To him, this might just be a routine mission that requires a re flick of the finger.
The real war and interests lie on a higher-tier chessboard.
And deep underground, near the entrance of the Shadowsong Path, the intense shaking even reached here, with rubble pattering down.
Just stepping into the passage, Duke suddenly turned around. Although he couldn’t see the scene of divine wrath on the ground, the extre tremors and fear from the depths of his soul, stemming from a difference in life level, along with the terrifying aura outside the passage that suddenly beca incredibly oppressive, as if the world’s ruler had descended, made him understand instantly.
The Moonscar Clan was finished.
An unimaginably supre entity had arrived.
"Quickly go!!" Instructor Moran’s roar was filled with boundless fear and urgency, urging the still-shocked Lilandra and the personal guards to flee desperately into the depths of the dark and deep secret passage.
The gaze of the deity might sweep over here in the next mont.
...
The entrance to the Shadowsong Path closed silently behind them, isolating most of the terrifying pressure from the ground that froze the soul and the muffled sound of collapsing buildings, but the passage itself still trembled, with fine dust and stone shards continuously falling from above, as if the entire mountain range was moaning in agony under the step of that Level 4 entity.
The passage was not entirely dark; a type of moss that emitted a faint blue phosphorescence grew on the walls, providing dim light just sufficient for visibility.
The air was damp and cold, carrying a rich earthy sll and the scent of ancient rocks, occasionally accompanied by the distant sounds of the underground dark river gurgling and the scurrying commotion of small creatures startled by the intrusion.
The passage was broad enough in so areas for three or four people to walk side by side, while other narrow sections required them to turn sideways to pass, winding and twisting, with gradients that varied from gentle to steep—clearly not ticulously carved by human hands, but rather exploiting and slightly remodeling naturally ford underground fissures and ancient cave networks.
Instructor Moran led at the front, gripping a short staff that emitted a gentle moonlight, serving both as illumination and constantly sensing the energy flows and potential traps ahead.
Two elite guards walked at the front and rear, protecting Lilandra in the center.
Duke and the other seven personal guards were spread through the middle and rear of the team, watching vigilantly the dark crevices and the rocky do above, never relaxing their grip on their weapons.
Everyone’s faces were grave, their breathing slightly heavy from the swift flight and weighty pressure in their hearts, their eyes lingering with deep fear of the cataclysmic scene that had unfolded above.
Lilandra was tightly protected, biting her lip, her face appearing even paler under the bluish glow of the moss, yet the initial panic in her eyes gradually gave way to a heavy sorrow and determination.
She clutched a small Mithril pouch tightly, as if it was her last link to a lost holand and family.
The group advanced swiftly in silence, with only the hurried footsteps, the soft clinking of armor, and oppressed breaths echoing within the confined space.
The tremors from the ground gradually settled, but the fear stemming from life level oppression still lingered in everyone’s hearts.
Duke likewise displayed the tension and loyalty befitting his status, observing the surroundings vigilantly.
Yet his mind was racing, entirely contrary to his outward deanor.
"At least a Level 4 entity was involved..."
Duke underestimated the empire’s emphasis on this operation, or its determination concerning the Level 3 Moon Well resources, having mobilized an entity of such caliber.
The downfall of the Moonscar Clan was now inevitable, with the fate of Leader Ysera and the High Priest looking grim.
"I need to find a way to leave this group. The mission is complete, and there’s no need to stay here..." Duke calmly analyzed.
Continuing to follow might be dangerous, as the perception ability of a Level 4 entity is hard to fathom. Although the entity seemingly doesn’t focus on the escaping small fry underground, any accident could lead to a catastrophic disaster.
Additionally, following the fleeing group also ans he will be absent from the empire’s control area for a long ti, venturing into unknown territories.
However, currently within the group, Priest Moran and the two elite elf guards are all Level 2 Life, so he cannot show any irregularity, or it would be dangerous.
After all, Duke is rely a Level 1 Crystalized Mage, not arrogant enough to handle three Level 2 Lives.
Taking advantage of the group passing a rather rugged, hand-and-foot-required downhill section, with most attention focused on their footing, Duke deliberately lagged half a step behind, placing himself in the shadow at the end of the group.
Under the cover of adjusting his sheathed sword at his waist and checking if his boots were stable, his right hand naturally and imperceptibly reached inside his lining, retrieving a piece of ’Star Do Stone’ from the Light God Court.
Due to the need for thorough subterfuge, all space rings were kept within the Light God Court to avoid exposing his identity.
Duke injected a trace of faint but highly concentrated spiritual power into the Star Do Stone, rapidly constructing in his mind the ssage he needed to send.
A barely noticeable hint of pale silver star glow briefly flickered across the surface of the Star Do Stone, blending into the environnt’s bluish moss light, then vanished.
Following along the uneven rocky surface, carefully descending, he continued to send information silently.
The entire process took re seconds, with the Star Do Stone returning to a dim state, resembling an ordinary pebble.
He stealthily placed the Star Do Stone back into the Light God Court, took a few quick steps, and rejoined the teammates ahead, with a breathing rhythm that remained unchanged, as if he had rely adjusted his gear.
No one noticed his subtle gesture just now.
In the dim, tense environnt full of fear for the unknown path ahead, a warrior pausing briefly and making slight motions at the tail end of the group was nothing out of the ordinary.
The intelligence had been sent out, and Duke felt sowhat steadied.
Next, while ensuring his disguise wasn’t exposed, he would follow this fleeing group to see where exactly the Shadowsong Path led, awaiting further instructions from the Comrce Association, or if necessary, make the most advantageous decision and action himself.
The passage ahead seed even more profound and mysterious, with the bluish moss light illuminating rugged rocks like the cavity of a giant beast.
The sound of running water seed closer, and the chill in the air was more intense.
Instructor Moran suddenly raised his hand, signaling the group to halt.
He listened intently for a mont, then used the moonlight staff to detect the energy flows of the two branching paths at the upcoming fork, his brow furrowed.
"Two paths... the energy reactions are vague for both, but the left seems to have a faint airflow, while the right has a slight water sll." Moran whispered, looking at Lilandra, "Miss, what do you think?"
Lilandra took a deep breath, calming her emotions, closed her eyes, seemingly sensing the faint connection from the Mithril pouch to the Moonscar Eye.
A mont later, she opened her eyes, pointing left: "The wind... might an we’re closer to the surface, or there’s larger space. Go left."
"Follow the Miss," Moran nodded and stepped into the left branch.
The journey within the Shadowsong Path was long and arduous. Ti underground lost its clear asurent, relying only on biological rhythms and occasional rests where Instructor Moran estimated the passage of about three days based on the tides of moonlight energy within.
During these three days, the group kept advancing along the path of wind chosen by Lilandra.
The passage varied in width, climbing steep rocky slopes, wading through icy cold shallow waters, even traversing several cliffs using ancient, broken moonlight stone steps embedded in the rock wall.
The environnt was dark and oppressive, with only eternal rocks, phosphorescent moss, underground streams’ murmuring, and the occasional flash of the adapted eyes of bizarre creatures living underground as companions.
Gradually, Lilandra’s grief settled into silent resilience, often caressing the Mithril pouch, her gaze reaching into the darkness, seemingly seeking guidance.
Duke perfectly played the role of a loyal and vigilant guard.
He shared his rations, helped injured comrades, and was ticulous in his watch duties.
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