Chapter 1726: Aftermath & Result of Evernight Trial (2)

The moment the Midnight Duke appeared, the Evernight Dukes instantly turned towards him.

While their disciples lowered their heads with respect because the Midnight Duke was also wearing a unique-motif mask of a demonic visage, like the other Dukes, they knew this person had status equal to their masters’.

The Midnight Duke glanced at the Dukes’ disciples before he impassively stated, "We have important things to discuss!"

The Evernight Dukes instantly understood what the Midnight Duke wanted, and instructed their disciples to retreat into the Dukes’ private cultivation chambers not far from here.

The disciples didn’t dare to disobey and quickly left, while Eva secretly glanced at the Midnight Duke before quietly retreating towards the cultivation chamber of Dread Duchess.

After all, Eva was still not completely out of the woods yet because of the delay, especially since the Evernight Kings seemed to be displeased with Dread Duchess. If they decided to pursue this matter, Eva knew she and Ace might have to endure the Evernight Kings’ scrutiny.

But sensing the current mood and Dread Duchess’s own opinion, the Evernight Kings had other, more important things on their mind instead of seeking an explanation for such a small mishap.

After everyone left, there were only the Midnight Duke, Dread Duchess, Enchantress Demon Duchess, Yin Duchess, and Corpse Duke present.

The Midnight Duke finally spoke, "My fellow Dukes, the Evernight Kings have ordered us all to go through an extreme evaluation and search because of the anomaly of the Undead Realm!"

The Evernight Dukes were startled, and despite their impassive expressions, they were displeased not only because this was humiliating and demeaning to their status, but also because this treatment was reserved only for criminals.

The Enchantress Demon Duchess spoke in her charming voice, with an icy edge, "May I inquire if this ’evaluation’ is like ’soul interrogation’ and if this search is about going through our personal belongings, even our secrets?"

The other Evernight Dukes didn’t interfere, but they looked at the Midnight Duke as if waiting for him to answer those questions as well.

After all, even if this order had come from the Evernight Kings, and they might give in under their authority, their feelings towards the Evernight Council might turn cold.

The Midnight Duke frowned behind his mask as he cast a cold glance at the Enchantress Demon Duchess, but he still replied, "Enchantress Demon Duchess, you are taking this the wrong way. No matter what, we are still members of the King Circle, not criminals who had to undergo Soul Interrogation, much less prying into our personal secrets.

"As you all had personally witnessed and felt the impossible anomaly of the Undead Realm, which hadn’t been recorded or heard of in all the history of the Evernight Council. Not to mention there isn’t even a myth or rumor about something that could make an Abyssal King Realm Abyssal Ordeal retreat.

"Moreover, we might be the closest to the Abyssal King realm, but we are not there yet and can’t guess the thoughts of Abyssal Kings or preserve how they see the world.

"That’s the reason why the Evernight Kings issued a retreat order and even destroyed the realm gateway instead of investigating that phenomenon."

A hint of regret flashed past the Midnight Duke’s eyes as he continued, "The High Majesties are probably worried that we might have been contaminated by something unknown, and as a matter of fact, anyone present in this ark could’ve been affected.

"That’s why not just you all, but me included; everyone present in the ark would undergo these evaluations and searches. It’s just that, since we are the strongest, our chances of being affected are quite low.

"So, we’ll be the first ones to be evaluated, and I don’t think the search is about going through our belongings and secrets. So, there’s no need to worry about it."

The Evernight Dukes didn’t retort as they all accepted the Midnight Duke’s explanation, and when they thought about something unknown affecting them, a sudden chill ran down their spine.

Because if the retreat of the Abyssal Ordeal were really connected to some unknown entity, then anyone present could be contaminated by it, and they wouldn’t even realize it until it was too late.

The Enchantress Demon Duchess no longer said anything, but she thought ruefully, ’I don’t even want to be here in the first place. I was just joining in for fun and to watch little guys playing around. But I ended up not only going to the Undead Realm, and now I’m probably confined in this boring place!’

At this moment, the Yin Duchess spoke, "Lord Midnight, I was wondering, after this evaluation, how the rewards of the trial will now be distributed since the trial hadn’t gone as planned? Are we allowing everyone entry into the sanctuary?"

Her voice turned cold and disdainful. "Even those insignificant outsiders who were hiding behind our forces, or those who were truly trying to participate, will be passed over to stay alive?"

The Yin Duchess’s question touched another important topic in everyone’s mind, and since the Midnight Duke oversaw this Evernight Trial, he was responsible for the final evaluation and reward distribution.

The Midnight Duke had long thought about this problem, and truthfully, he was also frustrated about it because there were too many uncertainties and anomalies in this trial.

Especially because of the Evernight Kings’ retreat order, even those weak participants had entered the sanctuary, and he couldn’t just blame them for messing up this trial. In the end, he had to take full responsibility and figure out how to clean up this mess.

He replied impassively, "You don’t need to worry about the trial results. Even if some unworthy ones had snuck into the sanctuary, there are many ways to screen them out. Let’s just focus on assuring the safety of everyone and Evernight Sanctuary."

The Yin Duchess and Evernight Dukes were slightly dissatisfied with this answer, but they knew they couldn’t force him to do anything or make him give up full details of his plans.

At that moment, the Dread Duchess raised a question in a cold tone that had been on her mind since the very beginning, ever since she had entered the Undead Cradle.

"Lord Midnight Duke, now that we are back to the sanctuary and we still have time, please tell me what happened to the disciple of the Moonless Wandering King, Nomad?

"Because I haven’t seen or even heard about him all this time, and he’s clearly not anywhere in the ark!"