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

Chapter 110: A Secret in the Envelope

“Your Highness, Miss Haina requests an audience,” a guard announced, entering Givia’s room. She was finishing her simple breakfast, writing a letter to her guerrilla units.

“Haina?” Givia looked up, smiling. “Let her in.”

The guard left to relay the message, and soon, Haina entered, a sealed envelope in her hand.

Haina looked refreshed and energetic this morning. After discussing her concerns with Flora and Leona the previous night, and enjoying a restful sleep thanks to Flora’s calming spell, her usual uncertainty and hesitation had vanished. Givia was pleased to see her in such high spirits.

“You seem to be in a good mood since your mother’s arrival,” Givia said, choosing to engage in casual conversation first.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Haina replied, nodding. She had made her decision, her loyalty to Givia unwavering, her heart now free from doubt.

“Good. I hope you can maintain this positive attitude,” Givia said, her gaze warm and affectionate, as she looked at the youngest member of her Royal Guard. “What brings you here? Do you have something to report?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Haina said. “My mother came here not just to see me, but also to deliver some information to you. She’s physically disabled and couldn’t make the journey herself, so she asked me to deliver this envelope. She also has some news from within the kingdom. Would you like to hear it?”

Givia had her own intelligence network, but due to various obstacles, their reports weren’t always timely. She was curious about the information Cassandra had brought. “Yes, tell me everything.”

“First…” Haina looked at the ceiling, recalling her mother’s words, then said, her voice slightly hesitant, “My mother said that Kevin is spreading rumors about your death.”

“Hmph, typical tactics of a deceitful villain. He’s been claiming I was exiled for misconduct, and now this?” Givia said, her voice cold. “Tell me the details.”

“Prince Kevin is claiming that you committed suicide, unable to bear the torment of the nightmares. He says the Restoration Army is being led by impostors who are using your name to usurp the throne. He claims that if the Restoration Army succeeds, it will lead to a civil war, countless deaths. Most people don’t believe him, but they’re still worried. They’re afraid you’re truly dead.”

Givia felt a surge of warmth, knowing her people cared about her. Her expression softened.

“And Kevin has gained the support of many nobles. Some have already abandoned your cause, seduced by his promises. Some lords are even willing to lend him their troops… But most nobles remain neutral. They’re willing to accept Kevin’s bribes, but they haven’t pledged their loyalty to him yet,” Haina continued.

“Those who have sided with Kevin must be punished. They would betray their kingdom again in a heartbeat if it benefited them,” Givia said, her voice firm. “But those who remain neutral… We can offer them a chance to redeem themselves.”

“And Prince Kevin recently enacted a new law, implementing cruel punishments. He’s forbidden any form of support for the Restoration Army and has arrested and executed several of our supporters throughout the kingdom,” Haina said, her voice trembling. “He publicly ripped out their hearts, then hanged their bodies with their own intestines. He even sent their hearts and eyes, preserved in salt, to their families… People are terrified. His punishments are too cruel. No one dares support us anymore…”

“That monster!” Givia exclaimed, her voice filled with anger. “If he continues to rule, our kingdom is doomed!”

“That’s all the information my mother brought,” Haina said, glancing at the two guards standing by the door. “Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion, but my mother said this envelope must be kept secret. We need to dismiss the guards before you open it.”

“Hmm? Of course,” Givia said, taking the envelope, then nodded, agreeing to Haina’s request. She addressed the guards. “Eleanor, Marcy, please wait outside. Don’t enter without my permission.”

The two guards bowed respectfully and left.

Once they were alone, Givia carefully opened the envelope, retrieving several folded pieces of paper.

The paper was covered in graphite smudges, clearly a rubbing of a stone inscription, divided into smaller pieces to fit inside the envelope.

“What is this?” Givia asked, confused. What kind of intelligence came from a stone inscription?

“I don’t know. My mother didn’t tell me. She just told me to deliver it to you personally,” Haina whispered.

“It’s alright. Let’s piece these together,” Givia said, standing up and approaching a larger table, spreading out the papers.

They were arranged in order. Working together, they quickly assembled the inscription, its message now clear.

The inscription, from a stone slab about one and a half meters tall, was written in both Ossi and an ancient language, each line of Ossi corresponding to a line in the ancient language, making it easy to decipher.

“Born of the storm, embracing the west,” Givia read aloud.

“Wise and valiant from a tender age, a worthy king.”

“But fate is fickle, and life is fleeting.”

“His ambitions unfulfilled, a young life cut short.”

A sense of unease filled her. She had a hunch about the nature of this inscription…

“Is this… a tombstone?” she asked, glancing at Haina, her voice filled with disbelief. But the evidence was undeniable. Haina was equally shocked.

They continued reading.

“Here lies Kevin Ludiélos Ban Halsati, firstborn son of the King of Ossi, aged six.”

Chapter 109: A Research Breakthrough

After their heartfelt conversation, Abyss and Rebecca returned to their work. With Rebecca’s newfound trust, Abyss felt a shift in their dynamic. Their interactions were more relaxed and comfortable.

Rebecca had always been good at creating a lively atmosphere, even flirting with him occasionally, but it felt different now. Abyss could sense a genuine joy emanating from her, a subtle shift only perceptible to those who were attuned to emotions, or at least, intermittently attuned, like Abyss.

“Abyss, can you give me that black mud you saved?” Rebecca asked, her focus on extracting and refining the essence from the ground-up apples.

Abyss summoned his magical catfish and retrieved a small jar from its belly. It contained the black mud extracted from the Shadowling assassin he had killed, frozen solid with his ice magic. He thawed it carefully. Its temperature was incredibly low, almost -200 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to use in alchemical reactions.

“What are you planning to do with it?” he asked, handing her the jar, the thawed black mud emitting a foul, fishy odor.

Rebecca carefully poured it into a round-bottom flask. “I’m going to analyze the trees, fruits, and this black mud, all used by the Lord of Nightmares to create Shadowlings. This will give us some insights into their properties, allowing me to formulate several specialized potions to counter them. Something that can dissolve them on contact, perhaps. This will minimize casualties for the Restoration Army. And once the enemy witnesses their so-called experts dissolving into black goo, they might reconsider their allegiance, leading to a more peaceful resolution.”

