[Vol. 5] Chapter 16: Dusk in the Shadows
Within the vast, dark hall, a mass of crimson flame, exuding an infinitely violent aura, floated in midair, advancing slowly.
This was a blaze beyond reason and common sense, though only the size of a basketball, everything it passed seemed to ignite into madness, including the very air and elements themselves.
However, in this hall filled with an indescribable atmosphere, the presence of the intense flame did not cause the surrounding temperature to rise sharply. It was as if an invisible force suppressed everything within the hall, maintaining it in a state of eternal equilibrium.
Passing by countless grey-robed figures, their forms eerily constructed of grey mist, the flame eventually reached the depths of the hall—a council chamber with a round table and surrounding seats.
Upon the imposing stone seats with armrests, numbering no more than ten, several figures were already waiting.
The moment the crimson flame appeared, sharp and piercing laughter echoed through the hall. It was like the deliberate high-pitched cackle of a mad clown on stage, making one’s scalp tingle with irritation.
“Well, well, well, look who’s here! Our fiery God of Blazing Flames has fallen to such a pitiful state, becoming a meek little flame, hahaha!”
The merciless mockery came from a small dwarf wearing a tall, pointed hat, hanging upside down from the beams of the council chamber.
Barely over a meter tall, it had a tail three to four times its body length, sharp like a spear at the end and as agile as a snake. This furry brown tail was currently coiled, suspending the dwarf’s body in midair.
Aside from the violation of gravity, with its tall hat seemingly stuck to the top of its head, the dwarf was entirely wrapped in a classical and voluminous black cloak, making it impossible to discern its features.
Even the visible face was concealed by a starkly black-and-white mask. The mask bore the image of a large, exaggerated smile, stretched wide to the point of splitting, looking both comical and eerie, tinged with a sense of absurd horror.
The flame ignored it and proceeded directly to a stone seat carved with patterns resembling blazing flames. Floating above it, the flame uttered in a low, emotionless voice in the 【Ancient Niel language】:
【Why are some still missing? What other world are they wreaking havoc in now?】
For a long time, the strange figures seated around the round table remained silent. Finally, a figure in a black robe, directly opposite the flame and appearing relatively more human, responded in the same language:
【As if any meeting has ever gathered everyone, Flam. Have you become even more foolish than you were thousands of years ago, being locked up by Olivia for too long?】
【Tch...】
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Surprisingly, the flame, known for its fiery temper and revered as the God of Blazing Heat and Explosions, did not erupt in anger at the robed figure’s mildly sarcastic remarks. It merely snorted coldly and fell silent.
Then, an ancient voice slowly echoed from every corner of the council chamber:
【Alright, all present members have gathered. Let us begin this meeting. Having summoned you from across various worlds, we have three main topics to address.】
“Oh my, oh my, three topics! Hahaha, there are actually three topics! I say, old clock, the last time we discussed so many things was over a thousand years ago, right? Good, good, good! This is going to be fun, hehehe!”
The clown-like shrill noise echoed through the council chamber again, interrupting the ancient voice. The dwarf, wrapped in a cloak and wearing a black and white mask, was so excited that it used its tail as a swing, spinning rapidly around the beams. The expression on the mask changed to a maniacal laugh.
“Crack, crack, crack...”
Suddenly, the dwarf’s sharp laughter and movements abruptly stopped as if frozen in place. Its entire body was suspended in midair in a grotesque posture, then shattered into countless pieces like a torn doll, falling to the ground with a series of thuds.
The only figure present with a completely human appearance, a strikingly beautiful silver-haired woman, adjusted the slightly wrinkled semi-transparent white gloves on her hands, leaning casually against her stone seat with an indifferent expression.
【So noisy. Don’t you know to keep quiet in public, you fool...】
Despite the terrifying scene of someone being dismembered and torn to pieces suddenly, the other figures in the room remained silent, not even uttering a single question.
The remains of the dismembered dwarf gradually melted into the floor like dissolving droplets, leaving only the intact black and white mask. The mask emitted an ancient divine language, filled with rules and intentions, yet still sounded frivolous.
【Oh dear, our Lord Hen is still as fiery-tempered as ever. In my opinion, you might be more suited for the seat of the God of Blazing Flames. It took a lot of effort to create this body, and now it’s all gone, boo-hoo...】
As it pretended to cry, the expression on the black-and-white mask changed to one of despondency. The mask floated up and landed on a nearby stone seat carved with numerous masks.
【......】
The silver-haired woman referred to as Hen seemed completely uninterested in the black-and-white mask, leaning back and closing her beautiful eyes slightly, as if pretending to sleep.
Once this brief and explosive conflict ended, the ancient voice that filled the hall resumed as if it had not noticed the events.
【Now, the first topic is the return of the ninth seat of the Flames to the council. Flam, first of all, congratulations on finally escaping your imprisonment. Although you missed the revolution a thousand years ago due to some unexpected events, the council continues to strive towards our ultimate goal. Your return is timely, everyone, please offer your congratulations.】
*Clap, clap, clap...*
Half-hearted applause scattered through the council chamber. Some figures made a show of clapping and making noise, while others, like the silver-haired woman Hen, who had just annihilated the dwarf, remained motionless as if asleep.
The strange black-and-white mask was the most enthusiastic. Despite its body being shattered into pieces, it still displayed a maniacal smile, crazily slapping the stone seat below to create an eerie clapping sound. One couldn’t tell how sincere it was.
Seemingly uninterested in delving deeper into this matter, the ancient voice that presided over the meeting but whose source was unknown quickly continued.
【Alright, the next topic is the second one: regarding the original plan to destroy one of the interstitial spaces—the Illusionary Realm—to advance our ultimate goal, which has now encountered setbacks. What are your thoughts?】
Finally, a particularly tall and burly figure covered in dense fur, seated on one side of the round table, spoke in a gruff voice.
【What thoughts can there be? Flam couldn’t even defeat a dragon from the mortal world. The envoys chosen by Exmont turned out to be traitors, switching sides at the critical moment. In my opinion, they should each bear half the responsibility.】
【Seconded.】
【I agree as well.】
Two more bizarre figures voiced their agreement. These three, like Hen earlier, had not clapped to welcome Flam’s return.