The Dawn of the New World Chapter 1606

"It was...the Matriarch of the Song Clan!"

Ruslan revealed, but the reaction he was expecting did not come.

"...."

After a moment of silence Lady Yuki suddenly reached into her sleeve and pulled out a longsword.

Its soft blade seamlessly blended in with her dress and wrapped around her arm until she chose to call it forth, at which point it hardened and returned to its original shape.

*Shiing~*

The sword's tip rested firmly at Ruslan's throat. A single cough and his would roll.

He swallowed hard, "M-My Lady- Argh!"

She placed a little more pressure and the tip lightly pierced his skin, drawing blood.

"Who sent you?" she questioned with a mean look.

"My L-Lady, I d-don't know what you're talking about! I just wanted to- AAH!"

This time she swung the sword upwards, cutting open a gash on the side of his face. He fell back into the chair while holding his face with a look of absolute shock and disbelief.

"Whoever you work for- tell them it won't work!" she fiercely proclaimed, "I am not some child you can fool and gaud into betraying the very person who saved my life!"

"I-I don't understand-"

"No, you wouldn't, would you? Loyalty means nothing to someone like you," she walked around towards the door while keeping the blade on him, "I will pretend this meeting did not happen, for your parent's sake."

She pushed the door open and took one step outside while facing him when Ruslan defiantly stood up despite still being in the range of her blade.

"You can think of me however you want my lady, but everything I have done is for the Estate- for the dream our parents had," he said while throwing her a small book, "The truth is on my side, and the proof is in your blood. Call upon me when you can see past their lies, I will be waiting!"

She wanted to throw the book back but seeing how bold and confident he was with his words she couldn't help but wonder why. It was more because of morbid curiosity rather than any credence to his claims.

And she wanted him to know that and what it would cost him.

"My mother cared deeply for the Song Clan. When the estate was destroyed and I was without a home, it was the Matriarch herself who came to my rescue. I will study your lies and once I am done, you will answer to my husband directly."

Ruslan bowed from the waist, "Your humble servant awaits your return."

"Hmph!"

She ran down the stairs and out onto the street, making her way over to the teleportation array.

Ruslan watched from the window as her silhouette faded in the fog. The flame from the fireplace crackled to give birth to a horrific demonic face.

It spoke in a guttural voice, [She is indeed the one we seek. Her blood holds the answer, I could smell it!]

"Not JUST her blood," Ruslan clarified, "We need to bring her to our side before they realize how important she is otherwise all that work will have been for nothing. She is the key to their demise."

[I know. No one will touch her until you give the word. The reinforcements will be here by morning, then we can begin our preparations]

"Good. I want eyes on all four of them so we know what they are planning. But..."

The demon did not let his hesitation go unnoticed, [What worries you?]

Ruslan looked over his shoulder, "Shouldn't we tell the Generals about the real plan? They still don't know."

The demon head's unwavering faith in his abilities took Ruslan by surprise.

[No one else can know of this! The Prince personally selected you after much deliberation- You will succeed!]

***

Across the city, Hao Xuan had just reentered the Beast Market when Ryuk made his obligatory appearance.

[You feel different] his voice came from underneath the floor this time.

"I learned how to manipulate the energies of the Umbral plane," Hao Xuan nonchalantly replied without batting an eye.

He was already used to his shenanigans.

[Energies of the other side?]

"Yes. It would have been much harder if the Emperor did not leave me all those memories to consume. Although I could do without the countless horrors they bring along with them."

[I don't what those words mean...]

"Don't worry about it, I was just talking to myself."

[Oh...What are those in your hands?]

In Hao Xuan's right hand was the compass and in his left was the rock Vlitgar had given him. It was floating just above his palm.

"Shush. It's hard enough focusing on two things, don't add another into the mix."

Hao Xuan followed the compass until it led him to the deepest part of the Beast Market where most of the structures were filled with sand.

"This area must fall outside the barrier," he commented.

The compass needle suddenly started pointing in every which direction before falling 'asleep' a second later.

"Huh?"

Hao Xuan shook the compass a few times but it refused to work.

"Hmm. The anchors must be nearby then. Ryuk, look around and see if you can find anything odd. There is a good chance it could be buried under the sand somewhere."

[What is odd?]

"Something that should not be here...or something with a peculiar energy...or- actually just tell me when you find anything at all. I won't know until I see it."