Lanqi Was About to Be Floored by the Wild Rumors

In a corner of the Chief Hall's bustling banquet venue, Landry kept his eyes fixed on the two young women. Ursula, who had always been so domineering and haughty, looked utterly fragile now. Even Elsa, gentle by nature, appeared stronger by comparison. Gazing at her, Lanqi recalled the circumstances of their very first encounter. Back then, Ursula had tried to stir up trouble for him in class, only for his rock-solid expertise to leave the students respecting him all the more. At that time, she had been nothing like this uneasy, frightened bird. Not far off, the air surrounding Ryan, Ninth War God of the Amethyst Seat, grew substantially heavier and colder. "May I ask what business your excellency has with my sister?" Marquis Ryan asked, staring directly at Lanqi. The mere aura radiating from the War God turned the surrounding spectators weak in the knees, sending them retreating as though fleeing for their lives. It seemed Marquis Ryan was displeased not only with this professor, but had also been enduring the onlookers who had gathered to watch the drama. "Under the bylaws of Saint Creti Monastery, a professor is expected today to bestow the Moon God Festival's academic year blessing upon students, granting them the protection of the Silver Moon and the Goddess of Healing so they may complete their studies in health and safety in the year to come." Landry alone was wholly unaffected by the Ninth War God. Only after finishing his words to his students did he turn back to Ryan and offer a bow. It was the standard imperial greeting from a viscount to a marquis. "Lan..." Ursula had yet to recover her wits. She had never imagined Landry could be so bold as to stand before a War God, entirely immune to the oppressive aura of an eighth-tier powerhouse. Above all, Landry wasn't simply looking out for Elsa—he had genuinely stepped in front of Ursula herself, offering her a blessing that had felt hopelessly out of reach. Yet seeing the chilling expression on her brother Ryan's face, Ursula anxiously tugged at Landry's gray overcoat, signaling him not to meddle in the Roland family's troubles lest both he and Elsa be dragged down with her. "Why don't you and Elsa go have some refreshments over there and enjoy the school's Moon God Festival festivities? There is no need to be nervous. As for your studies and performance at the monastery, I will discuss them with your guardian," Lanqi told her, simultaneously gesturing for Elsa to lead Ursula away. Elsa nodded in understanding, taking Ursula by the hand and guiding her to the side. Ursula had always protected her; now it was her turn to take care of Ursula. "Now then, Marquis Ryan, if you have any questions regarding Ursula's circumstances at Saint Creti Monastery, you may ask me, her professor, rather than heaping excessive pressure upon a minor," Lanqi said to Ryan, Ninth War God of the Amethyst Seat. In truth, Lanqi had later spoken with Elsa and learned about the Roland household's background. Long before the birth of the Creti Empire, the Roland family had been among the most prominent and illustrious houses of the Syros Empire. In those ancient days, the creed of the Syros Empire appeared outwardly directed only at imperial citizens, but in truth it harbored the toxic poison of racial discrimination. They touted the supremacy of Syros nobility, disparaged other races as inherently inferior, exalted the honor of the upper crust, and looked with contempt upon the humble commoners below. All living beings were not born equal; the law of the jungle was the eternal order of things. After the founding of the Creti Empire—with the Syros Empire as its core—it was precisely the guidance of such latent cultural convictions that had triggered the Bloodbath Day twenty years prior, when an enraged populace indiscriminately slaughtered the aristocrats who oppressed them. The Roland family of Ryan and Ursula had lived through that violent upheaval. Their foundation had suffered a devastating blow, bringing them to the brink of ruin. Witnessing that horrifying Bloodbath Day firsthand had undoubtedly left an indelible psychological scar on the young Ryan. Ursula, born later, had experienced none of it. The two siblings had grown up depending solely on each other. As the eldest son, Ryan had shouldered an impossibly heavy burden, relying entirely on his own ability and desperate efforts to bring the family back from the dead. That was also