Chapter 2879: Sabotage?
Chapter 2879: Sabotage?
Date: Unspecified
Time: Unspecified
Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Southern Capital City, Southern Royal Palace
"Damn it all!"
Seraphina cried out in frustration as she arrived in her war room, where her council had already assembled, awaiting her victorious return with hostages: the loved ones of the former Southern Hope.
She turned to look at her grandniece, the Southern Princess, and accused, "You fed me false information on purpose! That damned turtle wasn’t an SSS-rank monster. It was a devil in disguise."
The Southern Princess merely glanced at Seraphina and remained silent. The only reason she was dealing with this old relic at all was because of her mother’s guilt. Otherwise, Seraphina would still be rotting in her prison.
"Are you saying I sabotaged you?" the Southern Princess asked indifferently. "Even if I did, you could have improvised. Instead you ran back leaving behind your squad."
"Shut up, you think I wanted to? That damn turtle survived my blast for a full minute. The boy had returned and almost trapped us in his celestial rule domain."
"So, you just weren’t strong enough. Is that it?"
"You—"
"Don’t forget, it was my information about him and his Celestial Rule Domain that allowed you to escape in time. Otherwise, your fate would have been no different from your squad’s," the Southern Princess snapped, not even giving Seraphina the chance to speak. She then turned to leave, adding, "If you’re done whining, I’d like to get back to work."
Seraphina stared at her grandniece’s retreating back in rage but ultimately chose not to act. That little girl had far too many allies compared to her. Without solid proof, she didn’t dare move against her openly.
Besides, the girl was right. If not for her suggestion to prepare three different SSS-rank teleportation cards for escape, Seraphina would never have made it out alive and would have been dragged into the Celestial Rule Domain along with the rest of her squad.
However, she still believed the Southern Princess had deliberately misinformed her about the turtle devil being an SSS-rank monster. She simply had no way to prove it, leaving her with no choice but to let the matter rest for now.
She turned to the rest of her council and said, "You are dismissed."
During her confrontation with her grandniece, she had realized that every one of them would choose the latter over her in a heartbeat. The very council she had built by rallying the houses that once supported her rebellion to overthrow her brother had failed her through their descendants.
The moment she realized this, Seraphina understood that her political influence as the Southern Heir was weaker than that of a mere Southern Princess. Even if the position had rightfully been hers centuries ago, she still had to earn the respect and trust of the people and the noble houses. Otherwise, even now, she would never be able to ascend as the Southern Ruler.
Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City
"Hey, maybe you’re the ugly one to him. Did you ever stop to consider that?"
"Are you brave?" Anna asked grimly, her eyes fixed on Corey. "Or are you still dumb enough to think Wyatt will save you from me?"
Anna harbored nothing but negative feelings toward the dark races. Her remark toward Peyote hadn’t been out of vanity, but genuine criticism born from her prejudice. If not for his appearance, she would have found something else to criticize.
Peyote understood that well too. He had worked with many demon and devil merchants who were not native to the Dark Realm, and no matter their status or strength, those who had lost their native realms or suffered demon invasions all carried deep prejudice toward the Dark Races. Many of them were among the strongest and most resilient beings he had ever met, yet even they struggled to let go of that hatred.
Besides, as the last of his kind, Peyote understood where they were coming from. So he wasn’t surprised by Anna’s remarks. In fact, it was easier for him to accept her hostility than Corey defending him. However, after sensing the demonic energy within her, he no longer doubted Corey’s actions either.
"Your Highness, I apologize for showing you such an ugly sight. I’ll change immediately."
After healing himself, Peyote morphed back into his Cloud Turtle form. He was more than happy to accommodate Anna, seeing in her an opportunity to earn her master’s trust and favor over the coming decade, all to achieve his ambitions.
Meanwhile, Corey glared at Anna, clearly disapproving of her actions and attitude. Yet deep down, she was beginning to understand why her boss had already started laying the groundwork for operations in the Dark Realm and wanted her to lead them.
After all, if even the most capable and trustworthy Card Apprentices carried such deep-seated prejudice against the Dark Races, how could people like them ever hope to move into the Dark Realm and conduct successful business there without letting their prejudice interfere with their duties?
As for Anna, she was satisfied with Peyote’s reaction. In her mind, it only reaffirmed that she had chosen the right fiancé. Never had she imagined a day would come when a powerful devil like Peyote would not only bow to her but also apologize for offending her and actively try to curry her favor. She couldn’t believe that something like this was possible in the Card World. But her fiance had made it a reality.
"Don’t you want your eyes no more?" Anna snapped at Corey, who was still glaring at her.
"Now, I understand why Wyatt didn’t involve you in his plans for the dark realm," Corey spoke her mind without thinking.
"What are you going on about?"
"I am saying you are a bigot. Wait, is that the right word here?"
"Do you want to die?" Anna cracked her knuckles, gearing up to teach her dear goddaughter a lesson.
However, just then, the world turned crimson, and space itself began to stretch endlessly. Before they could react, they were dragged into the Celestial Rule Domain.