Chapter 318: The Eternal Masque (2)

Ash had continued moving through the ballroom‑realm unnoticed, as he awaited the pieces he’d set in motion to begin aligning exactly as he intended.

His focus narrowed onto two factions in particular: the Eternal Sins and the Infinite Weavers.

Both were significant for their own reasons.

The Infinite Weavers were the dominant faction of the Land of Weaving—its supposed architects, its rulers, and the quiet puppeteers.

And with a single glance, Ash could see straight through the protections of their masks and attire. The disguises of the people gathered were intricate, but nothing that could hide from him.

Much like the other factions, the Weavers mingled freely among the crowd.

Nothing unusual there... not to the naked eye at least. However, it was one detail that stood out—something the Eyes of First Dawn had already hinted at.

Both the Eternal Sins and the Infinite Weavers originated from the Third Dimension, and both held ties to the Higher Realm of this place.

That overlap alone made them worth watching.

Isa, in particular, was disguised as a waitress—moving from guest to guest, collecting information specifically on the Eternal Sins.

They were looking to form an alliance with the strongest faction from the Third Dimension.

None of this was Ash’s business.

Not technically.

But Ash was Ash. And he never passed up the chance to create a little chaos while furthering his own goals.

----

He moved with effortless grace, one hand resting lightly on the lower back of the woman in his arms, the other holding hers as they turned across the floor

She was a Nymera, a Titan and an Anvil Lord—tall, powerful, and carved from the kind of strength that made most beings instinctively step aside.

Her armor was gone for the night, replaced by a gown of deep crimson silk trimmed with black iron filigree that shimmered like forged metal with every movement.

Her obsidian half‑mask, shaped like a hammer and anvil, left her sharp jaw and glowing red eyes exposed.

Her dark hair was pinned up with silver pins, though a few strands had slipped free, brushing her neck as they danced.

Their steps were like a duel—silent, elegant, and edged.

Ash’s golden eyes, with their nine black rings turning slowly within, met hers as he leaned in slightly, voice low and teasing.

"Quite the gathering tonight, isn’t it?"

Nymera’s red eyes narrowed behind her mask as she tried to read the composition of his being, the strength of his aura—anything that might reveal who he was.

Yet... nothing happened.

She smiled—polite, guarded—her hand tightening just a fraction on his shoulder as she turned them both in a smooth circle.

"Is it? This is pretty normal after all," she replied, voice smooth despite her imposing physique. "Hmm, are you new to the Land of Weaving?"

Ash chuckled softly, guiding her into another turn, his hand at her back pressing just enough to keep her close.

"New? Yes, you could say that. Who would’ve thought my first night here would be a Ceremonial Ball?"

Ash was obviously going with the flow of things; it wasn’t by mistake that he was currently dancing with Nymera.

Like he’d said long ago, his word was his bond. And since he was already planning some chaos... why not start it off by keeping his word?

’Haha, that guy will probably shit himself afterwards,’ he thought as he decided to test how strong his Erosence would be against her.

She was not some Transcendent like Vane; no, she was an Infinite Weaver—much like Aphrodite and Persephone were.

Which effectively made her above Ash’s state of existence...

Well, it

should

have.

Though as he used it, her breath hitched for half a heartbeat, cheeks warming beneath the mask, but she recovered instantly, pushing back with her own trans‑concept.

Her eyes flashed with frustration she quickly masked.

’He’s clearly weaker than an Eight‑Dimensional Being... yet his power...’ she thought as she spoke aloud.

"You’re very... mysterious, aren’t you?" she said, voice light but probing. "You claim this is your first night here... yet it seems your power is nothing light."

Ash’s smile widened—enjoying the game.

"Oh? I like to think my power is a little more than ’light’..." He winked through his mask and added,

"Like... for example. Miss Anvil Lord. Are you heading anywhere interesting after the Masque?"

The woman’s steps faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered, spinning them both gracefully.

She leaned in closer, voice dropping. Instead of panicking... she did the exact opposite as a glint flashed through her eyes.

"Perhaps... I have some unfinished business."

"A certain rat has been hiding from my clan for far too long. Ah... don’t tell me you would be some kind of ally of this particular rat."

She fed Ash information while not saying much at all. If he was truly new to this dimension, then he wouldn’t know a thing about Vane.

Yet if he did... it meant one of two things. Either he was not new to this dimension at all—and she was truly unable to read the slightest thing about him.

Or he was actually in cahoots with Vane.

Ash’s golden eyes sparkled with quiet amusement.

"Sounds fun," he replied casually, guiding her into another smooth turn. "You know, I don’t have much experience with people escaping my hands."

Nymera raised a brow as he didn’t give the situation any attention at all.

She studied him for a long moment. However, before she could speak, Ash intentionally spun them both smoothly while using his Quantum Powers.

Vane, meanwhile, was sitting alone in the guest booth where Ash’s wives had last gathered.

They obviously wouldn’t just sit around waiting, but he in particular was too worried about bumping into an Anvil Lord.

So, when Ash spun them, he appeared not far from Vane... in fact, Nymera’s gaze fell directly on the man wearing a black mask and matching suit.

Normally she wouldn’t be able to see him...

’Creara, disable his concealment,’ he said internally before speaking to Elysia.

’And Elysia... would you mind writing into the codex for me?’

She rolled her eyes as she floated inside his mind, then began writing.

"And so, the fall of the Anvil Lords went unnoticed. The moment..."

"V... VANE?!"

Nymera exclaimed, her voice loud but drowned out by the music and noise around them.

Ash leaned in, his voice a teasing whisper against her ear.

"Ah... would you look at that?"

The music swelled around them as Nymera disengaged from Ash.

Vane himself looked as if he’d seen a ghost. His hands went to his face as if checking whether his mask had disappeared, realizing something was wrong...

He immediately tried to leave, but it was too late.

Nymera appeared in front of him as metal reformed around her, her hand already clenched around his throat.

"Damned rat."