Abyss nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Many soldiers in the Ossi Kingdom army were simply afraid of being labeled traitors, fearing repercussions for their families. Their loyalty to Kevin was questionable. After all, who would willingly serve a cruel and arrogant tyrant who had appeared out of nowhere?

Givia was confident in her ability to win over the Ossi Kingdom army because she believed they wouldn’t fight to the death against her. Once the Restoration Army gained the upper hand, many would switch sides.

And if Rebecca’s potion proved effective, those wavering soldiers, witnessing their supposed “experts” dissolving into black goo, would surely abandon Kevin.

Who would want to serve a king who replaced humans with monsters? Who knew who would be next?

“Be careful when handling these materials. I suspect they possess not just physical and magical properties, but also a divine aspect,” Abyss cautioned. “I don’t know what the consequences of prolonged exposure to this divine essence might be.”

“I think it’ll be fine. Your ghoul, Little Glutton, happily devoured those cursed apples,” Rebecca said, shrugging, then smiled at him. “But you’ve given me an idea. Perhaps I can extract some of the Lord of Nightmares’ divine power from this mud…”

“Be cautious. Let me know if you need my help.”

“Oh, right, Abyss, could you pass me that steel container over there?” Rebecca asked. “And don’t open it. You can’t see what’s inside.”

“What is it? You’ve piqued my curiosity,” Abyss said, using telekinesis to retrieve the container, but he refrained from opening it, respecting her request.

“It’s Flora’s personal belongings,” Rebecca whispered, although no one outside could hear her. “She doesn’t want you to see them, so you can’t.”

“I see. If you had told me that earlier, I wouldn’t have been curious,” Abyss said, nodding in understanding.

“If I had told you outside, Flora would have died of embarrassment. It’s something she always wears,” Rebecca said, giggling, covering her mouth with her hand. “And don’t tell anyone else, even if they already know. Or I’ll have to punish you on Flora’s behalf.”

“Understood, understood…” Abyss said quickly. “Ah, so that potion I drank earlier… some of its ingredients were…”

“Shh… Don’t say it!”

Rebecca began her work, her movements swift and precise. Abyss, with nothing else to do, helped her grind some ingredients into powder while contemplating their next move against the Lord of Nightmares.

Time passed, but they knew that time flowed differently within the laboratory. They weren’t concerned about wasting time. Rebecca, finally able to work at her own pace, filled beakers with various potions, her experiments progressing smoothly. Finally, she held up a small vial.

“Abyss, look!”

It was a transparent vial filled with a faintly glowing liquid. A tiny black dot, barely the width of a hair, moved within the liquid, as if struggling to break free, but the surrounding liquid held it captive, preventing it from spreading.

“You actually extracted the Lord of Nightmares’ divine power?” Abyss asked, his eyes wide with surprise. “That’s incredible!”

“Please store it in the magical catfish’s belly. For safety reasons, I’ve added a large dose of our world’s divine essence to the solution. If left unchecked, that black dot will dissipate quickly,” Rebecca said, handing him the warm vial.

Abyss nodded, summoning his magical catfish and placing the vial inside its mouth.

“By the way, Rebecca, I have a bold idea,” he said. “I think we can…”

He explained his idea, and Rebecca, her eyes lighting up, clapped her hands excitedly. “That’s a brilliant idea!”

“You think so too? Wonderful! Let’s start experimenting right away! If the Nine Gods object, I’ll handle them,” Abyss said.

“You might not be as smart as me, but you’re far more cunning,” Rebecca said, hugging him, her body warm against his chest. “You’re a genius!”

Chapter 108: Three Lucky Things in Life

“I desperately brewed healing potions, saving as many lives as I could. People praised me, calling me the little hero of Lavoisier City. They brought gifts and blessings to my home.”

Rebecca’s voice choked with emotion. Abyss, realizing he couldn’t just sit there while she cried, gently wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. Rebecca trembled slightly at his touch, then relaxed, leaning her head against his chest, inhaling the scent of herbs that clung to him.

“Every word of praise felt like a dagger piercing my heart… The guilt was unbearable. I couldn’t tell anyone that I had created that potion, that I had sold the formula to those gangsters for a paltry sum,” Rebecca said, her voice muffled against his chest, her words sending shivers down his spine. “I buried this secret deep inside, never telling anyone. Only my mother knew, and she kept it to herself, fearing I would be ostracized… until her death.”

“Those gangsters are the ones responsible. You only wanted to help people,” Abyss said softly, comforting her. “If you had known they would use your invention for violence, you wouldn’t have agreed.”

“No, it’s not like that…” Rebecca said, shaking her head in his embrace. “Even if I had no ill intentions, even if I was deceived… It doesn’t change the fact that innocent people died because of me. So many families were torn apart, so many lives lost in that fire. I couldn’t face the people of Lavoisier City. I felt like a monster…”

Abyss leaned his cheek against her hair, gently stroking her back, trying to comfort her with his warmth.

“From that day forward, I lived with this guilt, never sharing my research with anyone. It became my eternal burden. The guilt for those who died, those who were injured, those who lost their loved ones, weighed heavily on my heart. I tried to forget, but my conscience wouldn’t allow it. It tormented me constantly, punishing me, the reckless, greedy, attention-seeking Rebecca. I hated those gangsters. I wanted revenge, to punish them, but nothing could bring back those lost lives.”

Rebecca stopped crying, her sobs subsiding. She pulled away from his embrace.

“I have to go back in time, to save those people. Only then can I find peace. Otherwise, I’ll never forgive myself… The reason I risked so much to explore other worlds, the reason I dedicated myself to this research, was because of my fear… Sometimes, I thought it would be easier to just die. And I did die. But after you resurrected me, I still wanted to continue my research, to pursue the secrets of magic, until I could create that time machine and save those victims.”

Abyss gently wiped away her tears. “I’ll help you, no matter how difficult it might be.”

Her plan was crazy, childish even, but he wouldn’t dismiss it. He was a dreamer himself, driven by a seemingly impossible goal: to kill the Creator God for allowing the world to be destroyed. It sounded like the ramblings of a child, yet he was pursuing it, and he had made some progress. If he could achieve that, why couldn’t Rebecca’s dream be realized?

“Thank you, Abyss. I can always trust you,” Rebecca said, forcing a smile. “With your help, I’ll find a way to save those I harmed.”

