Chapter 1361: A Perfect Solution (Part 1)

The Pointer Monarch’s words left Song Zining with no answer.

The monarch sighed after a moment of silence. “The higher one’s position is, the more the country means for them. You’re now a pillar of the Empire, so you’ll start to see this. For the country and for the human race, you sometimes have to do things that go against your heart.”

Song Zining finally spoke, “What I fear is that some are waving this flag of justice on the surface, then doing shady business for their personal benefit.”

“Everyone is selfish. What can you do when you're in a high position? Can you stop everyone?”

Song Zining shook his head after some thought. People would always find loopholes to exploit, harming the country and its people. The worst kind were those not seeking money, but rather taking advantage of the reason to harm people. The Pointer Monarch was right; there was no way to stop them.

“How do we deal with them, then?” Song Zining asked humbly.

The Pointer Monarch replied, “Only two words, one is ‘block’ and the other is ‘hold.’ Try to nip them at the bud and stop the source, which is the so-called block. Hold means to hold everyone accountable for every crime committed, make no exceptions for anyone. Over time, people will become fearful and naturally avoid doing such things. If you only work on the ‘block,’ people will keep on minding their business and no work will get done.”

Song Zining carefully digested the profundity of these words.

“Well, we’re done with the reasoning, so let’s talk about Qianye. I don’t want to leave a knot in your heart without clearing things up.”

“Pray tell.”

The monarch said, “Qianye as a person has contributed deeply to the Empire and its subjects. His heart is always with the human race. The country owes him much for all these years.”

Song Zining felt his eyes sting and had to try hard to regain his composure.

“The Empire would’ve lost miserably if he hadn’t come through during the crisis. I also watched his last battle very clearly. No one would be able to stop Nighteye if it weren’t for their emotional restraints.”

Song Zining suddenly felt angry. He blurted out, unable to control himself, “So after failing to kill her yourselves, you used Qianye to deal with her. You calculated Qianye’s nature and planned to have them kill one another, am I right?!”

The Pointer Monarch went silent for a while. He then said, “Zining, the words family and country are as heavy as Mount Tai. Nothing is more important compared to them. If you ask me if I’m ashamed, I am, but all that I do is for the continued survival of the Empire and the prosperity of the human race. I have no regrets in that regard.”

Song Zining was stopped up, not knowing what to say. After a while, he said hatefully, “That idiot Wei Qiyang! Wait till I deal with him!”

Pei Zijun had already messed things up back then. Qianye would have never gone out to war if it weren’t for Wei Potian.

“Do whatever it takes to ease your mind.”

“I thought you’d tell me to control myself.”

The Pointer Monarch said, “You’ll only be fit to work when your mind is at ease. You hold great authority right now, and every decision of yours will decide the fate of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. This isn’t something to be taken lightly. Comparatively, sacrificing a handful of people is nothing.”

Song Zining’s eyes sparkled. “Since you’ve said it, I won’t be holding back.”

“Do what you need to do.”

“What I do has nothing to do with the Empire. I’ll be clearing up some personal grudges and perhaps earn some money in the process.”

The Pointer Monarch smiled. “Those destined to achieve great things have no need to focus on trifling matters. Do what you want to do, no need to ask me.”

It was time for the banquet to disperse now. Some words weren’t spoken out loud, but it was enough. As someone with a controversial vampire identity, how could Qianye be hailed as a hero who had pulled the Empire back from the brink of defeat? Doing this would cause the thousand years of nationalism to collapse.

The human heart was complicated, yet it was also the easiest to rile up and incite.

Just like that, all of Qianye’s sacrifices and contributions were removed. Ten years later, perhaps no one would remember this person and his deeds. The Evernight would never admit that someone with a vampire heritage had actually refused to accept their noble dark bloodline. This went against the thousand-year rule of hybrid descendants.

Song Zining looked up at the sky as he walked out of the manor. He understood the reasoning, but that did nothing to ease the suffocating feeling in his heart.

Why should one pick between a brother and the country? Why was there no perfect solution?

With nowhere to vent his anger, he stomped hard as he got into the car. The shocked officer asked hurriedly, “Sire, is there anything you need me to do?”

“No, let’s go back.”

The officer didn’t dare ask and simply drove Song Zining to the relay station.

…

Twilight Continent, the Sperger Clan Castle. Everything was quiet and still here.

The mobilization for the new world had long since called away most of the young and strong.

Fortunately, Habsburg was among the first to enter the new world. There were great difficulties during the expansion process and the casualties were high, but none of that could match the bitter fights against the Empire.

Within the empty hall, Habsburg was seated quietly on the throne. He was dozing off with his chin propped up on one hand. Normally, this large hall was only used for clan meetings, but he had taken to the cold and quiet of late.

