Chapter 1 The Moon God Festival

The Moon God Festival is one of the empire's grandest public celebrations, eagerly anticipated by both commoners and esteemed noble families.

Aside from the temporary shops in Saint Creity Abbey attracting pilgrims, activities near the Main Hall commenced at four in the afternoon.

Abbey students and faculty, dressed in formal attire, gathered in a specially constructed outdoor banquet hall and connecting activity pavilions, clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries amidst the melodious music.

The only difference between the outdoor banquet hall and the indoor one was that the outdoor hall hosted even more guests.

A galaxy of stars, a gathering of celebrities, conspicuous nobles could be seen everywhere, engaging in lively discussions and toasts.

Oddly, in such a bustling occasion, a professor in a gray coat showed no interest in participating.

He seemed to be quite popular, with many wanting to curry favor or simply exchange a few words.

But today he seemed weary, responding politely, showing a genuine smile only to his students, chatting briefly before continuing forward.

"Where's Elsa..."

Lanchi gazed at the vast banquet hall.

The inner side of the Abbey's Main Hall housed four magnificent cathedrals, their domes cast in pure gold, divided into upper and lower levels, with flourishing incense. Abbey students came piously to pray before the divine images, the deep, resonant tones of the organ echoing under the dome, mingling with the prayers of the faithful.

Now that he had returned to the indoor activity pavilion from the outdoor banquet hall, Landri's younger sister, Elsa, could be anywhere, and it might take him some time to find her.

Communication magic was unreliable here, and he couldn't casually use detection magic. Of course, Lanchi didn't know link or detection magic, needing Cat Boss or Tata's help, but neither cat was with him now.

Besides, Elsa was only at the second rank; she couldn't use regular communication magic.

"I'll just have to search slowly."

Lanchi shook his head.

He would treat it as a stroll, offering blessings to his students when he saw them and asking if they had seen Elsa.

If he saw Elsa's close friend Ursula, the Marquis heiress of the Gryphon family, he might find Elsa immediately.

Since Elsa's last attack, Ursula had always been inseparable from Elsa, even sleeping in the same dormitory at night.

"Bless the students, have dinner, and then it'll be time to meet Principal Violet. How time flies."

He still wasn't quite sure what compelled him to put aside his busy work and appear here.

Perhaps it was partly to fulfill Landri's duties, to attend the banquet he was expected to attend, and partly because this was the only moment of rest today, a chance to take a break from work, so Lanchi came anyway.

Inside the indoor activity center, the murmur of idle chatter could be heard both upstairs and downstairs.

"Did you hear? One of our school's professors married both a family's aunt and niece."

"Good heavens, what does he call his mother-in-law...no, his sister-in-law?"

"I suspect he doesn't want to let go of the sister-in-law either. She looks like an innocent woman, and I heard she's already married and has a daughter."

"The version I heard is even more sensational. Some speculate that the professor's ultimate goal is to marry the sister-in-law's husband as well, not letting anyone in the family go."

"Holy moly, is that even human?"

The jumble of voices occasionally drifted through the banquet hall, and Lanchi couldn't hear the specifics. As soon as one voice rose, it would be immediately drowned out by another.

It was just the kind of topic people had always enjoyed using to pass the time.

Lanchi focused on moving forward.

He had to do his job well.

He had come from the residential area several kilometers away, too busy to even drink water or rest, and now he felt a bit thirsty in the banquet hall.

The Saint Creity Abbey's grounds were vast. When he first came to the school, Principal's Secretary Nala drove him from the Main Hall back to the residence, and it still took a while to get there.

As he thought this, Lanchi appeared in the wide atrium of the first-floor banquet hall and felt countless gazes sweeping over him from all directions.

The undisguised looks seemed to indicate that more and more people were interested in him.

