Chapter 483: Chapter 483: Unfolding the Plan
As Han Dong and his team journeyed through a red corridor filled with scarlet items, an open hall resembling a museum came into view.
It was dominated by a shade of bright red.
A circular structure, about five meters high.
Shocking as it may seem, kerosene lamps typically used by humans for illumination hung on the walls, except the lampshades were fashioned into a ghost-faced form.
A considerable amount of the ‘scarlet’ related artifacts were exhibited in glass cabinets for the public to see.
As the team arrived here.
A tall woman, over three meters tall, with her black hair floating in the air defying gravity, wearing a red long gown and holding a kerosene lamp walked slowly from the other side of the path.
The aura she radiated brought considerable pressure upon everyone.
However, such a woman was apparently the ‘museum’ administrator.
With no hint of hostility, her lips curled upward at the sight of the team.
“Congratulations, you are the first group to visit the Crimson Manor.
I am in charge here, Melissa Occult Blood.
The Crimson Manor is the core spatial area created by the Supreme Blood God, housing not only common artifacts but also ten ‘Scarlet Noble Items’.
Since you were the first to arrive here, you naturally have priority selection of the Noble Items.
Once chosen, you cannot change your selection. One from among you who first signed the ‘Blood Sacrifice Contract’ shall carry the chosen Noble Item to the final ‘Scarlet Interval’ and call forth the Blood Brew.
Only the correct Noble Item can call forth the supremely exalted Royal Blood Brew.”
As suspected, Han Dong had discovered a detail ahead of time.
When they were first teleported into this different space, they found themselves in a library… It seemed they needed to decipher a code, jotting down the correct text and formation to escape from the Secret Room.
But its actual meaning was a sort of covenant ceremony.
Han Dong immediately saw this… hence he let Lucius write the correct words and sign the contract.
…
Upon getting Captain Lucius’s permission, Han Dong politely continued questioning the administrator.
“The Noble Item, can it be claimed just like that?”
“Yes, as long as you can discern the Noble Items, you can take them directly… The pathway to the ‘Scarlet Interval’ is in the center of the museum, one may enter if they have a Noble Item.
The Supreme Blood God is very generous, all the participants of the feast who submitted tributes and came to the Crimson Manor will receive his blessings.
If the Noble Item you choose cannot carry the Royal Blood Brew, you will receive the finest Blood Brew that matches the volume of the Noble Item.”
Han Dong continued his queries: “If other teams come to this place, will there be a conflict?”
“This is the core area created by the Blood God himself, and conflicts are absolutely not allowed… If any item is damaged, then I, on behalf of the Blood God, will bring down the Blood Judgment.”
“One last question, if only the person who first signed the contract can enter the ‘Scarlet Interval’, what about the rest of us?”
“The other members will pass through the portal within my body and return to your original location… where the local Count will continue to host you. Enjoy the banquet delicacies that have been prepared and wait for the return of the contract signatory.”
“Alright.”
“You can ask me any questions at any time… I’ll be wandering randomly around the museum, waiting for other guests.”
Having said so.
The tall-gaunt lamp-bearer continued on her patrol, disappearing to the other side of the museum.
Gazing at the tranquil, elegant, and Scarlet Museum, the team, who were prepared for a fight, found it hard to adapt.
After all, they had been in a constant state of high alert in the outer regions.
Decoding, navigating through traps, and fighting life-or-death battles.
Now that they entered the deeper area, they were told it’s a completely safe zone. They would receive the Blood Brew if they found the correct Noble Item, and still receive a consolation prize even if they chose incorrectly.
The sudden peace and safety left the team feeling slightly uneasy.
“Let’s take a quick walk around first…”
On Lucius’s suggestion, the team quickly walked around within the museum. They gained a general understanding of the structure and had a preliminary observation of the display items.
Just as the administrator had said, the Noble Items were mixed in with the standard exhibits.
Their quality and the blood aura they emitted were entirely different from the regular exhibits. Han Dong could identify them easily, and Lucius could discern them through ‘blood sensing’.
The conclusion they both reached was the same. They identified ten specifically structured Noble Items.
Moreover, Han Dong and Lucius had identical choices.
Discarding ‘large volume’ and ‘fine workmanship’ as characteristics, the container for Royal Blood Brew would be a Noble Item that was somewhat small and have certain special features and iconography.
Ultimately, they chose a small item.
‘Animated Mouth Wine Glass’
In the display cabinet was a delicate wine glass, with an opening resembling human lips.
Upon closer observation, the wine glass was alive, and the lips would even slightly wriggle.
The outer surface of the cup was engraved with an image of the sun and moon competing, seemingly similar to the origin of the curse within Lucius’s body.
Since they had decided, they didn’t delay any further to prevent other teams from claiming it.
Once Lucius took the wine glass from the display, Han Dong hurriedly handed over a key embedded with a Blood Diamond.
“Captain Lucius, I found this key unexpectedly in the previous challenge.
There may be many rooms for obtaining the Blood Brew, but the room for Royal Blood Brew could be hidden. This key could assist you in reaching it smoothly.
How you use it depends on your choice.”
“Alright…”
Receiving the key also meant, once Lucius truly obtained the ‘Royal Blood Brew’, he would owe Han Dong a huge favor.
With the Noble Item.
Lucius circled to the central part of the museum and through a pathway filled with red water, proceeded to the final zone to obtain the Blood Brew.
“Everyone, go back and wait for good news from your captain… Thanks again for participating in the Blood God’s ‘Red banquet’, and I hope those who were not able to sign the contract can take part in the next ‘Red banquet’.”
The administrator unfolded her crimson robes.
A portal symbolizing ‘exit’ to the different space appeared from within the administrator.
A familiar sense of nausea engulfed them.
Han Dong and the others safely returned to the grand hall of Scarlet Manor.
Since they were the first team to complete the banquet activity, the main hall was devoid of people. Even the Count was absent as he was still inside the different space carrying out the ‘patroller’ role.
“Jane, I’m going to leave the ‘infiltration mission’ we discussed the night before to you… Captain Lucius will determine what height he can reach depending on whether he can successfully infiltrate.”
Jane didn’t respond and instantly merged with the shadows.
At the same time.
“Duo Zeya, quickly return to the Stuart Manor and hand over this letter to Elder Miz.”
Ka…
Duo Zeya, in the form of a crow, quickly left the grand hall and swiftly flew out of the territory of Scarlet Manor.
“Now let’s see if Captain Lucius can come out on top+”