While Dread Duchess Varathia still had a contemplative look, Ace spoke, "I know my lord doesn’t trust my words completely. However, I won’t dare to joke around with my master’s name, nor will I trick the Evernight Council.
"My Master has already set a very powerful formation around the hideout of the Ghost King, and as long as the Evernight Council can meet our demands, the Ghost King will be in your custody. The Evernight Council doesn’t even need to go through all that trouble, for the Ghost King will be delivered to your doorsteps. All the benefits will be for Her Highness, who brought him in!" Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel{f}ire.net
Dread Duchess Varathia’s eyes shone as she moved by Ace’s words. Just as Ace said, if she can bring a Ghost King in, it’ll be a massive service to the Evernight Council, and she’ll reap many benefits, not to mention the Abyssal Kings of the Council will also take notice of her.
Suddenly, the look she gave Ace changed slightly; she no longer dared to take him as a mere Abyssal Master. Just the Moonless Wandering King behind him was enough for her to take him seriously.
"Is it true? Can you really bring in the Ghost King without having to move any resources from the Council? If yes, then what does the Moonless Wandering King seek?" Dread Duchess solemnly questioned.
Ace replied without hesitation, "It’s all true, I even stake my life on it. As for our demand, it’s not much, my master wants an Evernight Sanctuary Invitation."
Dread Duchess’s eyes shimmered as her lips curled up in an ambiguous smile, "An Evernight Sanctuary Invitation, huh? Is it for you? Since the Moonless Wandering King has not had many benefits, nor does the Council allow an unaffiliated Abyssal King to enter the Evernight Sanctuary. Unless His Esteemed Self wanted to join the Council, I can certainly arrange it."
Now, Dread Duchess 90% believed Ace’s words because, without another Abyssal King’s involvement, it was impossible for an Abyssal Master to hold such a huge bargaining chip in his hand. Not to mention, without the deterrence of the Abyssal King, Dread Duchess can easily capture Ace for interrogation.
Even now, Dread Duchess really wanted to confine Ace and use every method to gain his secret. However, with Ace guaranteed and staking his own life on this deal of serving a Ghost King on a silver platter, she didn’t dare to risk everything falling apart.
After all, if she offended the Moonless Wandering King by capturing his disciple instead of appreciating the former’s goodwill, she knew she would suffer the wrath of the entire Council, not to mention the Abyssal Kings.
Even without the Ghost King in the equation, just having a good relationship with the King of Abyss Wanderers was enough of a reason for the Evernight Council to try their best to meet his demand.
"I’ll thank Your Highness on behalf of my master, but as you are aware, my master likes to wander around. But my master greatly appreciates the Council’s effort to keep the peace in the Abyssal Plains and bring stability to our lands.
"I also have a good impression of your disciple, Evil Diva, so he allowed me to bring this proposal to her highness. So, what do you think? If you can arrange a place where the Ghost King won’t be able to run away, we can get started anytime." Ace impassively stated without showing any suspicion or loopholes in his behavior.
After all, since he claimed to be a disciple of an Abyssal King, he can’t show any fear or discomfort in front of a mere Half-Abyssal King. Moreover, with Ace’s acting skills and his previous encounter with the Wealth King, he didn’t fear the Dread Duchess much.
The only thing he was worried about was implicating Eva. Although Eva had assured him about Varathia’s character, he didn’t trust anyone with his wife’s safety.
Dread Duchess’ eyes narrowed into slits as she looked at Ace before she said, "One last question, was my little Diva aware of your background?"
Ace shook his head, "Please don’t worry, my lord, she didn’t deliberately hide this from you. In fact, I never reveal my identity to my master’s disciple, not before, and I’m not planning to either as long as her highness keeps it a secret from her. She only agreed to let me meet with you because I’ve earned her trust and she knew this deal would greatly benefit you, her master."
