Chapter 14: Your Highness Lance, Please Proceed
“Believe, Lord Luo Xiu…?”
Eileen remained silent.
She recalled the man’s righteous words in the church when they first met, and the gentle smile he offered when she opened her eyes.
And the warm touch from his palm when he took her hand.
“Yes…”
“If we don’t believe him, who else can we believe…”
The two girls leaned together, their hands tightly clasped.
They had thought these happy days would last for a few more days.
Even knowing there wouldn’t be a good outcome, they were willing to indulge in it.
They never expected that after just one day, it would feel like they were being forcibly dragged from a beautiful dream.
…
…
Downstairs, Lance’s search of the manor continued.
His expression was stern, his pace rapid.
After searching the perimeter and not finding what he was looking for, Lance led his men directly towards the main building where Luo Xiu resided.
The clanging of armor and the thudding of footsteps grew closer and closer.
It felt like an invisible pressure was slowly creeping in.
On the second floor, watching their figures surge upwards together, Anna couldn’t help but glance at the man beside her.
She tightly gripped her hand, which was already soaked with sweat.
Yet the man remained incredibly calm. He even had the leisure to lean against the corridor wall, looking down at the garden scenery.
The moment Lance stepped onto the second floor, Luo Xiu, who had been observing with his arms crossed, finally spoke.
“Your Highness Lance, any further in is my bedroom. Are you sure you want to continue searching?”
His voice was neither salty nor light, with no particular emphasis on any word, as if he were casually chatting about everyday matters.
But Lance knew this was the man’s final warning.
He felt a shiver of fear from Luo Xiu’s calm demeanor and halted his steps, not daring to act rashly.
However, he quickly regained his composure, a hint of annoyance flashing in his narrow eyes.
He, a prince of the empire, with noble status and extraordinary talent, how could he be so easily intimidated?
Moreover, having come this far, there was no turning back.
So Lance braced himself and pressed on, the Imperial Guards following him silently.
Without a word.
Silence was the best answer.
But in the next moment, torrents of magic erupted from the man, transforming into a lightning-streaked curtain that blocked their path.
Lance, not to be outdone, also unleashed his magical power, his protective barrier forming instantly.
However, this magical fluctuation was significantly weaker compared to Luo Xiu’s.
The contrast made the scene almost humorous.
Lance turned around, staring intently at the man leaning against the corridor wall.
“Lord Luo Xiu, what is the meaning of this?”
Luo Xiu continued to gaze at the scenery below, not looking at him.
He merely said in a soothing tone, “Your Highness Lance, do not be agitated.”
“I just forgot to ask earlier. According to the Empire’s religious canons, to search the residence of a priest, a search warrant personally signed by His Majesty is required.”
Luo Xiu turned, stating indifferently, “Your Highness Lance, you must have made proper arrangements and completed the procedures for this visit, correct? May I have a look?”
Lance frowned at this, wondering what trick he was playing.
He dared to bring the Imperial Guards directly to the door, so he must have been fully prepared before acting.
However, regardless of the circumstances, Luo Xiu’s request was reasonable, and he had no reason to refuse.
So Lance offered another smile, though it was a chilling one.
He waved his hand, and an adjutant stepped forward, retrieving a search warrant from his embrace and presenting it.
Lance held the search warrant, then unfolded it in his hand.
He sneered, “Then please take a good look, Lord Luo Xiu. His Majesty’s personal signature is right here.”
Luo Xiu glanced at it and then fell silent, not saying a word.
This was the expected outcome, and Luo Xiu was not disappointed.
He hadn’t expected this reason alone to deter them.
Lance, seeing his prolonged silence, felt the persistent irritation in his heart intensify, and he taunted, “Lord Luo Xiu, if you have no objections, please let us pass.”
“I believe you would not want to see a dirty and foul creature like a witch lingering in your manor, would you?”
As Lance’s words fell, the atmosphere in the corridor visibly thickened.
It was like a powder keg on the verge of explosion, straining everyone’s nerves.
Lance’s eyes narrowed gradually, becoming thin slits.
His heart began to pound, accelerating.
Was he going to make a move? Defy the imperial decree?
Lance felt a significant amount of apprehension.
He hoped Luo Xiu would act, yet he also feared that Luo Xiu actually would.
The reason was simple.
If Luo Xiu dared to make a move, it would be an open act of defiance against the Royal Family.
Although the Royal Family and the Holy See had a long-standing grudge, it was far from reaching the point of breaking ties.
Both sides were merely probing each other.
If Luo Xiu dared to attack him, it would undoubtedly be a declaration of war on the Royal Family, a blatant insult.
Even if the Holy See wished to protect Luo Xiu, he would still face severe punishment.
Even a few years of house arrest was a possibility.
But Lance also feared that Luo Xiu might truly go mad and dare to act.
Although he had always been competitive, it was only with others.
Facing Luo Xiu, a heavenly prodigy of the same age, he felt a genuine fear from the bottom of his heart.
This fear stemmed from his own lack of strength.
His status as a High Mage could establish him as a major power throughout the Maya Empire.
However, in front of Luo Xiu, a Grand Magus, it would be like looking for death by carrying a lantern in the outhouse at midnight.
Even the Imperial Guards behind him, without being first bound by magic-nullifying chains, would likely be shot down like targets without Luo Xiu even being able to be touched.
In a mere instant, Lance had thought of many things.
He had even prepared himself to be strung up and beaten by Luo Xiu.
Time ticked by, and the tension in the corridor grew increasingly palpable.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the young man in white robes.
There was apprehension, and there was fear.
If given a choice, no one would want to engage in a battle with a Grand Magus.
But to everyone’s surprise, in the next moment, Luo Xiu smiled.
He snapped his fingers, and the lightning curtain enveloping Lance and his men vanished instantly, without a trace of aura leaking out.
This precise control over magic made Lance’s eyes widen slightly.
His pupils constricted, and his apprehension towards Luo Xiu grew even stronger.
If it were him, he certainly wouldn’t be able to do it so effortlessly.
And this was with lightning magic, known for its fierce and violent nature.
Just as Lance secretly congratulated himself for not acting rashly, he heard Luo Xiu speak.
“Since it is His Majesty’s command, I naturally dare not disobey.”
“Your Highness Lance, please proceed?”
The man lowered his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
