Eternal Thief

The First Battlefront stretched across the northern edge of the newly established Evernight war perimeter on the Upper Ancient Battlefield.

Towering black fortifications rose from the wasteland like the ribs of some colossal abyssal beast. Thousands of formation pillars pierced the sky while enormous defensive arrays pulsed beneath the earth.

Countless supply camps surrounded the main fortress in concentric layers, transporting resources, medicinal supplies, weapons, and formation materials without pause.

The entire region had been created in an absurdly short time; such was the terrifying logistical power of the Evernight Council.

Above the battlefield, streams of cultivators continuously arrived from every direction. Former Hunter’s Hunt participants, military personnel, and council specialists moved according to strict formations.

War banners bearing the Evernight Council’s sigil fluttered violently beneath the death-filled winds.

At every corner of the fortress stood Abyssal Lords. Some sat cross-legged atop defensive towers, some monitored formation arrays, and others stared toward the distant Undead Boundary.

Every single one radiated oppressive killing intent, resembling blades forged on countless battlefields and soaked in rivers of blood.

All of them were waiting for the enemy’s first move or a signal to ignite the conquest.

At that moment, two figures approached the main fortress. One wore a dark veil, and the other followed half a step behind her with perfect discipline. Naturally, they were Eva and Ace disguised as Kharon Veyth.

Ace maintained the appearance of an obedient subordinate while silently observing everything around him from the fortress, arrays, patrol routes, the communication formations, the number of stationed experts, and the eerily silent Undead Boundary.

Every detail entered his eyes and the Live Fate Map. Meanwhile, Eva walked forward calmly as though she belonged there.

Just as they reached the enormous gate...

”Stop.” A cold voice sounded.

Two Abyssal Lords descended from above, and their oppressive auras instantly sealed the surrounding space.

One of them looked at Eva coldly and said, ”This area is prohibited.”

The second Lord added with equal indifference, ”Participants are forbidden from approaching the First Battlefront Command Fortress.”

His eyes shifted toward Ace.

”Return to your assigned stations immediately. Failure to arrive within the allotted period will result in punishment.”

The terrifying pressure of two Abyssal Lords descended, yet Eva remained completely unmoved, not even her veil fluttered.

After a moment, she simply replied nonchalantly, ”I’m summoned here by my master.”

”Your master?”

The two Abyssal Lords frowned as a trace of confusion appeared in their eyes.

However, just as Eva was about to answer, an ethereal, authoritative, cold voice suddenly echoed throughout the entire gate area, as if it were impossible to disobey.

”Let her in.”

The surrounding space froze, and the voice continued with a hint of warning, ”She’s my disciple.”

The two Abyssal Lords trembled, and their expressions changed instantly. The previous indifference vanished completely, replaced by unmistakable respect mixed with dread.

Because they recognized that voice immediately, it was the commander of the First Battlefront, the Dread Duchess, one of the most terrifying Evernight Dukes in existence!

The two Lords immediately lowered their heads.

”Understood!”

Without another word, the fortress gates opened.

The moment Eva stepped through, both Abyssal Lords secretly transmitted messages through their communication talismans.

The information spread throughout the entire fortress.

”The disciple of the Dread Duchess has arrived.”

”Do not offend.”

”Do not obstruct.”

”Do not interfere.”

Everyone was on their guard instantly, for nobody wanted to discover what happened to those who angered the Dread Duchess.

Soon afterward, Eva and Ace crossed the many corridors and arrived at the heart of the First Battlefront’s Command Center.

The interior resembled the bridge of a colossal war machine, with hundreds of floating Qi projections filling the air.

Massive battlefield maps hovered above circular platforms, and communication formations continuously flashed with incoming reports. Array specialists monitored countless defensive systems, and Evernight Nobles moved rapidly between stations.

At the center of it all stood a single figure...the Dread Duchess. She stood before a gigantic battlefield projection while issuing commands one after another.

Several Abyssal Lords surrounded her, and alongside them stood two Abyssal Grand Lords, yet they showed not a hint of arrogance, just respect and reverence, as everyone listened attentively, and no one dared interrupt.

”...increase patrol frequency near the northern perimeter.”

”...activate the secondary detection arrays.”

”...establish three additional reinforcement routes.”

”...and keep observing the Undead Boundary.”

The Dread Duchess had already assumed her role as the Battlefield Command, and her irrefutable commands were precise and efficient.

Right at that moment, as if she felt something, her gaze shifted and landed on Eva while completely ignoring Ace behind. For a brief moment, a rare smile appeared beneath her mask.

The next moment, everyone present noticed them, and the room fell silent as they wondered who these two were and why they were allowed in this important place.

But no one dared to say anything as they all waited for the Dread Duchess to respond, since no one should be able to enter here without her agreement.

The Dread Duchess calmly spoke, ”Everyone, this is my disciple Evil Diva!”

Countless gazes immediately landed on Eva, some with curiosity, some with surprise, and others with outright disbelief.

Then her gaze shifted toward Ace, and a hint of curiosity, tinged with discontent, flickered in her eyes as she said, dismissively, ”And her subordinate.”

Ace maintained a respectful bow, not drawing attention to himself in the slightest, nor did anyone pay him any heed once they discovered it was just a subordinate akin to a servant.

The Dread Duchess continued, ”From this moment onward, they shall operate directly under my command.”

Once the command was issued, no one objected, for they dared not, and they even began planning how to curry favor with the Evil Diva.

The Dread then looked toward everyone present.

”The current deployment remains unchanged.” Her voice carried unquestionable authority, ”However, depending on battlefield developments, adjustments may occur.”

The two Abyssal Grand Lords immediately nodded, ”As you command, Duchess.”

The remaining officers followed suit promptly, ”As you command!”

The Dread Duchess waved her hand.

”Dismissed.”

Instantly, the command center erupted into activity; one after another, the officers departed.

The Abyssal Lords left, the Grand Lords withdrew, and the communication personnel quietly vacated the area.

Within moments, the enormous command center became silent, and now only three figures remained. The Dread Duchess, Eva, and Ace.

The massive battlefield projection continued to illuminate the chamber with flickering crimson light while the distant silhouette of the Undead Boundary floated within the center of the map.

For several moments, nobody spoke, and then the Dread Duchess slowly descended from the command platform.

Her eyes remained fixed on Eva, and the rare warmth from earlier returned ever so slightly.

”My disciple.” Her voice softened. ”You certainly know how to choose your timing.”

Behind Eva, Ace remained perfectly still, yet beneath Kharon Veyth’s disguise, his eyes quietly observed everything.

Because now, they were finally alone with one of the most dangerous beings in the entire Evernight Council!