Most of them were parents of Saint Creity Abbey students, and a significant proportion were social elites of the Creity Empire. Naturally, they would pay attention to the research on new energy sources, which could bring about a tremendous boost in production, whether for military or civilian use, and Professor Landri, the core figure in the research, was naturally an object of interest.

If Professor Landri's status rose further in the future, it might become increasingly difficult to befriend him.

All Lanchi could do was walk faster without being impolite, find a student to talk to as quickly as possible before these people surrounded him, or simply find an exit from this overly large venue and move to the next pavilion.

"Professor Landri."

A light female voice sounded, attracting Lanchi's attention.

Lanchi turned his head and saw a slender figure, just reaching his shoulder, had come to his side.

Her left leg and right arm were mechanical prosthetics made of metal, and her left eye was covered by a black half-eyepatch, the strap extending to the back of her head, blending with her hair.

Silver-gray hair and pale blue eyes made her look like a beautiful doll.

"Secretary Nala."

Lanchi breathed a sigh of relief.

Nala maintained the elegant demeanor of a secretary, her hands lightly clasped over her abdomen, but her tone was that of a familiar acquaintance.

At this time, the appearance of Principal's Secretary Nala would undoubtedly help him ward off many imperial dignitaries who wanted to latch onto him, because he had someone to talk to, and it seemed more like official business related to Principal Violet, the Sixth Army God Mizu Ao Violet.

"You're looking for Elsa, aren't you? I saw her earlier. You should be able to find her if you walk in the direction of the hall ahead."

Secretary Nala probably saw his distress and took the initiative to come to his side.

"Thank you so much for your help; it's a great help."

Lanchi thanked Nala.

Ever since he was received by Secretary Nala at Brilda First Station that day and came to Saint Creity Abbey, he had been receiving Secretary Nala's assistance, which allowed him to carry out his teaching and research work smoothly on campus.

"When I saw Professor Landri wandering around here alone, I knew you were going to be surrounded, but how could such a busy person like you waste your precious time on that group of noble lords?"

Secretary Nala joked in a seemingly unserious tone, leading the way for Lanchi.

"It's not good for others to hear those words."

Lanchi's voice was a little quieter.

He found that Secretary Nala was as disrespectful to nobles as ever, becoming very blunt when talking about them, seemingly oblivious to the slight change in the expressions of the nobles who had been trying to approach, or perhaps she was intentionally helping Lanchi drive them away.

The last time he met Red Falcon Nikola at the station, Nala's attitude towards Nikola was particularly strong, and she ended up snatching him, Professor Landri, from Nikola's hands.

"It doesn't matter; no one dares to make things difficult for me. Behind me is Principal Violet, the Sixth Army God."

Secretary Nala replied nonchalantly.

"Besides, I have a very good relationship with the Imperial Princess. I don't hate all nobles, but I really don't want to please those self-important nobles."

She raised her eyes and looked at Professor Landri.

As if telling Professor Landri that Landri and his sister Elsa were also nobles, but she had not distanced herself from them because of this.

"The Imperial Princess, is it Third Imperial Princess Alexia?"

Lanchi asked Nala beside him.

As far as he knew, the only one who had graduated from Saint Creity Abbey in recent years was probably Third Imperial Princess Alexia.

"Yes, after all, taking care of the Imperial Princess is a very important job. Principal Violet can't possibly focus her attention on a single student, so the work falls on my shoulders. Fortunately, the Imperial Princess is actually a very approachable person, and the years I've spent with her have been good memories for me."

Nala answered as she walked.

"I understand, I understand. The Principal is indeed very busy. Even if princes and princesses come, she simply doesn't have time to take care of them."

Lanchi shook his head and sighed.

"Listening to your tone, you sound just like the Principal."

Nala continued to observe him.

"From the moment I started interacting with you, I felt that you and Principal Violet had some similarities. How should I put it? It's hard to describe."

She pondered.

"If I were the Principal, I would definitely feel that having a secretary like Miss Nala would be very reassuring. After all, a good secretary is too important to the Principal. I say this because I'm always thinking about being the Principal myself."

