In the central region, within the Eternal Night Fortress, Ye Yan was sitting by the window, engrossed in a history book. By her side, Ma Ge stood, looking thoroughly uncomfortable.
A knock sounded, and a baron entered, carrying a stack of battle reports. He bowed to Ye Yan and carefully placed the reports on the shelf. Her desk was already piled high with documents, unable to hold any more. The baron bowed again and then withdrew.
As soon as the baron left, another knock came.
“Enter,” Ye Yan said, sounding slightly lazy.
A demonic duke entered, performing an elaborate bow before asking, “Your Highness, have you read the battle reports from these past days?”
Ye Yan remained silent, but Ma Ge flared up, angrily rebuking, “Watch your address! Lord Luo Luo Ni!”
Luo Luo Ni arrogantly replied, “There is no room for a mere glory marquess to speak here!”
Ma Ge’s face turned beet red, enraged to the point of wanting to strike, yet knowing he was no match. He nearly went mad with frustration.
Ye Yan finally lifted her eyelids, calmly saying, “If you think killing you would affect my relationship with the Eternal Flame, you are mistaken.”
Luo Luo Ni sneered, “In what way?”
Ye Yan replied indifferently, “My relationship with him cannot get any worse. Killing you would make no difference.”
Luo Luo Ni’s expression finally changed, and he bowed slightly, saying, “I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness. But I am indeed here on the orders of Emperor Eternal Flame. If you kill me here, it will put His Majesty in a difficult position.”
Ye Yan’s gaze returned to her book, “What did the Eternal Flame send you to do?”
“The Emperor is deeply concerned about the recent battles. He has heard… some unfavorable rumors. So he sent me to check on the progress of the front lines.” As he spoke, Luo Luo Ni glanced meaningfully at the stack of documents on the desk.
“Everything is proceeding smoothly.”
“How can that be when I’ve heard otherwise?”
“What exactly have you heard?”
Luo Luo Ni raised his voice, “I’ve heard that someone is completely ignoring military affairs, leading to repeated defeats on the front. Now, even the Stormrider has fallen into the hands of the human race!”
Ye Yan responded coolly, “If they don’t heed my words, such a fate is natural. As for the Stormrider, it belongs neither to the blood kin nor to your kind. The Eternal Flame understands this and wouldn’t make an issue out of it, unless…”
Suddenly, Ye Yan lifted her head, her eyes flashing with murderous intent, “Unless you intend to use this as an excuse!”
In an instant, Luo Luo Ni felt as if he were plunged into an icy pit, his mind filled only with Ye Yan’s eyes, unable to move!
Ye Yan walked over, raising her hand and delivering a resounding slap. Though the slap was not particularly hard, Luo Luo Ni was knocked to the ground, unable to rise for a long time.
After delivering the slap, Ye Yan returned to her seat, picking up her book again, and said, “Since you despise the glory marquess, return to that rank and experience it once more.”
Luo Luo Ni groaned, struggling to stand but nearly falling again. His aura plummeted, barely stabilizing at the level of a glory marquess. Shocked and angry, he cried, “What did you do to me?”
“If you don’t leave, even that rank might not be yours for long,” Ye Yan said, without looking up.
“Emperor Eternal Flame will not let you get away with this!” Luo Luo Ni spat, then hurriedly departed.
Once he left, Ye Yan said, “Close the door.”
Ma Ge obediently closed the door and stood straight, like a schoolboy.
Ye Yan approached her desk, picked up a few of the top battle reports, read them carefully, and sighed.
Ma Ge held his breath, not daring to make a sound.
Ye Yan set down the reports and moved to the window, seemingly talking to herself, “Sarion is very talented and ambitious. I had hoped he could achieve something.”
Ma Ge said, “Lord Sarion has always been the pride of our blood kin. Has he… fallen?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Ma Ge regretted them. With the Stormrider lost, Sarion’s fate was dire. Otherwise, a gun like the Stormrider would never be abandoned, even at the cost of one’s life.
Ye Yan sighed, “He was too arrogant. I warned him never to fight that person alone, but he clearly didn’t listen. How can I face the Azure King now?”
Ma Ge agreed, “Indeed! When I saw that man, my mind went blank, and I ran. That’s how I survived.”
Ye Yan looked at him, “Do you have such foresight?”
