Fantasy Novel: Paradise Hotel    17

【SIXTEEN】The Frustration of the Ghost Emperor Anderson

57

The night was quiet and still. The dome of Sky Castle reflected the silver radiance of the stars, like crystals embedded in the night sky. Huang Lihua slowly entered the council chamber. The heavy oak door closed behind him with a dull thud. Wall lamps illuminated the room, their dim candlelight flickering and casting Maria’s figure into view. She sat at one end of the long table, her gaze as deep as moonlight, resting on Xie Huijun beside Huang Lihua.

“Your Highness, the Princess.” Huang Lihua bowed slightly, bringing his right hand to his chest and saluting her with an ancient and respectful gesture. “I have brought her here.”

Xie Huijun stood behind Huang Lihua, looking somewhat timid. Her hand instinctively tightened around the edge of her sleeve, while traces of dust from the journey still clung to her clothes, revealing the hardships she had endured along the way. She looked around. The atmosphere inside the palace was solemn, and ancient banners hung on the walls, symbolizing the glory of Maria’s family.

Maria slowly rose and gracefully walked over. She smiled gently and lightly touched Xie Huijun’s forehead with her fingertips, which carried a faint warmth. “Don’t be afraid, child,” she said softly. “Stay here for the time being. I will heal your injuries and make sure you return safely to Lin Xiaoyang’s side.”

Upon hearing this, Huang Lihua’s brows knitted slightly, and a trace of hesitation flashed through his eyes. “Princess, are you really planning to let her return to Xiaoyang?”

Maria nodded gently, her tone resolute. “Yes. Only then will Xiaoyang be willing to devote himself wholeheartedly to dealing with Anderson.” Her tone became deeper, and she looked at Huang Lihua with a meaningful gaze. “Besides, I have another purpose in arranging this.”

Huang Lihua pondered for a moment, then sighed and nodded. “All right. I respect the Princess’s decision.”

Maria turned and walked to the window, gazing into the distance. Under the night sky, the mountains could be seen faintly, as though the clouds of war had quietly begun to gather. Her tone was grave as she said, “Duke Anderson has suffered a heavy blow this time. I think he will soon send all his forces against us for a direct confrontation.” She turned back, her gaze as sharp as the edge of a sword. “We must make all necessary preparations in advance. We cannot afford any mistakes.”

Huang Lihua nodded deeply, a firm light flashing in his eyes. Xie Huijun clenched her fists, unable to suppress a trace of uneasiness and anticipation in her heart. Beyond the veil of night, a storm that would determine their fate was already quietly brewing.

58

Candlelight cast dancing shadows across the stone walls. The gently flickering flames illuminated a large wooden table, upon which lay a map covered with red markings. General White Wolf stood before the window, gazing solemnly at the outer walls of the castle in the night. His knuckles lightly tapped the windowsill as if he were deep in thought.

Rapid footsteps sounded outside the door. Immediately afterward, a black shadow flashed into the room like a gust of wind.

“General!” Ghost Hound dropped to one knee. His face showed the exhaustion of a long and difficult journey, but his voice remained decisive. “Keith and Rona have disappeared.”

White Wolf slowly turned around. His silver hair reflected a faint, cold light beneath the candlelight. His sharp wolf-like eyes fixed intently on the kneeling vanguard, Ghost Hound. “Where did they disappear?”

Ghost Hound answered in a low voice. “On the train to Milan. I suspect they may have encountered a formidable enemy. Either they were killed or captured.”

White Wolf frowned, his fingers rubbing the edge of the table. His voice was low. “What kind of formidable enemy could the two of them have encountered?”

Ghost Hound pondered for a moment, then said quietly, “Our informants stationed in the Vatican reported that several days ago, Ghostbane—Father John Chen—and a young man with an Eastern appearance boarded that same train to Milan.”

White Wolf’s gaze instantly became as sharp as a blade. “You mean they encountered Ghostbane?”

Ghost Hound nodded gravely. “If not, how else could they have disappeared without a trace? Given Ghostbane’s abilities, Keith and Rona are probably…” He paused, a dark expression flashing across his eyes. “In grave danger.”

White Wolf pondered for a moment, then slowly clenched his fist. “If it was Ghostbane, why did he suddenly go to Milan?”

“I am still investigating that part.” Ghost Hound looked up at White Wolf’s expression and cautiously added, “Could it be… an order from someone higher up?”

