Rock Convergence Station, foundation level.

Lanchi silently led the way, holding a handcuff chain, the other end of which was tightly locked around a woman's slender wrist.

They passed through the secluded stairwell, the metal of the handcuffs occasionally clinking, contrasting with the rhythm of their footsteps.

At the end of the passage was a ramp leading to the sunlit platform level.

Lanchi squinted slightly, while Xide beside him kept his head down, making it difficult to see the expression in his eyes.

Shafts of natural light streamed down from between the glass canopies on the platform, like scattered gold coins shimmering in patches on the ground, occasionally trod upon by their feet.

The platform was sparsely populated with waiting passengers, some sitting on benches looking uneasy, others standing at the edge of the platform, gazing into the distance in the direction of the tracks.

Before the two had come to a complete stop, the Mana Rail Train roared into the station from the end of the tracks, accompanied by a string of carriages.

The train's gleaming metallic texture reflected the outside world, and the steel stamps swiftly passing before their eyes on each carriage bore the emblems of the Protoss Empire.

Lanchi and Xide stood waiting behind the painted line on the ground.

The train gradually slowed down and came to a smooth halt. The doors slid open, releasing a faint, transparent mist from inside the carriage, the residual heat released by the mana regulators slowly dissipating.

"Get in."

Lanchi commanded with a slightly cold voice.

Without Lanchi pulling him with the handcuffs, Xide naturally followed Lanchi's steps into the carriage.

Silent and obedient like a doll, she made the distant passengers afraid to glance at them, unable to imagine what fate awaited this captive girl.

The two walked into a dedicated carriage at the rear of the Mana Rail Train.

Unlike the carriages in front, this one was more solid and closed off, with unique protection and secrecy. Even the crew needed to ask for permission before entering.

Entering an interior space in the carriage, the door behind them slammed shut with a heavy metallic clang, echoing in the spacious compartment.

"Phew—off work!"

The two sat down in front of the seats, leaning back as if they had finished a tiring journey.

Lanchi didn't want to move at all; helping Askesang for a morning was exhausting enough.

"When will this be unlocked?"

Xide raised his right hand, which was resting on the armrest, and lifted the handcuffs, causing a jingling sound.

"It'll be unlocked when the crew brings lunch; we have to keep up appearances."

After all, they were still technically military officers escorting a prisoner. Until they transferred to the next train and changed their appearances back, they had to pretend to maintain a flawless facade.

But now that they were here, the northern investigation trip could finally end, and they could easily return to the familiar imperial capital, Helrom.

"Ah, this journey has been so full of setbacks."

Lanchi sighed, as if recalling the events of the past month.

Xide looked at him without comment.

"It was full of setbacks for me; you didn't get hurt at all."

In the end, she could only glare at him and look away.

This guy hadn't even gotten his clothes dirty along the way.

Including the fight against the Ghost Party in the snowfield, she was the one throwing punches while Lanchi stood behind her like a supervisor, doing nothing.

"You said you'd protect me."

Lanchi said with a matter-of-fact smile.

Xide stared at his face again. She thought he was being a bit of a tease, and she was about to mock him, but she hesitated and decided against it.

That innocent smile seemed to be thanking her—thank you for protecting me so well.

"You, you're lucky you're not a girl, or I'd make you a holy maiden, and I'd be sick of your teasiness."

Xide spread his left hand, resigned.

She had even thought at first that it would be even better if this person she had taken a liking to was a girl, but now she only felt lucky that he wasn't.

"By the way, what level have you recovered to now?"

Lanchi thought for a moment and asked.

He saw that Xide didn't seem as tired as he had been in the snowfield, and his spirits seemed to have improved.

"Around Fifth Order. I guess that's the limit. The more I recover, the more I can feel the shackles of the seal. It's like it's locking my state."

Sigrid's expression suddenly became serious as she replied.

Self-preservation in the imperial capital of Helrom was not a problem, but compared to her former self, she was unimaginably weak.

"But if I can break this seal, maybe I'll become even stronger than before."

She clenched her fist and muttered to herself.

This was a disaster, but also a training exercise. What didn't kill her would make her stronger.

However, looking at Sigrid, who didn't seem discouraged at all, Lanchi's assessment was—

"Don't, please."

Lanchi's eyes showed a hint of pity.

You're already too strong to marry off. If you get even stronger, you'll be even harder to marry off.

"..."

Xide bit his lip, trembling with anger.

If it wasn't for the fact that a prisoner standing up and beating the silent Holy Son next to him might be seen by people on the platform outside the glass window, she would have wanted to strike.

"Holy Son."

"Hmm?"

"If you ever meet a woman who can read minds in the future, you must run. Turn around and run. Don't ask anything, don't think anything."

"Why?"

"I'm probably the only person in this world who would put up with you like this."

Xide said with a fake smile, gnashing his teeth.

Although she had reminded him several times, she always felt that this guy had a sense of disbelief. He would either operate to the limit and never crash, or if he did crash, it would be an epic disaster. She didn't want to go to the crematorium to claim her Holy Son.

"Don't worry, even my most ambitious disciple, Zestira, can't learn such top-level mental magic like mind reading in a few years."

Lanchi swiped his fingers and said with great certainty,

"No one understands demon talents better than me."

Compared to humans, demons were more likely to draw mental magic comparable to epic spells through their innate magic. However, in this world, pure demons with such talents were few and far between.

"..."

Xide looked at Lanchi's confident look and said nothing more.

Sigrid had seen Zestira, that little girl, on the live projection of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy's monthly assessment. At that time, Sigrid was watching the Holy Son leading his students at her direct subordinate Gloria's residence.

Even if Zestira learned mind reading in the future, it wouldn't be harmful to Lanchi, because she respected her teacher very much.

But if she ever met an old one, Sigrid didn't even want to think about what would happen.

In the moment of temporary silence between the two, a series of clear broadcasts sounded in all the carriages, rhythmic and formulaic, announcing the start of the journey.

After the broadcast ended, there was a slight tremor in the carriage, and then the seats began to gently push.

Lanchi's gaze passed through the car window, watching the outside world.

At first, everything on the platform changed slowly. The signs and benches on the platform slowly slid, and the sunlight left floating bands of light on the glass windows.

The scenery outside the window began to retreat at a leisurely pace, gradually distancing itself from them.

Across the platform, the passengers and station staff who had just been within sight were now gradually disappearing behind the train.

Until a familiar figure reappeared in his eyes, his gaze met again through the car window with the young lady of the Milford Earl family who was waiting for another train on the opposite platform.

(End of this chapter)