Nighttime Talk

The bloody battle at Warlock Fortress had finally come to a temporary end. Lei Chan agreed to the Fallen Angel side's demands and withdrew the Blood Fiend army back to Iron Fist Territory. Catherine and the Devil Emperors of the Shadow Empire moved into Warlock Fortress. The three nations' ceasefire negotiations were set for the following morning, in Black Cloud Town within the central region.

Repairs to Warlock Fortress, treatment for the wounded, and other tasks proceeded in an orderly fashion. Chen Rui's Essence Renewal Tree played a vital role, especially for Devil Emperors whose strength had been depleted or whose injuries were severe; all of them recovered well. Supplies and troop reinforcements were also being rushed in. The opening of peace talks did not mean the war had stopped. At a time like this, they could not afford to lower their guard—history had seen no shortage of disastrous defeats caused by carelessness.

Catherine merely exchanged brief greetings with Shea before leading her subordinates to the assigned tower camp. Lola and Pagliu, the married couple, returned to Starshine City in the sky to recuperate.

Toward evening, Chen Rui appeared outside the Shadow Empire camp.

A short while later, he was invited into the camp and brought before the main tent atop the highest defensive tower where Catherine was staying. It was a remodeled mountain peak. Catherine stood with her back to him, gazing out at the night sky slowly turning purple, her figure drifting like an immortal.

The female Devil Emperor who had led him there respectfully bowed to that silhouette and withdrew. Only Chen Rui and Catherine remained atop the peak.

"No one would have imagined that the illusory Castle in the Sky from the concert was real," Catherine remarked as she looked at the enormous castle overhead. "Tell