Chapter 869: Lanqi's Return to His Hometown

Parriere North Shore 4.

Count Baptiste's House.

The warm winter morning sun covered the cobblestone streets. Even in the winter, the Flower City was not too cold. Lanqi walked far outside the mansion with the little black cat on his head.

This is the mansion passed down from generation to generation in the Baptiste family. It was once the most magnificent and eye-catching residence on this street. The morning glory-decorated iron gate in front of it has been coated with a layer of light rust over the years, and the tall poplar trees like guards on both sides of the gate have also been broken.

"Alas, what a nice house, it was destroyed just like my old house of Wilford's family."

Lanqi looked at the magnificent Earl's Mansion which was almost half collapsed and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

On the night when the blue flame demon Beelzebub attacked, the broken walls were like the sharp teeth of a giant beast. In the dark night and heavy rain, the gate of the mansion was blasted open, and rubble was scattered all over the front hall and the garden. The barrier on the Earl's mansion was dismantled.

Today, the peeling paint, broken glass and vines covering the walls make it look shaky and may collapse under the weight of time at any time.

Lanqi looked into the garden.

In the morning, a team of engineers in work clothes started working in the courtyard of the mansion. The foreman, holding the blueprint in hand, was discussing the repair plan with the idle craftsmen.

The workers set up scaffolding, the tilers carefully climbed onto the roof to replace the damaged tiles, the carpenters skillfully repaired the broken doors and windows and polished them smooth, and the masons deftly filled the cracks in the walls and repainted them.

"In fact, it was to protect Xiu Bao that the Wilford family's mansion in Nanwantina was destroyed by the decaying alchemy beast. If Duke Migaiya knew about it, he would definitely inject more capital into your Chamber of Commerce and repair the old house."

Boss Cat lay on Lanqi's head and preached to him.

"I just found out that the Wilford family is actually a subsidiary of the Alansar family. No wonder this company suffered the Wilford tragedy. It turned out that when Duke Migaia disappeared, the big backer was gone."

It was only later that Lanqi heard that the largest shareholder of the Wilford Chamber of Commerce was actually Duke Migaia.

"Then you struggle for two years, and the world changes, meow."

The cat owner thought back to Blue Cat's adventures over the past two years and felt that it was lucky for Blue Cat to be alive today.

Not to mention that if Lanch is willing to return to Cremorne to help Loren take over the emperor's job, Loren will probably pick up his suitcase and run away immediately. Even if Lanch returns to the Northern Continent, he can become President Rocky McCarthy. Even the current emperor of Cremorne treats Rocky as an advisor.

Anyway, there is at least one country in each of the northern and southern continents, so he won't have to worry about not being able to find a job.

"At first I just wanted to visit the capital city of Ikerit, until I heard the name of the legendary sealer, and then the story began."

Lanqi put his hands in his coat pockets and looked at the mansion from across the street.

"You still can't forget your original White Moonlight aspiration, right meow?"

Boss Cat is a little suspicious that Ranch and Sigrid want to turn Asksan into a weekly dungeon.

"Isn't this journey always full of things that go against our wishes? Looking back, you will find that since we crossed the sea, not a single step has been the same as we planned when we set out."

Lanqi smiled and raised his hand to pat the cat.

Accidents always run through life, and that's life.

"Yeah meow."

Boss Cat never thought that he could become a ninth-rank divine beast.

In the Krelian Empire, it has already had a good time being the guardian beast of the country.

A man and a cat were standing at the far end of the mansion chatting.

After the Flower City Incident, the war in the southern continent triggered by the Krewe Empire began immediately. The southern part of the Person Kingdom, Aquidan, bordered the northeastern part of the Krewe Empire, and was only separated by mountains, so it could be invaded at any time.

Part of Count Baptiste's family's assets were in Aquitaine, so as they were on the verge of losing their fortunes, they did not rush to renovate the old house. Instead, they shelved the restoration project and prepared to settle down in another mansion in the maple forest in North Shore District 2 for a long time.

It seems that the situation in the southern continent has been confirmed to have stabilized recently, so the Baptiste family began to formally repair this dilapidated old house.

"By the way, Lanqi, meow, don't you want to go in and take a look?"

Boss Cat knew that even if Lanqi didn't know the members of this construction team, with his communication skills, he would be able to quickly get in and become familiar with the workers. Besides, he was an acquaintance of the Baptiste family, so it would be easy for him to contact Count Baptiste.

