Chapter 180: Duke Inferno's PV released; Declaring war on the Four Great Paths? The whole network is in shock!
Players from the Herta Space Station, the Xianzhou, Penacony… and countless other corners of the universe all received a push notification the very moment Feathered Spirit's video was released.
Countless players immediately clicked to watch.
In Guinaifen's live stream chatroom, many viewers simply continued watching through her stream to view the newly released video — "Night of Ever-Flame: Scene 33."
The video begins.
A deep, authoritative voice sounds.
[ Penacony, Planet of Festivities. ]
[ A cradle drowning in dreams ]
[ A haven for the cowardly. ]
On screen, a magnificent mansion appears.
Upon the throne above sits a towering figure.
The massive floor-to-ceiling window behind casts a bloody, sunset-like glow.
He resembles a true demon capable of annihilating the world!
Below him stand four figures of distinct styles.
This scene flashes by in an instant.
Yet, it unsurprisingly sends shockwaves rippling out!
...
"That's right! It really is the Duke of Ever-Flame and his children!"
"Excellent, excellent. I was just farming Relics, and now I get to see the real deal."
"So the headpiece of the Follow-up Attack Relic set really is his Tofet Crown…"
"Duke, you need to go deal with Feathered Spirit! He's turned your entire outfit into Relics!"
"What an arrogant pose! This is leagues above the style of the Yaepala Brothers!"
"Are they going to Penacony to cause trouble?!"
"Oh no! Penacony! All players are in for it!"
...
As this voice muses, various images appear on screen.
Burning flowers, shattered clocks, a lamb offered as sacrifice…
[ The Family has summoned guests for its grand celebration. ]
[ The golden blood will flow from the [Destruction]. ]
[ As an offering to them. ]
[ Children of the flame… ]
[ This marks your rite of passage. ]
Guinaifen is already watching, somewhat stunned.
The artistic style of this video is completely different from before!
It exudes a religious, eerie, and domineering aura.
This is clearly setting them up to be major bosses!
However, this isn't the most sinister or bizarre part yet.
Next, the Duke begins introducing his own children.
[ Akahh, I lit a fire in your eyes and showed you music of the strings. ]
A massive eyeball appears on screen.
Wreathed in azure flames.
Encircled by a wheel-like rim.
This visage alone, even through a screen, gives Guinaifen goosebumps!
[ I ignited your eyes, taught you to pluck strings and make music. ]
[ You shall use a four-stringed instrument to play the banquet's melody. ]
[ And silence the chorus of [Harmony]. ]
A man's voice replies in the background: [ It will be done, Father ].
The players are all shocked!
...
"This is a clear declaration they're going to cause trouble in Penacony!"
"Penacony is currently hosting the Grand Festival of Harmony, inviting renowned individuals and organizations from across the cosmos, even including the Annihilation Gang. Is the Duke of Ever-Flame preparing to depart now?"
"[ Harmony ] truly embraces all things, huh? Even the Duke of Ever-Flame is coming."
"Huh? On what grounds would the Family invite the Annihilation Gang? Isn't that like inviting a wolf into the house?!"
"I'm canceling my ticket to Penacony overnight!"
"I'll make a bold guess: in version 2.0, Akash will orchestrate a series of incidents to attack Robin or sabotage this performance!"
"Prophet spotted!"
...
Yet, this is only the first one.
The Duke's domineering proclamation has only just begun.
[ Dubra, my wisest child. ]
[ I ignited your body, bestowed upon you blades, saws, axes, and halberds. ]
[ You shall temper the iron scythe with sulfur. ]
[ And bestow suffering upon [Elation]. ]
[ Let the actor's blood and tears flow into the River Styx. ]
A girl's voice responds in the background: [ As you wish, father. ]
All the players are shocked once more!
This is completely outside expectations!
You go to the Family's territory, flip the [ Harmony ] table on [ Harmony ]'s turf—that makes sense.
But why suddenly shift focus and target [ Elation ] as well?
In Lin Yu's villa.
Sparkle is also watching this video.
Seeing this scene, a mocking smile instantly curls at the corner of her mouth.
"Hmph, Dubra, is it? I'll remember you."
"We 'Masked Fools' have no bottom line when it comes to amusement…"
"I'll show you what real fun is."
A glint flashes in Sparkle's eyes.
She intends to discuss with Lin Yu.
Even if she has to pay a small price, she must enlist the powerful aid of Lin Yu.
To make the Duke of Ever-Flame and his children understand this!
If you target Masked Fools, then Masked Fools will turn you into the fun!
