Category: This Necromancer Wants to Capture the Hearts of Deceased Beautiful Girls

Chapter 150: Givia’s Coronation

News of the Restoration Army’s complete victory spread quickly throughout the Ossi Kingdom, carried by swift carrier pigeons. The people rejoiced, praising Princess Givia’s courage and determination. News of her upcoming coronation also reached the noble families.

The coronation had been scheduled long ago, for the day after the kingdom’s liberation. The invited nobles (excluding those who had sided with Kevin) had already gathered in the capital. Hearing the news, they flocked to the palace, offering their congratulations and preparing lavish gifts for their new queen, hoping to curry favor with her.

After informing Abyss and his companions, Givia returned to the palace. Although the royal staff had made all the necessary preparations, she still had much to do: memorize the names of the invited nobles, prepare a speech that would appeal to both the nobility and the commoners, and attend to countless other details.

Abyss, never one to be outdone in generosity, retrieved a priceless ancient sword from his treasure hoard. Although it was a burial artifact, its origins were unknown, its value evident in its age and craftsmanship.

The night passed peacefully. Abyss had set up a network of defenses around the palace, and with Rebecca’s help, implemented a detection system. Any follower of the Lord of Nightmares who dared to approach would be swiftly apprehended.

His only concern was Kohler. Although he had tried to sow discord between Kohler and the Lord of Nightmares, he couldn’t be sure if Kohler had abandoned his loyalty to the Outer God.

And Kohler had clearly grown stronger since their last encounter. Abyss couldn’t gauge his current power level. All he could do was maintain vigilance. The coronation was set for the next day. He couldn’t ask them to postpone it until he had dealt with the Lord of Nightmares. That would be pointless. Kohler could attack at any time.

Abyss had taken every precaution he could think of. The rest was up to fate.

…

The coronation ceremony was about to begin. The palace square was filled with nobles, and a few representatives of the commoners sat in the back rows, honored to witness this historic event.

The palace, decorated for the occasion, was a sight to behold. Banners fluttered from the rooftops, flower baskets overflowing with blooms from across the kingdom adorned every corner, and armored soldiers stood at attention.

The nobles, high-ranking mages, and Dou Warriors chatted amongst themselves, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the key figures.

At noon, the palace clock tower chimed, and silence fell upon the square. It was time.

The royal orchestra began playing ceremonial music, and the frail former king, supported by his guards, emerged from the palace. The crowd rose to their feet, removing their hats, paying their respects to the retiring monarch. Although he had lost his kingdom to Kevin, he was still their rightful king.

He slowly walked towards the throne and sat down, the golden crown placed upon his head, the signet ring on his finger. The Ossi Kingdom’s scepter, unlike those of other nations, was massive, weighing over ten kilograms. The former king, too weak to hold it, relinquished it to General Santos, who stood beside him.

These royal regalia had been worn by Kevin, but since he had been reduced to nothingness by Rebecca and Flora, they had been recovered.

The music stopped as the former king settled on his throne.

The soldiers began singing a powerful anthem, their voices unaccompanied by instruments, their song echoing through the square.

As they sang, the palace doors opened again, and Givia, dressed in battle armor, strode forth. She wore a short bow on her back, a scimitar at her waist, and simple, yet imposing, plate armor. This was the traditional attire for an Ossi coronation, not a ceremonial robe, but the garb of a warrior.

Behind her walked her Royal Guard, now reduced to just two members, Alva and Haina, their heads held high.

The crowd applauded, welcoming their new queen.

Givia walked towards her father and knelt before him.

There was no master of ceremonies, no spoken words exchanged between them. The ritual unfolded in perfect silence.

The former king drew a small knife and sliced his palm. A waiting knight presented a skull-shaped bowl, catching the blood. A healer mage quickly closed the wound.

Givia took the bowl, her gaze meeting her father’s, then raised it to her lips, drinking the blood in a single gulp.

This act, the new ruler consuming the former ruler’s blood, symbolized the transfer of power, the inheritance of the Ossi kings’ legacy.

The former king gently stroked his daughter’s hair, its luster dulled by stress and fatigue, then removed his crown and placed it upon her head. He then removed his signet ring and placed it on her finger.

General Santos knelt, offering her the scepter.

Givia took the scepter, using it to stand up, then struck the ground with its base, the sound echoing through the square.

A eunuch announced, “The transfer of power is complete! Long live Queen Givia!”

Everyone knelt, pledging their loyalty.

Abyss and his companions, as foreign guests of honor, weren’t required to kneel. They bowed their heads respectfully.

But as Abyss bowed, he sensed something amiss.

He looked up, his eyes meeting a cold, familiar gaze.

“Kohler!”

Chapter 149: The Final Victory

Abyss and his companions, as honored allies of the Ossi Kingdom, were staying at the capital’s finest guesthouse. Unlike the modest accommodations in Shodo Town, this guesthouse rivaled the luxurious inns of the Western Empire.

Leona was living her dream, enjoying gourmet meals provided by the royal family, sleeping in a massive bed, and indulging in daily hot baths filled with flower petals and fragrant oils. It was paradise.

Flora and Rebecca were also content.

Flora had taken over the household chores, leaving the guesthouse staff with nothing to do. She had been learning new skills, cooking, cleaning, sewing, and more. Although her Divine Arts could simplify these tasks, she enjoyed the process. These were skills she hadn’t been allowed to learn as a Saint. As a servant of the Nine Gods, her duty was to serve the divine, not to perform mundane chores.

Rebecca spent her days in her laboratory, happily inventing all sorts of gadgets. The discovery of the Divine Grace-storing potion at the Lavoisier City Alchemy Club, and the Nine Gods’ tacit approval of their experiments with divine power, had sparked a wave of inspiration, resulting in a flurry of inventions, both useful and whimsical.

Abyss, however, hadn’t been as relaxed as his followers. He was waiting for the Lord of Nightmares’ retaliation, knowing that the proud Outer God wouldn’t accept defeat so easily. He had to be prepared, even though he didn’t know what form the Outer God’s revenge would take.