"Stop disturbing other people's work."

Lanqi shook his head and prepared to go to the maple forest in Area 2.

"Meow meow, you've been working here for quite some time. Take a look around here before you go. One more look might be enough. You know how life is short-lived."

Boss Cat follows Ranch all the way and witnesses him do all kinds of jobs. No matter what the job is, he is like a ruthless mercenary, striving for excellence.

But in fact, Boss Cat knows that Lanqi is very dedicated to every job. He is not a person who works hard, but a person who enjoys his work. That is why he can do everything impeccably.

Boss Cat's suggestion is to let Lanqi go in and take a look before going to Baptiste's other mansion in Maple Grove.

Just when Lanqi was chatting with the cat boss.

"Rocky?"

A voice sounded behind them.

"……?"

Lanqi, who was wearing a gray coat, turned around and saw a familiar figure standing at the end of the cobblestone road.

Her golden hair was cut shorter than when I first saw her. Part of it was singed by the mysterious demon that day. After a trim, it became medium-short hair. Now, several months have passed, and the daughter of Count Baptiste has not returned to her original long hair.

"I'm sorry, I made a mistake."

After Christina saw the young man's face clearly, she immediately apologized.

When she saw the gray coat and the dignified back, her first reaction was that the evil butler had returned, but for some reason, she felt that the temperament of this person was different from that of the butler.

He seems too much like an ordinary person, not so detached anymore.

But when Christina noticed the little black cat on the young man's head, she hesitated again.

That cat was clearly the elf cat that Butler Rocky had once fostered at Baptiste's house.

"It's me."

Lanci admitted reluctantly.

He had no intention of hiding anything.

"Rocky!"

Christina covered her mouth in surprise, then ran to Lanqi's side and looked at the butler she had met after a long time.

She thought she would never see this mysterious guy again.

"You really have so many faces, but this black-haired, green-eyed, pretending-to-be-young look is really eye-catching."

Christina looked up and down at their former butler Rocky's disguised appearance and commented with a smile.

She felt that Rocky should be an old monster, perhaps a demon who had lived for an unknown number of years. Now that he looked younger than when he was a butler with brown hair and green eyes, Christina felt a little uncomfortable.

"Why do I feel like you're thinking of something very rude, Miss?"

Lanqi frowned and asked the familiar Christina.

"No, no, I'm so happy that you're back!"

Christina said perfunctorily, shaking her hands.

Although she was still unable to figure out the identity of their family's temporary housekeeper until the end, she only knew that this mysterious and powerful person must have done something crucial during the war in the southern continent.

Now that the war is over, he probably has nothing to do.

"How are you doing with your studies lately?"

Lanqi asked with concern for Christina.

"Don't ask me this question right when we meet. I've already applied for a year's leave of absence from the Royal Academy of Alolan. It's reasonable for me to relax now, right?"

Christina held the back of her head, unwilling to face the housekeeper's questions. "Let's go to Baptiste's house first. Although I don't miss you at all, my father and mother have always seemed to be lost since you left. They almost treat you as their own son."

She changed the subject and asked Lanqi to follow her to the Maple Grove in North Shore District 2 where the new house was located.

"Why are you here today?"

"I come here often. I always want to see the old house. Now it's a good opportunity for me to be the supervisor and report the progress of the renovation to my parents."

“…”

"Look, I see you now, don't I?"

The two walked and talked on the street outside the mansion.

Under the skillful care of the engineering team, this long-dormant building is gradually waking up and will surely regain its former glory soon.

Throughout the winter morning, the construction site was filled with the roar of machines, hammers pounding, and humming of magic saws.

The busy figures of the craftsmen moved around in the dilapidated mansion, bringing vitality to the lifeless building.

"But Rocky, you really don't have to worry about my studies. I'm going back to school now, and I might be able to pass those practical magic courses that gave me a headache soon."

Christina's hair, which was cut short during the Flower City Incident, has grown a lot longer.

Some of her golden hair had a faint red hue like maple leaves.

The silver hairpin is carved with a gorgeous rose, and the edges of the petals are inlaid with tiny rubies, which sparkle brightly under natural light.

"Did the Count hire a tutor for you?"

Lanqi stared at the hair accessory. It was the hairpin that he had personally fixed for Christina.

"Tutoring is one aspect, but the main thing is..."

Christina tells Lanci what happened after he left.

