In the magic-powered rail station platform of the imperial capital, Helrom, the winter morning was tinted with a faint ray of dawn.

Although the sun had not yet fully risen, the light blue sky had already begun to reflect light, giving this city-state, with its clusters of tall buildings and ancient architecture, a touch of warmth.

Today was the first weekend after March.

A faint white mist hovered over the tracks, generated by the evaporation of dew formed by the night's temperature drop. The magic-powered train station beside them stood exceptionally quiet, with only the occasional whistle and mechanical sound reminding people of its presence.

On one side of the platform, near the station sign, Lan Qi stood, clad in a diamond-patterned waistcoat and a dark gray long coat draped over his shoulders. He glanced at the timetable on the crystal screen, then shifted his gaze to the distant end of the tracks shrouded in mist, seemingly confirming that he would soon see the arriving train.

"Hi."

At that moment, a familiar voice broke the silence around him.

Lan Qi turned around.

Xi De stood before him.

Her tailored white shirt paired with an elegant coat and a long black skirt made her look capable and洒脱.

"Good morning."

Lan Qi greeted the Overlord's Cardinal.

They had agreed that after he finished his week-long duties at the Protos Royal Magic Academy, he would embark on a journey to the Nirvana Branch in the north.

Of course, this was the task given to them, these two newly appointed Nirvana Priests, by the Nirvana Branch in the imperial capital.

Although they had never met at the academy, Lan Qi was quite sure that Xi De had been disguised as a student, keeping an eye on him.

The platform was not yet busy. The distant clock tower chimed six, and only a few travelers catching early trains hurried by.

Their two motionless figures standing by the platform's edge appeared particularly quiet.

"Where's your cat?"

Xi De looked at Lan Qi's hands and then at his black scarf.

He was clearly holding two pet tickets that he had just purchased, one of which had become his scarf, while the other remained hidden.

Lan Qi didn't speak, only lowered his head to look at his shadow.

And his shadow was trembling.

Clearly, Cat Boss was scared to death.

Or it wouldn't dare to be near the Overlord's Cardinal, even if it meant dying.

The black fox, on the other hand, didn't seem to recognize Xi De's strength or weakness, showing no sense of vigilance towards her.

"It's too timid,"

Lan Qi said, helplessly shifting his gaze to Xi De.

"That's normal. Usually, if I don't disguise myself or restrain my aura, even powerful magical beasts will be scared away."

Xi De didn't seem to mind much, as if she knew she naturally possessed a trait that repelled animals.

"This cat is naturally shy and might be more comfortable with familiar old people."

Although he didn't know if Xi De also wanted to pet the little black cat, it seemed she didn't have much hope of touching Cat Boss unless she used forceful means.

"I see."

During their brief exchange, a faint metallic screech of train wheels against rails echoed in the distance.

The sound gradually amplified, growing clearer from its initial faintness. Amid the rumble, a beam of golden light appeared in the distant fog, signaling the approaching magic-powered rail train.

As the magic-powered train glided into the platform with swift yet stately grace, the unique sensation of magic-powered vibration spread throughout the platform. After dozens of seconds of complete stillness, vaporous mist rose from the top of the train, revealing its luxurious interior.

The Nirvana Knights Templar had bought them adjacent seats; even without looking, they knew.

Lan Qi and Xi De walked through several carriages and quickly found their seats.

The heavy curtains on both windows were drawn, but through the gaps, they could still see the hazy scenery outside.

Lan Qi looked out the window, seemingly a little concerned about his academy in this imperial capital. Xi De, on the other hand, picked up a magazine and prepared to read it.

She rarely embarked on such journeys.

So now she felt especially idle, even needing to pass the time a bit.

Finally, Lan Qi seemed to let go, deciding to focus on the new journey ahead.

"Xi De, you have to protect me. I'm just a fourth-tier support,"

Lan Qi said with a slight smile to Xi Ge Li De.

Xi Ge Li De insisted on reverting to her teenage appearance.

But even though Xi De had suppressed her strength back to the fourth tier, she still possessed a sense of oppression towards those of the same rank. It seemed that when she was at the fourth tier, her opponents were practically one-punch knockouts.

"I want to state first that I am now just your companion. Although theoretically, there is a possibility of saving your life, I will not stop you from committing suicide. I understand respecting other people's destinies. When I judge that you are about to do something with no chance of survival, I will no longer follow you."

Xi De turned her head to look at him, showing no sympathy, speaking bluntly.

"..."

Lan Qi was still smiling politely, but his expression temporarily lost its dynamic changes.

It seemed that he couldn't provoke an enemy and then drive Xi De to help him instantly kill them.

"And when I judge that the enemy is far stronger than me, I will make a reasonable judgment as a fourth-tier warrior, such as choosing to run away when I should, and choosing whether to sell you out or run away with you."

Xi De continued to explain her operational mechanisms to Lan Qi, while also issuing a disclaimer—meaning that if Lan Qi killed himself by being reckless, he shouldn't blame her.

"Under what circumstances would you be able to run away with me?"

"That depends on the degree of danger in the situation, and on how much Xi De, as an identity, likes you."

"Ah?"

Lan Qi had never heard of playing it like this.

"So, correspondingly, you have to cherish me and protect me too."

Xi De put down the magazine, patted Lan Qi's shoulder, and said with certainty.

"Why do I have to protect you?"

Lan Qi didn't understand. How did it turn out that he had to protect Xi De instead?

"If I'm not happy, I might quit the team. You have to consider the feelings of your teammates."

Xi De said matter-of-factly.

Lan Qi was speechless for a moment.

You're really meticulous.

If I hadn't asked clearly now, were you planning to give me a regret-filled performance later?

"..."

Seeing that even Lan Qi was rendered silent.

Cat Boss felt that Lan Qi had finally met his match.

Not only did he fail to tease the other party, but after circling around according to the other party's magical train of thought, he was even turned into the underdog.

"...Ah, okay."

Lan Qi finally nodded in agreement.

He understood Xi De's logic.

Her main focus was on slacking off, and she would never let Lan Qi exploit any loopholes.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, the more he felt he was losing out.

If she couldn't help, then what was the point of bringing her along?

No, he had to play the death-seeking game.

This trip to the north was all about being ready to die.

She only said that she wouldn't mess around with him in situations with no chance of survival.

So, as long as it was a situation with only a slim chance of survival, it was still possible to drive Xi De!

The Cardinal-level destruction, it would feel like a waste if he didn't use it once!

(End of chapter)