Angelina’s return captured everyone’s attention instantly. Even though she didn’t have a high standing in Rhode’s group, as she went to the Country of Darkness to gather intelligence, everyone was excited for the news she brought back. However, they didn’t know what went wrong and why she didn’t return for a long time. Even when Rhode summoned her, there was no response. Everyone thought Angelina was locked up somewhere. At the sight of her return, they were bewildered. But even though they were interested in the intelligence she gathered, Rhode ordered Angelina to shower and get a change of clothes before reporting her findings. Angelina felt really grateful for this act by him and this left a better impression on her instantly. Of course, if Angelina knew that Rhode didn’t give a damn about her earlier, perhaps she wouldn’t have thought of him this way.
After taking a bath to relieve her mental fatigue and changing into a new set of clothes, the refugee-lookalike vampire restored her usual, elegant demeanor. But she didn’t demand too much like a spoiled, wealthy young lady. As soon as she got ready, she reported to everyone the intelligence she gathered. As the results of her findings were crucial, not only was Rhode, his younger sister, Marlene, and Alice around, but Lydia also came. Icy Snow was the only one who went to sleep because it was her bedtime. However, no one realized the disappointed look on Icy Snow’s face and what exactly caused it.
One had to admit that the information Angelina brought back was an unexpected joy for Rhode’s group. All along, they weren’t sure what happened in the Country of Darkness and couldn’t come up with countermeasures. As Angelina explained the situation, Rhode’s group finally understood how those abnormally-powerful undead creatures were created, the current state of the Country of Darkness, and Erin’s whereabouts. It could also be said that the problems that bothered everyone were basically solved at once.
“That actually happened…”
After listening to Angelina’s report, everyone looked worried. Rhode knitted his brows and pondered the intelligence she presented deeply. The strangest and most critical piece of information was that Ion actually wasn’t supposed to be the rightful dragon soul heir. If what Angelina said was true, Ion’s current identity would be deemed illegal. If this news were to be released to the public, it would definitely cause waves of uproar. Despite that, this was good news for Rhode. In the past, he was in a headache as to how he should clean up the mess in the Country of Darkness after killing Ion. But now, he was no longer worried. Since Ion wasn’t the rightful dragon soul heir, Rhode could transfer the dragon soul to Erin after getting rid of Ion to maintain the presence of Order. Based on the current situation, perhaps the Dark Dragon that Angelina mentioned was the key to transferring the dragon soul. If not, Rhode’s party had clearly defeated Ion in the game and yet, they didn’t witness any transfer of the dragon soul to Erin thereafter. Not only that, but the moon princess was also killed later. In this case, the steps Rhode should take now was to enter the underground maze, release the imprisoned Dark Dragon, defeat Ion, and gain the Dark Dragon’s help to transfer the dragon soul to Erin. According to Angelina, even though the Dark Dragon’s mental health seemed unstable over the years of imprisonment, fortunately Erin was accompanying her right now. Perhaps Erin could soothe the Dark Dragon’s confused nerves…
The situation of the Country of Darkness described by Angelina also concerned Rhode. It seemed like his earlier guesses were right. Ion was completely infected by Chaos, where his dragon soul protection had become unstable. If this continued, perhaps Rhode wouldn’t need to make a move on his own and the Country of Darkness would still collapse, like the aftermath after Rhode defeated Ion in the game.
Apart from the bad news, there was also some good news. Undead creatures lived for at least hundreds of years and those in ancient families even lived for thousands of years. Even Di and Elena realized that something was wrong with the Country of Darkness, not to mention those ancient undead creatures. That was why they sealed their families in the tomb and underground before Ion made any crazy decisions. According to Angelina’s observation, most of the rising noble families were basically done for, while the older generations of nobles managed to survive and hide far away from the Darkness Capital. That wasn’t too surprising since all rising noble families relied upon Ion’s power to receive their position and authority. If they stopped following Ion, they would only be walking down a road of destruction. However, the ancient families existed much longer than Ion’s reign as the ruling Dark Dragon. That was why even if the ancient families didn’t support Ion, their massive network in the country ensured that they wouldn’t fall from power in the Country of Darkness. Moreover, Ion was behaving peculiarly now… It would be ridiculous if the ancient undead creatures didn’t realize that something was wrong.
