Each kingdom in the Mortal Realm, no matter how peaceful it appeared on the surface, had internal power struggles and conflicts.
However, there was an exception to this rule—the kingdom of Malentansium.
Due to the Night King’s control over the skounae, it was widely accepted that Malentansium had no such internal conflicts. After all, there was never any news or big events that happened in Malentansium that would lead one to believe such power struggles existed.
But, according to Valga, Malentansium was not exempt. If that was the case, what the other kingdoms knew about Malentansium could no longer be taken as an indisputable fact.
‘Besides the Night King and the Antumbra Night Lords, it is the Penumbra Circle who holds the most power and influence in Malentansium. But, if the Night King does not care about the matters unfolding between the skounae and the Night Lords do not interfere, then it can be said that the Dukes and Marquis’ of the skounae have the most control. This changes things.’
It was always believed that everything the skounae did was for the purpose of fulfilling the Night King’s wishes. However, if they were capable of acting toward their own goals and ambitions, this shifted the way the skounae had to be perceived by the outside world.
Though there was one thing that did not sit right with Izroth.
It was not as if the other kingdoms of the Mortal Realm did not have the means of infiltrating Malentansium and discovering this information themselves. After all, there were numerous mysterious methods employed by the War Intelligence Group alone, let alone other stand-alone organizations.
Therefore, Izroth considered the possibility that the internal conflicts among the skounae were intentionally kept a secret by those higher-ups in the kingdoms. But, even if that were true, it brought forth another question—why would they want to keep it a secret?
‘The skounae have close ties to the Netherworld and the Netherworld Monarch. Also, whether it is direct or indirect, they also seem to possess a connection to the shadahi. Those with the influence and authority to keep such a large secret of an entire kingdom suppressed to this degree… I’m afraid it would have to be a ruler or… someone close to their ranks.’
For the ruler of a kingdom such as Amaharpe or Proximus, keeping the skounae’s secret was unthinkable to most.
Izroth had yet to meet the ruler of Amaharpe; however, he did have a chance to meet the ruler of Proximus.
From the impression he got back then, the ruler of the magic kingdom did not seem like a person who harbored ill intentions. Of course, there was always the possibility that he was able to hide himself and his true intentions deeply.
But, the furious reaction the magic kingdom’s ruler had when the shadahi was brought up appeared genuine. Plus, he was the one to initiate the war against Tempest and the shadahi for the sake of the Mortal Realm. Therefore, Izroth trusted that they had nothing to do with it. And, even if they did, perhaps it was not fully intentional.
However, if it was not the ruler of a kingdom, the one behind it must be someone with a rank equivalent to that of a Warlord or the head of an entire war group—both of which were equally as terrifying.
The first person that came to Izroth’s mind was, of course, the Head of the War Intelligence Division. It was said that their true identity was known only to the king of Amaharpe. In other words, they were a complete mystery. Not to mention, they were in a perfect position to potentially manipulate and control information on a grand scale.
Also, not long ago, there was some suspicious behavior regarding orders given by the Head of the War Intelligence Division. While it was not enough to say that they betrayed the allied forces, it certainly raised a few brows in regard to how questionable the orders were.
Needless to say, this was all merely Izroth’s speculation. He had no solid proof of anything, so he could only piece together the strands of information he possessed and go from there. Still, it left him with more questions than answers.
“W-wait a moment. You just casually dropped a huge piece of news here. Malentansium is under the absolute rule of the Night King. Even if the Night King does not care for internal conflicts, would they still dare to cause trouble? More importantly, I have never once received any reports from Tempest Intelligence about there being infighting in Malentansium.” Ranazera commented.
At the moment, the Tempest princess was perplexed. What Valga said was too far away from the widely accepted truth. To take her words at face value without any hard proof was too much for the sixth princess.
“What does the competency of your human groups have to do with me? Whether you believe my words or not, I could care less. However, since my Lord has asked that I enlighten the two of you, I do not intend to do so half-heartedly. What you choose to take away from it or believe, in the end, is entirely up to you.” Valga replied indifferently.
Ranazera fell silent as she entered into a state of deep thought. Just like Izroth, she also thought that, if such a thing were true, it would have been impossible to keep hidden without some outside interference. But why would someone go to such great lengths to keep it a secret?
“Based on what you just said, those who hold the most influence in Malentansium are the Dukes of the Penumbra Circle. But what is the point of fighting to hold empty power?” Izroth questioned.
Even if one Duke eliminated all the other factions and they were the last ones left standing, ultimately, the true power still lay in the hands of the Night King and Night Lords. No matter how much the Dukes fought, this fact could never change until the Night King and the Night Lords were removed from the picture.
“The Great Rebirth,” Valga said in a heavy tone.
The Great Rebirth? Neither Izroth nor Ranazera had heard of it. However, judging from Valga’s tone, it seemed to be a serious topic.
“What is this Great Rebirth?” Izroth asked.
“The Great Rebirth occurs once every one hundred years. During the hundred-year period, the Dukes fight for power and influence. It is rumored that once the hundred-year period reaches its end, the last Duke left standing will undergo a process known as the Great Rebirth. Those who undergo the Great Rebirth will have their bloodline purified. As a result—a new Antumbra Night Lord will be born.” Valga explained.
“A new Night Lord..?!” Ranazera exclaimed.
‘Oh? This is unexpected…’
A skounae’s bloodline was something that was set from birth. Therefore, no matter how much a Hunter skounae wanted to become Baron or Earl, it was impossible through normal means. The same could be said of a Duke wanting to become a Night Lord.
However, if there were a way to “purify” one’s bloodline, naturally, those Dukes would do anything in their power to obtain the right. This was more than enough reason for there to be an internal power struggle.
Izroth was suddenly reminded of his time in Vostracane when those skounae Earls wanted to put him through a ritual known as the Night King’s Rite.
Izroth escaped before the ritual could commence; however, he knew that the Night King’s Rite was used to enhance the strength of one’s bloodline. Or, a much rarer secondary use—to convert someone of another race into a skounae.
But, the Night King’s Rite was not something just anyone could undergo. Additionally, Izroth had doubts that the same ritual could be used to transform a Duke into a Night Lord. After all, if that were the case, wouldn’t those Earls have used it to improve their own bloodline?
‘The Great Rebirth… If it is a method used to create Night Lords, then it is too dangerous to be left alone.’
“When is the next Great Rebirth supposed to take place?” Izroth inquired.
“If I remember correctly, the next one is set to take place sometime within the next few days,” Valga answered.
The next few days?!
Izroth narrowed his eyes when he heard that piece of information from Valga.
If what she said was correct, then in the next few days, a new Night Lord would be born. In addition, it just so happened that, at the same time, the Night Lord Zarolas would also be potentially revived!
‘This timing… Can it just be a coincidence, or…?’
