Chapter 123: The Outer God’s Messenger
The potion released by the undead aphids rained down, its vapors spreading throughout the seventeen gardens and the Ossi Kingdom palace.
Although diluted, the potion retained its effectiveness against the Lord of Nightmares’ creations. The mutated trees, regardless of their location, reverted to their original forms.
The potion, infused with divine power, acted like a weakened version of Flora’s Holy Light spell, purging the Lord of Nightmares’ taint from Hai-Teweru. Abyss wasn’t concerned about its effectiveness. Even a weakened Flora was still more powerful than most Divine Arts users on the continent.
Rebecca’s inspiration had flowed freely since acquiring that ancient formula. And her strengthened bond with Abyss had allowed her to shed her remaining inhibitions, unleashing her true potential.
Only after witnessing her unrestrained creativity did Abyss realize how bold this seemingly rational and cautious alchemist truly was. Like him, as long as innocent lives weren’t at stake, she didn’t care about the Nine Gods’ opinions.
They had spent that day in the laboratory, brainstorming and experimenting. Rebecca had devised the plan to use undead aphids as carriers for the potion, dispersing it across the kingdom. And this was just one of her many experiments that day.
Abyss had even wondered if the Nine Gods would summon him for a reprimand while he was infusing those potions with divine power. He had sensed their hesitation, but he had ultimately received the power he needed.
His judgment had been correct. The Nine Gods needed his help. As long as his actions didn’t disrupt the balance of the world, they would reluctantly provide their assistance.
Abyss had no desire to befriend these deities. If he succeeded in defeating the Creator God, the Nine Gods would have two choices: obey him or face the consequences.
He wasn’t opposed to exploiting them, as long as it didn’t lead to a direct confrontation.
With the Lord of Nightmares’ “factories” destroyed, his next step was to eliminate the existing Shadowlings.
Baron Shoko had been spared a beating, not just because he was covered in the foul-smelling residue of his fear, but also because Abyss had achieved his objectives. The terrified and now powerless noble had agreed to abandon his loyalty to Kevin, relinquish his estate, and leave with his family.
He didn’t care about his ancestral title or the sacrifices his ancestors had made to earn it. Abyss’s generosity, allowing him to take his family and enough money for basic necessities, had filled him with gratitude.
Under Abyss and Flora’s supervision, acting on behalf of Givia, the locals had seized the baron’s estate, claiming it for the princess. They had shown restraint, not harming the baron or his family, although some children had spat on them.
Throughout the afternoon, Abyss and Flora had visited the other sixteen nobles who supported Kevin, driving them from their estates and claiming their lands for Givia. By the time they finished, the moon hung high in the sky.
“Flora, let’s return to Givia,” Abyss said, smiling, extending his hand towards her.
Flora, besides acting as his protector, had also served as a healer that day. Most of the nobles, fearing repercussions from Kevin, had abused their servants who supported Givia. While Abyss dealt with the nobles, Flora had been healing the injured and comforting the terrified victims.
“Alright,” Flora replied, smiling, placing her hand in his.
“Wait.”
A voice interrupted them just as Abyss was about to transport them to the Shadow Realm.
They turned, Flora’s expression a mixture of surprise and annoyance. Who would interrupt them at this hour?
“Oh my,” Abyss said, chuckling, as he saw the figure before them. It wasn’t human, but a Shadowling.
He recognized it instantly because of the gaping hole in its face, revealing the white bone beneath. Only its mouth remained intact, its voice echoing from the empty cavity.
Rebecca’s potion was still lingering in the air, causing the Shadowling’s body to dissolve, its head melting, a gruesome mixture of blood and fat dripping onto the ground, seeping into the soil.
“Abyss, you think you’ve cornered me? You think I have no other options?”
Before Abyss could ask what it wanted, the Shadowling spoke, its voice now replaced by the Lord of Nightmares’ androgynous tone.
“You have truly angered me, Abyss Belator. I will set aside my other plans and focus on tormenting you! Even death won’t release you from my grasp! You filthy scum, you reeking corpse, you will pay for disrupting my plans!”
“With all due respect, you sound as impotent as a rock troll’s brain,” Abyss said, chuckling. “If I hadn’t truly cornered you, you wouldn’t be so desperate.”
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