Chapter 496: Doubts of Yesteryear (1/2)

[V6C26 – Sorrow of a Silent Parting]

Among the four peaks with seats on them, only two were occupied. The figures were all projections—their actual bodies weren’t there, but the images looked no different than their corporeal forms. Lilith had also attended the council via projection while she was in hibernation, an indication that she still existed.

These people were existences on the same level as Lilith, but they all stood halfway up to greet her.

This movement wasn’t submission but an expression of gratitude. They were thankful for Lilith’s awakening and her obstruction of Sky Demon. This allowed the Evernight Faction to obtain ten odd ancient essence fragments. In the distant future, these items would produce nearly ten duke-level experts or the same number of strategic armaments.

The council members all sat down some time after Lilith had taken her seat. This session of the Evernight Council thus began.

Among the seven mountain peaks, four of them corresponded to the vampire, demonkin, arachne, and werewolf races—the present day four major races. However, the werewolf seat was currently empty. This wasn’t because the werewolves were absent, but because there was no monarch among them capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lilith.

The council discussions commenced.

First up was the aftermath on Evernight Continent. The bottomless vortex left behind from the battle had been named “Giant’s Repose”, and after several investigations, they had confirmed that this was the void colossus’ second burial ground. Beyond the prismatic turbulence was a boundless stretch of stone forests and ravines leading toward an unknown place.

The second piece of information was related to Imperial Marshal Lin Xitang. Both he and Evernight Council Prophet Weber had performed calculations regarding the “Giant’s Repose” but gained nothing from it. However, the council received secret intelligence that Lin Xitang had returned to the empire in secret, reportedly due to the relapse of an old injury.

This news immediately incited heated debates. Many believed Lin Xitang was trying to trick them and that the empire had discovered something.

Follow-up reports from within the Great Qin Empire were able to prove this statement. Lin Xitang’s movements were now unclear, but there were unusual movements at the imperial capital. First, the 108 diviners raised by the empire were summoned to the imperial capital, then the royal guard began gathering a large number of death row prisoners from the surrounding provinces.

This was supposedly in preparation for the empire’s triennial ceremony, but those with discerning eyes could see that this was a prelude to the empire’s highest level sacrificial prophecy.

After a session of intense discussions, the council decided to have Prophet Weber continue his predictions while also mobilizing several experts proficient in prophetic arts to work together toward a deduction of the Giant’s Repose.

The Queen of the Night sat atop her high throne. Her eyes were a profound color of blood akin to a boundless sanguine ocean. She only remained silent because all the discussions going on below, even the possibility of a total-war, were completely insignificant to her and not even worth her attention.

Only when the council members began discussing the distribution of the ancient essence fragments did Lilith speak, “I require two pieces.”

The Queen of the Night’s sudden words plunged the entire council hall into silence. The council speaker stood up to address the queen and said, “It’ll be as you say.”

With that, he waved his hand and struck out two pieces of ancient essence fragments from the discussion list—they were now considered inexistent. The discussion then continued for the distribution of the remainder among the various clans.

Every ancient essence fragment signified the birth of a duke-level expert, a power capable of founding a medium-scaled clan; even those powerhouses couldn’t ignore such a massive profit. As the debates grew more and more intense, the undertable deals also increased in frequency.

Lilith ignored everything going on before her. Her will had long since passed through the distant space and appeared in the depths of Evernight Continent, within an ancient vampire castle.

Habsburg was seated in a rather spacious chair, facing the Evernight Continent outside of his french window. His expression moved slightly as he stood up with due elegance and bowed toward a corner of the study. “Welcome, Your Majesty.”

The figure of a dark-haired woman in dark robes was condensed out of thin air. She raised her hand in equal reciprocation. Although it was just a projected image that had appeared here, it seemed as though a certain ceremony had just been completed—one signifying a second-generation primogenitor’s approval and recognition.

This meeting was fairly short. With their strengths, there was naturally no existence capable of obtaining the slightest information on them.

When Countess Waverly knocked and entered, Habsburg was still in his seat, facing the vast lands of Evernight Continent. It was as though that revered guest just now had never appeared before. He didn’t look back, but the smiling countess walked over to the young prince with brisk steps. The rustling of her skirt produced beautiful sounds as her arms reached out to embrace Habsburg’s shoulders.

Countess Waverly sported golden-brown hair and a pair of pure, jade-like eyes. Even among the entire vampire race, she was a famed beauty.

“My beloved highness, have you finally decided to return to Twilight Continent tomorrow? That’s wonderful. This Evernight countryside is really too boring!” The countess’ voice was just as lively as her temperament and as melodious as the nightingales of the whispering woods.

Habsburg didn’t refuse her intimate actions and only asked, “Any news?”

“The Evernight Council is holding a general assembly, and I happen to know one of their topics of discussion.” At this point, Countess Waverly said with some regret, “If Your Highness had returned to the upper continent two days ago, you might have even made it in time for the meeting. Your position this time is enough to enter the inner circle!” The Countess’ eyes sparkled brightly. It was as though she had seen delicious blood or beautiful jewels.