why Marquis Ryan had become family head at such a young age. To Ursula, Ryan was both brother and father, having given her immense protection and security since childhood. Even with terror in her heart, the memories deep inside still drove Ursula to face Ryan. "I have no questions regarding a piece of trash like her. Besides, no matter how useless she is, this is internal business of our Roland family. It is not an outsider's place to poke his nose into it." Marquis Ryan cast a cold glance over his surroundings, his voice grim. Having only just returned from the front lines, he had paid little attention to the professor who had recently risen to prominence in the imperial capital, having merely heard passing mention of him. Upon hearing the man introduce himself as Ursula's teacher, Ryan had deduced the gray-coated professor's identity. Yet that meant nothing to Ryan Roland. No matter who the man was, intervening at a time like this was something Ryan would never tolerate. "Does Saint Creti Monastery forbid professors from aiding their students?" Lanqi countered questioningly. "Furthermore, your eyes are plainly filled with contempt. Can that truly be called family?" His words were unusually pointed. "..." Ryan's expression darkened slightly, sending a collective shiver through the assembled guests. "Ursula!" He shouted toward Ursula's retreating figure as she hurried away. Ursula shuddered, her footsteps halting before she slowly turned her head back. "What, do you intend to marry this man? Or have you already been brainwashed by him into seeing him as your new elder brother? It seems the last shred of loyalty you had to our family—and the sense of shame you never possessed to begin with—have both been exhausted completely," Marquis Ryan asked her with chilling severity. "..." Ursula's face drained of color in an instant, her trembling lips unable to utter a single word. She wished nothing more than to flee this wretched place immediately. Her brother had truly changed. Ursula thought in despair. Tears surged beyond her control, trickling down her cheeks and blooming into dark spots upon the fabric of her skirt. "Ursula..." Elsa looked at Ursula with deep worry, wanting only to hurry and lead her away. Just as Ursula felt herself sinking into the mire, Landry's voice shattered the dead silence once more. "What wrong has my student committed to deserve such treatment?" Lanqi asked Marquis Ryan. "Viscount Landry Washington, if you persist in making trouble here, I will either lodge a complaint with the imperial military tribunal accusing you of attempting to exert control over the family of a high-ranking military officer, or challenge you to a Syros traditional duel on the grounds that you have insulted nobility." Marquis Ryan made no physical movement, yet his gaze was as cold as though he were staring down an enemy on the battlefield, ready to execute him at any second. Although the surrounding nobles could tell Ryan was unlikely to lower his status so far as to actually challenge Professor Landry to a duel, if Landry refused to yield and beg for mercy now, his life might very well be forfeit in the moments that followed. It was like a high-stakes gamble: Ryan held infinite chips, whereas Landry possessed only a finite few. Thus, Ryan needed only to apply continuous pressure to corner Landry into a desperate predicament. "Have you ever heard of the Southern Continent's Pizza Hut? This is the first time I've ever heard of someone wanting to take me to court." Hearing Ryan's words, Lanqi actually grew animated. As for a Syros duel, while it carried the possibility of life or death, in essence it was a matter of measured restraint. According to imperial noble tradition, if neither side emerged victorious within three minutes, it concluded as a draw with reconciliation. Professor Landry's unyielding stance visibly astonished the other elites. They knew Professor Landry's tier was likely not low, but compared to an imperial War God, they were worlds apart on the level of life itself. Many of them had long wanted to see this mysterious Saint Creti Monastery professor take action, but if this ultimate showdown were to unfold today, it was simply catching everyone too off guard. "..." Beside Lanqi, Secretary Naila also cast him a sidelong glance. Landry had always been someone who disliked courting trouble; she had realized that upon their very first meeting. Yet he truly valued his students. Even when it meant throwing