NOVPUBSeveral hours later.
At the riverside border of the Huo Ning Empire, above the cliff.
In the dim light of night, shrouded in thin mist, where even the moonlight was intermittently obscured by mist, Lichtenstein Castle appeared even more eerie and unpredictable.
Approaching midnight.
A figure shot across the night sky, causing a strong wind and howling noise in the forest’s air, accompanied by falling leaves and chilling cold.
The figure’s flying speed was swift, with the stars in the night sky appearing as streaks of light before his eyes.
He slightly lowered his eyelids, the cliff, the broken bridge, and the castle rapidly approaching in his line of sight.
Subsequently, he slowed down as if about to reach his destination.
Under the moonlight, the figure halfway in the air was becoming clearer. He was handsome, his sculpture-like physique outlined elegance and power in perfect combination. Among the Blood Clan, he would undoubtedly be considered an extraordinary fighter.
His deep ruby-like glimmers in his eyes were like cold chains, penetrating everything.
"My excellent clan member, did he die here?"
The voice of the Count Paluocas, like a low whisper rising from the abyss, was full of irresistible authority.
He dove, and the moment he cleared the cliff, he could plainly see Lichtenstein Castle unveiled by the parted clouds.
The culprit could not have escaped from this cliff, there were no signs of any activities in the woods, and the castle light was still on, seemingly proving the culprits were hiding inside.
The castle was very sturdy, and above it was the Protective Enchantment which even Count Paluocas found powerful. If he used long-range magic to attack, it would not only fail to break the defense but could also scare away those inside.
In an instant, Count Paluocas landed like a meteorite on the terrain distanced from the castle.
Moonlight fell upon his black cloak, dressing him in a thin layer of silvery sheen, making him appear even more noble and mysterious in the night.
"..."
Count Paluocas observed the castle from a distance, his face exceptionally stern.
The lights in the castle’s foundation layer were still on. Through the soft yellow glow seeping through the curtains, he could even see a few shadows fleetingly passing by.
It seemed as if they were having a joyful banquet, without the slightest awareness of the consequence they might face, or the wrath of a proud Count of the Blood Clan they might have incurred.
Yet soon, a light of realization flashed across the eyes of Paluocas.
"These are just childish tricks."
Count Paluocas chuckled softly, his disdainful and indifferent voice resounding clearly in the silence of the night.
The answer was simple. These clever idiots had set a trap within the castle, pretending to be relaxed to put him at eas. Once he entered, they would emerge and fight to the death.
Humans — these weak and humble beings — occasionally, a few would foolishly try to defy the Blood Clan.
The result was always the same: shattered dreams, death.
But Paluocas greatly enjoyed humans who dared to resist him.
Because the more he could crush them, the greater the timeless pleasure he could experience.
This was the distinction between a superior race and a worm-like one.
The count advanced slowly through the night, his shadow gradually lengthening.
His ability, [Blood Fury], could double his attributes for a short period and provide a great degree of control reduction.
This made him fearless and proud.
The mighty demons and werewolves that had died by his hand were innumerable, humans even more so.
If the enemy did not possess power far beyond his, they could only be crushed like insects.
Any wisdom, cunning strategy, or unique control spell was meaningless!
Soon, Count Paluocas arrived at the doors of the castle’s foundation layer. He raised his hand and pushed open the castle doors without any hesitation.
He was interested in humoring these squirming bugs. The harder they were, the crispier they would crush underfoot.
As the door flung open, the bright lamp lights and warmth emerged, and he strode into the castle — his terror-filled Magic Power and oppressive aura making the whole castle shudder.
"Where have these poor creatures hidden?"
The great door behind the Count closed slowly, shutting out the cold wind and the silence of the night.
He stood in the grand hall of the castle, his deep eyes lazily roving around the hall, ready to confront the images of these weak and silly humans rushing at him in terror.
However.
The scene that followed caused Count Paluocas to freeze in his steps.
His eyes, once full of confidence and irony, seemed somewhat puzzled now.
Everything was vastly different from what he had envisioned.
Count Paluocas’s gaze was attracted to the radiance above the dome of the hall. The crystal ornaments inlaid with golden patterns above were like dazzling stars, casting warm rays onto every corner of the hall. The spectacular lights illuminated the dark stone sculptures on the walls, leaving bright streaks on the smooth white stone floor.
In the most conspicuous position of the hall, a grand and spacious dining table claimed the spot. The silver candlestick shone brilliantly in the candlelight, casting dancing shadows in the air, while the high-backed chairs, intricately carved from brown oak, were neatly arranged on both sides of the table.
