Chapter 259: More Guests

Following the announcement, Moon started changing where he’d be spending his next days while waiting for the enemies to arrive.

The tallest and farthest spot anyone could go after abandoning the first two lines.

The castle walls.

Moon went there with a pillow and blanket, nothing else.

Unexpectedly, Mishu stayed there with him. He had expected the cat to stay in the room instead.

He lived a normal life there, as did any other watchman here.

Sleeping, eating and living there. Though soldiers had rotational duty schedules, unlike Moon, who was staying permanently there.

Mishu didn’t want to eat the food soldiers ate for obvious reasons. The lack of meat.

Basil came to deliver some meat every once in a while.

Moon would also feel Alma’s gaze on him from different places. He couldn’t help shaking his head.

"She doesn’t give up," he whispered to himself. "Unlike her brother."

By the time darkness settled over, Moon looked at the mountain in the distance. So much higher than any other one around it, steep to the point that it was almost a flat, vertical cliff.

On the top of it, a castle was lit as if flying in the darkness by itself.

Overtaking the sky and night. Looking mythical and unsettling at the same time.

The soldiers there were used to the sight by now. As for Moon, he had seen it a few times, but today he had time to study the sight thoroughly.

He couldn’t help exclaiming.

"Disgusting shit." He tilted his head. "Gotta flatten it once the war is over."

Moon didn’t like how it looked, and didn’t like the thought of Enzo looking down at him from there, or Korr...

Or any other being.

Standing above and staring down, it was something he deemed disgusting.

Moon first went to help Dorbish with his forging as promised, before returning again to check.

Still, with nothing in sight, nor anything abnormal he could sense, he decided it was time to sleep.

First, he used his Echo to sweep the spot he had eyed of dust, before laying down the blanket and pillow.

He got comfortable before covering himself with the other half of the blanket, sandwiching himself inside.

Mishu was on the railing, watching the night silently before jumping on Moon’s chest.

"Omph~"

Coiling himself in a donut to sleep.

Time ticked, and things progressed rapidly. The ascenders were getting pieces of armor ready, weapons they needed and such, while the troops were also getting armed and ready.

Everyone was sleeping with their weapons and armor.

Meanwhile, the Control Centre was getting more lively.

A few new guests either requested to watch or just made their way in politely.

A few of the less influential and powerful clan leaders or representatives were outright denied.

The Thorn clan leader, who was also Lexie’s father, requested many times, but his requests were denied every single time.

The same went for every lower clan leader or representative.

Yet, others still made their way in thanks to someone who had also made his way there uninvited.

A man with long hair down his hips, flowing ghastly to transparency just like Lorian’s. His face was very smooth, with only sharpness in his eyes. His height was average, and his clothes were adorned with alternating black and white.

Behind him followed another man who was much taller, much bulkier, and much uglier. A man whose neck was wider than the first’s waist. His hair was very short, and every edge of his face was acute. Instead of clothing, he walked in with a set of steel-looking armour.

Two representatives from Specter and Havoc.

"Sir Lucen, we apologize for the intrusion." The Specter man placed his hand on his chest and bowed curtly and very politely, wearing a business smile.

Lucen gave them a long look, studying them from head to toe.

"My name is Alden; this is my partner, Bram." The man introduced himself and his Havoc partner. "I’m Lorian’s father," he added.

Lucen stayed still. It was unclear if he was thinking about kicking them out or something else.

"Forget about these two; that guy is coming too," Ed said dismissively with a slight smile.

Offending the newcomers within the first 30 seconds of their introduction without fail, earning a glare from Bram and scorn from Alden, who suddenly became negligible.

Alden didn’t know who was coming, but he knew what he needed to do now that he had greeted Lucen.

He turned to Lazzaro, bowing politely. "Sir Lazzaro, glad to see you healthy," he greeted.

Lazzaro nodded. "Sit," he ordered.

Soon, the door opened again.

This time, it was a man who was around the same height as Ed, with short black hair. His clothes were reserved and made of fabric, yet his knightly demeanour was evident, with a sword on his hip and a small winged sword on his right shoulder.

The man Talia called Master.

He smiled. "Sir Lucen." He nodded politely. Lucen nodded back, not looking too unwelcoming to the man.

"What are you here for, Daniel?" Lucen asked.

"I came to watch, of course," the man called Daniel said.

He turned his attention to Samuel. "Nice mustache." He greeted him before turning to Ed. "I heard you gained some weight; you look fine, though."

"You look the same for your age," Ed said. "I might do that, too." He rubbed his chin.

"Good idea." Daniel nodded.

"Is she your kid... or grandkid?" Ed asked, inquiring about his relation to Talia.

Daniel shook his head. "She calls me Master," he elaborated.

Ed raised his eyebrows. "Like hell I’m believing that."

Daniel chuckled and sat down. His eyes met Lazzaro’s.

"That was a dirty move," he said, hinting at the way Lazzaro had influenced the trial.

Lazzaro smiled. "Do the same and use some of your influence." He invited openly, not concerned about their opinion or actions.

"I won’t fall to your level any time soon; you don’t need to be worried." Daniel retorted swiftly with his unwavering smile.

"Maybe I should add some pressure," Lazzaro grinned. "Something threatening would spice things up."

"Communication outside the trial marked zone is restricted." Lucen interrupted the conversation. His gaze fell on Lazzaro. "I don’t know how your life could get any more miserable, but I can try."

Lucen, for the first time in an unknown time, threatened someone.

"Don’t test my patience, kid," Lucen said last.

Lazzaro toned down his grin that was starting to infuriate the host. Lucen let him be for a while, but his patience seemed to be running out.

"Just tell me if you’re beating him up; I’ll do it for you," Ed said generously.

Uon tugged Ed’s sleeve. "I think I should leave." He whispered.

Ed looked around at Yutian, who was looking at the screens as if nothing was happening, and at the sweating blind monk next to him.

Hugh’s eyes and his wife’s darted around the room.

As well as the representative of the Youth Council, who wasn’t looking too comfortable, constantly swallowing her saliva.

He clapped his hands. "Alright, let’s tone this mess down."

He turned to Yutian. "Go and rest; nothing will happen tonight," he assured him before turning to Uon. "Come back in the morning; you can’t miss a good show."

Ed said casually, though it was unclear which show he was implying.

The battle, or...

Something within this very room.