"Can we really just rest as soon as we get back?"
Sinora asked somewhat uneasily as she walked along the streets of Herrom.
She did not want to leave the new King with the impression that she was lazy and fond of ease.
Such overly relaxed work demands left her feeling unsettled.
It was only just noon right now. She could even finish lunch, return home to try on her new clothes properly, familiarize herself with her new living quarters, and only then head to the Redmond Building to find the new King according to his instructions.
"Uh... how about gathering at three-thirty then? Any later won't do," the Poet of Great Love replied after pondering for a moment.
"No, no, no, I didn't mean there wasn't enough rest time!" Sinora hastily shook her head.
"Either way, just come find me anytime between three and three-thirty."
On the way back to the academy, the five of them chatted as they walked.
Antanas still chattered endlessly, asking about this and that. Sinora occasionally chimed in with an anxious question or two, while Pranay quietly listened to the new King's meticulous answers.
Sunlight poured through the gaps between the skyscrapers, spilling onto the wide streets and draping Herrom in a layer of warm gold. A gentle spring breeze blew past, carrying floral fragrance and fresh air.
The three residences Lanqi had arranged for the great demon foreign instructors were all on the north side of the Protos Royal Magic Academy, very close to the Domination branch's stronghold at the academy.
Having finally rescued Tata's friends, Tata would surely be very happy in the latter half of this year.
She would be able to immerse herself in a peaceful retirement life with her childhood friends!
Meanwhile, the contract Lanqi had discussed with Warden Bakas in the Redmond Building of the Protos Royal Magic Academy was almost finalized. After having lunch with Warden Bakas, he could see his new imperial friend and business partner Bakas off from the academy.
Next, he would begin his work for the school, completing the onboarding procedures for the three great demons and settling them into the Redmond Building.
In addition, he had to go see Sigrid and tell her that he had successfully rescued the three great demons.
By the time Sigrid took her afternoon nap in peace, it would be around three o'clock, and he could return to the Redmond Building to host the three great demons in his true form.
Later in the evening, he had an appointment to meet with Duke Bernhardt.
Mentally mapping out the sequence of today's work schedule, Lanqi breathed a sigh of relief, his expression calm and poised.
Beside him, Hyperion quietly looked at Lanqi's profile.
Hyperion had already realized that staying by Lanqi's side felt so easy precisely because Lanqi took care of everything himself.
The dream sequence on Floor B4, [Fallen Land of Gentle Slumber], had reminded her of that exact feeling when Duke Mikhail used to take her out to play in her childhood.
Lanqi inexplicably possessed the sense of reliability found in a mature man in his thirties; going out with him required zero worry.
Everything would be arranged properly by him.
"..."
Speaking of which, could Miss Tata be in love with Lanqi?
Hyperion knew that Tata had already been acquainted with Lanqi before she herself met him, and both of them had come to the royal capital of Ikerite from South Vantina. There was no telling how long they had actually known each other.
Hyperion could hardly imagine how Talia, a demon princess stranded in an unfamiliar realm, had ended up becoming Lanqi's teacher, nor what kind of story had unfolded between the two of them before meeting her...
Hyperion shook her head, letting go of the baffling question.
Even though she and Lanqi had learned certain truths about the three of them today, the relationship between the three of them likely would not change. The harmony of sharing a roof was the one thing that would never be broken.
"Let me help you with the academy's official business," Hyperion spoke up.
Although Hyperion had always hoped to rein in Lanqi's terrifying career ambition, at a juncture like this, she had to do everything she could to help him.
These days, Lanqi had spent his time either crafting cards or training Domination clerics. Over the coming days, there would surely be plenty of official duties at the academy.
Hyperion recalled that back at Purgatory Corridor Academy, Lanqi had served as headmaster while she had served as his secretary. Even if she might not be of immense help to him, after partnering together for so long, she certainly wouldn't get in his way.
Hearing Hyperion's words, Lanqi was slightly taken aback.
"All right. Go back and get some rest first, and let's meet at the Redmond Building this afternoon. I added clearance to your student wristband long ago," Lanqi replied with a grateful smile.
"I've actually been resting the whole time..."
Even now, Hyperion didn't quite understand how her priest evaluation and arduous mission had been accomplished.
Reflecting on her morning, she had simply strolled and paused inside Herrom Prison, ended up drinking liquor and snacking, and then completed the trial.
Now, based on their capstone project results, Milian Milford would even be awarded a Special First-Class graduation diploma from the Protos Royal Magic Academy by the empire, and their team would receive an opportunity to select a Pink Sacred magic item from the Protos Ancient Treasury.
Hyperion felt that her 'main account'—the duke's daughter despised by everyone in the Southern Continent—couldn't even compare to this Northern Continent count's daughter 'alt'...
"Oh, right. I also have a fox being fostered at my student's place. If you have time, you can go play with it," Lanqi said after a moment's thought, noticing Hyperion's slightly unsettled expression.
Ever since returning from the Northern Snowfield, the big fox had been kept at Zestira's home.
Having been brought out of the Protos Royal Magic Academy on the Monthly Evaluation Day, only Zestira was relatively familiar with it.
This Demon Realm Moonshadow Fox was a companion Lanqi intended to bring back to the Southern Continent, and in the future, it would probably be fostered at the Boss Cat Restaurant, as Ikerite Academy's regulations forbade students from keeping large pets in the dormitories.
With three great demons suddenly available to play with it, the fox would surely be delighted.
Moreover, the three great demons were now specially appointed outstanding young talents of the academy, so there was no need to worry about them exerting any negative influence on the fox.
"A fox?" Antanas asked, puzzled.
"A Demon Realm Moonshadow Fox. It was originally a cub, but teachers at the Protos Royal Magic Academy raised it over the years," the Poet of Great Love explained, gesturing as he described it.
He didn't know what kind of demon scientific name this fox had borne in the ancient Demon Realm.
"What?! The Protos Empire still has that kind of black fox?"
Antanas and Sinora both crowded forward and asked in astonishment, utterly stunned.
It was a rare magical beast that had already been on the brink of extinction in the Demon Realm. They had assumed it would inevitably be wiped out entirely after the Holy War, never expecting a cub would manage to survive within the Protos Empire.
The gaze Pranay cast over also became filled with curiosity.
"Of course. If you have time, you can help me look after the fox, though don't feed it too much."
The black-haired, green-eyed figure halted his footsteps and nodded.
"Is that fox very strong?"
Hyperion was deeply bewildered. Looking at Antanas, she seemed practically eager to drag Hyperion along to pet the fox right away.
She had only heard Lanqi mention that in the old Demon Realm, the big fox had been extremely popular among great demons.
She hadn't anticipated that upon meeting real great demons, they would truly be so fond of this fox.
Although Hyperion had never seen Lanqi's fox, she had heard that it was naturally drawn to noble demons. Thus, she hadn't dared get close to it, fearing it might show affection toward her.
"No, aside from looking good, it's completely useless. But it's just gorgeous, loves to eat, and is adorable," Antanas replied, shaking her head.
"Pfft..."
The Poet of Great Love chuckled aloud from the side, then swiftly composed his expression.
Hyperion shot the Poet of Great Love a glance, wondering why he had suddenly thought of something so amusing.
Chapter 454