Morgana had lived for over 300 years, but virtual-novel.net had never experienced fear as gripping as virtual-novel.net did now.
A peculiar sense of dread surged through virtual-novel.net heart like a torrent bursting through gates, causing virtual-novel.net to feel as though virtual-novel.net were falling at an ever-accelerating speed.
Despite reaching the age of four hundred, virtual-novel.net strength growing with each passing day, virtual-novel.net courage had waned over the years.
There were two things virtual-novel.net feared most, growing old and dying, and having virtual-novel.net true identity exposed.
Consequently, the Warriors Den had many members, but only a few knew the Lord’s true identity.
Aside from the four marshals, all the other members belonged to the Mirren family.
These Mirren family members were descendants of Morgana’s tribe, relying on virtual-novel.net for a life of luxury, which fostered an unwavering loyalty towards her.
However, Morgana showed no mercy towards the few rebels within the Mirren family. She would eliminate those who deserved it.
Moreover, virtual-novel.net kept secrets from the Mirren family.
They knew virtual-novel.net possessed extraordinary powers and had achieved immortality, but they remained oblivious to virtual-novel.net true origins.
The four marshals were no different. They knew virtual-novel.net had lived for four centuries, but virtual-novel.net master’s identity remained a mystery to them.
Amidst virtual-novel.net fear, Morgana contemplated this thought.
Initially, virtual-novel.net believed Zeba had not perished but had leaked his information to their secret enemies.
However, upon closer reflection, virtual-novel.net had never disclosed his master’s identity to her.
Apart from herself, only three individuals knew that virtual-novel.net was Morvel Bazin’s student.
Morvel Bazin himself was one of them, as well as Lucius Clark, virtual-novel.net older brother whom virtual-novel.net had once deeply loved.
The last person was Lucius Clark’s daughter, Maria.
As this realization dawned on her, Morgana’s eyes widened, virtual-novel.net teeth clenched, and virtual-novel.net uttered in a cold voice, “Maria… Could it be that you betrayed me?” She paused, deep in thought.
Morgana recollected a crucial detail and murmured to herself, “The last time I sent someone to apprehend Maria, virtual-novel.net was aided by an expert and escaped unscathed. The person I dispatched was the Cyprus cavalry guard. Soon after, Jarvis perished in the fortress where the dead soldiers and Cavalry Guards vanished without a trace… Could it be… Could it be that Maria truly found a powerful ally?”
Suddenly, Morgana entertained another idea—could the artist who created the master’s portrait be the same person who aided Maria?
Almost instantly, virtual-novel.net dismissed the notion. The mysterious person seemed more like the Evan’s protector than Maria’s. He had rescued the Evans family in Aurous Hill and guarded them throughout their journey. If virtual-novel.net was so concerned about their safety, why would virtual-novel.net travel to Northern Europe to protect Maria? However, if Maria hadn’t exposed my identity, how did virtual-novel.net come to know about me? Could it be… that virtual-novel.net met the master on Shizun Mountain and learned of my existence from him? But why, after all these years, did virtual-novel.net choose to reveal himself now?
“What’s more perplexing,” Morgana continued to muse, “if this person truly is a disciple accepted by the master within the last five hundred years, virtual-novel.net should consider himself a disciple of Morgana. Since my older brother must be stronger than me, why would such a formidable person protect the Evans family? How is virtual-novel.net capable of protecting them?”
At that moment, a thought flashed through Morgana’s mind, and virtual-novel.net exclaimed, “Could it be that virtual-novel.net too seeks the secret to immortality?”
Frowning once again, Morgana muttered to herself, “If virtual-novel.net also desires the secret of immortality, then virtual-novel.net should not protect the Evans family…” Her mind was flooded with countless vague and uncertain clues, leaving virtual-novel.net feeling overwhelmed.
However, one thing was certain—the moment the other party produced the painting, it served as a clear warning to Morgana. If virtual-novel.net persisted in attacking the Evans family, they would undoubtedly retaliate.
