NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 833 Lanqi's Big Gray Cat
Chapter 833 Lanqi's Big Gray Cat
As the sun sets, the lights come on, and the bustling crowd gradually disperses, this solemn and dignified monastery regains its pious tranquility.
The evening ceremony begins.
The priests marched toward the altar, holding freshly picked moon branches in their hands, standing solemnly before the spotless white statue of the goddess, and chanting in a low voice the hymns that had been passed down for thousands of years.
The candlelight fluttered in the wind, illuminating every face that was looking forward to the fireworks of the festival. On this day, the Monastery of Saint Cremorne was undoubtedly the place in the Cremorne Empire that was closest to the Moon Goddess.
When it is completely dark, moon lanterns are released, fireworks are launched into the sky, and the high priest performs a prayer dance.
Elliott Square.
"It's cooling down."
Ifatia rubbed her palms together and exhaled a puff of white mist.
As the night deepened, the temperature dropped significantly and it seemed as if a light snow was falling from the sky again.
Just now, I followed my sister and daughter to eat some snacks from St. Clement's Abbey in the main hall, and then they went to the square and street in front of the Eliot Building, which were full of temporary food shops.
At first, because the lines in front of the popular stores were too long, I decided to take my sister to a place where there was no queue to fill her stomach first.
Now everyone is concentrating on finding a good seat and waiting to watch the festival, so not many people are buying snacks.
"Mom, put on your scarf."
Hyperion helped Ifatia untie the scarf that was about to loosen and fall off, and wrapped it around again and again.
Ever since Tamisa commented in the Shadow World that she didn't know how to take care of children, she went to the Ice Witch to learn how to take care of younger generations. Unexpectedly, it actually came in handy.
The only strange thing was that the person being taken care of was her beloved mother Ifatia.
"Oh, I feel embarrassed to be taken care of by you, but I also feel from the bottom of my heart that it's great to be your mother."
Ifatia squinted her eyes comfortably, letting Hyperion manipulate her until she found a new target to parasitize.
Not only could Hyperion hold her hand to prevent her from getting lost and feed her, but she could even ask Hyperion to carry her when she got tired.
When you think about it this way, it was really a good deal to give birth to Hubbardine after ten months of pregnancy.
"I'm relieved. I feel like you've all grown up."
Talia said to the two of them as she chewed on a skewer of grilled fish, with many more skewers in the paper lunch box in her hand.
It's more like Hyperion and Ifatia will take care of each other, so she won't have to hold both of them.
In the past, when the weather turned cold in Ikerit, she would help Hyperion put on a scarf, but now Hyperion would help Ifatia put on a scarf.
The three of them had a great time in Brillda today. She didn't have to worry about anything and just focused on eating wherever she went. Hyperion and Ifatia didn't give her any cause for worry.
"Sister! You are not allowed to retire. You have to continue to take care of us mother and daughter."
As soon as Ifatia’s scarf was tied, she rushed to Talia’s side, hugged her, and spoke to her while leaning against her.
She winked at Hyperion.
Hyperion immediately understood what was going on and ran to the other side to stick with Talia.
"Tata, you still have a lot to teach me."
Hyperion preached to Talia.
"I know, I know... Let me go first. I don't want to get the sauce on you."
Talia agreed, trying to keep the fish kebab away from them.
She couldn't just stand by and watch Hyperion and Ifatia.
"Sister, you are really warm. I really envy that boy."
After hugging Talia, Ifatia wanted to sleep.
"..."
Hyperion hesitated for a moment.
She admitted that Ifatia was right, because she also admitted that holding Talia was a very happy thing.
But she always sounded a little weird.
"No, no, I am very happy holding my daughter. I am angry just thinking about that boy holding my daughter in the future."
Ifatia seemed to realize something and started to patch things up. She had to be fair.
Under Lanqi's urging, she has successfully changed her words, replacing "brother" with "that boy".
After saying this, Ifatia felt even more strange. No matter how you put it, she was in a difficult position. How could a mother send her daughter off like this?
"Stop talking about it, Ifatia. It's just getting more confusing."
Talia ate the grilled fish with full concentration.