In such a luxurious banquet hall symbolizing power and status, several men and women were sharing a meal around the dining table at the center. They were raising their glasses and laughing, their conversations echoing in the hall.
The sight before the Count was one of opulence and prosperity, which reminded him of nights filled with glistering gold and mirthful laughter.
Yet, the atmosphere of this feast carried an eerie harmony, much like the extravagant banquets of vile perpetrators whose grandeur could never quite mask their dark deeds throughout world history!
With the abrupt entrance of Count Paluocas, their laughter gradually paused, and their gazes turned uniformly towards him.
Paluocas: "?"
Could these people...
Really be hosting a banquet?
...
At the Istambul Institute in the late hours of the night, Jera Memorial Square was bathed in a soft, white light.
The hour hand on the clock tower was fast approaching midnight.
However, at this time, the square started to stir restlessly again.
Compared to the bustling and anticipatory atmosphere of the afternoon, even though quite a few students had once again gathered in front of the steps that provided a view of the open-air screen, the mood was markedly oppressive and heavy.
Ever since Frey defeated the Goddess of Destruction near the dusk, Lanci had only briefly informed the clergy and the business league’s trio about his intent to entertain the Count that night, before switching off [Shadow Realm Recording Program].
It wasn’t until eleven o’clock that Lanci turned the live broadcast back on.
Understanding the imminent end, students, even those who knew it was a game of death, couldn’t resist staying up late to watch it on the square.
The sight that met their eyes was of the nine of them genuinely starting the evening banquet.
Literally, a welcome!
"What on earth does Lanci mean by this?"
"Is it really that he won’t even make an effort?"
Many students asked in disbelief.
In fact, until Count Paluocas actually descended, they still had faith that Lanci would take some action and make crucial preparations.
If these challengers could survive the Shadow World’s five-day rampage in this beast-like predicament and return alive, this Shadow World game would indeed be hailed as nothing short of miraculous.
The only chance of survival now was to overcome tonight, then gather everyone to work together on tree cutting and bridge repairing till the next day before dark. On the second night, they would continue fleeing through a divisive chase, and afterwards, the whole group would have to play a cat-and-mouse game with the Count of the Blood Clan in the Huo Ning Empire for three long days and nights.
This is the glimmer of hope brought about by their capturing the traitor ahead of schedule, while also ensuring nobody from their team was killed.
If there was still the threat of a traitor, they might not even be able to repair the bridge or together manage to flee through the Huo Ning Empire!
No matter what, in any and every situation, the premise is to survive tonight.
Then there are the nightmarish four days to follow.
Perhaps being defeated by the Count of the Blood Clan tonight could be considered a release.
But the fact is - Lanci, as though having no will left to fight, is hosting the final banquet and calmly awaiting death.
On the edge of the square, on the road.
Modan Gasigus watched the open-air screen with a calm expression. Eventually, as if he couldn’t hold it back anymore, he burst into a snicker.
As a marquis’s son, he originally had a golden opportunity to possess Hyperion, but Lanci had interfered and even used the law to threaten him.
He still remembered the humiliating words Lanci had said to him, "you admitted it yourself," making a mockery of him.
Unlike most students, he found this situation incredibly amusing and delighting!
"Pathetic fool, you have finally reached a dead-end, haven’t you?"
Modan grumbled under his breath. It would serve his purpose if Lanci died, and it would be even better if that cursed vixen Hyperion died alongside him.
Overconfidence leads to ruin in the end.
Faced with the Count of the Blood Clan, a natural catastrophe that completely overwhelms humans in their race, all clever tricks seem laughably nonsensical.
In a moment, the poor fool would be in a state of panic, tears streaming down his face, humiliated and utterly devastated, and finally die a gruesome death!
Modan could already visualize the future. 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
Now, he was simply curious-
How long could Lanci persist in the face of the Count of the Blood Clan!
However.
The image on the open-air screen.
Lanci, who sat at the end of the long table, gently rocked the light rose-colored liquid in his glas.s His face was unreadable, the aroma of the wine – perhaps fruity, mellow, or a blend of both – seemed to waft towards you, penetrating your soul.
He never took a sip of the wine.
Even when Count Paluocas arrived, Lanci’s expression did not change.
He seemed to have experienced extravagant splendor and drastic changes in life, distantly leaning on the back of his chair, he glanced at Count Paluocas from the corner of his eye.
"Little Pa, you’re here."
