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

Chapter 90: Veronica’s Secret

“Die!!!”

Even Leona, fearless as she was, felt a surge of revulsion at the sight before her. She instinctively kicked the mage’s remaining half-head, her sharp Dou Qi performing a swift decapitation. The head spun through the air and landed some distance away.

The headless body twitched a few times, then went still. Leona stood before it, her hand on her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

“Damn it, what was that thing…”

She had never seen anything so repulsive. A headless mage was within the realm of her understanding, but a mage with only half a head? How could such a grotesque creature exist in this world?

Moreover, her instincts as a high-ranking undead told her that this wasn’t an undead creature. She couldn’t sense any trace of necromancy on it. Undead could recognize their own kind, but Leona felt no connection to this thing whatsoever.

This brought her some relief. Who would want to be associated with such a repulsive creature?

But a new question arose: if it wasn’t undead, what was it?

She decided to bring it back and let Abyss examine it when he woke up. He was knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with the dead. Surely, waking up to a headless corpse would delight him.

That being said, Leona still didn’t want to carry the mage’s body back. It was too unsettling, so unsettling that even she, invincible as she was, felt a sense of unease.

…

Leona returned to Flora and Veronica, carrying a long log with a headless corpse securely bound to it with vines, like a hunter returning from a successful hunt.

As expected, after she had dealt with the mage, the battle below had quickly ended. The dwarf mercenaries, despite their coordinated attacks and superior equipment, were no match for Veronica’s guards. Their short bodies lay scattered on the ground, while Veronica’s soldiers were busy burying the dead and tending to the wounded.

Veronica could no longer conceal her true identity. The battle had exposed too many inconsistencies—no ordinary merchant would hire such a large and well-equipped force, and no ordinary mercenaries would fight with such discipline and disregard for their own safety. And the fact that they hadn’t encountered any Ossi bandits along the way… The answer was clear.

“Here, take this. It will heal your internal injuries,” Veronica said, crouching beside a wounded soldier, placing the Fountain’s Draw around his neck.

“But… Your Highness…” the soldier muttered in Ossi, his voice weak. He seemed to be gravely injured, his internal organs damaged, but he was hesitant to accept the pendant.

“No buts. Don’t you want to live?” Veronica said, her voice firm. “Take it. The young lady with healing magic will treat you soon.”

The soldier, his eyes filled with gratitude, clutched the Fountain’s Draw tightly. Veronica stood up and turned to see Leona returning, carrying a log that seemed too large for her small frame, a headless corpse attached to it.

“What’s this…?” Veronica asked, surprised by the sight of the corpse.

“This is the mage who attacked us. I kicked his head off,” Leona said casually, gesturing towards the corpse with her eyes. “I eliminated your enemy for you. Now, can you satisfy my curiosity?”

“You killed the mage sent by our enemy, and Miss Flora saved several of my soldiers with her healing magic… I’ll remember this kindness,” Veronica said after a moment of thought, nodding. “Although we lost a few men, we need to leave quickly. We can talk on the road.”

Leona nodded. “Of course.”

She glanced at Flora, who was using Divine Arts to heal the soldiers’ wounds. Flora looked up and winked at her. It seemed she had used some trickery to make them believe she was a Healing mage, not a Divine Arts user. To maintain the illusion, she hadn’t completely healed their wounds, leaving some minor external injuries to heal naturally.

Veronica didn’t ask too many questions about why Leona had brought back a corpse. She simply instructed her men to place it in one of the cargo wagons. They were still far from the Tami Kingdom border, so they could deal with it later.

Flora cast a preservation spell on the corpse to prevent it from decomposing. After all, no one wanted to travel with a rotting, fly-infested corpse.

“I apologize for my deception,” Veronica said, bowing her head slightly to Leona and Flora. “My real name is Givia. I’m the Princess of the Ossi Kingdom… I initially assumed you were just noble girls traveling to the Eastern Empire and didn’t want to involve you in my plans, so I lied about being merchants. In truth, we are indeed disguised as a merchant caravan, heading to the Eastern Empire to acquire some special items.”

Their original wagon had been destroyed by magic, so they were now riding in a cargo wagon. It was dimly lit, but better than being exposed to the sun.

Flora and Leona exchanged glances. They had already guessed Givia’s true identity, only lacking concrete evidence to confirm their suspicions.

“You must have heard about my Restoration Army. These men, disguised as mercenaries, are actually my guards… Well, some of them are simply volunteers who came to protect me,” Givia said, her voice heavy. “Some of my guards sacrificed their lives to protect me. I won’t forget their families.”

“Disguising yourselves as Western Empire merchants to acquire special goods from the Eastern Empire is a clever plan,” Leona nodded. “Do you know who was behind the attack?”

“I don’t know for sure… But I suspect it was my brother, Prince Kevin, the current King of Ossi,” Givia said, frowning. “Our Restoration Army has the support of the people. We’re unstoppable. As long as I lead them, we will be victorious. That’s why Kevin has been trying to use underhanded methods to harm me, preventing me from focusing on leading the army…”

“Therefore, I have two goals for this trip to the Eastern Empire!”

