Eternal Thief

Chapter 1572: Start of Evernight Trial! (7)

The moment the Yin Duchess acted, the reactions were instant as the Enchantress Demon Duchess’s playful smile vanished, the Corpse Duke’s chains rattled sharply, the three Abyssal King representatives’ expressions turned grave, and even the Dread Duchess’s gaze sharpened.

However, no one stopped her, nor did anyone follow, because no one was foolish enough to believe that going first meant an advantage, nor was it announced that whoever went first would gain any special privilege.

That’s why, instead of going after the arrogant Yin Duchess, everyone decided to observe, for this was the perfect chance to see how the Evernight Trial would proceed with the new rules.

All eyes locked onto the Yin Duchess’s advancing vessel as the Evernight Gate loomed closer, and its bleeding light intensified as if reacting to her approach.

Millions of gazes held their breath, and then, just as the Yin Duchess’s ship was about to cross the final threshold...

BOOM!

An invisible wall slammed into the glacial vessel, and the impact was absolute.

Space trembled violently as the cathedral-ship shuddered and came to a dead halt, frost exploding outward in chaotic spirals. The bow of the vessel cracked audibly, yin-ice splintering like shattered glass.

Thereby, a suffocating stillness followed the invisible collision as frost fragments drifted slowly through space, as the Yin Duchess stood frozen at the prow of her shattered glacial vessel, disbelief still carved across her face.

The Evernight Gate loomed behind her, vast and indifferent, its bleeding light pulsing steadily as if mocking her failed attempt.

”What...?!” Her face twisted instantly, shock melting into fury.

Above it, the three Protector Envoys, who have been silent all this time and watching everything indifferently, one of them finally stirred.

The abyssal sky seemed to sink beneath it as the Envoy stepped forward, lantern dimmed, chains silent, its formless silhouette sharpening just enough to be perceived.

The weight of its existence pressed down like an unseen hand upon the throat of the world before its voice emerged, cold, flat, and impassive.

”Yin Duchess of the Evernight King Circle,” it said, neither loud nor soft,

”You have been acknowledged.”

There was no respect in the words nor reverence, but only recognition, like a blade recognizing flesh.

The Yin Duchess’s eyes flared when she sensed the Protector Envoy’s indifference; not to mention, after just what had happened, she was absolutely furious, knowing everyone had been seen by the entire Abyssal Plains!

”You dare stop me?” She snapped, fury surging like glacial tides, ”I am a Duke of the Evernight! A member of the King Circle! Even Abyssal Kings of Abyssal Plains have to show consideration before me!”

Her voice rang sharp and imperious across the sky as she pointed at the Envoy, killing intent leaking uncontrollably.

”You are nothing but sentinel tools!” she roared. ”If you think you can bar me, I will tear you apart and erase every last one of you from existence!”

A terrifying silence followed her blunt threats, but the Protector Envoy did not react, neither bristle nor retreat. It did not even look offended.

”For now,” the Envoy replied evenly as the words ticked like cold iron, ”only participants may enter.”

”The Evernight Gate currently leads directly to the Trial Grounds,” the Envoy continued, ”...Exalted Dukes, Marquises, and Evernight Nobles are not participants!”

A ripple of unease spread through the watching Evernight Nobles, and even the Evernight Dukes narrowed their eyes ever so slightly.

”Those qualified to enter the Evernight Sanctuary proper,” the Envoy impassively continued, ”...shall wait until the Trial concludes!”

Right at that moment, the lantern’s eye opened slightly, and in that instant, an overwhelming killing intent erupted.

Thereby, a crushing suppression descended like a guillotine of law, locking onto the Yin Duchess alone. Her breath hitched violently as her heart trembled, instinct screaming danger so pure it bypassed pride, bypassed rage, and stabbed straight into her survival instincts.

Her bloodline recoiled while her soul shuddered, and after a long time since that fateful event with the Dread Duchess, fear flickered in her eyes

But before she could speak, the other two Protector Envoys stepped forward, chains rattled once, and space folded inward as the air screamed silently.

All three spoke in unison, their voices merging into a decree that shook the dark skies of the Abyssal Plains...

”This is the order of the Evernight Kings!

”Whoever dares to defy it...shall be punished!”

The moment the words ’Evernight Kings’ were mentioned, a collective chill swept through the Evernight Dukes.

Even the Corpse Duke’s chains fell still. The Enchantress Demon Duchess’s smile vanished completely, her eyes narrowing with genuine caution. The Dread Duchess stood unmoving, but beneath her mask, her gaze sharpened.

As for the Yin Duchess, her lips parted then closed instantly as her fists clenched... then slowly relaxed.

At that moment, everything became clear to everyone, especially those Evernight Nobles who were qualified to enter the Evernight Sanctuary, and they finally realized why the Yin Duchess, an Evernight Duke, had suffered such humiliation at the Evernight Gate.

It wasn’t that the Protector Envoy was trying to make things difficult for the Yin Duchess or trying to rebel against the council; they were just following orders they had received from the highest authority of the Evernight Council, the Evernight Kings!

That’s why the Yin Duchess no longer dared to be arrogant and said nothing, and the silence was absolute.

Sensing her defiance fully died, only then did the Envoy lower the lantern and turn its gaze toward the Abyssal Plains.

Its voice rang out once more, cold and final...

”Those who wish to proceed... may enter.

”Those unqualified, this is your final warning.

”Remain, or suffer judgment from the Evernight Council!”

Done declaring, the three envoys returned to their statue-like state again, leaving the Yin Duchess to wallow in her misery as if they didn’t give a damn about her as long as she wouldn’t defy the will of the Evernight Kings.

At that moment, the Dread Duchess, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke in a commanding tone, ”Since things have become more transparent thanks to the ’efforts’ of the Yin Duchess, we shall proceed!”

Without hesitation, Dread Duchess’s vessel moved as well, and Ace and Eva behind her became more solemn as they knew the time had finally arrived!