Chapter 82: Andorra

Chu Tian, Anna, Barbosa, and several dark mages arrived at Andor’s residence. Although Chu Tian couldn't be certain that Andor was the one aiming to eliminate him, Andor was the only person worthy of suspicion. Better to err on the side of caution and not let him slip away. With no other lead, Chu Tian decided to start with Andor.

The warhorse had been poisoned. Chu Tian felt mixed emotions about this discovery. On one hand, he was relieved that no diseases beyond his knowledge had appeared on the Phantom Beast Continent, meaning his identity and status remained secure. On the other hand, he was determined to find out who was behind the poisoning. If those who poisoned the horse could breach such an ironclad defense unnoticed, they might also be capable of quietly removing Chu Tian himself.

Kanas and Ludie III were unaware that the warhorse had been poisoned, and Chu Tian had no intention of revealing this information. Poisoning a warhorse was a feat beyond even ninth-rank magical beasts, yet it had undeniably happened. What did this imply?

If Ludie III learned the truth, would he still have the confidence to wage war? Without war, Chu Tian's secret plan would be impossible to execute. Even if his life hung by a thread, Chu Tian was prepared to gamble everything—the empire’s fate and his own existence—on this daring bet.

With Apache gone, the NMD lacking offensive power, and the Hummer too small to be of much use, the strongest ally at Chu Tian’s side was the recently allied Anna. Bringing Anna to visit Andor served not only to ensure his safety but also another purpose.

The elves were the most skilled race in stealth and tracking. Once an elven archer reached level seven, they gained a unique skill: Breath Lock. As an eighth-level Night Hunter, Anna had perfected this ability to an extraordinary degree. Even ninth-rank magical beasts capable of concealing their breath and magical fluctuations would be unable to escape detection within a hundred meters of her. Of course, Anna’s power was limited to locking onto ninth-rank beasts; she lacked the authority to harm them, being only a Night Hunter and not a ninth-level Night Arrow God.

Detecting ninth-rank magical beasts was sufficient. Chu Tian intended to use Anna’s ability to discern what other experts Andor might have under his command, besides Dirk.

Barbosa had suggested the warhorse might have been infected with a dark virus. The dark mages disguised as servants were tasked with investigating whether any necromantic magic was present in Andor’s household.

Upon arrival, Andor greeted them with his usual kindly, smiling demeanor, resembling a gentle, plump old man. Hearing of Chu Tian’s visit, Andor personally came to the door. “Ha ha, Prince Vladino, what brings you to see this old man today?”

“Praise be to the Goddess of Life!” Chu Tian nodded with a light smile, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a nobleman of the continent. “Right Chancellor, you labor endlessly for the empire. It is only proper that I, a junior, come to visit you.”

“Hmph! Your Highness is truly carefree!” sneered Anderson, Andor’s son, who had been dragged out by his father.

“Anderson, get out of the way!” Andor apologized to Chu Tian as he shooed his son off. But Chu Tian saw through this pretense—it was merely an excuse to avoid trouble with Anderson. Still, with his current status, Chu Tian paid no heed to such a minor figure.

“Please, Your Highness, come inside!” After formalities, Andor led Chu Tian and company into his estate.

“Right Chancellor, your manor is quite tasteful!” Chu Tian admired the simple yet elegant estate as they walked. After serving as the empire’s chancellor for twenty years, Andor naturally had amassed great wealth, yet his home was surprisingly modest. Compared to his own estate, which looked like a newly rich pretentious mansion, Chu Tian felt somewhat ashamed.

Andor’s estate was simply structured: a square walled courtyard with a main building at its center, surrounded by flower-adorned pavilions and water features, all exuding a humble charm.

“Right Chancellor, your home has a unique charm. Coincidentally, I have been meaning to renovate my estate,” Chu Tian smiled, using this as an excuse to tour the property with Anna. “I would like to observe your home and perhaps borrow some ideas to improve mine. What do you think?”

Though the pretext was somewhat contrived, Chu Tian saw no better option—it would be awkward to wander aimlessly.

He had considered sending spies, but quickly dismissed the idea. Only Anna could accomplish this task, and if Andor truly harbored powerful figures, sending Anna alone could put her life at risk—something Chu Tian was unwilling to gamble.

“Ha ha, of course you may,” Andor agreed cheerfully. “I’ll have Dirk show Your Highness around.”

Soon, Dirk received word and hurried from the main hall. “Greetings, Holy Priest Your Highness.”