Thus, the following scene unfolded: Abyss sat at a table in their guesthouse room, writing in his Outer God notebook, pausing occasionally to think; Leona sat on the table, munching on a pear, watching him write about the Lord of Submergence; Flora busied herself smoothing the wrinkles on the bedsheets, which Leona had ruffled earlier; and a door stood in a corner of the room, Rebecca inside, having spent an entire day in her laboratory, which, thanks to its altered time flow, meant she had been working for days, although, as an undead, she didn’t experience fatigue.

Leona, mid-bite, suddenly perked up. “ABC, Givia’s here,” she announced.

“Givia?” Abyss blinked. “If I’m not mistaken, there must be news from the front lines.”

Soon, hurried footsteps approached the door. Abyss used magic to open it, revealing Givia’s beaming face.

“Mr. Abyss! We’ve done it!” she exclaimed, rushing inside, placing a short letter on the table for him to read. “The Restoration Army has reclaimed the last of our territory! We’ve finally liberated our kingdom from Kevin!”

“Wow! Congratulations, Givia!” Leona shouted, jumping off the table and clapping her hands excitedly.

“Congratulations, Givia! Your hard work has finally paid off!” Flora said, smiling.

Abyss nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. His efforts, although seemingly minor, had contributed to Givia’s success. The restored unity of the Ossi Kingdom was partly due to his actions.

“Congratulations, Givia. So, you’ll be crowned queen soon,” he said.

“Yes,” Givia replied, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of nervousness. “I didn’t expect my father to abdicate so readily, but I’m ready. My coronation is tomorrow. Please join us. I’ve reserved the best seats for you!”

“May you lead your people to prosperity, and may the Ossi Kingdom never be bullied again,” Abyss said, smiling.

“Thank you!” Givia said, her voice filled with gratitude. “When I’m queen, I’ll ensure everyone lives a better life. Everyone will have enough to eat, those who work hard will prosper, and those who serve our kingdom will be rewarded.”

Her dream wasn’t naive, but practical. The Ossi Kingdom was poor. Many were still starving, their hard work unrewarded, their loyalty to their kingdom unrecognized. These were the problems she had to address.

“Givia’s here?” Rebecca asked, poking her head out of the Anywhere Door. She had been following their conversation through Abyss’s telepathic link. She stepped out of the laboratory.

“Miss Rebecca, the Restoration Army has succeeded!” Givia announced.

“Really?” Rebecca asked, her eyes lighting up. “So peace has returned to the Ossi Kingdom?”

“Yes! We’re preparing to reward our supporters. The assets of the traitorous nobles have been seized. We’ll use a portion of that to compensate those who supported us, and another portion to provide for the families of our fallen soldiers—even those who weren’t part of the Restoration Army. The rest will be invested in rebuilding our kingdom, improving the lives of our people,” Givia explained.

“That’s wonderful!” Rebecca said, approaching her. “You must be a good queen, Givia.”

“With the help of legendary heroes like you, victory was inevitable,” Givia said, her smile radiant. “Now it’s my turn to help you—I’ll make my people happy, so that fear-mongering monster, the Lord of Nightmares, will never threaten Ossi again!”

Givia was basking in the glow of victory. Despite her strength and her resolve, she was still a young woman in her early twenties. Most noblewomen her age were still preoccupied with finding a suitable husband, attending tea parties, and playing cards. Having overcome so many hardships, she could finally relax, her usual frown replaced by a carefree smile, her eyes sparkling with joy. She was about to achieve the pinnacle of her life, her coronation as queen.

And the Ossi Kingdom was about to welcome their new ruler, Queen Givia!

Chapter 148: The Restoration

Flora’s melodious chanting quickly took effect.

Through the senses of his undead insects, Abyss saw countless golden rays of light emanating from the mouths of the Lord of Nightmares’ followers, like zippers closing from left to right, silencing them instantly. It was the Silence spell, the same one Flora had used against Bishop Dallan, rendering the powerful mage speechless.

Now, even their silent prayers were disrupted. This spell was particularly effective against mages, and even more so against Divine Arts users like these followers, who lacked sufficient divine favor to resist Flora’s power.

The followers across the kingdom fell silent, unable to utter a word until Flora released the spell. Divine incantations required spoken words, not written ones. This effectively prevented them from using their powers collectively.

Abyss, seeing the silenced followers, opened his eyes, looking at Flora.

“It’s done,” she said, exhaling softly, a warm smile on her face.

“Excellent. Now the Lord of Nightmares can’t use his followers to gather power through their prayers,” Abyss said, smiling, patting Flora’s knee, making her blush. “Your Divine Arts are truly unmatched. We’ve cut off all his escape routes. His only options now are to surrender… or to fight to the death. But an Outer God’s instinct is survival. I wonder what he’ll choose. We’ll soon find out.”

“What’s next?” Leona asked cheerfully. “Can we have a feast after the battle is over?”

“Of course,” Abyss said, relaxing, leaning back against the carriage seat. “As long as the Lord of Nightmares doesn’t have any other tricks up his sleeve. Remember, Leona, those followers Flora silenced might not be all of them. I might have missed a few. Although he can’t use them to gather power quickly, he can still use them to attack us. And the artifact is still out there, and Kohler’s whereabouts are unknown.”

“Ah… That’s still troublesome,” Leona said, groaning, covering her head with her hands.

“But at least we’re not constantly under threat anymore, are we? The Lord of Nightmares can only use his pitiful followers to annoy us now. He can’t cause any real damage,” Rebecca said, smiling.

“Exactly, Leona. You can relax a bit… Here, have this. I think you need something to improve your mood.”

Abyss summoned his magical catfish, retrieved a roasted chicken, still warm and fragrant, and tossed it to Leona.

Leona’s eyes lit up at the sight of the food. She caught it, tearing off a leg and happily munching on it, offering the wings to Flora and Rebecca, then giving the parson’s nose to Abyss.

…

Abyss and his companions didn’t participate in the Restoration Army’s battles, not because they were indifferent, but because this was the Ossi people’s fight. Their direct involvement would diminish Givia’s accomplishments and potentially affect her future authority. Abyss didn’t want to create instability or give the Lord of Nightmares an opportunity to regain his influence.

