The Emperor’s Angel of Death

"...Those clowns only mentioned the plot of the Great Enemy's servants to the War Hosts of Biel-Tan, but they didn't mention the exiled Bloodthirster. The strength of the Masque wouldn't be enough to open the seal-stones. She isn't a Keeper of Secrets, and Skarbrand is a failure exiled by the Blood God, his power mostly stripped away. In theory, it wouldn't be so easy for him to break the seal-stones. In fact, the Swordwind's offensive actually increased Skarbrand's power. He was enraged, became stronger, strong enough to shatter the seals."

As a pathfinder and infiltration master, Night Spear's insight is formidable, and his thinking is very flexible. Although he didn't say it directly, and even his tone was very cautious, his attitude was clear. Sorshen nodded slightly.

"The Fall of Biel-Tan was a designed scheme."

"I just think that Yvraine should explain all this to everyone. Even if she represents the God of Death, she can't use the blood of her own people to irrigate her divine authority."

"I think it might not be Yvraine. I met her in Commorragh, and at least from my personal feelings, she is a naive and somewhat reckless... female warrior. Weaving conspiracies isn't her specialty. There is someone, however, who I think is very good at it."

"You mean—"

"Ha, there's no need to talk about this now. Let's wait for the envoy to return and see what the response is from Ulthwe."

At this moment, Duran walked in, holding a red cushion in his hands. On the cushion was a silver-white crystal short sword and its ornate scabbard, adorned with jewels.

Watching the other party walk all the way to him, Night Spear was stunned for a moment.

"Mr. Illic, thanks to you for sending such important news back to the court in time. This is a crystal sword tempered by the Holy Fire of Asuryan. It can sense the surrounding warp energy fluctuations and is very lethal to warp creatures. It's a small gift, nothing much."

"No, no, no—"

Night Spear waved his hands repeatedly.

"No merit, no reward, and I never ask for—"

"You traveled through dangerous lands with great difficulty to send news to the sealed Biel-Tan. How can you say you have no merit? Moreover, this isn't your 'reward.' This is a gift from me personally, out of respect for your character. I hope you will accept it."

After hesitating for a moment, Night Spear nodded.

"Then thank you, Your Highness."

Then he reached out, took the short sword, put it in its scabbard, and hung it diagonally on his belt.

After the meeting, Night Spear did not leave, but stayed for a while, probably to reminisce with the Star Child and carefully observe all aspects of the Eternal Court. Perhaps the Autarch also wanted him to "inspect" the Eternal Court.

Sorshen returned to the harem and explained the whole story of the Fall of Biel-Tan to Veronica in detail.

"Yvraine isn't the kind of person who would sacrifice her homeland for her own goals. The situation must have been very critical at the time, and she certainly wasn't the planner."

Veronica's words were filled with strong confidence. She believed in her own judgment.

Sitting next to her, Sorshen sighed softly and patted his knee.

"Madam, sometimes the truth isn't the most important thing, especially when it comes to politics... The news of Biel-Tan's Fall will soon spread throughout all the Craftworlds and even Commorragh. The Death Guard, a new force, has risen, and Yvraine has shown her strength... Although I don't want to say this, she has effectively become a competitor to the court. More and more Aeldari will be attracted to the Seventh Path, from various Craftworlds, Exodite Worlds, and Commorragh to join her. Today's Aeldari society is a fixed pool. If one ladle scoops a little more, the other ladle will scoop a little less. When the Death Guard becomes increasingly powerful and expands, Veronica, your feelings for Yvraine won't determine the interests of the two groups. She will be out of her control, and so will you."

Veronica was silent for a moment, then said softly:

"I know... Actually, sometimes I think, I have come to this point today because of my love for you. This is my unquestionable decision of self-will. But what about Yvraine? She walked the Path of the Harlequin from childhood, but as she grew older, she found her heart becoming more and more restless, so she embarked on the Path of the Warrior. Still restless, she sought a deeper connection with the Infinity Circuit, so she embarked on the Path of the Seer, and then left Biel-Tan to become a pirate, and then went to Commorragh... When I was with her in Commorragh, I could often feel her confusion. I don't know if these decisions she made were out of her own will, or if she was from the beginning—"

"A puppet of an unborn god?"

Veronica nodded silently, and said in a somewhat gloomy voice:

"Perhaps the real Yvraine died in that arena... What was resurrected was just a shell inhabited by the will of a god."

"But I think it's not limited to this. Someone is pushing all this behind the scenes."

Veronica turned to look at Sorshen, and then immediately realized who he was talking about.

"You mean... the Mentor?"

"Ah, I can't think of anyone else besides him. Moreover, the troupe leader of the Frost Moon Theater also provided information that the Midnight Sorrow Theater and that great seer of Ulthwe... have been in contact."

Veronica thought for a while and said:

"Then what are you going to do?"

"Without evidence, what can I say? But he is so actively involved in the rise of the Death Guard, I guess he must want to use Yvraine to do something. So we must have a statement regarding Yvraine and her Death Guard."

"A statement? You plan to... convict her?"

"There's no need for that, but the court must refute, or even theoretically defeat, her Seventh Path. I think this is a trap. Yvraine will never achieve her goal. Pulling her out of her fantasy is also a way to save her, and can also prevent more Aeldari from losing their lives or even souls because of a wrong path."

"Indeed, I also think that collecting the five Croneswords to awaken the God of Death and eliminate the Great Enemy is too much like a fairy tale, but how can we refute it? After all, she did summon the avatar of Ynnead, and she should already have two Croneswords, right?"

"The key is the Croneswords. I think there is someone who will definitely answer this question."

At this moment, a maid walked in hurriedly. It was Doral's daughter, Arohan. She glanced at Sorshen, her eyes a little strange, and then saluted Veronica and Sorshen each, and said:

"Your Majesty, there is a... ape... human with the Phoenix King's seal who suddenly appeared in the palace webway. He says his name is Akul-duna."

"Amnak."

Veronica was stunned for a moment, then clapped her hands lightly.

"That's right, how could I forget him? He is... Quickly, call him in!"

Soon, Amnak, wearing silver-gray power armor, strode into this exquisite and luxurious small palace. When he saw Sorshen dressed in Aeldari attire, a playful smile appeared on his face.