“The Human Who Helped the Demon Princess Reclaim Her Kingdom”

 

After Lanqi had finished explaining all the details of this transaction.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you card making."

Talia agreed to Lanqi's proposal without much meaningless hesitation.

"Alright, I'll also prepare your household identity before tomorrow. For the maid and steward identities, which one do you want..."

"Steward."

Before Lanqi could finish, Talia interrupted his question with an icy tone.

Lanqi nodded vigorously, not daring to anger her.

Although he felt his reaction might be a bit cowardly, and was certain that Talia wouldn't easily harm him now, as a living being, there was still an absolute gap between him and Talia. At close range, it still made Lanqi feel a little scared.

In the demonology research books of this world, it was written: "Demons kill humans without reason and without guilt."

Merely if they had a whimsical thought, they would act on it.

Although Talia now seemed to act no different from humans, she had essentially only hidden her violent and cruel nature in an attempt to blend into human society.

Even if his own behavior could already be considered as risky as sleeping with a tiger, there was no need to needlessly provoke this tigress and plant landmines for himself.

Yes, if he were a kind little cat, then Talia would indeed be like a tigress. Even if the tiger promised not to hurt the kitten, the kitten would still tremble when staying beside the tiger.

As he thought about this, the corners of Lanqi's mouth unconsciously lifted slightly.

However, this made Talia's brows furrow slightly.

She felt again that this human youth was thinking about some very damnable things.

But she had absolutely no evidence.

It was just an inexplicable intuition.

"Then, I'll be in your care from now on, Teacher Tata."

Lanqi's voice became much clearer, his face still wearing a harmless smile.

This form of address seemed to make Talia feel a bit uncomfortable, and as usual, she didn't respond to Lanqi.

But this time, by not denying it, she somewhat acknowledged their teacher-student relationship.

......

A month and a half later.

On this morning as the hot summer was ending and autumn was approaching, the sunlight woke up the earth accompanied by the sound of dewdrops falling.

The morning light, like a pale golden feather duster, gently swept over the deep gray platform and cold metal rails, giving them a touch of softness.

At the maglev train station of the South Vantina Border City-State, people were bustling about.

Travelers on hurried journeys parted ways here, or converged, starting a brand new journey.

The casual chats of fellow travelers waiting for the train, the farewell words of friends and family seeing others off, and the announcements of train arrivals and departures from the broadcast, all blended together to form the most characteristic melody of this space.

On one side of the platform, Butler Hans lifted the suitcase in his hand and handed it to Lanqi, who steadily accepted it.

"Thank you, Hans."

Lanqi said with a smile.

"Take care of yourself, Young Master Lanqi."

The butler's voice was still as deep as ever, but there was a touch of gentleness in its profundity.

Noé had gone to other provinces again, so only Hans was here to see the young master off on behalf of his father.

With two weeks left until school started, Lanqi and Talia had already arrived at the station. Today they were departing from the South Vantina border territory to head towards the heartland of the Heydon Kingdom, the capital city of Icerite.

It would take more than a day to reach the capital by maglev train.

After they arrived in the capital, the entrance exam would be held three days after their rest.

"Young Master Lanqi, have a safe journey!"

The maid couldn't hide the concern on her face, but her words were full of worry,

"You'd better not come back for a while. If Lord Noé finds out you stole the family's ancient relic, he definitely won't let you off..."

Logically speaking.

All the things Lanqi had done in town before only made Noé feel distressed.

But if Noé discovered that Lanqi had made the family's ancestral treasure [Compassion Psalm] disappear, Noé would definitely be furious.

Over these past two months, Lanqi's cheerful and easy-going nature had already changed the household staff's impression of him. They gradually became more friendly towards him, and Floransin, the maid who had the best relationship with him from the start, no longer spoke timidly.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Lanqi's smile remained composed, as if able to put at ease all those who cared about him.

If his father Noé saw what kind of magic card he and Talia had made using the [Compassion Psalm], he would surely be shocked and collapse into a chair.

He wouldn't blame him.

Butler Hans shook his head casually with a smile. Listening to the conversation between Lanqi and maid Floransin, he roughly guessed the reason why Lanqi looked so fearless.

Then he looked behind Lanqi at Talia, who had completely changed her attire.

Her jacket was tailored to fit, and under the collar of her dress, a silk tie was neatly tied, looking elegant and proper.

Talia, having shed her dirty vagrant appearance, was as eye-catching as a newly polished gem.

"Miss Tata, I entrust the young master to you."

Hans said sincerely.

At first, when Butler Hans tracked down Talia based on Lanqi's drawing, he was extremely surprised that the foolish young master would take a liking to such a powerful and dangerous woman.

But seeing how harmoniously the young master got along with her, Hans gradually put his mind at ease.

"..."

Talia didn't respond, but nodded slightly.

Although she looked about the same age as Lanqi, her calm and cold demeanor made people feel she was much more mature than him.

Since she had accepted payment, she would strictly carry out the terms of the transaction, even if the butler didn't entreat her to do so.

Whether it was protecting Lanqi from being killed or being Lanqi's teacher.

In this moment of brief silence, in the distance, a blurry silhouette appeared at the end of the track accompanied by the sound of a whistle.

Soon, the vibrations on the track gradually intensified, bringing a deep rumbling sound, and the shape of the train became clearer. Sunlight shone on the body of the train, glinting with metallic luster.

The lights at the front of the train gradually became brighter, piercing through the layers of thin morning mist in the air, guiding the steel beast towards its destination.

Lanqi took out his ticket and looked at it, briefly noting the seats he and Talia would need to find later.

Just at this moment of imminent farewell.

Butler Hans suddenly seemed to remember something, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly as he spoke:

"However, speaking of which, it's really a shame that we couldn't let Miss Tata see that portrait in the young master's room before departure..."

"Ahem! Ahem!"

However, before the mischievous butler could finish saying "it's really a shame," Lanqi hurriedly coughed twice to interrupt him.

Lanqi was certain that although the butler didn't mean to harm him, he definitely didn't have good intentions!

"What painting?"

Talia, suddenly hearing her name mentioned, looked towards Lanqi and asked.

Lanqi felt panicked inside, but his expression remained calm and composed as he unhurriedly replied:

"A portrait of a poor, pitiful old lady, one of my early works. But Hans and Floransin seem to appreciate that painting very much..."

Just then, the deep gray and reddish-brown train roared into the platform, the sound of brakes and wheel-rail friction intertwining to cover Lanqi's words.

The train gradually slowed down until it came to a complete stop.

Since it had nothing to do with her, Talia no longer cared much about this topic and shifted her gaze away from Lanqi.

Warm light shone through the train windows, illuminating the faces of passengers inside. The doors slowly opened, and a cool breeze wafted out from the carriages, blowing towards them.

The travelers waiting on the platform began to move towards the doors.

Amidst the coming and going of people, Lanqi breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had managed to muddle through with his wit. Next time he returned home, he would definitely hide this painting well, absolutely not letting Talia discover that the poor, pitiful old woman referred to her.

"Well then, I'm off."

Lanqi smiled and waved, saying a final goodbye to the butler and maid before turning to step into the train carriage.