Eternal Thief

Chapter 1562: Prerequisites to Enter!

“This opening… is not just for the members of the Evernight Council!”

The moment those words reverberated throughout the Abyssal Plains, an eerie silence reigned over the entire Abyssal Plains, but it didn’t last for the next moment, the Plains erupted!

“What—?!”

“Did I hear the opening this time is not just for the Evernight Council?!”

“Are they for real?!”

“Then who are they referring to?!”

But the Protector Envoy did not allow the chaos to grow as the lantern’s eye flashed once, and silence returned instantly, violently.

The Envoy declared the incomprehensible.

“This cycle, the Evernight Sanctuary opens…for an Outsider.”

Back at the Duskmire Vault, Eva and Ace’s expressions hardened when they heard the Protector Envoy’s words, because this didn’t seem like just a mistake or a special privilege. It was more like the start of a scheme as Ace’s thievish instinct suddenly erupted with sharpness.

Even the Dread Duchess seemed astonished as her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Her voice, a soft thread of amusement and concern, sounded under his breath, “What are they planning?”

As if answering to the Dread Duchess’s doubts, the Protector Envoy spoke again…

“Since the Evernight Sanctuary is going to be open for an outsider specifically, the Council shall keep its impartiality and give the chance of greatness to everyone!

“For the first time since the foundation of the Evernight Council, entry to the Evernight Sanctuary shall not be restricted to invitation alone!”

The next moment, a silence so deep it wounded the world followed, and then the plains erupted into a storm of disbelief, even more violent than before.

This time, even the Abyssal Myriad Kingdom shook, and the Great Clans that belonged to the Evernight Council fell into chaos. The Marquises rose from their thrones in disbelief, with a hint of peculiar intent surfacing in their hearts.

But the most skeptical about this news were those who had no affinity for the Evernight Council, because they knew what this declaration meant, as they all whispered in alarm and excitement.

Even the Abyssal Kings were astounded because this had never happened, not even once, and they all knew the council was planning something huge.

At that moment, the envoy continued, voice calm, cruel, and absolute.

“Now, here carefully for those who meet these three sacred prerequisites may attempt to earn passage and will be eligible to have a chance to change their fate and rise above all!”

The lantern flashed with an imposing might as he continued…

“First, participants must not be above the age of 500 years!

“Second, participants must not be below Abyssal Master Realm!

“Third, and most importantly, every participant must be ready to forsake their life!

“Anyone who does not meet these prerequisites is not qualified to touch the Sanctuary’s soil, and anyone who dares to go against them shall be executed without mercy!”

When the announcement was finally over, the shock that spread was immeasurable, and most of the Abyssal Beings didn’t even seem to hear the last part, or they didn’t get spooked by the final prerequisites.

Especially, those young elites who belonged to the lower class of the Abyssal Plains, and had talent yet no backer, or they weren’t willing to jump ship and remained loyal to their clans and powers, it was a humongous opportunity for them, one that won’t come just by praying.

Some even broke into tears, and some geniuses trembled with hope or rage.

Furthermore, these people weren’t just limited to those who weren’t members of the Evernight Council or simply didn’t qualify to join their ranks; the lower-ranking Evernight Nobles, like the Evernight Baron houses, were also in ecstasy as they prayed to every abyssal deity they knew.

Even the high nobles felt their composure fracture, and Marquises exchanged looks as they all saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Because Evernight Invitations were usually limited to one or two per lifetime, but now that this limit has been removed, even those members who aren’t direct descendants or heirs of the clans can participate.

On the other hand, the Evernight Dukes weren’t happy about this news because not only were they not informed beforehand, but they were finding out about it with everyone else.

After all, despite some of those Evernight Dukes being outside the Evernight Sanctuary, they were still members of the King Circle, and they knew the King Circle members within the Sanctuary were already made aware of this massive change this time, unlike them.

The Dread Duchess was especially furious as she coldly glared at the Protector Envoys and behind them the silhouette of the Evernight Sanctuary.

’It’s clear that the Evernight Kings made this decision because even King Circle didn’t have this kind of sway to change this sort of foundational rule of the Evernight Sanctuary.

’But why are they doing this? What would the Moonless Wandering King think once he found out that the council had returned his favor with this kind of fiasco?

’They have bluntly called Nomad an ’outsider’ and treat him like everyone else, which means they aren’t showing any respect for the Moonless Wandering King…’

Dread Duchess couldn’t help but secretly glance at ’Nomad’ and saw his eyes were emotionless. She couldn’t see through his current emotions, which astounded her slightly.

But when she noticed Eva’s icy cold expression, she was slightly surprised because she thought she wasn’t happy about this either. However, in truth, Eva and Ace were having a heated discussion.

“This isn’t a good sign! Do you think the Council has seen through our act and figured out about the Moonless Wandering King?” Eva asked, a hint of worry in her voice as she suppressed her killing intent from leaking out.

“No, it shouldn’t be like that, or they wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble just to lure me into a trap. Furthermore, the Moonless Wandering King has been missing for a long time, and our luck shouldn’t be that bad for him to appear right now, suddenly.” Ace wryly replied, but inwardly, he was cursing the Evernight Council for being unjust and making things difficult for them.

“Then why do you think the Council is doing it?” Eva asked, wanting to demand an explanation from the Dread Duchess, but she could tell even her master seemed dissatisfied and clueless about this entire scenario.

At that moment, something came to Ace’s mind, and his heart sank because if that was true, then things were going to become extremely dangerous for him.

However, at that moment, amid the cheers of the Abyssal Plains, the second envoy with the chains stepped forward and spoke, his voice carrying razor-edged amusement which suffocated the very air, and the cheers abruptly died down.

He stated in a tone dripping with dark humor and unmasked cruelty, “It isn’t time for everyone to rejoice and do not mistake this chance for privilege!”

At that moment, everyone suddenly realized that they had celebrated too early!