Chapter 1 Two Days Later

Two days later, in the early morning.

In the north of the Protos Empire, the Box Mountain Province stood like a radiant pearl on the northern plains, not only the most prosperous province in the north but also a transportation hub where goods and travelers converged.

The mountains to the north surrounded it like guardians, forming a natural barrier. At the foot of the mountains, melting snow turned into winding streams, flowing eastward through the city like fine threads. With the arrival of the spring breeze, the moat silently nourished everything, endowing this city-state with infinite vitality and vigor.

Upon arriving in this province, one would discover that the architectural style inherited the ancient lineage of the imperial capital, Helrom, with a preference for natural stone and wood in the selection of materials, constructing a style that complemented the towering mountains of the distant north. Stone skin and wooden bones seemed to weave together with nature to form three-dimensional scroll paintings.

However, this year, the seasons were in turmoil, and the cold was more severe than usual, even covering the warm lands of the southern Protos Empire with winter snow.

In the northern province, even though it was almost mid-April, the spring still hesitated, and the fickle weather brought snow from time to time, sweeping the city-state's appearance clean again, even making the residents suspect whether this frozen world would continue until the next winter.

To the south of Box Mountain Province, located on the western side of the main city in the hinterland, the Mana Rail Train Station "Rock Convergence" was the hub leading to the south of the empire, the largest Mana Rail Train Station in the northern part of the entire empire, and a crystallization of ancient craftsmanship and magic.

On the tracks, every braking sound and spark from the friction of iron wheels was a strong beat in the mechanical magical symphony, echoing in the vast platform level of Rock Convergence Station.

At the far end of the station, a Mana Train full of the cold air of the north, with a thin layer of frost on its roof, sped towards the high platform of the station.

The rolling imperial characters on the slender crystal screen on the side of the train body showed that this was a Mana Rail Train departing from the Milford Territory Train Station in the Northwest Province and ending at Rock Convergence Station.

Inside a front carriage, the space combining elegance and comfort was designed like a hotel suite.

The top of this compartment was a hand-crafted, trimmed ceiling, and the walls were covered with dark veneer panels, exuding a faint sandalwood fragrance, interspersed with gold-framed artwork. In addition to the spacious armchairs and beds covered with high-quality leather and suede fabrics, soft pillows and blankets provided extra warmth.

Hyperion came to the armchair, sat down, and quietly looked out the window.

She had woken up before the sky outside the train window had lit up, washed up early, and checked her luggage. She had been extra cautious along the way.

Since leaving Milford Territory, the empire had been filled with a strong, strange atmosphere, as if it were constantly surrounded by a deep gray mist, making it impossible for her to feel at ease.

"Sister."

Before long, Mishura, who had just gotten up, also finished her preparations and sat opposite Hyperion. Although she didn't say anything, she meant to indicate to Hyperion that she was ready to leave at any time.

"I heard from the conductor that these days at Rock Convergence Station, the platform level is full of Nihility priests, who are in a terrible state of combat readiness at all times, as if they will strike at any time, making people panic."

Hyperion sighed and said to Mishura.

Although she had thought that the matter that could cause the main force of the Nihility branch in the Northwest Province to come out in full force was definitely not small, the more she thought about it, the more she felt that something was happening in the Protos Empire, and she, as an outsider, could not see through the mist.

The less you understand, the more frightening it becomes.

"...Before, when these guys were searching for spies from the Church of the Goddess of Destiny and the Kingdom of Esther Telan in Milford Territory, they didn't even seal off the station to this extent."

Mishura's tone was also obviously dissatisfied with this group of Rebirth cultists.

"Sister, you don't have to worry. A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe. The Nihility branch has no reason to target the Milford family."

Mishura said with confidence.

"...Indeed."

Hyperion nodded.

"The most ridiculous thing is the election for the bishop in more than a week. At that time, Father will also go to the imperial capital, Helrom. I guess he will have to vote for the Nihility Bishop. After all, no nobles in the north dare not vote for him now."

Just mentioning the Rebirth Church, Mishura's eyes showed a sense of disgust, especially for the Nihility branch. She wished she could drive all these heretics out of Milford Territory.

In case Askesan is not voted for at the critical moment, and Askesan wins in the end, this guy may not do anything on the surface, but one day he will give the northern imperial nobles who backstabbed him the most cruel reckoning.

Everyone knows what kind of person the Nihility Bishop Askesan is.

When she gets off the train later, at Rock Convergence Station, which is full of Askesan's henchmen, Mishura will have to hide her inner thoughts. Now, being on the train is the last moment to chat freely.

"This election is already imperative for the empire. I only hope that when choosing between the lesser of three evils, it would be slightly better if Tyrant or Mourning wins than if Nihility wins."

Hyperion shook her head.

She had limited understanding of the cardinals in the Northern Continent.

According to the Ice Witch, the best result would be the victory of the Mourning Bishop.

Compared to the Nihility Bishop and the Tyrant Bishop, who have extreme ambitions and are selfish, the Mourning Bishop is more inclined to be conservative and neutral.

It's just that this kind of thing is not something she can interfere with. The goal of her trip is just to rescue the great demon who is said to be her aunt's close friend from the underground prison of Helrom, which would be a great success.

"Tyrant and Mourning are not good people either. When we get to the imperial capital, Helrom, we may still see priests from these two branches. We don't even know if there are any hidden members they have infiltrated into the school... Anyway, no matter how friendly the people of the Rebirth Church look, don't believe anything they say."

Mishura was very worried that her sister would be deceived by the evil cultists of the Rebirth Church. Those crazy beasts could do anything.

If the higher-ups of the Rebirth Church take a fancy to her sister's talent and her status in the Milford family, they may try to contact her or bewitch her, so as to win their Milford family over to the cardinal branch in the southeast at this critical node in the empire.

"Don't worry, Mishura. We have a clear distinction between good and evil and will never have anything to do with the Rebirth Church."

Hyperion smiled and assured Mishura in a voice like her usual morning prayers in the temple.

Hearing her sister say this, Mishura felt relieved.

Looking at her sister's upright, kind, and serious appearance, she also firmly believed that her sister would never be someone who could fall into depravity with the Rebirth cultists.

There is still one chapter left to finish, and I will finish it before ten o'clock.

(End of this chapter)