Night World Players

Chapter 263 Traitor: You're here to cause trouble, aren't you?

Upon hearing this, gazes from all around the bronze table turned toward the Patriarch of the Iron Cross, filled with a hint of surprise.

After all, everyone understands the saying "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down."

Although the various religious orders and secret forces are temporarily united because of Hiltina, it is clear to everyone that this is only a temporary alliance formed for common interests and is destined to be short-lived.

Even if the plan to hunt down Hiltina during the coronation ceremony succeeds and the Granville Empire falls apart, then... while harvesting faith and seizing believers within the chaotic empire, these sects will also become rivals to each other.

In this situation, how could there be any hotheads who would willingly step forward and sacrifice themselves to benefit others?
The Patriarch of the Iron Cross could only pretend not to see the puzzled looks, or even the looks of disbelief, directed at him.

He was naturally prepared to play it safe and not be reckless... but his master suddenly issued a divine decree, specifically requesting the first divine intervention, leaving him no choice but to speak up.

"Very good, it seems that the Lord of Twilight has also realized how terrifying that newly born Holy Sword Wielder is."

"Even at a great cost, we must kill her before she grows up."

The angel from the tomb guardian's side spoke slowly.

Lord of Twilight, that is the name of the evil god of Deep Blue Harbor.

Although the connection between the Crimson Throne and the present world has been almost severed, as a secret organization passed down from the Age of Gods, the Guardians naturally know the details of the Deep Blue Harbor Evil God.

In the earliest age of gods, the true form of the Deep Blue Harbor Evil God was a Devouring Serpent, a creature with the ability to devour sub-dimensions.

Due to its racial characteristics, its power is greatly enhanced during the brief intervals between night and day, hence the name "Serpent of Dawn and Dusk".

The reason why the descent of that evil god always occurred at 6:30 pm in every time loop when Rast was trapped in Deep Blue Harbor was for the same reason.

"However, our sect's stronghold in the capital has been completely eradicated, and there are no remaining informants left."

"During the enthronement ceremony, the capital city will inevitably be under martial law. It would be extremely difficult to allow a large number of believers to enter and then hold the birth ceremony of the Lord..."

The Iron Cross Patriarch had barely finished speaking.

"I can handle the issue of martial law in the capital."

"However, the specific birth ceremony and the token containing the power of faith need to be carried out by me."

A hoarse, aged voice spoke from the bronze table.

"in addition--"

The owner of that aged voice looked toward the head of the bronze table.

"After this incident, I will have no place to stand in the Order faction of the Empire and even the entire Western Continent."

"When the time comes, don't forget what you promised..."

"of course."

The angel from the gravedigger's side seemed to have been in private contact with the other party before, and answered exceptionally readily at this moment.

"This is your final test before joining the Tomb Keepers."

"Once it is done, you will be one of us tomb guardians, and you will be qualified to have your soul imprinted on the Eternal Night Stele."

"At that time, even if one's lifespan is exhausted, even if one dies and one's soul is extinguished... as long as a trace of the mark remains on the stone tablet, one can return from the long river of history."

"That will be a gift called 'eternity,' a chasm between us and those short-lived, lowly lives."

The words of the gravedigger angel carried a hint of sneer.

"Whether they are the guardians of the shore or those powerful figures who rose to prominence in various eras but refused to compromise for some illusory dreams... in the face of eternity, they are all nothing more than the struggle of ants, both pathetic and laughable."

"For thousands of years, and even into the next era... everything will return to dust, and the past will be buried in the dust of history."

"In the next era, no one will remember their past struggles, or their heroic deeds of throwing themselves into the flame."

"But we, the guardians of the tombs, still reign supreme over the river of time, watching civilizations rise and fall, dynasties flourish and decline."

"Although we recently lost a companion who was about to ascend to angelhood... you should also know that, as a price, the 'Library of Fools' was destroyed—"

"The shore guards have truly become history and no longer exist."

