Mushroom Lord in the Underground City-Chapter 363 - 355: One-Month Ceasefire

Sigmund, long overdue, shifted his attention from the dilemma of expelling the unwelcome guest within his body to another matter that shook his mind and soul.

He gently shook the crystal jar in his hand with about one-quarter of the dark red liquid remaining. To his surprise, that guy didn’t finish it all in one go this time!

Due to the deep connection between soul and body, even when he lost control, the senses were partially shared, albeit separated by many layers of thick gauze, making everything vague and hazy.

Yet, despite this, when Lin Jun tasted the liquid, the explosive, ultimate deliciousness that penetrated through the barriers still brought him unprecedented shock!

The Blood Race’s act of blood-sucking, apart from sustaining life, derives its greatest "deliciousness" from the power felt by plundering life and assimilating others’ strength as one’s own.

Hence, directly harvesting from living prey was always the best choice.

But the liquid in this jar was completely different.

Its "deliciousness" was purely sensory, an extreme pleasure hitting the taste buds, devoid of any impurity from power absorption!

Such primal, direct joy was supposed to be the permanent price for Blood Race members like them, who forsook the pleasures of life for power and immortality!

Yet now, this jar of liquid allowed him to recapture those forgotten trembles!

"Truly... unbelievable..."

He murmured softly, again gently shaking the crystal jar, bringing it closer to his nose for a careful smell.

The scent had nothing special, even somewhat bland, but once tasted, it brought such subversive experience!

Though now a Duke, during his human years, he was merely a lowly, nameless slave within the Empire, naturally unqualified for those fruits with "delicious" properties.

And after being transformed into the Blood Race, even with the ability to obtain them, he had already lost the ability to appreciate their wonderful taste.

Like Lin Jun, this was the first time in his life he truly tasted "deliciousness!"

The value of this jar of liquid was undeniable.

In Sigmund’s view, only His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire was worthy of enjoying it!

Reflecting on how he recently was preoccupied with dealing with the "roommate" within him, neglecting the suppression of the High Castle Fortress, even getting constantly harassed and provoked by Alama.

And coupled with Eleanor’s constant reports, these signs of negligence had already drawn displeasure from the Emperor, and recent orders to launch offensives kept growing in frequency and severity.

If now, he could present this gem, all past minor mistakes might be crossed off the list, maybe even... he could earn some extra rewards!

The only problem is...

Sigmund licked his lips, his gaze fell upon the now nearly bottomed crystal jar, and he sank into brief silence.

"Do you have any more of that?"

"Beg me."

"..." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Sigmund took a deep breath, forced his eyes shut, and suppressed the surging fury.

He must restore his peace of mind and cannot follow the other’s lead; he almost forgot what kind of guy his "roommate" is!

Just then, the ring on his index finger, symbolizing the Duke’s authority and encrusted with a dark red ruby, suddenly glowed—this was the signal for a summons from His Majesty!

Each initiation of a long-distance heart image communication consumed considerable energy, indicating important arrangements. Sigmund dared not slow down and immediately sank his mind into the ring.

...

Deep within the Hermit Empire, in Muling Castle.

In the grand yet dark hall, twelve enormous red Demon Crystals floated in mid-air, casting a gentle yet cold glow, and Sigmund’s silhouette gradually emerged in one of the Demon Crystals.

As soon as the connection was established, a sarcastic female voice bombarded him: "Oh, isn’t this our esteemed Duke Sigmund! Always hiding away in your Crimson Tower, what earth-shattering business have you been busy with? Turns out you still have leisure to attend meetings!"

It was Eleanor. At this moment, only two Demon Crystals representing him and Eleanor were illuminated in the hall, apparently a private summons for the two of them.

Facing this clumsy provocation, Sigmund snorted coldly and retorted, "Eleanor, after all this time, you finally learned how to set up camp properly instead of crying for help everywhere as soon as you faced a raid?"

"You slave..." Eleanor halted her speech abruptly.

Sigmund also abruptly sensed the anomaly!

The background of the Demon Crystal projection where he resided started diffusing black mist like ink spilling across, nearly dyeing the entire crystal in pitch black, rendering his own image hazy and indistinct.

Simultaneously, a complaint from the "roommate" sounded in his mind: "So cramped..."

"Consider the occasion! Tone it down! For both our sakes!" Sigmund roared in his consciousness.

Lin Jun seemed to realize the special circumstance, muttered softly, then ceased any further actions, just quietly observing everything.

"What is going on with you?" Eleanor asked.

"None of your concern," Sigmund replied, without any intention to explain.

"Hmph, I did hear that you’ve been showing quite an interest in Abyss Magic lately, recruiting those ominous practitioners..." Eleanor’s voice dripped with malicious speculation, "Haha, I am quite looking forward to seeing your outcome~"

Sigmund remained silent.

Then, a third crystal finally illuminated in the space, the one by the right side of the throne, representing Prince Visarus’s crystal.

"Your Highness," Sigmund and Eleanor almost simultaneously contained their aura, offering respectful greetings.

As soon as Prince Visarus connected, he directly broached the subject: "I am summoning you on behalf of His Majesty; Sigmund, about the High Castle Fortress..."

His words paused when he noticed the abnormal Demon Crystal projection cloaked in thick black mist around Sigmund, and he halted for a moment.

Sigmund promptly volunteered, "Reporting to Your Highness, the frontline remains in a stalemate, Alama..." He swiftly briefed the situation and finally assured, "Please convey to His Majesty, hereafter I will apply every effort..."

However, Prince Visarus interrupted him: "No, for the time being, you are to cease the offensive temporarily. There will soon be large shipments of logistical supplies heading to the front, focus on ensuring their safety."

Eleanor questioned skeptically, "Halt the attack yet extensively increase supplies?"

Sigmund immediately guessed the answer: "Your Highness, is there to be additional reinforcements deployed? Could you share which commander will be leading?"

Visarus replied in a serious tone: "Indeed. In a month, Virelis will arrive on the eastern front to assist in combat, while I will personally support the western front!"

"That lunatic?!" Eleanor exclaimed fearfully, her tone riddled with dread.

Sigmund then asked, "Your Highness, both you and Count Virelis are to personally engage in operations against the United Kingdom; wouldn’t the eastern power be overly stretched thin? As for the dwarves on that side..."

Visarus chuckled quietly, "No need to worry, a month later, dwarves... will no longer pose any threat to my Empire."

Sigmund and Eleanor were wildly speculating about the Empire’s arrangements against the dwarves, while Lin Jun stared intently at the silhouette of the Blood Race prince for a long time, finally recognizing this fellow!