CHAPTER 251: CHAPTER251-THE LETHAL NECKLACE

Emerging from the cave, Blois caught sight of his nephew, who had been waiting outside for a considerable time.

Glancing up at the sky, now a tapestry of stars, he realized he had spent half the day within the cave’s confines.

"Send someone trustworthy immediately to clean up the cave thoroughly. Leave no trace behind, understood?" he instructed.

"Yes, uncle," replied the Second Prince, bowing respectfully.

"I’m heading back now. Tomorrow, accompany me to Dominic’s. This time, I intend to present our dear Lord Dominic with a significant gift."

With a hearty laugh, Blois departed from White Tiger Mountain.

Subsequently, the Second Prince dispatched men to cleanse the site of the blood sacrifice.

Driven by curiosity, he ventured into the cave himself, only to stumble upon a series of withered corpses, which provoked him to retch uncontrollably against the cave wall.

"Your Highness, perhaps you should step back. We will handle this," offered a warrior, eager to be of service.

Nodding, the Second Prince hastened out of the cave, taking deep breaths of the fresh air once outside.

Inside, the warriors struck up a conversation.

"Hey, captain, look at how pampered the Second Prince is. They’re just a few shriveled bodies, what’s the big deal? It’s nothing compared to the limbless corpses we’ve seen on the battlefield, huh?" one joked with a snicker.

"Shut it. Speak less, lest you invite trouble. Understand?" the captain chided.

Boose, clad in black armor, zipped his lips upon his captain’s rebuke.

While they were clearing the bodies from the cave, they stumbled upon a peculiar corpse.

"Captain, what’s this?"

Hearing Boose’s voice yet again, the Captain, evidently annoyed, responded, "What now?"

Boose, sensing the irritation in his Captain’s tone, hurriedly explained, "Captain, look! This corpse is truly odd."

With a trace of impatience, the Captain moved closer to Boose.

"What is it, where?"

Following Boose’s pointed direction, the Captain’s curiosity was piqued.

The body on the ground looked more akin to that of a monkey than a child.

However, the attire on the desiccated body clearly indicated it was not merely a monkey but a person—an individual bearing a striking resemblance to a monkey.

The Captain patted Boose on the head, chiding, "Why fuss over such matters? Your only concern should be cleaning up the scene. Leave the rest alone, understood? If I catch you slacking off, you won’t get off lightly, got it?"

"Yes, yes, Captain, don’t worry. I, Boose, will definitely do a thorough job!" Boose assured.

As the Captain walked away to sit on a rock, resting while watching the cleanup, Boose muttered under his breath in disdain, "Pfft, what nonsense."

The body discovered by Boose was that of Stonemonkey from Undercurrent, who had stealthily infiltrated their ranks.

Unnoticed by Blois and his party, he ultimately met his end at the jaws of the Immortal Corpse Emperor.

The following day, Dominic’s household was abuzz with activity, all hands on deck for the upcoming heir-apparent ceremony for Armando.

Their young Miss, Alison, was also to attend this grand occasion, as Armando was set to announce her as his future wife during the ceremony.

"Lord Blois has arrived," announced the servant, his voice reaching Dominic amid his bustling activities.

A wave of excitement swept over Dominic.

Could it be that the old chap has brought me another splendid gift?

With this thought, Dominic set aside his work and went out to welcome Blois.

"Blois, my brother, what brings you here today?" he greeted with a smile.

Blois returned the smile.

"What, does Dominic not welcome me?"

"How could that be? How could that be? Come, Brother Blois, please, let’s go inside for a chat," Dominic ushered him warmly.

Side by side, they walked into the estate, with Blois observing all the hustle and bustle around Dominic’s premises.

A smirk played on his lips as he mused sarcastically about Dominic’s efforts seemingly destined to end in vain.

Once in the main hall, Dominic, unable to contain his curiosity, eagerly inquired, "May I know the purpose of Brother Blois’s visit to my estate today?"

"Of course, it’s to present Dominic with a fine gift. Bring what I have brought," Blois commanded.

This time, Blois’s attendant brought forward a small box.

Seeing the box in the attendant’s hands, Dominic couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Noticing the look of disappointment on Dominic’s face, Blois personally took the box from his attendant and presented it to Dominic, opening it before him.

The moment the box was opened, a dazzling light shone forth, revealing a diamond necklace inside.

At the heart of this necklace was a diamond pendant as large as a hen’s egg.