The gravedigger angel paused slightly in his speech.

"And the Granville Empire, and that newly born Holy Swordswoman, Hiltina..."

"Since she refuses our good intentions, then destruction is the only thing that awaits her."

"Just like the countless strong people in past eras who tried to defy the laws of nature and fate, only to be ruthlessly crushed by the wheels of history."

Upon hearing this, the aged voice fell silent for a moment.

“I understand these principles, of course.”

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, wanting to join the gravediggers."

He turned his attention back to the Patriarch of the Iron Cross:

"After this gathering, the specific ritual requirements, materials, and tokens for the divine descent will be conveyed to me through the tomb keeper's channels."

……

The various discussions continued for a long time before finally subsiding on the long bronze table.

Meanwhile, Rust inhabited a wisp of his spirit within the sculpture of the evil god of Deep Blue Harbor, eavesdropping on every single word without missing a single detail.

Only after this secret gathering led by the tomb keeper ended did Rast withdraw his main consciousness from the faint connection between the night world and the present world, leaving only a wisp of spiritual energy remaining in the evil god sculpture, acting as a listening device.

He walked out of the bathroom and sat down on the sofa in his living room in the newly established Canaan town.

Then, he skillfully took out tea leaves from the cabinet and expertly brewed himself a cup of tea.

"It seems there's still a traitor within the Granville Empire."

Last recalled the aged voice that spoke last at the end of that meeting.

"Being able to ignore the martial law in the capital and the royal family, and even orchestrate the process of a ritual for the birth of an evil god... even within the empire, his status must be quite high; he must be a very high-ranking traitor."

"Moreover, the other party seems to have passed the test of the Tomb Keepers and is preparing to betray the Empire and officially join the Tomb Keepers organization after the deed is done."

Last recalled the echoes of the Sixth Age long ago, when he was also playing the double agent, and the information that the legendary Noah of Abundance had described when he invited him.

"To be able to become a formal member of the Tomb Keeper organization directly and leave one's soul imprint on the Eternal Night Stele... in terms of status alone, one must at least be a true legendary powerhouse." "Only those who have truly forged their own legendary path are qualified to be looked at differently by the Tomb Keepers, or even to receive an invitation from them."

"Although legendary powerhouses have extremely long lifespans, given the Granville Empire's resources, it's not surprising that there are still legendary figures from decades or even centuries ago still alive... But a traitor of legendary rank must hold a high position and great power within the empire."

"If this matter is not handled properly, it could cause considerable turmoil."

"Of course, I don't really need to worry about this."

Last raised his ceramic cup, took a small sip of tea, and savored the taste of the brewed tea leaves on his tongue, which had a slightly bitter flavor.

Although he was engaged to Hiltina, the wedding two years ago could not be completed, and they were not officially married. Strictly speaking, Rust is still a student of Star University, not a member of the Granville Empire.

Rast didn't know much about those powerful figures within the empire who had been active decades or even over a hundred years ago and had risen to the legendary rank, so he didn't know where to start if he wanted to catch the traitor.

But this was not originally his task.

Thanks to Rast's intervention, Ophelia's mechanical doll was able to successfully infiltrate the secret gathering organized by the gravediggers.

Ophelia meticulously recorded the speech of the man suspected of being a traitor within the Empire.

Given Last's understanding of Hiltina's sister, the Second Princess, he was not worried at all that Ophelia would be unable to handle this internal traitor after gaining an intelligence advantage.

While Ophelia may be some distance from being a legendary figure in terms of rank, in terms of manipulating people's hearts and minds, Rust doesn't think she's at a disadvantage.

"and--"

Last took another small sip of tea.

In his mind, the meeting with Hiltina and Ophelia's father, the current Emperor Aaron, at the Hailan Mansion resurfaced.

"Such a huge one, and a legendary-level traitor..."

"Could it be that my cheap father-in-law actually discovered it a long time ago, but deliberately left it unattended, intending to use it as bait in the future?"

