Eternal Thief

Chapter 1565: Approaching the Sanctuary Gate (2)

At that moment, as Ace and Eva looked ahead, they saw it and realized they weren’t alone, as dots appeared across the horizon like comets.

But they weren’t mere comets, for as Dread Duchess’s warship grew closer, similar warships, flying palaces, flying abyssal beast mounts, arks, and even skeletal chariots pulled by abyssal horrors, and countless vessels erupted into motion from every corner of the Plains.

Some burst forth out of hidden locations while others tore free from renowned strongholds of Abyssal Plains, and a few even descended from the sky itself, as if they had been waiting all along.

Some of them moved at ridiculous speeds, even faster than sound, and some were faster than law-bound flight. At the same time, some were driven by greed, desperation, pride, madness, and ambition.

The entire Abyssal Plains was mobilizing.

“These guys are really fearless. Despite that announcement, so many are still interested in joining this obvious death trap. I guess greed triumphed even over fear of death.” Ace communicated with Eva in a wry tone while watching the flood of figures streak toward the Evernight Gate like moths rushing a black sun.

Eva agreed with Ace’s comment, her lips curling slowly as she replied softly, eyes gleaming with cold excitement. “Aren’t we the same, my love? It’s just that this trap is not enough.”

Ace smiled faintly and was about to reply when suddenly a system interface materialized in front of him…

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[Incoming House Call!]

-Caller: Noa Night (Thief Assassin)

-Accept/Ignore/Reject

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Ace was slightly surprised by Noa’s sudden house call, but when he looked towards the Evernight Gate, he got a vague idea about the purpose of her call.

But before Ace could accept her call, another system interface appeared right below it…

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[Incoming House Call!]

-Caller: Alina Sliver (Celestial Thief)

-Accept/Ignore/Reject

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Then another…

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[Incoming House Call!]

-Caller: Winter Fox (Faceless Thief)

-Accept/Ignore/Reject

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…and back to back…

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[Incoming House Call!]

-Caller: Freya Witch (Evil Thief)

-Accept/Ignore/Reject

=====

Ace was floored by almost all the House Members’ calls together, and only Zaria was missing, while Eva was right beside him. This was a unique situation he had never encountered before, and he didn’t know who to respond to first.

However, he decided to be impartial and accept Noa’s call first because she was the first one to reach out without any favoritism.

The moment Noa’s call was accepted, her impassive voice sounded, “Leader, what are your instructions? Should I head for the Evernight Sanctuary gate or continue with my task?”

’As expected…’ Ace thought as he had already guessed why all the house members were calling at the same time.

After all, their missions were all connected with the Evernight Council. Before, they didn’t have a way to infiltrate the Evernight Sanctuary, so they went their separate ways to work towards their respective mission using their own methods.

However, now that this rare chance has presented itself to them, they are probably all thinking about using it to directly enter the heart of the enemy base, so they can search for the clues together instead of wandering without any direction. Ace also relates to this approach.

Ace remained silent for a moment before he replied curtly, “No, focus on your own task. I’ll handle the Evernight Sanctuary with Eva.”

“I understand. Please be careful.” Noa acknowledged Ace’s command without hesitation as if she were already expecting it.

“You as well,” Ace replied before he cut the call with Noa.

Thereafter, he called the House Members, starting with Alina, and as he expected, they were all asking the same thing as Noa. But without any exceptions, he gave them the same reply to their inquiries.

Furthermore, Ace was slightly surprised because no one went against his order and accepted as if they were all anticipating the same response. Well, except for Alina’s cold ’Hmphed’ when she heard Eva was going with him, but she didn’t make a big deal out of it.

As for Zaria, Ace’s avatar was already with her, so she didn’t need to call him directly, nor was she currently in condition to head inside the Evernight Sanctuary.

On the other hand, Eva also sensed Ace’s silence and unfocused expression, but she didn’t disturb him as if she had suspected something.

Ace couldn’t help but feel gratified after he was done with the calls and told Eva as well.

As for the reason behind Ace’s direct rejection, there was a massive flaw in this direct method. They would all be in the same place, giving away their numerical advantage, because it was still not confirmed whether the clue they were looking for was definitely within the Evernight Sanctuary.

Moreover, Ace must consider the other requirements of this mission. Earning fame and house points. Although stealing inside the Evernight Sanctuary might earn them thunderous fame, it was only possible for one person.

After all, once the Evernight Council was alerted about a thief who had infiltrated their ranks and, on top of that, the sheer humiliation from the successful heist, they would do everything in their power to track the culprit down.

Furthermore, it wasn’t easy to leave the Evernight Sanctuary, for it was a close secret realm, and if by any chance the Evernight Kings got involved, the house members would be in danger.

That’s why Ace didn’t hesitate to reject them all and told them to work on their fames because he was confident enough to handle the Evernight Sanctuary and even confident in protecting Eva if things went south.

While Ace and Eva were secretly conversing, the Dread Duchess seemed to be entirely immersed in her own thoughts as she coldly looked towards the Protector Envoys.

As time passed, ahead of them, the Evernight Gate loomed larger. Its bleeding light washing over the converging armada, painting every ship, every being, every ambition the same shade of crimson judgment.

Above it all, the three Protector Envoys waited without any movement. They were still and patient, almost as if welcoming prey.

At that moment, the Dread Duchess stood at the prow, veil fluttering in nonexistent wind, her gaze locked on the Sanctuary beyond the Gate.

“It’s been a while…” Se muttered calmly under her breath, with a hint of unshaken authority, “…Evernight Abyssal Devil Clan!”

With those ambiguous words, her ship accelerated once more, carving a space-shattering path straight toward Evernight Gate like a raging storm!