Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 971: Chapter 970: Night Sky

The Magic-guided Vehicle continued to move smoothly along the wide street leading to the Obsidian Palace.

The brightness brought by the Magic Crystal Street Lamp swept past the window from outside.

The seat beside him was deserted, with no trace of anyone ever having been there; it seemed as if the car had only ever housed two people—the Trusted Retainer driving and the Imperial Duke wielding significant power.

Duke Ferdinand’s expression was somber, his magical power permeated outward yet failed to detect any residual Dark Wave, not even any lingering trace of life. He glanced at the Attendant in the front seat, who seemed unaware of what had just occurred but sensed the master’s gaze upon him, thus asked, ”Sir, has something happened?”

”...No, nothing.” Duke Ferdinand said deeply, simultaneously reaching out to touch the seat beside him—the leather seat was icy cold, lacking even the warmth that a human presence would leave.

The old Duke’s face turned even more grim, a thoughtful look in his eyes, while outside the window, flickering neon lights and faint music suddenly drew Duke Ferdinand’s fleeting attention.

In the corner of his eye, Duke Ferdinand saw the scene outside the window; he noticed a few tall buildings standing outside the left side of the car window, with the spire of St. Jerome War God Cathedral poking through above them, while on the car’s right side was the Vanarlion Salon—the Magic-guided Vehicle had just driven past the Salon’s entrance, the noise passing through the car window into his ears.

”We just passed through the Vanarlion District?” Duke Ferdinand’s pupils subtly contracted, and he promptly raised his head to inquire of the Trusted Retainer driving ahead.

”Yes, Sir,” the Attendant replied immediately, ”We just passed by the Vanarlion Salon—there’s a little longer to go until the Obsidian Palace. Would you like to rest for a while?”

”...” Duke Ferdinand was silent for two seconds, then shook his head, ”No. Speed up—let’s reach the Obsidian Palace as soon as possible.”

The Attendant, though feeling somewhat puzzled, did not voice any questions and promptly commanded: ”Yes, Sir.”

The Black Magic Guided Car accelerated speedily along the sparsely populated night street, and after some time, the towering silhouette of the Obsidian Palace finally came into Duke Ferdinand’s view, yet unease lingered in the old Duke’s heart. Thoughts of Malm Dunite’s eerie sudden visit hovered in his mind, along with those inexplicable words he spoke, but upon seeing the spires and walls of the Obsidian Palace, his slightly uneasy heart slowly settled.

The night-shift guardians checked the vehicle and verified personnel, and Duke Ferdinand Wendell stepped into this palace, guided by an Inner Court Lady Officer towards Emperor Rosetta Augustus’ private meeting room.

”Isn’t Lady Diana on duty tonight?” He glanced at the Lady Officer leading him ahead and asked casually, ”She usually is at this hour.”

”She has other duties,” the Lady Officer replied respectfully, ”by the King’s orders.”

”Hmm.” Duke Ferdinand responded simply, without further words.

Passing through the final archway towards the inner court, he glanced upwards at the familiar roof and pillars—classical-style multi-edges pillars supported the corridor leading to the inner court, and the beams extending from the top of the pillars in four directions were adorned with heroic figure reliefs. Near the archway, all the beams and sculptures were connected, inlaid with golden decoration, with black and red drapes from the sides of the archway, grandly majestic.

Like the throat of some giant beast, perhaps only mortals who build them this way symbolize towering royal power.

Duke Ferdinand’s mind suddenly was filled with uncalled-for sighs, then shook his head, stepping across the threshold.

...

In Emperor Rosetta Augustus’ private meeting room, the lights were bright, a faint aroma invigorating every visitor’s spirit, accompanied by soothing music from an unseen source, easing those who entered unconsciously.

The astute imperial ruler sat in his favorite high-back chair, engrossed in a thick book at the time Duke Ferdinand entered the room, appearing fully absorbed.

”Your Majesty,” Duke Ferdinand approached to salute Emperor Rosetta, ”I am here.”