The black sun hangs high

Chapter 385 Political Performance
Hughes is no stranger to political performances.

You could even say you're familiar with them.

After all, in that world he could never forget, such special performances took place every moment.

In many cases, it is an effective method for stabilizing the overall situation that people cannot get rid of or give up.

Of course, for a considerable number of people, this is a habit and instinct deeply ingrained in their blood; it could even be said that it has become their most basic behavioral method.

And now, Prince Olski of Saint Steel, who is standing on the podium in front of Hugh, is one of them.

From the part of Baron Fiorlando's memories, Hughes gleaned a piece of information that might not be entirely accurate—Prince Olski's political skills were actually not sophisticated at all, and could even be described as somewhat clumsy. He simply had an extreme fondness for political activities, and on many occasions, even Fiorlando himself scoffed at Olski's ideas and plans.

In Fiorlando's mind, if it weren't for Olski's important role in the Black Sun Society, he would probably have been completely replaced long ago. After all, ever since the Saint Steel royal family joined the Black Sun Society, Olski had been making mistakes. If the society hadn't been responsible for cleaning up the mess, the royal assassination attempt from years ago would probably have been completely exposed.

However, in the eyes of the leaders of the Black Sun Society, this kind of "weak and playful" puppet is the most popular. As long as he is obedient enough and loyal enough to the Black Sun Society and the Lost Faith, even if he makes some mistakes or causes some trouble, the Society can use extremely violent and direct methods to make up for the loopholes.

"Fiorlando! Fiorlando! Come on, get on!"

Therefore, when faced with Olski's invitation, Hughes naturally gave him the appropriate response.

Although he was only playing the role of a distant relative of the Saint Steel royal family, in the current context, the significance of this relationship had obviously been greatly enhanced—Olski desperately needed a member active within the Black Sun Society to stage a "brotherly" act with him.

Krzlov's gaze also turned, and then he saw the much-discussed Baron Feorlando struggle to conceal the gloom on his face, instead becoming apprehensive.

He nodded with great satisfaction, his gaze towards Fiorlando even showing a hint of approval.

Before making these decisions, Krzlov had thoroughly understood the relationships between these royal family members. He knew very well that distant relatives like Fiorlando were of no value to the royal family itself. In the past, most distant relatives like him could not even obtain a title, let alone any real power.

While the relationship between the two isn't exactly one of irreconcilable conflict, they are certainly mutually disgusted.

In this situation, the fact that Fiorentino was able to set aside his original emotions and stance and compromise with the Society's arrangements is enough to show that he is quite good in some aspects and does indeed have enough respect for the Society's plans and arrangements.

For a moment, Kizlov was even somewhat dissatisfied with the follow-up plans and arrangements he had made.

“If Fiorlando is better than Olski in these aspects, then perhaps I shouldn’t simply use him as bait…or perhaps I can give him more value, make him more attractive, to ensure that the Society’s target falls into the trap?”

Just as Kzlov was pondering, the Baron embraced the Prince intimately in front of everyone, and Prince Olsky naturally recited the opening remarks he had prepared long ago.

Unlike Krzlov, Ors basically took on some additional responsibilities. Although he was well aware that his "rise" relied heavily on the Black Sun Society, he did not want the Saint Steel royal family to become a complete vassal of the Black Sun Society. He hoped that the royal family could become the embodiment of the society in secular power, or that the royal family could become an integral and important part of the society, like other large societies.

It was precisely for this reason that Olski secured this unique opportunity.

He wanted to personally reward this "noble hero" who had successfully defended the peace around Watchtower, repelled the enemy, and stabilized the situation.

Olski hoped to send a message to the former officials who had been loyal to the royal family and would soon be under the command of the Black Sun Society—that the royal family of Saint Steel still played an important role and held a very high position even within the society.

Hughes didn't care about Olski's ideas, because the process was also a huge challenge for him.

From the very beginning, he felt the gaze of Kizlov, an unpleasant, condescending surveillance and observation. Kizlov's magic was cold and slippery, like sewage flowing from a gutter in the dead of winter, or like venomous snakes writhing in the wind.

With his current strength, it would be very easy for Hugh to completely cut off this spying. However, if he did that, it would be tantamount to actively exposing himself. Therefore, he could only choose to minimize his presence as much as possible and shrink his magic power and mental state to the extreme.

Fortunately, Krzlov did not intend to use malicious methods, such as spiritual interrogation, on such a "loyal" member of the society in such a public setting. Although his magical detection covered a wide range, it did not truly penetrate into the deepest part of Hugh's spiritual world. In addition, Hugh used his dark abyss magic to make a full disguise, so Krzlov ultimately did not touch the truth hidden beneath this facade.

Kezlov wasn't the only one paying attention to Hughes.

Everyone present focused their attention on the baron, so Hugh not only had to ensure that his magical energy was in a normal state, but also had to present the side that matched Fiorento.

Soon, the right to speak was handed over from Olski to Hugh.

As one of the very few present who had already clashed directly with the Black Sun Society's enemies, he needed to briefly state his understanding of the enemy to conclude the prince's speech and bring the meeting back to the theme of mobilization.

This is the part that Hugh hates the most.