After explaining things to Hyperion last time, there was no longer any last grudge between them. No matter how the relationship with Lanci would develop in the end, they would not play tricks on each other and would always be the best of relatives.
"Yes, mom. As long as you don't mention 'that boy', we won't be embarrassed. It's actually very easy for Tata and I to figure out our relationship with him. Only you can't clearly explain your relationship with him."
Hyperion remembered that when they were in the territory of Nanvantina and the royal capital of Ikerit, the three of them stayed together all day and never worried too much about the issue of seniority. Ever since Ifatia showed up, the two of them were also confused.
"I know. I just don't mention my brother."
Ifatia agreed earnestly.
"Brother?"
Hyperion could no longer understand Cretan, and even the translation magic she used seemed to be broken.
"No, no, just call her Lanlan."
Ifatia said, covering her mouth.
She thought for a long time but couldn't find a suitable title. Finally, she found that it was most normal to call him by his name.
So he even pretended to be an elder and called Lanqi.
Outside, they all called Ranchi by a pseudonym. At first, it was Talia who called him that, but gradually they all remembered it.
"Lanlan is okay."
When Hyperion heard this, she felt that her mother had a bit of an aunt's aura.
She didn't know if it was her illusion or what, but every time she saw her mother and Lanqi getting along, she inexplicably felt that her mother had become like Lanqi's junior, and she was just short of acting like a spoiled child towards Lanqi. This was obviously 100% or even 90% wrong.
This feeling of incongruity is as if Lanqi's instructions for the mother have been modified. Even if it drops on the battlefield, it cannot be used normally by others.
"Why are you all learning how to call him like me? Actually, I really don't call him like that normally."
Suddenly, Talia's ears moved and her eyebrows frowned slightly, and her voice and the grilled fish in her hand paused.
She seemed to hear a familiar voice.
That was a voice floating from far away.
"Well, she is very beautiful, 168cm tall, about 20 to 25 years old, with long grey hair, an ideal healthy body shape, and has never had a child. She speaks very little and hardly smiles. She must have bought a lot of food from various nearby stores. Yes, if she bought barbecue from your store, you must remember it clearly..."
Is someone looking for the owners of various stores to inquire about someone?
The veins on the back of Talia's hand throbbed slightly.
"Lanlan, come here!"
She turned around and shouted angrily into the distance.
"Oh!"
When Lanqi heard Talia's angry voice, he immediately stood at attention and turned around to report to her.
The shop owner just raised his finger as if he had some impression, and before he could say anything, the girl who had just bought a lot of barbecue appeared.
It was the same direction the boss pointed to. Sure enough, Talia had just bought food nearby.
Lanci ran towards where Talia, Hyperion and Ifatia were, as if he wanted to find them for something.
"Great! I left the main hall and found you after asking along the way."
Lanqi greeted them with a smile.
"You're here! Wanna watch the fireworks together?"
Ifatia clapped her hands happily.
Lanqi finally finished her work, she had been waiting for a long time.
"..."
Hyperion glanced at Ifatia again.
Obviously everything is right, but something feels wrong.
"Excuse me, I have work to do later. Now I have to get ready for a meeting with Principal Violet."
Lanqi folded his hands and apologized to them.
"Can you lend me the Tata for a while?"
Then he looked at Talia, who had just finished eating grilled fish and burped, and asked Hyperion and Ifatia.
With the help of Secretary Naira, the Sixth Military Goddess, Violet of Water Jade, agreed to give Professor Landry a private meeting in her busy schedule. The time was after the prayer dance on the day of the Moon Festival, and it seemed that it would be soon.
"of course."
Ifatia and Hyperion both nodded quickly upon hearing this.
They understood why Lanci wanted to borrow Talia before meeting Violet of the Sixth Army Goddess.
Lanci needs a master of liar detection, and Talia has the unique ability of liar detection and mind reading.
"You can take my sister and use her."
Ifatia said generously.
Hyperion glanced at Ifatia again.
"Then let's go, come back quickly."
Talia threw the paper lunch box into a nearby trash can and spoke bluntly to Lanqi.
"See you at home later. Secretary Naira will drive me straight home after I meet with Principal Violet."
