“Got it, got it, you’re the best…” Zoya sighed and reached out to hold Annan’s book. “But don’t read on the subway. Not only is the lighting bad here, but it’s also a bit bumpy.”
“It’s not far from Frangell Province. If Your Majesty feels bored, I can also chat with you, or we can talk about some less confidential matters. Otherwise, you can follow their example and catch a rest.”
It’s fine. I didn’t really read it.
It’s like using the textbook merely as a phone stand, and at that moment, playing with the phone becomes irresistibly satisfying.
Annan lamented internally but obediently closed his eyes, curling up like a white kitten in Zoya’s embrace.
The first-class cabin had been cleared out. There were only six of them in this carriage. Since no outsiders were around, Annan didn’t have anything to shy away from.
Seeing this, Citalopram immediately opened her eyes and took a screenshot.
She captured just the right moment as Annan squinted and curled up into a ball.
Haha… this is the photo-taking technique I practiced in “Pokemon Snap [1]” back then!
Citalopram thought proudly and posted this photo to the forum.
There was a line of text below the picture: Serenity.jpg
Annan, who was browsing the forum with his eyes closed, happened to see this post being updated.
So he opened his eyes in confusion and looked at Citalopram.
Without saying a word, Citalopram took another screenshot and posted it on the forum again.
Confused.jpg
Dammit, you’re not done yet, are you?
“Sleep, sleep…” Zhuo Ya whispered, reaching out to pat Annan’s head, holding him in her embrace.
This Winter’s Hand, who was already in her forties, looked remarkably young, appearing more like a woman in her early twenties — a unique longevity mechanism possessed by those of the Silver rank transcender.
Upon entering Silver Rank, a body that had not yet fully developed would continue to develop, but a body that had already matured would not age easily anymore. This was because the soul, having undergone “condensation”, could now nourish the body in return… Even if one fell ill or sustained an injury, the rate of recovery would be much faster.
Thus, Annan still did not quite understand why Ivan did not become a transcender. Since he was not interested in the path of transcendence, according to the “blessing of the Tyrant,” he would not encounter any obstacles.
And he would not truly die, but would instead turn into a dragon… In this way, he also wouldn’t have to worry about becoming a nightmare and leaking secrets.
If he could become a Silver Rank Transcender, Ivan would not have died so early and lived in struggle. Even though his curse would gradually become stronger as the way of sublimation developed further, his body would also become stronger at the same time… What’s more? Even if he only ascended to Silver Rank to get the benefits of improved abilities, it would suffice.
Annan still didn’t quite understand why.
As a result, the 49-year-old Ivan already had frosty white hair and deep wrinkles before turning into a dragon. His body had aged quite severely.
Zoya, who was almost the same age as him, looked like a young female teacher who had just graduated. Her dark blue wavy hair gave her a scholarly vibe. If she were to put on a wizard robe, anyone would think she was a Great Wizard.
As for Zorgen, even when Ivan was young, he was already the Pinky Finger of the Left Hand. He had adopted the role even before Annan’s grandfather’s generation.
When Ivan was 8 years old, Zorgen still looked only 40 years old. But now, after more than 40 years, he had finally become an old man.
The tall and thin old man, who resembled a slender shadow, always liked to stand silently in the corner. Even with Annan’s perception, he often failed to notice his presence. If it weren’t for his loyalty to the Winter family that made him unable to abandon the profession of “Hand of Winter”… and the necessity to advance all professions at once during the promotion, Zorgen would have already advanced to a Gold Rank [lurker] by now.
If the other Silver Rank transcenders were stuck in Silver Rank, it was because they lacked desire, lacked talent, or did not meet the requirements for promoting their profession.
Then what about Zorgen? He had to dilute his strength by taking on multiple other professions to suppress his sudden advancement in rank.
Besides the high-ranking profession “Winter’s Hand” from the “Falteration Wizard”, he now had additional alternate professions of “Assassin Master” of the lurker profession, “Winter Chanter” of the warrior profession, and “Shadow Hunter” of the hunter profession. Almost all of these alternate professions had climbed to the limit of the Silver Rank.
Zorgen might be the most powerful Silver Rank transcender in the entire Austere-Winter or even the world… at least one of them.
