Chapter 360
Chapter 360
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 360 – Even Huperion Has an Aggro-Pulling Passive
The train was about to reach Rock Junction Station. From the seat, one could feel the obvious deceleration, though it would still take a while before it came to a full stop.
A delicate tablecloth was laid across the small table between them, upon which stood gold-rimmed porcelain, sparkling cutlery, and several bottles of fruit wine brewed in the Milford Territory. Beneath the table was a small magically cooled wine cabinet stocked with various drinks and pastries.
Their luggage had already been checked in and would be automatically transferred to the next train. From there, it would be delivered by Helrom Central Station’s special courier service directly to the Royal Academy of Protos. Once they got off, they only needed to carry their small personal items and documents.
“Honestly, Helrom makes a pretty nice tourist city. Around the academy alone there are plenty of sights — the Helrom Zoo, the Endless Library, the Starry Sky Theater, and even that mesmerizing natural mana-flow moat. If only the Royal Magic Academy’s coursework wasn’t so suffocating.”
Mishula sighed as she gazed at the slowly shifting scenery outside the glass window.
Huperion nodded.
Lan Qi had once told her that after completing their research project in the Northern Continent, they must take the time to enjoy themselves with no distractions. But now, she bore a great mission on her shoulders, and the situation no longer allowed her to accompany Lan Qi to realize that plan — or to treat the Protos Empire as a mere sightseeing destination.
As for her original plan to observe the [Primeval Tablet – Sealing], the Empire’s current instability had made it utterly impossible.
Still, this two-month extended leave granted by Loren was not without value. If things went well, Lan Qi could at least return with her to the Kingdom of Aetherthalan to witness her teacher’s [Primeval Tablet – Healing]. At the very least, she could submit something to Ikerite Academy to complete her assignment.
She rested her cheek on one hand, quietly watching the view outside. Her smooth hair slid gently down her shoulder.
“Are you thinking about that man named Rocky again?”
Mishula’s sudden voice broke Huperion’s thoughts.
“Was it that obvious?”
Huperion blinked, then put her hand down and looked at Mishula.
Back in the temples of Aetherthalan, the Ice Witch always saw through her at a glance. Now even Mishula had started saying the same thing whenever she zoned out.
“It’s not that obvious — just easy to guess.”
Mishula replied casually.
Her curiosity grew about this man who could occupy her sister’s thoughts so often.
“I hope he’s doing well.”
Huperion exhaled softly.
“What kind of person is he, really?”
Mishula asked curiously.
“I just want him to live a peaceful life.”
Huperion thought for a moment, unable to find proper words to describe Lan Qi, and finally sighed with this simple wish.
“…”
Mishula frowned slightly.
Was her sister’s bar really that low?
Could this Rocky guy be some loafer who spent all day messing around and wanted to mooch off her sister?
Judging from the way Huperion looked, she almost wanted to keep him at home and not let him work.
No, there had to be something wrong with a man like that — maybe he’d already tricked her sister completely.
“When we find him, I’m going to judge him myself.”
Mishula clenched her small fist and said with a very serious expression.
“Mishula, you’re misunderstanding. He’s actually a good man — always taking care of me. It’s just that his appearances can sometimes be so chaotic and shocking that your heart can hardly take it. And when he gets serious about something… he has this terrifying talent that makes people feel uneasy.”
Huperion tried to explain what Lan Qi was really like, but as she spoke she could only shake her head bitterly. No matter how much merit she earned, Lan Qi always seemed to spend it faster.
Mishula frowned, still confused.
She wasn’t sure if her sister was being honest or just blinded like a lovestruck fool.
“Well then, I’ll just have to see for myself what kind of ability he has to impress you this much.”
Mishula felt her sister’s “love filter” was far too strong.
The train passed the last set of speed-reduction tracks and finally slowed to a smooth stop. Both Mishula and Huperion realized they had arrived at Rock Junction Station.
The grand architecture of the station slowly entered their view. Outside the window was a massive structure where history and the future blended together. The platforms were spacious and bright, with a crystalline dome pieced together from transparent glass panels. The dim light filtering through looked like scattered stardust falling gently into the hall.
The closer they came to Helrom, the more Huperion felt she was approaching Lan Qi.
Back in Aetherthalan, she often imagined Lan Qi being somewhere along the Empire’s southern coast — or perhaps even in Helrom itself.
But as the train stopped completely, Huperion knew that before reaching Helrom, she still had to pass through the heavily fortified Box Mountain Province.
Here, far from Aetherthalan and the Milford Territory, she would have to rely entirely on herself. There was no one left to help.
Huperion and Mishula stood, picked up their bags, and stepped off the train into the vast belly of the station.
Colossal stone pillars held up the roof above each platform. These pillars had witnessed countless trains traveling north and south, stitching together the edges and the heart of the Empire. But now trains were fewer, and the once-bustling station felt wrapped in a veil of quiet desolation.
