"Meow, meow, meow, so what are you planning to do next?"
Boss Cat felt that Lanqi couldn't keep going down this path.
If this grew any bigger, neither man nor cat would ever be able to wash their names clean!
Lanqi pondered for a moment.
"I'll secure legal residency, head to the Imperial Capital, and then defect to the Extinction Branch."
He spoke as he walked, cradling Boss Cat in his arms. Behind them, the towering, solemn sanctuary was gradually swallowed up by the surrounding sea of buildings.
As long as he could work his way up to the rank of high priest—holding a purple [Proof of Resurrection - Extinction]—he would have a shot at meeting the Bishop of Extinction, and could then request to view the stone slate.
Of course, he would also have to make outstanding contributions before being granted permission to view it.
The little black cat nestled in Lanqi's arms had eyes like stars in the night sky. Curled up against his chest, it occasionally reached out a front paw to pat his hand.
"Since you're going to cut ties with the Domination Branch anyway, aren't you afraid of angering the Bishop of Domination right now?"
Boss Cat still felt Lanqi should exercise more restraint.
It knew Lanqi always walked on the razor's edge.
Following him, it lived in constant terror of him crashing and burning—after all, last time, he had nearly been soloed by Tata.
"Right now in the Imperial Capital, all three bishops are openly recruiting followers from among the empire's citizens, seeking talents with imperial authorization. As long as you pass the assessment through official channels, you can become a believer. Outstanding performers even receive preferential treatment, leaping straight to elite believers in one step," Lanqi explained to Boss Cat.
Naturally, he wanted to give it a try.
Once he obtained legal resident status in the empire, he could go to the Imperial Capital and openly participate in the trials to join the Extinction Branch.
"Is it really fine for a proper student like you to go take an exam to join the Resurrection Church?"
Boss Cat couldn't shake the feeling that ever since arriving on the Northern Continent, Lanqi had gradually forgotten he was still a student of Ikerite Academy and that his original goal was simply doing research for a school project.
"A consummate champion of justice naturally has to understand the criminal mind," Lanqi remarked with unhurried calm.
"...Then, three months from now, do you really want the Bishop of Extinction to win?"
Boss Cat simply couldn't fathom why Lanqi was so fixated on the Extinction Branch.
It was almost as if he genuinely wanted to throw his lot in with the Bishop of Extinction, Askesan—or had set his sights on hunting him down.
"Rest assured. Whether I'm a cop undercover among crooks or a crook undercover among cops, at heart, I am always a cop."
Lanqi looked down and stroked the little black cat, his eyes clear and resolute.
"Although the current state of affairs in the empire is rather convoluted—to the point where it's sometimes hard to say who counts as cops and who counts as crooks—my mind has always been steadfast. I only ever act to carry out my convictions; even without a compass, I will never lose my way."
"Meow, but if you go to the Extinction Branch and try to earn merits..."
Boss Cat was growing somewhat terrified of Lanqi's bizarre talents. Especially without Hubao around, he was like a completely different person, showing zero restraint in his drive to execute plans.
"I don't want the Bishop of Extinction to win," Lanqi stated without hesitation.
"Good, that's good then."
Boss Cat nodded repeatedly.
Hearing Lanqi say that set its mind at ease.
In terms of harm, the followers of the Domination Branch posed far less danger than those of the Extinction Branch.
At least this bunch wasn't mentally deranged. Although their cherished doctrine—"the strong take all"—was extreme, it leaned toward lawful order, and they were relatively easy to communicate with. Once relative strength had been proven, they were willing to listen attentively to Lanqi.
And as long as someone could be communicated with, Lanqi seemed capable of steering them.
Branches like Extinction and Mourning, on the other hand, were impossible to blend into unless one was genuinely unhinged. Boss Cat shuddered to imagine the horrifying scene if either of those two branches overran the empire.
If it truly came down to choosing among the Bishop of Domination, the Bishop of Extinction, and the Bishop of Mourning to be the chief shot-caller of the empire, Boss Cat would still prefer it to be the Bishop of Domination.
Lanqi walked along the cobblestone lane with light footsteps. Smoke was already drifting from the chimneys of the large taverns lining the street, carrying the savory aroma of dinner being prepared.
"Time to head back for dinner."
Lanqi glanced at the sky. Over this period, he had become a retainer at Viscount Francis's estate—and the very first home tutor who had managed to stay long-term in the viscount's household.
"Meow, meow, buy me some dried fish on the way! The fish in Lilom City is so tasty."
"All right, all right."
He stepped onto the bridge carrying Boss Cat. The ripples on the sea shimmered like gold under the gentle setting sun. Pedestrians on the bridge were drawn from time to time by the little black cat in his arms, pausing and crouching down to interact with Boss Cat.
Boss Cat merely acted like an ordinary kitten.
In a small town where people generally possessed negligible tiers, a talking cat would certainly frighten the residents.
On the other side of the bridge lay a small park. Cutting north through three more streets would bring them back to the lord's manor.
"I actually quite like Lilom City."
"Yeah, meow."
In a few days, Zestira would likely have to return to the Imperial Capital to resume her preparatory courses.
And if Lanqi continued to be retained in his post, he would have the chance to leave with her.
Every now and then, he looked up at this aquatic town merged seamlessly with the sea. The entire town was bathed in a soft golden halo; this tranquil, harmonious moment was a rare and precious peace.
Sadly, the young man and cat couldn't help feeling that something was missing.
As the setting sun's afterglow receded, the town's streets were blanketed in a faint purplish-red haze.
The silhouette of the lord's manor sharpened into view before Lanqi.
Before Lanqi even reached the courtyard gates, the guards stepped forward to open the ancient bronze doors for him.
Stepping into the front courtyard of the lord's manor, Lanqi was promptly met by a butler dressed in formal livery, who offered a deep bow.
"Mr. Luoqi, Viscount Francis is waiting for you in the dining room. He invites you to join him for dinner."
"Understood, thank you."
Lanqi nodded and followed the attendant to the main hall of the lord's manor. Passing through a series of carved wooden corridors, they arrived before a pair of grand double doors. The attendant pushed them open gently, revealing a lavishly decorated dining room. The crystal chandelier suspended from the high ceiling illuminated the entire room as bright as day.
On the dining table, silver cutlery and goblets were neatly arranged. Seated at the head of the table, Viscount Francis looked as dignified and calm as ever, yet a trace of warmth and friendliness flickered in his eyes when he saw Lanqi.
What differed from usual today was another figure seated at the side of the table.
With her dark hair draped over her shoulders, Zestira sat silently. She merely glanced at Lanqi with her slit pupils before lapsing back into her habitual quietude.
Seeing that Viscount Francis had invited Zestira to dine with them tonight as well, Lanqi knew that the viscount most likely intended to discuss matters concerning their journey to the Imperial Capital.
Chapter 254