“Alright, after we deal with the Lord of Nightmares and fulfill Leona’s wish, we’ll visit the mage who created spatial magic. I believe he was an elf, buried somewhere in the Elven Kingdoms. We can dig him up along with that genius Druid,” Abyss said, wiping away the last of her tears. “He might have been dead for centuries, and his body might be gone, but as long as I can find his soul, we can talk. I’m sure he would be happy to know that someone is continuing his research.”

“Yes! It’s a promise!” Rebecca said, nodding firmly.

After their conversation, Abyss felt a shift within him, as if a switch had been flipped in his brain. A new sensation filled him, a sense of clarity and heightened awareness, like a window opening in a stuffy room, letting in fresh air. His mind felt sharper, ideas blooming like flowers in spring. He looked at the potions and ingredients before him, and designs for new potions, new combinations, filled his mind. His knowledge of herbs, once dormant, was now fully activated, each ingredient a shining star in his memory.

It was the necromantic link, sharing a portion of Rebecca’s talent with him as a tribute. It meant she had finally opened her heart to him.

After all they had been through, she finally trusted him enough to share her deepest secret.

Abyss was pleased. He hadn’t done anything special to earn her trust, simply being himself, acting with sincerity. This was the outcome he had desired.

“Now that you’ve entrusted me with your secret, I won’t let you down. This is my promise to you,” Rebecca said, wiping away her tears, her eyes still red, but her gaze now determined. “I’ll also do everything I can to help you. We’ve decided to confront the Lord of Nightmares. We won’t let him get away with this, even if he’s a god.”

“Having you by my side is one of the three luckiest things in my life,” Abyss said, grinning.

“Ah… I wish you had lied and said I was the only lucky thing in your life. It wouldn’t be fair to Flora and Leona, though,” Rebecca said, chuckling. “But… that’s just like you. I like that you don’t lie to me.”

“Well… I do lie sometimes, but I promise I’ll always be on your side.”

“That’s enough for me. Please, never abandon me,” Rebecca said, hugging his arm. “Aah, I wish I could have your baby.”

“I wonder what kind of abilities a child born from a human and an undead would have,” Abyss said, nodding thoughtfully.

Rebecca blushed, playfully slapping his chest. “You’re supposed to be embarrassed!”

Chapter 107: Rebecca’s Tears

“Tell me anything. Now that you are my follower, I will use my own two hands to make your dream come true,” Abyss said, gazing at Rebecca with his gentle, turquoise eyes. “I’m someone who likes to challenge the impossible. You don’t need to worry.”

“I know,” Rebecca replied, nodding slightly. “The reason I’m telling you now is because I know you’re someone who never fears a challenge.”

Rebecca pulled a magic crystal from her pocket. It was the contaminated magic crystal they had created in that now-destroyed world, the one that allowed them to travel between worlds. She had always kept one with her.

“The reason I study spatial magic isn’t because I want to use it for something. My goal is far more ambitious—I want to master spatial magic, then attempt to reach a higher level,” Rebecca said, gazing at the crystal, its surface shimmering with a myriad of colors, the result of being soaked in various potions. “That is, spatiotemporal magic.”

“Time and space?” Abyss’s eyes lit up with excitement. “You want to not only control space but also travel through time?”

“Exactly,” Rebecca replied, her gaze firm. “I want to create a machine capable of traversing time and space, of changing history.”

“I remember that theory being mentioned by a transmigrator—the ancestor of that genius Druid from the Elven Kingdoms,” Abyss said, thinking back. “He gave two reasons why time travel was impossible. First, the gods wouldn’t allow mortals to manipulate time freely. It would disrupt the balance of the world, leading to unpredictable consequences. Perhaps the gods could handle such disruptions, but the simplest solution was to eliminate the mortals causing the problem. Second, even if someone overcame all those impossible conditions and traveled to the past, they wouldn’t be changing existing history, but creating a new timeline. Time travel would affect causality, preventing certain events from occurring. He called this paradox the ‘temporal paradox’.”

“Yes, I’ve studied those theories as well,” Rebecca nodded.

“But you still want to try, right?”

“Yes. If you don’t mind me rambling, I can tell you a story from my childhood. It’s the reason I want to create a time machine,” Rebecca said.

Abyss smiled, gently stroking her soft, black hair. “I always have patience for my followers. Tell me everything. Even if it takes days.”

“It’s not that long,” Rebecca said, relaxing, scooting her chair closer to Abyss, her shoulder brushing against his arm. It was an intimate gesture, but neither of them thought much of it. They both understood it was a sign of trust.

Having settled into a comfortable position, Rebecca closed her eyes and began her story.

“I was a genius from a young age. I’m not exaggerating. I grasped alchemical theories very quickly. My family was in the potion business. We had a fully equipped alchemy laboratory and an entire library filled with books on alchemy. I was surrounded by it growing up, which sparked my interest. I would spend entire days in the library, often forgetting to eat or sleep.”

“And as a result, I finished reading all the alchemy books in our library in a short time. My mother initially thought I was just playing, flipping through the pages and looking at the illustrations, like any child. But when she tested my knowledge, she realized I wasn’t playing. I had memorized every word, every formula. And after finishing all the books, I even corrected some of their errors through my own experiments and deductions.”

“My mother didn’t want my talent to be wasted. She bought me more books, equipment, and ingredients. And so began my journey as an alchemist. My life was smooth sailing. Everyone praised my intelligence, and boys were speechless in my presence, captivated by my beauty. I grew up surrounded by flowers and compliments, enjoying a happy childhood.”

“Of course, adults aren’t as simple as children. Many of them praised me because they wanted to gain my favor, my support. When I was young, I brewed many potions for various people, partly to prove myself, partly because they paid my family handsomely. Some used the potions themselves, while others purchased my formulas and produced the potions for sale, sharing a portion of their profits with me. We lived a very comfortable life.”

“But my life didn’t remain smooth sailing. One day, a member of a Lavoisier City gang approached me, requesting a potion that could heat their furnaces, allowing them to brew high-temperature potions without hiring Elemental mages. They offered a generous sum, and I readily agreed. I created the potion in a short time and sold them the formula at a reasonable price.”

As she spoke, a look of intense regret filled her eyes. She leaned closer to Abyss, clutching his arm as if seeking comfort.