down the gauntlet before a War God, he did not give an inch. Generally speaking, going toe-to-toe with an elite of Marquis Ryan's standing, even to protect a student, was recklessly foolish and bound to invite needless complications. In the end, Naila had found that beneath his detached, unworldly demeanor and the numerous inscrutable secrets he bore, this professor possessed a genuine, warmhearted sincerity. That was precisely why Naila had looked upon him with favor during this recent period. The atmosphere in the banquet hall was instantly thick with tension. The nobles could not help but whisper among themselves, perplexed by Landry's actions. Ursula's wanton, willful behavior had always been a disgrace to the Roland family; even nobles of other lineages never meddled. Landry Washington was nothing more than a fallen noble. Even if he had achieved some measure of success recently, challenging the supreme authority of Marquis Ryan Roland, one of the Twelve War Gods, in broad daylight was an utter lack of prudence. "Could it be that Landry has designs on Miss Ursula as well?" "Well, Landry has no taboos whatsoever. A young lady with a terrible reputation might be just to his taste." "He already has so many fiancées; adding another wouldn't be surprising. Terrible personality aside, Ursula is a fine catch in terms of looks and talent." Malicious rumors flared up all around, most of those present holding Ursula in little regard. More and more eyes were drawn toward them. The spark-and-flint confrontation between Marquis Ryan and Viscount Landry set off a chorus of gulps. If these two truly tore away all pretense here, the commotion might even disturb Duke Dex and Emperor Saint Bardo if it escalated any further. "Ryan, stop this!" Just as the standoff grew intractable, an indigo-haired young man pushed through the crowd, jogging over somewhat clumsily, and spoke to Ryan, Ninth War God of the Amethyst Seat. "Professor Landry, please don't mind this fellow. He cares deeply about his sister, which is why he always says things he doesn't mean. Just leave him to me." The young man with indigo-blue hair waved apologetically to Landry. "..." Lanqi turned toward this uninvited guest. The man was tall and slender, draped in a long cloak that looked like a pair of wings. The cloak fluttered gently, radiating a subtle luminescence that blended light blue with white, as though it were a fragment peeled from the clouds in the heavens. The hem of his cloak resembled angelic wings. With every breath of breeze, one almost expected him to take flight. His footsteps were so light they seemed untethered by gravity, drifting as freely as a feather in the wind. His face was young and brimming with vitality. A mop of crisp indigo short hair shimmered beneath the light, strands dancing with the draft. Secretary Naila, standing beside Lanqi, was already thoroughly stunned. She clearly hadn't expected to see this person here— First War God of the Diamond Seat, Hyacinthus. To anyone who did not recognize him, many imperial citizens might pass him on the street without ever realizing that he was the Creti Empire's strongest national guardian hero and the head of the Twelve War Gods. "Hyacinthus... what are you doing here?" Ryan's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Hyacinthus, who had stepped in to stop him. "Violet told me to come. You know I couldn't possibly miss coming to Saint Creti Monastery during the Moon God Festival to bring Violet my blessings. She and I have been close friends for nearly twenty years." Hyacinthus looked at Ryan, speaking in earnest. His clear eyes seemed to mirror the entire sky—deep, crystalline, and carrying an indescribable resolve and confidence. He was dissuading Ryan, but he was also informing him: if Ryan still intended to make things difficult for a professor of Saint Creti Monastery and stir up internal conflict within the empire, Hyacinthus would stand in his way. "..." Ryan, Ninth War God of the Amethyst Seat, knew full well that Hyacinthus's appearance here essentially signaled the end of this dispute. "Hyacinthus, why did you ever become a War God?" Ryan fell silent for a moment before suddenly posing this question. It was as though Ryan had always harbored confusion regarding Hyacinthus's behavior. "You saw me getting scolded by His Majesty Saint Bardo earlier, didn't you? He asked me the very same question." Hyacinthus clearly couldn't understand why Ryan was asking him this