The accident that day left a wound on her chest and back. Even though she survived, she still had a scar of scarlet flames that could not be healed. Her family took her to see various high-level doctors and priests, but none of them could heal her.

But she didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. Since then, her attribute suitability, which was originally considered to be balanced and excellent in the Royal Academy of Alolan, suddenly became friendly to fire. Flames of the same level could no longer hurt her, and the power of her fire spells became a little unpredictable for her.

"Well, I'll find you a doctor. He should be able to help you diagnose it. Don't worry, it's not a big problem."

Lanqi probably guessed that this was the residual side effect of the epic spell Ashes of the Other Side.

That day, Yinoan knew that he would end up in Huadu, so perhaps he left a few more things for Christina so that there wouldn't be any harmful physical changes.

But Migaiya, the top doctor of the Resurrection Church, can definitely diagnose it.

"What kind of doctor is so amazing?"

Christina knew that Rocky must have some incredible connections.

Anyone who is more capable than the doctor hired by Count Baptiste must be above the sixth level.

"His brother-in-law, meow."

Boss Cat replied while lying on Lanqi's head.

Lanqi immediately raised his hand and covered the cat boss's mouth.

Christina didn't realize who was talking at first, but when she looked in the direction of the voice, she found that it was the little black cat who spoke.

"So you can talk?"

She looked up and asked the cat who was slowly released by Lanqi.

When she had seen this cat in the Bosen Demon Realm and the Holy Silver Vine Arena before, she only knew that this cat was very strong and could protect her, but she had never expected that it could actually speak.

"Of course meow."

The little black cat silently jumped over Lanqi's head and was caught by Christina.

"Hello, Christina meow."

It raised its head, its bright eyes full of pride, and its tail swayed gently.

"It's amazing, cats can talk!"

Christina picked up the little black cat and said happily that she had never thought that the cat was so magical and that she had underestimated it.

It might even have the sixth level!

"But then again, is your brother-in-law so powerful?"

Christina came back to her senses and turned to ask Lanqi.

"No, that's not my brother-in-law, he's the Duke."

Lanqi was caught off guard by Boss Cat's sudden words.

There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!

"Well……"

Christina didn't understand.

She just felt it was weird.

Why does Rocky treat his brother-in-law with respect as if he were an elder? "Anyway, he is not my brother-in-law. Even if he calls me brother-in-law to my face, don't believe him. He just likes to joke around."

Lanqi took precautions for Christina.

"Rocky...long time no see, I feel like you've changed."

Seeing that the butler was unusually anxious, Christina couldn't bear to embarrass him any further. She just thought his behavior was funny and said to him.

“What exactly has changed?”

Lanqi asked Christina in confusion.

"Well, it's hard to say."

Christina held her chin and thought, but couldn't come up with an answer.

Even though they haven't seen each other for only a few months, she feels that Rocky has changed much more than her.

"Miss, you really speak the same way as before, relying entirely on intuition. At that time, you said you didn't trust me. When I asked you, you couldn't tell me the reason. Anyway, you were on guard against me."

Lanqi sneered and spread his hands, looking like he was holding a grudge.

"But, I trusted you anyway. I even wanted you to take me to the Bosen Demon Realm to play."

Christina argued.

This butler is like this. He looks like a good person, but in fact he is not a good person at all. However, he will definitely be a good person at critical moments.

"By the way, that grey-haired witch is actually with you, right?"

Christina couldn't help but ask quietly when she mentioned the Person Demon Realm.

That day, she actually saw the battle between the Gray-haired Witch and Perlman in the Person Demon Realm in a trance, and only the people of the Baptiste family knew that the companion beside the Gray-haired Witch was their butler Rocky.

She would definitely not have dared to explore Rocky's secrets before.

It wasn't until the end that she discovered that Rocky was actually a good man, but by then she was in no mood to find out.

Now when we meet again, I recall the old times with great emotion.

"Yes, you saw it that day. Thanks to her, I was able to defeat Pearlman."

Lanci agreed generously.

He trusted the Baptiste family very much. After the Flower City Incident, the family concealed all the details related to the butler from Nigel. Even though Nigel knew the truth, he still cooperated with the Baptiste family to complete the summary of the investigation report.

"Did she go back to Huadu?"

Christina was curious about how Rocky had hidden the gray-haired witch.

Now looking around, there is no sight of the gray-haired witch.