“And then… they took my formula and gave it to another alchemist. I was confident in my skills, but even those less talented than me could occasionally decipher my formulas. That alchemist, a skilled but heartless individual, modified my formula, creating a weapon that could generate intense heat, capable of inflicting terrible burns.”

“They then engaged in a war with another gang, using this new weapon to kill many of their rivals. It caused a massive fire in Lavoisier City, killing dozens of innocent civilians and injuring hundreds more. When I heard the news, I ran through the streets, seeing the destruction, the charred bodies of those who had been burned alive, the injured crying in agony, their families weeping beside them. I was devastated.”

“No one knew that I had created the original potion formula. Those who knew me begged me, the genius alchemist, to save the injured… But I was no genius… I was just a greedy fool.”

Tears streamed down Rebecca’s face. It was the first time Abyss had seen her so heartbroken.

Chapter 106: The Observation Period Ends

While Flora and Leona were offering Haina guidance, Abyss and Rebecca were busy examining a tree branch.

With Rebecca’s alchemy laboratory now complete, she had been eager to start working. As soon as they returned to the guesthouse, she dragged Abyss into her Anywhere Door.

Since the familiar was powered by Abyss’s mana, they weren’t worried about being trapped inside if the door was destroyed. To destroy a familiar, one had to disrupt its master’s mana flow, preventing it from maintaining the familiar’s form. And Abyss’s mana reserves were immense. Perhaps only he, Flora, and maybe that slumbering genius Druid, possessed the power to disrupt his mana flow.

Trying to destroy Abyss’s familiar was as futile as teaching a two-headed ogre to play Gwent.

The branch, of course, came from one of the apple trees they had stolen from the Ossi Kingdom palace. Abyss didn’t dare bring out the entire tree, unsure if it was imbued with the Lord of Nightmares’ power. He was even cautious when handling the branch—he had sent Rebecca outside, then, using a soulless skeleton, retrieved the tree from his magical catfish’s belly, snapping off a branch from a safe distance.

Fortunately, the branch seemed to be free of the Outer God’s influence. As a precaution, both he and Rebecca had consumed the potion containing Flora’s borrowed Divine Grace. Nothing unusual happened after retrieving the branch, and the potion soon activated, reassuring them. Abyss allowed Rebecca, who had been eagerly waiting, to enter the laboratory and begin her research.

A small, green apple still clung to the branch. Rebecca carefully removed it, slicing off a small piece for her experiments, while Abyss sat beside her, acting as her assistant.

“Abyss, could you pass me that rack of test tubes?” Rebecca asked, glancing at him with a playful smile.

“Of course,” Abyss replied, retrieving the test tubes and handing them to her.

As she took them, Rebecca, her smile now mischievous, intentionally brushed her hand against his. Abyss felt the pleasant coolness of her touch.

“We’re alone now, in such a secluded place. Don’t you want to do something to me?” she asked, her voice soft and suggestive. Her naturally beautiful face, with its characteristic Eastern Empire charm, was now even more alluring, her eyes sparkling like stars, their gaze seductive, capable of melting any young man’s heart. She had never been in love, but as a girl who had always dreamed of romance, she had studied various seduction techniques, even seeking guidance from a dark elf.

“Do something?” Abyss glanced around. The laboratory was indeed quite cozy. He reached towards her face.

Rebecca, surprised by his boldness, blushed, her heart pounding.

Then, Abyss gently plucked a strand of hair from her cheek.

“Your black hair is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, so dark and shiny, and incredibly soft. I’ve always wanted to keep a strand,” Abyss said, holding up the hair between his fingers. “Don’t worry, I don’t have a creepy obsession with collecting body parts. I just really like your hair. May I touch it more often?”

Rebecca burst into laughter. She should have known. Abyss wasn’t pretending to be indifferent. He was genuinely uninterested in those sorts of things. He didn’t act like a typical sixteen-year-old boy at all.

“Touch it all you want,” she said, leaning closer to him, her hair carrying a fresh, pleasant scent.

Abyss smiled, his fingers gently brushing against her soft, cool hair. “I’ve noticed you trust me more now than when we first met.”

“Didn’t I already like you when we first met?” Rebecca asked, feigning ignorance, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“You didn’t like me. You just wanted to be in love,” Abyss said, his gaze meeting hers, his expression knowing. “I might not understand much about love, but I can see a person’s emotions in their eyes. When we first met, you were desperate to connect with someone who wasn’t affected by your poison. But you’re also cautious and guarded, aren’t you? You haven’t shared any dangerous or power-enhancing potions with anyone, and you keep your formulas secret. You don’t trust anyone except Lannis, your trusted friend. But now, it seems you’ve finally accepted us.”

“…You saw through me?” Rebecca asked, her playful expression fading, her eyes becoming more serious. “Yes, I don’t trust people easily, especially strangers.”

“Good thing I’m not the type to exploit someone’s feelings,” Abyss said, leaning back in his chair, his tone casual. “Imagine if I had taken advantage of your ‘affection’ and manipulated you into doing my bidding. How long would it have taken you to leave me?”

“Two days, maybe,” Rebecca replied, relaxing. “I have my pride. Even if you resurrected me, I would have found a way to escape your control.”

“And now?” Abyss asked, looking at her.

“Hmm… The observation period is over. Now we enter the trial period,” Rebecca said, smiling brightly. “I know now that you’re truly worthy of my loyalty. Perhaps by staying with you, I can achieve a level of freedom and accomplishment I never could have imagined before. I approve of your character. Now, if you ask me, I’m ready to be your lover. I’ll make you happy, help you achieve your goals, and I’m an excellent cook. You won’t regret it.”

“Love isn’t something I’m considering right now,” Abyss said, shrugging, neither embarrassed nor flustered by her declaration. “But since you trust me now, would you tell me about your wish? Why were you so obsessed with interdimensional travel? You even risked your life for it. There must be a reason.”

“You want to know?” Rebecca asked, her voice thoughtful. “My wish is difficult to fulfill, even for someone as powerful as you. Perhaps even more difficult than defeating the Creator God…”

Chapter 105: An Untold Past

This was shocking news.

Flora and Leona were stunned. Princess Givia had always been a diligent and compassionate leader, her dedication to the Restoration Army evident to all. And based on their own judgment, they believed her sincerity. She genuinely cared about her people and wanted the best for her kingdom.