Two nights ago, Annan succeeded as the Grand Duke.
The first thing he did was to recite the “Ten Fingers” curse under Zoya’s guidance.
Therefore, Annan also knew just how many curses afflicted Zorgen—he was bound by 18 curses. It was his recklessness in his youth, trading curses for power… and now he had long tasted the price of that choice.
The first thing Zorgen said to Annan had nothing to do with the mission, but it was to warn him… not to use the power of curse in exchange for strength unless necessary.
That was because “the debts owed must be repaid.”
With Zorgen accompanying him and having summoned the Frost Beast troops, Zoya, who effectively served as the court steward, permitted Annan to venture deeply into the territory of the Northern Brotherhood.
It was because of her complete trust in Zorgen’s abilities as a scout.
As long as Zorgen was around, Annan would never be assassinated. If Zorgen consumed his life force, he could take Annan into the shadow world and escape quickly from the shadows.
Although Zoya was just a physically frail woman, she was one of the “Ten Fingers,” holding the highest authority of Austere-Winter. Naturally, she could not be just an ordinary Winter’s Hand.
It should be noted that even a formal member of the Winter’s Hand was at least a Silver Rank. Winter’s Hand was a wizard institute — apart from intelligence work, they were most often tasked with the capture, pursuit, and interrogation of wizards. Therefore, in the nightmare of the White Tower, Michelangelo was rude to the Winter’s Hand.
Generally speaking, what Winter’s Hand mastered were “counterspell” skills.
However, Zoya was a special case.
Because Zoya’s teacher was Michelangelo of the Howling White Tower, who was now the Man in the Mirror.
She was the Tower Son of Howling White Tower.
It was just that she betrayed the White Tower and joined Winter’s Hand — and in turn, captured the Black Wizard who was born in Howling White Tower.
According to the customs of the wizards, even if a wizard encountered a problem or committed an offense, they must ultimately be turned over to the wizard tower for punishment… at the very least, the wizard tower must be notified. This applied to the Noah Kingdom, the Papal Kingdom, and the Denizoya’s United Kingdom.
However, the Austerians didn’t accept this rule.
The law of Austere-Winter was above all else.
Even if the wizard or priest broke the law, it must be punished by Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke…or in other words, by Winter’s Hand. Instead of sending it back to the Howling White Tower or the Frostwhisper Church.
It was precisely because of this talent that she had become the “Ring Finger of the Left Hand”.
Besides Falteration Spells, Zoya was proficient in Idol Spells, Prophet Spells, and Edict Spells. Not only could she interrupt murder attempts through curses, but she could also predict assassinations. That allowed her to cast Edict Magic to halt the assassin’s actions or help the Grand Duke escape.
Then, there was the addition of two assets to the team: two Silver Rank Dream Walkers and a Half-dead Enchantress whose divine art mastery was close to the level of a cardinal bishop.
The team consisted of six individuals: an old man, a child, two youths, and two women, collectively projecting a fragile impression.
However, the team setup wasn’t intended for a peaceful negotiation at all.
Before the subway train stopped, the players had woken up.
As promised before, Suuankou came over.
“Come on, take three of these each, and three of these as well… And for this one, it’s strong, so just one per person – Your Majesty, you shouldn’t take this… Here, Grandpa, I will give you one.”
He was like a dealer, dealing the cards.
Suuankou took out two piles of cards and skillfully began to deal three cards to everyone. Then, everyone except Annan was given a set of black, white, and red balls the size of walnuts.
“I think you could make these cards look like playing cards if you have time.” Annan couldn’t help but say, “Or you can just use playing cards to make them. The white and red cards look like they will make people wary.”
“Oh! That’s a good idea!”
Suuankou’s eyes lit up, “I will take note of that!”
As the subway arrived at the station, they quickly got off the train.
Naturally, someone would come to pick them up as they went to the surface. No one would dare let the Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke run to their house by himself.
The person who came to meet them at the station… was a former officer of the Frost Beast troops.
He was dressed in a frost-colored military uniform, his chest adorned with full badges. He had a vertical scar cutting across his left eye, and his face bore a kind and affable smile.
Annan knew his name.
The person’s name was Ostoff·Dolgoruky.
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