At this moment, the Duke of Ever-Flame begins introducing his third child.
[ Caterina, my bravest child. ]
[ I ignited your heart, gifted you a chest full of boiling blood. ]
[ You shall use rage to pry open the vaults of [Preservation]. ]
[ And smelt their gold. ]
[ To forge an image of our Saviour. ]
An excited, eager female voice responds in the background: [ You got it, old man! ]
...
"Too arrogant! Even [ Preservation ] is on the target list?!"
"So cocky! But it feels like he has the capital to be!"
"The Duke of Ever-Flame's power is unfathomable! I'm starting to wonder if he's an Emanator?"
"Is he saying he's going to rob the IPC's bank?"
"After this video, it's basically the Duke of Ever-Flame declaring war on the Pathstriders of these three Aeons, right?"
"Feels like the universe is about to change…"
...
Aboard a starship.
Aventurine sees this scene.
His gaze darkens slightly.
His mission this time is precisely to go to Penacony as the representative of the [ IPC ].
He has a feeling.
In the Duke's words, [ Preservation ] likely refers to the IPC forces represented by himself.
Aventurine gently adjusts his sunglasses.
Murmuring to himself: "It seems another opponent will join the gambling table."
"Caterina, is it?"
"Let's see how you intend to shake the chips in my hand."
Aventurine glances out the window.
Amidst the neon lights, the words '[ First Truth University ]' shine the brightest.
His destination is almost here.
Watching such a video makes Aventurine realize.
This ally from the Intelligentsia Guild is even more indispensable now.
In Aventurine's mind, he has already marked the Duke of Ever-Flame and his children as a major obstacle to subduing Penacony.
He continues watching the video.
When introducing his final daughter, the Duke of Ever-Flame's voice even becomes filled with pride.
[ And Constance, at last… ]
[ My most ambitious child and most excellent child. ]
[ There is nothing more to teach you. ]
[ Just remember … ]
[ Make Penacony's midnight wither and decay. ]
[ Take with you all that you love. ]
[ Leave behind only the graves of [Remembrance]. ]
The scene returns to the Ever-Flame Mansion.
The Duke of Ever-Flame on the throne spreads his hands.
The white flower in his palm instantly burns to ashes.
Below, Caterina steps on chains and an iron ball.
Letting out a series of arrogant laughs.
[ Hahahahaha… ]
[ No need for her to appear, I alone am enough. ]
Beneath the wide brim of a white hat, Constance's purple eyes reveal something meaningful.
[ Caterina, it's better to be pessimistic… ]
[ Perhaps we will all die, you know? ]
Akash places a finger to his lips, making a "shh" gesture.
Then pulls the cello's strings.
[ Outlaws who walk the path of [Destruction]… ]
[ Since when have we feared death? ]
Dubra, holding an apple, says obediently: [ But we should still prepare for a rainy day… Father. ]
After speaking, the loli-puppet falls to the ground.
Lifted up like a marionette by the giant shadow behind her.
[ The journey is perilous. What is our fall back? ]
The Duke of Ever-Flame leans on his cane.
Elegantly descending the steps one by one.
[ Fall back? ]
[ As always. ]
[ Does not exist. ]
[ [Destruction] is a magnificent instant. ]
[ If one survives through cowardice, this life would be far too long. ]
[ Relish, Penacony, savor its invitation. ]
[ Prepare this beautiful dream ]
[ To welcome its new master from Fetora. ]
"Ifrit—Duke Inferno"
"Ever-Flame Mansion."
The Duke of Ever-Flame and his children stand in a row.
Facing the camera, they strike an extremely elegant and domineering pose.
The video ends here.
And this.
Like a supernova explosion.
The video begins to generate varied impacts across the entire universe!
Below the video, the first batch of players who finished watching have already launched heated discussions.
...
"The Ever-Flame Mansion's style is this high?"
"To simultaneously declare war on the four Paths of [ Harmony ], [ Elation ], [ Preservation ], and [ Remembrance ]… if you tell me the Duke of Ever-Flame has no backing, I definitely won't believe it!"
"Clearly not favored in the eyes of Destruction, but their aura is truly imposing. They almost had me convinced they were Emanators!"
"Friendly reminder: The Annihilation Gang isn't looked upon by the Aeon of Destruction because their ideology isn't pure, not because they lack strength."
"Looking at it this way, Penacony is truly about to welcome a massive upheaval!"
"Why isn't the [ Hunt ]'s Path mentioned?"
"Are you dumb?! If [ The Hunt ] heard, they would genuinely attack the Ever-Flame Mansion first."