Every legendary powerhouse possessed the ability to influence their surroundings. When doubt and apprehension gripped their hearts, the atmosphere naturally froze like the sea before a storm — oppressive and heavy, as though a tempest of unimaginable force could erupt at any moment.
The six arms of that dark epic knight glinted with a cold, razor-sharp luminescence, as though they were themselves six legendary-grade longswords. The Mind Flayer's octopus head raised its tentacles, as if plucking the strings of a psychic harp in midair. The middle-aged man who looked more like a necromancer or vampire than a dragon narrowed his emerald-green eyes, his forehead, face, and the backs of his hands all covered in crimson scales. The Beholder Sovereign, whether its great eye or its lesser ones, fixed every single gaze directly upon Lucian Evans...
It wasn't that they were overreacting or failing to maintain the composure befitting legendary powerhouses. It was simply that the seemingly refined and unassuming young man before them had far too resounding a reputation. Within just a few short years, the number of legendary powerhouses he had slain might well equal the combined kill count of everyone present. Whether it was mindless legendary undead, legendary necromancers pulling strings behind elaborate conspiracies, demon lords, epic knights, or legendary arcanists — none were weak enough to be slaughtered at will. They attributed the death of the "Demi-god Lich" Congis to Lucian as well.
Moreover, and more importantly, even if Lucian Evans wasn't the one who dealt the final blow, his appearances invariably coincided with the fall or defeat of legendary powerhouses — the elven Guard Captain Lancel, the former Demon Prince, Helex, Lord of the Endless Ocean, and even an incarnation descended by "Lord of Hell" Mardimoth on one occasion. These names, even more resounding than those of the legendary figures he had killed with his own hands, led the intelligent beings of the Dark Mountains to call Lucian Evans the "Incarnation of the God of Misfortune" and the "Disaster Demon."
Thus, at such a crucial meeting where hostilities could break out at any moment, seeing Lucian Evans appear, it was only natural for their blood to quicken. Who would be the unlucky one?
Gazing upon gazes sharp enough to shatter a Sky Knight's sanity, Lucian adjusted his monocle with a puzzled expression. Even if they were wary and on guard because of an unfamiliar peak-legendary, they shouldn't be this obvious about it, surely? If they wanted to object to an outsider being present, they could simply speak up. Why glare at him so viciously? Did they never want to have a friendly conversation again?
Fithia smiled faintly and said, "Everyone, this is Mr. Lucian Evans, the 'Master of Atoms.' He happens to be visiting old friends in the Dark Mountains and heard that we were convening a most crucial meeting, so he came to observe and gather firsthand information."
Seeing Fithia's attitude, the legendary powerhouses present reined in their surging emotions and didn't bother asking who had invited Lucian.
The mage shrouded entirely in a black cloak spoke in a hoarse voice, "Are you here to observe on behalf of the Continental Magic Parliament?"
"Although this is a personal action of my own, as a Grand Archanist, I myself represent the will of the Parliament," Lucian said ambiguously.
"Hmph, Grand Archanist..." The ancient-lineage mage seemed to hold no fondness whatsoever for the title of Grand Archanist.
Fithia chuckled lightly, "Ogg, whether you admit it or not, every mage who earns the title of Grand Archanist has, at minimum, already reached your level."
This ancient-lineage mage was Ogg, the "King of the Shadow Side," skilled in Shadow, Darkness, Curse, and Illusion magic. When the Magic Empire fell, he had been merely a Second-tier legendary mage, which meant the senior Fithia didn't hesitate to mock him.
Lucian glanced at Fithia with mild surprise. Her attitude toward Archanism didn't seem entirely dismissive, yet she had expressed such clear disdain for it before... No wonder she had always given people a contradictory impression.
"Hmph." Ogg said nothing more. Although he was now the same rank as Fithia, Fithia — who commanded more mysterious spells and rituals and had already been transformed into a vampire — still made him quite wary.
Fithia pointed to an ornate chair resembling a black throne. "Mr. Evans, you may sit here to observe."
The chair was positioned at the very rear of the Dark Council's legendary members, with the attendants of those legendary powerhouses seated further back.
Lucian nodded, not objecting, aware that Fithia was not a member of the Dark Council and was participating this time in the capacity of Dracula's "subordinate."
At this moment, the powerhouses of the Dark World withdrew their gazes and exchanged glances. Faint crackling sounds rippled through the air as tiny sparks of electricity leaped and danced, as though an unfiltered exchange of thoughts was taking place.
Ogg said with barely concealed irritation, "Perhaps Dracula has allied himself with the Continental Magic Parliament. No wonder he's so confident about bringing us all together."
"Dracula, cooperating with the Continental Magic Parliament?" The Beholder Sovereign waved its tentacles — each tipped with a small eye. Among all the legendary members of the Dark Council, aside from Ogg, Dubner, and several primordial dragons who harbored hatred toward the Continental Magic Parliament, Dracula and Danisos were arguably the most hostile toward those Archanists. After all, during the age of the ancient Magic Empire, they had always been suppressed by the mages due to their own internal strife.
The Mind Flayer's "Elder Brain" spoke in a drifting, cold tone, "If the benefit is sufficient, why couldn't Dracula cooperate with the Continental Magic Parliament? If he truly has allied with them, and Douglas and three other peak-legendary powerhouses are concealed in the shadows — what will you do then? Object, or agree?"
The "Elder Brain" was not truly legendary in its own right. It was the "Agent" of the Mind Flayer "Master Brain," a creature hidden in the deepest reaches of the Dark Mountains who never left its lair. The vast majority of those who had fought it had either perished or become its slaves. As such, even Dracula and Danisos were reluctant to provoke it, nor did they know the precise extent of its power — only that it had been roughly estimated as Third-tier legendary.
Whenever the Dark Council had an important matter to discuss, or when it was the "Master Brain's" turn to guard the "Flame Stone Valley," it would dispatch an "Elder Brain," controlling its subordinate's thoughts, soul, and body to grant it temporary legendary-level power.
Therefore, the "Elder Brain's" words represented the will of the mysterious "Master Brain." The legendary powerhouses present fell silent. If matters had truly reached this point, what choice would they make?
With that thought, their senses converged once more upon Lucian, as though hoping to find some clue in his bearing.