Chapter 1455: Dread Duchess Varathia
Within the Duskmire Vault’s inner sanctum, a faint pulse echoed through the floor, once, twice—like the heartbeat of some ancient, slumbering leviathan.
Then the air itself parted with silent reverence, and then a graceful, tall figure of the Dread Duchess Varathia stepped forth!
She appeared from the shadows themselves—her form crystallizing out of the very abyssal mist, as if the darkness had merely chosen to reveal what had always been there.
She was tall and impossibly poised, draped in layered robes of black-gold abyssal silk that shimmered like living night. Her skin was pale as soulbone, faintly laced with obsidian runic markings that pulsed with dark spirit Qi.
From her temples curved a regal pair of slender black horns, polished to a mirror sheen; they framed a face of cold, imperious beauty, with sharp lines that suggested both a ruthless intellect and unshakable authority.
Devilish pitch-black eyes like twin wells of midnight with glowing gray irises, the symbol of an Abyssal Devil, but she was slightly different, for her bloodline was extremely pure. Around her, the air felt heavier, as if space itself bent to accommodate her presence.
Trailing behind her, living shadows stirred, shifting in silence as though alive, echoing the heartbeat of their mistress. The Vaultkeeper on his knees, pressing his forehead to the soul-veined marble.
Even the sentinels of soul-forged armor, who knew no fear, seemed to lean imperceptibly forward, their runes brightening in silent deference.
Ace, who had personally felt the terrifying oppression from this regal Abyssal Devil, didn’t dare to show any insolence and bowed deeply, without showing any hint of disrespect. Still, a rare, fleeting anticipation flickered deeply within his dark blue eyes.
"Your Highness!"
The Duchess’s abyssal eyes were fixed on Ace’s figure with a hint of intrigue and slight discontent.
Her pale black lips parted as she spoke, her voice smooth as oiled obsidian yet carrying the weight of a command that could make even souls tremble.
"So..." She said softly, her gaze settling on the flask atop the altar, "Who might you be for my little Diva deemed you fit to grant you the honor of the Ebon Vein Nectar."
Ace had expected this kind of inquiry, and replied with premeditative speech, "I’m but a humble ’Abyss Wanderer’, who has some dealings with Her Highness Evil Diva in the past. Today, I approach her ladyship with a fascinating treasure, and preposterously put a request to see Her Highness, the Duchess."
The Dread Duchess’ eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, and she couldn’t help but look at the hooded ’Abyss Wanderer’ deeply.
An Abyss Wanderer was a title granted to those adventurers who roam in dangerous Wandering Realms and seek treasures and opportunities.
So, Ace’s giving himself an identity as an Abyss Wanderer was just right. Not to mention, an Abyss Wanderer mostly remained a loner and wouldn’t join any group or organizations; they were neutral existences.
Furthermore, Abyss Wanderers are driven mainly by self-interest, and they exchange rare findings, treasures, and even secret information for resources. Even the Evernight Council greatly appreciates them.
The Dread Duchess Varathia also had dealings with Abyss Wanderers, so she wasn’t surprised by her disciple having them as well. But what made Dread Duchess curious about the Abyss Wanderer in front of her was that she couldn’t see through his origin at all, and even felt faint goodwill towards him for no reason.
It was by no means that the Dread Duchess was kind or gentle; in fact, she was dreaded by everyone, and the stories about her were filled with cruelty and viciousness. She was only kind towards her Disciple and indifferent towards everyone.
Yet, this Abyss Wanderer made her feel strange, which only made the Abyssal Devil even curious about him, not to mention he was bold enough to seek her out by using her dear disciple.
"You must be some Abyss Wanderer that even my dear disciple, who disdain all men, would agree to let you use this method to draw my attention." A faint smile curved her lips—neither warm nor cruel, but inscrutable, as if she weighed countless futures behind a single glance.
"Alright, since my disciple deemed you worthy and helped you seek me out like this, I’ll give you a chance to impress me. But if you can’t..." She continued, the regal chill in her tone offset only by the faintest note of curiosity, "Prepare to become a part of Ebon Vein Nectar as a consequence of using my disciple for profits!"