Ma Ge said, “It’s a natural ability, sensing potential danger. And also…”
“Go on.”
Ma Ge admitted, “I thought anyone close to you would be at your level, which we could never match. Since I couldn’t win, running was the only option.”
Ye Yan smiled, “You are quite honest.”
“Indeed, too honest. Your Highness, when do you plan to let me go back?”
“Back for what? To die?”
“Die?” Ma Ge was confused.
“Then what do you want to go back for?”
“I promised Qian Ye I would return. If I can’t serve him, at least I must deliver the ransom to him to find peace.”
Ye Yan said, “Stay by my side for now. We’ll discuss these matters after the final battle.”
“Final battle? My presence or absence won’t affect the outcome, right?” Ma Ge had some self-awareness.
“Of course not.” Ye Yan glanced at him, “Remember, we still owe the New World two dukes, right?”
“Yes, but I don’t see how that involves me. The gap between a glory marquess and a duke is significant; I can’t replace them.”
Ye Yan glared at him, “If we can’t provide two dukes, we can substitute one with a few more glory marquesses.”
“That’s cheating! That’s unacceptable!” Ma Ge jumped up.
After realizing his outburst, he quickly quieted down.
Ye Yan ignored him and continued reading.
Standing by, Ma Ge couldn’t help himself, “Your Highness, the demonic kin are becoming increasingly disrespectful. Even speaking to you without respect. It’s intolerable! You gave that guy the lesson he deserved.”
“Just a lesson? He will never return to the rank of duke.” Ye Yan smiled, “But not killing him can be considered a lesson.”
Ma Ge gaped, “One slap, and… he’s…”
Ye Yan didn’t explain, “I’m only a duke myself, so their titles are still above mine.”
“But that’s different. You’re a great figure awakened.”
Ye Yan sighed, remaining silent. Ma Ge stood statue-like, knowing that Ye Yan, once immersed in a book, might read for days. Standing still for a day was not a challenge for a glory marquess.
The day passed, with Ye Yan engrossed in her book, while the baron delivering reports became increasingly anxious. Yet, no one dared disturb her after Luo Luo Ni’s example. When the desk overflowed, reports piled on the cabinet, and eventually, on the floor.
The frequency of report deliveries increased, and even Ma Ge, risking his life, suggested, “Your Highness, should we see what’s happening?”
“Probably another line of defense breached,” Ye Yan said, indifferent.
Ma Ge was stunned, “Another breach? How many lines now? Are the humans at our doorstep?”
“Even if they reach the doorstep, they won’t attack here. He isn’t foolish.”
Looking at the now lifeless Ye Yan, Ma Ge thought perhaps the person didn’t know Ye Yan was there, thus sparing the fortress.
Meanwhile, in the vast Dark Sun Valley, a group of human warriors marched swiftly. They were few, ragged, and armed with broken weapons, many wielding dark race armaments. Yet, each man moved with the speed of the wind and the ferocity of a tiger, exuding a deadly aura.
At the front, Qian Ye led, with Duke Minghai and Duke Wenyuan flanking him.
Duke Minghai, now revitalized, his eyes sharp, had regained much of his black hair, showing signs of rejuvenation.
Duke Wenyuan, though thinner and bandaged, was now as sharp as a sword, no longer the sullen scholar.
Qian Ye suddenly stopped, gazing into the distance.
Duke Minghai and Duke Wenyuan looked but saw nothing.
Qian Ye pointed, “There’s a black flame pillar, likely the gateway to the true New World.”
Duke Minghai said, “When Marshal Zining built the Central Fortress, I was there. In this valley, there’s only one pit and one black flame pillar. Such a spectacle is unimaginable.”
Duke Wenyuan added, “This pillar burns with dark essence, who knows how much lies beneath. It’s terrifying.”
Qian Ye squinted, looking elsewhere, silent for a long time.
“What is it, sir?”
“A dark race fortress, larger than the one Zining built.”
“Are we to attack?” Duke Wenyuan asked, oblivious to the small number of men behind him.
Throughout their journey, regardless of the enemy’s numbers, they attacked, never retreating, breaking through countless defenses to reach the heart of Eternal Night.
Duke Minghai and Duke Wenyuan couldn’t see the dark fortress from their vantage, but Qian Ye could.
He gazed into the distance, then shook his head, “No need.”
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