Chapter 418: Deep Within the Fortress (12)

Dawn Fortress.

Luosen walked behind Na Ta Li, silently scrutinizing the fortress's interior structure and cross‑checking it with Ande's memory.

The three reached the third floor of the fortress, and as they approached a large door along the winding corridor, two armored warriors blocked their path.

The warriors stood a full two meters tall, immensely muscular, their bodies sheathed in deep‑blue armor that exuded an industrial precision, its surface and inner layers etched with ultra‑fine magical runes.

At a glance, they resembled rune‑clad interstellar soldiers.

Crack—

The two warriors crossed their deep‑blue spears into a cross, and one of them emitted a deep, indifferent voice.

"Halt, submit to identity verification!"

Na Ta Li instantly stopped and spread her arms.

The other warrior turned his head; faint light flickered several times through the slit of his ink‑blue crystal‑covered helmet, and he spoke in the same deep tone.

"Dawn Hand Na Ta Li, identity confirmed, state your purpose."

Na Ta Li pointed to the blood‑splattered shadow assassin behind her.

"The anti‑traitor operation encountered an unexpected emergency; I must report the military situation to my father."

The warrior looked at the shadow assassin and said, "Step forward for identity verification."

The shadow assassin, evidently familiar with the procedure, stepped forward, strained to open his arms, and remained perfectly still.

The armored warrior continued the scan.

During this time, Luosen stayed silent and observed the armored warrior closely.

"They're two Eternal Guardians."

Eternal Guardians, akin to Daybreak Guards, are high‑energy combat puppets with astonishing fighting power.

Don't be fooled by their smaller stature compared to Daybreak Guards; their combat strength is several times greater.

Historical records state that in direct confrontation, one Eternal Guardian can hold its own against three Daybreak Guards.

Thus, the most powerful entities in the Mage Association are not Dawn Eye mages but these two high‑energy warriors.

If these two high‑energy warriors unleashed their power without restraint, they could level Grey City in an instant.

But evidently, that is not permitted.

Because A Dela told Luosen, "The Empress has issued a clear decree forbidding the release of any high‑capacity offensive power onto the ground."

That statement clearly contains a loophole: proactive attacks are banned, yet defensive counter‑strikes are allowed.

The Empress surely knows the loophole, but Luosen fully grasps why she issued such a flawed decree.

Because her grip on the Empire is too weak, each decree she issues results from multi‑party bargaining and compromise.

In other words, she deliberately left a loophole for the Empire's upper echelons to use, preventing their conflicts from escalating.

"Just like the Daybreak Empire, it's a Twilight Empire."

While pondering, Luosen heard an Eternal Guardian say, "Sir, step forward for identity verification."

Luosen immediately stepped forward, spreading his arms to undergo the Guardian's scan.

He wasn't at all worried about being exposed, having already seen through the Guardian's scanning spell, and his disguise's strength far exceeds the spell's discernment.

Soon, the Eternal Guardian said, "Dawn Hand Ande, identity confirmed, passage granted."

Crack~

The two ink‑blue weapons, resembling spears but actually high‑energy staffs, retracted, opening the passage.

Na Ta Li pressed on, leading the way forward.

After entering the passage, they walked further until they reached a circular gate forged from a dense, high‑energy rune barrier.

Na Ta Li lifted her sapphire staff, lightly tapped the rune, and said, "Father, there's urgent military intel."

The rune‑gate glowed faintly, its texture shifting from solid to ethereal, and a slightly weary voice resonated.

"Come in."

The three passed through the rune gate in turn.

Behind the door lay a multi‑arched study, remarkably sturdy; between two massive pillars stood a circular desk piled with all manner of documents and a very bright Shushu Deng.

Why light a lamp in broad daylight?

Because the study has no windows; despite being on the third floor, it is as dark as a tomb.

Seated behind the desk was a tall, thin elder with grizzled hair, Sa Wosu, the president of the Dawn Eye Mage Association, possessing a powerful soul of seventeen rings.

At that moment, he was reading a letter of exceptional quality.

Without even reading the contents, just by examining the paper's craftsmanship, Luosen knew it must be a product of the High‑Energy Empire's industry.

Seeing the elder's barely restrained humble expression, one could safely infer the letter's contents likely came from a prominent figure in Yueliangcheng.

When his daughter arrived, Sa Wosu carefully stored the letter and glanced at the wounded shadow assassin.

"The hunt for the traitor failed?"

Na Ta Li nodded gravely and said to the shadow assassin behind her, "Give a detailed account of the battle."

The shadow assassin then began to recount the pursuit meticulously, describing how the target initially offered no resistance, but the tide abruptly turned, leaving their side helpless.

After speaking, a suppressed terror flashed in the assassin's eyes.

"President, those traitors fought with wild zeal, fearless, constantly shouting a name. Some yelled 'Sun War God', others shouted 'Great Luosen.'"

Sa Wosu listened intently, brow furrowed: "Sun War God Luosen—another mysterious strongman pulling strings from behind?"

After a few seconds of contemplation, he looked at the shadow assassin and said, "I understand. Go see the medic, heal, rest, and keep your mouth shut—don't spread today's events everywhere."

"Yes, President." The shadow assassin hurried away.

The study was left with only President Sa Wosu and the two Dawn Hands.