Ace felt a chill running down his spine. He knew this Abyssal Devil wasn’t joking at all, but he wasn’t afraid of not being able to impress her. This plan was formulated after a lengthy debate with Eva, and it could also yield significant benefits from Varathia if she were to take the bait.
"I deserve such a fate if I waste your time, my lord." Ace quickly flattered before he glanced at the Vaultkeeper hesitantly.
The Dread Duchess seemed to have noticed this and said, "Speak freely, Benny is my most trusted servant."
Ace nodded and said, "My lord, I wondered if you have ever heard of Ghost Cultivator?"
The moment ’Ghost Cultivator’ was mentioned, the nonchalant expression of the Dread Duchess suddenly changed, as a hint of disbelief flashed past her eyes, "What did you say? A Ghost Cultivator? Are you perhaps referring to Ghost Race? The biggest enemy of the Evernight Council millions of years ago?"
Even the Vaultkeeper seemed to be astounded and looked at Ace with shock.
’Just as Eva said, the Ghost Race does exist within the Abyss of Wandering Souls, and they were once the biggest enemy of the Evernight Council and were on the same level as them. However, the Evernight Council overcame them before they slaughtered every single Ghost Cultivator and conquered the Abyssal Plains.
’Moreover, any news related to ’Ghost Race’ is treated seriously by the Three Abyssal Races of the Evernight Council. They hate the Ghost Race to their cores and even fear them because the Ghost Race seems to have control over the Wandering Souls and even use them to cultivate...’
Ace’s heart raced as he was still in disbelief after hearing about the Ghost Race from Eva when he revealed the World Space Ring to her and the problem inside it.
This was completely out of his expectation, so his initial plan of letting the Ghost King inside the World Space Ring loose within the Myriad Hollow and seek benefits from the Evernight Council while also getting in their good books.
Eva fully supports this plan, and that’s why they created this massive scheme, which was also a gamble, and it all depends on how much the Evernight Council hates the Ghost Race. While Ace would also make the Ghost King’s life miserable by returning the favor of forcing him to use so much TP without any reason, hundreds of times.
Ace quickly nodded, "Indeed, my lord. I have found a secret hideout of a ’Ghost King’ of the Ghost Race. He seemed to be recovering from some injuries by using wandering souls!"
Dread Duchess’ expression turned solemn as she looked at Ace with a hint of suspicion, "A Ghost King? You mean you have found an ’Abyssal King’ rank Ghost Race member, yet you were able to live to tell the tale? Furthermore, how did you know so much about Ghost Race, and how can you be so sure that it’s a Ghost King?"
Dread Duchess knew very well that a Ghost King meant an Abyssal King Realm Ghost Cultivator, and she was only a Half-Abyssal King. She wasn’t a match for such an entity. But she was skeptical about how this Abyss Wanderer, whose cultivation only seemed to be at the Abyssal Master realm, could find such an existence.
Ace was ready for this exact question and quickly responded, "Please don’t worry, my lord, this information is accurate. I didn’t discover this hideout on my own. In fact, my Master did, you might know his name, the Moonless Wanderer King."
"What? Your master is Moonless Wandering King?!" Dread Duchess’ eyes widened as she was appalled.
The Moonless Wandering King, also known as the King of Abyss Wanderers, was very mysterious and elusive. But the biggest reason for his fame was that the Moonless Wandering King was an Abyssal King who belonged to no organization of the Abyssal Plains.
Furthermore, because of the Moonless Wandering King, the status of the Abyss Wanderers was unique, and they could enjoy what they did in peace.
However, Moonless Wandering King’s whereabouts were always elusive, and not even the Evernight Council could invite him. The last time the Moonless Wandering King appeared was thousands of years ago for a trade with another Abyssal King from another faction, which raised quite a few alarms within the Evernight Council’s King Circle and Abyssal Kings.
Now, this unknown Abyss Wanderer claimed to be the Moonless Wandering King’s disciple was a huge matter that even the Dread Duchess wouldn’t take lightly because the implications behind it are too significant.
Lastly, if this news were trustworthy, then the hideout of the Ghost King should be real, and the Evernight Council would have to take it seriously.
But what Dread Duchess couldn’t understand was why this elusive existence chose the Obsidian Myriad King to send news, and how her disciple got involved with an Abyssal King’s disciple.
Ace knew everything was set, and all he needed was to show his final card!