Chapter 1210: The Choice Ahead

Erin and Angelina stared blankly at the Dark Dragon’s bellow. Angelina blinked and s.h.i.+fted her gaze indifferently to the ashen Erin. Angelina finally found the answer that everyone in the Country of Darkness had been searching for.

Why didn’t Ion involve Erin in government affairs, give her a sinecure, and keep her away from politics?

It turned out that this princess who served as an attractive, decorative vase should have been the destined ruler of the Country of Darkness, while the current Dark Dragon was the usurper. In this situation, it all made sense. Judging from Angelina’s perspective, Erin was better than Ion in every aspect. Although she wasn’t as unyielding as Ion, stability was always the finest, most ancient tradition in the Country of Darkness. As long as the ruler didn’t face any fatal accidents, the immortal n.o.bles residing in the country would grasp their authority in the future. Ion insisted on promoting medium to small-sized n.o.ble families and Angelina became a victim of this policy. If it weren’t for Ion’s encouragement, the medium to small-sized n.o.ble families wouldn’t have revolted. Angelina’s vampire family also wouldn’t have gone downhill either. It was impossible for Angelina to not bear any grudge against Ion. But due to her weak strength in the past, she could only throw this matter aside. But now…

Judging from this aspect, Angelina felt like if Erin were the one who ruled the Country of Darkness, she would definitely do a better job than Ion. After all, the moon princess’s wisdom, strength, judgment, and other areas were more outstanding. If it weren’t for the sake of inheriting the dragon soul, she would surely be more suitable for this position. But it was a pity that the ruler of the Country of Darkness must be the dragon soul heir. Perhaps this was why Ion s.n.a.t.c.hed and inherited the dragon soul, while prohibiting Erin from interfering with political affairs. After all, the reason why Ion was recognized by everyone as the ruler was because he was the ‘dragon soul heir’. Once his people realized that Erin’s administration ability was better than his, it was highly likely that the core authority of the entire country would s.h.i.+ft toward her. When that happened, Ion would be like Lilian in the past: simply a mascot. But this wasn’t what Ion wished to see. If not, why would he risk imprisoning her mother to gain the dragon soul power?

Angelina turned to Erin again. It was obvious that the moon princess thought the same. At that moment, Erin put up a complicated expression. Judging from her tightly-clenched and trembling hands, Angelina knew that Erin was baffled, which was why the former remained quiet. Then, Angelina swirled and narrowed her eyes slightly.

This is a juicy secret. I wonder what generous gift His Majesty Rhode will reward me with if I hand this information over to him… Right, should I tell His Majesty Rhode to encourage Her Highness Erin to ascend the throne of the Country of Darkness? Even though it seems like Her Highness Erin has no such intentions, if it is His Majesty Rhode who suggests it, maybe she would heed his advice. In that case, I, who came from the first vampire family, may be able to gain some benefits from it… After all, His Majesty Rhode has done something similar in the past, so there shouldn’t be any difficulties.

At this thought, Angelina’s eyes glinted in pleasure. She knew clearly that she would receive generous rewards from accomplis.h.i.+ng this move. She had observed Sonia’s situation in the past. Sonia merely looked after the Light Dragon and became her trusted aide. If it weren’t for the fact that Sonia lacked desire and ambition, she could have gained even greater powers!

Well, forget it. Humans are foolish, short-sighted, and ultimately a short-lived race. But I’m different. If I succeed, the days of restoring my family’s glory will be just around the corner. When that happens, I will make those people who humiliated me pay the price!

Indeed, just as Angelina predicted, after pondering for a few moments, Erin let out a gentle sigh. Judging from Erin’s reaction, Angelina knew that she couldn’t count on the moon princess to harbor the thoughts of seizing the throne that was rightfully hers. After a few moments, Angelina cleared her throat and asked.

“Respectful Madam Dark Dragon, we lost our way and arrived here coincidentally. Do you know where the…”

“Wait, Angelina.”

Before Angelina finished her sentence, Erin interrupted and lifted her head to gaze at the Dark Dragon.

“Mother, is there any way to help you escape this place?”

“Escape? Why must I escape?”

