Chapter 172


Shadow World – Hohen Empire Border, Lichtenstein Castle.


Four days had passed in the blink of an eye. Now it was the morning of the last day before the Shadow World would end.


The moon had already sunk, and the dawn glow spread across the horizon like fine silk draped across the sky.


At this hour, five in the morning, a picture of autumn mist slowly unfolded before the eyes of those standing atop the high spire of Lichtenstein Castle.


The spire pierced through the clouds, rising into the heavens. A few young men and women stood silently at its peak, their silhouettes faint against the glow of dawn.


The Exemplary Squad and the three from the Chamber of Commerce stood on the tower, savoring this fleeting peace and beauty—every glanced at it felt like one less chance to see it again.


“Mr. Lan Qi, I hope we can meet again.”


The Chamber’s young master had now become a youth with purpose, like someone who had finally found direction in life, finally clear about what kind of life he wished to live.


And Lan Qi was his mentor and friend.

“Who knows when that might be.”

Lan Qi smiled faintly, gazing down from the tower at the forests beyond the stone railing. It was as if he could feel his connection with the earth itself—a clarity and wonder different from daily life, born from this strange journey.


Although the young master had contributed little in combat, during the early phase when Lan Qi and Frey were rooting out traitors, he had always been the most cooperative.


Because the Kingdom of Canberra was extremely far from the Kingdom of Hedon—one in the far west of the southern continent, the other in the far east—the long-distance communication magic between them had to pass through several intermediary stations, making contact difficult.


“Perhaps two years from now?”


The young master thought for a moment and said.


Every year, the Continental Union Assembly held an anniversary celebration in the Kingdom of Canberra. There were small celebrations every five years, and grand ones every ten. Two years later would be the next grand celebration, an immense gathering.


Besides countless tourists from across the southern continent, royals, great nobles, academic leaders, platinum-level registered challengers, and card masters from the association would all be invited as honored guests.


The young master was certain Lan Qi would not miss such an event. By then, they could reunite in the real world.


“See you then.”


Lan Qi patted his shoulder.


If all went well, he would have retired by then. A trip to Canberra would be nice.


The young master nodded.


After a pause, he asked again:


“Mr. Lan Qi, do you still have anything you can teach me?”


He cherished every chance to learn from Lan Qi.


“Pay more attention to the people around you. If you like her, don’t keep her waiting.”


Lan Qi said this while gazing at the horizon, not at the young master.


At those words, Huperion suddenly felt a kind of trauma resurface.


The last time, at the Card Master Association, Lan Qi had said the same thing to Prince Ainor and Sophia.


The result? Ainor nearly embraced Lan Qi on the spot, leaving Sophia behind!


While Huperion worried, the young master quietly turned his head to look at his bodyguard sister.


He simply looked at her, saying nothing.


And she froze, stunned.


On that mist-wreathed tower, silence spoke louder than words.


The sun pierced through the clouds, casting golden light upon Lichtenstein Castle. The distant mountains appeared layered in colors, while the trees close by glistened with dew.


“Goodbye.”


Lan Qi smiled, and with Frey and Huperion, left the tower—leaving behind this fairytale scene for those two.


Inside the corridors, the temperature grew warmer. Their light footsteps echoed in the stone halls, a cheerful air permeating the atmosphere.


Everyone moved carefully, not wishing to disturb the pair on the tower.


“That young master isn’t dense at all! He understood every word you said.”


Huperion whispered in surprise to Lan Qi.


Could it be… this guy was actually a little cupid, helping others find love?


“I’m best at resolving disputes. Helping with matchmaking is no problem either. Civil matters are my specialty.”


Lan Qi grinned smugly. He loved spreading sugar like this.


“...?”


Huperion looked at him, thinking: right now, Lan Qi seemed like nothing but a good young man.


So where had it all gone wrong…?


“Mr. Lan Qi, thank you sincerely for taking care of us.”


The Chamber’s male bodyguard followed them down to the fifth floor staircase and stopped, bowing deeply in gratitude.


“Farewell.”


