HDXD: Omni Harem System-Chapter 278: The First Arbiter I

Far above the spire of the tower that both Adam and Priscilla was dining in, where the black steel tower pierced through clouds of the night sky, a place in space, began to tremble.

The night shifted, folding in on itself as concentric rings of crimson light shimmered into existence, rippling like the reflection of a dying sun in space... Then came the sound, like thunder, a boundary was ripped.

And a deep, hollow nosie, began rising in pitch until it became clear and vivid and a portal tore open in the air above the tower.

From its bleeding edges leaked strands of crimson mist, thick and slow, descending like ribbons from a god's severed vein.

And then… she came through.

The figure floated downward with unholy grace, her crimson robes rippling as she descended red and creepy folds of the darkness within.

The robes clung to her form, skin tight but also generous, as it was sensuous. Beneath the layered folds, her silhouette carried a strange aura. One both maternal and terrifying, wide hips, large breast, and a full figure of a mature looking woman, and eyes that look as cold as ice, electric blue, that glowed beneath the hood of her cloak.

She halted above the spire, the faint whisper and current of divine energy pulsing through the air around her.

Her lips parted, and her voice echoed, smooth, resonant, filled with dark devotion.

On hear head a pair of large electric blue demonic horns could be seen, her skin clear as she rise her hands, she show blue claws.

"So this… is the place Eishet spoke of."

The air around her shimmered as she lowered her gaze toward the sprawling complex below, the labyrinthine network of steel halls, laboratories, and ritual chambers buried beneath the earth. She could feel it, as her consciousness stretch out alas no life forms where present but that is mostly because of something else.

"It lies somewhere beneath this place…for sure, underground… most likely. Ahhh I must succeed in retrieving the Sacred Divine Artifact... I must take back veiled from this undead monster."

Her words dripped with reverence, and perhaps a touch of anger.

"It should be hersey that Monsters if any kind are permitted to be holding an item that once belong to the Demon King of Sloth."

Right after she said that.

She then began to extended her hand from beneath her sleeve. On her palm, a single glyph glowed faintly upon her palm.

"It is reacting so it is indeed here. However the hard part would actually be to getting it out from there. From what I heard tonight three Arbiter's will be present. Well it's doesn't matter, I alone should be enough."

"And if I succeed, Father will be pleased. The relic must be reclaimed… and returned to His hands. We have taken too much major lost recently so the success of this mission is a must."

A moment of silence followed, heavy, expectant, before she whispered again, her tone carrying a strange mixture of pride and sorrow.

"And with this… I will bring honor back to Lady Alpha. Her sacrifice will not have been in vain... I won't let her body go to waste." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The wind grew fierce around her now, tugging at her crimson robes, revealing the faint metallic shimmer of armor beneath.

Gold lines etched in ritual symbols ran down her thighs, across her abdomen, glowing faintly through the fabric.

She reached up, touching the edge of her hood, and sighed softly.

"However…"

"I cannot strike yet."

"The artifact recharges at dusk and enters dormancy at midnight. Only then will its defenses lower, and only then may I descend upon it."

She raised both hands, tracing invisible lines through the air, each motion leaving behind trails of glowing red sigils that hovered briefly before fading into the night.

"Until then… I must remain unseen."

Her cloak began to unravel at its ends, dissolving into a flock of crimson particles that scattered across the wind, each one glowing faintly as they descended.

They drifted downward, silently embedding themselves upon the tower's structure, spreading across its perimeter.

Meanwhile, far below the tower, deep within the labyrinthine halls of the underground facility, Adam and Priscilla finally slowed to a stop.

Their dance, though born of awkward beginnings, had ended in quiet harmony.

The musicless air still seemed to hum faintly from their movements, a phantom rhythm echoing through the walls and candlelit chamber. Priscilla's cheeks were faintly flushed, her breathing soft and even, her golden eyes reflecting the gentle glow of the lights above.

Adam loosened his hold, stepping back slightly but still close enough for their presence to linger between them.

"See?"

He said with a teasing grin.

"Was that so bad?"