It was total chaos in the Country of Darkness now. Taking Angelina, for instance, her journey back home was constantly in turmoil, where the insane undead creatures attacked her on sight. Angelina defeated some of them while being chased, which was why she was thrashed and fatigued after finally fleeing the Country of Darkness.
“What should we do next, Big Brother?”
The younger sister who sat beside Rhode asked softly. Upon hearing her question, Angelina sized up the young lady. Angelina was curious about this young lady who appeared identical and younger than Rhode. But as Angelina was Rhode’s subject, she knew not to cross the line and chose to remain silent as she continued to look at the young lady.
“In this case, we may need to change our strategy.”
Upon hearing his younger sister’s question, Rhode shook his head. His strategy earlier was built entirely on the fact that Ion was the qualified dragon soul heir. As soon as Rhode killed Ion, the dragon soul protection would shatter, which was why Rhode decided to contain the space of the Country of Darkness in order to ensure that when the dragon soul protection crumbled, Order would gain the upper hand over Chaos. However, this was a really bothersome matter for Rhode. The dragon soul protection determined the power of the dragon soul. But the power of the dragon soul came from the level of ‘faith’ of the territory. Even though the Void Territory was populated, they didn’t have as many people as the Country of Light. If it weren’t for his younger sister’s help, Rhode couldn’t possibly suppress Ion’s dragon soul protection to this degree. This was also why he withdrew his forces as soon as he realized something was wrong. He just couldn’t afford to waste anymore strength at this point in time.
Since Erin was able to inherit the Dark Dragon’s soul, Rhode would need to change his strategy. This way, as long as they killed Ion and let Erin inherit the Dark Dragon’s soul, it could minimize the hazard of Chaos. With the Dark Dragon’s soul as a buffer, Rhode’s Void Dragon’s soul could receive a certain extent of stability and recuperation. What was next was to see what the twin dragons of the Country of Law decided. Even though Rhode didn’t have anything against the twin dragons, he clearly knew that it was wishful thinking to count on them to not follow protocol.
Better to rely upon myself.
“I have an idea. Even though it is slightly risky, it may work…”
Rhode spoke. He pondered for a few moments, gazed at the people around him, and puckered his brows. Shortly after, he restored his expressionless face as though his frown earlier was fake.
“All in all, that’s it for now. Your Highness Lydia, I will need to trouble you to start deploying the defensive line.”
“Yes, Your Majesty Rhode.”
Upon hearing Rhode’s command, Lydia blinked curiously. But shortly after, her eyes glinted in a clear flash and she nodded slightly. After receiving her response, Rhode turned to Marlene on the other side.
“Marlene, sort out the intelligence Angelina gathered with her, especially about Ion becoming the dragon soul heir through improper means. I hope you can provide me with the report as soon as possible. Then, I will need you and Angelina to head to the Country of Law to report the findings to Nalea and Siena.”
As protectors of Order, the twin dragons naturally had ways to determine the authenticity of what Angelina observed based on her memories. Rhode believed that after the twin dragons learned the truth, they wouldn’t continue shilly-shallying.
“Got it, Rhode.”
Upon hearing Rhode’s order, Marlene nodded firmly in response and shifted her gaze to Angelina who stood in the middle.
“You did well, Angelina. Thanks to your help, we’re able to grasp the situation more accurately now.”
“It’s nothing, Madam. It is my duty… Ah, yes!”
Angelina replied when suddenly, she fumbled around as though she thought of something. Then, her expression changed abruptly.
“Sh*t…”
Before anyone realized what she meant, a green blade ray dazzled. At the next moment, the petite vampire who stood before everyone lost her head as it fell and rolled on the ground.