There wasn’t a single noise throughout the castle, not even the sound of breathing. The prince had been in a jittery state for a while, and most people found it prudent to let him rest.

After god knew how long, Habsburg opened his eyes and said, “Leonard, let him in.”

Within a rowdy group in the courtyard, Marquis Leonard listened attentively to the instructions before waving his hand down. They allowed a certain demonkin marquis to pass through but stopped his escorts.

The demonkin marquis had been protesting against the vampires’ refusal to announce his visit. He still felt angry at the treatment, but now that there was finally some change, he decided to leave his men outside to avoid further trouble.

The demonkin entered and saw Habsburg on the high throne. He bowed according to the norms, saying, “Revered Prince Habsburg, I came to greet you on behalf of the Evernight Council.”

Habsburg remained still. “If the chairman still wishes to talk about that matter, there’s no need. I’ve already told him that I don’t have what he wants. Go back and tell him that there’s no need to send anyone else.”

The demonkin marquis was refused a meeting during the last two visits, and this time, he was about to be driven away with a single line. Finally angered, he said, “Your Highness, the chairman is giving you face by telling you to consider this matter. As a matter of fact, this is the Demon King’s will, how can there be any room for deliberation?”

Habsburg’s expression never changed as he said with a cold voice, “Then there’s no need to consider anymore. I am a vampire, hence the Demon King is not my king.”

“You!” The demonkin marquis jumped up, pointing at Habsburg in anger.

Blood energy flickered through Habsburg’s blue eyes as the demonkin was suddenly pressed to the ground by an invisible force.

He clawed feebly at his throat but to no avail. The man’s face turned red, yet no voice came out of his mouth. Very soon, his struggling weakened, and blood began to seep out of his skin until his figure was entirely sanguine.

Habsburg never lost his composure. He didn’t even remove the hand under his chin as he watched the demonkin slowly lose his breath. It was as though he were watching a speck of dust.

After the demonkin was completely still, he said, “He’s dead, not coming out yet?”

Predica was standing at the door with a complicated expression. He slowly walked in, pausing briefly near the dead marquis before walking over to the throne.

“Long time no see.”

“Congratulations on a perfect awakening. The balance of fate has ushered in a new master for the Dark Nightmare.”

Predica glanced at Habsburg with open arms. “Old friend, won’t you give me a hug?”

After a moment of silence, Habsburg finally got up and walked down the steps.

The duo left the hall after a greeting hug and arrived at Habsburg’s study. Meanwhile, no one paid attention to that unlucky marquis.

Leonard delivered tea for the two and closed the door behind him.

The translucent red tea was served in a well-maintained antique tea set, along with exquisite desserts. The aesthetic and scent were fairly delightful. If it weren’t for the bloody circumstances, it would certainly be a good opportunity for old friends to catch up.

After all, every time a member of a long-lived race went into hibernation, they might just wake up in a completely unfamiliar world.

Predica was engrossed in the fragrance of the tea for a while. Seeing that Habsburg had no intention of speaking, he could only sigh. “Dear Habsburg, you’ve changed quite a lot.”

“Did the Demon King send you this time?”

Predica shrugged. “I don’t know anything yet. That unlucky fellow just now was sent by the chairman. His Majesty Kane only asked me to tag along and see.”

Habsburg turned the cup in his hand. “There’s nothing to see. That which the Demon King wants is not here.”

Predica’s expression turned serious. “What exactly is that thing?”

Habsburg responded with a question of his own, “When did you wake up from your slumber?”

“After the Holy War cease-fire,” Predica added the exact time after some thought, “during the Sanguine Burial.”

His face turned pale as he seemed to remember something. “Is it... related to that person?”

Habsburg stood up, went to the window with his teacup, and gazed out at the land that had sustained his clan and bloodline. It was only after adulthood that he returned here.

“Leave.”

Predica slammed his cup on the table in anger. “Habsburg! That’s a human we’re talking about, an Imperial marshal, an enemy of Evernight. He wouldn’t live much longer even if he hadn’t died back then! We’ve known each other for over a hundred years. Are you ending our friendship because of a human’s death?”

“The vampires and demonkin are also enemies.”

Predica’s fingers gripped tightly.

When Habsburg turned around after a while, his faint blue eyes were as calm and distant as the skies. They seemed amiable enough, but there wasn’t a shred of emotion in them. “Preddy, you’re probably the strongest prophet in Evernight right now. Did you not notice the Wheel of Fate deviating?”

Predica didn’t reply.

“Preddy, go now. The Demon King will come personally.”

Predica wanted to say something, but he suddenly noticed a familiar fluctuation close by. His face became as pale as a sheet.

Habsburg, though, didn’t seem at all surprised. He turned around as the Demon King’s figure walked out of the void.

