Nightmare’s Call

One of the Sevenlocks, Second Seat Aelfe Shafrayne came from a wealthy noble family. He received a full set of aristocratic education from a young age. But as he grew up and times changed, the nobility started to lose their power and influence.

Having an aristocratic education, he had been practicing self-control and pushing himself to the limit so that he could become a real aristocrat. But the tide of history was irreversible. After many times of failure and with the draw from the Sevenlocks Tower, he made up his mind to join them.

‘Destroy to rebuild new order’ had been the aim of the Sevenlocks Tower all along. It was also the purpose and hope for people to join the group where they further made it their personal goal and mission.

Aelfe came out from his thought, finding himself walking along a shady path on the bank of a river in Shermanton. He passed through the holy light defense and headed straight toward the Sanctum Hill. He did not announce his visit but approached quietly toward the target.

Before he came, he had heard about how good the Sanctum was in dealing with the Black Tide. But after he passed through the defense line, he realized the Sanctum was not only good at fighting the Black Tide but it had been successful in bringing the people together. He used to be a noble and then fell from grace, so he knew how horrible the method that the Sanctum used.

Moving along the shaded path, he could still see a few couples pushing their babies on the strollers coming out for a stroll. The situation here was precisely the same as before the Black Tide outbreak as compared to the situation outside.

“This is incredible…” he thought to himself.

Aelfe used his special ability, a crystal masking method, to conceal his aura in an unknown dimension. He now looked just like an ordinary tourist. Everyone walking past him would not remember him and his face. People would just realize in their mind, ‘Oh, someone has just walked past’ and register nothing.

After the shady path, Aelfe came to the public park at the foothill of the Sanctum Hill. Here, it was a lot more crowded than any other place. If people in other parts of Shermanton were living a normal life, then people normal-looking residents here were a lot more frenzied. They prayed with their eyes closed, facing the direction of the Sanctum Hill, chanting something in their mouths. Some who looked like they had just arrived began to erect tents and slept on the spot. Some appeared to have been here for a very long time, down at heel with unbearable sweat, body odor and smelly feet all over the place.

Aelfe looked up into the park; the hill inside looked more like several-hundred-meter high. It looked like any other hills, but he could feel something in there that told him otherwise.

“This should be it.”

Aelfe made up his mind and walked toward the hill without hesitation. As a Palatinate, he could reach the top in a few leaps or by flying. But he remained patient, walking past the crowd in the park and then quickening his pace as he approached the Sanctum Hill. He wanted to make out something about the Sanctum.

The closer he got to the hill, the denser the holy-power particles in the air. A steady, indiscriminate suppressive energy covered the surroundings, including him. He was hiding in a different dimension using his special ability, but he could still feel the suppressive energy. Its overwhelming holy power was suppressing the dark energy in him.

As powerful as the Palatinates were, they must constantly draw their dark energy from the Tidal Gate. But here, he had to battle the omnipresent suppressive energy to open the Tidal Gate. Although the suppressive energy had little effect on him, the dark energy from the Eventide he pulled would be subject to the holy power’s influence. That meant a Palatinate like him would be indirectly affected, his combat strength reduced.

“What a clever setup!” Aelfe could not help but marvel.

Soon, he came before the long and white stairway. Invisible to the guards, Aelfe moved up the staircase, five or six steps at a time. Before long, he reached the hillside, halfway to the top. He looked down at the city of Henricqal and lamented,

“What a beautiful view. It’s a shame that such gorgeous scenery would soon be destroyed in my hands. I couldn’t help but feel guilty about it…”

With his hands on his back, he continued to climb while taking in the pristine and natural beauty of the Sanctum Hill. At last, he came before the little hillside building that represented the Sanctum.

“Everything will be over now.”

He reached out his hand and held the door handle. Relaxing his special ability, his body left the other dimension and returned to the real world. He needed to leave the observation state in order to have contact with the real world.

Aelfe turned the handle, and the door opened. He strode in, looking calm and indifferent. Horrifying energy burst from his body, spreading to every inch of the little sanctum. It was the energy of Aelfe, the Palatinate.

“I am the Second Seat of the Sevenlocks, Aelfe. Be shaken. Be horrified. And then bow before me asking for forgiveness!”

The Night Lord, the Steel Lord, Khadula, and Adolf had gathered together as if they were having a meeting. When they heard the words of Aelfe, they all blinked, unsure how to react. They just looked on as Aelfe barged in.

Aelfe raised his chin, glancing at them. “Stunned by my energy?” He dusted his clothes. “I’m going to give you all a chance; you all come at once!” His words reverberated in the sanctum, but no one responded.

For a moment, there was an awkwardness in the prayer room. The Night Lord and the Steel Lord exchanged a look.

“You know this fella?”

“I just came back from abroad. How could I have known him?” The Steel Lord shook his head.

“How did he come in?”

“I don’t know… but I feel there is something in him. He should be able to last a few rounds.”

The Night Lord rubbed his chin, then turned to look at Aelfe. “Did you just say you wanted to fight us at once?

Aelfe sneered. He went to the window at the side of the sanctum with his back to them. “It was I who said it, of course.”

“Would you dare to remain unmoved if I blow out a breath at you?” the Night Lord asked.

“Are you kidding or what?” Aelfe looked not too happy. “Remember. You all have only one chance. I will show you all my tolerance as a Second Seat.”