An Iron-Blooded Love Song Composed by Lanqi

Three days later. The sky over Chinston City had been washed spotlessly clean by a heavy downpour. Today brought rare fine weather. Sunlight parted the thin clouds over the snow-covered ground and spilled across the earth, driving away even the smog. Though a bitter chill lingered, there was a faint hint of spring in the air. Located on the northern side of the city-state, the Snowfield Arena had become the focus of attention today. Marble paving and majestic stone pillars circled the central dueling stage in a structure reminiscent of a divine temple, while ascending tiers of spectator seating formed the grandeur of the entire building. Many dignitaries from Snowfield Province had gathered today in this city-state knights' arena in Chinston City. It was typically used for internal training by the city-state's knight order, competitions held within the city-state, or major public events. Complemented by today's fine weather, the bright morning sunlight poured down through the opening at the top, scattering across the clean white flagstones in the center of the grounds as if bestowing a sacred blessing upon the venue. Early on, nobles dressed in lavish attire arrived one after another. They sat in the VIP stands high above the arena, conversing or laughing casually. At the same time, many residents of Chinston City had come to watch this public duel. As time passed, the arena seats filled up more and more. The chatter of the commoners, along with their curiosity and anticipation for the upcoming match, coalesced into waves of relaxed excitement that hovered over the entire arena, awaiting the impending spectacle and bustle. "Perhaps today's contest will become the stuff of romantic legends." "I heard from Lord Viscount Chinston that the two of them knew each other when they were very small. To meet again after so many years, only to face such a grueling trial!" "Even if Young Master Xiaya has little hope of winning, isn't it precisely overcoming the odds that makes the romance between young lovers all the more moving?" "..." Up in the high VIP stands, Viscount Blake Bourne listened to the endless chattering of the commoners and let out a cold snort. "Whatever pretty fairy tales they believe in, trampling them to dust will settle it." He had originally heard that for three whole days, Xiaya had barely been seen anywhere in Chinston City, and had assumed the boy might have forfeited and fled of his own accord. He had not expected Xiaya to be in the competitors' lounge preparing today. Supposedly, those two students had taken him outside the city for three full days of special training. Viscount Blake Bourne found the thought utterly laughable. He merely turned his head, looked at Professor Meiqi beside him, and asked, "Professor Meiqi, what do you think of the odds for this match?" "Ten to zero," Meiqi replied with his usual absolute certainty. "Heh heh. Such a fine day is an auspicious omen for my assumption of the governorship." Viscount Blake Bourne sneered darkly. In truth, he thoroughly detested those two young people who feigned such unbothered composure. Back in the reception hall of Viscount Chinston's manor, their attitude of mere spectators had felt like looking down on him from above—the ultimate form of contempt. And above all... The Spectre Party he hired was supposed to have dealt with that brat Xiaya on the road. In all likelihood, it was those two who had meddled, allowing Xiaya to reach Chinston City in the first place! Still, out here where the mountain was high and the emperor was far away, he would soon make them pay a price in Snowfield Province. Meanwhile, on the other side of the stands. Viscount Laiwen Chinston, who was entertaining other dignitaries from Snowfield Province visiting Chinston City in the VIP section, easily spotted the prominent figures of Lanqi and Side among the seats by following the murmurs and glances. Before long, Viscount Laiwen Chinston finished exchanging pleasantries with the nearby elites and walked toward the pair he had been fretting over. Viscount Laiwen Chinston sat down beside them, looking utterly exhausted. "My apologies for failing to properly host our distinguished guests who have traveled all the way from Herrom," he said to Lanqi and Side. "I am deeply sorry that you had such an unpleasant experience the moment you arrived in Chinston City. Please do not blame Xiaya or Lilith." Viscount Laiwen Chinston lowered his head in sincere apology. He seemed not to mind sitting right there to watch alongside them, chatting like an older uncle with the boy and girl next door. This belated apology came because he had been overwhelmed with official business, and also because the butler had informed him that Xiaya and the two of them had not been seen in the lord's manor for the past two days. He himself had no idea where Xiaya had gone either. "It's fine. We have a very good impression of Chinston City. It is merely that some unlawful elements seem to be troubling Snowfield Province," Lanqi replied with a smile. The viscount of Chinston City was far more amiable, approachable, and sensible than expected, as evidenced by his continuous defense of Xiaya earlier. Side sat beside them in silence, merely resting her cheek on one hand as she looked down at the arena floor. In truth, if she wished it, wiping out an entire province would be no trouble at all; everything before them was nothing more than petty squabbling. "..." Viscount Laiwen Chinston went quiet for a brief moment, using the pause in conversation to observe the two of them once more. Regardless of what ranks the young man and woman appeared to hold on the surface, or what they had stated earlier about their situation at the academy, the unshakable composure they displayed back then had left a deep impression on Viscount Laiwen Chinston. He was convinced these two students were anything but simple. It was hard to describe the exact feeling, or what tangible proof showed their uniqueness. Yet Laiwen could deduce one thing— They were figures of superior standing. As for those 40 and 60 credits, they had surely been made up on the spot to mock Viscount Bourne. "Could I ask you to tell us about the current situation in Snowfield Province?" Lanqi retrieved a notebook from the inside pocket of his suit, drew out the fountain pen clipped to the side, and began to inquire of Viscount Laiwen Chinston. Over the past few days, aside from training Xiaya, he