Givia had never requested their help. She knew that their assistance was a gesture of goodwill, not an obligation. Years of hardship had taught her valuable lessons, including the importance of not taking their support for granted.

The Restoration Army’s campaign progressed smoothly after Abyss had shattered the surrenderist nobles’ confidence. And the followers of the Lord of Nightmares, silenced by Flora’s spell, were easily identified. Givia, exploiting their inability to speak, had issued a nationwide alert, instructing her people to detain anyone who had suddenly become mute. It had been incredibly effective.

The Restoration Army’s momentum grew, their victories snowballing. The surrenderist nobles, realizing their cause was lost, their wealth and their power slipping away, either surrendered or fled the country. But few managed to escape—those who did had wisely abandoned their possessions, traveling light.

Many towns were easily captured. Some even raised Givia’s banners before the Restoration Army arrived, declaring their loyalty to the former king and his daughter.

It was a swift and decisive campaign, the Restoration Army absorbing the surrendered troops, their ranks swelling. And wherever Givia went, she was greeted by cheering crowds, their support exceeding even that of her father, who had ruled for decades.

Givia didn’t disappoint them. She promised economic reforms that would benefit the people, focusing on the nobility, a top-down approach, but still beneficial to the commoners. Both nobles and commoners supported her cause.

And her most popular promise, of course, was to nullify the unequal treaty Kevin had signed with the Western Empire. She swore a solemn oath before her army and the Nine Gods, pledging to protect the Ossi Kingdom’s interests.

The Restoration Army marched onward, their victories unimpeded. Within ten days, Givia had led them from Oakning to the Ossi Kingdom’s capital, Ossi City.

She entered the palace without resistance, welcomed by officials, soldiers, and servants. She pardoned those who had served Kevin, then finally met her father, his health recovering, but his spirit weary.

The former king, seeing his daughter’s transformation into a strong and capable leader, and considering his own failing health, issued a royal decree.

Effective immediately, he abdicated the throne, naming Givia his successor. Prince Kevin, branded a traitor, was now a wanted man. Givia was the rightful ruler of the Ossi Kingdom. Her coronation would take place after the kingdom was fully restored!

Chapter 147: It’s All About Prediction

Upon returning to the Restoration Army’s base, Abyss and his companions immediately went to Givia’s location—the governor’s mansion. The guards, having received her instructions, allowed them to enter without question.

As expected, Givia was awake, sitting on her bed, waiting for them. Since the attack had occurred within a dream realm, and the attacker was dead, there was no damage to the room, only a headless corpse clutching a shovel lying near the wall. Givia’s expression was still filled with a lingering fear.

“Givia, are you alright?” Flora asked, her voice filled with concern.

She knew Givia was physically unharmed, thanks to Abyss’s surveillance. But she wasn’t sure about her mental state. An attack by a follower of the Lord of Nightmares wielding an artifact was no laughing matter.

“I’m fine. I defeated the attacker in two moves. He was careless,” Givia said, nodding, but her voice still trembled slightly. “Fortunately, he underestimated me. If he had been more cautious, I might have been in danger.”

“We apologize for not being there to protect you, Givia. We’re glad you’re safe,” Rebecca said.

“Mr. Abyss warned me about their methods,” Givia said, waving her hand dismissively. “There’s no need to apologize. The enemy seems to be able to choose their targets for these dream attacks. Even if you had been here, I would have had to face him alone. The items Mr. Abyss and Miss Rebecca provided were incredibly useful. I wouldn’t have survived without them. I was just a bit shaken. Seeing you all has calmed my nerves… Perhaps you should examine the body and that shovel he was holding. It must be one of the Lord of Nightmares’ artifacts.”

They turned their attention to the corpse on the floor.

It hadn’t stiffened yet. There was no blood, its skin pale, suggesting significant blood loss.

“He’s likely dead, but I didn’t want to risk touching him, in case he was faking it, or if the artifact still held some power,” Givia explained, turning to Abyss. “Mr. Abyss, your knowledge of Outer Gods is far greater than mine. I’ll leave this to you.”

“You did the right thing. It was a wise decision,” Abyss said, nodding in approval. “It seems you didn’t inform anyone in the Restoration Army?”

“They shouldn’t be involved in this,” Givia said, sighing. “I don’t want my people to bear this burden. I’ll handle it myself.”

“Indeed. They wouldn’t be able to help, and their involvement could lead to complications. You’ve had a rough night, Givia. Go and rest in Ray’s alchemy laboratory. It’s safe there. You can recover. It’s almost dawn. You can finally get a good night’s sleep,” Abyss said, summoning Rebecca’s Anywhere Door.

Givia, familiar with this magical artifact, nodded gratefully, stepping towards the door.

“Oh, right, Givia, before you go, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s not pleasant news,” Abyss said suddenly, stopping her. “But it’s important for our future cooperation.”

“What is it? Tell me anything. You’re all my benefactors. I can handle any unpleasant news,” Givia said, her curiosity piqued.

“Alright, then…”

…

The next morning, after a restful night’s sleep, Givia resumed her duties, leading the Restoration Army towards their next target. A garrison was left behind in the captured town, and a new governor was appointed.

As for the elder who had died in the governor’s mansion, his late-night excursion had been a secret. No one, except for Givia, knew where he had gone. They assumed he was missing. Abyss had disposed of his body, and the artifact he had been wielding was now in Abyss’s possession.

Of course, he couldn’t touch it directly. The Lord of Nightmares’ influence was partially channeled through these artifacts. Abyss wouldn’t be so foolish as to expose himself to such a risk. Rebecca had solved this problem. She retrieved a vial from her laboratory, its contents unknown, and, using magic, poured the liquid onto the shovel from a safe distance. The viscous, slime-like substance coated the artifact, neutralizing its dangerous properties.

This potion, based on the same principles as the one used to contain the divine power extracted from the mutated apple trees, had been developed in Rebecca’s laboratory during her private sessions with Abyss. She had anticipated acquiring artifacts and had prepared accordingly.

Abyss hadn’t had time to study the artifact yet. He stored the neutralized shovel inside his magical catfish’s belly, then, along with the three girls, sat inside Givia’s carriage, waiting.

