Countless sparkling diamonds were embedded in black velvet, emitting a clear and resplendent light, vast and dreamlike.
This was the eternally unchanging beauty of the Dark Night Plateau.
Bathed in starlight, Lucian passed through layer upon layer of shadow-like black walls, leaving behind the projection of the Observer's Castle.
Under the cover of swaying trees that looked almost alive, Lucian donned the Disguise Mask. His body stretched taller, his skin smoothed to a pallid whiteness, his eyes turned into silver moons of the night, his hair lost its dark hue and became an eerie silver-white.
In just a few seconds, "Rhein," wearing a crimson dress shirt and a black evening suit, appeared on the Dark Night Plateau.
Lucian adjusted his bow tie, maintaining Rhein's peculiar fastidiousness and immaculate appearance, then walked with "elegant" strides toward a distant vampire castle.
Marquis Rashal, a powerful vampire who had lived for a full five thousand years, guarded the spatial node connecting the Dark Night Plateau to the southern deserts of the Gusta Empire, preventing any non-vampire creatures from slipping in.
Previously, in Rhein's treasury, Lucian had ultimately set aside several seventh and eighth-tier magic staffs, choosing instead "Pale Justice." Not because it could negate negative conditions like charm, berserk, and helplessness, but because he valued its terrifying effectiveness against undead and other evil creatures—when facing such foes, it could be used as a first-tier Legendary item, extraordinarily fearsome. It was utterly unique among all the high-tier items Lucian currently knew of!
The task Lucian was about to undertake was related to the Undead Realm, and he had already been tracked by a high-level undead. Therefore, a weapon effective against the undead had to be his first priority. Besides, vampires were also undead, and this was the Dark Night Plateau, home to numerous dangerous vampires!
As for the restriction that only a sixth-tier Celestial Knight could wield it, Lucian had his own way of dealing with it. The Ogre Strength Gloves alone could boost his strength to the level of a fifth-tier Great Knight, and combined with a few mid and low-tier strength-enhancing spells—such as the fourth-tier "Brute Force Spell," the second-tier "Bull's Strength," and so on—he could barely reach the minimum strength of a sixth-tier Celestial Knight.
Though this could only be maintained for a few minutes, it was more than enough to pick up "Pale Justice" and unleash its "never misses" effect!
Among the sixth-tier spells Lucian had yet to learn, there was even "Bale's Transformation Spell," which allowed a mage to temporarily transform into a knight of the same tier.
Of course, deep down, Lucian harbored a small personal thought: this was a powerful and radiant knight's longsword. When his relationship with someone had progressed far enough, he could gift it to that person to deepen their affection or solidify their bond.
It had to be said, Lucian still occasionally indulged in fantasies about a beautiful future.
......
To the left of the strange castle with its pointed spires and tower-like structures stood a grand palace. It was supported by thick stone pillars, and its floor was paved with neat, smooth stone tiles.
In Lucian's eyes, it bore a striking resemblance to an ancient Greek temple from Earth.
The crisp sound of leather shoes striking stone tiles echoed far into the distance as a tall vampire in a brown formal suit and a pale face blocked Lucian's path.
"Why have you come to Marquis Rashal's palace?" the vampire asked haughtily.
Disguised as Rhein, Lucian smiled faintly. "I'm here to use the spatial transmission array."
"Has the Marquis granted his permission?" the vampire replied arrogantly.
Lucian appeared calm on the surface, though inwardly quite anxious, and said, "According to the Elder Council's regulations, every member of the Vampire Clan may use most of the spatial nodes within the Dark Night Plateau. Does that not include this one?"
Rhein was effectively a Vampire Prince, a member of the Vampire Elder Council—his connections were bound to be numerous. If Lucian lingered too long, another Vampire Prince might show up, and his disguise could easily be exposed.
But his inner anxiety didn't affect Lucian's thinking or actions; he even controlled his heartbeat and blood flow with remarkable precision.
The vampire didn't dare openly defy the Elder Council's regulations. Coldly, he said, "There are traitors among the Vampire Clan, and for all I know, you could be an impostor. Without the Marquis's permission, I must conduct a thorough inspection."
His language was stiff and formal, his attitude rigid and inflexible. His right hand moved subtly, as if requesting something.
Lucian roughly guessed his purpose, but the Rhein he was impersonating was a Legendary vampire who appeared gentle on the surface yet was deeply arrogant inside—how could he possibly bribe someone?
If he did that, and Marquis Rashal found out, it would immediately confirm that he was an impostor. But submitting to an inspection didn't suit Rhein's character either.
His silver eyes narrowed slightly, and Lucian was about to signal this vampire to get as far away as possible.
Suddenly, an aged voice came from behind Lucian without any warning: "Lord Observer, it's been a long time."
Marquis Rashal had arrived?
Lucian's heart nearly skipped a beat. He prayed that the Marquis wasn't too familiar with Rhein—if he was, Lucian might be exposed through his mannerisms and speech.
"L-Lord?" The vampire who had been soliciting a bribe began trembling visibly, the memory of the other vampire's calm, narrowed eyes from moments ago flashing clearly through his mind. He only then realized he had walked along the very edge of death, nearly being killed without understanding why by a Legendary being!
Lucian paid no attention to his fear and terror. In a flat, composed tone, he said, "Rashal, I wish to head to the southern desert."
Lucian didn't dare say too much, keeping his words as brief and concise as possible to avoid revealing any flaws. The form of address was one that Rhein had specifically warned him about.
"Lord Observer, Prince Dracula has been searching for you." Rashal was an "elegant" elderly man with graying hair, leaning on an exquisitely crafted cane, and he answered with a half-smile.