Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

Chapter 717 - 666 Lanci Discovered Hugh Lian’s Mom’s Standards

After regaining their freedom, Lanci and Talia walked along the nighttime streets of Floral City Pariel, with the lights of the Pariel Police Headquarters gradually receding behind them.

They arrived at a spacious square across the street, and within half a minute, they flagged down a Magic Energy Vehicle.

Lanci stepped forward and informed the driver of their destination. The driver nodded and gestured for them to get in.

They were soon weaving through the night, with the street lights flickering past the car windows.

"It seems you have some influence."

Talia transmitted her thoughts to him.

They had only just entered the Pariel Police Station when someone received the intelligence and took the initiative to redeem him.

"I was indeed invited to the Poseen Kingdom as a research scientist, but the Southern Continent Card Maker Association arranged my itinerary more like a private trip for safety reasons."

Lanci replied silently.

It had already been arranged with Professor Bolao that once they arrived in the Poseen Kingdom, they would meet the Countess.

Countess Rosalinda did not want too many people in the Poseen Kingdom to notice Lanci’s visit to her, so she didn’t arrange for anyone from Count’s Mansion to pick him up, but instead asked Chief Zefa to inform him to come to the Count’s Mansion.

Of course, Count’s Mansion was not too far away.

Lanci and Talia sat quietly, perhaps both a little sleepy, with not much conversation between them.

Finally, after more than ten minutes, they slowed to a stop in front of a grand entrance to a luxurious mansion in the north of Pariel.

This residence hid in a tranquil district of Pariel, away from the bustle of the city center.

Lanci paid the fare and stepped out of the vehicle with Talia.

Looking up, they saw the main building of Asturias’ Count’s Mansion still brightly lit, like a city that never sleeps.

The doors of the Count’s Mansion were tightly closed, with patterns of dark brown roses carved on them, flanked by two guards in classical uniforms standing solemnly by the courtyard.

Before Lanci and Talia could step forward to speak, the doors opened.

An elderly butler in uniform stepped out, his posture erect, and his face sharp as a chisel, like a retired military officer.

"Good evening, Mr. Lanci, Miss Tata, welcome to Asturias Count’s Mansion. The Countess is ready to receive you."

The butler’s voice was quite gentle, and not as deep and hoarse as imagined.

Lanci and Talia exchanged a glance, nodded and followed the butler into the courtyard of the Count’s Mansion.

Through a winding garden, they were suddenly illuminated by the expansive entry hall.

The walls around them were hung with paintings, unfolding like a gallery before them, and the floor was carpeted with long rugs, every step revealing the noble’s penchant for adornment reminiscent of a castle.

Guided by the butler, Lanci and Talia passed through several unique porches, eventually arriving at the mansion’s reception room.

The decor here was even more lavish, with entire walls meters high made of floor-to-ceiling windows, and aside from Divine Era style reliefs on the stone walls, there were also fountains connected to the interior, with mist emanating from the edge of the pool waters, mingling with the soft candlelight and ground lamps, bringing a warm glow to the entire reception room and filling it with a fragrant aroma.

Within such a space, a stunning woman sat near a window, with the moonlight spilling over her, making her especially radiant and captivating.

She was dressed in a crimson evening gown, with the rose patterns on the sheer fabric glistening, elegantly highlighting her figure.

As Lanci and Talia stepped into the reception room, Countess Rosalinda set down her wine glass and stood up to face them, her eyes full of a welcoming smile and unhidden curiosity.

"Welcome, Mr. Lanci, Miss Tata. I am the master of this mansion, the chairperson of the Southern Continent Card Maker Association branch in Poseen, Rosalinda Asturias."

She picked up her wine glass for a sip and then looked at Lanci and Talia curiously.

"For safety reasons, it’s better not to let her travel far for the time being. Even the Rebirth Church has set their sights on her."

Lanci answered.

"Ah, that’s too bad. I was hoping to take this rare opportunity to improve our relationship."

Countess Rosalinda sighed, tilting her head back.

"Don’t you get along with her?"

Talia asked.

Her expression was calm, but she evidently cared greatly about anything concerning Hyperion.

"I saw her when she was little, but she doesn’t like me."

Countess Rosalinda raised her hand helplessly, indicating the height of Hyperion when she was only a few years old.

At that time, she was also in her twenties.

"Why is that?"

Talia’s voice grew slightly cold.

If Hyperion didn’t like someone, she would most likely feel the same.

"Maybe because I wanted to be her stepmother? But she didn’t acknowledge me?"

Countess Rosalinda admitted unabashedly.

Talia nearly choked in shock.

She hadn’t expected the countess to be so forthright.

Lanci shook his head to himself.

He had thought Hyperion was indiscriminate towards mother figures, but it seemed she was quite selective after all.

The current three mother figures accepted by Hyperion did indeed have something in common—they were aloof, carried an air of the Demon Race, and were exceptionally old.

And this very popular type, Miss Rosalinda, apparently did not meet Hyperion’s criteria.

"...!"

Talia seemed to have read Lanci’s mind, biting her lip, reaching behind him, and pinching him hard on the waist.

Lanci shivered with pain, but to maintain his dignity, he tried hard to keep a composed expression.

"By the way, do you fancy Mr. Migaya?"

Braving the pain, Lanci diverted Countess Rosalinda’s attention with his question, avoiding her noticing the subtle interaction between him and Talia.

"Yes, I’ve hinted at him several times, and I believe he understands my feelings, but he’s turned me down each time,"

Countess Rosalinda, like a box of opened secrets, suddenly became melancholic, draining the contents of her wine glass in one gulp,

"I can’t understand what kind of magic that woman who abandoned him possesses, to make him so obsessed. Honestly, she is a mysterious member of the Demon Race who drifted over from the Northern Continent—lazy, with a terrible personality—yet he dares to house her, showing such a singular preference! It really does make one envious. What’s wrong with me?"

The countess put down her glass with a thump on the table, having found an outlet for her frustration, she spoke with a resentment to Lanci and Talia.