He was waiting for the Lord of Nightmares’ followers to act.

He knew that after their successful deception, after the fake message from “Kevin” that had shattered the surrenderist nobles’ morale, the Lord of Nightmares’ influence in the Ossi Kingdom had been severely weakened. But this proud Outer God wouldn’t give up so easily. He would surely retaliate, and his most readily available resource was his network of human followers.

Abyss was certain he would instruct them to do something.

And now, Abyss’s spies, his network of undead insects, were watching every corner of the Ossi Kingdom, their attention focused on those he suspected of being the Outer God’s followers.

The world was teeming with insects, and the number of dead insects was even greater. Abyss had an endless supply of corpses to reanimate. He had deployed his entire stock of undead insects, their senses relaying information to him, giving him a comprehensive view of the kingdom’s activities.

At midday, as the Restoration Army engaged a demoralized enemy force, Abyss finally noticed something unusual.

Several individuals, scattered throughout the kingdom, were chanting in unison, their eyes vacant, their voices slurred, their hands raised towards the sky, as if in prayer.

“Flora, now!” Abyss said, turning to Flora, who was sitting beside him.

Flora, without a word, began chanting a prayer, her voice masked by the sounds of battle.

Chapter 146: Cutting Off the Supply Lines

The darkness surrounding Abyss and Leona vanished, and Kohler disappeared.

Abyss sighed, his expression still calm. He casually dismissed the alchemical golems of Leona and Flora, keeping only Rebecca’s—she seemed to have something to say.

“Abyss, you’re alright!” the golem, controlled by Rebecca, exclaimed. “I saw you frozen in place, but Kohler was gone. And Leona suddenly appeared. Was that the dream realm created by his artifact? I tried to approach you, but it felt like the distance between us was infinite.”

“That must be the power granted by the Lord of Nightmares,” Abyss said, nodding. “Thank you for observing my predicament. It satisfied my curiosity—how did things go on your end?”

“Hmph, that Kevin was already a puddle of goo. I dissolved him without any effort. The surrenderist nobles are in for a big surprise tonight,” Rebecca said, her voice filled with satisfaction.

“Good. Be careful,” Abyss said, nodding, then dismissed her golem. Communicating through the necromantic link was more convenient than using golems.

Leona stood beside him, waiting.

Abyss, acknowledging her successful defense, reached out and stroked her head, his touch gentle and thorough, a reward for her efforts. Leona almost purred, but she maintained her composure, her pride as a princess preventing her from showing such weakness.

“Thank you, Leona. Your skills are truly invaluable,” he said.

“Hmph, of course. Who do you think I am?” Leona replied, her eyebrows twitching slightly at his touch, but her expression remained serious, her knightly demeanor unwavering.

“Let’s go. Rebecca and Flora are here,” Abyss said, turning around. Two small rats were scurrying towards them.

…

Kohler arrived at the palace hall. The royal mage, following Kevin’s orders, had already sent messages to the surrenderist nobles via carrier pigeons.

The Ossi Kingdom was small. The pigeons would reach their destinations soon. Kohler was too late.

“Kevin,” sitting on the throne, glanced at him, his expression unreadable. But Kohler could see in his eyes that this wasn’t the real Kevin. This imposter seemed… softer, more human.

“Damn it! What did you send to those nobles?!” Kohler shouted, grabbing the mage by the collar, his voice sharp and shrill.

“There’s no need to be rough with him. I’ll tell you what I sent,” “Kevin” said, his voice identical to the real Kevin’s, but his tone different, almost… girlish.

“You’re Rebecca?” Kohler asked, tossing the mage aside like a rag doll. The mage, his body slamming against the door, didn’t dare cry out, scrambling to his feet and fleeing.

“Kevin” didn’t answer. “I informed those nobles that the current situation isn’t favorable for me. I’m planning to escape. If any of them wish to join me, they should come quickly.”

Kohler was furious. If he hadn’t been at the palace, perhaps the Lord of Nightmares wouldn’t blame him. But he had been lured away by Abyss’s diversion, allowing the imposter to send that message. He was responsible.

He didn’t care who ruled the kingdom, but he understood the implications of this message. It would shatter the surrenderist nobles’ hopes, their dreams of profiting from Kevin’s rule. They would be devastated, realizing their supposed leader was abandoning them.

What noble would follow a fleeing king? They would surely abandon Kevin, seeking their own safety before Givia returned and began her purge.

His seemingly harmless message had destroyed the Lord of Nightmares’ carefully constructed power base. The Ossi Kingdom, which they had spent so much effort to control, was slipping from their grasp.

The Lord of Nightmares had lost his source of sustenance.

Kohler charged towards the throne, the Dream Shear flashing, reducing “Kevin” to a pile of debris. As he suspected, it was an alchemical golem.

He wanted to intercept the carrier pigeons, but as he turned to leave, he realized the hall was sealed. He slammed against an invisible barrier, an unyielding force pushing him back.

“Divine Arts?” he muttered, recognizing the power. He attacked the barrier with the Dream Shear.

The Dream Shear, imbued with the Lord of Nightmares’ power, could counter Divine Arts, but its absolute power was neutralized by the opposing divine energy. Although the barrier weakened under his attacks, he couldn’t break through in time to stop the pigeons.

“Damn it!” he roared, his frustration growing, as he continued attacking the invisible wall.

After a few minutes of relentless assault, he finally heard a faint cracking sound. The barrier shattered.

“You useless fool!” the Lord of Nightmares’ voice echoed in his mind as he broke through the barrier. “You’ve destroyed my entire operation in the Ossi Kingdom! Wasn’t your previous failure enough? You dare to repeat your mistake! If this happens again, I’ll replace you, banish you to an eternity of nightmares, and you can forget about your pathetic dream!”

The Lord of Nightmares’ insults stung, but Kohler didn’t dare retort. He knew he was at the Outer God’s mercy.

“Forget about those pigeons! Now! Contact all my followers and have them chant the forbidden prayer! Abyss will pay for this!” the Lord of Nightmares commanded.