"Aren’t you a sweet talker? Hmm, I’m starting to understand why my little Diva would be willing to take such a risk for you. I wonder if there’s something else going on which I should know about?" Dread Duchess smiled meaningfully at Ace, but a hidden coldness was evident in her tone, which was also a warning.
"I don’t know what Your Highness is hinting at." Ace pretended to be confused while secretly offended by the Dread Duchess’s words, as she suspected him of having an affair with his own wife.
Dread Duchess’s smile became deeper, but she didn’t dwell on this topic, while she had already decided to pay a visit to her dear disciple and have a chat about life.
Nonetheless, the matter at hand was far more important for her, so she suppressed her curiosity and made a decision, "Alright, I’ll arrange a cage for the Ghost King. As long as you deliver on your promise, the Evernight Council will grant you an Evernight Sanctuary Invitation.
"However, the time you can stay in the Evernight Sanctuary will be entirely up to the collective decision of the Council. But don’t worry, since the Esteemed King is showing great kindness to the Council, the Council won’t return the favor with disdain. Many facilities will be open to you in the Evernight Sanctuary."
Ace was thrilled when he heard Dread Duchess’ promise. Not only would he make the Ghost King suffer a terrible fate, but he’ll get the Evernight Sanctuary Invitation that was extremely hard to get without having to go through so many troubles.
As long as he can find the clue about the ’Blood Moon’ within the Evernight Sanctuary, the mission will become relatively easy. Furthermore, Ace was certain that there might be more clues about the primary mission, or he might directly discover the whereabouts of the secret realm.
This deal offers benefits exclusively to Ace and the Thief House.
Although he was prepared to show some more sincerity, it seemed he and Eva had still underestimated the importance of a Ghost King to the Council and how much benefit the Dread Duchess would reap once she brought him in.
"No problem. However, please be aware that the Ghost King will be delivered with his entire hideout intact. He might have many tricks. If something untoward happened, my master and I wouldn’t be accountable." Ace warned as he was still aware of the Heavenly Ghost Formation and the tower under the Ghost King’s control, but he couldn’t tell them that, or they would become more suspicious.
Although the Ghost King was wounded and only had his soul, Ace knew someone who could have so many resources, and the World Space Ring wouldn’t be easy to deal with.
Dread Duchess didn’t suspect anything from Ace’s words, and nodded, "You don’t need to worry. As long as you bring the Ghost King with his hideout here, he won’t leave. If he does, then it’ll be our Evernight Council’s responsibility, and the promised rewards to you will be delivered no matter what. You have my words."
"Thank you, your highness." Ace quickly thanked Dread Duchess.
Now that the deal was finalized, Dread Duchess gave Ace another glance as she wanted to see through the faceless mask on his face, and almost used her Abyssal Sense, but controlled herself since it would be rude as a host. Not to mention, if this deal went through smoothly, she’ll establish a connection with the elusive Moonless Wandering King. Her status in the council will increase as a result; just thinking about it filled her with anticipation.
Dread Duchess then glanced at Vaultkeeper Benny, and commanded, "He is now our Duskmire Vault’s esteemed guest, prepare the best residence for him, and see to his requests, as long as they are not excessive, complete them all."
She then looked at Ace and smilingly said, "Oh, you can now also have three cups of Ebon Vein Nectar from here. If our deal went well, you can demand other things..."
The Dread Duchess Varathia winked at Ace teasingly before she vanished into the Abyssal Qi mist like she appeared; she was going to make arrangements after she reported this matter to the Evernight Council.
Ace felt a chill in his spine; he didn’t dare to show any expression and bowed in farewell.
Vaultkeeper also bowed once before quickly standing up and looking at Ace with deep admiration, as it was his first time witnessing his mistress show such a reaction to someone other than her disciple.
Since this time Duchess herself has spoken, he no longer has any qualms with Ace and respectfully said, "Esteemed guest, please follow me, I’ll arrange the best cultivation chamber for you and send the Ebon Vein Nectar right away. I’m sure you’ll need the cultivation chamber. It’s a huge opportunity!"