In South Vantina, there had always been a saying: June in the summer was exceptionally dull for its lack of holidays.
Today, however, the city-state was steeped in the lively atmosphere of a festival.
Though it was barely nine in the morning, the seaside tavern in the eastern district was already bustling. The ocean breeze carried a salty freshness that blended with the hearty cheers from the outdoor booths, creating an invigorating summer vibrancy.
Inside the tavern, the laughter of officers rose and fell as they gathered around tables piled high with delicious fare. Waiters darted back and forth like hummingbirds flitting through a treehouse, serving drinks and platters to eager patrons.
On this particular morning, the tavern keeper had brought out his house specialty—a fiery brew potent enough to kindle the soul. Brave souls hoping to challenge it looked on with a mix of awe and trepidation, fully prepared for their day to end after a single shot.
Amid the revelry, a commanding officer bearing a colonel's rank raised his mug high, his voice booming like a war drum. "To our victory! To our glory! To South Vantina, and to the noble High Priest—cheers!"
Every syllable carried immense power and pride, sweeping through the tavern like a revitalizing breeze.
They had just returned the previous night from a grueling battle. Though many still bore wounds and bruises, their hearts were full of the joy of triumph, savoring this hard-won, peaceful morning.
Lanqi strolled past the tavern with a faint smile.
Peering inside, he felt that today was truly a good day. The entire city-state had come alive with cheer.
"The babe was born in the kingdom's south, upon the frontier where nobles abide, squalling at birth beneath a shower of falling stars from the Constellation of the Lion. The infant grew into a youthful priest, roving far and wide as the Goddess's mightiest staff, cutting through thorns and briars to bring victory wherever he trod..."
Along the street, a traveling bard was already strumming and singing a ballad celebrating the High Priest's martial deeds.
The townspeople eagerly gathered in a circle to listen to this new hymn titled *Thorn Lionheart*.
"..."
Most people were mere passersby in the High Priest's life, each playing a different part. Much like Lanqi at this very moment, who, without need for elaborate rehearsals, had aided Loren in protecting South Vantina and its people.
Unfortunately, knowledge came in its own time and professions had their specialties. Lanqi did not possess the kind of resolve Loren had, having sworn early on to devote his entire life to the Goddess. Lanqi simply wanted to enjoy a peaceful retirement; he could only help out within the limits of his ability.
"I'll need to speed things up a bit," Lanqi muttered to himself, gazing at the sparkling sea.
More than a year had already passed.
Within the next few months, he would have to find a way to visit the Creti Empire to the south.
Perhaps because he kept thwarting their attempts to harm Hyperion, the Blood Clan was growing increasingly restless. Even the United Council of Kingdoms could sense the turmoil brewing within the Creti Empire.
If he delayed any longer, Duke Mikhail and Miss Ephatia might find themselves in grave danger. Lanqi's civil commissions had always enjoyed a hundred percent satisfaction rating; every task, big or small, easy or arduous, received his utmost dedication and effort.
Before that, he and Hyperion still needed to challenge the Blood Moon Ruined World Shadow World once more.
He had long been on the threshold of Tier 5; any Shadow World would be enough to help him make the breakthrough.
Aside from that Counterfeit Slate - Wind, he now possessed a genuine Original Slate - Sealing, which was effective on nearly all of his summons.
Poet of Great Love was mental and wood. The Purgatory Choir's Wonderful Notes possessed both mental and sealing categories. The Little Sun, Radiant Virtue, was light and sealing, while the Nuclear Fusion Wolf was fire and sealing.
Only Poet of Great Love received no boost from the Original Slate - Sealing.
Furthermore, back in the second Shadow World, the Banquet of Sanctuary Villains, Lanqi had encountered a sealing spell of unknown rank named Immortal Eternal Punishment. Although he had committed it to memory and grasped its general principles, he would only be able to truly attempt mastering it once he attained Tier 5.
Unlike a spellcraft prodigy like Loren, Lanqi had yet to learn a single conventional spell to this day. At his core, he was still a magic craftsman whose spellcasting relied heavily on magic cards—and as for the most noble epic-grade spell cards, he had never even caught a glimpse of one.
Creatures like the Blood Clan were born with innate authorities rivaling epic spells, and demons could awaken epic spells by unearthing their racial talents. Yet for human archmages in history, spending an entire lifetime just to create a single epic spell was practically their limit, and even then it could not be passed down.
In Lanqi's eyes, a spell card that allowed someone to instantly master an epic spell was essentially a cheat.
This was precisely why Lanqi had taught Zestira in the Northern Continent that spell cards were the most noble of the three categories of magic cards—if one appeared in the Endless Library, choose the spell card without hesitation.
"Haha, well, it's not like I can't survive without them."
