969 Duke (1/2)

Backlund, West Borough, within the Odora family's villa.

Emlyn White, who had been summoned, took off his hat and coat and entered the activity room to wait.

In this room, there were a few other Sanguine members who had been called by name to meet the important figure. After surveying the area, Emlyn picked a spot to sit in, right beside a man with a nose so high that it almost seemed deformed.

Adorning his cut face was brown hair and red eyes. He held a comic in his hand, reading through it aimlessly.

He was none other than the Sanguine who had provided Emlyn with the information about the ancient, abandoned castle in Delaire Forest. His name was Ernes Boyar, a viscount.

Emlyn had planned on visiting this viscount in the next couple of days, but he never expected to bump into him here. After some careful consideration, he said in deliberation, ”Your Lordship, I would like to know where you obtained the intel regarding the ancient abandoned castle in Delaire Forest.”

”Why? Did your client say that there weren't any ancient wraiths?” Ernes Boyar moved his gaze away from his comic and shot Emlyn a glance.

”No, not at all.” Emlyn didn't provide an explanation as he stubbornly emphasized his question again. ”I'm just very curious of the source. It doesn't seem that simple.”

Ernes Boyar closed his comic and nodded slightly.

”It's not a secret. I learned of it from Lord Nibbs. To be frank, I've never heard of this before. I find it hard to imagine that there's such an ancient castle in Delaire Forest.”

Lord Nibbs… Emlyn instinctively had some thoughts arise in him.

It's another test…

But isn't such a test too dangerous? It even needed Mr. Fool to resolve it… Emlyn frowned slightly as he recalled the details he had contemplated previously. He probed, ”Your Lordship, then why didn't you explore that ancient castle? I remember you being an archaeologist. And during this process, you'll be able to obtain the corresponding Beyonder ingredients of an ancient wraith.”

”Lord Nibbs told me that it's very dangerous. One shouldn't approach it unless they're at the level of Earl.”

”…” Emlyn's mouth gaped as his expression fell into a daze.

He then held back his anger and asked with a suppressed voice, ”Then why didn't you warn me?”

Ernes laughed.

”Isn't it obvious?

”How can a location with Beyonder creatures present, one that's known by us Sanguine, still exist if not for special reasons?”

Emlyn fell into a daze as Ernes added, ”Normal reasoning should be like this: Ancient wraiths might exist in some place in Delaire Forest. People have encountered it before, but they were unable to find their origins.

”This means that finding those ancient wraiths is a very difficult and troublesome affair. The time cost exceeds their value, which allows them to live to this day.

”I thought you'd have easily discovered the problem with this reasoning. Likewise for your client. If they had chosen to take action, they must've had possessed the corresponding confidence.”

At that instant, Emlyn felt that Viscount Ernes made plenty of sense, and he could hardly rebut him. He believed that it was because he and Miss Magician were too foolish, resulting in her slamming headfirst into danger. It had nothing to do with him.

The next instant, Emlyn felt embarrassed and frustrated, filled with anger towards himself.

Finally, Emlyn figured out another problem:

Regardless of whether the intel exposes any danger or not, Ernes Boyar should've clearly informed me of this point because figuring out the level of danger, the source of danger, and how the danger manifested itself. It held immense importance in the subsequent exploration, one that can't be missed!

He did it on purpose! Emlyn came to a final conclusion as his scarlet eyes narrowed. He raised his chin and said, ”Indeed. It's easy to tell, but I'm more curious about the danger lurking in that ancient abandoned castle.”

Ernes picked up the black tea that nearly resembled the color of blood and sipped it.

”I'm not sure either. Lord Nibbs didn't mention anything.”

Emlyn's expression sank. Just as he was about to make a derisive remark, he suddenly saw Odora Cosmi walk into the activity room and look at him.

”Emlyn, it's time for the meeting.”

”Alright.” Emlyn reined in his emotions and pressed onto the bottom half of his vest, standing up unhurriedly.

Following him down the stairs underground, he finally couldn't help but softly ask, ”Baron Cosmi, who am I actually meeting? How should I address 'Him'?”

Cosmi, who looked like a middle-aged gentleman, didn't hide the truth. He replied with deep respect, ”Duke Olmer.”

Duke Olmer… Emlyn subconsciously straightened his back and cast his gaze to the lamps on the wall. He appeared to use the reflection of the metal surface to check on his appearance.

”He” was one of the three dukes that held up the Sanguine, an ancient powerhouse who existed before the Cataclysm. His title was ”Round Moon,” with an age exceeding three thousand years. He had once followed in the footsteps of Ancestor Lilith!

Without a doubt, this was synonymous with the history and glory of the Sanguine!

After passing several secret doors, Emlyn and Cosmi arrived inside a metal-gray hall.

The ground and walls were filled with green grass, flowers, and grain. Insects were crawling between the plants, making Emlyn feel as though he had left the city and arrived somewhere rural. He felt life thriving all around him.

Such a scene didn't seem too odd, but on careful inspection, there were many strange points.