“You’re saying Princess Givia caused your mother’s accident?” Flora asked, her brow furrowed in disbelief. “Could you explain?”

“Givia doesn’t seem like a bad person…” Leona said, looking at Haina, puzzled.

Haina waved her hands frantically. “I’m not saying she’s a bad person! She just caused the accident that disfigured my mother. It wasn’t intentional, but she never apologized, and now she seems to have forgotten about it.”

Flora and Leona waited for her to elaborate.

Haina, clearly flustered by her own words, took a deep breath, the calming scent of Flora’s presence easing her anxiety. “It happened when the princess was very young. According to my mother, she was quite mischievous. My mother, a high-ranking maid trusted by the King, was assigned to be her personal attendant, responsible for her safety.”

“The princess was playful, but my mother was skilled at handling children. She always managed to fix the princess’s mistakes, ensuring her safety.”

“But one day, the princess, in her mischievous curiosity, somehow acquired a highly unstable potion from the palace alchemy laboratory and spilled it in her room. The potion ignited upon contact with the floor, the flames quickly spreading, trapping the princess and my mother. The magical flames were incredibly hot. If the princess had been burned, she might have died. My mother, thinking quickly, pushed her into a fire-resistant wardrobe. But it was too small for both of them. My mother chose to stay outside.”

“Although help arrived quickly, my mother was severely burned. People said her screams could be heard from hundreds of meters away.”

“The princess, protected by the wardrobe, only fainted from the heat. But my mother suffered terrible burns. The right side of her body was consumed by the flames, her right arm charred, her beautiful face disfigured forever.”

“The King ordered the best healers to save her life, even summoning a Divine Arts user from the Church to stabilize her condition,” Haina continued, her voice tinged with sadness. “Although her life was saved, her arm had to be amputated, and half of her body was covered in horrific burns. She was once renowned for her beauty, but after the accident, she couldn’t even leave the house without covering her face with a scarf, fearing she would frighten others…”

Haina’s expression was somber, her love and concern for her mother evident.

“I understand your pain,” Flora said, gently taking Haina’s hands in hers. “Your mother is the most important person in your life. It’s natural to feel heartbroken by her suffering.”

“Thank you, Sister Flora,” Haina said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

“After the accident, the King compensated my mother, who could no longer work. She returned home and dedicated her life to raising me. At her request, the King suppressed the news. No one knew the princess was responsible. They all thought it was an accident.”

“The princess never visited my mother, never apologized. My mother always taught me to love our country and be loyal to the princess, because she was our future. But then, I accidentally learned the truth about my mother’s burns, and my faith in the princess wavered… I’ve experienced many things since joining the Royal Guard, many small incidents that made me question my loyalty. Especially that time we raided Saint Flora’s tomb to retrieve your pendant. Everyone died protecting Alva and me. If not for Mr. Abyss, we would have died there too.”

“I’m wondering, is it all worth it? I don’t hate the princess. She was young, and it wasn’t intentional. But… I want her to apologize to my mother… But I’m afraid of angering her…”

“You don’t know why she hasn’t apologized, do you?” Leona asked, thinking. “Should I ask her for you?”

“No, no…” Haina said quickly, shaking her head and waving her hands.

“We’ll find out why she hasn’t apologized, without revealing your secret,” Flora said, smiling reassuringly. “But Haina, you should listen to your mother, trust her judgment.”

“I’ve always trusted her…”

“But you’re doubting the princess, the person your mother dedicated her life to, the person she risked everything for, even crossing the border alone,” Flora said, gently stroking Haina’s hair. “Your mother has no reason to remain loyal to the princess. She left the palace, and she chose to keep the truth hidden. But why did she still teach you to be loyal to the princess, to your kingdom? Because she believes in the princess, she believes the princess can lead Ossi to a brighter future. She didn’t succumb to bitterness and resentment. She made her own choices, guided by her wisdom and her unwavering faith.”

“Haina, you need to make your own choice. Don’t let doubt and resentment consume you, turning into your inner demons. There’s no room for ambiguity in this world. Every choice has consequences. Ask yourself, is Princess Givia worthy of your loyalty? Why do you follow her? Do you want to continue serving her?”

Haina fell silent, lost in thought. After a long pause, she looked up at Flora, her voice firm. “Princess Givia is worthy of my loyalty. I can see her genuine concern for her people and her kingdom. I follow her to honor my mother’s wishes, to help her lead our kingdom to a brighter future. I will continue serving her, because I want my mother to see the future she envisioned, and I want to witness it myself!”

“Good,” Flora said, nodding. “You should determine your own path. When in doubt, trust your judgment, trust those you love and those who love you.”

“I suspect there’s a deeper reason why Givia hasn’t apologized to your mother. Flora and I will investigate,” Leona said. “Leave it to us.”

Chapter 104: Girls’ Night

Haina arrived at the guesthouse, a small package clutched in her hand. Leona, who had heard her footsteps, greeted her at the door.

“Did you finish talking with your mother?” Leona asked, closing the door behind her. “Is that the information your mother wants to give to Princess Givia?”

“Yes,” Haina replied, nodding nervously. It was her first time inside Flora and Leona’s room. It was spacious, easily accommodating the three of them.

A pleasant floral scent, emanating from Flora, filled the room, calming Haina’s nerves.

It wasn’t Flora’s natural scent. As an undead, her bodily functions were maintained by magic. Her body temperature was constant, preventing perspiration and any accompanying odors. The fragrance came from the flowers and herbs she had used in her baths when she was alive. These subtle, even therapeutic, scents would normally dissipate within a day or two, but due to her unique abilities, they had been imbued with divine power, clinging to her skin even after death.

“We’ve arranged a room for you at the guesthouse. It has everything you need. You can rest there tonight,” Flora said, smiling. “Please, sit down. You mentioned having some questions for me. We have plenty of time now. Ask away.”

“Yes, ABC and Rebecca are conducting some experiments. They’ll be busy for a while. We can chat all night without disturbing them… Oh, right, you’re human. You need to sleep. I almost forgot, after spending so much time as an undead,” Leona said, patting the large bed they had been sharing, kicking off her boots and sitting down.