either. "It isn't the first or second time you've been reprimanded over your decision-making. You have no decisiveness at all," Ryan bluntly challenged him. In his view, even having that ambitious brute Julius, the Tenth War God of the Rubellite Seat, serve as commander would make someone look more like a War God than a fellow like Hyacinthus. "...What? Could this be a test from His Majesty Saint Bardo? Oh, or is he looking for an excuse to drive me away!?" Hyacinthus looked at Ryan with panic in his eyes, as if coming to a sudden realization. "No." Ryan's face twitched slightly, and he shook his head. Talking to Hyacinthus always gave him a headache. Whenever he tried to take a few sarcastic jabs at the man, Hyacinthus never felt attacked in the slightest. "I can't be bothered to waste energy on you. Frankly speaking, setting aside your personality, your strength remains unquestionable." Ryan raised a hand slightly, abandoning his standoff with Professor Landry. He would let the matter rest today and pretend the two had never crossed paths. "Haha, thank you for the compliment!" Hyacinthus clapped his hands and laughed, equally grateful that Ryan was willing to give him face. "..." Seeing how Hyacinthus hadn't picked up on the subtext at all and was cheerfully thanking him, Ryan fell silent for a moment. "Forget it, there's no talking sense into you. If I could beat you, I would certainly challenge you just like Julius does. Unfortunately, unlike Julius, I have a clear understanding of my own limits." Ryan had no desire to converse further with Hyacinthus. Looking toward the banquet hall exit, he prepared to depart. "It's fine, it's my fault. I acted too unreliably, haha..." Seeing Ryan's speechless expression, Hyacinthus gave a cheerful laugh. After exchanging a few more words with Ryan, Hyacinthus escorted him out. Then he turned back and signaled to Professor Landry's trio that everything was fine. The blue-and-white mantle draped over Hyacinthus's slender frame, its silver embroidery glistening like flowing water. His trousers were similarly crafted with black-and-white patchwork tailoring, entirely distinct from the other guests present. "Thank you, Lord Hyacinthus." Ursula and Elsa hastily bowed in gratitude. Lanqi also bowed slightly in greeting. "Think nothing of it." Hyacinthus, First War God, looked toward the distant second-floor corridor, where High Priestess Violet's concealed silhouette had retreated. "Even if I hadn't stepped in, Violet wouldn't have stood by and watched. Whew, just imagining the two of them getting into a brawl terrifies me," he explained to the group. "Was Headmaster Violet up there just now?" Naila asked Hyacinthus. "Of course. She came with me. If I hadn't shown myself, she definitely would have come down, and she wouldn't have yielded to Ryan," Hyacinthus said, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "I see." Naila's gaze traced toward the second floor. As Headmaster Violet's secretary, Naila knew all about the bond between Hyacinthus, First War God, and Violet, Sixth War God. They were childhood friends who had grown up in the same orphanage many years ago; no one could have anticipated that they would later become the empire's greatest hero and high priestess respectively. "Enjoy the festival! Forget about the unpleasantness just now!" Hyacinthus waved to them, offering his blessings with no intention of lingering to disturb them further. "Goodbye." "Thank you for your help today, Mr. Hyacinthus." "Hm-hm~" Humming a light tune, Hyacinthus headed in the other direction and vanished into the sea of people. The onlookers gradually dispersed, the crowd resuming its flow rather than clustering in one place. Remaining any longer would offer no entertainment, nor would it be polite. The only thing they hadn't anticipated was that Hyacinthus would be the one to resolve the issue in the end. Fortunately, Hyacinthus, First War God, had been present today. "Lord Hyacinthus simply has that kind of personality," Secretary Naila explained to Elsa and Ursula, who were still somewhat dazed. This was likely their first time encountering the legendary First War God Hyacinthus. "Overall, though, he's very approachable, yet incomparably powerful. That's why everyone trusts him so deeply," she told the three of them. "He is indeed very strong," Lanqi nodded in agreement. "Huh, Professor Landry, you can actually sense it?" Ursula asked Lanqi curiously. Her expression had cleared like the sky