"He came back with me, too."

Lanqi nodded.

"Then why are you still here now!"

Christina stopped immediately.

She felt that Rocky shouldn't stay with her and chat at this time.

"?"

Lanqi looked at Christina who suddenly stopped in confusion.

"Go, go, go find her quickly, run away, it's no use leaving her behind."

Christina tiptoed and put the cat back on Lanqi's head, pushing Lanqi's back as if to drive him away.

"Wait, Christina, I was going to come see you today."

Although Lanqi was much stronger than Christina, he just let her do what she wanted and let her push him forward.

"We, the Baptiste family, are always here and we won't run away. Father also said that you can come back anytime you want. Why do you have to separate from her this weekend? You can just bring her with you!"

Christina is still wrestling behind Lanci's back, insisting that he take the weekend off.

Otherwise, if this guy went to Baptiste's house, he would definitely work in a confused manner all day.

Now that the southern continent has just stabilized, the Baptiste family really needs a versatile and efficient person like Rocky. But precisely for this reason, Christina will never let Rocky return to their home at this time.

"I've already paid off your fifty thousand pounds, so you can't come to work in our house anymore!"

Christina declared.

"But it would be really awkward for her and I to go on a date today. Regardless of whether I have any objections or not, she will definitely be embarrassed!"

Lanqi tried to explain.

"How would you know if you don't ask her?"

Christina used all her strength and "expelled" Lanci out of the street area of ​​Baptiste's mansion like pushing a stalled car.

Lanqi looked back at Christina in surprise.

"Look forward! The past is past, the future has not yet arrived, now——"

Christina waved her hand and shouted at him, "The most important thing is now! You taught me that!"

“…”

Lanqi was about to say something, but then he breathed a sigh of relief and swallowed his words back.

He felt relieved about Christina for the time being.

What worried him the most was the Earl's daughter after the Huadu Incident.

Now it seems that Christina has lived a full life and does not need any sympathy.

In fact, he is the one who is hesitating at this moment.

"Give my regards to your brother, the Count, the Countess, your brothers and sisters."

Lanqi waved to Christina as well and said goodbye for the time being.

"No problem, feel free to contact me."

Christina replied with a grin as she stood there, watching Lanqi and the little black cat leave.

…

A few minutes later.

Lanqi strolled along the streets on the south bank of Pariel and soon left that neighborhood, and the surrounding area once again became streets lined with sycamore trees on both sides.

"Lanqi, are you going to the Count of Asturias's Palace in the basement of Montmartre to find Tata?"

Boss Cat took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill his lungs, and murmured.

It felt like in this environment, Lanqi's hesitation and fatigue gradually dissipated, replaced by a rare calmness and relaxation.

"Yeah, it's not too far to walk there."

Lanci knew how to get to the Montmartre Plateau, and Countess Rosalinda's Asturias Palace was not too far away.

There aren't many pedestrians around here, and the streets are filled with the tranquility and peaceful fragrance of flowers, which is unique to the City of Flowers. It's very suitable for a walk.

More importantly, Tata might have just had her breakfast, so we have to make sure she is full before taking her out to play.

Suddenly, the cat boss hung upside down and handed a pink magic card to Lanqi.

"Lanqi meow, there's a communication meow."

It said.

“Eh…”

Lanqi took the Holy Communication Magic Card in confusion.

This limited edition communication magic of the Silver Moon Restoration Society also became a souvenir for him after leaving the Kreming Empire.

As long as Taliyah becomes the Lord of Love, all of Ranchi's cards, except for the epic cards that cannot be untied, will be replaced with magic cards that reduce mana consumption, increase mental attributes, and speed up mana recovery.

The tool magic card will be placed with the cat boss.

When Lanqi looked carefully, he found that it was Tata calling.

"Tata?"

Lanqi answered the call and spoke to the other end.

He didn't expect that just as he was about to go find Tata this morning, before he arrived at Countess Rosalinda's house, Tata took the initiative to contact him.

"Lanqi, you...uh..."

Tata said to Ranchi.

A woman's expectant chuckle could also be heard over the comms.

It seemed that at the instigation of Countess Rosalinda, Tata wanted to say something to Lanci, but she became hesitant because Countess Rosalinda was beside her.

"Would you like to hang out together this afternoon?"

Lanci asked.

"good."

Talia was silent for a moment, then decisively agreed to his request.

(End of this chapter)