Priscilla huffed, brushing a stray lock of her long, drill-curled hair from her face.

"I guess not."

She admitted, a rare, soft smile tugging at her lips.

"Haha… I do feel happy though."

"Hmmm."

Adam studied her expression for a long moment, a faint warmth flickering behind his gold-tinted eyes.

"You look beautiful when you're not miserable, or acting grumpy."

He said gently.

"You should smile more often, you know."

Her eyes widened slightly before narrowing again in that familiar, haughty way.

"Don't get it twisted, boy."

She replied, crossing her arms and averting her gaze.

"I am just in a really good mood right now. That ia all."

Adam chuckled quietly.

"Sure, sure."

But even she couldn't hide the faint color still clinging to her cheeks.

After a moment, she straightened her posture and glanced toward the clock display glowing faintly along the wall's upper frame.

"It's approaching midnight."

She said, tone shifting to something more composed.

"We should go now. The Gala will begin soon."

"Then I'm ready whenever you are."

Priscilla nodded once, her confidence returning in full as she adjusted the hem of her black and crimson dress.

"Mhm… Very well then. Hold on tight."

Adam raised a brow but obeyed, stepping beside her as she extended one arm forward.

Her voice rang clearly through the chamber, strong and commanding.

"Jenna, open a warp gate for us again, please."

The sound of her words echoed through the tower's inner corridors.

A couple seconds later, a familiar voice responded from everywhere and nowhere as it said with the outmost respect.

"As you wish, Madam Arbiter."

With that both Priscilla and Adam, hands on hand went ahead inside the portal.

The Grand Gala Hall of the Ecliptic Facility unfolded before them like a cathedral.

Its vast chamber was circular, with layered balconies curving along the perimeter and enormous pillars that reached toward a ceiling carved with vivid carvings showing its artistical value.

Artificial starlight poured down in waves, reflecting from the polished marble floor and the cascading crystal chandeliers suspended high above.

Everywhere he looked, figures mingled, nobles, politicians, and servants alike, all clothed in shades of midnight blue, silver, and red.

The scent of aged wine and perfume clung to the air, mingling with faint traces of Astrum.

'So there are some magic users here!?'

Adam thought to himself.

Music classical of course played in the background, and like himself and Priscilla everyone wore a masquerade mask.

Seeing this he sighed and said.

"I will never understand why rich people, even vampire's like stuff like this."

Priscilla smirked beside him, adjusting her hair with a practiced flick.

"It is just the way of the world, poor like simple, and rich likes elite stuff, although like yourself I much prefer simpler things. Still presentation is everything here. Especially with the higher Arbiters attending tonight."

"Oh yeah, I remember you saying that."

"Either way just stay close to me."

"Mhm."

With that they began to move through the crowd, heads turning as they passed. Some whispered in recognition, others simply stared. Priscilla's presence draws alot attention, mostly because she is popular here.

Adam's, meanwhile, carried an aura of subtle danger that no one could quite place. But him being beside an Arbiter should send a clear message as to how dangerous or powerful he was.

They reached the central platform, a vast circular dais ringed by transparent barriers. Above it hung an enormous clockwork sphere, slowly turning, its mechanisms ticking toward midnight.

The faint sound of violin strings drifted through the air even closer now, played by an ensemble of of elite and gifted musicians.

There only a few people sat in selective seats.

It was clear these people where of the most outmost importance, when compare the others currently here.

"Looks like we made it in time."

Adam said, glancing up at the clock.

"Barely."

Priscilla replied.

"The main presentation begins at the stroke of twelve. Until then…

She trailed off, noticing something across the hall.

Adam followed her gaze.

A subtle shift in the room's atmosphere occurred, as though all conversation, all laughter, all sound were drawn inward, waiting for something. The chandeliers dimmed slightly, their light focusing on the grand staircase descending from the upper balcony.

From above, the heralds announced her arrival.

"Make way… for Her Excellency, the Head of the Tower… The First Arbiter."

The title alone told Adam all her need to know, however, as he looked at the figured, much like Priscilla he said while folding his hand.

"She is Shinso Vampire, how rare!?"