Eternal Thief

Mirage Shadow remained silent, unsure of how to respond to Ace anymore.

After all, she was following the Dread Duchess’s instruction never to let him leave their sight, but she didn’t dare to meddle in the business of an Abyssal King, not even the Dread Duchess!

In the end, she replied with the only possible response she could think of at that moment, “Please give me a moment, I’ll need to contact her highness. This matter can’t be decided by me alone.”

“Sure.” Ace dismissively nodded as if he wasn’t worried about the Dread Duchess’s response at all.

However, inwardly, he was still vigilant and slightly nervous, fearing the Dread Duchess might demand to see his master’s mission personally. Yet, the chances of that happening were close to none, as even she wouldn’t dare to question an Abyssal King!

After receiving Ace’s confirmation, Mirage Shadow vanished into the darkness again and quickly made her way towards a hidden chamber. This secret chamber was carved so deep within the blackstone foundations that even sound seemed afraid to linger here.

The air was stagnant, suffused with the oppressive scent of aged shadows. The walls themselves pulsed faintly, veins of abyssal runes weaving like scars across their surface.

At the very center lay a circular dais inlaid with a complex formation. Its lines were etched in blood-red crystal, each rune coiled like a serpent waiting to awaken.

This was no ordinary communication array—it was an Oathbound Conduit, one of the most secure formations in the entire Obsidian Myriad Kingdom. It connected directly to only one being: Her Highness, the Dread Duchess!

Mirage Shadow stepped onto the dais, her figure blurring as though she were fading back into the dark that birthed her. She pressed her claw-tipped hand into the grooves of the formation.

The next moment, abyssal Qi stirred immediately, the runes lighting up one by one until the entire chamber was drenched in sinister crimson luminescence.

The silence cracked, and from the heart of the array, a voice drifted out—distant, yet so intimate that it brushed against the marrow of the listener.

It was lazy, melodic, dripping with charm, yet every syllable carried a razor of indisputable authority, “Mirage Shadow… you disturb my time with my disciple, you should give me a good reason not to punish you.”

Even as the words caressed the chamber, Mirage Shadow felt as though her soul was being weighed against bloodlust itself. She lowered her head instantly, her already blurry form trembling under the weight of that voice.

“Forgive this servant, Your Highness,” She rasped, her tone steeped in reverence, “The matter concerns the young lord placed under your shadow. He requests to leave the Duskmire Vault…under the reason of a task issued by his master!”

The runes pulsed harder, the crimson glow deepening until the air grew heavy with abyssal essence, and for a heartbeat, there was only silence.

Then the Duchess’s voice returned, lighter this time, like a silken thread winding around one’s throat, “Interesting…what is this task about and where is his destination. Could it be about the Ancient Abyssal Permit?”

Towards the end, her voice was barely audible as if she was talking with herself, but Mirage Shadow didn’t dare to reply and pretended not to hear anything.

She replied selectively yet respectfully, “Your Highness, the young lord said the task required him to visit the Black Hermit City, and he said that it would only take him a short time to accomplish it. In fact, the Young Lord asked me to use the teleportation channel and didn’t ask to go alone. I now wait for your instructions!”

After a fleeting moment, a faint chuckle followed, melodious and dangerous, echoing through the chamber like an enchantress whispering inside one’s mind, “He’s made it sound like as if I’m holding him as a prisoner. He’s my esteemed guest, and right now he’s under the protection of the Evernight Council, so I must ensure his safety till he stays with us.

“Those few of the other Dukes have already seen him, and I’m sure they’ll make a move against him to rope him in if they knew he had left the capital. Especially the Yin Duchess. Nonetheless, since it’s related to the esteemed Moonless Wandering King, I must lend a hand and shouldn’t delay this task.”

The Dread Duchess’s voice turned cold and commanding, “Mirage Shadow!”

Mirage Shadow instantly kneeled and replied with reverence, “Subordinate is ready to serve!”

Dread Duchess ordered in a measuring tone, “Follow Lord Nomad, and ensure his safety above everything else, even if it kills you; you mustn’t let any harm come to him.

“Although I’m sure there won’t be any problem as long as his whereabouts weren’t leaked to those Dukes who are eyeing him, still, if anyone dares to approach, and you find them suspicious, you have my permission to eliminate them without mercy.

“Moreover, as long as it’s not too excessive, lend a hand to Lord Nomad, or if things are dangerous, force him to retreat even if he’s against it. Lastly, as soon as this task is complete, return immediately; the time for departure has already been set.

“The gates of the Evernight Sanctuary will be opened in 9 days, and this time, they are opening especially for Lord Nomad. The council didn’t want any mishaps, or I would be held accountable.

“Oh, and if possible, try to record everything, but do it discretely, especially if there’s a chance that Lord Nomad is meeting with his master and about to hand over the Ancient Abyssal Permit. If the Moonless Wandering King discovered you, apologize with your life!” Her tone was emotionless and without any warmth when she issued her last order.

However, Mirage Shadow didn’t find that command excessive or felt resentful because she knew if she was really discovered spying on an Abyssal King, it would directly implicate the Dread Duchess, and as a loyal servant, her first duty was never to sully her master’s reputation or put her in danger.

So, dying was normal for her, and the same sentiment was instilled among the other loyal servants of the Dread Duchess as well.

Mirage Shadow prostrated herself and solemnly stated, “I’ll obey the command of the Duchess of Dread in life and death!”

“Good!” The Dread Duchess sounded pleased before she issued another order, “Now, before you go, tell ’Abyssal Hound’ to go look for Benny (Vaultkeeper). He hasn’t returned after capturing that arrogant fool; it’s unlike Benny, and I can’t reach him. Perhaps that arrogant fool has some skills, and he managed to escape the Wandering Realms. I want to know where Benny is before I leave for the Evernight Sanctuary!”