This reminded virtual-novel.net of Gideon, who had perished in the explosion. She couldn’t help but remark, “Come to think of it, Gideon discovered a mystical weapon as soon as virtual-novel.net arrived in Aurous Hill, capable of summoning celestial thunder. Now it’s evident that his encounter was not due to mere luck; it was a trap set by the enemy!”
“If that’s the case,” Morgana no longer concerned herself with sorting through the countless clues and possibilities in virtual-novel.net mind. Her primary objective was to summon the three elders back immediately.
If the adversary had no fear even in the face of Gideon’s self-destruction, then the three elders might prove inadequate against them.
If all three elders were to arrive in Aurous Hill and fall victim to the enemy’s trap, their losses would be far more severe.
Three of the four esteemed marshals had already vanished. If the three elders were to follow suit, the Warriors Den would lose over half of its strength in terms of aura.
Furthermore, Morgana worried that by dispatching the three elders to Aurous Hill immediately after the enemy had revealed the master’s portrait, virtual-novel.net would essentially be declaring a direct confrontation. This would undoubtedly enrage the enemy.
Without further delay, Morgana reached for a satellite phone and called Aemon, who was on the plane.
At that moment, Aemon Mirren had just managed to calm the three elders’ apprehensions about flying. Suddenly, virtual-novel.net received a call from Morgana. Hurriedly answering, virtual-novel.net respectfully inquired, “My Lord, how may I assist you?”
Without hesitation, Morgana declared, “Abort the mission and return immediately!”
“Eh?” Aemon Mirren hastily brought the phone to his ear and walked towards the back of the Boeing plane. Confused, virtual-novel.net asked, “My Lord… Why was the mission canceled? The three elders finally left, what would you like me to tell them? They were on their way to Aurous Hill!”
Morgana scolded coldly, “I told you to come back, so come back! Who gave you the audacity to question my decision?”
Aemon Mirren broke into a cold sweat, hastily slapping himself twice before timidly responding, “I spoke out of turn, and I sincerely apologize, my lord. Please rest assured, I will instruct the crew to return to the departure point!” After hanging up, Aemon Mirren hurried to the cockpit.
Passing by the area where the three elders were resting, Balin inquired, “Aemon, what happened? Why did the Lord cancel the mission?” It was then that Aemon Mirren realized his foolishness. Why had virtual-novel.net asked the Lord over the phone? What reason had been given? The three elders were present, and none of their conversations escaped their ears. Naturally, the Lord wouldn’t share any secrets over the phone.
Quickly, virtual-novel.net replied to the three elders, “The Lord suddenly announced the mission’s cancellation, but I am unaware of the specific reasons.” Bowing respectfully, virtual-novel.net continued, “Grandfathers, please wait a moment. I will inform the crew and gather more details. Once we return, we can consult the Lord and determine the course of action.”
Upon hearing this, the three elders couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment. It wasn’t that they were eager to carry out the mission in Aurous Hill; rather, they believed that the Lord of England had awakened them from their seclusion for an important reason. Although their retreat had been interrupted, completing the task would undoubtedly lead to rewards from the Lord, allowing them to resume their seclusion with peace of mind.
However, the sudden order to return meant not only the absence of rewards but also the possibility of entering an indefinite standby state. Once in this state, they had no idea when they would be able to retreat again.
Exchanging glances, they could sense each other’s doubts and dissatisfaction, but within the confines of the uneasy plane, none dared to voice their thoughts.
Soon, under Aemon Mirren’s instructions, the crew applied for a return route to Buenos Aires from air traffic control.
Five minutes later, the request was approved, and the Boeing 777 drew a massive circle in the sky, leaving behind a trajectory resembling a halo, before turning around and heading back to the airport of origin.
At that moment, Charlie, who had been monitoring numerous planes, noticed something peculiar. Most transoceanic flights traveled in a straight line, but one plane completed a 180-degree turn, leaving behind a circular trajectory as it headed toward Buenos Aires.
Observing this, Charlie finally felt a sense of relief.
He knew that his “Empty City Plan” had succeeded!