Chapter 145: A Reminder from the Enemy

“You’re trying to sow discord between me and my Master?”

Kohler’s voice echoed from all directions. He wasn’t in a tangible form, so Abyss couldn’t pinpoint his location.

But he wasn’t trying to.

Kohler materialized again, only his hand and the Dream Shear appearing, slashing downwards at Abyss’s head.

Kohler was fast, his speed rivaling the continent’s most skilled Dou Warriors. The elder Givia had defeated had been no match for him. He had wielded an artifact, but both his skill and the power bestowed upon him by the Lord of Nightmares were far inferior to Kohler’s. Against an ordinary opponent, this attack would have been fatal.

But he was facing Abyss and Leona, two of the world’s strongest individuals.

Abyss didn’t move, entrusting his safety to Leona, who didn’t disappoint. Her reaction speed and agility were astonishing.

Just as the Dream Shear was about to reach Abyss’s head, Leona’s Dou Qi attack struck, not as a feint, but a forceful blow that deflected Kohler’s arm. A pair of wings, formed from condensed Dou Qi, fluttered behind her, their movements as fluid and natural as her own limbs.

“Yes, I’m trying to sow discord between you and the Lord of Nightmares,” Abyss said, smiling, his eyes closed, since he couldn’t see Kohler anyway. “Think carefully, Apos Kohler. What has your master promised you, that you serve him so devoutly? Are you fighting for your own beliefs, or have you become a mindless tool of an Outer God?”

“No one else can fulfill my wish like my Master,” Kohler’s voice replied. A simultaneous attack from below was effortlessly deflected by Leona’s Dou Qi wings, sending a chunk of earth flying.

“Your wish is to take revenge on human nature, right? But you’re already doing that. Is it truly the result of your revenge you desire?” Abyss asked.

Kohler didn’t answer immediately.

“Perhaps you should consider whether you’re striving for the outcome of your revenge or simply enjoying the process. And if you truly believe in that ‘eternal slumber’ utopia, ask yourself, was it your own idea, or was it planted in your mind by Schlezhech?”

Kohler appeared before Abyss, the Dream Shear aimed at his forehead, but before it could connect, Leona, moving like lightning, appeared between them, kicking Kohler’s wrist.

Kohler’s arm should have been deflected, but it dissolved into mist the moment Leona’s foot made contact, only his hand and the Dream Shear remaining, their momentum unchanged, the attack continuing.

But Abyss, his eyes still closed, didn’t move.

Leona, anticipating this, reacted instantly, her movements defying physics. She grabbed Abyss’s chest, pulling him back several meters. Such a sudden and forceful movement would have snapped an ordinary person’s spine.

“Kohler, have you forgotten your original purpose? I’m not asking you to become a scholar again. I’m simply reminding you of your initial motivation for revenge. What drove you down this path? I doubt it was the Lord of Nightmares. Your actions predate his arrival in this world,” Abyss said, his calm demeanor and his relentless questioning unsettling Kohler. “You could have achieved your revenge long ago, but the Lord of Nightmares manipulated you, expanding your goals, leading you further down this path.”

“Enough! Stop talking!” Kohler’s voice was laced with irritation.

“I’ve struck a nerve, haven’t I?” Abyss said, smiling, spreading his arms wide, his eyes still closed. “You were close to achieving your goal, but he tricked you into believing it was further away. I’m not your friend, but I’m offering you some friendly advice. If you continue serving the Lord of Nightmares, you’ll never reach your destination. You’ll forever be his pawn.”

Kohler attacked again, but his movements were slower, his focus disrupted. His hand appeared behind Abyss’s head, but Leona, with a swift slash of her Dou Qi wing, severed his fingers. His weapon clattered to the ground.

“Abyss, I see through your plan! You’re trying to distract me, to steal my artifact!”

Leona moved to retrieve the fallen weapon, but it wasn’t the Dream Shear, just a dagger. Kohler hadn’t used his artifact.

“That’s a misinterpretation of my kindness,” Abyss said, his voice feigning hurt, his eyes still closed. “I was just trying to help you see the truth.”

“Let’s see who prevails. If I don’t give you a chance to steal the Dream Shear, you’ll be trapped in this dream realm forever!”

“Ha! You should worry about your own predicament, not mine. The Lord of Nightmares doesn’t care about you! He has no regard for the dreams of mortals! You’re as insignificant as an ant’s stomach to him!” Abyss said, laughing.

Kohler, enraged, his severed fingers dissolving into mist and reattaching themselves, prepared to attack again. Suddenly, the Lord of Nightmares’ voice echoed in his mind, his tone filled with anger.

“You fool! Go to the palace hall! They’ve impersonated Kevin and are issuing commands! It’s a diversion!”

“What?!” Kohler exclaimed, startled.

Chapter 144: No Turning Back

“Apos? Why?” Persia asked, her voice filled with shock and disbelief, as she looked up at Kohler’s impassive face.

“Persia, I’ve chosen my path. I’ve done too much evil. There’s no turning back,” Kohler said, his voice devoid of emotion. “I must sever my ties to the past and continue forward, until all mortals become what they should be. Farewell, Persia. We’ll meet again in our dreams. You haven’t changed at all. You still have that faint scent of honey and oranges. Thank you for preserving those memories for me.”

After these words, he gently nudged Persia’s body with his foot. She fell backward, her body hitting the ground with a soft thud. She was dead.

Abyss watched in silence, his expression cold and unreadable.

“Our conversation is over. Now you will pay for your insolence,” Kohler said, turning to Abyss, the Dream Shear glinting in his hand.

Abyss didn’t react immediately. He tilted his head, gesturing towards Persia’s body.

Kohler frowned, noticing something amiss. Persia’s heart had been split in two by the Dream Shear, but there should be blood. Instead, a clear liquid was flowing from the wound.

As the liquid flowed, Persia’s body deflated, melting into a puddle of clear liquid, then vanishing completely, absorbed by the earth.

“She wasn’t Persia?” Kohler asked, his eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Abyss.

