Undercurrents

After Tilis finished explaining the subtle shifts in the current situation, Luo Wei fell into deep thought.

Since the Wigner Empire had gradually swallowed up the last independent duchy bordering it, the continent had enjoyed a century of peace after the war, with no major conflicts breaking out.

However, beneath the surface of this peace, turbulent undercurrents were stirring.

Every nation in the northern continent was wary of the rapidly rising Wigner Empire, with Norsgul being the most significant among them.

This country was the remnant of the unified empire that had ended the Dark Ages fifteen hundred years ago. Relying on the Holy Light Church, they had spread the faith of the God of Light across the entire continent.

Even after the unified empire collapsed as quickly as it had risen, the worship of the true god remained deeply rooted in the hearts of every citizen on the continent.

The Church had always been able to infiltrate various nations with legitimacy. Even the secular lords who held power in these countries found it difficult to interfere with the Church's authority in their dioceses. Positions such as bishops and priests were appointed by the Church itself.

In other words, Norsgul could be seen as a kind of martial alliance leader, and of course, such a leader would feel threatened by a rising newcomer in the martial world, especially one as formidable as Wigner.

Back when Wigner orchestrated the split between the Eastern and Western Churches, Norsgul had rallied the nations of the continent to suppress this "heretical nation," forming a grand "Anti-Wigner Alliance" that spanned the continent.

However, when Wigner's armies marched straight to the holy mountain of the Siston Church, the Church quieted down, and the alliance fell apart without a fight.

If they couldn't defeat Wigner back then, they certainly couldn't now, especially since Wigner's merchants preferred to "rule the world" with affordable, high-quality goods rather than through warfare. Thus, the grandiose "Anti-Wigner Alliance" had never reappeared.

Yet, the intelligence Tilis brought back made everyone sense the looming shadow of war once again.

Seeing Luo Wei and Ophelia visibly deep in thought, Evelyn asked, puzzled, "Is the Church stirring up trouble again? I thought they learned their lesson last time. Are you two overthinking this?"

"The Church today is nowhere near as powerful as it was a thousand years ago," Ophelia frowned slightly. "I hope it's just paranoia because I can't imagine why they would do this."

"On the other hand, Wigner is even harder to deal with now," Tilis said between bites of a chicken leg, discussing the continent's situation.

"So either the Church elders have gone senile and want to die early to return to the embrace of the true god, or they have some kind of leverage that makes them think they have an advantage against Wigner."

At this, the two exchanged glances.

"Could it be... because of her?"

After all, the current leader of the Church was that priestess they knew all too well.

Ophelia grew even more puzzled.

"I admit she's quite strong... strong enough to smash the front of a steam train with a single hammer, but... that's about it, right?"

"Even if four years have passed and she's become a top-tier transcendent powerhouse or advanced further in divine arts..."

"She's still far from being able to take on an entire nation, especially one like Wigner. Honestly, unless she actually becomes a god or summons the deity she worships, it's impossible."

Ophelia had always been dismissive of the Church and Norsgul. In an era where the steam engine was crushing all things old, what was there to fear from a theocratic, decaying state? Could the Church's fanatical faith warriors stand a chance against mass-produced, cheap firearms?

"Don't ask me; I'm just as confused," Tilis said, eyeing the last braised chicken leg on the plate.

"Two years ago, while traveling in the east, I fought a bishop from the Church. They said he was incredibly powerful, a likely candidate for the next pope, but I found him underwhelming. He died before I could even enjoy the fight."

So, whether it was the Church's top-tier power or its ordinary soldiers, Ophelia couldn't see what "advantage" they still had.

But since the mastermind behind this was someone who had once been one of their own, she couldn't let her guard down completely. After all, the women around Luo Wei were all exceptionally troublesome individuals...

Thinking this, she cast a contemplative glance at Luo Wei, who had remained silent.

"Aren't you going to say something? After all, you're her divine envoy..."

"Uh..." Luo Wei had only just learned about the Church's actions, but the headache was that he had no idea what they were planning.

It felt like she was about to do something monumental...

"Whatever she's planning, we should prepare ourselves," Luo Wei said after some thought.

"Aside from Tilis, none of us here have reached the level of top-tier transcendent power. Let's use this month before heading to the duchy to improve ourselves."

"I don't think I need to," Ophelia sighed. "I'm already so busy. Besides, how am I supposed to train my abilities? By sleeping all day?"