Lanqi gave an easygoing chuckle.
He had never been particularly obsessed with magic or magic cards to begin with.
When world peace finally arrived, there would be nothing left that he desired—just as the Gentle Land of the Fallen had shown him.
Probably.
And so, Lanqi strolled alone along the seaside streets in the eastern district of South Vantina.
His footsteps meandered down the winding path, relishing this rare moment of leisure.
The barrier was restored, reinforcements from the north of the Hutton Kingdom had arrived in South Vantina, and the High Priest was stationed here. The people had no fear of any further unrest in the short term.
More importantly, Lanqi knew that the Blood Clan could never launch an assault in broad daylight.
Poet of Great Love was immensely interested in the decay alchemical beast, and Pranay also had some background in Demon Realm alchemy. However, the beast could not remain in South Vantina for long, or the city guard would inevitably track it down.
Consequently, Pranay and the others had thoroughly contained the out-of-control decay alchemical beast and taken it back to the royal capital, Ikerite, as soon as dawn broke, where they would assist Poet of Great Love in studying it.
If they could truly convert the decay alchemical beast into a controllable summon, that would be ideal.
The only problem was that using such a summon might easily lead to being mistaken for Decay Cardinal Farmer.
In particular, the Undying Sword Emperor, Lady Juliana—Farmer's archenemy—would likely slash first without uttering a single word the moment she laid eyes on the decay alchemical beast.
As the guardian of the Kingdom of Aloran, Juliana had spent years keeping a vigilant watch against the Decay Branch's infiltration and movements. Even though she and Loren had agreed to go on a date half a year ago, neither side had managed to fulfill the promise to this day.
"Sigh, I'll have to help them out next time."
Lanqi shook his head, always keeping Loren's romantic prospects in mind.
To his regret, upon returning to the Southern Continent, he still hadn't heard any news of Loren and Juliana successfully having their date.
With those thoughts in mind, Lanqi continued along the dazzling coastline.
A dozen or so minutes slipped by in a flash.
East Port, South Vantina.
The morning light shimmered across the gentle sea breeze, sparkling like countless tiny diamonds dancing upon the waves.
Numerous vessels bustled in preparation to set sail. The cries of gulls echoed through the air, accompanied by the faint rustling of ropes and canvas.
Right by the pier, a large passenger ship was moored to the shore.
Lanqi arrived in a casual vest, looking exceptionally radiant beneath the sun.
With a smile, he saw off several figures.
"Here is your letter of recommendation. Once you reach the Protos Empire, simply find any branch of the Domination Branch and you'll be able to get in touch with her."
Lanqi handed the kraft-paper envelope to the Great Clerics before him.
His sole purpose in coming here alone this morning was to fulfill his promise: arranging a brand-new haven for these former Great Clerics of the Destruction Branch.
The Destruction Great Clerics exchanged uneasy glances, still harboring a degree of trepidation.
Remaining at this unfathomable gentleman's side had provided them with a sense of security. But crossing the ocean to meet the Cardinal of Domination—would she look past their past affiliation with the Destruction Branch and truly trust them?
"Don't worry, my friends. When you meet her, you'll find she is practically another me in this world."
As Lanqi spoke, an unconscious smile of fond remembrance curved his lips.
Every day spent with Sigrid had been delightful. Even after returning to the Southern Continent, whenever he recalled the Northern Continent, her figure would unfailingly flash across his memory.
Lanqi pulled another letter from his pocket and looked toward Elaine, the former Destruction Great Cleric who had been the first one he guided back to the right path.
"Elaine, could I trouble you to deliver this letter to Miss Sigrid for me? Just tell her it's from Rocky McCarthy, and that will be enough."
"Oh, certainly..."
Great Cleric Elaine carefully accepted the envelope Lanqi handed her.
"I will be sure to deliver it to her in person."
She offered Lanqi a respectful bow.
Unlike the official recommendation, this envelope looked far more personal. The script on the cover was penned carefully in fresh ink, every stroke neat and elegant, while the wax and seal were as immaculate as a piece of art.
Normally, communication magic would have sufficed for such matters. Yet over recent decades, because mana contamination over the sea separated the Northern and Southern Continents, traditional letters had experienced a resurgence as the primary bridge between the two realms.
A dependable courier traveling between the north and south could earn quite a handsome sum.
In that moment, the Great Clerics grasped the situation.
This gentleman not only shared a deep working relationship with the Cardinal of Domination, but also enjoyed a remarkably intimate personal friendship with her.
After exchanging farewells, they boarded the ship under Lanqi's watchful gaze.
Lanqi lingered on the pier, welcoming the sea breeze as he looked out across the boundless northern waters, quietly savoring his leisurely morning.
Chapter 513