Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

Chapter 367 - 348: Lanci’s Terrifying Phone Call_1

After a seemingly endless flight, the prairie wind carried Anello to the city walls of Bonn City, the northernmost city of the Xue Yuan Province.

The towering city walls were inscribed with weathered glyphs. The city gate blended seamlessly into the tundra. Nearby patrol cavalry sharp-eyed, no detail escaping their watchful vision.

Anello accelerated forward in the snow, the wind and snow following him threatened to swallow him whole. The sky was overcast, with only loose snowflakes dancing in the biting air.

As he approached the city walls, the snowy wind started to fade. The thick cloud that seemed to encapsulate Bonn City had lifted, replaced by a narrow sliver of warm sun spilling through the gaps in the clouds.

This dawning light served as a guide, illuminating the city walls, the ancient stone edifice adorned with golden edges.

Anello’s eyes were drawn to it; his heartbeat slowly steadied. The residual fear deep in his chest was replaced by safety and hope. The city’s protective enchantment appeared gentle and comforting, akin to a harbour in heaven.

Illuminating the city entrance, Anello began to seem less panicked. When the guards checked him, he produced unique imperial military credentials from under his clothing, bearing his name and identity.

Upon recognizing his rank, the guards immediately bowed and respectfully gestured for him to enter.

The city gate slowly opened before him, revealing the bustling streets, the vivacious market, and the vibrant buildings of Bonn City. An energetic city, a stark contrast from the silent tundra.

Anello inhaled deeply. His once chaotic heart was calm, every cell in his body rejoiced in this momentary peace.

He knew, he had escaped a disaster, but there was a more crucial task at hand.

The citizens continued to lead their lives in blissful obliviousness, unaware of the recent happenings beyond their city

If the High Priest Loren had not been stationed so close to the Xue Yuan Province, he would have elected more sacrifices, offering their slaughter as a testimony to the Bishop of Hegemony.

The closer to the city center he ventured, the more regular and solemn the buildings appeared.

One building, in particular, caught his eyes, the Temple of the Knights of Nirvana towering over the city centre.

The pinnacle of the temple rose high above the city, each stone holding a story of its own.

Anello revealed a hint of amusement upon sighting the temple.

He hastened to meet the Grand Priest who was stationed at the temple.

Seeing the Saint of Nirvana Anello, the Grand Priest’s eyes registered a hint of surprise, quickly turned into delight.

"Lord Anello, your arrival is an honour for the Xue Yuan Province."

The Grand Priest greeted.

"Your flattery is unnecessary; I must meet with the city’s governor. Now."

Anello spoke without patience for the Grand Priest’s pleasantries.

The Grand Priest appeared startled by Anello’s directness, indicating something of grave importance afoot. However, he quickly nodded his approval and lead Anello out of the temple.

"Of course, I will take you to the Governor’s Mansion."

He replied.

The temple was opulent, yet Anello remained unmoved. He followed the Grand Priest through the long corridor, making their swift exit..

Bonn City’s avenues were paved with snowy white bricks, lined with trees and flower beds. Although subject to ceaseless snow, the plants remained lush and vibrant.

As Anello and the Grand Priest passed, the pedestrians made way, moving off the streets.

Anello had no expectations from the people of Xue Yuan Province. This remote province was abandoned during the war. Nonetheless, it had remained standing, largely due to its geographical location. Located far from the Northern Border Province and close to Hezishan, it was neglected by the vastly more prosperous provinces.

Moreover, this province’s affairs were in disarray, filled with obstinate nobles, an endless pile of problems to resolve. The capital Herram had yet to find a capable governor for relieving the overwhelmed province of its duties.

However, recently, the Xue Yuan Province had appointed an assertive governor. Bonn city had even constructed his mansion in advance. The newly appointed governor took office and began working with immediate effect. The city’s lord, Viscount Black Bonn, was jailed for his treasonous acts. He was awaiting transfer to the capital, Herram, to stand trial. Today, the city was under the collective control of the governor and the remaining lords. This new administrative center was unanimously recognized by the provincial nobility and citizens.

Shortly, Anello, followed by the Grand Priest, arrived at the other end of the city. In the distance, an imposing, modern structure loomed over the landscape. It was the Xue Yuan Province Governor’s Mansion in Bonn City. The echo of their footsteps resonated on the stone-paved path, imbued with urgency.

They crossed a sprawling plaza, finally arriving at the Governor’s Mansion of Bonn City. This mansion stood atop a towering staircase, surrounded by statues of the empire’s heroes, as if their heroic spirits would protect the empire for generations to come.

A soldier minding the gate acknowledged the Grand Priest’s arrival and quickly relayed the message to the mansion’s influential occupants.

The grand doors of the Governor’s Mansion slowly opened, revealing a splendid hall. Exquisite tapestries hung on either end of the hall, displaying the crests of the cities within the Xue Yuan Province. The wall lamps cast a soft glow.