“Heh, Master Dirk is too formal,” Chu Tian said meaningfully to Andor. “To have a Sword Saint as your steward, Right Chancellor, I envy you. Ha ha, even if you told me you had a tenth-rank magical beast guarding the gate, I would believe it.”

“Your Highness’s steward is a God of Magic as well, isn’t he?” Andor smiled. “And I suppose this elven lady by your side isn’t weak either?”

Though Anna was a gift from the Elven King to Chu Tian—a private exchange between them—and her role was to foster the alliance, neither Ludie III, Kanas, nor the elves had publicized her identity, so as not to damage aristocratic dignity. Only a few knew her true strength.

Andor’s remark was meant as a joke, but it caught Dirk’s attention.

“An eighth-level Night Hunter!” Dirk’s eyes lit up as he stared at Anna. “Moreover, a Night Hunter who has mastered the elven specialty—Breath Lock—to the pinnacle!”

Praise the Goddess of Life! Chu Tian chastised himself silently. How could he have forgotten Dirk, the Sword Saint? There were differences even among peers. Though Anna had perfected Breath Lock, she was still only at the early stage of eighth level. Dirk was on the verge of ascending to Sword God!

Had Anna concealed her breath, Dirk would not have detected her strength—concealment was the elves’ greatest skill. Yet this time, Chu Tian had boldly revealed Anna’s presence before Dirk.

Chu Tian had intended to probe Andor’s strength. If powerful figures existed in Andor’s household, Anna being discovered was expected. However, in Chu Tian’s plan, Anna was to be discovered only after investigation, so that any suspicion from Andor would come too late.

Now, with Dirk inadvertently exposing Anna’s identity, how could Chu Tian continue the “tour” of Andor’s manor? To do so would be tantamount to openly confronting Andor.

“Boss…” Anna blushed and lowered her head, glancing nervously at Chu Tian, unsure what to say.

“Ha ha, so you’re a Night Hunter!” Andor’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had not grasped Dirk’s hint. Instead, he appraised Anna with interest, speaking with a suggestive tone. “Your Highness is enviable—such a capable and beautiful elf is hard to find…”

Anna’s face reddened further. Though innocent, she understood Andor’s implication, her heart fluttering with mixed emotions. She recalled the emperor and elders’ words before departure: so long as the boss supported the alliance, she must fulfill all his requests. Did that include this?

“Ahem.” Chu Tian cleared his throat awkwardly, about to change the subject, but Andor interrupted. “If your Highness wishes to tour my estate, please do.”

A subtle ploy? Heh heh. “Very well, I’ll take a look. Thank you, sir.” Others might have fled in embarrassment, but Chu Tian’s years of deception had thickened his skin. Since Andor agreed, why hesitate? As long as he didn’t provoke an immediate fallout, it was fine—Chu Tian had already marked Andor as an enemy.

Unfortunately, Andor was not playing coy. After a perfunctory walkthrough, Chu Tian found nothing except a few capable guards. No superiors, no traces of dark magic.

“Praise the Goddess of Life!” Though Andor knew their intent, he had to endure this blatant investigation under their noses. Even Barbosa’s grim face showed strain, and Anna was utterly flustered. Yet Chu Tian maintained his charlatan guise, showing no discomfort. “Your manor is indeed splendid.” He glanced at the sky; the red moon was rising. “It’s late; I should be going.”

“Your Highness, why rush? Stay for dinner.” Andor’s kindness remained genuine. “I have already prepared the meal.”

“Oh, I couldn’t impose… That would be too much trouble.” Chu Tian smiled sweetly but showed no intention of leaving.

“It’s no trouble at all. Having an Ancient Holy Priest dine at my home is my honor.” Andor grabbed Chu Tian’s arm and led them to the dining hall.

While eating, Barbosa pondered Chu Tian’s true intent. Andor’s household had been thoroughly examined. Why hadn’t Chu Tian left? Was he testing Andor at the table? Lost in thought, Barbosa suddenly felt a kick under the table. Looking down discreetly, he saw Chu Tian.

Squinting, Chu Tian smiled faintly, raising his right hand to toast Andor while subtly signaling Barbosa with his left to poison the food—not with a deadly toxin.

Chu Tian could not detect whether Andor had any superiors, but he could test for dark mages at the meal. If Andor kept dark mages, he would have someone to quickly neutralize poison, confirming their presence. If not, at least the rotund old man would suffer a little.

Moments later, Barbosa signaled that the task was done. After Andor drank the poisoned wine, Chu Tian took his leave.