Lanci said goodbye to Hyperion and Ifatia.
"Come back early, it's getting cold."
Hyperion said to them.
Lanqi's gray coat is actually not warm, and she doesn't know why Lanqi is so obsessed with wearing this kind of outfit every winter after returning from the Northern Continent.
"Don't worry, Xiubao. The Xita Treaty between me and West Germany has been updated to the Xiuxita Treaty. We will explain it to you after we return. In addition, the three of us also need to discuss how to sleep in separate rooms."
Talia waved to Hyperion.
Due to special circumstances over the past two days, she stayed in Hyperion's room to accompany Hyperion, but yesterday Sigrid slept alone.
Now that Hyperion has recovered and can move freely, it is time for Talia to go back and sleep with Sigrid. In addition, the three of them will have to hold a small meeting to discuss where Hyperion will live. Since they are all playing Lanci's fiancée, they should enjoy the same equal rights as real fiancées.
At the moment, Talia and Sigrid mean that even if they compromise and let Hyperion sleep closer to Lanci, they don't want to sleep with Hyperion, otherwise both of them will suffer.
……
A few minutes later.
The two of them strolled to the edge of the main hall.
The starlight sways on the river surface, faint but warm.
They are bamboo moon lanterns that decorate this special night.
At first there were only a few, but gradually the number of moon lanterns began to increase.
There were groups of three or five, dozens of them released all at once, and in the end there were so many that it was impossible to count them all.
They dance in the night sky like fireflies, floating lightly upwards to become a feast for the stars.
"Moonlight."
Talia murmured to herself, with a hint of emotion in her tone.
The dim moonlight echoes with the snowflakes falling from the sky, reflecting each other.
The orange lights illuminated the ancient streets of St. Clement's Abbey, and the stone buildings were covered with a layer of golden veil.
The moment was apparently peaceful, and the final battle that would put an end to everything was about to come, but she felt an indescribable happiness in her heart.
"Yeah, it's really beautiful from here."
Lanqi beside her echoed, as if the beautiful scenery before them was created by him.
"Your aura really makes people feel very domineering."
Talia said not critically.
She had discovered during the temporary performance at the Brildad Opera House that Lanci had the talent of a domineering governor, and this talent seemed unexpectedly good to her. Now she vaguely missed the limited edition disciple when he pretended to be a domineering governor.
"Yeah."
Lanqi nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on the street below the steps of the main hall.
The sunset had already arrived, but the monastery illuminated by lights was no less colorful than the daytime.
The students held bamboo lanterns in their hands, walked in groups of two or three, or alone, with smiles on their faces that came from the bottom of their hearts.
The moment the bamboo lantern was lit, the thin outer umbrella quickly expanded, carrying the flames and good wishes, and slowly rose into the night sky.
Lanqi looked up at the rising lights, and his originally lowered gaze slowly moved upwards.
He knew that the reason why the moon lamp could float in the air was entirely due to the buoyancy of hot air, and it had nothing to do with any magical miracle.
He also understood that when the fuel was exhausted and the flame was extinguished, the moon lamp would eventually fall back to the ground.
But in this brief and beautiful moment, no one would think about that.
"Just like the Crane Empire, no one thought that a change that could overturn the entire world might happen in two weeks."
Talia seemed to see what Lanqi was thinking and said.
"..."
Ranchi looked at Thalia in surprise.
He was surprised to find that Talia had not used magic to read his thoughts this time.
Before he could ask more questions.
A pleasant ringing sound broke the tranquility of the night, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
The ringing sound is like the gurgling of water, repeatedly striking everyone's heartstrings with a certain rhythm.
"Clang, clang, clang, clang..."
Following the sound, we saw that many people who were participating in the ceremony had already gathered on a high platform in the distance, and the bell sound was coming from there.
People sat around the circular stage with a sacred fire burning in the middle.
Today is a time to give thanks, a day to build a bridge of communication with the gods, and an auspicious day to pray for good weather and good harvests in the coming year.
The people of Blildar praise the mercy of the Silver Moon and the healing goddess for her blessings, and pray that she will continue to protect all living beings.
The festival will begin soon.
