CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 03: NINE-PETAL SNAKE FLOWER FLAG (3)

Three days later, at the location of the Elder Council, in the northeast of the Kolin Peninsula at the "Bloodline Origin" — High Court.

Majestic, towering mountains.

Above the clouds, day and night alternate.

A vast collection of palaces, like isolated islands in a sea of clouds. The scenery is astounding to the point of disbelief.

Beneath the clouds, it is eternal night. The massive peaks are almost completely filled with ancient castles, covering every corner densely. The entire mountain, which was supposed to be white and gray, has turned black. The style is somewhat similar to Jones’s Giant Snake City. The difference is that the castles here are larger and more numerous. Moreover, a different flag waves above each castle.

At the foot of the mountain is an endless, yet crowded city surrounding the giant peak.

Lightning rolls through the clouds, illuminating the ghastly visage of this city.

Almost every building is black, every street is muddy, and the air is filled with the stench of rot. Luxuriously dressed slave owners, heavily armored zombie guards, and ragged slaves weave through the city.

Slaves, clad in shackles, form a long line as they march down the streets.

Zombie soldiers transporting slaves roar and swing their whips.

Pregnant women give birth to the next generation in filthy corners.

Barefoot children run and play on the edge of life and death.

Everywhere you see elderly, weakened slaves abandoned to die. The bodies of dead slaves are piled on carts and taken outside the city by soldiers, discarded at will. Meanwhile, more slaves are being sent here from all directions.

On the other side is an arena where the flames rival the lightning in the sky. The fervent audience cheers as gladiators fight desperately for a chance at freedom. Blood stirs wave after wave of applause.

Women in heavy makeup and red dresses dance sultrily.

Destitute troubadours play and sing, praising love.

The elite of the Blood Clan revel in luxury at balls, drunk on dreams.

This is High Court, the origin of the Blood Clan, the seat of the Bloodline Elder Council, the highest power center of the Blood Clan, the wealthiest city in all of Keltos, a city renowned for its desires. Endless supplies and slaves are transported here from all over to try and satisfy those boundless desires.

Some wail, others laugh madly.

Here, any desire can be indulged without restraint. Even more terrifying is that everyone will cheer for you.

A gigantic airship slowly sails over the people’s heads.

Almost no one notices, because goblin airships in High Court are not rare. It’s just that this one is slightly bigger.

...

"This time, I’ll take care of your visit to High Court." In the oval, luxuriously styled cabin, Adelle sits slouching on the sofa with a drink, proudly saying to Jones, "I’ve already spoken with my father and the head of the family. They allow me to use all resources of the Sambo Family to package you."

"So, you arranged this airship for me?" Jones, sitting on the sofa opposite, asks.

"Yes, do you like it? It’s the largest, most luxurious airship I could find. How could I let the City Lord of Giant Snake City be underestimated on his first visit to High Court?"

"Hmm... But we have to waste two days on the road because of this."

"Trust me, you’ll soon see the meaning in it." Adelle extends a finger, clicking her tongue, "I’ve been to High Court three times. The first time, I flew there as a bat by myself, wearing only casual clothes, without any attendants. After all, who wouldn’t want to save time? Even going to a dull ball is better than staying on an airship, right? But guess what happened?"

"What happened?" Jones asks.

"It was terrible, really terrible. I suspected they thought I was a wild child from somewhere, or a slave secretly wearing the master’s clothes. I could even read disdain in their eyes, you know? It was insane. I only felt that here."

"So... How did they treat you?"

"How? They discriminated against me. Isn’t that serious enough? When buying something, a clerk even asked me, ’Did you bring money?’ My God, as if I couldn’t afford it without money."

"So did you bring money then?"

"Of course not."

"Uh..."

"Could a child of the Sambo Family not buy something without money? Ridiculous! The key is, I never had that experience again on my second and third visits with my father on an airship. Everyone seemed to change their faces. Everyone in High Court is incredibly snobbish, yes, you must use the word ’incredibly’. So display matters especially. I’ve arranged for you to stay at my father’s villa in High Court. Honestly, it’s my father’s most luxurious castle, just a bit small. Hmm... There’s no way around it; property prices in High Court are a bit high. You know, every powerful Blood Clan member wants a luxurious castle here."

Jones forced a smile in response.

...

Slowly, the airship landed at the mid-mountain air port, alongside a dozen other luxurious airships.

Next to the air port is another port. The airships parked there are more numerous, dozens more, and larger. However, those are cargo airships. Countless slaves are bustling at the air port, loading and unloading goods.