Now they had to wait. If Andor showed no symptoms in the coming days, Chu Tian would proceed with the next phase of his plan.

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After Chu Tian’s departure, Andor dismissed the servants and remained alone with Dirk at the table.

“Ha ha,” they exchanged knowing smiles. Dirk sat beside Andor and said, “Vladino is still too inexperienced.” Clearly, Chu Tian’s performance was a clumsy child’s act to Dirk.

“Poisoned wine from a Necromancer God?” Andor examined his cup and drank it in one gulp. “Hmph. Using a potion brewed by a powerless Necromancer God to poison me, a true Necromancer God? Ha ha, Vladino, you are truly adorable.”

“Heh, given his age, that’s already impressive,” Andor mused, raising his glass. “If he had decades more to train, Vladino might indeed threaten us.”

“But will he live that long?” Dirk sneered, disregarding Chu Tian. “Are you planning to kill him outright now?”

“No,” Andor shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Why? Afraid of being discovered?” Dirk’s tone lost its former respect, speaking as an equal. “Don’t worry, I’ll be thorough. Everyone knows I’m an eighth-level Sword Saint now. Ha ha, last time against Damar, because he was an eighth-level Archmage, I was a Sword Saint!”

“And when you go to kill Vladino this time, you’ll strike with full force, right?” Andor leaned back, speaking slowly. “No one will believe a Sword Saint could kill an Ancient Holy Priest protected by a Night Hunter and a Mammoth Elephant. So no one will suspect us. That’s your plan, isn’t it?”

“Exactly!” Dirk said proudly. “Hmph! Who would guess that their steward is a Sword God!”

“Dirk, you underestimate the Caesar Empire’s strength,” Andor shook his head. “I’m not worried about you failing to kill Vladino, but about the consequences after his death.”

“What consequences?” Dirk snorted coldly. “Even if he’s important to Caesar, what can Ludie III do? Besides, no one will find out.”

“You know too little,” Andor’s expression turned serious. “If you kill Vladino, I believe Ludie III won’t discover the truth. I fear not Ludie’s retaliation, but something else.”

“If Vladino can’t die,” Dirk slammed the table angrily, “why did you have me try to kill him before?”

“That’s different!” Andor sighed. “Before, Vladino was only a minor marquis. Now, he is Princess Serena’s fiancé, a member of the royal family.”

“What difference does that make? Why for thirty years have you forbidden me from killing any Caesar royal?” Dirk’s face darkened. “We’ve worked together over thirty years. Won’t you tell me the truth?”

“Sigh,” Andor sighed deeply. “It’s not that I won’t tell, but my elder brother forbids it.”

Suddenly, behind them, a shadowy figure emerged from the air with no warning.

“That little fellow was Vladino?” Andor and Dirk stood respectfully, addressing the shadow.

“Yes, Mr. Morphete!” They answered solemnly.

“How interesting, ha ha ha...” The eerie laughter was soft yet grating. “That elven girl who used Breath Lock—she belongs to Vladino?”

“Yes!” The Necromancer God Andor and Sword Saint Dirk, the continent’s ultimate warriors, now trembled before this shadow’s questions.

“Excellent! To master Breath Lock so well at just over a hundred years old, ha ha ha...” More manic laughter followed. “Even the Elven King couldn’t do this! Looks like in a few hundred years, I won’t be lonely anymore.”

Hearing this, Andor and Dirk exchanged glances, realizing they had greatly underestimated the elven beauty’s strength. Being marked by this shadow as a future adversary was the highest honor any continent warrior could dream of.

The shadow suddenly pointed at Andor. “Tell me, besides Anthony, does Vladino have any other mentors?”

“No,” Dirk replied gratefully it wasn’t him, though a few cold beads of sweat rolled down Andor’s cheek under the immense pressure.

“Strange,” the shadow tilted its head. “Why do I sense the presence of many old friends around him? Ha ha ha, this makes things more interesting!” The shadow then drifted away.

“Mr. Morphete, where are you going?” Andor asked anxiously as the shadow vanished.

“Ha ha ha...” The shadow stopped, back turned, voice icy. “Remember! We are only collaborators! Mind your own business! Also, I, the noble one, will no longer poison any horses!”

The air seemed to freeze. After the shadow’s disappearance, Andor finally recovered from his trembling, staring blankly toward where it had vanished. Turning to Dirk, he said, “It seems Mr. Morphete is going to meet Vladino…”