Lanchi explained with a smile.

If Secretary Nala hadn't stepped forward in time, those covetous people would have swarmed up and surrounded him.

In addition to being grateful, he felt very relaxed chatting with Secretary Nala.

Like Lysandra, his secretary at Purgatory Corridor Academy, although her work ability was also quite outstanding, Lysandra was more reserved with him, unlike Nala, who could be very casual with him.

"If you were the Principal, that would really be a bit of a trouble."

Nala thought for a moment, judging based on her professional experience.

"Why do you say that?"

Lanchi asked Nala, not understanding.

"It might be very easy for those who work with you, but of course, the things to worry about might also increase a lot."

Secretary Nala said, looking at the young professor's unfathomable eyes.

This professor always made it difficult for her to grasp his true thoughts.

Compared to a scholar who was devoted to academic research, Landri seemed more like an old noble who had been in politics for decades.

She admitted that she did not have the ability to see through people's hearts, let alone discern Landri's thoughts.

Lanchi analyzed for a long time after hearing Nala's fortune-telling-like answer.

"You see my eyes and think I'm still on the noble side after all..."

Lanchi lowered his head in some disappointment.

"No, just this ease of control --"

Nala covered her mouth and chuckled.

"The reason why those self-righteous nobles are nobles is that they are busy flattering and posturing all day long to show their noble status, right?"

Nala gave a meaningful smile, telling Lanchi.

"I don't have a good evaluation, after all, this kind of thing involving stance is very subtle, be careful."

Lanchi nodded and tentatively expressed his agreement.

The two of them walked out of the pavilion again, preparing to pass through the open-air garden and come to another pavilion of the Main Hall.

Just beside the open-air banquet hall they passed, two men holding champagne glasses were talking. One of them was obviously an official from the Brilda City Hall. Lanchi remembered him. He was earnestly pleading with another noble, and several people in gorgeous clothes around them were curiously pricking up their ears, wanting to hear what was going on.

At first glance, the conversation seemed to be going very smoothly.

"That's Deputy Director Dennis from the City Hall's Planning Department."

Secretary Nala said.

"You know him?"

Lanchi was not surprised that Nala knew everything about Brilda, and even gave Lanchi the feeling that Nala had a database, and she could answer anything he asked.

"I've just learned about the students and family information. He's quite a boring guy."

Nala said lightly.

She had a memory that exceeded that of ordinary people.

Due to her work, she would come into contact with more people and things every day, and she remembered them all without missing anything, and she couldn't forget them even if she wanted to.

"And I also know the name of the person he's talking to, Earl Brown. Do you know what the two of them are discussing?"

Nala asked Lanchi, testing him.

"It's nothing more than promoting a municipal project that can be cooperated on to make money."

Lanchi replied noncommittally.

Even if he couldn't hear the sound, judging from Deputy Director Dennis's body language and earnest expression, he must be trying to curry favor with the Earl in order to gain the support of the Earl's family. There was no doubt about that.

What the Earl could provide him with was either land or a building permit. Anyway, if they discussed it privately, it could save a lot of trouble on the surface.

Even more, after reaching a deep cooperative and trusting relationship, it would be very convenient to pass the money from the left hand to the right.

"Oh?"

Secretary Nala's lips parted slightly, looking at him curiously.

"Now everyone is thinking about how to get rich. Regardless of whether the Empire wins or loses this war, taking advantage of their power to reap benefits is what most nobles are thinking. Only a small number of people are really dedicated to the Empire's cause."

Lanchi had long been accustomed to this kind of weathervane in the Protoss Empire of the Northern Continent, and he evaluated it without hating or liking it.

"You even know this?"

Secretary Nala raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise.

She knew more inside information than Landri.

And she was sure that Landri had just seen those two nobles for the first time.

In fact, the truth was exactly the same as Landri had guessed.