“Of course not. Did you think I would use Persia to try and persuade you to change your ways? I would never do that. I wouldn’t risk hurting her feelings,” Abyss said, sighing softly. “Miss Persia died two years ago during childbirth. I visited her grave in the south of the kingdom, had a pleasant chat with her soul. You just stabbed an alchemical golem under my control. But the words she spoke were truly hers, entrusted to me. Consider it fulfilling her last wish.”

“You just wanted to lure me out?” Kohler asked, his voice cold, as he flicked the Dream Shear. The world around them shifted, the garden dissolving into darkness, only a small area remaining—they were already within the dream-like realm created by the artifact. “I didn’t realize you were so eager to meet me.”

“I want that Dream Shear. Give it to me, and I promise I’ll put it to good use,” Abyss said, finally standing up. The three girls who had been beside him had vanished the moment Kohler activated the Dream Shear.

“I never thought you would be so foolish, Abyss,” Kohler said, shaking his head. “You planned to lure me out, then defeat me, is that it? You even brought your three girlfriends, hoping to overwhelm me with numbers? But you underestimated me. Within this dream realm, I control the rules. It’s a one-on-one battle. Your girlfriends are merely experiencing ordinary nightmares. Only you can face me. Your plan was reckless. I’m disappointed.”

“Oh, you might want to reconsider your assessment,” Abyss said casually. “You assumed my followers were with me, but they were also alchemical golems, merely a distraction. If my plan succeeded, they’re already carrying out their assigned tasks. I’m not as reckless as you think.”

He summoned his magical catfish, a small arm emerging from its mouth, then Leona jumped out, landing gracefully.

“Did I make it in time?” Leona asked, glancing at the surprised Kohler. “Oh, so you’re the one with the almost-identical name to ABC? You look so pathetic, clutching those shears like some kind of brooding villain. Do you think you’re the Night Slayer or something?”

Abyss patted Leona’s head, then turned to Kohler. “You see, this dream realm now belongs to the three of us. I am a necromancer, after all. Summoning a few followers is hardly a challenge.”

“You think you can defeat me with a two-on-one advantage?” Kohler asked, his composure returning after the initial surprise. “Your ability to store and summon your followers is indeed impressive, but that’s all you have. I wasn’t injured during our last encounter. In fact, I’ve grown stronger. I can simply choose not to retain my injuries when this dream realm ends, and I’ll be fully healed, but my experience fighting you will remain.”

“I know. You told me that before. But I won’t be intimidated by your threats. After all, I’m fearless, remember?” Abyss said, shrugging.

Kohler, without further ado, transformed into black mist and vanished, his intangible form moving silently towards Abyss and Leona.

“As planned,” Abyss said, lightly tapping Leona’s shoulder.

Leona nodded, her senses heightened, scanning their surroundings.

Whoosh!

Kohler materialized behind Abyss, the Dream Shear thrusting towards the back of his head!

Leona, anticipating this, moved instantly, appearing beside Kohler, her Dou Qi flames coalescing into a spear, thrusting towards his wrist with blinding speed. The ground where she had been standing exploded a moment later, the force of her departure creating a small crater.

Kohler, forced to transform back into mist before Leona’s spear could reach him, vanished again. He could recover from any injury, even death, as long as he retained the Dream Shear.

Leona’s speed was troublesome—but nothing more.

“Kohler, did the Lord of Nightmares scold you after you returned? I’m sure he heaped insults upon you. Are you angry?” Abyss asked, his voice carrying through the dream realm, his hands clasped behind his back, Leona standing guard beside him.

Chapter 143: Has Your Dream Come True?

Abyss, who had been sitting quietly on a step, suddenly looked up.

“Givia’s been attacked.”

“Is there an enemy in that town?” Rebecca asked, her voice low. “Do we need to go back and help?”

“No. If I can sense the attack, it means she’s already safe. Don’t worry about her. I have a plan,” Abyss said, shaking his head. “We’ll finish our task here. I have a backup plan. Givia will be fine.”

“Alright,” Rebecca said, nodding, settling back down.

They were sitting in a large, empty garden within the Ossi Kingdom palace. The bare earth was the result of Abyss’s earlier act of vandalism, uprooting all the trees. It was late at night, the four of them sitting there in silence, a strange and unsettling scene.

Beside them sat another person, a woman with a gentle demeanor, her face adorned with light makeup, her clothes simple but elegant. She wasn’t a noble, but she was clearly well-educated and from a good family. She sat there, her eyes darting nervously around the garden.

Leona was idly counting the strands of hair in her twintails, while Flora gazed at the stars, lost in thought.

Thud.

A soft footstep echoed through the silent garden, capturing their attention.

They turned towards the sound. A figure holding a pair of shears stood there, his gaze fixed on the woman beside them.

It was Apos Kohler. He stared at the woman, who looked at him with surprise and confusion, then his gaze shifted to Abyss.

“You brought Persia here?” Kohler asked, his voice trembling slightly, his tone wary.

Abyss smiled, nodding. “I apologize. I investigated you, your past, your connections. This is Miss Persia, your former neighbor, your childhood friend. Since you’ve recognized her after all these years, perhaps my companions and I should give you two some privacy,” he said.

“How… How did you know I was in the palace?” Kohler asked, his gaze cold, not accepting the offer.

“I guessed. You have nowhere else to go, no true home. So I assumed you would return to the palace, the place of your greatest achievement, and a crucial part of your revenge—you must resent the palace for rejecting your application all those years ago…”

“Your conclusion is correct, but your reasoning is flawed. Do you find pleasure in prying into other people’s lives?” Kohler asked, his eyes filled with resentment. He didn’t seem happy to see Persia.

Abyss shook his head. “I’m not interested in the secrets of mortals. Your petty affairs are of no consequence to me. I investigated your past for other reasons. Please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t intend to humiliate you. I simply believe you need to talk to Miss Persia, to say the things you haven’t said for all these years.”

Kohler hesitated, then Persia, standing up, called out to him, her voice soft. “Apos…”

“…Persia… Where have you been all these years?” Kohler finally responded.

“I went to the Western Empire with my parents. Do you remember my kidney disease? We went there to seek treatment. Years later, we returned to Ossi and settled in the south… I came back to Silverwind Harbor Town to find you, but your house was gone, and your parents had died. Where did you go?” Persia asked, her voice gentle and soothing.

