Three days later, early morning.

The heavily guarded grey stone building with deep relief carvings on the north side of the Protos Royal Magic Academy looked particularly solemn today.

The Hongmond Building, serving as the school's main administrative center, was built in 1728. As one of the most iconic and magnificent classical buildings of the school, it was not included in the renovation plan proposed by the new Principal, Rocky McCarthy, and would retain its original appearance for a long time.

Rocky McCarthy's office, as well as the meeting and reception area for important visitors from outside the school, were located on the upper floors of the Hongmond Building.

Even students passing by downstairs would only glance at it before quickly walking away.

They roughly knew who Rocky McCarthy was receiving today.

Once the "Campus Youth Prison Project" proposed by Rocky McCarthy was successfully implemented, the enforcement of school rules would be further consolidated.

The school would retain the principle of taking care of students' lives and safety, changing the punishment for students into a way to create greater social public value.

Of course, the school's order was not enough to impress Warden Bakas so much.

If it was just to talk about this plan, it was more that Warden Bakas wanted to get to know Rocky McCarthy, or to do him a small favor.

However, with the large-scale cooperation plan of the Snowfield Province, it was different.

This was an irresistible, rolling torrent of wealth. Just the initial trial cooperation of transferring Ghost Party prisoners from the Snowfield Province made Warden Bakas somewhat afraid to calculate the future value of the project.

Now it might already be Warden Bakas who was asking Principal Rocky for help.

On the third floor of the Hongmond Building, Rocky McCarthy, dressed as always, walked slowly with a man in his thirties in the corridor of this ancient building, where everything was immersed in the solemnity of historical art portraits.

"Sorry, Mr. Rocky, I'm a little late. Recently, with the approach of the Bishop election, there have been more riots, and the Imperial Metropolitan Police Department has been overburdened."

Warden Bakas apologized to Principal Rocky quite politely.

Today, he was not wearing the warden's uniform of Hellrom Prison, but a well-tailored suit, his hair neatly combed, and he wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, giving the impression of seriousness, integrity, and cultivation. However, in fact, his style was well known throughout Hellrom in the capital, and he was not someone that ordinary people dared to deal with.

He liked to treat prisoners and subordinates with an authoritative, indifferent, and unquestionable tone, and his smile was often hypocritical, sarcastic, and mocking, but when facing Rocky McCarthy, he would become so refined.

Ranchi heard this, just nodded slightly, looking ahead, as if thinking about something.

The two stepped on the soft corridor floor, the deep red carpet under their feet was deep in color, thick in texture, and delicate in texture, flowing slowly under their feet. The gilded patterns decorated on the wooden walls on both sides of the corridor were intricate, shining with subtle luster under the light, just like their thoughts at the moment.

"With great power comes great responsibility, I understand."

Ranchi returned a polite smile and sighed,

"But indeed, when it comes to the Bishop election in three days, I get a headache."

Immediately, Ranchi also remembered something troubling, and muttered to himself uncertainly.

For those neutral figures located in the capital like them, if there was no clear inclination, voting was like betting. Only by voting for the winning Bishop in the end could they avoid offending anyone.

"If Mr. Rocky hears any rumors, please share them with me."

Warden Bakas asked Ranchi for advice.

Since Rocky would mention this, he naturally had some ideas. Otherwise, he would not have just discovered the key point in Bakas's words.

Bakas had also been inquiring about news these days. He already had a tendency to ask Rocky McCarthy for advice, but he didn't expect Rocky to hear his meaning so quickly.

Ranchi pondered.

"I only know that the dignitaries and the Imperial Army in the north are quite respectful to the Annihilation Branch. As I see it, the one I favor most is Asksan."

Ranchi looked back at the corridor, made sure that no one was around, and said to Warden Bakas.

"..."

Bakas stared at Ranchi's emerald green eyes, which were sincere and genuine. He seemed to sincerely hope that Asksan could be well.

"It seems everyone thinks alike."

Bakas gradually nodded slowly.

Thinking about it carefully, it was right. Rocky McCarthy himself was the governor of the Snowfield Province, and the north was the area guarded by the Annihilation Bishop. It was not surprising that Rocky had some friendship with the Annihilation Branch.

The two walked past rows of neatly arranged windows, which framed the outside world like exquisite paintings, showcasing the academy's courtyard, the ancient Hellrom-style buildings in the distance, and the verdant trees, as well as the newly renovated campus landscape in Ranchi's plan.

When he came to the inside of the academy today, Bakas was amazed by this scenery.

He originally thought that Rocky McCarthy was just a manager and leader with unique skills, who liked to use his authority to improvise some terrible works. He didn't expect that his artistic attainments were truly breathtaking.

Even without considering Rocky McCarthy's current status in the empire, Bakas was very sure that Rocky McCarthy's works would be hard to find in the Protos Empire in the future. Apart from the design of these public facilities, if anyone could own a private Rocky McCarthy work, its value would definitely be so high that it would only exist in legends.

This made Bakas even more convinced that he must befriend the man next to him.

In this way, Bakas walked slowly with Ranchi for a while with his thoughts.

"Mr. Rocky, later today, a big shot I know wants to talk to you alone. It was also a temporary idea. He just confirmed today that he could see you. I wonder if you are free."

Warden Bakas lowered his voice slightly and said to Ranchi, who was walking with his hands behind his back.

"Oh? Who is it?"

Ranchi raised his eyebrows in doubt and looked at Warden Bakas beside him.

"Duke Morodian Berenhard."

Warden Bakas quietly mentioned his name.

"Mr. Berenhard wants to see me, does he still need you to speak for him?"

Ranchi looked at Warden Bakas with a serious expression and asked.

As early as when he first came to the Northern Continent, when he was just an unknown little person in the Protos Empire, he had heard the name of Duke Morodian Berenhard.

Duke Morodian Berenhard, the father of Duchess Chloe, the holder of the [Primal Stone Tablet - Undead], and one of the two supreme powerhouses of the Protos Empire.

He didn't expect that today, the Duke would take the initiative to find him.

(End of this chapter)