Town West City, City Lord Mansion.
Lofty buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, their ends invisible.
It was deep into the night, and the Aino continent, shrouded in grey mist, seemed even more somber. Within the expansive grounds of the City Lord Mansion, only a few areas glowed faintly. Most were engulfed in darkness so thick it seemed to devour those who entered.
Zabol took a deep breath and decided against using the main entrance.
The Iron Blood Duke, though a liberal noble, was still a Duke, the sovereign of Town West City. Meeting him through normal channels wasn't easy. Zabol didn't want to waste time. Besides, sneaking into Town West City and then into the City Lord Mansion was nothing new to him.
Unconsciously, he had adopted a straightforward and aggressive approach.
Zabol leaped towards the central area of the City Lord Mansion.
He wasn't fast, cautiously vigilant along the way. He didn't conceal his presence much, as he wasn't there to assassinate.
A beam of light shot out within the City Lord Mansion. Zabol's figure shifted, but he was still hit by the beam.
He wasn't hurt, but the next moment, he lit up like a human light bulb, glaringly conspicuous in the dark.
It was an alert and tagging array!
The guards of the mansion immediately rushed over, surrounding Zabol.
Zabol remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the guards, finally resting on a burly man with a heavy killing aura.
Their auras interacted with each other.
"Are you Transcendent? What's your purpose for sneaking into the City Lord Mansion?" the burly Captain Level guard asked warily.
Zabol shrugged, "I'm just here to see the Iron Blood Duke…"
"The Duke is not someone you can just decide to see whenever you want!" the burly man snapped, "Everyone, step back, let me handle him."
His aura burst forth, the dense Blood Evil Qi almost materializing, solidifying into a ferocious red armor that clung to his skin.
Blood Evil Condensation Method!
Zabol's expression slightly tightened. The title of Iron Blood Duke stemmed not only from the Duke's strong handed tactics and style but was also significantly related to his mastery of the "Blood Evil Condensation Method."
This was a Secret Technique that grew stronger with more slaughter, thickening the Blood Evil Qi.
This was his first encounter with it.
The clash between a long sword and bloody gauntlets sent a terrifying gust sweeping around.
The Guard Captain from the City Lord Mansion was sent flying backward, his armor of condensed Blood Evil Qi cracking densely from where the gauntlets had struck.
Zabol had the upper hand with that strike, but he didn't pursue further.
He was deeply impressed.
Had it been two months earlier, he certainly wouldn't have… no, he definitely would not have been a match for this Transcendent. Their realms were comparable, but he came from humble beginnings, while his opponent wielded the "Blood Evil Condensation Method." A fight would have shown his defeat within five to six minutes.
A mere casual slash from him had sent the opponent flying hundreds of meters.
It wasn't just about his higher realm. He now possessed various pieces of equipment and Combat Skills that were once beyond his imagination. His perspective had broadened immensely, and looking back, the once crucial "Blood Evil Condensation Method" seemed quite ordinary by comparison.
Zabol didn't pursue, and the burly man along with other guards of the City Lord Mansion didn't dare to act rashly either. They merely pointed their weapons, encircling Zabol in the center.
City Lord Mansion was filled with one transcendent aura rising after another.
Zabol's gaze settled on the young man leading the pack, who, though dressed in precious silk, bore an even thicker aura of evil.
he looked different from the Iron Blood Duke in his memory, didn't he?
After dismissing the other guards, leaving only a few transcendent beings locking onto Zabol.
The Iron Blood Duke asked, "You said you are from the Royal Capital?"
"What is the situation in the Royal Capital?"
"The old folks at the Royal Capital have abandoned our Town West City, haven't they?"
"Royal Court's lapdog, what purpose do you have sneaking into the City Lord Mansion?!"
Seeing several transcendents on the verge of erupting, Zabol could no longer remain calm; he couldn't let the blunders of the Royal Capital ruin his efforts.
"I was once a man of the Royal Capital, but today, I represent not the Royal Capital."
Zabol didn't wait for others to speak; he quickly continued, "You probably know better than I the state of most of the nobility in the Royal Capital. I used to serve there as the commander of a corps with hundreds of soldiers. Our corps was also the only armed force from the entire Royal Capital that conducted investigations outside; the others were just idly getting by, never stepping out beyond the high walls of the Royal Capital, unconcerned with the survival of cities like yours."
"Even the corps under my command wasn't supported by the Royal Court. After decades of exploring the outside world without substantial results, and with countless members dying or getting injured, I knew that without stepping out of the city walls and uncovering the truth behind the Black Tide, the so-called peace of the Royal Capital was false and would one day dissolve like foam!"
"I believe that our efforts, our sacrifices, will not be in vain. One day, we will tear open the sky that envelops the world, allowing our descendants to live under the nourishment of sunlight!"
His words indeed came from the heart, touching everyone present.
"How can you prove what you've said?"
"No need for proof. My visit today has nothing to do with the Royal Capital. I represent a different powerful force, seeking to collaborate with Town West City. We come with sincerity, but..." Zabol looked around, "I find your City Lord Mansion too weak, and I am considering proposing to my superior to cancel this cooperation."
Other than the Iron Blood Duke, several transcendents acted out simultaneously, the entire City Lord Mansion shining as bright as the blazing sun. Had everyone not restrained themselves, the grand City Lord Mansion could have become ruins in moments.
In the midst of this blazing confrontation, Zabol, on his own, contended against several transcendents without falling behind.
Finally, the Iron Blood Duke waved his hand, and both parties separated.
Having demonstrated his strength, and merely being a representative, the few transcendents from the City Lord Mansion immediately became much more cautious.
Zabol also figured out why the Iron Blood Duke was different from the one in his memory.
The Duke from his memories had died in a battle against terrifying Dark Creatures when the Black Tide first erupted decades ago. Later, the Duke's eldest son also went missing during a deep investigation into the Black Tide.
Now, the one who had inherited the title of Duke was the second son, More Garcia.
Both the strength of the City Lord Mansion and Town West City had declined more than Zabol had anticipated.
The Black Tide, indeed, was not as simple as it appeared.
The weakness of the City Lord Mansion was, however, beneficial for our Green Shadow.
Zabol revealed a smile.
In contrast, the countenance of the Iron Blood Duke was filled with gravity.
"You said you represent a powerful force from somewhere? Now that the Black Tide threatens to end the world, what powerful force could there be on Aino Continent besides the Royal Court?"
"Aino Continent may not have one, but we indeed... come from Outer Heaven."