After more than an hour.

The hour hand had just passed five in the afternoon.

Outside the Redmonde Building's principal's office, the rain poured down, each drop striking a loud note on the glass behind Lan Qi. The occasional lightning flashes made the sky flicker, as if shrouding the whole world in chaos.

Dark wooden furniture lent a sense of stability to the space. A bronze desk lamp stood quietly on the desk, emitting a warm and soft light, dispelling the chill of the thunderstorm outside.

Lan Qi sat alone in his office, back straight, hands placed on the documents on the desk, a cup of coffee that had gone cold beside him.

His gaze was focused on the documents, occasionally picking up a pen to underline important parts or write notes in the margins.

Generally, school ended at five o'clock.

However, today was a bit special. According to the appointment, Duke Morotian should be arriving soon, which was why Lan Qi hadn't left the office to end his workday.

The ticking of the clock was steady and unchanging.

Lan Qi paid no attention to the time, focused and calm, unaffected by the thunder and rain outside, immersed in his academic and administrative work, everything around him quiet and orderly.

Until a gentle knock sounded on the office door, and the voice of a Redmonde Building administrator came from outside:

"Mr. Locke, Duke Berenhard has arrived."

"Please, come in."

Lan Qi looked up at the door facing him, his voice calm and strong.

The door slowly opened, and a school employee stood respectfully at the entrance. Then, a tall man walked in.

This legendary figure of the Protos Empire, also the strongest in the world holding the Primordial Tablet, looked to be about thirty years old.

He wore a finely tailored dark coat, the collar slightly turned up, revealing a hint of dashingness. His facial features were distinct, his jawline tight and strong. His temperament had some similarities to Chloris, but compared to the more easygoing Chloris, Duke Morotian's eyes seemed to carry a more imperceptible depth of thought.

"I've wanted to visit Mr. Locke McCarthy for a long time, but recently we've been tied up with official duties. There have been too many changes in the empire during this period."

Duke Morotian took off his hat and looked at Lan Qi, saying.

He was more approachable than expected, without much sense of majesty or the pressure of a strongman. Although it was pouring rain outside, Duke Morotian was not wet with a single drop of water, and walked steadily into Lan Qi's office without wetting the principal's carpet.

"Likewise, I am fortunate to meet Duke Berenhard today. I understand, it has indeed been a tiring time."

Lan Qi put down his pen, raised his hand to gesture to the Duke towards the meeting area on the left side of the office.

He also stood up and walked over, inviting Duke Morotian to sit on the sofa.

Originally, one would feel somewhat uneasy when first meeting such a big figure, or the strongest in the world.

But Lan Qi was used to being with Loren, so he didn't feel uncomfortable.

After a brief greeting, the atmosphere was formal but not stiff. As the administrator brought in red tea for the two of them on a tray, the administrator excused himself again and closed the door behind him.

"Did Duke Berenhard come to me today because he has something to worry about?"

Lan Qi smiled slightly at Duke Morotian, observing his face.

"Naturally."

Duke Morotian picked up the teacup on the sofa, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes,

"It's actually related to an associate professor at your school. I've been looking for him for a while, but I always feel like I'm missing him."

He inadvertently looked at the bookshelf in the office, as if noticing a conspicuous book, *The Chronicles of the Holy War*, and beside it, there was a lush demonic plant, its green leaves vibrant in the light, adding a distinct touch to this quaint office.

"Are you referring to Associate Professor Xiduo?"

Lan Qi also looked in the direction of the Duke's gaze, generally confirming who Duke Morotian was referring to.

Recent media news had been tracking and following the suspected traitor, Duchess Chloris, and the missing Associate Professor Xiduo. Although this matter had not yet been determined, it was possible that due to the power of the Berenhard family, the charges against Duchess Chloris were still being spread vaguely, with more of the public opinion being directed towards Associate Professor Xiduo.

However, Lan Qi was not previously sure whether Duke Morotian already knew about Xiduo's connection with Chloris.

"He bewitched my daughter."

Duke Morotian's fingers tapped lightly on the table, his tone becoming more cautious.

"In that case, it is also my dereliction of duty."

Lan Qi lowered his eyes and looked away, apologizing.

"No, I'm sure Principal Locke was unaware. After all, my daughter Chloris has always been intelligent, and sometimes I can't understand her."

Duke Morotian quickly waved his hand casually, seemingly feeling that Lan Qi had misunderstood his meaning. He didn't intend to blame the other party,

"Associate Professor Xiduo was able to successfully deceive her. The only one who had a chance to save her was me, but unfortunately, even I, as her father, failed to notice, let alone Principal Locke."

As the two were chatting, in the administrative office on the other side, Pranai crossed his arms and observed the situation in the principal's office with his demonic eyes.

With the barrier prepared in advance by Antanas, even Duke Morotian, the strongest of the Protos Empire, couldn't detect that in the room not far from the principal's office, there were three eighth-order professors observing the principal's office.

"Pranai, why are you so silent?"

Antanas patted Pranai on the shoulder and asked.

She could also sense the situation inside the barrier through her innate magic, but she felt that Pranai was seriously analyzing something at the moment.

Earlier in the principal's office, the New King had roughly explained to them the situation in the Protos Empire over the past three months, the turmoil in the north, and what they would face next.

"The New King is not sure whether Duke Morotian knows that he had contact with Chloris and Xiduo. Duke Morotian's words also seem to imply a subtle sense of probing."

Pranai finally spoke to explain to Antanas, or rather, to translate the unspoken words of the New King and Duke Morotian.

"Really? Aren't they just chatting normally? I think the New King is very sincere. He even apologized with a hint of tea flavor just now, making Duke Morotian embarrassed."

Antanas touched her head in confusion.

Pranai glanced at Antanas without arguing with her.

A thousand demons would have a thousand versions of the New King. Whether the New King's performance just now was pure or scheming, innocent or meticulous, each demon would have a different answer. Of course, it may also be ambivalent. The New King possesses all the above attributes at the same time.

(End of this chapter)