Chapter 1012 - 848: Mandate_2

She walked step by step toward the Duke, her pace leisurely and alluring, as if dancing a silent dance.

Caitlin bit her lip and struggled to stand up as well, bowing her head and following behind her sister, her white stocking-clad legs trembling slightly under the loose black robe.

The two stopped simultaneously in front of the Duke, one on the left and one on the right.

Lucia extended her hand, her fingertips gently resting on the arm-guard of the Duke’s dark gold armor, her fingertips softly tracing the patterns on the metallic surface, her movements tender and lingering, like caressing a precious work of art.

"My Lord’s armor is indeed splendid," she said softly, "though I dare suggest that as majestic as the armor is, it must be uncomfortable to wear. My sister’s chambers are right behind, with warm springs and soft beds. Though our skills are not refined, we will ensure my Lord’s comfort."

As she spoke, her fingertips slid from the arm-guard to the back of the Duke’s hand, softly glancing over the skin of his hand.

Caitlin, though not as bold as her sister, also mustered up the courage at this moment, extending her slightly trembling hand to gently pinch a corner of the Duke’s cloak, her voice as soft as melting, "My Lord... my sister speaks true... my sister and I... can do anything for you..."

The Duke lowered his head to glance at them.

The face under the dark gold armor remained calm as water, but his spiritual power was already in high gear.

Whether these women’s behavior was due to long-term fanatic belief leading to emotional projection or the residual forces within the Shadow Council still held unrealistic expectations for this identity of Salonos.

He temporarily did not probe deeper nor intended to complicate matters at this critical juncture.

The Duke never deprived himself, and the two women before him indeed were tempting, both in figure and appearance.

But now was not the time for such things; he needed to quickly gain control of the Shadow Council and sever the link between Salonos and the Oracle Plane.

Moreover, the Shadow Council was Salonos’s tool in the Oracle Plane, so a thorough investigation was necessary to ensure Salonos left no means behind.

The Duke raised his hand, gently patted the back of Lucia’s hand resting on his arm-guard, then turned his head to glance at Caitlin.

His movements were light, devoid of any lustful intent, yet they caused both women to hold their breath simultaneously.

"I understand your intentions."

His voice was still deep, but the tone softened slightly, just a touch, enough to make Lucia’s lashes tremble violently,

"But now is not the time. The Shadow Council has just undergone a upheaval, with Dominic sacrificed, Julius dead, and you three as the only remaining Great Mages. The Southern Territory needs you, and I have more pressing matters to attend to."

The Duke released Lucia’s hand, stepped back, and his gaze swept over both faces, his tone returned to an indisputable authority, "After I deal with my current affairs, I will come to you."

Lucia’s eyes lit up, shining as if the flames of the Shadow Torch burned within her pupils.

Her red lips parted slightly, her tongue quickly licked her upper lip, her mouth curving into an almost uncontrollable arc.

She bowed deeply again, the teasing tone in her voice temporarily subdued, replaced by a more intense expectation, "I obey, my sister and I will wait here for you regardless of the time."

Lucia slowed her speech deliberately while speaking the last words, as if savoring the weight of each word, then slightly raised her gaze, looking at the Duke with an eyes already imagining.

"When my Lord descends again, my sister and I will certainly make up for your efforts today."

Caitlin bowed as well, the blush on her ears spreading to her neck, her voice still soft, but more determined than before, "Caitlin obeys as well. Take care, my Lord; my sister and I will guard everything here for you."

The Duke did not respond further.

He gestured for the two to rise, then turned toward the stone stairs, the dark gold armor reflecting a cold light under the glow of the Shadow Torch, the dark gold wings slightly spread, their tips brushing against the obsidian bricks of the hall floor with a faint metallic scrape.

Lucia and Caitlin remained kneeling, watching his figure disappear at the end of the stairs, identical blushes rising on both faces.

Lucia licked her lips, turned her head, and said something softly to her sister, Caitlin’s face instantly flushed, but she did not refute, only nodded her head gently while bowing.

The Duke swept out from the depths of the dense forest and soared back into the sky.

His spiritual power simultaneously touched the three brightest anchor points in the faith channel within the Light Divine Status—Marcus, Lucia, Caitlin.

The consciousness of the three received the Master’s Oracle simultaneously, the Oracle brief and clear: immediately cease all attacks and sabotage against the Light Sect and the Three Great Sects, release all detained sect personnel, withdraw the Shadow Assassins and intelligence personnel lurking within various church districts. The Three Great Sects have pledged allegiance to the Light Sect, and the Light Sect and the Shadow Council are no longer enemies; followers of both sides shall not attack each other henceforth. Await further Oracle for specific matters.

Marcus responded with only a brief bow of acceptance, without too much inquiry.

Lucia and Caitlin both responded with unconcealed joy, revealing that they were discussing when the Master would visit again, immediately receiving the Master’s personal Oracle.

Lucia transmitted a seductive "I obey" through spiritual power, the teasing flavor in her tone detectable even through the faith channel.

Caitlin replied softly with "I heed the Master’s Oracle," her voice still a soft drawl, but with a slight upward lilt at the end, as if stifling laughter.

The Duke landed in the shadow of an uninhabited barren hill sufficiently far from the depths of the dense forest.

The dark gold armor, wings, and magical patterns of the Dark Form faded away like a tide, his physique reverting to normal human size, and the dark gold vertical pupils in his eyes returned to their original pitch-black.

He flexed his shoulders, ensuring the dark race aura was thoroughly concealed, then soared again in his normal form toward Furnace Castle.

Returning to Furnace Castle was already late at night.

The tower’s top-floor study remained lit, where Dali and Bishop Ambrose had sorted the documents submitted by various districts, neatly stacked on one side of the desk.

The Duke entered, briefly inquiring about the city’s defenses and distribution of supplies to confirm everything was as usual, then instructed them to rest.

Once the two exited the room, closing the door behind them, he approached the desk, sat down, and retrieved several holy artifacts from the Space Ring, arranging them neatly on the table.

The Shadow Scythe, Forbidden Magic Scroll, Shadow Ring, Crystal Talisman containing the primordial essence blood of Salonos, along with the Shadow Stone Crystal he had dismantled from the core of the Descent Array, were lined up, each glowing with a cold radiance under the gentle glow of the Magic Lamp.

He picked up the Shadow Scythe, using the Light Rules once again to cleanse the lingering will prints within the scythe blade, and upon confirming complete purification, set it aside.

The scroll and ring were relatively clean, needing only a simple removal of surface residues.

The handling of the Essence Blood Talisman was the most time-consuming; using the Light Divine Status as an anchor, he repeatedly cleansed the drop of dark red essence blood within, until the latent consciousness of Salonos was entirely stripped away, leaving only pure Shadow Rule Power, before resealing the talisman.

After finishing all this, he turned his attention to the Shadow Stone Crystal.

The golden glow within the crystal had stabilized even more than before in the rift, the foundational rune structure of the faith channel operating like a set of precisely interlocking gears under the continuous penetration of the Light Divine Status.