Although he had only met His Majesty Aaron once two years ago at the Hailan Mansion.

But based on that one-time impression, if His Majesty Aaron were to actually make such a long-term, manipulative move, Rust wouldn't be surprised at all.

To some extent, Rust felt that he and his cheap father-in-law were quite compatible... Rather than being completely unknown and passively waiting for the enemy to come to them, the two of them actually preferred to keep their opponent's whereabouts under their control, find ways to lure them into a trap, and then wipe them out in one fell swoop.

For example, when the Patriarch of the Iron Cross volunteered to be the first to charge into battle and be the vanguard of divine intervention, it was because Rast himself forged the oracle of the evil god of Deep Blue Harbor and then gave the order.

Just kidding, I'm not afraid of those people coming, I'm actually afraid they won't come.

Those tomb keepers hidden behind the curtain of history, and those cultists who can contact the gods on the Throne of the Blazing Sky, if they are truly determined to hide themselves, they will not show themselves no matter how great the floods are outside, and will always be cowards...

Even if it were the current Rast or Hiltina who had been promoted to angel, it would be impossible to completely wipe them out. Many would inevitably escape and become potential threats in the future.

However, the situation is completely different if the other party is willing to show themselves.

Not only the tomb keepers and cultists, but also others are plotting to completely kill Hiltina during the coronation ceremony...

Although they had never communicated directly, Rust knew that Hiltina, like himself, wanted to eliminate all the hidden dangers lurking in the shadows in this battle.

After this battle, many things will be rewritten.

Just like the Battle of the Broken Coast between the Coast Guardians and the Tomb Keepers in the Sixth Era, which determined the future of civilization.

With that thought in mind, Last drank the last drop of tea in his ceramic cup in one gulp.

Outside the window of the wooden cabin, the night was already deep.

The entire town of Canaan was shrouded in the tranquil night, with the pale moonlight pouring down like mercury, creating a serene and gentle atmosphere.

Just as he had experienced countless times when Rast returned to Canaan, as long as he returned to this town, to this familiar wooden house, he was able to heal his wounds and let his heart find peace again.

However, at that moment, Last felt his mental energy stir slightly again.

Using that divine essence as a medium, a faint call once again came from the Western Continent.

Clearly, this was the legendary traitor lurking in the capital, inquiring with Rust about the exact requirements of the descent ritual.

……

Western Continent, Granville Empire, outer city of the capital.

In an abandoned house in a civilian neighborhood.

A tall, gaunt figure, shrouded entirely in a black robe, moved through the abandoned rooms of a residential house, setting up props for a ritual.

Bottles and jars of liquid, the remains of unknown creatures, shimmering magical gems...

There was also a strange array pattern.

"Supreme, great Lord of Twilight, Serpent of Dawn and Dusk—"

"In accordance with the covenant with you, I pray that you would grant us divine grace, bestow upon us the sacred objects to be used in our descent, and inform us of the preparations required for the descent ceremony."

An illusory prayer sounded.

The next moment, a faint white light suddenly shone on the engraved rune array.

In the dim white light, a bronze sculpture slowly materialized, its surface engraved with iron-colored cross patterns, exuding a powerful yet eerie aura.

Without a doubt, this is a sacred object bestowed by the gods.

Immediately afterwards, lines of pale gold text appeared in the void before the black-robed figure.

The man in black robes slowly raised his eyes to look—

"1. Finely chop 1,000 catties of lean pork into minced meat, making sure there is not a single bit of fat on it."

2. Finely chop 1,000 jin of fatty meat into a topping, making sure there isn't a single trace of lean meat on it.

3. Finely chop 1,000 catties of cartilage into a topping, making sure there isn't a single piece of meat on it.

4. Finely chop 1,000 catties of ripe watermelon into a sauce, making sure there is not a trace of raw watermelon.

5. Take one thousand catties of raw melons and eggs...

(End of this chapter)