"I've seen it a lot. It's like this."

Lanchi's eyes looked north, as if he saw a very, very distant place, or like the realm of his deep memories.

Nala nodded to show her understanding.

This kind of exchange of benefits was, in the final analysis, just each getting what they needed.

She often saw it with her own eyes.

After the "Day of Bloodshed," the Empire's situation, which had been slightly better, began to deteriorate again after about twenty years. Although the "Day of Bloodshed" itself was a tragedy, it brought about a little change. Now the Empire, which was full of materialistic desires, once again made these powerful nobles have doctrines on their lips, but businesses in their hearts.

As Landri said, only a small part of the people are still maintaining a firm belief for the Empire.

"However, it's quite interesting to watch this kind of ridiculous trick occasionally."

Nala chuckled. Anyway, her ability was so great. Assisting Principal Violet, the Sixth Army God, was her greatest contribution to the Empire.

"On the contrary, you seem to be tired of these situations? It's like a monarch who has seen through the world?"

Secretary Nala said her thoughts.

"Last time you said I was destined to be a disaster emperor."

Lanchi thought for a while and said blankly.

"I didn't think so at the time, but now I find that if I don't work hard, I will put the important women around me in crisis like me."

When he first came to Saint Creity Abbey, Nala sighed that he was very popular with women, saying that only girls with enough fate and destiny could get close to him.

"I told you I guessed right. If you're not careful, you might regret it."

Secretary Nala led Lanchi through the Main Hall's garden while talking. The view suddenly opened up, and there were fewer people chatting around.

"Alas, if the situation in the Southern Continent wasn't like this, I would also like to seriously face the important events in my life... or rather, after I came out of the Shadow World, I was sure that I should give them an explanation. Since I have a choice, I don't want to miss it again."

Lanchi looked at the hazy colors of the flowers and sighed.

The garden was already in the area of the Main Hall. On ordinary days, non-faculty members were not allowed to enter. The clear spring water of the central fountain surged out continuously, making a melodious gurgling sound. The spring water bloomed into several huge crystal flowers under the golden midday sun, falling on the lush bushes.

"It seems you had a very impressive experience in the Shadow World."

Nala naturally knew that Professor Landri had gone to the Shadow World some time ago.

Although she didn't know what kind of Shadow World it was, it seemed to have greatly changed Professor Landri's state of mind.

Even Nala could feel that he had more rich emotions.

"Are you really not a fortune teller?"

Lanchi asked Nala with a smile.

"My aptitude for fortune telling is not high, so I can't become a real fortune teller, but I read a lot of books, so I can judge some things based on experience. By the way, does Professor Landri know about the recent rumors about you?"

Nala thought of a more important thing and turned to ask Lanchi.

Holders of the [Fortune Telling] attribute are the least of the thirty-one attributes. Often, those who hold the [Fortune Telling] attribute like to talk about these metaphysics topics.

As the Principal's secretary, and Saint Creity Abbey also hid countless ancient books, her duty allowed her to read them freely.

"Don't say it, don't say it. Those rumors that I'm a love saint are outrageous! Do I look like that kind of person!"

Lanchi turned his head and raised his palm, looking like he couldn't stand it.

"..."

Which ancient version are you listening to?

Nala muttered imperceptibly, then shook her head slightly and stopped talking about this topic.

She led Lanchi through the garden, up along the trestle bridge, and came to a secluded brown stone brick corridor.

Through the continuous colonnade, you can still see the garden, until the scenery disappears. They walked to the second floor of another activity hall of the Main Hall.

Secretary Nala was too familiar with the Main Hall, and walked both the shortcut and the quiet path.

"How can there be a person who has no desires or demands in this world... To be honest, I always have this illusion when chatting with you."

Nala changed the subject and said.

"I also think there won't be such a person. Look at me, don't I have three fiancées? This kind of person doesn't look like he has no desires or demands."

Lanchi spread his hands.

