The black sun hangs high

Chapter 391 Under the Light

Chiara's words left Hughes utterly surprised and confused.

Not only him, but even the mocking voices that had been relentlessly harassing Hughes completely ceased at this moment. It seemed that the actions of Chiara or the Sea God Society had even exceeded the expectations of Theseus, who was known for his "conspiracy".

However, Hugh's performance must continue.

Faced with the abnormal Chiara, Baron Fiorlando, an important member of the Black Sun Society, cautiously gripped his weapon and spellbook, and the dark magic unique to the members of the society began to swirl around him.

Hugh stared intently at Chiara and asked, enunciating each word clearly, "Explain yourself clearly, make your meaning clear... Tell me, you are not a traitor."

This reaction is perfectly reasonable.

For Fiorlando himself, the Black Sun Society held exceptional significance. As an outcast of the Saint Steel royal family, he poured almost all his emotions into the society. Until the unfortunate baron was attacked by Hugh alone while on his journey, almost everything he possessed was bestowed upon him by the society, whether it was his status, privileges, or his own power.

Hugh's performance was still very successful, and Chiara couldn't see any problems at all, but her reaction was somewhat intriguing.

She raised her finger and lightly poked Hugh's shoulder, then laughed and said, "Oh dear, it seems my words have frightened the brave Baron? Hmm?"

Chiara remained remarkably calm in the face of Hugh's hostility, which seemed to be exactly what she expected from the "Baron."

Chiara ultimately decided against continuing the joke. She sat up slightly and said seriously, "Of course I would never betray the Society, much less abandon my own god... My dear, your worries are really excessive."

Hugh didn't speak, he just stared at him intently.

Chiara sighed helplessly and explained, "You probably don't know yet, but some special changes are happening within the society... This is a resolution passed by several leaders, and it will soon be implemented within the society."

"Resolution? What resolution?"

"It's a bit complicated. To put it simply, the society plans to have several important societies jointly become the core managers within the society, just like the governments or management committees within these kingdoms that we are familiar with."

Hugh narrowed his eyes slightly: "Important things to learn? What 'important' would you define?"

"For example, the Earth Mother Goddess, the Dark Abyss History Society, and... us."

Chiara smiled and said, "Didn't you notice? The scenes we saw tonight were actually signs of this change. Otherwise, with the capabilities of our Sea God Society, how could we recruit new members in this city like this?"

"This only shows that the Poseidon Society has recently gained the attention of other societies, and it doesn't prove anything else... In the past, these important decisions also came from these 'important societies' you mentioned."

"No, no, no, this time it's definitely different."

Chiara raised her finger and gently shook it twice: "The Society is facing enormous challenges and threats right now, as everyone knows. The followers of those false gods and all the fools they have bewitched and manipulated are advancing towards us, and their power is just as terrifying as the enemies you encountered in the Rock Lake Mine."

"Therefore, the Society is seeking new changes... In the long past, the Society has been at a disadvantage. In order to remain as secretive as possible and preserve as many members as possible, the Society has allowed the existence of dozens of different societies of varying sizes. The existence of these weak societies is based on those tragic targets that have long been devoured and merged by other powerful gods."

"Like the god of the colossal hill that you follow."

Chiara looked at Hugh with a deep gaze: "In the past, we who follow the gods were not only not allies, but even mortal enemies who hunted each other. Although we followers have now gathered together to fight against that common enemy, some of our actions still seem to me to be a distortion and blasphemy against the will of our gods."

Before they even met, "Baron Fiorlando" had already opened his spellbook, assuming a posture that suggested he might attack at any moment. Chiara shook her head and said, "My dear, you have always been a clever and resourceful person. You should know very well that what I am saying is the undeniable truth... Do you really think that the deity you now follow would be willing or agree to see you intimately integrated with the followers of the Earth Mother Goddess?"

"enough!"

Baron Fiorlando slammed the spellbook shut through gritted teeth, making a loud noise inside the carriage. He roared, "So, according to you, the Sea God Society and the Lord of the Boundless Ocean that you follow should be the enemies and threats to all other members of the society, shouldn't they?"

“I am not denying that.”

As if she had finally heard the answer she wanted, Chiara's face lit up with an unusually bright smile: "All members of the Sea God Society, all believers who follow the vision of Kalron, would never deny this, but as I said before, we currently have a great many thorny problems and enemies to deal with... As for the situation you mentioned, it can only happen after we have eliminated all the current threats."

These words were still effective. Under Hugh's control, the expression on his face gradually calmed down, but his gaze remained heavy: "Fine, even if the Sea God Society couldn't possibly betray the Society, what's the point of telling me all this? Just to instill panic in me?"

"Of course, it's to provide you with a more correct and solid path."

Chiara's tone softened and became seductive: "Or rather, I would like to extend an invitation, on behalf of the Sea God Society and on behalf of my Lord Calron, to you and the other followers of the God of the Great Hill. This is not an annexation, but a deep integration and cooperation based on equality. If you agree, then the faith of the Great Hill can have the possibility of continuing within the Society for a long time."

"That sounds good, but how can we help the Sea God Society?"

“We need to expand as much as possible. Only in this way can we better control the Society’s self-determination, instead of letting some… well, people who have no respect for Carjung give orders recklessly.”

"Who are you talking about?"

Chiara stated the other party's name without any hesitation: "Second Director, Professor Herbert."

