The Exiled Lord: My Maid is a Battle Goddess-Chapter 194: A meeting of conspirators

"So it’s a virtual projection... I thought I’d been teleported. What a terrifying ability."

Phield spread his hands, only to see them reduced to a deep, abyssal darkness. He tried to sink into the ground, but failed. The moment he moved beyond a certain range of the room, an invisible force restrained him, preventing any further exploration.

At the same time, the mini-map still displayed the area as Nightfall Domain.

Since it was only a projection, there was nothing to fear. Phield scanned his surroundings. He seemed to be inside a dungeon-like chamber. Not far away stood three cages, one of which contained a skeleton lying inside.

"Looks like this is some noble’s underground prison."

Before long, several figures suddenly appeared in the room. Their faces were distorted into swirling vortexes, eerie beyond measure.

The shadowy figures glanced at one another. Phield felt his scalp tingle, worried they might notice something off and suddenly focus on him all at once.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

"Blood sacrifice to the true god!"

A tall shadow stepped forward with elegant, feline grace. Even completely naked, her allure could not be concealed. As she took the main seat, no one objected—it was clear she was their leader.

"Blood sacrifice to the true god!"

Phield followed along, shouting in unison with the others.

"Looks like everyone is here. Greetings, lords and Divine Chosen. Number Three and Number Seven have pressing matters and will not be attending this meeting."

A plump shadow let out a strange chuckle. "Heh, Vero—"

"Do not speak real names."

"Cough... Number Seven is probably off slaughtering again. I envy her—she’s secured the perfect position, doing the Empire’s dirty work."

"Enough. Stop wasting time."

The group moved toward a round table. Phield followed calmly.

A quick glance—there were eleven people including himself. If counting the absent ones, there should be thirteen.

"Really going for the full set," Phield thought with amusement. "Had to make it a demonic number."

Someone beside him struck up a conversation. "Number Nine, you changed your body again? Last time I saw you, you were a little boy."

"Mm." Phield gave a noncommittal grunt, careful not to expose anything.

"So cold... how sad. Still as cruel and wicked as ever, hehe."

What’s wrong with this person? Phield nearly cursed out loud.

"Enough. Save the chatter for after the meeting."

The shadow leader raised her hand slightly in a silencing gesture. Everyone immediately fell quiet, and she nodded in satisfaction.

"The High Priestess requires more virgins to restore her sacred body. As the Thirteen Executives of the Shadow World Sect, it is our duty to share her burden. Only then can we enter the Dark Paradise and attain eternal life."

"Praise the High Priestess! Praise the true god!"

At the mention of eternal life and the Dark Paradise, the group visibly grew excited.

"First, some good news. Due to the Empire’s corruption and ignorant rule, the commoners of the western three provinces are suffering from famine. Yet the Empire’s exploitation and taxes have not lessened in the slightest. They have had enough and are secretly plotting an uprising. A new opportunity has arrived for us."

The shadow leader let out a charming, lilting laugh.

A gaunt shadow sneered. "Just a bunch of lackeys. What can they accomplish? No need for Divine Chosen. Send ten knights on horseback to shout at them, and they’ll piss themselves and obediently offer their necks."

"That’s not the case. According to reliable intelligence, they possess a young yet highly promising Divine Chosen squad called Night Owl. I trust you’ve heard of them."

"Night Owl?"

Phield immediately recalled Simon’s warning—an organization specializing in assassinating nobles, recently very active.

"Why would they help those worthless people? Divine Chosen only need to align with nobles to obtain everything they want—money, handsome men, anything."

"Not quite. Night Owl’s members are those who have suffered under the oppression of imperial nobles. The rebels rescued countless girls—girls who were abused and mistreated from childhood. After being saved, they were screened for awakening potential. Naturally, they harbor deep hatred for the Empire."

Phield immediately grasped the key point.

Rescuing girls, nurturing them, selecting them, training them... Divine Chosen advancement required territorial energy, as well as the faith of both lord and people.

This couldn’t have been accomplished in a day or two. Someone had long been preparing for this uprising—and it certainly wasn’t something a handful of peasants could achieve.

Phield smirked. "This isn’t peasants rebelling out of desperation. Someone set this up from the start."

The shadow leader shot him an approving glance. "You’re quite the genius, Number Nine. If you didn’t already have a Divine Chosen, I would have formed a contract with you myself."

Come to Nightfall Domain anytime—I don’t mind, Phield thought silently, giving a mental thumbs-up.

"No matter what, the more chaos, the better. The more bloodshed, the better!" The leader recited a passage of doctrine before turning serious. "Now, to business. An informant from Twilight Province reports that a shipment of important military equipment under Governor Itavon will be transported from Twilight Province to Itavon Province." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Do you think Governor Itavon would ever expect us to strike back and seize that shipment?"

Everyone instantly understood, exchanging knowing glances.

"Feasible. But what’s the plan?"

"We’ll discuss that in detail next time," the shadow said vaguely. "Additionally, the High Priestess requires pure Divine Chosen. Think of ways to acquire them. Ordinary people are far too weak. Avoid the powerful families and provinces for now—focus on uncontracted Divine Chosen."

"I do have a target—the Ross family’s Divine Chosen."

The previously silent Number Thirteen raised a hand.

Phield’s heart jolted. Don’t tell me they’re targeting Nightfall Domain? How unlucky—such a vast world, yet everything somehow connects back to the Ross family.

But the next words dispelled his concern.

"Wind Orchid City. Adrian Ross’s Divine Chosen. According to reliable intelligence, she is still pure."

"Pfft—" Phield nearly spat.

"What’s wrong? Surprised?"

Phield almost burst out laughing but kept a straight face. "An old injury acting up. But yes, I am surprised."

"Indeed. Adrian Ross isn’t quite a man—more like half of one. His relationship with his Divine Chosen is rather distant. In short, she remains pure. The information comes from a Ross family informant."

Phield was stunned. No wonder Adrian was always raging uselessly.

"Provoking a major noble house? That doesn’t sound wise. If a large-scale war breaks out in the future, the Ross family going all out against us would be disastrous. Besides, Wind Orchid City is heavily guarded—not an easy target."