“I… After all that happened, I wandered, seeking revenge. I avoided contact with others,” Kohler said, approaching her slowly, but he stopped a few feet away, his gaze fixed on her feet.

“Revenge? Against whom?” Persia asked, her brow furrowed. “You shouldn’t be doing this.”

“I’m seeking revenge against this world,” Kohler said, looking up, his eyes burning with intensity. “I’ve analyzed the source of my suffering… It’s not my parents, not the royal family, not even the creditors who drove my father to suicide. It’s human nature.”

“Human nature?”

“Greed, theft, violence, deception… All these sins are inherent to mortals. Humans are inherently evil. None of us can escape it. If we want to purify ourselves, to become truly good, we must transcend our physical forms, slumber eternally under the watchful eye of a higher power, and build a true utopia within our dreams,” he said, his voice filled with a fervent longing. “I’m seeking revenge against human nature itself. I want to reshape it. That’s why, Persia, I pledged my loyalty to a god who promised to fulfill my wish. His name is Schlezhech, my master, my lord.”

Abyss noticed that Kohler had pronounced the Lord of Nightmares’ name effortlessly, without any difficulty. The Outer God’s name was incredibly difficult for humans to pronounce. Even the most skilled mimics could only approximate it. Kohler’s perfect pronunciation was unsettling.

“Apos, I want to apologize for what happened back then. I never judged you… I had to leave Ossi, to seek treatment in the Western Empire. I was afraid you would misunderstand, so I only said a brief goodbye. But Apos, I want you to know that I never looked down on you. You were always my best friend,” Persia said, her voice filled with emotion, as she took two steps closer to him.

“Apos, please, let go of your hatred, your desire for revenge. I’ve been waiting for you to return. We can explore the world of knowledge together, just like before. My dream has come true. I’m a scholar now. What about you? Will you pursue your dream?”

She opened her arms and gently embraced him.

Kohler’s body stiffened. He remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

“Persia, we can’t go back. It’s too late.”

And as he spoke, his gardening shears emerged from her back, their blades glinting in the moonlight.

Chapter 142: Givia’s “Bedside Manner”

“I merely suspected you,” Givia said, keeping a safe distance from the elder, her dagger, its blade glowing with Dou Qi flames, held firmly in her hand. She was ready for a fight. “After learning about the Lord of Nightmares’ human followers, I’ve been wary of everyone. You were overly enthusiastic when welcoming us into the town, constantly trying to ingratiate yourself. If you were truly loyal to the Restoration Army, you would have focused on our soldiers, not on flattering me. And your flattery was too excessive, too insincere.”

“Hmm… Perhaps I was a bit overzealous. But wouldn’t you assume I was simply seeking your favor, hoping for a promotion?” the elder asked, a sly smile on his face. He didn’t seem eager to fight, as if everything were under his control.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I would never promote a sycophant. Those who curry favor with their superiors inevitably exploit those beneath them. What would happen to my people if I rewarded such behavior?” Givia scoffed. “Even if you weren’t a follower of the Lord of Nightmares, I would still be wary of you.”

“Hahaha, what a wise and noble leader. The Ossi Kingdom would surely prosper under your rule,” the elder said, his smile widening, his eyes taking on a manic gleam. “But things are different now. The future of mortals is meaningless. I serve the great Lord of Nightmares. He will grant all mortals their true destiny—eternal slumber, free from worries, free from conflict, only peace.”

“You cultists are so difficult to understand,” Givia said, her eyes narrowed, watching his every move, her voice laced with sarcasm. “The future of mortals might be meaningless. Even the most glorious life ends in dust. But shouldn’t we focus on living our lives to the fullest? Why are you so eager to embrace oblivion? Just because your god demands it?”

“You understand nothing! Nothing! Nothing!” The elder, enraged by her words, charged towards her, his shovel raised.

He was incredibly fast, his movements fluid, but there were no Dou Qi flames around him. It wasn’t Dou Qi enhancing his speed, but something that had altered his body, enhancing his physical capabilities.

Givia knew she couldn’t reason with him, this man driven mad by the Lord of Nightmares’ influence. But she had achieved her goal—she had provoked him.

She quickly retreated, jumping off the bed and kicking it towards him.

The heavy bed, made of iron and hardwood, flew towards the elder, propelled by her Dou Qi-enhanced strength.

The elder didn’t dodge. He thrust his shovel towards the approaching bed, and a meter-wide hole appeared in its center. He ducked, passing through the hole effortlessly. The bed crashed against the wall behind him, shattering the plaster, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

The hole in the bed had appeared instantly, without any visible damage, as if the shovel had simply erased a portion of it. This must be the power of his artifact, Givia thought.

But her movements didn’t falter. As the elder was dealing with the bed, she activated a ring on her finger, its hidden compartment releasing a small, crystal-clear pill.

She crushed the pill between her teeth, a spicy liquid flooding her mouth, its vapors traveling down her throat and into her lungs. Within two breaths, a surge of magical energy coursed through her body.

The world seemed to slow down, but it wasn’t truly slower. It was simply that she could now perceive the flow of time with greater clarity. This was the potion Rebecca had given her, its effects activating upon inhalation. It enhanced her reaction speed tenfold, the maximum potency achievable without causing harm—if Rebecca had been more reckless, she could have amplified it even further, but at a cost to Givia’s health.

“Oh, I see. That potion from Miss Ray,” the elder said, his voice mocking, as he pointed his shovel at her. “It seems your four heroic friends aren’t here to protect you. They left you with this to defend yourself? Don’t bother. Even with that potion, you’re no match for me. You’re trapped within Master’s Divine Realm. There’s no escape.”

“Enough talk. One of us will die tonight,” Givia said, her voice calm and steady, her gaze unwavering. She wasn’t afraid, nor was she concerned about Abyss’s absence. “You think I can’t defeat you without my companions? Ossi warriors don’t surrender so easily!”

“Hmph!” the elder snorted, charging towards her. The room was small. He reached her in an instant.