The supreme’s clone was so contained that one could hardly sense its aura, but the darkness origin power in the vicinity bowed down in submission as it arrived through space. The higher one’s rank, the stronger one could sense this change.

The atmosphere froze up.

Predica came to after a moment and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty.”

The Demon King said gently, “Predica, you may leave with your man. I wish to talk with Habsburg.”

Predica’s pallor never recovered. He merely bowed after listening to the instructions and left.

The Demon King said to Habsburg, “Habsburg, have you seen the human race’s fate trajectory?”

Habsburg remained in a silent daze.

The Demon King didn’t mind his attitude, either. “I’ve seen it. The fate trajectory he revealed to me is incomparably rich and beautiful. Compared to it, the summit of this world and its asteroid belt feel like a desolate land. The only thing that can compare is the Wheel of Fate that belongs to the people of darkness and its slow revolution through time.”

Habsburg mentioned the name of a place, “Kumara?”

“Yes, I was there during that time. Not killing him there is my life’s greatest mistake.”

“He’s gone now.”

“He could’ve looked down on all life from the stars, yet he was willing to fall into the soil and turn to ashes. All of this for those ugly, insignificant lives.”

“We only respect the strong, but they recognize their peers.”

The Demon King was lost in thought for a while. He then shook his head and looked at Habsburg in the eye. “Give me his remains. We need to extract some information from him.”

“Those who die in the void don’t leave corpses.”

“Short-lived races don’t have spiritual reincarnations or awakenings. Their death is permanent.”

Habsburg remained quiet.

The Demon King sighed softly. “Then give me his origin crystal, at least. You know that humans have been targeting us for several hundred years with that plan. Even with intelligence from the Longevity Monarch, none of our prophets were able to analyze the effects behind it. The man might be gone, but things haven’t changed for the better. We need to investigate where his fate connects to.”

The supreme looked down at his hands. “Even his thread of fate would have been destroyed if I were the one attacking. Yet who would have the heart to destroy such a beautiful celestial trajectory?”

Habsburg replied slowly, “Your Majesty Kane, there’s only one way to solve this problem. Destroy me and this entire castle, then it will no longer be important whether or not I’m hiding that thing.”

Habsburg felt a chill bearing down on his blood core. Despite the rude answer, the Demon King wasn’t angry at all and his gaze was just as amiable.

However, Habsburg wasn’t naive enough to think that he had managed to threaten the Demon King. This might only be a clone, which probably wasn’t powerful enough to destroy a prince along with his clan castle, but how long would it take for the main body to arrive?

“I heard the human emperor is his disciple, and he refuses to believe that his teacher has fallen. No one could fill that man’s position in the court, so much so that even his salary was still being issued as though he were alive. This can be considered a sentimental act, and no one is willing to offend the Emperor for some money.”

The Demon King’s voice was just as gentle, almost as though he were talking about common things. “But what if word went out that the person everyone believed to be a hero wasn’t dead but had become a captive instead?”

Habsburg said slowly, “I am indeed inferior to Your Majesty.”

Rumors had always been easy to market because everyone had their own considerations. The Evernight Council would never let the Empire build the image of a hero who could turn the tides. The clowns within the Empire didn’t want their political adversary’s glory to be written into the history books. It was all too easy to smear a martyr because they could no longer come forth and explain.

Habsburg knew that it was because of the Demon King’s suppression that no one dared to speak nonsense about that battle. Otherwise, all kinds of rumors could spread about a battle no one had witnessed. He wasn’t debriefed about the fight, nor was there any proof of contribution. This would give his opponents in the vampire race bullets to fire at him.

“Habsburg, I hope you will challenge me on the Sacred Mountain one day, but that day isn’t now.” The Demon King’s voice was calm. “I don’t want to cause a ruckus on Twilight Continent and make the Queen of the Night unhappy. The new world is where our common interests lie. Lilith is getting old.”

Those last words didn’t really fit the Demon King Kane’s refined image, but it revealed this young supreme’s ambitions and arrogance.

The Demon King’s gaze shifted in the direction of the castle’s blood pond. “You can give it some thought, but my patience is limited.”

After the Demon King’s departure, Habsburg drew a line in the air with his index finger.

A projection of energy systems materialized.

Darkness origin power emerged from the darkness origins on one side and stretched all the way to the other. It slowly transformed along the way, turning into various shades of grey until it passed the neutral zone and connected with the first rays of dawn.

The deduction stopped there. This was all that the people of Evernight knew regarding the energy system.

If the darkness origins was the starting point of this world, where was the end of daybreak? Was there a daybreak origins as well, or was it something else? If the daybreak origins could also form a world of its own, what would it look like? Would it be like the celestial trajectory the Demon King had seen?