Chapter 84: Negotiation

Eu silently joins Lord Foeni and Noite. She serves them the tea that has been prepared beforehand and some pastries she pulled from her wizardry storage.

She just came back from negotiating with the Trents, and her schedule is hectic. She had this last-minute plan to lure Noite to meet with Lord Foeni and make this negotiation successful.

On the other hand, Noite observes Eu and her graceful movements while she serves them. He heard from his brother the person who brutally defeated him is precise and dexterous.

'Could it be her...?' he thought.

The idea crosses his mind as he knits his brows and continues his contemplations. If Eu can skillfully disguise herself, she can be anyone, even a skillful swordmaster.

"Let me formally introduce. This is Eu, Grand Elder Enoch's granddaughter. Eu, I know you've met, the Prince of Hellios and Lord of the Nether Realm, Noite..." Lord Foeni said as he broke his silence.

Eu only nods her head to acknowledge while Noite is surprised to learn more about his mysterious acquaintance.

"She is an Oracle?" Noite exclaimed as he turns to him and continues, "So rumors were true. You broke the Divine Laws and sheltered them..."

Noite is surprised to know Eu belongs to the passive Oracle Clan. From his interactions with her, he can tell she is well-versed in different subjects uncommon to the said clan.

"Yes. I owe them as much for my arrogance. I can deal with the Sovereign King's punishment for breaking the Divine Laws of Restrictions…" Lord Foeni responded truthfully.

Noite remained silent as he stares at the plate of pastries and aromatic tea. This is a common combination during their childhood.

He and his brother have done much worse, but they haven't received any notice from the Sovereign King for ages. They have lost contact ever since the Darkness began in the Nether Realm.

"It's truly been such a long time, Ravikanth. We also used to enjoy Lady Emilia's pastries during our tea time. This sure brings back memories." Noite said with a tinge of nostalgia.

"It's been a long time. How is everything going? Can you tell me what happened in the Nether Realm?" Lord Foeni asked straightforwardly.

Noites heaves a heavy sigh. He knew it is unavoidable not to discuss it.

"The truth is, I am not entirely sure what really happened. One day, my brother started acting strangely and declared to break the Division of Realms..." Noite confessed.

"When?" Lord Foeni asked.

"Three hundred years ago..." Noite discloses.

The Time of Conflict...

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The Nether Realm has been sending their emissary to seek assistance from the Sovereign King. Unfortunately, he seems to have turned a blind eye to their pleas.

Around two hundred years ago, the situation got worse. People started to feel distraught as their once benevolent Lord became violent.

During this time, the Messenger came to visit and talked to Lord Meness. Their meeting was never successful, and the Nether Realm completely severe their ties from Sovereign rule.

At the same time, Prince Meness started missing memories, and not long became a vengeful soul. He is uncontrollable.

Lord Meness has thrown the entire Realm into oblivion. He contradicted everything he once stood for and stripped Noite as a co-ruler of the Realm.

He ordered inhumane experimentation, and the use of dark arts became prevalent. Hence, the born of the Nether Shadows...

Though Shadows were in the existence of ages, Lord Meness has summoned them to his side to fulfill his goals. He seems to have entirely forgotten the Time of Change and resented Lady Emilia for his misfortunes.

Even Noite, who was very close to him, was set aside. The Black Beast Gauerdi also appeared around this time.

Meanwhile, the Court is divided between the brothers. They have equal people supporting them, but things started to change drastically because of Meness new laws.

He reformed everything making him the sovereign power in the Nether Realm. Those who objected and questioned him were sent immediately to their deaths.

The entire Nether Realm was in chaos, and people pleas are no longer out of the ordinary. Noite only watches silently as he witnesses their people's plights.

"Young Master, this must stop. Your brother has gone mad. Our numbers only dwindle by the day…"

"Please listen to us. You need to escape and liberate our people someday. We can't let this continue. We can't protect you from your brother's tyranny."

"My brother won't do that. I believe in him…" Noite muttered.

Everyone remained silent. They all knew how perfect these brothers' relationships are, and they don't need words to understand each other.

They decided to trust him and support their Lord. They tried their best to protect him to the best of their abilities.

