CHAPTER 1593: CHAPTER 337: MOVING TO THE BLACK PRISON TOWER

Black Prison Castle.

The night enveloped this pitch-black world, as if a heavy chunk of iron, pressing down on every conscious soul.

Su Shijun stood before a tall floor-to-ceiling window in the castle, gazing at the shadowy outside world, her eyes slightly flickering. She felt as though she were staring at a primordial giant beast crouched under a black canopy, limbs sprawled wide, brazenly and arrogantly overlooking this land steeped in withering and death.

From the moment she stepped into this castle, up until now.

Yet at the same time, the witch could distinctly sense that the stifling desolation of the Black Prison was slowly fading. A vigorous, foreign vitality was gradually descending from the void, permeating the blackness and making this world increasingly ’lively.’

Milton and Silent Souls’ interpretation of the magical war added some insight into the origins of this ’liveliness’—though she wasn’t sure whether it was a good or bad thing. After achieving Big Wizard status, she had developed a deeper reverence for ’time.’ For this reason, the reckless tampering with timelines by both sides in the war left her profoundly uneasy.

Perhaps that’s also why the Alliance appeared particularly cautious when it came to the ’war’ option.

Maybe Silent Souls noticed the witch’s unease.

He suddenly raised his arm and placed his hand on Milton Karen’s shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

The vampire tilted his wine glass, casting a sidelong glance at the ghost gentleman: "I’m not interested in ghosts."

This kind of quip was hardly amusing.

Silent Souls shook his head slightly, sighing softly.

"The battlefield is where life and death are closest, and where the heart is most easily laid bare." The ghost gentleman’s voice was somewhat ethereal, mirroring the meaning he was trying to convey:

"Whether wizard or demon, their steadfastness or hesitation is easily discernible on the battlefield. For wizards whose will falters, danger invariably finds them effortlessly. I’m not sure if there’s a mysticism principle behind this; perhaps it’s an offshoot of Murphy’s Law... But I do know that before stepping onto the battlefield, we need to solidify the convictions in our hearts."

Su Shijun’s fox ears nestled in her hair twitched slightly; she felt Silent Souls’ words seemed directed toward her—yet at the same time, it seemed he was merely advising Milton and William, considering they were the two lowest-ranked among the five Upper House Members.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Duke Milton muttered, dissatisfied, his lips curling.

The ghost gentleman explained in a gentle tone: "I noticed you seem a bit unsettled, Milton. Before stepping onto the battlefield, that’s not a good habit."

"Unsettled? Oh... That must be because I haven’t had a good night’s sleep all week." The vampire shrugged indifferently, dismissively waving his hand. Catching a glimpse of the green fox tails at the window, he hastily added: "...Moreover, there’s someone here who makes my mind waver."

"Tch." William Tapott snorted sharply, his voice laced with disdain.

The vampire, unfazed, continued as if he hadn’t heard.

Silent Souls sighed again and pointed toward Gongsun Bing, who had been sitting silently among the sofas: "A lack of sleep and a restless mind are two different states. Take a look at Mr. Gongsun Bing; the composure and steadiness in his gaze alone provide a sense of reassurance."

Milton turned his head at these words, intrigued, and glanced at the copper-armored corpse.

"Well now," he raised his glass in mock admiration, "Mr. Gongsun, splendid eye shadow—where’d you buy it?"

Su Shijun turned her back to the vampire, secretly rolling her eyes.

Gongsun Bing leisurely raised his eyelids, casting Milton a brief look.

"Natural," he replied curtly.

Milton tilted his head toward Silent Souls, shrugged, and spread his hands: "You see, it’s not my fault. Our kind is just a bit born lacking in complexion."

The ghost gentleman took a deep breath, his body flickering with faint spiritual light. He knew he shouldn’t set his expectations too high for this vampire—it was a waste of time.

At that moment.

Clatter, clatter.

Hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor, capturing everyone’s attention.

A short while later, the sound of ’dong dong’ knocking resounded on the door outside.

The lounge door swung open, and a witch donning a crimson robe and a broad black cloak appeared before the Upper House Members of the Moonlit Council, accompanied by four attendants.

Her striking dark circles were hard to miss; it was unclear whether they came from makeup or simply sleepless nights. Milton glanced mischievously at Silent Souls, who pretended not to see.

"Apologies for the intrusion!"

The witch seemed oblivious to the discreet gestures of the Upper House Members. She pressed her hand against the law book at her waist, bowed her head briefly, and reported directly:

"We’ve received orders from headquarters. The Moon Council’s Upper House Members are now being summoned to the battlefield! Please proceed immediately to the prison tower of the outer fortress!"

The heavy gazes of Gongsun Bing, Silent Souls, Su Shijun, Milton, and William all landed on the messenger witch, their combined attention weighing down heavily enough that it made the law book at her waist emit faint flashes of light.

"Already starting?"

Milton Karen set down his wine glass, stretched, his tone carrying none of the tension one might expect before a great battle: "...Quite startlingly abrupt, I must say."

The messenger witch slightly lowered her head, pressing her law book as her attendants moved in sync, saluting and clearing the doorway for the Upper House Members.

Whoosh!

The reserved Gongsun Bing was the first to rise. The hem of his cloak stirred up a gust of wind within the vast lounge as he trudged heavily toward the exit, step by step.

For a moment, the entire castle seemed to tremble along with his footsteps.

Close behind him was Su Shijun, who had been standing near the window. Being closer to the door, she followed swiftly, her four green fox tails swaying gently in the gust, alert but composed.

Milton and William walked in sync, flanking the witch like two sentinel guards to her left and right.

With that arrangement, Silent Souls fell to the rear. Fortunately, he didn’t mind the minor detail and followed with a cheerful demeanor.

After walking a few steps outside, Su Shijun suddenly frowned, raising her hand to glance at the jade bracelet on her wrist. Its jade-green glow jittered erratically, signaling waves of intense magical fluctuations.

"What’s happening?" Milton immediately noticed and asked with concern.

"Do you need me to intervene?" William offered promptly.

The witch furrowed her brows slightly, ignoring their eagerness, her tone tinged with hesitation: "I’m not entirely sure... But the school’s guardian Array has been activated."

Gongsun Bing, walking ahead, paused in his stride.

"First University?" His voice was low, carrying a steady reassuring strength.

"Yes." Su Shijun responded immediately: "Before departing, Dean Yao temporarily handed me control over the guardian Array. There was a minor incident at the museum, which prompted me to receive a query letter from Danghag... Upon leaving this morning, I set the Array’s sensitivity to maximum. It’s authorized to respond decisively against high-risk targets."