“If you get tired, you can sleep here with us. We don’t need to sleep,” Flora added. Since Haina knew they were undead, there was no need to hide it. It made Flora feel more comfortable.

Haina placed the package her mother had given her inside her pocket, close to her heart, then sat down beside Leona, a hint of excitement in her eyes.

“First time sharing a room with the dead?” Leona asked, her tone echoing Abyss’s playful teasing.

Haina, momentarily flustered by the question, then nodded. “Well, I’ve seen dead people before, but not like you. You can move and talk.”

“Heehee, undead aren’t exactly a common sight,” Leona said, chuckling. “They rarely occur naturally, and most necromancers are discreet. Most of them, anyway.”

Of course, there were exceptions, like Bishop Dallan, who had summoned a giant abomination near the Western Empire’s capital, clearly emboldened by an Outer God’s power.

“Leona, please, let’s not talk about such things,” Flora said, shaking her head with a wry smile. She noticed that Leona, despite her usual arrogance and boisterousness, had become more like Abyss, her playful teasing echoing his own.

But then she realized she was no different. That unconventional boy had a way of influencing those around him.

Flora removed her shoes and sat beside Haina on the edge of the bed. The atmosphere in the room relaxed, like a typical girls’ night during a trip. Except two of them were dead.

“Ask me anything. I’ll answer any question I can,” Flora said, then blushed slightly. “But I’m not very experienced in matters of love, so I can’t offer much advice in that area. I apologize.”

“You can ask me about love!” Leona exclaimed, puffing out her chest.

“You have experience?” Flora asked, raising an eyebrow, surprised.

“Of course! I’ve read hundreds, if not thousands, of knightly romances. I have an encyclopedic knowledge of love stories!” Leona said proudly, swinging her legs.

“It’s not about love… I don’t have anyone I like yet…” Haina said quickly, shaking her head. “I have some personal matters I wanted to discuss with Sister Flora. I heard you’re wise and good at giving advice, so I wanted to ask…”

“What’s troubling you, Haina?” Flora asked, tilting her head slightly. It had been a while since she had offered counsel. It was a skill required of Saints, although she differed from the others. They memorized pre-written answers, adhering to a strict doctrine, while Flora’s advice was always genuine and heartfelt.

Her values and beliefs were largely shaped by Pope Hendrick III, who had defied tradition and personally mentored her, providing her with an unconventional education.

“I have a big problem, Sister Flora, Sister Leona. Can you keep it a secret? I don’t want anyone else to know.”

“Of course. I swear on my honor as a knight,” Leona said instantly.

“I promise as well,” Flora said, placing her hand on her heart.

“I’m wondering… If someone I’m loyal to has taken something precious from someone I care about, should I remain loyal? I’m confused…” Haina’s voice trailed off, as if she were afraid to continue.

Flora, sensing the gravity of the situation, gently took Haina’s hand. “Tell us, Haina.”

“Don’t worry. You consider us your friends, so we’re here for you,” Leona said, taking her other hand.

Haina, her hands held by Flora and Leona, seemed to gain some courage. “My mother suffered severe burns in an accident. She lost her arm because of it. She used to hold an important position in the palace, but after the accident, she had to leave, forced to live as a disabled person… I was too young to remember it. I’ve always known her as… half a person…”

“She was beautiful when she was young. I’ve seen her portrait. My father died when I was very young. My mother raised me alone, despite her disability. She even taught me magic and instilled in me a sense of loyalty to the princess, encouraging me to protect her and help her lead our kingdom to a brighter future… But…”

“But… I later learned that the accident that disfigured my mother… was caused by Princess Givia…”

Chapter 103: Scars Beneath the Scarf

Even with this strange sense of familiarity, Abyss couldn’t directly question Cassandra. They had just met. Even if he asked, he wouldn’t get a satisfactory answer.

Haina, still a child, didn’t drink alcohol. The tavern’s beer, sour and bitter, made her grimace. Leona, seeing her discomfort, finished the rest of her drink. Cassandra, however, seemed to be a seasoned drinker, her movements graceful and composed, despite the scarf covering her face.

Flora and Rebecca ate sparingly, their undead bodies not requiring sustenance. Abyss ate his fill, while Leona, not only finishing her own portion, also devoured the leftovers from Flora and Rebecca’s plates.

The former princess had no qualms about eating others’ leftovers. If the Western Empire’s royal family knew about this, they would surely be scandalized.

Fortunately, her eating habits weren’t unsightly. She simply enjoyed eating, and even without gourmet food, she was content as long as she could eat her fill.

After their meal, Haina prepared to return to the inn with her mother, but Flora stopped them.

“Haina, as I mentioned before, why don’t you and your mother stay at the guesthouse with us for a few days? Although there aren’t any servants, it would be more convenient for us to look after each other.”

Haina looked at her mother. Cassandra shook her head. “If Miss Flora is so kind as to invite my daughter to stay with you, I thank you. But I’m an old woman. I can take care of myself. I managed to cross the border alone, after all. I’ll stay at the inn. As long as Haina visits me occasionally, I’ll be fine. It’s not time for celebrations yet.”

“But Mother, it would be easier for me to take care of you if you stayed with us,” Haina said, her voice pleading.

“I know that guesthouse is reserved for distinguished guests. You, as a member of the princess’s Royal Guard, have a right to stay there, but I’m just an ordinary old woman,” Cassandra said, shaking her head. “You should focus on improving your skills and making friends. I can afford to stay at the inn. The owner and the staff are kind and willing to assist me. It’s the best arrangement.”

Haina, still worried about her mother, persisted, but Cassandra’s resolve was firm. She reassured Haina that the inn’s staff were trustworthy, finally convincing her daughter.

“If that’s your decision, then we’ll respect it,” Flora said to Cassandra apologetically. “If we were elsewhere, we could have arranged for you to stay at a more comfortable inn, but Shodo Town is a bit… limited.”

“I didn’t come here for luxury. I came for Princess Givia. The inn Haina found for me is more than adequate,” Cassandra said. “Thank you for your concern.”

“Mother, since you don’t want to stay at the guesthouse, I’ll accompany you back to the inn and chat for a while before joining them,” Haina said. Cassandra smiled at her daughter, nodding her approval.

Abyss and his companions headed towards the guesthouse, while Haina accompanied her mother back to the inn.

