Chapter 3226 Ancient Bloodlines (Part 1)

Chapter 3226 Ancient Bloodlines (Part 1)

"First, my people can benefit from the conflict by not taking part in it." Sinmara replied. "They will take no risk and get the same thing you will if you decide to take my offer. A piece of the loot."

"Which is?" The First Lich liked where the Phoenix was going.

"All the Yggdrasill wood you can collect, part of their knowledge and treasures, and if you save Solus, even one of the pieces of the legendary Menadion Set." Sinmara conjured holograms of staves, books, enchanted items, and the Ears.

"The idea is to break in, rescue her, and get out of the Fringe. Yet we are going to fight our way to her cell and if any of us finds anything valuable, they are free to keep it."

"Anyone?" Aylen's nostrils dilated in greed and excitement.

"First come, first served." Sinmara nodded. "You can take anything you want except the enchanted items that belong to Solus."

The Phoenix of Darkness chose her phrasing carefully to extort from the Lich an oath that would keep her from taking the tower even if she were to discover its existence. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The promise wasn't just to not take Solus or her equipment but everything related to her. Of course, Aylen was smart enough to notice the ambiguity of the request but she failed to grasp its implications.

The idea that a person could be bound to a mage tower except by imprint was beyond absurd.

"I'm not going to lie, you had my curiosity at full pardon but the loot garnered you my attention." Aylen tapped her lips and her left foot on the ground. "Just a few questions. Why me?"

"Because you are a powerful white core and your army of cats..."

"Emperor Beasts!" The Maker of All Liches corrected Sinmara.

"Your army of Emperor Beast who all started as cats shares your secret for the violet core and they won't let you go to battle alone. By recruiting you I'm actually bringing hundreds of Awakened to my side."

"Point taken." Aylen grumbled. "What about my phylactery? I've never been inside a Fringe but I know how they work. If I leave my phylactery outside, my strength will be more than halved but if I bring it with me, I'd be no different from a living being."

"More than sure." She nodded. "There's nothing you can do and no point in wasting your time while I negotiate with Lith. You still have quite a way to go before the bright violet and our baby girl is going to be born soon."

"I know that training is important, but what if something happens while you are away?"

"Inside Salaark's palace? While I'm her honored guest?" Jirni scoffed. "That's so unlikely that I haven't bothered preparing a contingency plan in case it happens."

The couple walked through the local Gate of Unama and reached the Ernas Household.

"Wait for me here. I'll be back as soon as I can." Jirni had returned home before moving to the Desert not to leave any paper trail.

As one of the four founding pillars of the Kingdom, the Ernas enjoyed a greater degree of privacy compared to other noble households.

Their private Warp Gate's log could be accessed only with direct permission from the Royals, making it impossible even for powerful Awakened like the Gernoff to trace Jirni's movements.

Two Phoenixes in ceremonial armor were expecting her on the other side of the Gate.

They stopped the petite woman by crossing their blades in front of her until their breathing technique confirmed her identity and that she carried no weapon capable of threatening the Overlord.

Invigoration exposed Jirni's Awakening, but the Phoenixes had no care for the Kingdom's affairs. Her pregnant state, instead, prompted them to give her a curt congratulatory nod of the head in spite of their strict discipline.

Creating a new life was considered a sacred duty in the Desert, even more so if it came from a magical bloodline. The guards guided Jirni straight to Lith's War Council.

Jirni arrived shortly after Aalejah Eventide. The former aspirant Chronicler of the late World Tree and current liaison between the Awakened Council and the elven Fringes, was sitting at the table, barely able to contain her excitement.

Aalejah found the idea of aiding in storming the Yggdrasill's Fringe appalling. It went against everything she had been taught as a Librarian first and an aspirant Chronicler later.

Yet none of that could trample the rush of being surrounded by living legends. Baba Yaga, Tezka, Silverwing, and Bytra were mighty figures she had never expected to meet during her lifetime.