NOVPUBThe Nox Mountains on the southern side of Nanwantina territory.
The light gradually disappears beyond the horizon, replaced by a red moon that rises against the night curtain, accompanied by a layer of light-gray mist.
The blood moon of night hangs in the sky, shrouding the mountains below in a dim and eerie light. The entrance of the valley seems particularly gloomy, as if it is a gateway to another unknown world.
Every mountain peak stands nearly a hundred meters tall, close to touching the clouds, blocking out the starlight in the night sky, making the entire valley appear even more dark and indistinct.
Two figures walk into the mountains without anyone noticing.
One slender figure walks in front, as if she had just run out of a ballroom halfway through.
A tall figure follows behind her, his silhouette cut into the darkness like a statue, his cloak and hood flapping in the wind.
"I’m very grateful that you managed to steal the key from the Royal Capital for us, Infiltrator."
She said with a smile.
Soon she again covered her red lips and apologized to the other party,
"Sorry, I think it would be more appropriate to call you The Withered Saint now."
"Call me whatever you want."
The tall figure didn’t seem to care, he continued to move forward with a ghost-like pace, each step reminiscent of the whispering of a death god.
The air here was thick with the scent of damp, a mixture of damp earth and decaying leaves.
Between these plants, they sometimes saw some unique magical beasts quietly creeping, appearing and disappearing like shadows, and low roars coming from them from time to time, but they never dared to approach these two figures.
"We have received the sincerity of The Withered Bishop, and will start to cooperate with the Withered faction from here on, although not overtly."
Countess Seberna reverted to her original form and chuckled.
Her power [Blood Disguise] allows her to perfectly mimic anyone she has touched, and the disguise will stay until she chooses to dispel it.
In the Cerryti Empire, she can play any person she wants to disguise, making her the best Blood Clan member to spy on enemy camps.
Once her mission is accomplished, her primary task is to ensure her own safety and retreat ahead of time.
However, entering the Nox Mountains can be considered a successful retreat, as venturing deeper into the Nox Mountains at night is a place normal people fear.
The dim light, complicated terrain, and hidden ancient ruins and traps make this a dangerous area.
"Don’t forget to give me three different essences of the Blood Moon."
He suddenly reminded her.
"Of course, we will help you break through to the seventh order, so rest assured."
Countess Seberna turned her head back, gently placed her hand on his shoulder, and responded softly.
Only a Blood Clan member of at least the seventh-order could refine the Essence of the Blood Moon. It could create a descendant, and it is also the best breakthrough material for the seventh order.
"To be honest, it’s really a pity to just leave, I was looking forward to watching how your friends will react when they find out that the traitor is actually you."
She said, tilting her head back and letting out a hearty, bell-like laughter.
"Indeed."
The masculine figure only followed by her side, revealing a slight smile with a hint of malice.
Until they slowly disappeared into the depths of the dim mountains.
...
Meanwhile, in the Nanwantina main city, minor disturbances had begun.
The city-state’s protective barrier, the semi-transparent, invisible crystalline light at the edge of the horizon, had always been the sturdy protector in the hearts of the citizens. However, a moment ago, for an unknown reason, it was forcefully shut down.
Once deactivated, it requires a period of time to restart, and during this period the city becomes extremely vulnerable.
This sudden change immediately triggered a city-wide alert. The once peaceful streets were echoing continuously with alarm sounds, which, like omens carved on the walls, filled the hearts of the city’s residents with dread.
In the Nanwantina Temple of the Church of the Goddess of Destiny, the usually solemn priests formed teams and went out. With serious expressions on their faces, they held the sacred rod or the ancient scriptures and ran swiftly through the city-state, providing the citizens with protection and guidance.
"You really jinxed us, Stina."
Loren felt a splitting headache and eyed the short-haired girl, who was a Dark Sentinel Priest.
This series of events, which occurs once every few years, just happened to be mentioned by her on the train. Together with the Priest Investigation Team, they stumbled upon it.
Sensing the barrier issue, Loren immediately rushed to the city state control center and the Count’s Mansion.
However, he found that there was no issue with the Count’s Mansion and that the criminal had already vanished without a trace.
According to the records of the Monitoring Magic Device, someone had disguised themselves as the count, infiltrated the Count’s Mansion without leaving any signs and stolen the key.
Never mind discussing what exactly happened to the stolen key from the Royal Capital. At this point, there was no time to investigate what had already happened. What was important was dealing with the real changes that were about to happen!
It takes nearly half an hour to rebuild the massive city-state barrier.
Nanwantina has a total of three energy main stations, located in the northwest, east, and south of Nanwantina’s main city.
If one station is damaged, the restart efficiency will be reduced by a third. If all are destroyed, it will take a long time to repair the three energy main stations before the city-state barrier can be rebuilt.
Just as the barrier was deactivated, the Energy Main Station in the northwest was simultaneously damaged.
The enemy’s plan was clearly organized and premeditated.
The next target will surely be the other two Energy Stations in the east and south.
So, Loren immediately dispatched forces from the Church of the Goddess of Destiny to assist in the defense of the safest eastern side, and left a temporary Eighth-order Barrier, leading the Priest Investigation Team to personally rush to the most dangerous Energy Main Station on the south side.
