Players from Herta Space Station, Xianzhou, Penacony… and all corners of the universe received the notification simultaneously as Yu Ling released the video.
Countless players immediately clicked to watch.
In Little Guizi's livestream,
Many viewers simply continued watching the newly released video right there—
「A Night of Everflame: Act 33」.
The video began.
A deep, authoritative voice spoke:
"[Star of Extravagance], Penacony."
"The cradle of indulgent dreams."
"The resting place of cowards."
On screen, A magnificent mansion appeared.
On the throne sat a towering figure, Backlit by a blood-red sunset glow through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him— Like a true demon capable of destroying the world!
Below him stood four distinct figures.
This scene flashed by in an instant, But without a doubt, it sent shockwaves through the audience!
...
"No way! It's really the Duke of Inferno and his children!"
"Nice, we were just farming his relics, and now we get to see the man himself!"
"So the helmet from the Follow-up set really is his Tophet Crown…"
"Duke, go yell at Yu Ling! They turned your whole outfit into relics!"
"Such an arrogant pose! This is on a whole other level compared to the Pera Brothers!"
"Are they about to cause chaos in Penacony?!"
"Oh no! Penacony players are in trouble!"
...
As the voice continued its monologue, Symbolic imagery flashed across the screen—Burning flowers, shattered clocks, sacrificial lambs…
"The Family sets the feast, the guests arrive as invited."
"[Destruction's] golden blood will flow together."
"Offer this grand ritual to Him."
"Children of the flame…"
"This is your rite of passage."
Guinaifen was completely stunned.
The tone of this PV was completely different from before—Drenched in a sinister, religious fervor, exuding overwhelming dominance.
This was clearly setting them up as major villains!
But that wasn't even the most twisted part.
Next, the Duke introduced his children.
"Acheron, my most emotional child."
A massive eyeball appeared on screen, Wreathed in cyan flames, Encircled by a spinning wheel.
Even through the screen, Guinaifen felt chills just looking at it!
"I ignited your eyes, teaching you to pluck strings for amusement."
"You shall play the feast's melody on a four-stringed instrument."
"Silencing [Harmony's] choir."
A man's voice replied in the background: "That's the plan, old man."
Players were floored!
...
"They're straight-up announcing they're going to wreck Penacony!"
"Penacony's Harmony Festival is inviting elites from across the cosmos—even the Annihilation Gang?! Is the Duke heading there now?"
"[Harmony] really is all-inclusive if they're letting the Duke in…"
"Why would the Family invite the Annihilation Gang?! That's just asking for trouble!"
"I'm canceling my Penacony tickets ASAP!"
"Hot take: In 2.0, Acheron will orchestrate attacks on Robin or sabotage the performance!"
"Prophet spotted."
...
But this was only the first child.
The Duke's declarations were just getting started.
"Dubra, my wisest child."
"I ignited your body, arming you with blades and axes."
"You shall temper your sickle in sulfur."
"Inflict pain upon [Elation]."
"Let the jester's blood and tears flow into the River Styx."
A girl's voice responded: "As you command, Father."
Players were shocked again!
This came out of nowhere!
Going to [Harmony's] turf and flipping their table? Understandable.
But suddenly, they're targeting [Elation] too?!
In Tatsuke's villa, Sparkle was also watching the video.
Seeing this, A mocking grin curled on her lips.
"Hmph. Dubra, was it? I'll remember you."
"We jesters have no bottom line when it comes to fun…"
"I'll show you what real 'elation' looks like."
A glint flashed in Sparkle's eyes.
She planned to discuss with Tatsuke—
Even if it meant paying a small price, she'd recruit this powerful ally.
She'd make the Duke and his children understand:
Mess with jesters, and jesters will turn you into the joke!
Then, the Duke introduced his third child.
"Katerina, my bravest child."
"I ignited your heart, filling you with boiling blood."
"You shall smash open [Preservation's] vaults."
"Melt their gold."
"And sculpt an effigy for our Patron."
A girl's voice eagerly replied: "No need to explain, old man!"
....
"How arrogant! Even [Preservation] is a target?!"
"So full of himself! But he might have the power to back it up!"
"The Duke's influence runs deep… Is he a Emanator or something?!"
"Is he saying he's gonna rob the IPC's banks?!"
"After this PV, the Duke just declared war on three Paths' followers?!"
"Feels like the universe is about to change…"
On a starship, Aventurine watched with a frown.
His mission was to represent the IPC in Penacony.
He had a feeling—The Duke's mention of [Preservation] likely referred to him and the IPC.
Adjusting his sunglasses, Aventurine muttered:
"Seems the gambling table just got another player."
"Katerina, was it?"
"Let's see how you plan to shake my chips."
He glanced out the window.
Amidst the neon lights, [First Truth University] stood out prominently.
His destination was near.
After watching the video, Aventurine realized—His ally from the Intelligentsia Guild was now even more indispensable.
In his mind, The Duke and his children had just become a major obstacle in securing Penacony.
The video continued.
When introducing his final daughter, The Duke's voice swelled with pride.
"Lastly… Constance."
"My most ambitious child."
"My finest child."
"I have nothing left to teach you."
"Only this reminder:"
"Let Penacony's midnight wither and decay."
"Take everything you love."
"And leave behind only [Remembrance's] grave."
The scene returned to the Everflame Mansion.
The Duke on his throne spread his hands—
The white flower in his palm instantly burned to ash.
Below, Katerina stomped on chains and a iron ball, Letting out a wild laugh.
"Hahahahaha—!"
"She won't even need to step in. I'm enough!"
Under a wide white hat, Constance's violet eyes gleamed with something cryptic.
"Katerina… pessimism suits you better."
"We might all die, you know?"
Acheron placed a finger to his lips in a "shush" motion, Then plucked his cello's strings.
"We who walk [Destruction's] path—"
"Since when have we feared death?"
Dubra, holding an apple, obediently added: "But we should still prepare for the worst…"
Then, The doll-like girl collapsed, Only to be lifted up as a puppet by a massive shadow behind her.
"This venture is perilous. What's our retreat?"
The Duke descended the steps, cane in hand.
"Retreat?"
"As always—"
"There is none."
"[Destruction] is a glorious instant."
"To cling to life would make eternity unbearable."
"Enjoy Penacony. Enjoy her invitation."
"Let this dreamland prepare itself—"
"To welcome her new masters from Tophet."
"—「The Duke of Inferno」 Aventurine."
The 「Everflame Mansion」.
The Duke and his children stood in formation, Striking an elegant yet domineering pose for the camera.
The video ended there.
And like a supernova explosion, The PV began sending shockwaves across the universe!
Under the video, The first wave of viewers had already launched heated discussions.
...
"The Everflame Mansion's presence is insane!"
"Declaring war on [Harmony], [Elation], [Preservation], and [Remembrance] all at once? The Duke must have some serious backing!"
"Even if Nanook doesn't acknowledge them, their aura is so strong I almost believed they were Emanators!"
"Friendly reminder: The Annihilation Gang isn't weak—they're just not 'pure' enough for the Destruction Aeon."
"So Penacony really is heading for a catastrophe?!"
"Why isn't [The Hunt] mentioned?"
"Are you dumb? If [The Hunt] heard this, they'd attack the Everflame Mansion first."
To be continued…
Advance 100 Chapters are up on my Patreon!
pat reon.com/AlphaSenatus