The Divine Armor of the Old Century（Book 1）

Chapter 45

"Another day draws to a close..."

Eve leaned against the balcony's edge, the sunset's glow painting her face crimson. Servants whispered among themselves at the sight of her.

They murmured that the Princess of Phoenixes had finally grown up, her eyes carrying a sorrow reminiscent of a teenage girl troubled by love, eagerly anticipating a beautiful romance with handsome youths... What nonsense!

Eve slammed her hand against the balcony railing and stormed back into her bedroom, not wanting to hear the servants gossiping below.

Something was definitely wrong with her life! Where were the handsome youths? The only male she encountered was Lloyd, that lunatic.

Her worry stemmed not from adolescent love but from the secret blood coursing within her. According to Lloyd, the Phoenixes were undoubtedly connected to demons, and this so-called secret blood required the refinement of alchemy. This knowledge should be exclusive to the Demon Hunters Guild, yet the mystery hovered over the Phoenixes.

Eve wanted to discuss it with her father, but the steward mentioned that the Duke of Phoenixes had left for the Platinum Palace after taking care of Eve and hadn't returned since.

Lying on her soft bed, Eve stared at the chandelier above, its warm light dominating her vision.

It had been over a week since that frantic night. Eve could barely recall how she made it home. Though she tried to conceal it, exhaustion overcame her, and she collapsed at the doorstep.

When Eve woke up, she found herself in her familiar bedroom, her wounds tended to, guards stationed at the door, and an array of armed soldiers patrolling the deserted estate.

According to the steward, the Duke of Phoenixes was furious, to say the least. After his departure, the estate's security level rose significantly, and Eve was confined, forbidden from leaving until her father returned.

It seemed her father was truly angry this time.

Ah... how annoying.

Eve could already imagine their conversation upon his return: a forced marriage to some damned island, only this time, his attitude would be much firmer.

Clutching the covers, Eve rolled over in bed. She wasn't ready for it to end like this. She wanted to represent the Phoenixes with honor in the Hall of Eminence. And if possible, she wanted to uncover the truth behind her secret blood.

Like a long-lost friend reappearing, the nightmare she had almost forgotten returned since that frantic night.

Eve couldn't help but recall the scenes from that nightmare: women wailing, struggling, their agony palpable as their lives were drained from their bodies, until the monster tore them apart.

The memory of that nightmare was abrupt, and even Eve couldn't ascertain its reality. It seemed human memories were indeed unreliable, like words written on a sandy beach destined to be erased by an incoming tide, yet years later, like a prank, those memories washed ashore again.

The room's lights flickered, and Eve turned to the chandelier. It seemed there was an issue with the circuit, but Eve felt a different kind of unease, her nerves tingling as she stared into the darkness.

Those things... whenever they approached, all light retreated.

Footsteps echoed around her.

Eve reached for the counter, where a silver revolver lay. It was the weapon of the Nightjar, forgotten by Lloyd after that night, and Eve had kept it.

It was loaded with ammunition. As Eve prepared to do something, the pitch-black shadow enveloped her.

No strength left...