As Flora had mentioned, Shodo Town wasn’t a prosperous town. In peacetime, it was a quiet, unremarkable place. With few visitors, there weren’t many inns, and certainly no luxurious accommodations for the wealthy.

The inn Haina had chosen was the best in town. It was clean, and the owner and staff were friendly, willing to assist Cassandra—out of respect for Haina, a member of the princess’s Royal Guard.

Back in Cassandra’s room, Haina sat beside her mother on the bed, holding her left hand.

“Mother, do you need help changing your clothes?” Haina asked.

“Yes, please, my dear,” Cassandra said. With only one arm, changing clothes was a challenge. She had only brought essential food and water for her journey, no spare clothes. Haina had bought her a new outfit earlier that day, but she hadn’t had a chance to change yet.

As Haina retrieved the new clothes, Cassandra unwrapped the scarf from her face.

If a stranger had seen her now, they would have recoiled in horror. The right side of her face was covered in thick, burn scars, her eye socket empty, her eyebrow and hair gone, her mouth twisted and disfigured. The scars extended down her neck and across her body. Her missing right arm had been amputated to save her life.

But the left side of her face was strikingly beautiful, her eyebrow arched elegantly, her blue eye bright and clear, her beauty undiminished by age. In her youth, she must have been a stunning woman. And Haina, her daughter, had inherited her features. Although still young and innocent, her beauty was already evident, promising to blossom into a captivating woman in a few years.

Haina, holding the new clothes, turned around, seeing her mother’s scars, but her expression remained calm. She was accustomed to her mother’s appearance.

“Let me help you,” she said gently, helping her change, using a simple spell to keep her warm—the air in Oakning was still chilly.

Cassandra, enjoying her daughter’s care, put on the new clothes, then wrapped the scarf around her face again, not wanting to frighten the innkeeper or the staff.

“That scarf doesn’t look breathable. I’ll buy you a silk scarf from the Eastern Empire next time,” Haina said, her voice filled with concern for her mother, who was always hiding her scars.

“Your thoughtfulness is enough, my dear,” Cassandra said, retrieving a paper bag from her belongings. “Haina, I need you to deliver this to Princess Givia. She must see it personally. Only I know about this information. Keep it secret. Deliver it first thing tomorrow morning.”

“What is it about?” Haina asked, weighing the bag in her hand. It felt light.

“It’s about Prince Kevin. The princess will understand when she reads it,” Cassandra said, her voice serious. “After delivering this, you must obey the princess’s commands without question.”

Chapter 102: The Old Woman’s Secret

Cassandra, Haina’s mother, seemed perceptive. She noticed their curiosity about her unusual attire. Few people covered themselves so completely, leaving only one hand and one eye visible.

“Heroes, I apologize for not removing my scarf. I suffered some injuries in the past, leaving unsightly scars. I usually dress like this,” Cassandra explained. “Please forgive my rudeness, but I don’t want to upset you with my appearance.”

“It’s alright,” Flora said gently. “We’re sorry to hear about your injuries, but please don’t worry. We won’t judge you based on your appearance.”

“Yes, please don’t be concerned. Let’s have dinner together,” Abyss said, nodding. He wasn’t afraid of seeing her scars. As a necromancer, he had witnessed all manner of gruesome injuries. Cassandra’s scars, no matter how disfiguring, couldn’t possibly compare to the horrific deaths he had seen.

“Thank you for your understanding,” Cassandra said, bowing slightly. She was polite and well-mannered, her speech and her gestures refined, although her clothes were simple, not befitting a noble. Perhaps she had served a noble family in her youth, receiving etiquette training.

Leona had explored the town with Abyss earlier, but unlike him, who was simply observing the townspeople, she had been focused on locating establishments that served food. She knew every restaurant and tavern in Shodo Town.

Thus, she volunteered to lead them to a suitable dining place, her exceptional memory, unburdened by complex spells or alchemical formulas, having effortlessly memorized a map of the town during their earlier walk. They arrived at a tavern without taking a single wrong turn.

Food was scarce in Shodo Town. The townspeople weren’t starving, but they weren’t feasting either. Even this tavern mainly served beer to weary workers, its food offerings limited to vegetables and bread. The meat had been donated to the Restoration Army, ensuring the soldiers had enough to eat. All resources were collected and distributed by the town elders, every contribution carefully recorded by the governor, to be repaid with interest from the national treasury after the war.

They found a large table, and Leona ordered their meals, placing a glass of cloudy beer before each of them. Dinner commenced.

Abyss, feeling hungry, took a large bite of his bread, then washed it down with a gulp of bitter beer. He turned to Cassandra. “Mrs. Cassandra, I’m curious, why did you make such an arduous journey to Oakning? Was it simply to see your daughter, or do you have other business here?”

“Haina is grown now. I trust her to protect herself, to fulfill her duties as a member of the princess’s Royal Guard. I’m not worried about her safety,” Cassandra said, gently stroking Haina’s cheek with her left hand. “To be honest, I came to Oakning to deliver some information to Her Highness. Some of it can be shared publicly, but some of it must be conveyed to her personally.”

“Doesn’t the princess already have an intelligence network?” Leona asked, biting into a steaming potato. “Are you an intelligence agent, Mrs. Cassandra?”

“No, she’s not,” Haina explained. “My mother used to be a maid in the palace. She served Princess Givia and is incredibly loyal to her. Her devotion inspired me to join the Royal Guard’s training program at a young age.”

“I see. You served Princess Givia,” Leona said, nodding. “I wish you good health, Mrs. Cassandra. Such unwavering loyalty is rare these days.”

“It’s nothing, really. I’m simply doing my duty,” Cassandra said, waving her hand dismissively. “I served Princess Givia because it was my job. Now I help her because I’m a citizen of the Ossi Kingdom. I don’t want our kingdom to fall into Kevin’s hands. If he truly gains control, Ossi might be destroyed.”

“Ah, I understand,” Leona said, taking a sip of her beer. “You’re saying Kevin is incompetent and tyrannical, and he doesn’t care about his kingdom. If he continues to rule, it could lead to disaster.”

Leona knew that Kevin was supported by the Lord of Nightmares, that he might even be a follower of the Outer God. If his loyalty shifted from his kingdom to a malevolent deity, anything was possible. Without Abyss’s intervention, Kevin might eventually kill Givia, turning Ossi into the Lord of Nightmares’ pasture, spreading despair and nightmares until the Outer God fully manifested, bringing about untold destruction.

