“Eustace, I’ll have to resort to force if you insist on leaving!”
With a sharp cry, Nymeria moved hands in fluid movements.
Black runes flew from fingertips, assembling into a massive arcane array mid-air. As the arcane array shone brightly, a terrifying suction force emanated from it, trapping Eustace within.
Eustace struggled fiercely, brandishing the Bloodbane Sword in an attempt to break free from the arcane array’s constraints.
“How dare you stop me, Nymeria! I’ll make you pay for this once Father leaves his solitary training!” Eustace’s roar was filled with resentment and anger.
Right then, a dark figure suddenly swooped in through the window, landing between Eustace and Nymeria.
“Stop…” the dark figure bellowed, his voice ringing with a deep and authoritative tone.
Upon closer inspection, Eustace and Nymeria realized the black figure was Godric, the Grand Elder of Bloodbane Palace.
Godric’s gaze was sharp. After sweeping his eyes over the two, said, “We’re facing a powerful enemy, yet you two are fighting amongst yourselves? The other forces would laugh at us if they caught wind of this!”
Godric’s status in Bloodbane Palace was by no means inferior to Dincelius’. After all, was one of the founding members of Bloodbane Palace.
Eustace let out a cold huff. While stopped struggling to break free from the arcane array, his eyes were still filled with resentment.
“Godric, Jack died a mysterious death, I can’t just let it slide!”
Godric sighed and said earnestly, “Mr. Eustace, I understand how you feel, but the current situation is complex. Jared is so powerful that he’s even able to shatter Radmus’ illusory shadow. Therefore, his backer must be much stronger than we can even imagine…”
“Rushing into revenge will not only lead to failure, but it’ll also put Bloodbane Palace in danger. It’s better to bide our time, investigate Jared’s backer, then devise a plan.”
Nymeria put away the arcane array and chimed in, “Godric is right, Eustace. What’s most important for us right now is to stabilize the situation, guard Bloodbane Palace, and wait for Father to leave his solitary training. Everything will be decided then…”
Eustace remained silent for a while before suddenly bursting into laughter. His laughter was thick with sorrow and helplessness.
“Very well! Very well! Very well! You all may be scared, but I’m not! I’ll avenge Jack’s death even if it costs my life!” declared.
With a burst of strength, broke free from the remaining power of the arcane array and dashed out of the room, leaving behind nothing but a black afterimage.
A flicker of worry crossed Nymeria’s eyes as watched Eustace leave. She knew that a greater crisis was about to descend upon Bloodbane Palace.
***
At that moment, within Heavenfall Pavilion, Radmus had yet to recover from having his illusory shadow shattered.
Seated in his seat, Radmus looked downward with an icy gaze. “Jared Chance, Bloodbane Palace, we’ll settle the score slowly…”
***
In Glass City on level two, even the air was saturated with a kaleidoscope of color.
Jemima walked hand in hand with Jared. With every step took, skirt swept over the iolite path, stirring up tiny sparkles.
She pointed at the lanterns twirling in mid-air by the street, eyes shining brighterthan the halo of light cast by the lanterns. “Look, these are the ‘History Lamps’ unique to level two. They can project the streetscape from a hundred years ago. Since it’s your first time here on level two, I’ll show you around!”
Jared lowered his head to look at the flickering lantern light reflected on Jemima’s hair, and unconsciously rubbed his fingertips against palm.
It was true that had never set foot in this realm before. In the past, his life had been consumed by battles and cultivation, so had never witnessed such stunning yet serene scenery.
The scent of osmanthus wafted from the teahouse on the street corner, where a storyteller was spinning a tale about Radmus vanquishing demons a century ago. His voice rose and fell with the progression of the story, yet it was far less captivating than Jemima’s smile.
“We’re just about at Mirage Lake,” Jemima said.
She led around the bend, where a lake spread out like a colossal mirror of glass, reflecting the floating buildings in the sky. “I heard that if you make a wish by a lake, it’ll come true.”
Jemima then crouched down and tapped on the surface of the water.
As ripples spread out, tiny golden scales emerged from the lake bed. They were carp as large as a human’s hand, their scales casting rainbow hues as they shimmered in the light.