“Until next time.”


After their goodbyes, Lan Qi’s group descended the spiral staircase with its polished brass railings. Their light steps echoed with the distant chime of the chapel’s bells, merging into a morning symphony along with occasional birdsong outside the windows.


Soon, they reached the castle’s ground level.


At the end of the stairs stood a solemn great door, inlaid with gilded patterns that glowed with sacred light in the stained glass reflections.


Pushing it open, a faint candle fragrance greeted them.


Inside the chapel, three clergy were engaged in morning prayer.


Beneath the rose window, they knelt at the altar, heads bowed, hands clasped, lips moving in silent recitation.


Every breath of air in the chapel carried peace and harmony. The grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling gleamed solemnly, bathed in natural light.


The whispers of prayer, the flickering of candles, all wove into this tranquil dawn.


Lan Qi and his companions stood quietly, not disturbing them until the prayer ended.


Then, the clergy approached.


“If fate allows, may we meet again someday on the northern continent.”


The leading priest bowed.


They had heavy responsibilities, and with the turmoil in the north, they could not leave their posts. Only if peace returned might they be sent south.


“Who knows? Fate guides all.”


Lan Qi spread his hands with a smile.


“...”


Huperion said nothing.


In truth, within three months, she and Lan Qi would indeed go north.


She just hoped they would not run into these three there.


If the two of them had to hide their identities as outlaws, running into priests they had met before would be… awkward.


Everyone was making their final farewells.


Only minutes remained. At five-thirty, the Shadow World would end.


This dreamlike five-day holiday was drawing to a close.


“Right, I’ll go see the princess.”


Lan Qi glanced at the clock.


“Go ahead. We’ll meet in the liminal space.”


When the Shadow World ended, all challengers would return to the void gate they had entered through, each team entering their own liminal space for settlement and rewards.



On the second floor of the castle, Room 201.


Princess Alexia sat quietly on her bed, gazing out the window.


Golden leaves drifted in the wind, the sound of rustling filling the air. Mist shrouded the valley and forest, cloaking everything in mystery.


If possible, she did not want this Shadow World to end.


Because she did not want to return to the nightmare world of the blood clan.


Even if she were forever locked in this room, she would prefer it—for here, at least, she felt safe.


Hearing the lock turn, she looked up in surprise as Lan Qi entered.


“Your Highness Alexia, I’ve come to bid you farewell.”


He greeted her, his words also a parting.


“Did you come alone?”


She asked.


“I thought fewer people would make it easier for you.”


He smiled.


“...”


She hesitated.


Truthfully, she did hope only Lan Qi would come. He had seen her cry the most, after all.


“Normally I seem like a cold princess. Only when you saw me embarrassed did I act more casual.”


She opened her hands, like a little girl sharing a secret.


“So, if next time you see me alone, and I still act cold… that means danger.”


As she said this, her regal aura returned, her gaze growing stern.


It was also her way of telling him:


If they met again and she was already a puppet of the blood clan, he must not trust her.


“Princess Alexia, you must not reveal yourself, and never yield to the blood clan.”


His reply was immediate, unwavering.


She fell silent.


It was as though she could not speak.


For a long time.


“Lan Qi Wilfort.”


“What is it?”


“I’ll wait for you in the Kreyth Empire.”


In other words—she was begging him to come.


She could not say “please save me.”


So she said it another way.


“I will come.”


A white shadow—Lan Qi’s figure—vanished through the door.


But his calm, certain voice remained clear.


At that moment, the great bell struck five-thirty. Time itself seemed to slow, awaiting the change.


The princess of Kreyth sat in dazed silence.


She reached toward the fading world, as if seeking rescue.


“This time… even without that demon who twisted my emotions… why…”


Though still trapped in her tower cage,


in her heart, a fragile hope had begun to grow.


She whispered, wiping away tears that flowed endlessly from unseen eyes.


The castle shimmered, dissolving like a mirage.


Soft rays of dawn slipped through dissolving walls into the chapel.


Thus ended the five-day banquet of villains at the chapel.