"Sleeping can help you train? Train what?" Tilis reached for the braised chicken leg. "I thought sleeping was just a waste of time."

But just as her hand was about to touch the food, the last chicken leg on the plate suddenly turned into a multi-legged black insect.

Tilis pulled her hand back in surprise, not because she was afraid of insects, but because the sudden change was startling.

"Now do you see the power of the Dreamscape?" Ophelia elegantly picked up the insect, brought it to her lips, and it turned back into a braised chicken leg.

"Just an illusion," Tilis said dismissively. "Child's play."

With that, the air twisted, and an invisible force field pulled the chicken leg toward Tilis.

Ophelia, of course, wasn't about to let it go, and soon, bizarre scenes unfolded on the small dining table.

Luo Wei silently watched them, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

Here we go again!

Good grief, they're even using Dreamscape and gravity magic over a chicken leg...

Can't we just have a peaceful family meal?

Evelyn watched the two of them fighting over the food, especially Ophelia, who was at a disadvantage, and couldn't help but smirk.

This feels good.

Helena continued eating quietly, as her brother kept serving her dishes, seemingly worried she might go hungry.

Her brother had been especially kind to her today, and it made her so happy!

As the battlefield extended to the kitchen, Luo Wei helplessly patted her head.

"At least my sister is well-behaved..."

...

A week later, in Saint Callen.

Luo Wei, sitting by the window in the back row, quietly averted his gaze. His female deskmate was secretly staring at him, looking like she had something to say.

"What is it?" Luo Wei asked.

“Uh…” The female classmate hesitated, “Brugge was fun, right? I can see you’ve gotten tanned…”

“Huh?” Luo Wei turned his face toward her, locking eyes, “What are you trying to ask?”

The female classmate’s breath hitched for a second, then she joked:

“It just feels like something’s off between you and Professor Evelyn since you two came back from that exchange visit to the sister school. Did you two have a fight or something?”

“No, not at all.” Luo Wei frowned. Why would she think that?

But upon closer reflection, the two of them had indeed been deliberately keeping some distance in front of others, even reducing eye contact.

Professor Evelyn didn’t even try to flirt with him in class anymore, which Luo Wei found a little disappointing…

But in reality, this behavior only made things seem more suspicious.

After all, Luo Wei was Professor Evelyn’s favorite student, and this sudden change immediately caught the attention of his most gossip-savvy and sharp-eyed classmate.

“I think you should consider becoming a detective,” Luo Wei said, looking at her with a hint of amusement.

“What detective nonsense,” the female classmate retorted, more concerned about whether the “tyrant” would fail them or deduct their credits. “Luo Wei, you better not get into a fight with the professor! They’re older, and their mental state can be a bit… unstable! You and Professor Evelyn have such a good relationship. Whether Class A survives this semester depends entirely on you!”

Luo Wei couldn’t help but laugh. So that’s what this was about.

Professor Evelyn’s “cold and strict” demeanor was well-known. Which student didn’t tremble in fear when facing this so-called “witch”? That was until Luo Wei came along and changed everything.

As a result… sometimes Luo Wei’s words carried more weight than even the class monitor’s.

“Luo Wei.”

Speak of the devil. Evelyn appeared at the doorway, her expression unreadable as she glanced at Luo Wei.

“Come to my office after class.”

As the sound of her high heels faded into the distance, the silent classroom erupted into chatter once more.

“Oh no, oh no!” The female classmate couldn’t help but worry for Luo Wei.

“If Professor Evelyn tries to embarrass you, you have to hold it together! Oh no, what if she punishes you physically? What if she does something… inappropriate to you!”

“Professor Evelyn isn’t like that…” Luo Wei decided to correct her terrible impression of the professor. “She’s actually quite gentle…”

“Gentle? Only to you…” the female classmate grumbled, feeling the unfairness of the world.

Luo Wei left the classroom and knocked on the office door. Evelyn’s voice, calm and unemotional, called for him to enter.

Once the door closed, the familiar Evelyn returned.

Luo Wei saw her slouched in her chair, her feet propped up on the desk in a casual manner, sighing heavily.

“Luo Wei! Finally, you’re here. Help me think of something!”

“Think of what?” Luo Wei walked over curiously.

“Miss, is this the man you want to bring back?” Annie, standing in the corner of the office, scrutinized Luo Wei with a strange look.

“Just a… human?”