But with her enhanced reaction speed, she had ample time to react. She didn’t try to block his shovel with her dagger. Instead, she sidestepped, her foot slamming against the wooden floor, propelling her away. The floor cracked beneath her foot. The elder’s attack missed, his shovel striking the wall behind her, creating a meter-wide hole that revealed the darkness beyond.

Givia’s momentum carried her downwards, her dagger, like a striking viper, aimed at the elder’s heart!

The elder smiled, his reaction speed almost matching hers. He leaped backward, his movements defying gravity.

He was too fast. Her attack missed, her dagger slicing through empty air.

His smile widened. Givia was still too inexperienced. Didn’t she know that recovering from a fall took time? He would finish her with his next attack, pleasing his Master, replacing that incompetent Apos, becoming the new bishop!

“Die…”

Bang!

Before he could finish his sentence, the bed, which Givia had kicked across the room earlier, flew towards him, slamming into his back. The hole in the bed was only a meter wide, located in its center. He hadn’t anticipated an attack from behind. The impact threw him off balance, sending him headfirst towards the hole he had created in the wall.

He didn’t even scream. His head vanished the moment it touched the darkness beyond. His headless body twitched, collapsing to the floor, blood spurting from his severed neck.

Givia, having used her low vantage point to her advantage, had rolled under the bed, narrowly avoiding the impact.

She sat on the floor, catching her breath, looking at the elder’s corpse, then at her hand. A ring on her finger contained a portion of Abyss’s mana, a protective charm he had given her, capable of amplifying her magic.

She had used a simple Telekinesis spell, its power enhanced by Abyss’s mana, to hurl the bed at the elder.

“Abyss isn’t here because I can handle scum like you…” she muttered, still catching her breath. “He has more important things to do…”

Chapter 141: The Restoration Army Marches

The Restoration Army’s campaign had begun.

Givia, having deployed all her forces from Oakning, finally launched her long-awaited invasion of the Ossi Kingdom. Within a day, they had captured a border town.

It wasn’t because the Restoration Army was overwhelmingly powerful—even with their high morale and their determination, they were outnumbered five to one by the Ossi Kingdom army. But the enemy’s morale had plummeted. Many of their commanders were unwilling to fight. The commander of the captured town, after a token resistance, had surrendered, opening the gates and handing over his troops and their supplies to the Restoration Army.

Kevin’s prolonged silence had emboldened some of the wavering commanders, encouraging them to join the seemingly victorious Restoration Army.

The battle had been swift, the casualties minimal. The townspeople and the villagers in the surrounding area had welcomed the Restoration Army, offering them food and shelter.

But Givia, despite this easy victory, remained cautious. She forbade her soldiers from taking anything from the locals, even refusing their offered food. All supplies were purchased at market price, their debts carefully recorded, to be repaid with interest after the war.

Years of hardship and exile had transformed her from an impulsive young princess into a shrewd and calculating leader. She understood that this victory had been achieved with minimal effort because the border troops, demoralized by the guerrillas’ constant harassment, had been eager to surrender.

Abyss had warned her that the Lord of Nightmares still had many agents within the kingdom’s army and among the nobility. They couldn’t underestimate the enemy or let their guard down.

Givia, heeding his advice, didn’t fully trust the surrendered troops. She confiscated their weapons and armor, holding them as prisoners of war.

Night had fallen. The Restoration Army camped near the captured town, the prisoners held in the town’s jail. They hadn’t forgotten that this was a civil war, a conflict between fellow Ossi citizens. They treated their prisoners with respect, ensuring their safety and providing them with food and shelter.

The army rested, preparing to continue their march the next day. Givia, at the townspeople’s insistence, stayed at the governor’s mansion—the governor, along with the military commander, had surrendered, leaving the house vacant.

The battle had been a minor skirmish, but Givia, leading an army for the first time, felt the weight of command—the constant tension, the need for vigilance.

She entered a bedroom in the mansion, yawning, and after a quick wash, she removed her armor and her outer garments, collapsing onto the bed.

Abyss and his companions weren’t present. While the Restoration Army had been processing the surrendered troops, Abyss had excused himself, claiming he had important matters to attend to, then left with the three girls.

Givia seemed exhausted. She fell asleep almost instantly, her soft snores filling the room. The only other sound was the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. The entire town was silent.

But the peace didn’t last.

An hour later, the door creaked open.

The hallway lights, usually bright, didn’t illuminate the room. And outside, the moon, which had been shining brightly, was now obscured by darkness.

The only light came from a small lamp on Givia’s bedside table, its flame casting long, flickering shadows. A thin figure, shrouded in darkness, crept into the room.

The figure approached the sleeping Givia, raising a small, sharp shovel, its tip aimed at her head.

Thump! Bam!

Just as the figure struck, Givia, seemingly asleep, suddenly moved! Her body erupted in bright Dou Qi flames, and her foot, from beneath the blankets, connected with the attacker’s chest, sending him flying into the wall!

Givia might not have been a seasoned warrior, but she was a mid-level Dou Warrior. Her enhanced strength, amplified by the element of surprise, sent the attacker crashing against the wall, creating cracks in the plaster.

She quickly chanted a spell, a small light emanating from her fingertips. The light, propelled by magic, stuck to the ceiling, illuminating the room.

A simple Light spell, a basic cantrip that even novice mages could master. Givia, as a noble, knew it as well.

The attacker coughed, then struggled to his feet. His face, illuminated by the dim light, was revealed—it was one of the town elders, a respected figure who had welcomed the Restoration Army earlier that day.

“Princess Givia… You weren’t asleep?” the elder asked, his voice cold and mocking. “I intended to give you a quick death, but it seems you’re not ready to embrace your fate.”

“I knew something was wrong with you when you welcomed us into the town,” Givia said, her voice calm, her Dou Qi flames flickering around her, as she retrieved a dagger from beneath her nightgown, where it was strapped to her thigh. “Mr. Abyss warned me that the Lord of Nightmares’ followers are everywhere, and that they might possess artifacts with special powers. It seems he was right.”

“I don’t recall revealing my allegiance, Your Highness,” the elder said, his voice calm. He seemed unharmed by Givia’s kick. “Could you tell me where I went wrong?”