Imperial soldiers holding weapons stood like dark statues on the platform, perfectly still, lending the place a severe atmosphere.
Many Imperial citizens waiting on the platform looked uneasy, as if they could feel the taut string of tension hanging in the air.
Passengers stepped carefully off the platform, heading toward the station hall, avoiding any direct eye contact with those stone-like soldiers.
Two clearly marked passageways directed travelers — one led to transfer routes, the other to the exit.
Most passengers took the latter, heading toward Box Mountain Province.
Trains from the Empire’s northwest either went north toward Snowfield Province or south, leaving the Northern Blockade Zone.
Few people went north toward Snowfield Province, and beyond that was the long stretch leading to the warfront provinces near the northern border.
Heading south required strict inspections.
These days, the atmosphere was tense.
The Annihilation Branch had intercepted most people trying to leave the Northern Blockade Zone. Some “selected” individuals had disappeared completely.
They claimed these “potential threats to the Empire” had been taken to the Annihilation Knights’ Temple for further observation and interrogation. But no one knew what happened to those taken there — or if they ever came out alive.
Naturally, this terrified many citizens who had planned to flee, greatly reducing the Branch’s workload.
The sound of Huperion and Mishula’s footsteps echoed on the stone-paved transfer passage.
As they approached the checkpoint, Imperial soldiers and Annihilation priests watched them closely.
At the inspection gate, the guards were no longer regular Imperial troops but a Great Deacon of the Annihilation Branch and a group of their heavily armed elites.
The Great Deacon standing before the inspection platform radiated a powerful magical presence. The purple sacred seal on his chest glimmered under the light, exuding an aura of authority. His gaze was like the scales of judgment — sharp and precise, weighing every passerby.
Huperion and Mishula remained calm-faced and kept walking, joining the inspection line.
Although there were not many people ahead, each screening took a long time.
After over ten minutes, it was finally their turn.
The Great Deacon’s owl-like eyes fixed on them as they stepped forward and presented all the required documents.
When he noticed their identities, his expression softened slightly, though he did not lower his guard. He examined the papers carefully while occasionally glancing at them.
“So, you are the daughters of Count Milford.”
The young ladies of Milford Territory were no ordinary Imperial citizens — their status could even influence Count Milford’s vote in the upcoming bishop election in late April. There was no reason to make things difficult for them.
But when the Great Deacon saw Huperion’s Royal Magic Academy admission letter, he frowned.
He quickly returned Mishula’s documents, then looked squarely at Huperion.
“Miss Mishula may pass. Miss Miriam Milford, you are required to come with us for investigation.”
His words were like a gust of wind on a winter night — sharp and filled with power.
At once, the elite priests behind him entered battle-ready stances.
The atmosphere at the checkpoint instantly turned from casual to tense, as though on the verge of an explosion.
Huperion’s gentle features tensed, her eyes flashing with shock and doubt.
Even while acting her usual calm role, her heartbeat sped uncontrollably.
The Great Deacon’s piercing stare pinned her in place, completely indifferent to her expression or innocence.
Behind him, rows of armored Annihilation Knights gripped their weapons, their plate armor clanking ominously, waiting for the order to strike.
Passengers waiting further back felt the oppressive air and instinctively stepped away, afraid to make a sound.
The silence was charged, and even the smallest noise could ignite the tension.
“May I ask why?”
Huperion asked with a hint of confusion and worry.
She couldn’t fathom it.
She had done nothing suspicious, and there was no error on her admission letter.
Being stopped without reason filled her with a sense of looming danger.
“Sorry, I cannot disclose that. Please come with us willingly — don’t make us use force.”
The Great Deacon’s voice was polite, but his tone icy.
Once, their work in the Northwest Province was to root out remnants of the Goddess of Fate Church.
But now, they had a far more critical mission.
Compared to this assignment, their previous searches had been child’s play.
Their primary duty in this city was to block and capture two targets. According to the Son of Annihilation’s publicly issued intelligence, one was definitely a woman, the other’s identity unknown.
Any woman fitting the general profile was suspect.
This mission carried such a high risk that they would rather kill an innocent than let the target slip away. Any mistake would mean disastrous consequences for everyone involved.
According to the admission letter, this Miriam Milford was a fifth-tier magician.
A tall woman, with power peaking around the fifth tier.
Everything matched the characteristics of the woman the Son of Annihilation was pursuing.
Even though no disguise magic was detected on her, rogues and performers were known to use physical or magical disguises that detection spells could not catch.
The only difference was — this woman didn’t seem to have any seal magic power on her.
Whether she was the one the Bishop sought could likely only be confirmed by the Son of Annihilation himself.
The Great Deacon glanced at the clock in the hall.
Judging by the time, Anello should be returning very soon.