Super Righteous Player-Chapter 1241 - 278: The True Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Chapter 1241: Chapter 278: The True Mastermind Behind the Scenes

The sunlight in the Winter Principality was already dim.

Although the magical barrier encasing the city kept the blizzard outside... the barrier itself had no illumination function, and the raging snowstorm above still blocked the daylight.

Therefore, the streets of the Winter Principality were always gloomy.

The Grand Duke’s office was similarly dim—only by twisting the switch on the desk could the green fire be lit, illuminating the room.

Although it was a green flame that burned, it emitted a pale yellow, bright glow. This was the characteristic of the mystical green fire lamp.

The green fire lamp on the desk was much brighter than candles, and it effectively protected one’s eyesight.

In terms of brightness, this green fire lamp was probably about the same as an eye-protection desk lamp, possibly even weaker. Because there was a lampshade over it, designed to make the light less glaring.

And from the moment Annan entered this room and closed the door.

The entire room was suddenly filled with light.

Neither glaring nor hot. Instead, it brought a noticeable comfort, as if basking in the sun on a soft sofa in the afternoon when the temperature is just right.

Even the brilliance of the green fire lamp in the room dimmed after Annan entered.

It became as feeble as a candle lit under the sun at noon.

This faint light even inexplicably gave off a sense of "obedience."

——Because all light submits before Annan.

After closing the door, Annan leaned lazily against it.

Annan looked up smiling, revealing a smile that was [beautiful] to a heart-stopping extent.

Undoubtedly, it was a domain of Elemental Power.

With just a movement, a glance... even by merely being present in this room, Annan poured endless light into Count Melvin and Dmitry’s perception.

Yes, into their perception—not their eyes.

Even closing their eyes was useless. Covering with hands was also futile.

Each drop of light in the room, like tiny droplets of mist, could be felt by the skin, inhaled through the mouth and nose... one could smell the fragrance and taste it with the tongue.

It was like the scent of burning pine resin, and like oil with a hint of sweet bitterness.

Once one had seen Annan, they would never forget—

Count Melvin seemed somewhat fearful in his heart.

But it was only a seeming.

For these chaotic emotions were dispersed by the light within his heart the moment they arose. Just by looking at Annan, Count Melvin’s mood became incredibly serene...

Count Melvin had lived for decades, but never had his mood been as tranquil as it was today.

All the troubles outside disappeared. The whole world became silent and harmonious, and all worries, even work matters, were cast to the back of his mind.

It was like waking refreshingly from a deep, sweet sleep. The whole world became clearer.

Therefore, even though Count Melvin knew he had to be wary of Duke Annan, he couldn’t help but develop a fondness for him.

Count Melvin immediately collected his thoughts.

Then he cast spell to check and discovered some influences on himself, some he had seen before and some he hadn’t.

—— Low-level Influence: Brightness before the eyes.

—— Low-level Influence: Warm happiness.

—— High-Level Influence: Flowing light.

Among these, Count Melvin only knew of the influence "Flowing light," which was the most pure and common influence of the Brilliance domain.

The other two new influences belonged uniquely to Annan.

—— Without any spell.

Merely existing could change the minds of others, and even a mere "glance" would bestow an influence.

This was without a doubt a trait only possessed by a Transcendent of the Gold Rank.

And it wasn’t just any ordinary Gold Rank.

From the density of this influence, he was only one step away from the ritual of ascension, fully constructing the sublime vessel... the legendary "Truth Rank" that only exists in myths!

The Truth Rank isn’t a true rank in itself, compared to the Gold Rank it doesn’t undergo a complete metamorphosis, the soul still remains a solid-state soul from the Gold Rank.

This term is usually used to describe as "already completely transcending the Gold Rank," "yet has not become a deity," an intermediate state.

This means that as of now, Annan is just one ritual away, only needing to fulfill a formality, to become a deity—he was even already capable of gathering disciples and establishing a church!

...By this time, it is already too late to stop Annan from ascending.

But as the thought flashed through Earl Melvin’s mind.

He suddenly felt something was amiss—

Under Annan’s seemingly smiling gaze, a mysterious and intangible chill permeated his body.

It was like a blast of biting cold wind hitting his face... as if he was wearing a hole-ridden sweater, stepping out from the warmth of his room. From the front to the back, it dispelled the lethargy and contentment he had just felt in an instant.

This was no illusion.

But a domain filled with the element of "Understanding"!

Even though Annan was not familiar with the spells of the Soul Snatching School, the element of "Understanding" he possessed could also be used for mind reading.

It was not "stealing thoughts," but "understanding ideas."

Just as the element of understanding could be used to communicate with animals, plants, and even the sky and earth... Even if a person’s subjective consciousness intended to keep secrets, their body would very honestly reach a consensus with Annan.

"I see."

Annan said with a smile: "So, you’re intending to interrupt my Sublimation Ritual.

"Then tell me—"

As Annan’s voice fell.

Earl Melvin felt the environment around him suddenly darken.

Only he, Annan, and the glowing ground remained... Even Dmitry, and the table behind him, vanished without a trace. They were replaced by pure darkness.

The sounds from outside the window also disappeared, and the entire world became silent in an instant. Only his heartbeat grew louder by several times, thundering like drums, causing his eardrums to throb with pain.

...Is this an illusion? Am I in a dream?

Or some kind of special domain? Or have I been pulled into another space?

The expression of the head of the Melvin family became rigid all of a sudden.

As a silver-tier Transcendent and a Great Ritualist, he couldn’t make sense of Annan’s move...

Across from Earl Melvin, Annan extended an index finger calmly and drew a line in front of him.

From the Earl’s perspective, it was indeed just a line.

But Annan twirled his hand over it lightly a few times, as if cutting through spirit money, he turned the line into a circle.

Then Annan took hold of this circle of light as if it had a physical form—shining like the sun, but when Annan removed it, Earl Melvin could clearly see it had no "thickness"!

Annan placed this "disc of light" beneath himself.

It hung suspended in mid-air, and Annan elegantly took a seat, crossing his right leg. His fingers interlaced, resting on his chin.

Somehow, Annan’s eyes turned back to a deep blue, abruptly changing to a starry deep blue. Within the depths, two complex runes emerged, resembling illuminated constellations.

"Tell me, Earl Melvin," Annan’s voice was gentle and devoid of hostility, "what, or who, is truly behind the Melvin family?"

The "volume" of their existence between the two was vastly different. If Annan were a star, then Earl Melvin was no more than a hyena on a planet.

Right now, Earl Melvin couldn’t move at all.

He wasn’t bound or in shock... If one were to draw an analogy, it was as if the authority over his own body had been downgraded to the point where he couldn’t move it.

...Is the gap between the Gold rank and Silver rank this vast?! Impossible.

Earl Melvin immediately dismissed his thought.

He had also seen "The Human God." An experienced Gold rank passed down through generations—when The Human God became angry, it was like watching avalanches, earthquakes, or mudslides, natural disasters.

Although he could only run away in fear, he could still escape.

But now...

Despite his utmost restraint, his thoughts uncontrollably drifted towards that most hidden corner.

A name that was somewhat familiar to Annan, yet long unheard:

—Gerenz Nuha.

His former name was Grianznuha Rinfrost, a person who has been "expelled."

The outcast of the Rinfrost family... and the Pope of the dead deity’s bones.

"...It’s him?"

Annan muttered in surprise: "I thought it was The Worm..."

Or is it that Gerenz Nuha is The Worm’s agent, and Melvin is just a tool?