Red Hook

Next, it was time to visit Hilda—the final and most important stop of this trip.

The intelligence Hilda had provided had been one of the key factors in Dusk City's victory.

Without those military deployment records, detailed to an almost outrageous degree, the course of the war might have been completely different.

"The Eye Clan's territory."

Before they set out, Miller had warned him, "It's the most mysterious place among the Thirteen Clans."

"They say the terrain there is incredibly complex, full of illusions and mazes everywhere."

"Without Hilda's permission, outsiders can't enter at all."

"What's even stranger is that Hilda's own residence is said to be extremely simple."

"How simple?"

"Supposedly... she barely even has servants."

Miller's words left Ron rather curious.

A vampire grand duke who had lived for eight thousand years, the most senior figure among the Thirteen Clans, actually lived a "simple" life?

It formed a sharp contrast with the luxurious ways of the other grand dukes.

When the delegation reached the border of the Eye Clan's territory, a soft light shone down from the sky.

"Lord Ron Ralph."

A woman's voice rang out. "Welcome to the Eye territory."

"Please follow the guiding light. The grand duke is waiting for you."

The delegation advanced along the path indicated by the light.

The scenery around them kept changing—one moment, it was a deep forest; the next, a vast grassland; then towering mountains...

Every place was breathtakingly beautiful, yet carried an indescribable eeriness.

"These are all illusions."

Silas said in a low voice beside him, "The true terrain has been completely concealed."

"Even with my mental perception, I can't determine where we actually are at all."

Of course, this bit of illusion was practically nonexistent before Ron.

But out of respect for the master of this place, he