Blois, seeing Dominic’s astonished expression, proudly explained the origin of the diamond necklace: "This diamond necklace, Dominic, features the largest and most flawless diamond from the Lorbalen Continent, cut in a step-cut fashion. It is precisely this gem that renders this necklace the most expensive on the Lorbalen Continent."

The necklace was also adorned with dozens of diamonds, each cut in various intricate styles.

These gems added to the necklace’s luxurious brilliance and splendor, making it a masterpiece of unmatched elegance.

Lord Blois’s introduction left Dominic trembling as he reached for the diamond necklace.

His eyes swept over the varying shapes of diamonds, each complementing the other, captivating him deeply and leaving him unsettled.

He imagined the scene if his daughter were to wear this necklace today – what a sight that would be.

"Blois, my brother, what are you implying with this gift?" he inquired.

Blois, patiently responding, said, "Of course, it’s a gift for you—no, that’s not right. It’s not for you, but for..."

Before Blois could finish, an anxious Dominic interrupted, "Not for me? Then why show it to me? Is this some kind of boast?"

"Of course not.

It’s not for Dominic; it’s for Dominic’s precious daughter," Blois clarified.

Hearing this, Dominic felt a surge of joy, though he couldn’t help but wonder inwardly: This fellow keeps bringing me exquisite gifts; what could his motive be? Unsolicited generosity is either a trap or a theft.

It seems I need to understand his intentions clearly.

"May I ask, Lord National Preceptor, is there something you seek from me? If there’s anything you need, just say the word, and I’ll spare no effort to assist," Dominic offered.

Blois, hearing Dominic’s words, realized that this drunkard was not as oblivious as he appeared.

Ah, revealing a request might prevent this fool from suspecting something and jeopardizing my plans.

Laughing heartily, Blois stood and bowed, "Indeed, there is one matter for which I’d seek Dominic’s assistance."

Dominic snorted coldly, "Speak then, Lord National Preceptor. What do you need my help with?"

Looking at Dominic, who seemed unimpressed, Blois contained his irritation, "The Crown Prince is about to become the heir apparent, isn’t he? I would be grateful if Dominic’s daughter could say a few kind words on my behalf in front of His Highness."

Upon hearing Blois’s request, Dominic was overjoyed, realizing the simplicity of the task.

"Easily done, easily done. Leave it to me! Rest assured, Brother Blois," he said with enthusiasm.

"Then, I’ll be entrusting this to you, Dominic. I’ll take my leave now, if there’s nothing else," Blois replied, preparing to depart.

"I won’t keep you any longer, Brother Blois," Dominic said as he escorted Blois out of his residence.

As Blois was about to leave, Dominic reassured him once more, promising to take care of his request.

Blois mounted his steed, Soulvore, and departed with his entourage.

Watching Blois leave, Dominic muttered enviously, "Blois really does have a lot of nice things. I wonder when I’ll be able to get my hands on his Soulvore, haha!"

...

As the sun slowly rose from the horizon, its dazzling light connected peak to peak, stretching from one valley to another, heralding the break of dawn.

At the royal palace’s Heaven Altar, following the ceremony, Armando addressed the assembly of nobles: "Today, as the heir apparent, I declare to all that Alison is to be my future queen, the only woman I, Armando, have ever loved."

In the midst of the nobles, Alison, upon hearing the man outside fulfill the promise he made to her in the peach grove, cried tears of joy.

"Alison, did you hear that? If you agree, come out, and I will have my father officiate our wedding," Armando called out.

Hearing his words, Alison stepped down from her carriage and, escorted by attendants, approached Armando.

They gazed into each other’s eyes, sharing a moment of deep affection and mutual understanding.

"Alison, I love you. Let me always be by your side to protect and care for you, okay, Alison?" he proposed.

"I will," she agreed.

In the moment of their heartfelt embrace, whispering lifelong vows to each other, from the dazzling diamond necklace around Alison’s neck, an inconspicuous red gem was slowly awakening the Immortal Corpse Emperor.

"Ah!"

Armando suddenly pushed Alison away from him, letting out a heart-wrenching scream.

His eyes bloodshot, he coughed up blood, tumbling down the steps of the Heaven Altar.

The crowd, witnessing this scene, was stunned into silence.

"Armando!"

The king, upon seeing this, rushed to Armando, who had fallen at the base of the Heaven Altar.

With tears streaming down his face, he lifted Armando, whose face was covered in blood, into his arms.