After the vague encounter at the cliff, Ace didn't dare to let his guard down and headed deep within the black mountains.
However, after three days, he concluded that no one was overseeing this area because he hadn't encountered anyone, not even beasts. All he could see were chains of black mountains.
If his fate map weren't dyed in red, he would've believed that this place was dangerous at all.
On this day, Freya contacted him as he was resting in a well-hidden mountain cave.
"Leader Ace!" Frey's somewhat respectful voice rang in Ace's mind.
Ace felt he had heard wrong since this woman would rather tease him than show respect.
Nevertheless, he sent his consciousness into Frey's private space in Thief's House.
Her space had been converted into a half library and half rune crafter lab by her. Those books and equipment were naturally given to her by Ace.
Since she liked to collect knowledge and was a rune crafter, Ace wasn't stingy with her and let those books collecting dust put to good use.
Furthermore, Ace always wanted to create a library for House Members, so Freya was doing him a favor by doing this. If those house members wanted some knowledge, they could look for Freya.
Freya's Evil Thief Armor was now changed into a flowery pink dress revealing her seductive curves and perfect figure and her long white hair draped on her shoulders.
She looked completely breathtaking while sitting on a comfortable divan like a vivid painting, and only Ace could enjoy this view.
"What is it?" Ace coolly questioned. He wasn't someone to be tempted so easily, especially when the woman happened to be a cunning witch.
Freya's lips curled into a seductive smile before she exclaimed, "You really imprint your thief symbol on the Demon Temple?" Her eyes were filled with disbelief and awe.
"Oh? It seemed Ronan got the news. Yes, I needed something in that temple, and since I had done the deed, it won't hurt to admit it and claim the credit, right?" Ace lied through his teeth without telling her it was the System's doing.
Freya didn't deny it, "No, he wasn't told, but he was summoned back with that snake sister and brother of his. After he entered the domain, it was hard to miss that eye-catching owl and imposing words."
Her smile suddenly turned dangerous, "I have to admit, Leader, if this news spread, I don't need to take revenge at all, and the demons would die out of shame. It would be more interesting to see that happening. The high and mighty demon race left with no face, and their so-called sacred temple now become the stepping stone of Sky Stealer!"
Ace was speechless when he heard it. He almost forgot about Freya's grudge against Demons, and this method will effectively destroy the demon's prestige.
"Is that why you asked for me?" He questioned.
"This and another thing. I first wanted to notify you about this plan and gain your approval before contacting Aliya to spread the rumors." Freya revealed with a hint of an astute smile.
Ace merely chuckled with a hint of exasperation, "You have already started, don't you?"
Freya smiled charmingly, "You know me, the best Leader. Besides, I can't let your glorious deed get buried now, can I?"
"Tsk, tsk, do whatever you want. But aren't you worried that Aliya might get caught by this?" Ace sneered in vexation.
Although he didn't mind, this move would make the demon race hate him even more. Right now, only the Imperial Domain knows, and this result was still not bad. However, the other races will know when the entire continent knows.
This will destroy the demon race's prestige and might even have unimaginable consequences.
Freya merely smiled and replied ambiguously, "Aliya knew how to handle herself. I have already told her to desert the continent if needed. I hope you can give her shelter in our house in the future."
Ace didn't agree or disagree, "Thief House is full right now. I might consider it according to the circumstances if there were free spots. Or there might never be a spot open, I can't guarantee anything, or you can just set her free and let her live her life happily. Is that the second matter you wanted to discuss?"
Ace had a good impression of Aliya, but this didn't mean he could let her enter the Thief House. The spots of Thief House were too crucial to Ace, and he knew he would have an extra pair of hands with every additional member.
Like Thomas, Aliya was one of the contenders for this spot.
Speaking of Thomas, Ace still had no idea if he was one of those black robe demons selected from the eight provinces. He had to stop poking his nose in this matter because it was the situation's demand.
Now, he could only hope that guy wasn't one of them, or he could always use his thief promise to let Ace know, or at least this should be how it works. But worry about him would do nothing good.
Besides, Ace had his own path and problems to worry about.
Freya's eyes flashed with helplessness. She had expected this answer. Thief House was a magical place, and she knew joining this place was completely dependent on chance and Ace's circumstances.
So, she didn't ask anymore and told him about the second matter, "No, the other thing I wanted to say to you is Ronan might've been suspected of bringing you into the Imperial Domain.
"Since you had impersonated a puppet servant of his castle, it won't be too hard to retract it back to Ronan. Although my Evil Seed is unbreakable, I don't know to what extent. I do not doubt my ability. It's just that I'm not strong enough.
"So, I suggest we get rid of him. He knows too much about us, especially about me and your private space. He had no use to us anymore, and I might drag down that snake princess with him." Killing intent shone in her eyes.
Leona rubbed Freya the wrong way because she felt she was the same as her, and she knew just how dangerous this type of person could be. That's why she wanted to kill her to save Ace and herself from future trouble.
Ace thought for a moment since he knew Freya was right, Ronan had no use, and demons were fools to no notice of the disappearance of NO.8,430.
His eyes turned cold, "Alright, get rid of him. But don't reveal your ability. Just make it look like he committed suicide. There's no need to show more than this, and Leona is no more threat to us.
"Furthermore, don't underestimate her, she is not simple, and Ronan would not be enough to get rid of her. So, instead of letting them know about the extent of your abilities, giving them a mysterious fright would be more than sufficient.
"At least, it will make us look more unfathomable and might make them give up if they think we are stronger than them." Ace coldly stated.
Freya fell in deep thought, and a refreshing smile appeared on her charming face, "Leader is indeed a Leader when it comes to scheming. I'm still lacing."
"Yeah, like I would believe that." Ace chuckled sarcastically, "Alright, if nothing else, then I'm off. I still have a long journey ahead before we get out of the demon continent."
"Alright, don't hesitate to summon us if you find yourself in trouble." Freya softly stated.
Afterward, silence filled Freya's space before the smile on her face turned into a ruthless grin.
'I always wanted to kill someone from the imperial family. I'll let them know the true despair. Evil Descent!' She instantly used her fourth ability!
The dark mist slowly enveloped her bright eyes before they turned pitch black.
---
Imperial Domain, just a few miles away from the inner palace.
A large carriage of the inner palace was moving at full speed toward the inner palace.