had also been conducting investigations. A rare opportunity like this to sit down with Viscount Laiwen Chinston and verify information was not to be missed. "Ahem." Viscount Laiwen Chinston instinctively sat up a bit straighter and cleared his throat. He could not tell if it was an ingrained reflex, because he had only recently hosted an investigation team from the Imperial Capital of Herrom, or simply because the young man before him possessed an extraordinary presence. Beside them, Side listened in silence. She naturally understood why Lanqi had not exposed the fraudulent Meiqi back at the lord's manor in Chinston City. Although they could have unmasked the fake on the spot, reeling in the net right after arriving in an information-isolated town before understanding the full picture would have been utterly foolish. Her Holy Son liked to play the long game to catch the biggest fish. "Sigh, this dates back to a historical legacy issue in our Snowfield Province—namely, the vacancy of the governorship," Viscount Laiwen Chinston sighed, explaining the matter to them in detail... As a remote province that had long enjoyed autonomy, Snowfield Province had an acknowledged, unspoken rule: The appointment of a governor required the endorsement of the lords of its several city-states. Starting this winter, the Spectre Party had grown increasingly rampant. The lords had also largely concluded that criminals could no longer be allowed to act with wanton impunity. "Yet they could never agree on a candidate. Every local power wanted to promote someone from their own family to become governor. Meanwhile, those from the Imperial Capital with real capability and political finesse would never run out to Snowfield Province from Herrom in times like these, and the several lords would never allow someone incompetent to take office. Thus, things ground to a stalemate once again. "Until this Professor Meiqi passed through our Snowfield Province and arrived in Bourne City, where he befriended Viscount Blake Bourne, who soon introduced him to the other lords." Having said this, Viscount Laiwen Chinston looked at Lanqi with a helpless expression, confident he did not need to elaborate further for the two visitors from the Imperial Capital to understand. Professor Meiqi genuinely possessed credentials from the Protos Royal Magic Academy; there was no doubt about that. Viscount Blake Bourne had leveraged Professor Meiqi's authority, momentum, and connections to win over numerous dignitaries in a short time, forming an interest group. Once an interest group formed, it could begin ostracizing anyone unwilling to join. Clearly, Viscount Blake Bourne intended to seize this opportunity to take the governor's seat for himself. The other lords had likely already made up their minds, but Viscount Laiwen Chinston had yet to declare his stance. From the looks of it, Viscount Blake Bourne would probably use today's contest to force everyone to take a stand on the governorship. "Did none of you lords question the authenticity of Meiqi's identity?" Lanqi asked, looking up as he jotted down notes. "A few days ago, visitors from the Imperial Capital passed through our cities. We did learn of the recent changes at the Protos Royal Magic Academy, and they matched what Professor Meiqi intentionally or unintentionally let slip about his deeds with extraordinary precision. However, even those visitors from the Imperial Capital weren't entirely clear on the internal details of the academy's reforms; they only knew it happened right after they departed the Imperial Capital," Viscount Laiwen Chinston answered in a low, troubled voice, shaking his head. From that point on, none of them dared offend Professor Meiqi in the slightest. "Understood." Lanqi nodded. The "visitors from the Imperial Capital" the viscount referred to were likely the investigation team. However, Viscount Laiwen Chinston had described them very vaguely, likely bound by a gag order that forbade him from elaborating. He closed his notebook. "I do believe Snowfield Province needs a capable governor," Lanqi murmured to himself, gazing toward the grounds as he once again picked up Boss Cat, who had already melted into a tearful cat meme. "..." Viscount Laiwen Chinston did not understand what Lanqi meant by that. Perhaps coming from the Imperial Capital of Herrom, Lanqi was genuinely dissatisfied with the present state of their Snowfield Province. Yet facing the matter at hand, Viscount Laiwen Chinston no longer had the energy to worry about the broader picture. He had no idea how Xiaya could possibly fight Dean today. He desperately hoped Xiaya would win. If Xiaya won, things would still be manageable. Viscount Blake Bourne would not have everything go his way today, and it would indirectly show that Professor Meiqi's teachings were nothing special. Yet he could see very little hope of Xiaya winning... He could only pray for a miracle from the Candis family's secret heritage. Meanwhile, Xiaya's two friends had stayed by his side and trained him for three whole days—this was the power of friendship! That youth, who resembled a slumbering lion, might well possess the magic known as courage. Once awakened by love, he might just create a miracle! Clang, clang. As the chimes rang out, it was time for the contestants scheduled for the duel to enter the arena. Finally. A figure slowly emerged from the entrance on the side near Lanqi and the others' seats. Amidst the gloom, the ancient iron on the wooden gate emitted a dull screech. The sunlight merely illuminated the unsteady dust suspended in the corridor. From the shadows, a silhouette gradually materialized. Dark red and pitch-black chainmail and leather were crusted thick with dried blood, bearing what seemed like the residue of countless foes' flesh and gore. The dense stench of blood even drifted into the spectator stands, causing many to clutch their noses in dread and disgust. His pale face held a sickly beauty, framed by sunken, dark eye contours. The spark in his eyes had long been extinguished, leaving behind only a pair of pitch-black orbs filled with despair and ruthlessness. His swift footfalls struck like drumbeats; with every step he took, the surrounding temperature seemed to plunge several degrees, as though countless wronged spirits lurked beneath his shadow, reaching out toward him. The moment Viscount Laiwen Chinston saw the reappearing Xiaya, he froze in utter disbelief. Is this... my worthy nephew...?!