Just like when he last participated in the society's gathering, this act of personally attacking and insulting the gods of Vaan made Hugh feel very uncomfortable. Fortunately, this behavior had long become an instinct of a "qualified member of the society." Therefore, with the help of Fiorlando's memories, he was finally able to say those words smoothly.

"Many people have heard about what happened at the Rock Lake Mine... I guess many people here despise the traitor and are angry at the miners who started the riot."

On the podium, Baron Feorlando, having taken the floor, said: “To be honest, the former is certainly necessary. These traitors are dangerous, and their betrayal of the gods and truth is utterly shameful and despicable. It is a disregard for truth and a betrayal of truly valuable ideals.” At this point, Hugh glanced at Prince Olski, who was looking at him expectantly, and continued: “However, as for those miners who blindly follow them, I only feel pain and regret… They lack only proper guidance. As citizens of the Kingdom of Saint Steel, the burden of survival they bear is so heavy, and what caused all this is the false gods and erroneous faith that ravaged Vaan in the past…”

Without a doubt, this was not a brilliant speech.

This is very much in line with the level that Baron Fiorentino should have.

However, both Kzlov and Orsky were very satisfied with this. In their view, the Baron's words were just right. He cleverly attributed the deaths of the miners in the Rock Lake Mine to the enemy's infiltration and misleading, which both emphasized the correctness of the association's strategy and lost faith, and absolved the Kingdom of Saint Steel of some of the responsibility it should have borne...

And so, after a somewhat hesitant speech, a mysterious artifact, radiating intense dark abyss magic and shaped like a black sun pendant, was presented to Hugh as a reward.

After Hugh returned to his seat, Kezlov regained the right to speak, and in a few words, the real topic of the gathering came to the attention of the people.

"Let's see how we should deal with the threats from those fools!"

As Krzlov spoke, the Black Sun Ritual set up in the center of the venue began to hum. A huge flower, woven from dark roots and vines, stretched upwards as if it had come to life. When the flower was in full bloom, a huge magic sandbox appeared instantly.

At the same time, a large amount of magic energy dissipated from within the ritual. Under Krzlov's command, this magic energy quickly condensed into twisting roots that meandered towards everyone present, resembling an "invitation hand" extended by the ritual to all participants.

"Don't be afraid, don't resist... touch it, open your mind."

In the dim and mysteriously alluring light and shadow, Krzlov's voice reached everyone's ears: "This is the grace of the gods, gentlemen, let us see the truth of the past with our own eyes, and experience the shadow of bygone days firsthand!"

Hugh, sitting in the front row, slightly raised his eyes.

He saw that Prince Olsky and Kizlov, who were on the podium, had raised their palms and touched the approaching tentacles, and a tentacle was slowly approaching in front of him as well.

Hugh squinted at it and examined it closely. He then discovered that although the interior of this thing was filled with light and shadow originating from the Dark Abyss Palace, its shape was quite similar to the Touch of Calron, a creation that originated from the ancient sea god.

However, before Hugh could examine the details further, he noticed a gaze.

That was Kzlov's gaze.

The moment he sensed something amiss, Hugh immediately stopped observing the tentacles. In an instant, he composed himself and, like the other members of the Black Sun Society, bowed his head and offered two devout prayers.

Seizing this brief opening, Hugh had already constructed several flexible lines of defense within his mental world. Then, he raised his head again, slowly raising his hands, like a believer yearning for divine blessings, and placed his palms in front of the dark tentacles.

The tentacles then twisted downwards and eventually wrapped around Hugh's palm.

At this moment, Krzlov finally let down his guard, for he saw that Baron Feorlando, like all believers, had completely surrendered his body and mind to the ritual and was fully immersed in the illusion that originated from the ancient gods.

Even if he really has a problem, his spirit will be completely shattered the moment he comes into contact with the will of that god.

After confirming that nothing had been missed, Kezlov, who was in charge of the gathering, also raised his hand and, in the next moment, also cast his will into the embrace of that great being.

……

The black sun hung high overhead.

Land and sea, hills and mountains, forests and deserts...

Those great beings, whether tangible or intangible, constantly collide and clash here, devouring and merging with each other, erasing traces of each other's existence and taking possession of everything the other possesses.

When these gods clash with each other, the beings and creations, large and small, born from their power and form, also engage in round after round of struggle, from individuals to entire groups and civilizations...

Cities were built through struggle and destroyed in conflict; civilizations arose with the breath of the gods and vanished with their slumber.

Those eternally black pupils silently watched all of this.

Those beings dwelling deep within the Abyss were indifferent to these changes. They knew that although powerful so-called gods would always appear in this world, these gods and their creations could not threaten the Abyss itself. They and their creations could only exist as nourishment and prey for the Abyss.

But in the endless river of time, the unexpected still happened.

"The ocean has developed its own thoughts... It is not a weak individual, but a great will formed by the aggregation of the colors and fragments of countless lives."

In that strange meeting hall, half of which was filled with seawater, a messenger from the depths of the ocean slowly spoke: "Karlon, this is the name of the boundless ocean... It is the true master of infinite life, the convergence of endless will. It is us, and we are it. It gives us truth and guidance, and we respond with life and loyalty."

(End of this chapter)