Sa Wosu turned his gaze toward his daughter Na Ta Li.

This mysterious powerful figure behind the scenes definitely comes from Yueliangcheng. Most likely it is the arch-enemy of Count Gentjin, trying to use the Dragon Mountain Brotherhood to seize Grey City's territory.

Natalie immediately nodded in agreement: "Father, I think the same."

I believe the other side definitely has sufficient preparation; relying solely on our Dawn Eye's power will surely be unable to oppose this mysterious powerful figure, so we must quickly seek aid from the Count.

Savros nodded: "You're right. Ande, what's the situation with the count's envoy now?"

Luosen's expression turned grim, and he immediately stepped forward to report: "Chairman, the count's envoy named Alex is quite strong, but his character is very dissolute; as soon as he found me, he demanded I take him to a brothel for fun."

I tried to dissuade him, but his attitude was extremely firm; I really had no choice, so I brought him to the Joyful Sparrow.

The truth is, Ande, in order to curry favor with the envoy, hyped up the Joyful Sparrow to the heavens, causing Alex to feel a flicker of interest, which is why he agreed to go check it out.

But now, Alex has been completely tamed by Liv, so naturally no one exposes his lies.

However, although it cannot be exposed, suspicions do exist.

Natalie, who knows Ande very well, snorted coldly upon hearing that.

"Ande, you're quite capable, pushing your own responsibility aside completely. I've heard people say this absurd affair was actually your idea."

Luosen immediately spoke up loudly to clear his name.

"That's right, going to the Joyful Sparrow was my idea, but the request to go have fun was made by Lord Alex; I merely did my best to satisfy his wishes."

Natalie still didn't believe it at all, but she had no evidence to question Luosen, so she could only roll her eyes at him: "A bunch of good-for-nothings who only know how to play!"

Savros frowned slightly and warned coldly: "Natalie, remember, you can freely insult Ande, because this brat really is a scoundrel, but absolutely do not drag in the count's envoy!"

Natalie focused her mind and immediately replied: "Yes, Father."

Although she said that, Luosen still faintly sensed her inner dissatisfaction.

Obviously, this proud female mage has limited reverence for Yueliangcheng.

Savros then turned his gaze to Luosen: "Where is Alex now?"

"The Joyful Sparrow."

Savros furrowed his brows tightly: "You just left him and came back alone?"

Luosen hurriedly defended: "No, Chairman, it was Lord Alex who drove me back. He said he hasn't had enough fun and doesn't want to be disturbed by me."

"I think this matter is absurd; I tried to dissuade him, but it was completely ineffective, and he even threatened me with magic."

"I had no choice; I could only leave the Iron Stone Gang to keep watch, then rush back to deliver the message to you."

Savros listened half-believing, half-doubting: "Although Alex is coming to the mortal realm for the first time, I've heard of him, and he is not overly fond of pleasure; how could he become addicted to a brothel?"

Saying this, he glared at Luosen, his pair of deep blue eyes flashing with bright light.

"Ande, if you dare utter even half a lie, I will not only strip you of your Dawn Hand position, but also make you taste the flavor of barbecue!"

Luosen immediately bowed deeply and swore: "Chairman, if I, Ande, utter even half a lie, I will endure the three-day punishment on the fortress's iron torture rack!"

The so-called three-day punishment is a terrifying penalty in which one is fire-roasted like a human, starting from the limbs, and roasted for three days until death.

Upon hearing this, Savros believed it ninety percent, his brows furrowing ever tighter.

"How can Alex's character differ from the description in the count's letter?"

Natalie also believed Ande's words, because in her memory, Ande is a cowardly and shameless person.

Now he actually uttered such a vicious oath without hesitation, which shows he is telling the truth.

She snorted coldly: "Father, in my view, it's definitely that Alex used connections to climb onto the count's path."

Savros also guessed that.

He felt a slight headache, covered his forehead and thought for a moment, then said: "Daughter, you and Ande go together to the Joyful Sparrow and invite Lord Alex back. Tell him I have a very important matter to discuss with him."

"Yes, Father, I'm going now!"

Natalie acted swiftly and decisively, turning and walking away.

After walking a few steps, she turned again to urge Luosen: "Hurry up, Ande!"

Savros worried about his daughter's safety, given that Grey City is currently unsettled, and immediately said: "Also bring the Guard Regiment."

"Understood, Father."

Natalie waved her hand as a response, then added another sentence.

"Father, what if Lord Alex really becomes addicted to the brothel and refuses to come back?"

"Then we'll kill all those prostitutes in front of him, burn down the brothel, and leave him nothing to indulge in."

When he said these words, his tone was as indifferent as crushing an ant.

Luosen thought to himself: "This chairman is indeed a ruthless figure; to maintain his position, he'd probably do anything."

Natalie heard this, blinked slightly: "Father, perhaps killing just one or two to give a shock would be enough?"

"No, we must kill them all! So that the city's girls know when to spread their legs and when to remain chaste."

Natalie nodded in agreement: "Yes, Father."

Although she agreed, her heart did not muster enough killing intent.

Luosen saw clearly: "The chairman is a ruthless person; unfortunately, this daughter has only learned the form for now, not the essence."

In other words, this daughter still has room for ideological reform.

(End of chapter)