Comac felt that recent days have been increasingly full of promise.

That incompetent kid Bona seemed close to being unable to hold on any longer.

Although the last attempt to intercept and assassinate that batch of Blood Jade Wine failed unexpectedly, letting that kid escape with a few more breaths.

But that was just a harmless interlude, at most allowing his sinking ship to sway a bit longer before it goes down.

Comac was no simple brute who only knew how to wield a sword; the steward by Bona’s side and several key commanders under his command had already been properly arranged with the Empire’s glittering gold coins and even more tempting promises of the future.

He was fully confident that when Bona’s teetering fortress of power finally crumbled, he could firmly tear off the juiciest, most critical piece of meat, which was the wealth of the Giant Beast Bone Field.

Business success indeed brought joy, but what truly thrilled Comac to the core was Blood Jade Wine.

As someone entrenched in the vortex of power, he contemplated why the Empire was always filled with endless plots and betrayals.

Soon, he reached his conclusion.

Over half the Empire’s nobility were Blood Race; these eternal beings freed from birth, aging, illness, and death had lost almost all sensory pleasure. What else could they pursue over their long lives besides power and authority?

Such a state of existence, in the past, was not without its own pathetic monotony.

But now, this sad state has been completely shattered by the great Duke Sigmund!

Blood Jade Wine, this miraculous nectar, allowed him, once transformed into the Blood Race, to taste flavor anew, and what an extreme deliciousness it was!

Comac would never forget the moment when the first sip of Blood Jade Wine slid down his throat, awakening his taste buds and provoking shivers and ecstasy.

The only regret was that the wine was too expensive. Transported from the distant Scarlet Tower to his territory, the price soared several times. Each enjoyment came with the heartache of gold coins flowing away.

But, it doesn’t matter.

Comac swirled the thick, blood-like liquid in his glass, watched it reflect a splendid glow under the firelight of the fireplace, and a determined smile curled at the corner of his lips.

The issue with money, once he seizes the Giant Beast Bone Field... will no longer be a problem.

"What do you say he is doing?" Comac asked, somewhat puzzled, as he inquired from the subordinate reporting Bona’s current status.

The subordinate, kneeling on one knee, replied respectfully and cautiously, "Viscount, Bona recently has been purchasing various magic materials extensively within his territory and even at our border markets. From common magic-conducting metals and energy-storing crystal stones to rarer exotic beast bone powder and earth vein condensate, varieties are diverse and quantities are astounding!"

"Extensive purchases? He’s taking out his bottom reserves? What does he intend to do?"

"Sir, not only that, he’s also recruiting massive labor and resources at his castle’s perimeter and several territories to build extensively. It’s not for fortifications or palaces; the layout looks more like constructing a large-scale magic array base or preparing for some ritual."

"Subordinate’s knowledge is limited, really... can’t tell what specific kind of ritual it is, but it probably isn’t simple, sir, you have to be careful!"

"Nonsense!" Comac threw the empty flask, feeling somewhat troubled.

Bona might be incapable, but his father was indeed a real Earl, who even had the opportunity to go further, leaving deep foundations.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have supported Bona up to now after his father’s death.

Could there really be a magic ceremony capable of turning the tables?

Comac immediately contacted Bona’s steward, but the intelligence received indicated Bona was misguided by a group of mercenaries, attempting to set up a magic array that could help uncover the bones of the giant beast—a desperate move.

This eased Comac slightly, but he dared not completely relax.

Though the steward was bought off, what if he was still loyal to Bona and just pretended to submit to him?

Comac was a cautious demon or, in the Empire, those who weren’t cautious mostly ended six feet under.

He not only contacted the bought-off personnel for information but also sent spies personally to try and uncover the truth.

However, all channels responded with the same information as the steward provided.

Generally speaking, reaching this point would allow someone to rest easy.

But Comac sensed a slightly different atmosphere.

The intelligence... was too consistent!

Logically, although the truths from different channels are generally similar, there should be discrepancies or even errors in many details.

And now, the responses were really too alike.

Betrayal?

This possibility was quickly dismissed by Comac.

How could it be possible for everyone to suddenly betray him; he believed he wasn’t so unpopular.

Then Bona might be deliberately laying a smoke screen, attempting to prevent Comac from destroying his turn-the-table ceremony?

Comac knew he could be overthinking, but again, in the Empire, being cautious was the most critical thing.

He decided to take people to sabotage this unfinished ceremony.

Due to suspicion of those who were bought off, he didn’t inform them beforehand for cooperation, instead coming to the Giant Beast Bone Field under the guise of discussing trade.

Simultaneously, he arranged elites in secret to sabotage the magic ceremony while he distracted Bona’s attention.

As for his safety, despite internal strife in the Empire, it hadn’t reached the level of direct mutual warfare; some level of covering up shady deeds was necessary.

He entered the Giant Beast Bone Field openly under everyone’s gaze; Bona not only couldn’t harm him, but had to protect him.

However, since entering the city, watching the Demon Race residents coming and going, there was a faint sense of discord.

But upon closer inspection, he couldn’t sense anything outright wrong.

And upon meeting Bona in the castle, seeing the pale bones, seeing Cluma holding a yellow-covered book, seeing the steward and commanders he bought off, and observing the smiles on their faces, he realized something was amiss.

"Bona... so many people, what are you trying to do?"

Bona, for a change, substituted his usual gloomy and cowered face with a sunny smile: "Uncle Comac, why would I be doing anything? Isn’t it you who came to discuss some trade matters? Coincidentally, I have a trade plan that would benefit both of us that I want to show you."

Speaking, Bona took the yellow-covered book from Cluma beside him and handed it over.

Comac’s eyelid twitched wildly, staring at the yellow-covered book being continually handed over, seemingly thinking of something!

"Holy... Holy Scripture?"

After a brief pause, the previously densely written plans on the yellow-covered book all disappeared, replaced by a line of text.

[Interesting, a young Viscount can recognize me?]

Comac didn’t feel any joy for his discovery; terror was already shaking him to his bones.

A hundred years ago, he had the fortune to see the Holy Scripture from afar when it was still sealed, and learned a bit about its history.

At the beginning of His Majesty the Emperor’s reign, the sinister book stirred up rebellion among three duke territories all by itself!

If its method of localization wasn’t found in time, it might have affected even more areas.

Although he only saw it once, Comac remembered it vividly.

Now, he was encountering the Holy Scripture again?

He couldn’t be happy at all.

When did the Holy Scripture break its seal?

Why appeared here?

He had too little information, unable to make sense of it.

Comac knelt on the ground, lowered his head: "I... I am willing to serve Lord Demon King..."

He clearly misunderstood something.

[Hahahahaha, interesting kid]

[Come, I do need your assistance indeed]

Watching the ever-approaching Holy Scripture, Comac retreated fearfully.

"No... no! I will obediently follow orders, there’s no need for this..."

Yet, how could the yellow-covered book believe his promises, it surely needed control.

Seeing that pleading was unfruitful, Comac, nearly at Palace Level strength, flashed a murderous glare, and a blood longsword materialized.

Rather than attacking the Holy Scripture, he turned to stab the guards behind him.

His followers all unsheathed their weapons, attempting to break out.

Puki—

Unnoticed, Knight Puki stepped onto Comac’s shoulder...

...

Comac and Bona’s trade discussion was fruitful, reaching an agreement to collaboratively develop the Giant Beast Bone Field.

Returning to his territory, Viscount Comac immediately started helping Earl Bona to purchase the lacking materials from nearby, everything seeming to progress reasonably.