Chapter 233: Abyss is Injured
Compared to the Lord of Nightmares’ Shadowlings, Rebecca’s alchemical golems, incorporating various advanced technologies, possessed several unique advantages.
Firstly, they could perfectly mimic living beings, including heartbeat, pulse, body temperature, and breathing. And since they were created using divine power borrowed from Flora, no magic could reveal their true nature—their primary components were water and various herbs.
Abyss had sensed the Nine Gods’ hesitation during their initial attempt to create these golems. They were surprised by Rebecca’s audacity. If she had given them souls, she would have crossed into the realm of artificial life, a domain even the gods dared not touch. Only the Creator God possessed the authority to create life.
But the Nine Gods had ultimately agreed, lending their power to Abyss and Rebecca, allowing them to complete their experiment. The subsequent golems were created by Rebecca with Flora’s assistance, her divine power purer and far more potent than Abyss’s, resulting in incredibly realistic golems, indistinguishable from living beings. And Abyss’s knowledge of the Corpse Puppetry school of necromancy had provided Rebecca with the inspiration for controlling these golems.
These golems had other potential applications, but those involved Rebecca’s past as an adult novelty inventor, a topic she wasn’t ready to discuss—too embarrassing.
“You’ve helped me so much. I don’t know how to repay you,” Givia said, having changed back into her own clothes. Since they were all women, there was no need for modesty. She wiped away the sweat, her regal composure returning. “The Restoration Army is about to march on the Ossi Kingdom. Please join our victory celebration when the time comes.”
“You seem confident, Your Highness. Don’t worry. We’ll handle the Lord of Nightmares,” Rebecca said, nodding, her heart filled with admiration for Givia’s newfound strength.
Givia was no longer afraid. She had confronted her past, her guilt and her fear replaced by a resolute determination. As the leader of the Restoration Army, the future of her kingdom resting on her shoulders, she had found her purpose. The Lord of Nightmares would gain nothing from her now. She, like Abyss and his companions, possessed the courage to face any enemy.
“The Restoration Army will prevail. We are the future of Ossi. We will write our own history,” Givia said, her voice firm. “Now, I must finalize our plans for the invasion. The time is right. And those three followers of the Lord of Nightmares you captured have been transported to your location. Do as you see fit with them. Those who serve an Outer God are no longer my people. I have no sympathy for them.”
The three traitors, transformed into stone by Rebecca’s potion, were now immobile and harmless. And with Abyss likely present at the guesthouse, the girls weren’t concerned about any potential complications. They would interrogate them later.
“Please, Your Highness, attend to your duties. And remember to rest. You can finally enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. Don’t waste this opportunity,” Rebecca said, curtseying politely, then, along with Leona and Flora, led the now-inert golem out of the room. They hadn’t seen Abyss in over a day and wanted to discuss Apos Kohler’s attack. Abyss had informed them through their telepathic link, but they hadn’t heard the details.
…
Upon returning to the guesthouse, they were greeted by Cassandra.
She was no longer wearing her usual concealing attire. Her scarf was gone. She had been fully restored.
The burn scars that had covered half her body had been removed with Rebecca’s potions, replaced by new, healthy skin. Her disfigured face had regained its beauty. Rebecca, wanting her to look natural, had even added a few wrinkles—she hadn’t removed the wrinkles from the uninjured side of her face because Cassandra didn’t want to appear too young. She believed the marks of time weren’t a bad thing.
And her missing arm had been replaced. Rebecca had created a new arm using alchemy, crafting artificial bones and muscles, then covering it with lifelike skin. The new arm, although lacking sensation, was fully functional, its movements fluid and natural. Cassandra, who knew some magic, could control it effortlessly.
Cassandra was whole again. After years of disability, she appreciated her newfound wholeness. Now capable of working, she had been assisting Haina and the Restoration Army, keeping herself busy.
“Mrs. Cassandra, you’re here,” Flora said, smiling, curtseying politely. “Her Highness has returned to headquarters.”
“I know,” Cassandra said, nodding. “She must be busy preparing for the invasion. I won’t disturb her. I was helping out at the camp, carrying supplies. I just saw Haina off. She’s still there. I was chatting with Mr. Abyss, and I’m about to leave.”
“Is Abyss here?” Leona asked.
“He’s in his room, reading. He said he was waiting for you,” Cassandra replied. “He was injured during his last mission. It doesn’t seem serious, but he said he wanted to inform you about something.”
The three girls were puzzled. Abyss, with his regenerative abilities, could quickly recover from any non-fatal injury. What could be so important that he needed to inform them personally?
Leona’s heart sank. Had Abyss lost something vital during his fight with that eunuch? Something irreplaceable? It was possible! After all, Apos was a eunuch himself!
She bowed to Cassandra and rushed towards Abyss’s room. “I’ll go check on Abyss!”
“We’ll join you. Thank you for your hard work, Mrs. Cassandra. Goodbye,” Flora said, and they followed Leona.
As they entered Abyss’s room, they saw him sitting in a chair, dressed in new clothes, his expression miserable, holding up a pile of tattered cloth.
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