“That’s one of the reasons, but there’s something else. I apologize, but I can’t reveal this secret until the princess herself decides to share it,” Cassandra said, shaking her head slightly. “I don’t want to be cryptic, but this information is sensitive. If it spreads uncontrollably, it could cause widespread panic and chaos.”

“It’s alright. I dislike chaos as well,” Abyss said with a smile. “You have your reasons. We can always ask the princess herself later.”

“Thank you for your understanding,” Cassandra said, nodding at Abyss.

Abyss continued eating, his curiosity piqued, but he wouldn’t pressure an elderly woman to reveal her secrets. However, his sense of familiarity with her grew stronger, a nagging feeling that he had encountered her before, although he couldn’t place it.

He glanced at Flora, who was also looking at him. Their eyes met, and he realized she shared his sense of familiarity with Cassandra.

Chapter 101: Haina’s Mother

As expected, the Restoration Army’s soldiers were ecstatic, their morale boosted by the presence of such powerful allies.

Ninth-tier Dou Warriors, while not unheard of, were incredibly rare. Most resided in the Eastern or Western Empires. Few chose to remain in smaller kingdoms. The compensation was far less generous, and the burden of responsibility, the expectation to act as the nation’s protector, was immense, a weight not everyone could bear.

The Ossi Kingdom had no ninth-tier warriors. The kingdom lacked the resources to train one, and its small population limited the chances of a naturally gifted individual emerging.

But now, everything had changed. Leona had proven her strength, and their beloved Princess Givia had confirmed her ninth-tier status. Having such a powerful warrior on their side meant a significant advantage in battle, bolstering the people’s faith in Givia and their chances of victory.

These soldiers, although trained for war, didn’t desire conflict. Their ultimate goal was peace. The arrival of a powerful ally, someone who could hasten the war’s end, filled them with hope and excitement.

After Givia’s inspection of the troops, which yielded satisfactory results, dusk began to settle. She led Abyss and his companions back to town.

“I must return to headquarters, have dinner, review the reports, and issue some commands. I’ll have to excuse myself,” Givia said, smiling at Abyss. “Thank you for demonstrating your abilities before my soldiers. It will surely inspire them.”

“We’ll continue to assist you when the war begins,” Abyss said. “I have no special requests, Your Highness. Just prioritize your safety. Don’t give the Lord of Nightmares an opportunity to exploit your vulnerability.”

“And please, Your Highness, remember to rest. If I were you, after an entire afternoon of inspecting troops, I would collapse into bed,” Rebecca said, her concern for Givia evident. Of course, as an undead, she didn’t experience fatigue.

“I will,” Givia said, bowing before returning to her headquarters, escorted by her guards.

Alva and Haina remained with Abyss and his companions. Although they were part of the princess’s Royal Guard, Alva’s injuries prevented her from resuming her duties, and Haina was still too young and inexperienced to protect Givia. She was only fourteen years old.

“I must return to the barracks. I left my troops in the care of others while accompanying Her Highness this afternoon,” Alva said, watching Givia depart.

“You must be tired after spending the entire afternoon with the princess. Please rest after consuming your potion tonight. It will aid your recovery,” Rebecca said, her voice gentle.

“Of course. I’m more eager than anyone to return to Her Highness’s side and protect her,” Alva said, nodding, then turned to Haina. “Haina, why don’t you stay in town tonight?”

“Huh?” Haina asked, confused.

“Your mother is here. You should spend some time with her,” Alva said, her gaze softening. “She traveled a long way to see you. Don’t neglect her. You can stay with her for a few days. I’ll make arrangements at the barracks.”

“Really?” Haina asked, her voice filled with surprise. “Thank you, Captain!”

“You’re welcome. I wish I could show my mother the same devotion, but she’s already gone. So I hope you’ll cherish your time with your mother. Don’t make the same mistake I did,” Alva said, her eyes filled with a hint of sadness.

“I will,” Haina said solemnly.

“Alright, I’ll leave you now. Take this money and have dinner with your mother in town,” Alva said, handing Haina some coins, then turned to leave.

“Will you be sleeping with your mother tonight? Is her room cramped?” Flora asked gently. “If you need to, you can stay with us. I’ll request a larger room at the guesthouse.”

“Really? Thank you, Sister Flora!” Haina exclaimed, bowing gratefully.

“Actually, why don’t you bring your mother here, and we can all have dinner together? We haven’t eaten yet,” Leona suggested. “It would be more fun as a group. If your mother doesn’t mind the noise, that is.”

Leona’s suggestion wasn’t unfounded. Although she didn’t understand Ossi and hadn’t visited the kingdom before, she had read about their culture in travelogues and novels. The Ossi people enjoyed gatherings, feasting and drinking together, the more the merrier.

“Really? Would that be alright?” Haina asked, her voice filled with surprise and gratitude. “If my mother knew I had made so many friends, she would be overjoyed!”

“Of course. Let’s invite your mother,” Abyss said, nodding. Unlike Leona, whose motivation was primarily culinary, he was genuinely hungry. And he was curious about Haina’s mother, the elderly woman who had crossed the border alone, and wanted to know why she had made such an arduous journey.

Delighted by their invitation, Haina led them to the inn where her mother was staying. According to Haina, she had been resting since arriving that morning and should have recovered by now. She would likely appreciate a meal and some company.

Haina entered the room, and a few minutes later, she emerged with an elderly woman, her back slightly hunched, her right arm missing, but her steps still steady.

What intrigued Abyss was the thick scarf wrapped around her face, covering even the eye on the side of her missing arm. Except for her left hand, not an inch of her skin was visible. She seemed shrouded in mystery.

“Mother, these are the heroes I told you about, the ones who are friends with Princess Givia. They’re incredibly powerful. They’ve invited us to have dinner with them!” Haina said excitedly.

“It’s an honor to meet you, heroes. My name is Cassandra. Thank you for your invitation,” the old woman said, bowing respectfully. She spoke Common Tongue, but her accent was thick.

Hearing her voice, Abyss felt a strange sense of familiarity, a nagging feeling that he had encountered her before, although he couldn’t place it…