The bonfire had been lit at some point in the square, and the people who were actually performing the ceremony came out.
A tall woman in white clothes, walking with rustling steps, gradually people could see her appearance clearly.
Different from her usual attire, the High Priestess of the Moon, Violet of Aquamarine, was now wearing a priest's robe, with her shoulders, chest, and calves as white as mutton-fat jade all exposed, blushing in the light of the fire.
But all this cannot be tainted by worldly eyes.
It was only natural for the high priest serving the goddess to wear such attire and perform Kagura.
I saw Violet holding up her staff, her ivory-white arm drawing a graceful arc in the air.
As the bell on the staff clanged, the white trail cut through the sky, and for a moment it felt like a cold wind was whistling past. "In the name of compassion, courage, and wisdom,"
"Moonlight Sanctuary, Stars Shining,
"The Silver Moon Goddess has arrived, and everything is renewed and revived."
"I am here and now,"
"Sing the song of the moon god devoutly,"
"May your holy light shine upon the earth—"
The clear and ethereal singing voice echoed over the square, the words were sonorous and powerful, and every word was of great significance.
This is a hymn dedicated to God, which conveys the world's gratitude for God's great grace with the purest faith and heart.
The singing seemed to penetrate the barriers of time and space and reach the ears of the gods from the Age of Gods tens of millions of years ago.
"We are going to meet this wolf priestess in a little while... If you think about it, she is like the chosen one today, and the only one."
Talia looked at Violet's dancing figure and talked to herself excitedly.
Although strictly speaking, the God of War should be their enemy, Talia no longer hates the wolf tribe.
Just seeing Violet reminded Talia of her beloved daughter in the shadow world, and also of Miss Sid, the benefactor of herself and her sister.
"Yes."
Lanqi responded.
"Hey, you already have three fiancées, why are you still staring at her?"
Talia poked Lanci with her elbow and asked teasingly.
"I was thinking that Violet wouldn't be an enemy."
Lanqi stared at Violet's graceful figure and spoke his heart out word by word.
His tone was low and firm, yet there was a hint of bitterness in it.
"You don't want to face the situation you had when you faced Inoan again, or when you were threatened by Beelzebub and had to rely on the favor of the gods."
Talia quickly realized what Lanci was thinking.
She knew that Lanqi still couldn't forget the lesson of Huadu.
Having stayed in the Cremon Empire for a long time, he has actually received a lot of help from the teachers and students of the Saint Cremon Monastery. If one day they become enemies, although Lanqi will be more decisive than anyone else, it does not mean that he does not have feelings in his heart.
Talia did not have a soul connection with Lanqi at this time, but she was more certain than before that Lanqi had not been able to truly relax recently and remained tense and vigilant at all times.
It was still the same topic as before Qi Wu started. The war was imminent, and as the commander, he devoted more energy than anyone else.
"No matter how much I do, no matter how hard I try, all I can get is a chance of winning, so I have tried my best. I just hope that the gods will really bless me as I prayed. Of course, I also hope that the Moon Goddess loves her high priest and blesses Miss Violet."
Lanqi said slowly.
“Yes, odds do not equal victory.”
Talia agreed with Lanqi's point of view.
Even if you have more companions and friends to support and encourage you, and fight alongside them, the final result cannot be guaranteed.
The shadow of failure followed Heiriqing like a shadow, and could not be shaken off.
This is exactly what Lanqi realized in that eternal dream in the shadow world.
“So, I didn’t make a moon lantern.”
Lanci said frankly.
All time and energy must be used to prepare for war, to fight the vampires, and to prepare for the final battle.
Even if the chances of winning are as high as 99.99 percent, he will do his best to prevent the one in ten thousand chance of defeat.
Everything else must give way to this belief.
Without the reflection of the Mirror of Tiberius, what seemed like a 99 percent chance of winning would actually be terribly low, like a bubble, because people can only see one side of things, while the truth on the other side is often hidden underwater. These are the feelings that the ending of eternal punishment and immortality brought him.
As the two chatted, the night sky suddenly became silent.
The ceremony was over, the festival came to an end, the bonfires were extinguished and the crowds in Eliot Square dispersed, leaving only the flickering lights in the night sky still illuminating St. Clement's Abbey.
