Shaya hurried to reply.
It was said Viscount Levin Kingston had remained loyal to his late wife, refusing remarriage, leaving only his daughter Lilith. Naturally, he valued Shaya as a son-in-law. But if Lilith disliked him, Levin would not force the issue.
“The red string weaves through hidden cycles of fate. With me here, destined souls won’t miss each other.”
Lan Qi stroked the cat boss’s back, speaking gently.
The boss cat shivered.
If anyone else had said that, it would sound moving.
But when Lan Qi said it, it dared not move an inch.
After a few more minutes, footsteps and voices drifted down from the stairs.
Five figures descended: three older men in front, a young man and woman silently behind.
“Apologies, Blake, I still have other guests to receive today,” said the mansion’s master, Viscount Levin Kingston, looking troubled, clearly eager to send off the middle-aged noble at his side.
Today’s visitor was none other than their neighboring city’s lord, Viscount Blake of Bone City.
“The last heir of the Candis family? Just let me take a look.”
Viscount Blake Bone rubbed the ring on his pinky finger, smiling slightly.
Beside them walked a stern man in a dark suit, about thirty years old, radiating silent authority.
And then, stepping slowly behind Levin, the young lady emerged. She wore a pale gown, an ice-sculpted beauty. In an instant, she captured Shaya’s gaze.
Flame-orange hair and sapphire eyes—exactly as Shaya, Lan Qi, and Sid had described.
Yet Lilith only glanced at Shaya briefly before looking away, as if she had not recognized him—or had long forgotten their childhood meeting in the imperial capital.
“……”
Viscount Levin noticed Shaya and his daughter’s reaction. He cast Shaya an apologetic look, then returned to talking with his guests.
“Under Professor Meiji’s guidance, my son has made astonishing progress. If Miss Lilith could also come to Bone City to study under him, it would give her a decisive edge in future competition at the Protos Royal Academy.”
Viscount Blake Bone smiled as he rubbed his ring.
“This…”
Levin looked troubled.
He had no desire to become entangled with Blake Bone.
That man had repeatedly implied he wanted Lilith to marry into his family. Levin had brushed it off each time.
But this time, clearly, Blake had come prepared—and Levin didn’t dare offend that dark-suited man, this so-called Professor Meiji.
“At the Royal Academy, there’s brutal elimination for those at the bottom, while the best students stand above the rules. But you must know—even the Ten Seats must show respect to the senior professors. Professor Meiji, here visiting our Snow Field province, is one of those figures at the pinnacle of the Academy. Surely you can trust him?”
Blake added with another smile, seeing Levin’s hesitation.
From the sofa, hearing clearly now, Sid and Lan Qi froze.
Sid cast Lan Qi a disdainful glance.
He’s the leader. Then who are you?
(End of Chapter)