Protos Royal Magic Academy, north side.

Moonlight filtered through the thick clouds, giving a little light to Gloria's detached mansion beside the street. The mansion occupied the entire area and was surrounded by a carefully planned courtyard, in which the vegetation appeared lush and deep green in the moonlight, and the water in the fountain pool made a soft gurgling sound under the raindrops.

The windows on the first floor of the mansion were covered by curtains, and only the faint light leaking from the gaps showed that the people in the mansion had not yet slept.

"You've had a hard journey."

Rance held an umbrella and walked with Hyperion on the school's late-night road. In front of them was the mansion of Gloria, his direct subordinate.

After sending Mishulla back to the residence reserved for them by Earl Milford at the Protos Royal Magic Academy, Rance and Hyperion continued north and arrived near Gloria's house in a few minutes.

"It's okay, everything went smoothly."

Hyperion shook her head. She didn't want Rance to know about the dangers she encountered in the Box Mountain Province, because she was afraid that Rance would help her take revenge on the Annihilation branch.

Looking back carefully, whenever she was bullied in Ikatarte, Rance would help her get revenge. She didn't know if Rance did it intentionally or unintentionally, but his motives always seemed great, glorious, and correct.

Even though Rance is now in a high position in the Protos Empire that she still can't accept, she knows the terrible extent of the Annihilation Bishop, a supreme powerhouse that even the Ice Witch teacher can hardly contend with.

Rance smiled and nodded, as if he believed what she said. He opened the courtyard fence with one hand, held the umbrella over Hyperion's head, and walked in with her.

The courtyard's wet cobblestone path was more crystal clear under the moonlight, and the rain was drizzling, almost drowning out the gentle footsteps.

Hyperion quietly followed beside Rance.

She didn't know why Rance wanted to come here as soon as he returned to school, but it must be something important to him.

About Helrom Prison, it seemed that she would have to wait a little longer and ask him when they were alone in a safe place.

In the current Protos Empire, under the ridiculous law, the Resurrection Church has become a legitimate church, while the Goddess of Destiny Church has been branded as a cult.

However, Hyperion believed that Rance, as a high-ranking official of the empire, would definitely agree to help their Goddess of Destiny Church out of consideration for the overall situation.

Although she was not sure how much help Rance would be willing to provide, and the Ice Witch had repeatedly warned her not to trust any big figures in the Protos Empire, Hyperion was not worried that Rance would betray her.

Because she couldn't imagine Rance one day secretly taking her to the stronghold of the Resurrection Church and handing her over to those cultists for trial.

The two arrived in front of Gloria's house.

"Gloria, it's me."

Rance knocked lightly on the door and said.

Soon, someone opened the door of the mansion, without even the sound of footsteps.

Perhaps the direct subordinate, Gloria, had been waiting behind the door when she noticed the movement in the courtyard.

"You're back."

Gloria finally added honorifics to Rance and said with a bow.

"..."

This made Rance a little uncomfortable.

Gloria's tone didn't sound like respect from a student to the principal or a subordinate to a superior, but rather a sense of submission to a stepfather, as if she was starting to try to accept the relationship between her stepfather and her mother.

Gloria observed Hyperion slightly during this silence and found that Hyperion was a peer of about the same age. The little bit of vigilance she had was gradually put down.

The Holy Son should only like older women around thirty years old, and a young girl like Hyperion poses no threat to the Bishop.

There are so many young female students in the school, but the Holy Son is separated from them by a sad, thick barrier. Only the Bishop can have an irreplaceable distance with the Holy Son, which fully illustrates the Holy Son's psychological age and preferences.

"Let's go in first."

Rance put away the umbrella, handed it to Gloria, and said to Hyperion.

"Okay."

Hyperion seemed to feel something strange too, but she couldn't put her finger on what was off.

She was only roughly sure that this female student named Gloria should not be the real owner here.

The person Rance wanted to take her to see must be someone else.

Closing the door behind them, the world seemed to quiet down, and even the sound of rain was cut off. The mansion should be equipped with soundproof magical devices.

The three walked along the corridor leading to the living room. Rance led Hyperion forward, and Gloria followed respectfully behind.

The lights in the house were soft, illuminating the clean corridor, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of jasmine, cedar, and distilled spirits.

The whole fragrance was like a soft, whispered movement, appearing both focused and fresh, and the harmonious and balanced environment instantly put people at ease.

Seeming to feel this comfort, Rance's shadow finally moved, and a timid little black shadow emerged from it.

"Boss Cat..."

Hyperion squatted down, picked up the little black cat, and stroked its head. She had observed the surroundings slightly and felt that this place did seem to be a woman's home.

Although she didn't know why Rance would bring her to someone else's home.

But the place that Boss Cat was willing to come out obviously represented safety.

"Meow meow..."

Boss Cat didn't dare to look Hyperion in the eye.

It couldn't imagine how scared Hyperion had been just now.

"..."

Hyperion originally wanted to ask Boss Cat why Rance had become like this.

But seeing that it was just a cat, and looking at Rance, she decided to forget it.

The smaller the ability, the smaller the responsibility. Boss Cat would only carry out simple life activities.

As a bright space appeared in front of them, the three of them arrived at the living room of the mansion.

On the sofa, Sigrid was sitting with her arms crossed.

"You're late coming back today."

Sigrid said with a slightly docile look of drowsiness in her purple eyes.

She seemed to have been waiting for Rance for a long time, but there was no reproach in her words, just telling him that she hoped he could come back earlier next time, otherwise she might worry.

Hearing this, Hyperion looked confusedly at the light-haired woman with a unique temperament. She looked particularly domineering, but also carried a hint of gentleness.

Hyperion was not only surprised that Rance knew such a charming woman, but what shocked Hyperion even more was the content implied in Sigrid's words.

Has Rance been living with this woman during this time?

Hyperion couldn't imagine that Rance had become so close to a woman after only two months of not seeing him.

Back in Ikatarte, Rance was immune to women. The person closest to Rance was not even Hyperion, but Frey!

(End of chapter)