Mixiula stood by the side, her eyes filled with excitement.
In her view, all previous distance and displeasure between the two had long since vanished, replaced by a deep mutual recognition and wonder.
Amidst the flashing cameras and the gentle afterglow of the surrounding streetlamps, their gazes intertwined within the rainy world.
The illumination seemed to exist solely for this moment, tracing their silhouettes with profound yet tender clarity.
On their faces surfaced traces of childhood innocence along with a touch of adult relief.
The passage of time became meaningless at that instant; it was as though they had returned to that carefree era, back to the old place where they had run and played together countless times as children.
"..."
Boss Cat, curled up in Lanqi's shadow, dared not show its face.
Having finally grasped the full truth, it was the one scared almost out of its wits.
Furthermore, it couldn't help thinking that this noble girl was shipping the wrong pair entirely, dreaming up an entire dramatic backstory that didn't belong to them at all.
"I need to take my leave."
Lanqi didn't linger in the gathering rain, communicating his intention to the security personnel with a look.
The guards acted with practiced coordination, swiftly parting a path through the crowd to offer Lanqi an easy exit.
Light refracted through falling raindrops, turning soft and dreamy. Guided by the security staff, the surrounding onlookers slowly fell back. Though their cheers for Luoqi McCarthy never ceased, they showed deep reverence for his departure.
"I'll escort you two back," Lanqi said.
Hyperion nodded as she followed behind him.
Escorted by guards holding umbrellas, Lanqi and the two young ladies of the Milford family walked toward the roadside, their strides composed and steady in the rain. Before long, they reached the waiting mana vehicle.
A guard smoothly opened the car door, letting the warm interior glow spill out. They climbed inside together, and the door clicked shut, shutting out the clamor of the outside world.
Once the security personnel ensured the surrounding crowds had dispersed, the vehicle pulled away smoothly, accelerating through the curtain of rain and melting into Herrom's night.
Rainwater slid down the car windows.
Lanqi sat in the front seat. Through the flowing sheets of rain, he watched only the blurred cityscape receding slowly outside the glass.
The plush seats, warm lighting, and soft background music inside the cabin all fostered a sense of peace and comfort.
Yet he could not shake the feeling that an intense glare was drilling into his back, making him hesitate to turn his head.
Finally.
"Just what on earth is going on with you?!"
Hyperion flared up again, demanding answers from Lanqi heedless of the driver in front and Mixiula beside her.
Although she knew certain matters were best discussed when they were alone, the moment she saw Lanqi appear on the plaza's giant screen had simply been too great a shock.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that by the time she traveled from the Kingdom of Asethelan to the Protos Empire, Lanqi would already be talking about running for president!
No matter what, she had to give Lanqi a harsh reprimand this time. She needed to make him understand that they were only here for an academic project and shouldn't stir up such high-profile trouble in the Northern Continent! What if he couldn't extricate himself later? What if Dean Loren had a heart attack?
Meanwhile, Boss Cat shivered inside Lanqi's shadow, not daring to poke its head out. As long as Hubao didn't notice it, it had no intention of emerging until Lanqi finished dealing with her questions.
This was the very first time it had seen Hubao actually lose her temper.
"When I first arrived in the Protos Empire, my life hung by a thread at sea. I was rescued by a kindhearted southern lord, only to be ambushed by the Resurrection Church along the way..."
Lanqi turned around. His innocent emerald eyes met Hubao's, and after a brief silence, he lowered his brow and began recounting his tribulations.
Hyperion was at a loss for words.
"..."
Seeing Lanqi's pitiful appearance, Hyperion felt her heart soften again.
She bit her lip.
In her heart, she could only thank the Goddess for protecting him, allowing him to survive the raging storms and swirling mana across the sea as well.
Listening as Lanqi finished explaining how he brought Boss Cat all the way from the south to the Imperial Capital of Herrom, Hyperion remained silent the entire time.
"..."
She took a deep breath, which sounded almost like a heavy sigh, calming her emotions as she stared at Lanqi.
"During this time, besides Boss Cat, has someone been leading you astray?"
She couldn't shake the feeling that Lanqi alone wouldn't have become so reckless and uninhibited.
It was as if after some turning point, someone had emboldened him, egging him on to step on the gas like a joyriding car thief!
"No, not at all," Lanqi answered after a moment's thought.
Sigrid was an outspoken friend and a kindred spirit despite the age gap. The two of them simply hung out together; neither had led the other astray in the slightest.
"Really?" Hyperion eyed Lanqi skeptically, sensing that he had just thought of someone.
"Really, there's nobody. If you don't believe me, ask Boss Cat."
As soon as Lanqi spoke, Hyperion's gaze shifted toward his feet.
Immediately, his shadow trembled, but no cat emerged for the longest time.
"..."
Hyperion pondered for a long while and decided to remain skeptical.
At any rate, she was going to keep a close eye on Lanqi from now on.
Whoever Lanqi had associated with in the Northern Continent, she would meet them one by one.
She wanted to see exactly who had corrupted Lanqi, and she would never let Lanqi hang around that person again!
"It just so happens you'll need to come with me in a bit. I have something to tell you," Lanqi said, his expression turning a shade more serious upon reflection.
Before setting out, he had promised Sigrid that he would return to find her once the interview was over.
He had originally planned to discuss with Sigrid tonight how to mobilize personnel from the Domination branch to contact the great demon held on the lowest level of Herrom Prison.
Now that Hyperion was here, the matter was practically more than half solved.
Hyperion, who could carry the Poet of Great Love into the prison, was undoubtedly the ideal candidate.
When the time came, he could possess the Poet of Great Love and head down with Hyperion.
Speaking to the great demon in the prison wearing the Poet of Great Love's face would probably be much more convenient.
A useless demon princess like Talia—her sole remaining value right now was surrendering her identity to him so he could play the true last princess of the demon race.
"Sure. But... why are you looking at me like that?"
Hyperion couldn't help feeling that Lanqi seemed unusually relieved by her arrival.
Yet, given the status Lanqi had already achieved in the empire, there shouldn't be anything she could help him with; if anything, she was the one who needed to ask him for help.
"All I can say is that your timing couldn't be better," Lanqi sighed appreciatively.
Whether it was Sigrid or Hyperion, both were simply too dependable.
Lanqi then turned to Mixiula beside Hyperion. "Mixiula, after dropping you off at home, I'd like to chat with your sister for a bit."
"I get it, I get it! Big Sis, whether you come back tonight or not is completely fine!" Mixiula nodded repeatedly.
"...You seem to have misunderstood something. We're both staying in the north residential district of Protos Royal Academy," Lanqi said helplessly.
The secret Domination branch post at Protos Royal Academy that he and Hyperion were about to visit—the residence of his direct retainer, Gloria—should be right near Hyperion and Mixiula's mansion, merely a few steps away.
"By the way, why are you at Protos Royal Magic Academy too?"
Hyperion gave up trying to explain things to Mixiula. The more one explained, the more entangled it became; she would probably only be able to explain the whole story to Mixiula once she fulfilled her mission and returned to the Southern Continent.
Hyperion only knew Lanqi was currently a political celebrity in the Protos Empire, but she had no idea why he seemed to reside at the academy as well.
If Lanqi held a concurrent post or had connections at this school, her troubles would surely be significantly reduced.
However, putting the keywords "Lanqi" and "school" together immediately gave her an ominous foreboding.
Chapter 378