White Wolf’s eyes instantly turned cold. After a long silence, he slowly said, “Whoever issued the order, we must get to the bottom of this.” He turned and walked toward the fireplace, reaching out to stir the burning logs. The firelight illuminated his stern face, revealing the turbulent thoughts beneath the surface.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. A demon soldier hurried inside and dropped to one knee. “General, the leader wants you to attend a meeting.”

White Wolf slowly raised his head, his deep gaze settling on Ghost Hound. He said quietly, “Ghost Hound, let’s go over there first.”

The two exchanged a brief glance and said no more. They walked side by side toward the main hall. The candlelight flickered, casting two silent and resolute silhouettes upon the stone walls.

59

The flames in the fireplace flickered eerily, casting the heavy black obsidian walls of the hall alternately into light and shadow. The air was thick with the strong smell of cigars.

Sitting in a high-backed armchair, Anderson crossed his legs, his expression gloomy as he slowly exhaled cigar smoke. His knuckles tapped against the armrest, as though his patience were being worn away little by little. Beside him, General Black Bear stood upright, his massive body like an impregnable iron tower, his arms crossed as he remained silent.

“Wizard!” Anderson finally spoke, his voice low and filled with suppressed anger. “The scouts reported that Jack and George, whom I sent to Switzerland to investigate Sky Castle, were completely defeated! Maria not only captured them alive, but all of the brothers who accompanied them were captured as well!”

Rufus, standing nearby, slowly raised his eyes. The shadows of his wizard’s robe concealed most of his face, and his voice was hoarse yet calm. “Master, you underestimated the enemy. The Princess has no shortage of capable and extraordinary people under her command.”

“Damn it!” Anderson suddenly crushed his cigar into the silver tray on the table. His fingers clenched into fists, veins standing out on the backs of his hands. “I’ll settle this account with Maria sooner or later!” He turned toward Rufus, his voice anxious. “Wizard, should we plan our next move?”

Rufus looked at Anderson without revealing any emotion, his gaze as deep as the night. “Master, given the current situation, we cannot afford to act rashly. With Maria’s reputation and strength, we do not have a sure chance of victory.”

Anderson snorted coldly and suddenly stood up, slamming both hands onto the table. His voice rose sharply. “Are you telling me to just swallow this humiliation?”

Rufus smiled faintly, a mysterious light flickering in his eyes. “I am not telling you to swallow it. I am telling us to rearrange our strategy and make sure that when we strike, we strike with certainty.”

Anderson narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly, his emotions calming somewhat. He asked in a low voice, “Go on. What kind of plan do you have?”

“Master,” Rufus said, lowering his head slightly, his tone still composed. “I will personally go to Switzerland, find out what Maria is doing, and then formulate an action plan.”

Anderson stared at him in silence for a moment, then slowly nodded. “All right. I know you have always been cautious in the way you handle things. We’ll do it your way.”

Just then, steady footsteps sounded at the entrance to the hall. General White Wolf and Ghost Hound entered side by side, both still carrying the lingering chill of the night air.

Anderson turned around, his sharp gaze falling upon White Wolf. He immediately asked, “White Wolf, have Rona and Keith returned yet?”

White Wolf paused slightly and answered in a low voice. “Leader, according to the schedule, they should have returned by now, but… there is still no word from them. I am afraid something may have happened to them.”

Anderson’s brows suddenly furrowed, and his gaze turned cold. “Something happened? Who could possibly be powerful enough to subdue them?”

Ghost Hound said quietly, “Ghostbane—Father John Chen. Our informants in the Vatican reported that they saw him board a train to Milan, and Rona and Keith disappeared on that very train.”

Anderson slowly clenched his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white. “Ghostbane…”

Rufus, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes and lightly tapped his staff as he pondered. “If Ghostbane personally took action, that means Maria has already begun preparing to launch a direct offensive against us.”

Anderson’s anger erupted. He slammed his fist onto the table and shouted, “Strike first! What are we waiting for?”

Rufus, however, was unaffected by his anger and calmly reminded him, “Master, we have already lost two of our top generals. We cannot afford to act recklessly at this point. The enemy is hidden while we are exposed. The slightest mistake could allow Maria to turn the tables on us.”

Anderson stared fixedly at him, his knuckles making a faint cracking sound. Finally, he took a deep breath and slowly unclenched his fist. His voice still carried unmistakable reluctance. “All right… Once you return with the information, we will discuss our countermeasures together.”

The firelight illuminated his face, while shadows shifted across his handsome features, as though a storm about to erupt were already gathering.