CHAPTER 372: CHAPTER 196: ONE HOLDING THE UMBRELLA, TWO WALKING TOGETHER (DOUBLE CHAPTER)

Upon hearing Shiayar inquire about him, he hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"According to the latest amendment order issued by Her Majesty the Empress, the Empire’s Military Department and Jurisdiction Bureau are now under the Swordbearer Organization’s jurisdiction."

"And as the highest leader of the Swordbearers, you are, in terms of hierarchy, my direct superior."

"Oh." Shiayar nodded: "Since I’m your direct superior, I happen to want to ask why there’s always a carriage directly under the Military Department parked in front of my house."

"This is an order personally given by Officer Dyres, seemingly coming from Her Majesty’s side." The carriage driver thought for a moment and answered truthfully: "I was ordered to act as your escort along with several other Military Department officers, protecting your safety at all costs."

"At the same time, conduct a thorough inspection of those entering and leaving your residence, especially women, and report to Officer Dyres in real-time to prevent any cults or enemy spies from plotting against you."

I’m on friendly terms with the Evil God, do I really need you, a mere 4-Ring, to guard me?

Dyres... or rather Her Majesty, arranging such a group of escorts for me, is actually for that line about "conducting a thorough inspection of women entering and leaving the residence and reporting in real-time."

I can only say that my second wife truly lives up to her reputation as the Empress known for her iron-fisted methods.

This kind of control and decisiveness, perhaps only I can handle it.

That being said, this guy dares to answer so bluntly.

Just like that, he sold out those two awkward succubuses and the Empress... Aren’t you afraid of being punished when you return to the Military Department?

As Shiayar looked at the carriage driver in front of him, a trace of sympathy emerged in his eyes: "What an honest kid, what’s your name?"

"Lulu, Lulu. Lamperouge."

"Nice name, you don’t happen to have a buddy named Vermilion Bird, do you?"

Upon hearing Shiayar’s quip, the carriage driver was slightly taken aback: "I didn’t expect Lord Shiayar to know even this; I indeed have a comrade codenamed Vermilion Bird in the Military Department."

"Before being assigned to your escort mission, we both worked in the ’Black Knight Order,’ a top team of the Military Department named in tribute to the legendary Black Knight Cain from the founding era."

Shiayar remained silent for a long time: "Your Military Department really has a wealth of talent."

...

This was Shiayar’s second visit to the Dark Night Garden.

Because during his first visit, the Queen of the Night’s unusual attitude was evident, and since Shiayar was always a master of risk aversion, he was extremely cautious regarding such unclear attitudes. So after discovering such anomalies, Shiayar tried to avoid dealings with the Dark Shadow Council.

However, now that the misunderstanding was cleared and the reason for that unusual attitude was investigated, Shiayar naturally arrived this time with much more confidence.

Even if Augutina really wants to settle accounts with him for abducting a young dragon and riding her humiliation, Shiayar at least now has the ability to protect himself.

He was greeted again by the previous person in charge of the Dark Night Garden.

However, their strength had improved, from Peak 5-Ring to 6-Ring.

"It is a great honor to meet you, Lord Shiayar."

The person in charge bowed respectfully: "By the leader’s order, your current authority in the Dark Night Council is equivalent to that of the leader."

"Any classified information, historical archives, or even all extraordinary materials stored in the Dark Shadow Council... even the seventeen sacred relics possessed by the Council, except those currently used by the leader, can be freely allocated by you."

"If you are willing, even selling the Dark Night Garden and converting it into money is not a problem."

"The leader’s order?"

Shiayar was slightly surprised.

"Augutina knows I’m coming?"

"Is she unable to see me now?"

"Yes."

The person in charge nodded respectfully: "The leader has been in seclusion for some days, and the location of her retreat is unknown to anyone."

"However, your internal authority in the Dark Night Council has actually been adjusted long ago."

"According to our internal classification standards, your confidentiality and authority levels have exceeded the ’Deathbringer Angel’ level, reaching the ’Prometheus’ level."

Perhaps fearing Shiayar might not understand this special term, the person in charge specifically added a few words.

"’Prometheus’ is a hidden level within our Dark Shadow Council, also known as ’Fire Thief’ level."

"This is the highest level of authority and privilege, surpassing all heads and higher-ups of the Dark Shadow Council. Before you, only the leader herself was at this level."

Prometheus—

And, Fire Thief.

Shiayar’s gaze flickered.

He was certainly not unaware of the connotations of these two terms.

Or rather, these two baseless terms originate from him.

After all, not long ago, he had personally told Hathaway the story of Prometheus bringing fire to humanity, only to be imprisoned on a cliff in ’Xaya’s Flying House.’

And relying on his current spiritual power, Shiayar also clearly remembered that when he narrated this story, Ye was lying atop his head, eavesdropping.

If the previous ones were only overly coincidental conjectures, then the exposure of these hidden levels of ’Prometheus’ and ’Fire Thief’ in the Dark Night Council could completely confirm Shiayar’s previous suspicions.

Augutina is indeed Ye.

But—

"In deep seclusion..."

Shiayar pondered this phrase.

As a pureblood Dragon of the Night, a Fabled Species by birthright, theoretically, there should be no bottlenecks for Ye.

"Are you truly in seclusion..."

"Or simply avoiding your dark past... avoiding me, an arrogant beastmaster aiming to become a Dragon Knight?"

Shiayar voiced softly to himself.

However, regardless, at least with the help from the Dark Shadow Council, Shiayar’s purpose for this visit was achieved.

Although he originally had the backing of the Empire and the White Tower, the two are different from the Dark Shadow Council.

The Empire itself had been weak for a long time and only recently started recovering from its decline, it was still in a period of reconstruction, so the national treasury was naturally not abundant.

The White Tower, at its core, is an educational force with a heritage of only five hundred years, and although they have accumulated quite a bit of wealth, they lack in sacred relics because of the absence of Legendary Rank powerhouses.

Whereas, the Dark Shadow Council is the kingpin of the Western Continent’s gray world, the largest arms and intelligence dealer...

With a thousand-year legacy, the information and sacred relics accumulated within are in vast quantities.

And what Shiayar must face in the First Era is that old Sun God from the Glorious Era.

That is not a being that can be defeated just by throwing more money... Compared to pure Rhine gold coins, sacred relics and intelligence are much more effective preparations.

And what he needs to do next is naturally just one thing—

"Ennie, in the upcoming months, we might not be able to return to the Garden of Eden; I’m afraid such a haven of gentleness would dull my will."

The tender night from last night was also Shiayar’s last act of indulgence he allowed himself.

Though he always considered himself lustful, he never lost sight of priorities.

A blonde girl nodded and took Shiayar’s hand: "Yes."

"Then, let’s begin."

Shiayar smiled.

"Bring the best sword in the village, recruit the best teammates, complete the tedious tasks, and gather all necessary countermeasures."

"Then painstakingly prepare all strategies and intelligence."

"And then, once all preparations are perfect and nothing more can be improved—"

"Push open the door to the top floor of the Demonic Tower."

...