The end of the sacrificial ceremony also means the end of the Moon Goddess Festival, and the end of the excitement.
It's time for both of them to get down to business.
After meeting Violet, the day is almost over.
As night fell, the corridor of the main hall seemed even darker than in the afternoon.
"I am really the most useful."
Talia walked beside Ranci, her chin raised proudly.
She tried to act cheerful and encourage Ranchi.
Lanqi used to say that she was given away at the beginning of the game, but now with the version change, she has finally become Lanqi's human rights card.
"But you're too strong. If I just tell you that you're my fiancée and take you to meet Violet, she might discover your strength."
Lanqi seemed to have thought of a question and spoke to Talia.
There were a lot of people outside just now, and I was concentrating on watching the ceremony, so I didn't tell Talia.
Now that there were fewer people around, they could chat as they walked along the corridor in near solitude.
"really."
Talia casually deployed a portable soundproofing barrier.
She knew that she was weaker than Violet, and even if she tried her best to conceal her magic power, Violet might find out that she was at the eighth level if she stayed away for too long.
Logically speaking, she, a fiancée from the border, should not have such strong magic power.
"I will transform back into the Crazy Love Demon King and return to your body."
She suggested to Lanci.
The last time he arrived at St. Cremorne's Monastery, Lanci came to the main hall to see the principal Violet. At that time, she was in a state of mad love with the devil, hiding in Lanci's soul space, helping him listen to Violet's words.
"Then my work efficiency will be greatly reduced in the next two weeks. And if you disappear and rest in my room every night, won't Sigrid and Hyperion misunderstand?"
Lanqi asked her confusedly.
If the summoning state of mad love is maintained for a long time, Lanqi will become more tired, and his working time will be reduced accordingly, which can be used to make up for the sleep and restore mana.
"That's true..."
Talia said hesitantly.
She cannot become Ranchi's natal summon for the time being, and the best time is before the final battle begins.
She and the other great demons also had work to do during these two weeks.
In order to study the formula of the vampire transformation potion left by Lord Maya Esmode in the shadow world, they have the help of the Ice Witch who is also proficient in magic engineering and the knowledgeable Pranay, and their research is now going very smoothly.
"So what do I do?"
Talia finally looked up at Lanqi.
Since Lanqi brought her here, it means that there are better solutions besides becoming a crazy love demon king.
"Can you please be humble and turn into a cat temporarily so that I can hold you to see the principal? All the teachers and students in the school know that I have a cat-shaped contracted beast. It can be explained that the contracted beast is stronger than a human. After all, I am already level seven, so she won't be suspicious. Even if you are discovered, you can suppress your magic power to the level of level seven and there will be no problem..."
Before Lanqi could finish his words, Talia covered her mouth with her hands, her cheeks flushed.
"You, do you have any other ideas?"
Talia was extremely flustered and stared at Lanqi asking.
Not to mention how much she resisted turning into a cat, even if she really changed, there was no way she would let Lanqi hold her like a pet!
She had no intention of using the [Transformation: Cat] card she got from the Shadow World last time.
"Then I can only merge into the Crazy Love Demon King like before. This is foolproof, but I may be very tired in the next two weeks."
Lanqi lowered his eyes and compromised.
He had no intention of forcing Talia. If Talia didn't want to, then so be it. Turning into the Crazy Love Demon King in advance was also a solution. He was also ready to explain to his friends the special state of Talia after the fusion of the Great Love Poet.
"..."
Talia was silent for a long time.
She looked at Lanqi's tired appearance and felt a little distressed.
Everyone was enjoying the holiday today, but he was the only one working overtime, and she saw it all.
Lanqi has never rested since coming to the empire, she knows it better than anyone else.
Talia clenched her fists and struggled for a while.
"Well, then I've changed. Just this once, you are not allowed to touch me."
She gritted her teeth and agreed.
"Thank you, Master."
Lanci bowed slightly in gratitude.
It seems that he won't have to use Talia to drain his mana during this period of time.
"Come with me."
Talia detected the life forms around her, grabbed Lanqi's sleeve, and brought him to the empty corridor of the main hall.
