Just as Li Feng and his group arrived in the central district of Commorragh, on the chaotic streets of Commorragh, several tall Female Aeldari dressed in a distinctly Drukhari / Dark Aeldari style slowly approached Li Feng and his group.
The leading Female Aeldari wore a long black and red robe, her shoulders adorned with intricate metal ornaments, and a smile that was both elegant and dangerous on her face. Her attendants behind her all had solemn expressions, exuding a chilling murderous aura.
"Respected outsiders," the woman bowed slightly, her tone carrying a noble authority, "Lady Malys wishes to speak with you at her residence. Her Ladyship has long heard of your 'reputation' and specifically sent me to express her regards."
Li Feng narrowed his eyes, looking at the powerful woman before him. He scratched his head and muttered under his breath, "Why is it always this routine... first an invitation for tea, then it's either probing for information or setting a trap."
Grefax coldly glanced at the xenos, her voice icy: "Why should we trust the schemes of you xenos? Tea? It's more likely to be laced with poison."
The woman was unfazed by Grefax's hostility, instead, she smiled charmingly: "Her Ladyship anticipated that Inquisitor would be suspicious, so she specially had people prepare traditional Imperial refreshments, even using your most familiar methods of preparation. If you don't believe it, you can inspect it at any time."
Li Feng turned his head and winked at Grefax: "Refreshments, Grefax. Since they've gone to such lengths, why don't we go along with it? We might even be able to gather some intelligence."
Grefax glared at Li Feng: "Are you taking this seriously? This is Commorragh; every step is an abyss."
Celestine, however, showed a saintly smile and nodded slightly to the woman: "Since it is a sincere invitation, we are certainly willing to go. However, if we perceive even a hint of hostility or betrayal... you should know who I am, and you should also know the consequences."
The woman's expression did not waver, becoming even more respectful: "Of course, Living Saint of The Emperor of Mankind, we would never dare to offend guests valued by Her Ladyship. Please, follow me."
Hearing the Female Aeldari's words, Celestine turned to Grefax and spread her hands: "You see, I really am a Living Saint, aren't I? Everyone can attest to it."
Hearing Celestine's words, Grefax helplessly slapped her own face... She actually already believed Celestine was a Living Saint, but she now felt, how could The Emperor's Living Saint be like this?
Thus, guided by the woman, Li Feng and his group followed her through the complex streets of Commorragh.
Eliette clung tightly to Li Feng the whole way, as if afraid he would suddenly be abducted by some "Dark Eldar Miss"; Grefax remained vigilant, constantly scanning her surroundings; while Celestine wore a faint smile, looking more like she was admiring the scenery.
As they progressed, the surrounding architecture gradually became more opulent, with Commorragh's unique dark Gothic aesthetic. Finally, they stopped before a towering structure, where the attendants at the entrance bowed in unison, welcoming their arrival.
"Please," the woman gracefully gestured, leading everyone into the palace.
The moment they stepped into the palace, an atmosphere of luxury intertwined with mystery enveloped them. Soul gems emitting a faint glow hung from the high arches, and the walls were inlaid with exquisite Aeldari carvings; every detail revealed the art and cruelty of the Drukhari / Dark Aeldari.
In the center of the grand hall deep within the palace, an Aeldari noblewoman in an exquisite gown sat on a high chair made of obsidian.
Her hair was emerald like a gemstone, half her face was covered by a strangely shaped mask, dangerous red light flickered in her eyes, and an elegant smile played on her lips, which she then hid with a fan made of sharp blades in her hand.
"Welcome, guests from the distant Imperium of Man."
She clapped softly, her voice smooth as velvet, yet it made one involuntarily wary. Li Feng, however, felt that Malys had a French accent when speaking human languages.
"I am Aurelia Malys," she stood up and bowed slightly, "one of the Core members of the Obsidian Syndicate, and also an administrator of certain affairs in this city."
Lady Aurelia Malys was Victor, the Archon of Commorragh's most capable subordinate. With extraordinary intelligence, she held a stable position in the Core management of the Obsidian Syndicate, was the founder of the 'Poisoned Tongue Syndicate,' and also his consort... at least, she once was.
After centuries of dalliance, Victor grew tired and, wary of her ambition, he expelled Malys from the palace. Malys, filled with rage towards the scoundrel, led her followers out of Commorragh to another part of the Webway to vent her fury as a resentful woman.
Deep in the Webway, they encountered the Laughing God, Cegorach. The Laughing God first banished Malys's followers, then proposed a game of willpower, where the loser would surrender their heart to the winner.
What exactly the Laughing God and she played is unknown to us (it's clear the content of this game isn't suitable for an all-ages rulebook), but the result was that Malys won. Cegorach vanished in a flash of light, leaving behind only a crystal heart and a sword.
Most people might assume the sword was a bonus reward accompanying the heart, but Malys's thought process was clearly not like most people's... She grabbed the sword and forcefully stabbed herself in the chest, tearing open a hole, then ripped out her own heart and discarded it! She then grabbed the crystal heart and inserted it into her body.
Just like the 'lightbulb replacement' Sharingan in Naruto, she replaced her own heart with that crystal heart.
After this, Malys, harboring resentment towards Victor, returned to Commorragh to develop her own power, until she became a Archon of the Poisoned Tongue Syndicate and one of Commorragh's most powerful rulers.
Lady Malys's keen mind was like a labyrinth, brewing countless opportunistic schemes to exploit any situation. Her words and actions were polite, elegant, and arrogant, displaying a charming smile while gently fanning a fan containing razors, all the while calculating which of your body parts would be the main course for dinner.
Since her return to Commorragh, she had countless times outwitted Victor, demonstrating an incredible ability to predict situations, accompanied by rumors of her hysterical solitary laughter when no one was around.
Malys desperately wanted to become a spokesperson for the'Syndicate', and she eventually succeeded in gaining membership through her performance during the panacea War.
Victor at the time wanted to weaken the smaller Syndicates, so he orchestrated a competition, challenging everyone to see who could successfully poison the entire Imperium of Man and provide proof. Malys happened to learn that the Imperium had just recovered a very precious STC.
So, she manipulated things to divert a large Imperial Fleet and force it to land on the Imperial Forge World where that STC was preserved. After a brief tactical setback, an Ork Warboss stole the STC.
Malys and her bodyguards descended from the sky, gracefully traversing the bloody battlefield of the Imperium and Orks, taking the spoils from the dead Ork with a single slash and a blown kiss. Victor was very satisfied with the entire operation, and Malys's position in Commorragh became increasingly unshakable.
So, what exactly did she steal? This STC was called the "panacea," capable of almost permanently curing all diseases. The Imperium could save billions of lives with it, and our Father Nurgle / Nurgle Nurgle would suffer severe depression because of it.
Malys was well aware of the importance of this treasure. She chose to lock it in her lingerie wardrobe—the Imperium would forever seek this life-saving STC in vain. The thought of so many humans desperately searching for it thrilled Malys, as if the entire Imperium was pursuing her.
Such creative torment and teasing became a hot topic of conversation among the people of Commorragh, who relished in it. Young Drukhari / Dark Aeldari who didn't want to participate in the insane internal competition of the Obsidian Syndicate flocked to submit their resumes to the Poisoned Tongue Syndicate.
Additionally, she was also Yvraine's former "angel investor," and could be considered one of the old shareholders of the Death God Army. Currently, she still lurks in the city, biding her time, occasionally finding amusement in things like creating viruses to disrupt Ork reproduction or meeting with the Harlequin Troupe. No one knows what she is truly planning.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"