"Then what are you pursuing now? Besides those three."

Nala saw that Landri seemed to be insulting himself, but in reality, his state of mind was very clear, so he could admit it.

"What are you pursuing? I'm also looking for the answer."

Lanchi's eyes gradually condensed.

There was something he didn't want before, but he wanted now. That was probably the answer to his long journey.

"It seems you're looking for this answer, and you've basically found it."

Secretary Nala smiled relievedly.

People like Professor Landri would not be confused.

The two of them walked into this new pavilion, and their eyes began to search again. According to Nala's guess, Elsa had a high probability of being in this building.

Looking down from the corridor on the second floor of the venue, it was easy to see familiar figures through the hollowed-out levels. Nala also considered this point.

"Speaking of which, you should know how attractive you are to other nobles, right?"

Nala noticed that as soon as Landri came over, someone immediately cast a eager look at him, so she asked him.

"Don't worry, Nikola will help me deal with those guys now."

Lanchi said confidently.

This was their bond of the Imperial Army.

"Tsk, Red Falcon Nikola, I didn't expect you to really have a good relationship with him."

Nala clicked her tongue slightly.

"He's actually very upright."

Lanchi spoke for Nikola.

He remembered that Nala disliked Nikola very much. The first time they met outside the train station, Nala almost called Nikola a hound.

"That's right, I admit it. He's better than the average noble, but he really acts too much like a noble's hunting dog. I know you've always been able to get along with everyone. I had this feeling when we first met. You're also very smooth and generous. But it's not because of this that I'll help you drive away those flies. I don't care whether you're easy to get along with or not. It's your personality. I never please people I don't like."

Nala valued his personality, so she treated him as a friend and blocked other nobles from bothering him for him.

This tacit understanding was unnecessary to express for people like them.

"This is also why I'm willing to work with you, Miss Nala."

Lanchi said frankly.

"Since you understand, that's all the better, so don't expect me to have a good relationship with Nikola."

Secretary Nala nodded in satisfaction.

Just as the two of them were chatting.

A familiar figure fell into their sight in the distance.

Lanchi and Nala slowed down their pace and looked towards the atrium on the first floor.

That was Ursula, the daughter of the Roland family, who had the blood of the ancient Gryphon, who was too conspicuous to miss.

She was also Landri's younger sister Elsa's good friend.

The last time he was able to find Elsa in the Brilda Mafia and save her in time, it was thanks to Ursula's help.

She was wearing a dark dress and appeared in the corridor leading to the outside. Her exquisite and appropriate makeup could not hide her unease, which was completely different from her usual uninhibited and confident expression.

And standing next to Ursula was Elsa, whom Lanchi was looking for.

"What's wrong with Ursula?"

Lanchi secretly speculated, looking at the other side from afar on the second floor.

Following Lanchi's gaze, Nala also saw Ursula looking around at the crowd in one corner of the banquet hall.

They soon recognized the figure of Marquis Ryan Roland among the nobles.

Beside him were several imperial dignitaries who were talking to him, full of flattery towards him.

This Marquis Ryan Roland also had a more resounding title, which was Ryan, the Ninth Army God, who was crowned with the Amethyst Seat. This was enough to make him equal to Principal Violet, the Sixth Army God, of this Saint Creity Abbey.

"What, are you interested in the Roland family? Or is Ursula a student who needs special care?"

Noticing Lanchi's gaze, Nala asked.

"I owe her a favor."

Lanchi nodded, his eyes never leaving Ursula.

"Being able to make you owe a favor is not worth a star and a half. You must know that many dignitaries present only hope to gain a little favor from you."

Nala put her hand to her mouth in surprise.

"Miss Nala, you're exaggerating. You're showing off that you're my friend. I can't afford it."

Lanchi shook his head, causing Nala to let out a slight laugh.

His attention was still on Ursula and Elsa, and he walked towards where they were.

At this moment, Ursula was looking at her brother from afar with a complex expression.

