Chapter 103: Prince Lance, Please Proceed - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

Chapter 103: Prince Lance, Please Proceed Can we trust Lord Loxiu...? Aileen remained silent. She recalled the man's righteous words in the church when they first met and his gentle smile when she reopened her eyes. And the warm touch of his hand holding hers. "Yes..." "Besides trusting him, who else can we really rely on..." The two girls leaned on each other, hands tightly clasped. They had thought that such happy days could last at least a few days. Even knowing there would be no good outcome, they still chose to indulge in it. Unexpectedly, just a day passed, and it seemed as if they were to be forcibly dragged away from their beautiful dream. ... Downstairs, Lance's meticulous search continued on the carpet. His expression was stern, and his steps were swift. Having searched the perimeter and not finding what he was looking for, Lance led his men directly towards the main building where Loxiu was. The heavy clash of armor and footsteps grew ever closer. It was like an invisible pressure gradually closing in. On the second floor, watching them rush upwards, Anna couldn't help but glance at the man beside her. Her hands were clenched, already soaked with sweat. Yet the man remained exceptionally calm, even leisurely leaning against the corridor, gazing down at the garden's scenery. The moment Lance set foot on the second floor, Loxiu, who had been watching silently, finally spoke up. "Prince Lance, beyond this point is my bedroom. Are you sure you want to continue your search?" His voice was casual, without any emphasis on any particular word, as if making small talk. But Lance understood; this was the man's final warning to him. Loxiu's calm demeanor made Lance somewhat apprehensive, prompting him to pause. However, he quickly recovered, a flash of irritation crossing his narrow eyes. After all, as a distinguished prince of the realm, gifted and of noble birth, how could he allow himself to be so easily intimidated? Moreover, having come this far, there was no reason to turn back. Thus, Lance steeled himself, while the silent guards followed behind without a word. Silence was the best answer. But in the next moment, a surge of magical power erupted from the man, transforming into a lightning screen that blocked their path. Lance, undaunted, responded with a wave of magical energy, forming a protective barrier almost instantly. Yet, in comparison to Loxiu, his magic was noticeably weaker. The comparison was somewhat humorous. Lance turned, glaring at the man leaning by the corridor. "Lord Loxiu, what is your intent?" Loxiu continued to gaze at the scenery without looking at him, offering reassurance, "Prince Lance, don't be agitated." "I just forgot to ask earlier, according to the Empire's canon law, to search a priest's residence requires a search warrant personally signed by His Majesty." Loxiu turned, speaking calmly, "Prince Lance, having come this far, you must have prepared the necessary paperwork, right? May I take a look?" Lance frowned at those words, unsure of Loxiu's intentions. His confidence in bringing the guards meant he had come prepared for anything. Regardless, Loxiu's request was reasonable, leaving him no grounds to refuse. So naturally, Lance forced a smile, though it was rather unsettling. He gestured, and an adjutant approached, retrieving a search warrant from his coat to hand over. Lance held the warrant and unfolded it. With a cold chuckle, he declared, "Then please, Lord Loxiu, take a good look; His Majesty's signature is right here." Loxiu glanced at it, then fell silent without a word. This was the expected result; naturally, Loxiu was not disappointed. He hadn't expected to turn them away based on this alone. Watching Loxiu's extended silence, Lance's persistent irritation only grew, leading him to sneer, "Lord Loxiu, if there are no objections, please allow us passage." "I suppose you wouldn't want foul, repugnant witches hiding in your estate, would you?" As Lance's voice fell, the corridor's tension became visibly palpable. Like a powder keg ready to explode, it tugged at everyone's nerves. Lance's eyes narrowed into thin slits, his heart racing. Make a move? Defy the royal decree? Lance felt a mix of anxiety. He wanted Loxiu to act, yet feared if he really did. The reason was simple. If Loxiu made a move, it would be a direct affront to the royal family. Despite the long-standing tensions between the royal family and the church, things hadn't escalated to the point of an outright breach. Both sides were still testing the waters. If Loxiu dared to move against him, it would be a declaration of war against the royal family, a brazen affront. Even if the church wished to shield Loxiu, he'd inevitably face severe repercussions. Perhaps even confinement for several years wasn't out of the question. Yet Lance feared Loxiu might act irrationally. Despite his lifelong competitive drive, it was only against others. Facing Loxiu, this peerless prodigy, a part of him always felt apprehensive. This fear stemmed from his own lack of power. While his status as a high-level mage could secure a region in the Maya Empire, It paled before Loxiu, the grand mage, as if inviting a death wish. Even the guards behind him, without binding Loxiu with anti-magic chains first, would be targets for practice, unable to even scratch him. In a fleeting moment, Lance had considered much. Preparing himself for a potential beating by Loxiu. As time ticked by, the tension in the corridor intensified. Everyone's eyes were on the young man in white robes. A mix of apprehension and fear. Given a choice, none wished to confront a grand mage. Yet, surprising everyone, Loxiu smiled in the next instant. With a snap of his fingers, the lightning screen before Lance and his men vanished without a trace of residual energy. This display of magical control left Lance slightly agape. His pupils contracted, his wariness of Loxiu deepening. If it were him, he couldn't muster such effortless elegance. Especially with the notoriously uncontrollable lightning magic. Just as Lance silently rejoiced at his earlier restraint, Loxiu spoke again. "Since it's His Majesty's order, I dare not defy it." "Prince Lance, please proceed?" The man's eyes lowered. (End of Chapter)