Soon, those who were loyal to Young Master Noite dwindled while Meness supreme power was recognized. Noite has supported his brother's new tyrant governance with a heavy heart.

He clings on a sliver of hope and continues to believe in him.

In the end, all his men were replaced by the same Shadow forces while they disappeared one by one. He ignored the changes as he hopes everything will once again come back to how things were used to be.

Meanwhile, the Messenger of Astra wasn't able to do anything to prevent this tragedy. It was too late and promised to make amends.

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"The Messenger…?" Lord Foeni repeated.

He is quite surprised that Noite also has encountered this mysterious messenger. Who is this person?

Did he somehow met this person but missed him by any chance?

"The Messenger last visited our realm two hundred years ago to investigate my brother. Unfortunately, he disappeared as well, and we never heard from him. It seems he abandoned us, or my brother found a way to block him from interfering..." Noite discloses.

"Your brother holds the artifact, the Heavenly Sword and Shield. Are you aware of its existence?" Eu suddenly asked.

Noite almost dropped his teacup as he shifts his attention to the young Oracle, Eu. How can she know something, only the founders of Divine Law would know?

"Who are you? How did you know about that artifact?" Noite asked with a tinge of hostility.

She can't be someone normal to know such information. He creases his brows as he glares at her.

Eu, on the other hand, remained silent and unaffected of his hostility. She looks at Noite with the same intensity as her beautiful amethyst eyes sparkle.

Noite was drawn to her captivating eyes framed by thick black lashes. Eu's golden hair delicately surrounds her face and realized something.

'It can't be... This person is...' he muttered inaudibly to himself.

His face flushed in disbelief upon coming into a conclusion that rendered him speechless. His eyes widen as he drowns on his thoughts, enabling him to do anything else.

Eu casts a gentle, alluring smile as her eyes flutter at him. Noite can feel chills crawling on his spine as she remained silent.

"Noite...?" Lord Foeni calls out and draws him back to his senses.

He remembers Eu told him to keep things beforehand and realized that it is regarding these matters. He was in utter shock on his realization, and she had kept these from the Divine Lord Foeni.

Why?

"Ah, nothing. I was just caught off guard. It's a confidential matter but, yes, I am aware. We split the Artifact since the beginning. I hold the Heavenly Shield while my brother is in possession of the Heavenly Sword..." Noite calmly discloses.

Eu nods after getting the information. The Nether Realm is formerly governed together by these once formidable brothers. It is natural to split the Heavenly artifact as a symbol of their authority.

"Then, what do you plan to do now?" Eu straightforwardly asked.

"Dethroning my brother is one thing, but I simply wanted to save him from himself. This is not him, and I believe someone is controlling him..." Noite responded.

Meanwhile, Lord Foeni can't help himself from feeling left out. He narrowed his eyes as he observes Eu and Noite discuss matters regarding this issue.

Is there something he wasn't aware of from the start? He also started to wonder why Eu always knew things exclusive to each of them.

'Who exactly is Eunomia?'

"Lord Foeni." Eu called out.

Lord Foeni didn't respond as he continues to drown on his thoughts. There is really plenty of issues he doesn't understand, and everyone seems to figure out these days.

"Brother Ravi!" Eu slightly raised her voice to get his attention.

The Divine Lord Foeni quickly noticed Eu's indifference as she looks at him. This startled him and shrugged away the thoughts that are bugging him.

Meanwhile, Eu narrowed her eyes and purses her lips. She doesn't like to sound disrespecting him and reprimand him in front of someone else.

'Why is he so distracted? What is he even thinking at a time like this?' Eu thought.

"Forgive my inattentiveness. I was distracted by some matters." Lord Foeni confessed.

Meanwhile, Noite narrowed his eyes as he continues to observe them. He didn't expect Eu calls the Divine Lord Foeni intimately and calls him 'Brother Ravi'.

A Divine Lord is given a particular name. Noite and Meness are exempted from this policy since of their Royal Stature.

"Prince Noite, I will grant your request to remain in my territory. Though, I am not sure I can hold off your brother's forces. May I ask for your assistance as well?" Lord Foeni composes himself as he began.

"We are friends. You can address me as you used to, Ravikanth." Noite insisted as he continues, "I can grant any request as long it doesn't involve my brother's demise..."