Deep within the Knox Mountains, known as the Spine of the Guardian, between the Southern Mantina Territory and the Southern Krety Empire.

In the dim light, an ancient temple stood silently.

This was a hidden mountain belly, surrounded by steep stone walls, like a masterpiece jointly carved by nature and human wisdom. Even careful exploration would hardly reveal a dilapidated temple hidden beneath a dark and sealed enchantment.

Inside the temple, several clusters of lights flickered, the light and shadows appearing and disappearing, casting several dark figures.

In the center of the main hall, around a stone conference table exquisitely carved with ancient craftsmanship, several people were either sitting or standing, like the protagonists of a silent drama.

Their attire was unremarkable. Even if they walked out of the temple, people would only think they were hunters, geologists, or explorers in the Knox Mountains. Some were even as plain as commoners, but at this moment, they all exuded an extraordinary aura, like a well-trained theater troupe putting down their acting and returning to standby mode.

Until who knows how long had passed.

"Duchess Hyperion is back."

A voice rang out.

Unlike the people around the conference table, the figure standing on the pulpit quietly gazed at the dim rose window and spoke to them.

In an instant, the figures around the conference table all looked towards the pulpit, at the black-robed clergyman who had appeared there at some unknown time.

"And she went to the home of a wealthy merchant in the Southern Mantina Territory. Just right, now the plan can be brought forward. You don't have to spend time infiltrating the royal capital, Ikeryte."

"Lord Salomon."

All the archpriests present bowed to him.

This was undoubtedly excellent news for them.

Duchess Hyperion, whom they had been waiting for for so long, had finally appeared. Their mission was to assist the vampires in killing Duchess Hyperion.

The most difficult step was undoubtedly infiltrating the royal capital, Ikeryte, under the watchful eye of High Priest Loren, and then setting up a deadly trap.

Now that Duchess Hyperion had taken the initiative to leave the royal capital, everything was far too simple.

"Don't be careless, or Phoenix's failure will be your fate."

Archfiend Salomon's dark eyes seemed to pierce through everything. Even his blurred outline exuded a suffocating pressure. When his gaze slowly turned to the archpriests, those who had just shown a slight hint of joy could not help but shudder.

Unlike Archfiend Adeline, who was a few years younger than Archfiend Salomon, Salomon had already reached the seventh tier and entered the realm of true transcendence. Even when facing ordinary eighth tiers, he was not without the power to fight.

The gap between the sixth and seventh tiers was like the dividing line between mortals and gods, and the difference between ants and humans. For most races, once crossed, they would truly possess incredible vitality and combat power.

"Yes, Lord."

The archpriests all nodded.

They naturally understood that the Archfiend's warning was not just a simple admonition, but a truly important reminder.

Phoenix, the direct soldier who had previously infiltrated the Ikeryte Academy visiting team from the Yaroran Royal Academy, had clearly carried the [Spark of Destruction] and the [Grand Puppet Theater] to assassinate Duchess Hyperion, but had failed to make any waves in Ikeryte. He had even defected to High Priest Loren, making it difficult to guess what had happened.

Perhaps Loren was more mysterious than imagined, not such a simple and open high priest, or perhaps Hyperion had a mysterious powerhouse protecting her, capable of silently controlling Phoenix.

According to the vampires' predictions, in order to defuse that assassination attempt without any preparation or prediction, there was likely an unknown eighth tier by Hyperion's side.

But this time, they were prepared.

"In addition, it seems that a cardinal from the Northern Continent has also been heading south recently. Although his specific location and purpose for heading south are unknown, judging from the direction, he may encounter us. In any case, do not easily provoke clergymen from unknown branches."

Archfiend Salomon seemed to have no emotional fluctuations. His calm voice was an invisible command, causing every archpriest present to feel an irresistible force.

"If there is a chance to find his true form, please contact me immediately."

"Yes, Lord Salomon."

The priests responded piously.

The movements of the cardinal who had suddenly arrived were now the focus of attention for several bishops in the Southern Continent.

He seemed to be looking for something, and his goal was very clear. He was like a comet, heading south all the way without stopping.

Although it was unlikely that the Northern Continent bishop was related to the feud between the vampires and Duchess Hyperion.

But the existence of a cardinal was an unknown variable. It was best not to provoke him for no reason and trigger unnecessary chain reactions.

In the dark space, the heartbeats of several archpriests accelerated. They also felt the heavy pressure of the plan. If there were any mistakes, this terrifying Archfiend could do anything.

During this period, they would gather near the Wilford family's residence, and at the same time, they would have to find a way to infiltrate the Wilford family to keep abreast of information about Duchess Hyperion at all times.

"Do not worry about sacrifices. Strive for any favorable information at all costs, even if it means living in the Wilford family's yard."

In the Destruction Branch, failure was always more terrifying than death.

However, the new cardinal who might intrude with a very small probability was not necessarily a bad thing for him.

For example, within the territory of the Hutton Kingdom, as long as the information about the cardinal was sent to High Priest Loren, High Priest Loren would naturally come to deal with the new cardinal.

Compared to strength, wisdom was also part of strength. Reasonably utilizing the special environment and all possibilities of using wolves to drive away tigers, it was not impossible to find a once-in-a-lifetime flaw in a cardinal.

Salomon's gaze focused on every archpriest present, as if he saw through their thoughts, or as if no one entered his eyes. He was merely announcing that everything was ready, and the grand killing drama was about to begin.

...

Hutton Kingdom, Royal Capital Ikeryte.

At ten o'clock in the morning, the summer heat had replaced the freshness of spring, but the sunlight still carried a hint of softness that had not faded. Under this radiance, the ancient buildings of the Sage Academy seemed to be given new life. The outlines of the buildings were clearer, and the plants on the windowsills were even more vibrant under the sunlight.

On the fifth floor of the main building of the Sage Academy, Loren sat at his desk, staring at the secret letter in his hand, lost in thought.

The floor-to-ceiling window on one side of his office almost occupied the entire wall. Natural light illuminated the room, making the right half of his body bathed in this golden glow appear particularly dazzling, while his left hand holding the secret letter clung to the shadows.

Loren tapped lightly on the desk. Various documents and books were placed on the smooth and glossy brown solid wood surface, as well as a magic lamp in the shape of an elf.

Loren looked at the secret report, his face expressionless.

More than a month ago, the changes in the situation in the Northern Continent had brought a series of impacts. It seemed that the peace talks between the Estherland Kingdom and the Protos Empire in the Northern Continent were very successful. For some reason, the Ice Witch had the intention of visiting the church in the Southern Continent.

The absurdity was.

There were rumors that he, Loren, had personally gone to the Northern Continent!

What was all this about?

But then again.

He had already adapted in advance, having endured too much gossip some time ago.

No matter what others gossiped about or what happened in the days to come, he believed that he could accept it calmly.

(End of this chapter)