Banquet Hall Pavilion Main Floor.

Ursula was in a dilemma, seeming to hesitate whether to avoid her brother.

She couldn't figure out whether she didn't want to see her brother today or if she sincerely expected to see him.

She didn't even expect that her brother Ryan would come to Saint Creity Abbey today.

After fighting with herself for a long time, she finally bit her lip, stopped walking, and waited for Marquis Ryan to walk towards her.

Maybe she was just holding on to a little bit of luck, hoping that she could see her brother today. For this reason, she specially put on her most beautiful dress and dressed herself up beautifully, no longer doing things as she pleased and embarrassing the Roland family as she usually did.

However, when Ursula really saw Ryan walk up to her, her legs couldn't help but tremble.

The fear and unease in her heart surged up all at once, almost suffocating her.

Marquis Ryan was wearing the family's formal attire today. He had short, slightly curly dark purple hair. His handsome face with distinct features was written with a noble and cold temperament. That face and the blue eyes were exactly the same as Ursula's, but they showed more pressure than the younger Ursula.

Marquis Ryan's eyes were even colder than Ursula imagined.

That was not the look of seeing a sister at all.

"Brother."

Ursula took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.

She had prepared herself long ago.

"..."

Elsa looked worriedly at Ursula beside her and held Ursula's cold hand.

It was always Ursula who liked to come up to her, but today Elsa saw that Ursula needed a friend's care.

Ursula had hoped countless times that her brother would return to the way he used to be with her, such as coming to see her today, but when Ursula really came to her brother, she felt endless pain and despair from his indifferent eyes.

The guests around her recognized Ursula one after another, and there was constant whispering, but Ryan didn't even seem to want to look at her directly.

"Are you here today to..."

Ursula opened her mouth tremblingly, but the voice in front of her interrupted her before she could finish speaking.

"A disgrace."

Marquis Ryan said emotionlessly.

"..."

Ursula was silent. She knew that Marquis Ryan was teaching her a lesson.

Ryan, the Ninth Army God Amethyst of the Crystal who was fighting on the front line, heard about all the things his sister had done to embarrass the family when he returned from the front line thousands of miles away. It was only natural for him to be angry.

"Follow me, don't embarrass yourself here."

Ryan was willing to glance at Ursula for a while, without a trace of family affection, and then turned around and walked out.

Ursula trembled all over. Her brother's voice was like a sharp blade, piercing her all over.

She even extravagantly hoped that her brother would send her the same blessings as other parents.

Now it seemed that it would be good enough if he could look at her normally.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't make a sound.

Her pale face was devoid of blood, and her hands holding the skirt couldn't stop shaking.

She didn't want to say willful words to such a brother again, but if she threw a tantrum again, it would only further confirm in front of other imperial dignitaries why she, the embarrassing daughter, was so hated by her brother, and it would still be embarrassing their Roland family.

"Okay."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but Ursula held back, fearing that she would lose her composure in front of everyone.

If it weren't for Elsa giving her some support, she might have been even more embarrassed.

Just as Ursula despairingly lowered her head and prepared to leave, a tall figure stood in front of her, separating her from Ryan.

Marquis Ryan, who had already walked out without looking back, stopped and silently turned his head.

"Who are you?"

Ryan frowned in displeasure.

At this moment, the man in the gray coat was like a barrier, hiding Ursula behind him, making it impossible for Ryan to even see Ursula.

Lanchi didn't answer Ryan immediately. He turned around and met Ursula's surprised gaze.

"Landri..."

Ursula exclaimed, then covered her mouth.

Only after returning from the Brilda Mafia that time would she call Landri by his first name, but in reality, it was also an impolite way of calling him. She should add an honorific to it.

"I was just about to prepare to wish you a happy new school year. You've worked hard in your studies all along. I'm proud of you."

Lanchi said to Ursula and Elsa, methodically completing his work goal here today.