My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

Chapter 629: Chapter 630: Absurd Joke

The sitting arrangement was designed in such a way that each person was a representative of their continent and nations.

However, not all could be present. This was not a continental summit after all, it was just a small gathering, a way for them to decide their next step going forward.

The name spoken by the Valtheron emperor made everyone fall silent.

Ashcroft was an ancient name, a name half forgotten by people in the second epoch after the fall of the Wicked Prophet.

The Temple rose as an organization whose sole purpose was eliminating the scourge known as demons.

At the time, the organization was backed by almost every nation in existence, giving it the power and influence needed to carry out such a task as invading the Doom Continent.

However, it was during this time that Ashcroft first appeared, and his rise to power could not be impeded.

It was almost as if he was a direct response to the creation of the Temple, a single overwhelming calamity upon the world.

”The Dominator has returned,” the Valtheron emperor repeated these words, his voice calm but carrying the weight of grim reality.

”In times like this we would be most unwise to be caught bickering among ourselves.”

”Hmm. Is that not hypocritical....” The voice was calm and imposing, carrying sufficient authority to speak to the Valtheron emperor without fear.

This voice came all the way from the eastern continent beyond the sea. His chair was firmly rooted in a place with the symbol of the moon.

This was Kadelas Moonveil, the White Ruler.

He was, after all, one of the old monsters who could dictate the fate of the world. As one of the most powerful rulers of the Verdant Continent, not inviting him would have been folly.

”What hypocrisy would that be?” Emperor Valtheron replied calmly. He was the host today, and his eyes remained fixed on Kadelas.

”We came to discuss Ashcroft, but neglected to invite the Holy Emperor, or anyone from the Temple.”

Kadelas was already in a foul mood to begin with, since the Valtheron emperor had been hindering his people from acting freely within the Valtheron Empire. His sharp gaze grew colder as he leaned forward slightly in his seat.

”Is that not folly... or have you grown fearful of their growing power, especially with the reawakening at hand?”

Emperor Valtheron narrowed his eyes. His fingers drummed lightly against the armrest of his chair, betraying a controlled irritation.

”I have no reason to be afraid. However, the fact that you are here as well is evident that you also do not want the Temple prying if you can help it.”

There was a soft sigh from the side. A man holding a walking cane sat next to Aspen Ravenscroft. If Damon was here, he would have recognized him as the old man who destroyed his shadow clone and caused him to go unconscious for half a month.

This was Grand Duke Ravenscroft.

”That’s enough of that, gentlemen,” he said in a stern but weary voice.

”We all agreed to come here because we understand the Temple has grown too powerful. However, it is also not possible to antagonize them.”

He tapped his cane on the ground slowly. The gravity in the room seemed to shift ever so slightly, the air thickening with his presence.

”As the emperor has said, we are in no condition to disagree with each other. It is unwise to bring religion into matters of the state.”

Kadelas closed his eyes, his expression unreadable. He too recognized that this was not the right place.

”I suppose so.... In that case, how do you suggest we deal with the new problem?”

The emperor narrowed his eyes with some concern. He didn’t know; that was why he had called this meeting. The war games had come at an opportune time. This was their chance to freely discuss it all.

”That depends on whatever decision is made here today.”

Cassian glanced at his father, who was just watching with a bored expression. Clearly the old man had no reason to add anything. They already knew his stance.

”Do we have any clue on Ashcroft’s location?”

As soon as he said that, soft murmurs broke out among the rulers of the various continents. Some appeared in the form of light constructs since they couldn’t make it in person. Yet each of them had no clue.

Cassian sighed.

”So we’re all in the dark. All we know is Ashcroft has returned, but not what he looks like or where he is.”

The beast-kin chief from the Wild Continent crossed his arms, his dark hair flowing as his aura rose. His presence was oppressive, his beast-like instincts stirred.

Leon was not impressed.

”You called a meeting without having any clue.... No, you wouldn’t. Which means you do have a clue. What is it? There’s no need to beat around the bush.”

Cassian remembered this person as Leon Valefier. He was the father of the beast-kin girl, Leona Valefier.

However, he wasn’t wrong. Kronos of Valtheron would not call a meeting just to waste their time on something they already knew.

From his chair, Kronos waved his hand. The seating began to shift, the ground morphing into a vast map.

”About half a month ago Ashcroft returned. However, the region where he supposedly returned is a few hundred kilometers off House Ravenscroft’s domain, in an uncharted zone.”

As soon as he said that, all eyes fell on Aspen and the old man with the cane. Did they know about this?

”We have confirmed that there’s nothing there. This is nothing new.”

The voice came from a blue-haired woman seated next to a dark-haired man with bags under his eyes.

They sat just right of the Brightwater household, and to no one’s surprise, the crest behind them was the familiar crest of House Astranova.

This woman would be Lilith’s grandmother.

”Hahahah...” Damian Brightwater chuckled.

”As expected of the old witch of the Astranova household. Nothing gets past you, does it?”

The woman wasn’t actually old-looking. If anything, she looked middle-aged. Then again, none of them looked as old as their actual age would suggest.

”It can’t be helped, you ill-tempered brute. After all, my only granddaughter was in the region. I happened to check on her.”

Kadelas narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening.

”So this Lilith Astranova bore witness to Ashcroft’s return.”

The old woman smiled calmly, her posture relaxed.

”Goddess knows my baby would never be caught anywhere close to that horrible creature. She was visiting the White Barrier with a few friends from the academy.”

Her tone was calm and nonchalant. Cassian couldn’t help but sigh.

’What is it with these old people and their love for their grandchildren? Maybe someone needs to remind her this is a great council of rulers.’

Kronos of Valtheron sighed.

”That’s enough. The fact that some of you are aware of the investigation is fine.”

His eyes narrowed coldly as his tone turned grave.

”However, my daughter, Third Princess Abellona, bore witness firsthand to Ashcroft’s return, along with one other witness who fought him. Someone by the name Damian.”

He closed his eyes, not believing what he was about to say to them.

”Apparently, by her account, he managed to defeat Ashcroft... and forced a retreat... alone.”

As soon as he said those words, there was a moment of silence.

Then, without foreplanning, everyone broke into laughter.

This was an absurd-sounding joke.