after a rainstorm, returning to her usual carefree self. Surviving a crisis had, surprisingly, left her feeling refreshed. Or rather, after seeing it with her own eyes, she had come to terms with things. Accepting the reality that her brother was being mentally controlled was far better than clinging to wishful fantasies and past memories. In any case, she had Professor Landry to help her. From this professor, she had once again experienced something she had long missed—something she had previously felt only from Marquis Ryan of the past. "Mm," Lanqi replied to Ursula. He understood what Ursula meant. It was the same for him: because the gap between him and Hyacinthus, First War God of the Diamond Seat, was too vast, he couldn't gauge the man's exact strength at all. Yet the faint aura he felt from him could probably only be matched by the Pope of Saint Polante from the Shadow World. Naturally, that didn't mean the Pope of Saint Polante in his prime. It was simply that outside of the Pope of Saint Polante, Lanqi could think of no other living being that gave him a similar feeling. "You wouldn't happen to be super strong yourself, would you? You're always playing weak," Ursula said, narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized him. Ever since their trip to the Brierda Mafia's turf, where she had watched Professor Landry fight on equal terms with a sixth-tier vampire viscount as though staging a fixed match, she had suspected his true power was unknown. The guy was clearly an old hand at underground brawls, playing with his opponents. How strong he actually was would probably only be revealed if he were driven into a corner. Even though she had heard nobles spreading rumors about her and Professor Landry just now, she had never cared about reputation anyway, and she knew Landry's character well. She didn't mind what others said. "As expected of Brother Landry," Elsa praised. Just as Ursula had said, her brother was a bit too omnipotent. She frequently had the illusion that the brother before her was an angel who had replaced her brother to protect her. There was always a strange sense of unfamiliarity, yet he was so profoundly trustworthy that she couldn't doubt his good intentions. "Don't flatter me," Lanqi hurriedly denied upon hearing them. "My apologies for offending your family, Ursula." Seeing Ursula return to her usual uninhibited attitude, Lanqi smiled warmly. It seemed she had recovered. "..." Ursula shook her head, looking at Lanqi with mixed emotions. "Thank you, Professor Landry," she said softly and sincerely. "I will make sure your brother returns to the way he used to be," Lanqi promised her. Ursula pursed her lips and lowered her head, naturally understanding what Landry meant. To anyone else, it might have sounded like an offer to mend the sibling relationship. In truth, only she and Elsa understood that Landry might be about to do something exceptionally dangerous. Yet having already voiced her thanks once, Ursula felt too embarrassed to say it a second time in succession. "I'll help you protect your sister too," Ursula could only reply in kind, tightening her grip on Elsa's hand. "Thank you, Ursula. You two are the most trouble-free younger sisters anyone could ask for," Lanqi said, nodding in thanks. With Ursula, the little tyrant among her peers, around, there was no need to worry about Elsa's safety, let alone her mood. No one would dare pick on her. "I'm not your sister..." Ursula mumbled, as if correcting his wording. Yet as she spoke, she fought hard to stifle a smile. "Still, Professor, you really have too many romantic rumors. Just how many sisters-in-law am I going to have in the end?" Before Landry could notice her expression, Ursula shifted the topic, whispering inquisitively. Elsa also nodded solemnly, deeply concerned about this issue. "What on earth are you talking about?" Lanqi asked in astonishment. Had the rumors, which ought to have collapsed on their own, started up again? "It's like this... They say you won't even spare a mother-in-law and a sister-in-law, and that you even want to turn the husband into a long-black-haired beauty to take into your harem. From bad-tempered old ladies at the top to budding young maidens at the bottom, including women old enough to be your mother, and even married women—you have no taboos at all..." Elsa lowered her voice even further, secretly recounting the tale to her brother. "Huh?" Lanqi turned entirely to stone as he listened.