Chapter 434

The events that occurred inside the Secret Realm spread far and wide in just a few days . The heavy shaking and the destruction of that treasure trove . Many blamed Arthur, who stopped them from entering the main room and get their hands on the best treasures .

Although they didn't know his name, it wasn't that easy to refer to him by a title . His brutality and Dark Magic are unique thus he was named 'The Dark Butcher' .

The Holy Academy was furious upon hearing the news regarding their top disciple . The death of the Sacred Priest would greatly hinder their progress in Green-Leaf and drop their status . They won't be able to complete with the other powers in the future .

The Holy Dominion lost an Overgod, a half-Overgod, and more than ten God Monarchs . It's the one that suffered the most from this, the loss of a Cardinal is no small matter .

Hence, a bounty was put up on Arthur's head . The Holy Echelon was the one who publicized it to increase the range of their hunting area . They don't have enough manpower to search every nook and cranny but if every cultivator is helping them, it'll be much easier, or so they thought .

Whoever captures Arthur alive or brings his head, they'll get 300,000 Top quality Red Spirit Stones . It's a humongous sum which will allow any person to live lavishly and buy whatever he or she wants .

***

Inside the office of the Crown Prince, Wrath, who just barged in, was momentarily surprised by the presence of a guest . He glanced at calm blond youth then at the 'visitor' . She wore a tight black robe and was busy reading some documents, forgetting to even greet him .

This person was none other than Taliya, the head maid of the Demon Royal Family of Astria . Many things happened behind the scene so they ended up cooperating together .

Despite the great difference between their status, Isadore insisted that she speaks casually as they're considered allies now . The dark-haired middle-aged man sat on his personal sofa while gazing at the silver-haired woman .

She bore a striking resemblance to Lucy but this one didn't emit any specter scent which intrigued him .

"E-emm Your Highness who's this?"

Only when Wrath talked did Taliya notice his presence . She hastily got up and performed a ninety-degree bow toward one of the seven sins while saying

"I am Taliya, a demon . "

She gave a rather short and unsatisfying introduction but since she was the prince's guest, he could only nod his head . She was weak so he wasn't afraid that she'll try anything .

Just as Isadore was about to talk, someone hastily knocked on the door a few times before barging in . This person was like a ball of fat, his running made him look like a rolling ball .

This man had a flushed face and was sweating profusely from the excessive running . He took deep breaths before saying

"Prime Minister! His Majesty has welcomed an envoy from the Holy Dominion . They're about to meet in a few minutes . "

This fat man was the Minister of Finance and Isadore's most trusted friend and subordinate .

The Crown Prince unconsciously tapped his index on the table while deeply pondering about what to do . He looked at the Prime Minister, who was named Christopher, and said

"What of Dan? Did he return?"

Christopher shook his head while displaying a worried expression:

"Not yet . "

The King of Green-Leaf wasn't a man that easily accepts defeat . Isadore never expected his father to let the Holy Dominion enter the capital so easily .

'Is the Holy Dominion truly so infuriated that it dares to pressure us?'

He couldn't help but try to think of a reason his father would raise his hand in defeat so soon .

Taliya, who just heard that, became slightly afraid, after all, she's a demon . Although she's a mortal Demon, it doesn't mean that she'll be spared if they find her .

"Who's leading the envoy?"

Christopher fidgeted for a few seconds before answering

"I-it's Bishop Karth . "

"What? That necrophilia-loving fogey?"

It was Wrath who talked, from the ugly expression on his face, it was apparent that he didn't have a favorable opinion of Bishop Karth .

****

Ten minutes later, Isadore, Wrath, Christopher were seated around a table in the Royal Hall . A few more individuals were also present, such as the King, his adviser, and two white-robbed men .

One of them had a bald head and a somewhat long white and unkempt beard . The other seemed to be in his fifties with a large build and a bronze skin .

This was supposed to be a private meeting between the King and the Envoy yet Isadore barged in uninvited .

"Your Majesty, we've come here seeking help from your great kingdom . "

The old man, Karth, talked with a respectful tone but Isadore didn't miss his confident tone as if the former knew his request would be accepted .

Only after a minute did the Crown Prince get the answer for his questions and confusion .

'Your Highness, that's not the King!'

Shaken by the revelation, Isadore glanced at the King but could see no visible difference . He was but a mortal so he didn't have the Godly Sense or special eyes . However, if Wrath said it then it must be the truth .

'To be more precise, it's the body of the King but his soul is gone . Basically, he's just a puppet . '

Isadore tightly clenched his hidden fists, barely able to contain his anger . After taking deep breaths, his gaze returned to normal . Not once did he talk or voice out his opinion, he let things proceed as planned by the Bishop .

'It's not the time to act rashly . Yes, slowly, I'll get rid of them all in one swoop . '

********

One of the Overgods guarding the Royal Family was now roaming Astria's skies . He appeared to be a youngster wearing an old straw hat . At some point, Dan even forgot to chew on the piece of dried meat that he was holding . In fact, he didn't even notice that it fell from his hand .

His gaze was fixated on a motionless army of undead . Whether it was their uncountable number or the death energy accumulated in the air, it truly frightened him .

They covered the land, the sea, and the sky . Dan only glanced one or two times yet he spotted thousands of Bone Dragons and that's while excluding all the other formidable undead .

Furthermore, he could feel even more undead East of Astria, they seemed to have spread to all corners of this world . He appeared above the destroyed Itas Continent only to witness an immense tree that was being burned by a malicious fire .

He waved his hand, causing the ominous fire to stop spreading to the top of the tree . His cultivation was more than enough to completely stop it but he was surprisingly unable to extinguish it .

'World Tree? But it's too small to be one I should investigate more . '

*************

Half a day after Arthur 'left' Lucy's side, the butler and the two sisters finally left Green-Leaf . They took a Spatial Portal which took them to a High Realm called 'Bard Realm' . Directly traveling to the Divine Planet isn't possible . Any person needs to travel to a world close to the planet then continue their journey by 'foot' .

Meaning, they'll leave the Bard Realm and fly toward the Divine Planet . They need to cross a slightly dangerous area that envelops the Divine Planet but it's purposely put there so that not anyone can enter this place .

Of course, many sects and clans may have set-up secret Spatial Tunnels and portals but they're usually instable and can malfunction thus leading every person who takes it to a random place .

The butler glanced at Lucy's waist then said

"Did he gift it to you? I don't think you two are compatible . "

The old man was referring to an ominous black sheath that was hanging on Lucy's waist . It made both the butler and Angelina comfortable, it's as if the blade will act on its own and suddenly attack them .

Lucy chose to ignore the old man, her hand was resting on the dark blade, which showed no signs of resistance . Lucy was connected to Arthur through a Soul Bond and the dark blade was sentient enough to know that Lucy is close to Arthur and that she should be protected no matter the cost .

The 65th Ranked High Realm, the Bard Realm was a peaceful world ruled by an Intellectual race called the Vrath . As the name of the realm suggests, the Vrath are Bards hence their love for poems, music, and songs . They aren't as powerful as other races but they're always united and very rarely fight among themselves .

They aren't hostile toward visitors hence their popularity in the Cloud Sea Universe . If one had enough Spirit Stones, they could live a fulfilling and comfortable life in the Bard Realm .

There's also another reason that this world is rather popular and it's because of the small distance separating it from the Divine Planet