Before long, a middle-aged man descended the grand staircase. He appeared engrossed in his work but had made time to meet his visitors. He was elegantly dressed in a deep-caramel noble’s robe.

Each servant and guard present in the hall paid their respects and bowed deeply to this middle-aged noble.

"Dear Priest, what brings you to the governor’s mansion today?"

The Viscount Levin Chinston wore a calm and composed expression. He invited the pair further into the mansion while posing his question.

"I’m not here by myself, but, rather, our Saint of Nirvana, Lord Anello, requests your attendance on an urgent matter."

The Grand Priest introduced Anello’s identity in a brief and concise manner before adding, "Lord Anello, Viscount Chinston here is the acting provincial governor of Xue Yuan Province. In the current governor’s absence, Viscount Chinston carries out many of the governor’s duties."

"So, it’s the Saint of Nirvana."

At this revelation, Viscount Chinston’s face registered surprise, swiftly replaced by reverence.

"If you have any instructions, feel free to give them to me."

Viscount Levin Chinston’s tone was calm, each word pronounced clearly, giving a remarkably reliable impression.

The Saint of Nirvana nodded slightly.

"Viscount Chinston, I need to use the communication terminal of the Xue Yuan Province immediately to establish contact with the war front in the North Border and the imperial capital, Herram."

There was no trace of unnecessary emotion in Anello’s voice.

"However, our communication terminal in the Xue Yuan Province is currently under the control and limitation of the Imperial Army."

Viscount Chinston was momentarily taken aback, then slowly nodded, acknowledging.

"I have the authority."

Anello glanced coolly at Viscount Chinston.

"Alright, we naturally will satisfy your request as soon as possible, but what sort of urgent incident has driven you to contact the imperial capital and the war front so hastily?"

Viscount Chinston, guiding Anello and the Grand Priest along, asked with a slight worry in his voice.

A glint of wariness flashed through Anello’s eyes, which quickly returned to coldness.

Viscount Chinston was a cunning man, caring about the safety of the Xue Yuan Province was only natural. Furthermore, he was about to announce the news of "Loren’s appearance within the empire" to as many people as possible.

"The High Priest Loren from the South Continent has arrived. I must use the communication terminal as soon as possible to inform the higher-ups of the empire about this emergency. Everything else can wait until after the contact is established."

Anello answered concisely.

"Really?"

Viscount Chinston raised his eyebrows in surprise.

But without wasting any more words, he only gave a slight nod, quickening his pace with a solemn expression, signifying Anello to continue following him, as if he understood the urgency of the situation.

The three men climbed the stairs to the third floor of the Governor’s Mansion. The carpet in the corridor was embroidered with golden emblems and badges, reflecting the brilliant will of the Xue Yuan. This floor was designated for discussing matters and housed the Governor’s Office, guarded by several elite guards from the province. The lighting was strategically placed in every corner, the dazzling chandelier on the high arched ceiling illuminating the entire corridor as bright as day.

Viscount Chinston’s group stopped before a large oak door. He pushed open the door, revealing a well-decorated office. Dark wooden wallpaper covered the walls and the bookshelves were filled with precious ancient books and files of the city-state.

And on the desk, lay a collection of neatly arranged pending documents and valuable magical devices.

One of these devices was the communication terminal that connected the governor’s office to the provincial relay hub.

Viscount Chinston gestured for Anello to move towards the communication terminal. "Lord Saint of Nirvana, please."

Anello acknowledged nonchalantly, then looked at Viscount Chinston and the Grand Priest without uttering a word.

The two men understood his gaze, saluted him, and retreated, shutting the door on their way out.

And so,

Only Anello was left in the spacious office.

He allowed himself to relax slightly.

The air was filled with a faint scent of deepwood, the wall-lamp lighting the room generously. Every inch of the Protoss Empire-styled decoration and layout demonstrated an orderly and solemn centre of power.

This was exactly the sense of safety and comfort that Anello needed amidst his flight and battles.

Stepping up to the communication terminal, he inserted the Imperial Army’s special [Encrypted Communication Program] into the terminal and started making the necessary contacts.

As he waited for the communication to connect, his heartbeat started to race.

Once he conveyed this news that could shake the entirety of the Protoss Empire, he would be credited greatly for it.

He would earn even greater trust and unfathomable prestige from the higher-ups of the Protoss!

A buzz and a beep came from the phone, signalling successful connection.

Anello’s mission was about to be completed, all the pressure and shadows behind him were dissipated by the sunlight at that moment, replaced by profound fulfilment and anticipation, it was as if after a long journey, he had finally found the oasis in his heart.

The next second.

A surprisingly gentle voice came from the telephone.

"Hello."

Early on, Anello was immersed in tranquillity, filled with hope. However, when the voice came,

A chill seemed to rush into Anello’s brain.

His hand trembled as if shocked by electricity, ready to drop the phone.

This voice did not resemble that of an officer from the Defence Department of Herram.

What terrified him even more was the fact that he seemed to have just heard this voice recently!