Chapter 80: Special Resurrection Techniques
“Huh?” Flora blushed. “I wasn’t conscious back then… I didn’t do anything strange, did I? Like biting you?”
“No, I only awakened your subconscious mind, allowing you to follow my instructions,” Abyss explained. “My necromancy is different from traditional methods. It’s modified. Resurrecting you as high-ranking undead—a higher rank than usual—requires two steps. First, I awaken your body, restoring its functions. Then, I recall your soul, allowing you to regain consciousness with your memories and personality intact.”
“Sounds impressive,” Leona said, sitting on Abyss’s bed, her mouth full of roasted goose, looking at him with curiosity. “Wouldn’t it be easier to make us more obedient if you didn’t restore our personalities?”
“Perhaps, but I wouldn’t want that. What’s the point of having mindless followers?” Abyss shrugged. “If your loyalty was forced, I wouldn’t value it.”
Flora understood, but she didn’t say anything. Abyss didn’t just need their loyalty. He craved companionship. If they were merely puppets, he wouldn’t find true happiness.
His decision to preserve their free will stemmed from his confidence. He believed he could earn their loyalty through genuine connection.
And he had succeeded. He had earned Flora and Leona’s trust. Rebecca might need more time, but Flora was confident she would eventually entrust herself to him—although she didn’t want him to actually marry Rebecca.
“Hmph, that’s quite chivalrous of you. I’ll graciously commend you for that,” Leona said, taking another bite of the goose, grease staining her cheek.
“As for what you did when you first awakened…” Abyss said, thinking. “Nothing unusual, actually. You were quite docile. You were just physically weak. I intended to help you walk, but your knees were too stiff, so I carried you out of the tomb.”
He didn’t realize that this act of kindness was the reason Haina was so terrified of him—what normal girl wouldn’t be scared of a man who seemed to have a peculiar fondness for corpses?
“You carried Flora?!” Leona exclaimed, then remembered that Abyss had done something even more “inappropriate” to her—he had lain on top of her when she first awakened. She blushed and fell silent.
Flora, her cheeks slightly pink, smiled gently at Abyss. “I understand. They’ll be here tonight, right? Are you planning to clear up the misunderstanding?”
“Yes, it’s time to address this,” Abyss said, nodding. He retrieved a paper bag filled with pastries from his magical catfish and handed it to Flora. “This Haina and Captain Alva are loyal and courageous. I admire that. Share these pastries with Rebecca later. We should meet with them tonight.”
Flora sniffed the sweet aroma emanating from the bag, realizing it contained pastries. She had thought she was the only one who had noticed Rebecca’s fondness for sweets. It seemed Abyss had noticed as well.
She smiled wryly. Abyss was a walking contradiction. He could be incredibly oblivious to emotions, yet surprisingly attentive to details, his kindness genuine.
If he could overcome his emotional obliviousness, combined with his calm and collected demeanor, he would be irresistible to any girl. Like Leona’s ancestor, Star, a notorious womanizer, who had become an idol for the Western Empire’s playboys.
…
“Rebecca, I brought you some pastries from Abyss!” Flora said, entering Rebecca’s room, holding the paper bag.
Rebecca hadn’t closed her door. She was sitting at a table by the window, studying a manuscript. She looked up, her eyes lighting up as she saw Flora.
“Thank you!” she exclaimed, setting aside the manuscript and taking a frosted cupcake from the bag, taking a bite. “How did you know I love sweets?”
“You revealed your preference during our meals in Lavoisier City,” Flora said, smiling, placing the bag on the table. “Your expression changed whenever you ate something sweet, as if it brought you pure joy. I remembered—but these pastries are from Abyss. He noticed too.”
“Really? That’s so sweet!” Rebecca said, her eyes sparkling with delight, as she held the cupcake in both hands. “I wish Abyss was always this thoughtful!”
“If he were always this thoughtful, he wouldn’t be Abyss,” Flora said, chuckling, glancing towards his room. “He’s strangely oblivious in some ways.”
“Heehee, you’re right!” Rebecca giggled, nodding in agreement. She picked up the manuscript, smoothing it out, continuing to read while enjoying her pastries.
“What are you working on?” Flora asked, curious about the great inventor’s current project.
“I’m analyzing that ancient potion formula from the Alchemy Club. I’ve removed a few unnecessary ingredients and I’m planning to modify it. I have a very, very bold idea for this potion,” Rebecca said, looking up at Flora. Her multitasking abilities were impressive.
“The potion that can store Divine Grace?” Flora asked, glancing at the manuscript, its contents beyond her understanding. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Oh, not really. Research is a solitary pursuit… Wait, I do need your help with something.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“I need your underwear.”
“Hmm… Excuse me?”
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