Upon hearing Erin’s words, the Dark Dragon shook her head. It was apparent that the mental state of the Dark Dragon was fuzzy. Angelina also suspected whether the Dark Dragon heard Erin’s question properly. But shortly after, the Dark Dragon stopped moving, squinted, and lay back on the ground.

“This place… was used by the first Dark Dragon to imprison traitors. There are no exits and no one can escape. These steel chains are forged to deal with and trap dragons. They are the ultimate torture instrument. Apart from the Dark Dragon or the heir who inherits the dragon soul power, no one has a way to break them, no matter who it is… You can never leave this place. This is a permanent, ancient maze. Even if you use your powers to try and break a path out of here, it is impossible. This s.p.a.ce was built and surrounded by green spirit boulders. The powers of dragons are useless here.”

“… We aren’t that unlucky, right?”

Upon hearing the Dark Dragon’s words, Angelina pulled a long face like Erin. Green spirit boulders had a unique attribute that enabled them to absorb spiritual powers. The more spiritual powers it absorbed, the tougher it became. No one knew whether there was a limit to the green spirit boulders’ absorption. In the Country of Darkness, there were prisons made entirely from green spirit boulders to lock up important and formidable prisoners. After all, this place was inside the undead nation. Most prisoners were undead creatures who were capable of unleas.h.i.+ng spiritual powers, so it went without saying that ordinary prisons wouldn’t be able to lock them in. But in a prison built with green spirit boulders, be it a lich or formidable being who possessed devastating powers, one couldn’t possibly deal a single bit of damage to this building.

The duo initially decided to blast their way out with their attacks as the last resort. But now, it seemed like it was just wishful thinking. Of course, if they could search for the underground river that Angelina found earlier, perhaps they might have some hope. But it was a pity that they spent a long time searching and didn’t gain any clues at all. Angelina also didn’t know where exactly that route led to either.

“… Since this is a prison, there must be some guards around, right?”

After pondering for a few moments, Erin asked. Facing her question, the Dark Dragon shook her head.

“There isn’t a need for guards because whoever enters this place can’t leave. In here, prisoners and guards are the same. Besides, I advise you to not go any farther… Because I sense a terrifying and ice-cold death aura deep inside this prison. I don’t know what that is, but I do know that before I was thrown into here, the aura was already present. Please be careful. It definitely isn’t a place for mortals to enter. Even when one is as powerful as the Dark Dragon, one will still perish in the death aura.”

“… Understood. Thanks for the reminder, Mother.”

“Ha, ha. Don’t need to thank me, young lady. My daughter is about the same age as you. It would be wonderful if she could be here… I don’t know what she is up to now… I’m so worried about her. She isn’t being bullied by her terrifying big brother, is she? I’m really concerned…”

“Please don’t worry, Mother. I’m sure that… she isn’t suffering any hards.h.i.+ps.”

“Ha, ha. Thanks so much, young lady… For some reason, you sound really convincing…” The Dark Dragon said, laying back on the ground, closing her eyes, and mumbling to herself. “… Yes, my daughter is so smart… She will be fine…”

The Dark Dragon said her last words, closing her eyes and sinking into deep sleep. Erin stood on the spot, gazing blankly at this scene. Her eyes revealed a mix of sorrow and wrath. She clenched her trembling fists. She was clearly her daughter, but the Dark Dragon didn’t realize at all. The Dark Dragon wasn’t concerned about her, but the daughter in her memories instead…

Big Brother, is this what you wished for? In order for you to seize authority, you wouldn’t give up even at the cost of Mother’s life? What exactly is the reason for that? Why must you do this?

At this thought, Erin took in a deep breath and turned around.

“Angelina, let’s go.”

“Huh? Where are we heading to, Your Highness Erin?”

Angelina asked in astonishment.

“But Madam Dark Dragon said the death aura is really dense in there. After all, you’re a mortal. If…”

“Don’t worry, we’re just checking out the situation. Besides, since there are no other ways out, perhaps there might be an exit where people can’t enter… When it comes to that and we still can’t get out…”

Erin winked playfully at Angelina.

“I still have you around, right? I’ll leave it to you then. Okay, Miss Angelina?”

After hearing Erin’s answer, Angelina’s expression stiffened. Then, she let out an awkward cough and forced a smile.

“Yes. Please leave it to me, Your Highness Erin.”