Chapter 7042. Happy Family
Walter's pupils refocused, he took a deep breath and asked in a low voice: "Ryan, did I just shout it out?"
"Your voice echoes throughout Clar Karond."
Walter looked at Ryan with a stiff face. Ryan patted Walter's shoulder and said with a smile: "No, you didn't make any sound. Sit here and rest for a while. I have to go pick up my brother."
At the same time, Hag Graves was also holding Haniel Hara.
Malus Darkblade was going through the same thing, hatred boiling in his mind and muscles, black poison filling his veins, and the desire to tear flesh and blood tormented him. He wanted his enemies to squirm and stink, crying for mercy.
Malus stood up, his steps stronger and more purposeful, and he walked out the gate to the outer court, which opened silently before him. In the distance, many lesser nobles and their families were waiting, unworthy of the Night Warden's hospitality. Instead, they tortured themselves in their own way, cutting and piercing their bodies as a sign of loyalty.
The air was thick with the scent of blood, and the outer court, where the lower-class nobles resided, had a festive atmosphere. Servants carried trays of food and wine as they passed among the nobles. Laughter, sighs of pleasure, and screams of pain rose like musical notes amidst the chatter. Malus watched the haunted faces of the departing nobles, whispering among themselves. He observed it all with disdain, forcing his body to move forward.
At the end of the line, a small group of dignitaries were waiting. After a moment, Malus noticed that one of the three dignitaries was looking at him with interest. He forced himself to recognize the face, but he couldn't remember the name.
The nobleman was of medium height, a bit gaunt, the gauntness of his youth still lingering. His head was shaved, save for a pirate-like topknot, and glittering wreaths adorned his pointed ears. A wispy goatee draped his narrow chin, and his dark pupils, dilated with excitement, seemed to glitter with hidden knowledge.
"Who is this self-righteous idiot?"
Malus frowned as he looked at the fool. The fool's noble robe was made of good Kaitan material, but lacked trimming. The leather almost reached the fool's knees, and the Hadrica around his neck was the mark of a dark red mountain.
"Nice to meet you, sir." The fool bowed his head and said in a pretentious manner. He then asked softly, "Are you satisfied with the gifts I prepared in Clar Karond?"
Malus knew who the fool was, Furlan Barr, his cousin, he observed carefully. The fool had come to secure peace between Hag Graves and the Nagor, a recent settlement after decades of bitter and bloody feuding. As such, the fool enjoyed a degree of political protection.
Malus's heart was filled with a mixture of caution and anger. He said coldly, "Oh, yes. I received it. Thank you for your gift."
Furlan leaned closer, his voice full of conspiracy, and whispered, "Excellent! We have much to discuss, my cousin. As you know, I spent some time with your family at the court of Hag Graves, and" he forced a self-deprecating smile, "I pride myself on knowing a thing or two in the art of conspiracy, and I learned some things, some very interesting things, which I think you will find important." Furlan put a hand on Malus's shoulder, "My cousin, we can all benefit from an alliance of equals, eh!"
Malus's left hand, in a blur of fatal movements, grasped Furlan's throat. Furlan's face paled, his eyes bulging. One of his retainers cried out and rushed forward, reaching for Malus's wrist, but Lunala's sword slashed through the air, severing the retainer's melon. Another of Furlan's retainers shuddered back, raised his hands in surrender, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
"Yes, Furlan, my dear cousin, you do have something to discuss with me." Malus roared viciously, clenching his hands tighter.
Furlan's face turned even paler, and his hands grasped in vain.
"I will discuss with you how to peel off your scabbed skin, and after shaving off your flesh with my thorn blade, I will unfold your ribs and see your shrunken organs. I will peel off this pathetic face of yours with my thorn blade and put it back on like a mask, and I will discuss with you how you knew I went to Clar Karond. You will tell me who gave you this information and why. You will discuss it all with me. And then you will pray through your ragged lips that I will restrain myself and not show you the depths of the darkness within me!"
On the side of Krakalond, Franais met with Annasara on behalf of the Takaia family. Their family had not entered the hall for hundreds of years and could only show their loyalty by self-harming outside. However, after swearing allegiance to Dacuus and getting the recognition of Newker, the Takaia family became qualified. Annasara did not make things difficult for him and just went through the process.
This year's Haniel Halla has ended and the next one will be held in 10 years.
After Twilight Tide ended, Anasara said to let Darkeus go find her, but Darkeus kept dragging his feet.
Dacus was worried that Annasara's black magic would pry into his inner secrets, but he still had to meet her because the fool Furlan Bale was gone, and he knew what was waiting for that fool, so he had to get that thing done.
Anasara was still sitting on the throne. The bodies on the ground had been carried away, leaving only bloodstains on the marble floor tiles. The hall was empty, with Newker and Maranul still standing on her left and right.
She did not ask how Dacus became the chosen one of Molaig Heg, as she was not interested. Instead, she asked Dacus what his thoughts were on the future.
Darkus bowed his head and said respectfully, "Mother, fate seems to be guiding me to travel to Lustria in the south."
Anasara nodded calmly and said, "During the Twilight Tide, did Adaeus ask you to do something?"
"Yes, Mother. I plan to go to the Temple of Adaeus in the Black Ridge Mountains soon."
Anasara could guess what the task was. It was simply to help Adaeus get a handy weapon. She turned to look at her son and said, "Prepare some good materials for Dacus, and get some equipment for the younger members of the family as well."
Newker nodded in acceptance.
Anasara then asked, "Do you need your family's help in going to Lustria?"
"Thank you, clan mother. There is no need for now. I just want to explore the way first. But there is something I need to do right now." After saying that, Daxus took out the treasure map from his arms and presented it in both hands.
Annasara used black magic to pull the treasure map over, looked at it in her hand, laughed, and threw it into Newker's hand.
"What do you want to do?"
Darkus had thought this through before and said directly, "Mother, I need a fake soul dagger, fake enough to deceive the Great Demon's perception!"
When they heard the word "Great Demon", Annasara and Newkel looked at Daquus, and Maranur, who was still daydreaming, also came back to his senses.
Annasara stared at Daquus and said seriously, "Tell me more about it."
"I want to remove the real one and replace it with a fake one. The real one would be best thrown into an active volcano in the Black Spine Mountains or presented to His Majesty Malekith, the Witch King."
Anasara laughed and said, "From what you said, this thing is quite hot, haha, Elleril the Cursed." After saying that, she stood up, teleported away, and disappeared.
"The whole family is full of fun."
Dacius shook his head.
Teleportation, borrowed from the official novel Sword of Caledor, Morathi teleported directly from Sulefit to the ground.