She took a deep breath and took out the translucent natural magic card engraved with a cat's paw pattern.
Talia looked at Lanqi with a complicated expression, as if she wanted to cover his eyes, but she knew it was useless.
She then triggered the transformation technique, and her body began to be enveloped by the silver light until it engulfed her.
Its figure slowly turns into a cat, and its body shrinks in size according to the spell of the magic card.
After a moment, the silver light faded, leaving only a ragdoll-like gray cat on the ground.
“I actually turned into a cat.”
Talia the cat raised her paw and looked at her fur ball form.
After she turned into a cat, she subconsciously wanted to adopt the cat owner's speaking habits, but it turned out that it was not the cat owner's problem.
“You are so useful.”
Lanqi exclaimed sincerely, squatted down and picked up the gray cat.
The gray cat struggled a few times at first, as if it was worried about losing its balance, but it soon felt relieved after being firmly held by Lanqi, and rested quietly in his hands.
"Don't move, Master."
Lanqi hugged the big gray cat and whispered.
It feels fuzzy just to the touch, as soft and warm as a blanket.
"Well, then you have to hold me tight and don't let me fall to the ground."
Talia the cat said, scratching Lanqi with her cat claws.
She now felt that Lanqi was touching her without any scruples. Even though this body did not seem to be hers, Lanqi's warmth would be transmitted to her without reservation, making her try her best to tell herself not to panic.
"rest assured."
Lanqi assured him as he soothed the gray cat, which was gradually calming down.
He felt that Talia was more nervous than he was, and now Talia was just trying her best to adapt to being in contact with him as a cat.
"Then I won't say anything from now on, meow, but what happened today is known only to you, the heavens, and the earth."
Talia the Cat agreed in an embarrassed voice.
Perhaps only by truly treating myself as a cat, rather than a woman, can I get along normally with Lanqi in this state.
Otherwise, just thinking about being held in the air by Lanqi would make her feel like dying.
"..."
The moment Talia started to have the same habit as the cat boss, Lanqi's mouth trembled.
"What are you laughing at, meow?"
Talia the Cat caught Ranch's micro-expression.
He seemed to be gritting his teeth.
"Nothing, I just remembered a legendary voice actor."
Whenever Lanqi thought of the day when Talia imitated the cat boss' voice, he had to hold back his laughter.
Now that he heard that Talia had done it again, he couldn't help but remember it.
I've always been cute, meow.
These words seemed to echo in his ears.
He may never forget it in his life.
"I'll catch you to death meow!"
Talia the cat understood Lanqi's thoughts and started to make a fuss in an instant, making it impossible to hold her.
"Haha, stop it!"
Lanqi tried hard to hold the gray cat and stop it from making trouble.
Three or two students passing by at the end of the corridor in the distance were attracted by the movement here, but they just took a look and walked away.
"How come Professor Landry can flirt with cats?"
"You know what, this cat seems to be a contracted beast, maybe it can become a fiancée."
"Fuck, it's too cruel to even spare the cat."
"Is it possible that all his cats can turn into humans? If there are any underage ones, I will call the police."
"To be honest, even if we take a step back, female cats are still relatively good, but male cats are really a bit..."
They chatted in barely audible voices.
Lanqi was concentrating on dealing with the big gray cat and didn't notice the movement that passed by in the distance.
Until Talia the cat stumbled inadvertently and almost fell to the ground, and was immediately held up by Lanqi's arms.
"Meow!"
Talia the Cat exclaimed.
Fortunately, Lanqi caught it.
"Master, you really are. Anyway, you will only turn into a cat this once. Let's work together and finish the work. We won't change again, okay?"
Lanqi said to the gray cat in his arms.
"Meow meow……"
Talia pretended to be a cat and nodded obediently.
This steady feeling made her heart beat.
She couldn't help but be glad that she had turned into a cat, so that Lanqi couldn't see her expression at all.
She didn't know why she felt so confused after turning into a cat. The only thing she was sure of was that she would never be able to turn into a cat and have such close contact with Lanqi again.
Her pride as a princess wouldn't allow her to do that again!
(End of this chapter)