Chapter 315
Chapter 315
Chapter 315
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 315: The Good News Is That Lan Qi Remembered Huperion’s Words
“My daughter is already betrothed. I don’t want her to leave Kingston City on the eve of fulfilling her engagement.”
Viscount Levin Kingston pressed his fingers against his brow as he gave his answer.
Several figures stood at the entrance of the reception hall, conversing casually, clearly without the intention of holding a deep discussion there.
In fact, Viscount Levin Kingston was only seeing off the guests from Bone City.
“An engagement can be broken, can’t it?”
Viscount Blake Bone spoke as if he hadn’t heard Levin Kingston’s evasive words, or perhaps he simply didn’t care at all.
“Forget it, I won’t press further. If you don’t trust Professor Meiji’s teaching, and you think he won’t be of much help to Lilith, then there’s nothing more I can say. But know this—other city-states’ nobles are lining up to seek out Professor Meiji, and I gave you the courtesy of coming here first. Pity you don’t appreciate it.”
Viscount Blake Bone sighed in feigned regret.
“...That’s not what I meant. I deeply respect the educators of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic.”
Suppressing his irritation and impatience, Levin Kingston glanced at Professor Meiji and spoke.
In this turbulent time for the Empire, the Snowfield Province had been isolated—cut off by the Northern Border Province in front and the Box Mountain Province behind—effectively becoming a lone territory.
Not only were communication and transportation troubled, but the threat of the Ghost Party loomed as well.
If several city-states conspired to isolate one, it could be fatal. That city might become the Ghost Party’s next concentrated target, and with no aid from neighboring provinces or cities, destruction was a very real possibility.
And clearly, many nobles from various city-states were currying favor with this Professor Meiji, hoping for the protection of the Protos Royal Academy in the future.
As a result, Viscount Bone, who had aligned himself closely with Meiji, had now risen as the de facto leader among these nobles.
Although Levin Kingston harbored doubts about the professor’s true ability, he dared not speculate rashly.
In truth, by now it hardly mattered whether Meiji was genuine or a fraud. The fact was that Viscount Bone had already secured the backing of many nobles, and questioning him had become nearly impossible.
It was a political trap in plain sight—anyone who dared to oppose Bone would be swiftly eliminated by the united forces behind him.
“Lilith, don’t worry. Professor Meiji is now my teacher. He won’t make things difficult for you.”
The tall, handsome young man behind Viscount Blake Bone—his son, Dean Bone—spoke gently to Lilith.
“...”
Lilith made no reply. Her cold expression betrayed nothing, as if she would never reveal her thoughts to anyone. She merely waited.
“Lilith, do you have anything to say?”
Viscount Levin Kingston turned to his daughter and asked.
He always felt as though she was waiting for someone—but her thoughts remained unreadable.
“I will not marry someone weaker than me.”
Her voice was calm and indifferent.
Immediately, Dean Bone’s face lit up with joy. He even glanced, half-smiling, toward Shaya, who sat on the sofa in the distance.
“After Professor Meiji’s guidance, I might already be stronger than Miss Lilith.”
Dean Bone bowed elegantly to her, as though inviting her to a duel, hoping to secure his place as her rightful fiancé.
This finally made Shaya stand up. He wanted to speak, but out of respect for Viscount Levin Kingston, he restrained himself.
Though Shaya was a southern noble, he had long heard of Dean Bone’s reputation—a notorious playboy with stories of abusing commoner girls, all conveniently silenced by his powerful father.
Shaya never judged by rumor alone. He trusted his senses. When Dean looked at Lilith, he feigned deep affection, yet when his eyes flicked to Sid, his barely restrained lust was exposed.
Shaya noticed everything.
“Oh? Shaya Candis, do you have something to say?”
Viscount Blake Bone turned his attention to Shaya with a mocking smile.
He tapped his wrist lightly, studying the young man before speaking again:
“How about this—let my son Dean test the strength of this last scion of the Candis family. After all, Lilith has said herself she won’t marry the weak. Surely you should respect your daughter’s wishes, no?”
He didn’t actually care how Dean would treat Lilith afterward. He only instructed that at least until she bore him heirs, Dean should keep his scandals in check.
Blake knew full well that Levin was unlikely to remarry. If Dean secured Lilith, not only would it cement a political alliance, but the Kingston family would eventually belong to them as well.
“A third-rank versus a second-rank—it hardly seems fair. At the very least, some restrictions should be applied,” Levin Kingston said after some thought.
“The weak being weak is their own problem. Why should anyone hold back?”
Professor Meiji interjected coldly.
He spoke like he was simply stating an immutable tradition of the Protos Royal Academy—absolute, unquestionable.
Levin Kingston’s face froze.
“Indeed... if it’s about Miss Lilith’s happiness, then strength must be decided. And as for the Candis family’s power, it’s said they can only display it fully when they go all out. If young Shaya truly has the strength of his ancestors, then he should fight without restraint. Should I lose, I will accept it wholeheartedly.”
Dean Bone smoothed over the tension with a polite smile.
“But—” Levin Kingston began.
“It’s settled. The loser shall never appear before me again.”
Before Levin could object further, Lilith herself had spoken.
“No problem.”
Dean answered instantly, delighted. Blake Bone, meanwhile, wore a satisfied smile as his gaze shifted toward Shaya, who sat silently on the sofa, unable to interject.
Shaya remained quiet, head slightly bowed, like a young lion drenched in rain by the lakeside—confused, powerless, unable to see his own reflection.
Whether he agreed or not, the matter was already decided.
His only choice was to lose with dignity or to surrender outright.
“Shaya has traveled far and must be exhausted. It would be unfair to have the duel now. Let’s say three days from now.”
Levin Kingston sighed heavily, casting a deeply apologetic look at Shaya.
It was simply fate. In these turbulent times of the Protos Empire, some bonds were destined to be broken beneath the wheels of destiny.
If worst came to worst, Levin thought, he would have to give Shaya some money and send him back south safely—at least ensuring no harm would come to him.
“Very well. I’ll invite nobles from other provinces to witness the match. Levin, don’t try to weasel out of it.”
And so, though they had come to leave, the group once again departed with polite farewells and the sound of footsteps.
Lilith glanced at Shaya one last time. Her lips moved slightly, and then she turned away in silence.
No one knew what that final look meant, nor what words she mouthed.
Only Shaya remained, standing dazed.
“A single glance at parting, unforgettable... so this is the taste of young love.”
Sid leaned back on the sofa, sipping the tart snowfield fruit tea, and spoke to Lan Qi.
“Mm.”
Lan Qi stood with arms crossed, brows furrowed, nodding with heavy thoughts.
Boss Cat, watching Lan Qi’s expression, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, Huperion had warned Lan Qi repeatedly on the journey: never interfere lightly in another’s romance.
Most of the time, he should just be a spectator, watching silently.
And if he truly felt he couldn’t ignore it, he should at least consult those around him first.
He might often be right—but that didn’t mean he always was.
Recalling Huperion’s words, Lan Qi now found himself deeply conflicted.
(End of Chapter)