Chapter 172: Dream or Reality?
Abyss was a quick learner. Through their numerous confrontations, he had discovered a significant flaw in the Lord of Nightmares’ abilities.
The Outer God couldn’t create dreams from nothing. To influence this world, he needed to anchor his power to something tangible—the minds of mortals.
Whether a single-person dream or a shared dream, it was always based on someone’s consciousness, its content influenced by their memories and perceptions.
And this time, for convenience and efficiency, the Lord of Nightmares had chosen Givia as the anchor for his dream. This was her dream.
He had made the same mistake again, his arrogance blinding him. He had assumed that Givia, although stronger than most mortals, was still vulnerable, that killing her in the dream would kill her in reality.
But he had underestimated her will.
Abyss had already revealed his true nature as a necromancer to Givia, along with the identities of his followers. She had been initially shocked, but she had quickly accepted it, her trust in Abyss unshaken.
He had also assured her that his necromancy could grant her a form of immortality, allowing her to pursue her goals without fearing death.
Therefore, even in the dream, believing she was dead, she hadn’t lost her fighting spirit. Her desire to protect her father had been so strong that she had continued fighting even after being decapitated, becoming a natural undead within the dream.
Abyss was amused. He hadn’t used any necromancy. It was Givia’s own willpower, her unwavering resolve, that had defied the Lord of Nightmares’ power.
Givia, after a moment of disorientation, had quickly recovered, checking on her father, while the dream realm around them reverted to normal.
The guards in the hall hadn’t even noticed the shift. From their perspective, the audience had panicked, then a fight had broken out on stage. The bishop had struck down Givia, then attacked the former king, but the princess had miraculously recovered, defeating the bishop.
“Everyone, remain calm!” Givia announced, after confirming her father’s safety, her voice clear and strong. “That was our enemy, the Lord of Nightmares, who manipulated Kevin and usurped our kingdom! He has been defeated! That was his last desperate attack! The coronation ceremony will continue!”
“I hereby declare that the coronation ceremony will proceed!” the former king announced, his voice echoing through the hall, his initial fear quickly replaced by a regal composure.
The bishop, his memories of being controlled now fading, scrambled to his feet, adjusting his robes. He was a high-ranking Church official, after all. He couldn’t afford to appear disheveled, even after such a chaotic event.
The nobles, still shaken, turned their attention back to the ceremony, whispering among themselves, relieved that they hadn’t succumbed to madness.
The rake, the source of the chaos, had vanished, as if it had never existed.
“That was a surprise attack. Good thing Abyss anticipated it and had my ‘east wind’ ready, prepared to dispel the dream and neutralize the Shadowlings with Rebecca’s potion,” Leona said, scratching her head. “So, the Lord of Nightmares has another artifact? But where did it go?”
After announcing the continuation of the ceremony, Givia whispered instructions to a nearby guard, who hurried away. She then glanced at Abyss and his companions, signaling that she had taken precautions. She had clearly ordered the guards to seal the palace, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. The rake’s disappearance was unsettling.
“There must be another follower of the Lord of Nightmares among us,” Abyss said, frowning. “Are we truly in the real world? How could someone bring an artifact into the palace, present it on stage, then remove it without being detected?”
“You’re suggesting someone is using a disguise?” Rebecca asked, understanding his implication.
“Yes, I believe someone is using the Lord of Nightmares’ power to conceal their true identity, even bypassing Flora’s Soul Chains,” Abyss said, his brow furrowed in thought.
“I’m sorry…” Flora said, her voice filled with guilt.
“It’s not your fault, Flora. The Lord of Nightmares must have used some kind of trick…” Abyss said, then chanted a spell, his fingertips extending sharp bone claws. He began carving something onto his arm.
“What are you doing?” Leona asked, alarmed. “Don’t hurt yourself!”
“It’s not self-harm,” Abyss said, continuing to carve, the runes forming words and sentences, the wounds deep but bloodless, thanks to his necromancy.
Rebecca and Flora, equally puzzled, watched him, their concern evident.
“Givia’s willpower, her ability to influence the dream, gave me an idea…” Abyss said, the inscription on his arm growing longer, its message becoming clearer.
The three girls looked at the runes, their meaning becoming apparent.
“The Lord of Nightmares’ illusion must be based on my mind, or perhaps I’m not even in the real world. So, what if I had no memories?” he asked, a smile spreading across his face. “One can only dream of what they remember. There are no exceptions.”
“You’re planning to…” Rebecca asked, her voice filled with surprise.
Abyss didn’t reply. He placed a finger on his forehead and began chanting…
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