Hugh's eyebrows twitched slightly: "I've heard that Herbert has made considerable achievements in a series of decisions concerning the ocean. What is the basis for your assessment of him?"

"Achievement?"

Chiara's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes narrowed slightly, a look that reminded Hughes of sea serpents darting nimbly in the ocean, beautiful yet deadly venomous. "Professor Herbert's contributions to the Society are certainly beyond my judgment, but in these matters, I think he has done a terrible job."

Chiara slowly said, “Professor Herbert is not a follower of my Lord. His loyalty is only to the Earth Mother and the Dark Abyss. He not only does not understand my Lord’s will, but also often distorts it in his words. In addition, he has no respect for my Lord’s offspring and kin. I am very worried that some of his wrong decisions and attitudes will push our powerful allies to the opposite side.”

"Now that I've said that, you should understand, right?"

As she spoke, Chiara leaned forward again, almost pressing herself directly against Hugh: "And... for some reason, I sensed an aura on you that resonated with my Lord's will and power. Although it was faint, it was so pure and so alluring."

As she spoke, this glamorous socialite once again revealed her alluring demeanor, and for some reason, her face was flushed, as if she were drunk or had taken some strange drugs.

She bit her lip and brought her face close to Hugh's ear: "Darling, this aura can't lie to me. Maybe from the very beginning, you chose the wrong person to follow... Or perhaps, you are very likely the messenger chosen by my lord?"

……

At midnight.

Hughes eventually managed to return to the Rock Lake Mine in a vehicle arranged by the Sea God Society.

He did go to the Sea God Academy with Chiara and even stayed in her room for a while, but apart from talking and a few "intimate actions," nothing else happened between them. After all, what Chiara was talking about was very important and serious, and it was not suitable for the two of them to have a more in-depth conversation.

Even if Chiara did make such a hint, Hugh didn't want to pay attention to it—he had no impulse or thoughts about this believer of Carron. After the gathering, Hugh just wanted to return to the Rock Lake Mine as soon as possible.

He had obtained enough important intelligence in the night that had just passed.

These intelligence reports contain details about the specific layout and personnel arrangements within Watchtower City. Using them as a reference, one can directly reveal many details of the Saint Steel army's subsequent mobilization.

In addition, Krzlov's arrangements and the internal conflicts within the society revealed by Chiara are also very important. As long as these messages can be successfully transmitted back to the rear, they will definitely have a huge impact on the many affairs and plans of that new alliance!
As for his use of the Black Sun Rift to manipulate the minds of those Saint Steel officers and to lay "traps" in advance, Hugh did not intend to report it for the time being. Although this operation was secretive, it was also extremely fragile. He did not want the subsequent plans to fail because of some inconspicuous oversight or the betrayal of some people.

And so, dragging his somewhat weary body, he returned to his residence while pondering the situation.

The moment he opened the door, Hugh saw the figure sitting behind the desk.

Veraine didn't use any disguise magic. She just sat there in the pale yellow light, surrounded by a pile of documents in front of her. Next to these documents was a torn page from a magic book—with dark red patterns like flames on it.

Hugh stepped forward, glanced at the page with a puzzled look, and then discovered that the magic engraved on it was the classic "Merlinler and Wall of Flames." Moreover, Verin had made some adjustments, and the extra magical runes made the magical flames that were generated even more destructive.

"This is?"

"Some preventative measures."

Vera looked at Hugh carefully for a moment, then said softly, "If the situation changes, everything here needs to be destroyed immediately... Fire will be very effective."

Hugh touched the magical runes with his finger, then shook his head: "The power is a bit too much; it will trigger a violent magical explosion."

As he spoke, Hugh realized something and looked up at Vera: "You're planning to include yourself in this too?"

"Ah."

Vera's voice was somewhat muffled: "If something really goes wrong, then I should suffer the same fate as them. Only in this way can I be truly safe."

Hearing these words, Hugh felt a lump in his throat. He took the spellbook from his waist and gently placed it in front of Verine: "Return it to its rightful owner. This page is not needed for the time being, so please keep it safe."

However, to Hugh's surprise, Verine, who always cherished magic books, gave a direct negative answer: "No, you take it... You should take it with you during your time in St. Steel; the magic inside could help you at any time..."

As she spoke, she slightly raised her eyes, her somewhat strange gaze sweeping over Hugh's face, which was disguised as Baron Fiorento: "Perhaps it can help you escape from some clingy socialites?"

"..."

Upon hearing those words, Hugh felt a stinging pain between his eyebrows, as if an electric current had pierced his skin.

The spiritual world was silent. The old folks who usually loved watching young people argue had consciously shut themselves off in the burrows of the running rats, and the gods who always intentionally or unintentionally peered out through Hugh's eyes had also disappeared without a trace.

After a moment of silence, Hughes reached up to his face and removed the mask that had altered his appearance.

Revealing his true face, he reached out and pinched the page of the magic book, slowly and firmly pulling it from between Verin's fingers.

Hugh raised his head and met his gaze directly.

In the lamplight, he saw Vera's eyes dart around in a flustered manner before she looked at the table. Perhaps due to the exhaustion and tension of the past few days, her eyes were bloodshot, making her look excessively haggard.

Hugh suddenly laughed, raised his hand and placed it directly on Vera's shoulder: "Come on, sit down... I have something to tell you."

(End of this chapter)