“First, I need to acquire a batch of restricted military potions from the Eastern Empire’s underworld to enhance our soldiers’ combat capabilities when necessary.”

“Second, I need to find a way to counter the Outer God that has been plaguing me and seek a way to fight back!”

Chapter 89: The Unsettling Mage

“What the hell…” Leona muttered, coming to a halt, her mind clouded.

An overwhelming drowsiness washed over her, accompanied by a strange mix of anxiety and irritation.

She shook her head, trying to dispel the unsettling sensations, but it was futile. The drowsiness only intensified.

Undead weren’t supposed to need sleep. Leona knew this. The only time she had slept after her resurrection was when Abyss had personally hypnotized her. Even a necromancer of his caliber had needed her to relax completely before he could induce sleep, highlighting the difficulty of hypnotizing a high-ranking undead.

“What is this power… It’s so uncomfortable…” Leona said, holding her head with one hand, keeping one eye fixed on the mage’s figure.

It had to be a projection. The mage’s real body couldn’t be far, as Leona could still sense his magical energy signature nearby. However, it was now dispersed, emanating from all directions due to some kind of interference spell. Leona, not a skilled mage, had no way of pinpointing his exact location.

“Projection… Projection…” Leona fought to stay awake, her undead resilience against sleep helping her, but it still required a significant effort to maintain her consciousness.

The mage’s projection ignored Leona. His mouth, the only part of his face visible beneath the wide brim of his hood, continued chanting incessantly. The sounds of battle from the valley below were still audible, indicating that powerful and destructive magic was being unleashed. But Flora was there. As long as she was protecting Abyss and Veronica, no one in this world could harm them.

“Screw the projection!” Leona’s eyes narrowed, and she charged forward, throwing an uppercut at the mage’s figure!

Her fist, blazing with Dou Qi flames, passed through the projection, smashing into the ground.

But Leona didn’t seem disappointed. Instead, she grinned, looking up at the mage’s eerie projection.

Boom!

A powerful shockwave erupted from her fist, traveling through the ground at incredible speed. The tremors were so strong that even the battle in the valley below momentarily paused—neither the dwarves nor the mercenaries could maintain their balance.

And the mage, lacking any physical training, was no exception. The projection, caught off guard by the shockwave, stumbled and fell to the ground.

“Hah! Coward!” Leona laughed, raising a hand. The Dou Qi flames around her solidified, forming an incredibly long staff crackling with lightning. She slammed the staff into the ground, her immense strength driving it dozens of meters deep!

Then, aiming in the direction the projection had fallen, she heaved with all her might!

The staff, embedded deep in the ground, was ripped out by Leona’s slender arm, splitting the hill in two like a knife. A figure, unearthed by Leona’s attack, was flung into the air, landing heavily on the ground over twenty meters away. Leona stepped forward, the Dou Qi staff dissipating back into flames.

At the same time, she felt the drowsiness receding. Looking back, the mage’s projection was gone!

“Bastard, face me!” Leona taunted triumphantly. “You were hiding underground!”

The mage, flung from the earth, didn’t collapse in pain as expected. He slowly got up, his face still hidden beneath the hood, only his mouth and stubble-covered chin visible.

Strangely, his exposed skin was as pale as a necromancer’s… with a sickly purplish hue, an unsettling sight.

Whoosh!

Without a word, the mage moved his lips, seemingly chanting a short incantation. The ground beneath Leona’s feet rapidly heated up, and a jet of flame erupted!

It was a variation of the fire pillar spell that had attacked the wagon, capable of incinerating enemies with sustained high heat.

However, Leona stood within the flames, unharmed. Her Dou Qi protected her, leaving her clothes and even her long silver hair untouched by the intense heat.

“Give up. Just let me beat you up. You think these pathetic spells can hurt me?” Leona said with a cold smile, staring at the mage. “Don’t waste your effort. You think you can trick me with that smoky illusion again?”

Behind Leona, a strange, multicolored cloud of smoke had materialized where the mage’s projection had been.

The mage was trying to lure her into stepping back, forcing her to pass through the smoke again!

High-ranking Dou Warriors could indeed channel their Dou Qi to protect themselves from blades, impacts, and even extreme temperatures. But this mage hadn’t anticipated that Leona’s Dou Qi was so powerful that she didn’t even need to dodge!

“Your tricks are over. Now it’s my turn!” Leona said with a confident grin. Dou Qi flames condensed in her left hand, forming a short bow, while an arrow materialized in her right hand.

It all happened in an instant. Without hesitation, Leona drew the bow, aimed, and released. The Dou Qi arrow flew over twenty meters, striking the mage’s foot, pinning him to the ground.

The mage didn’t seem to feel pain. He tried to pull his foot free, but the Dou Qi arrow was firmly rooted in the ground. He couldn’t budge it.

Before he could chant an escape spell, Leona was standing before him.

Then, his stomach met Leona’s fist—she had tried to control her strength, but it was still enough to incapacitate an ordinary person.

With one foot pinned and his abdomen struck, the mage had no way to absorb the impact and collapsed to the ground.

“Who are you hiding from under that hood?” Leona asked, grabbing the mage and ripping off his cloak.

But the sight that greeted her made her gasp and cover her mouth in shock.

Beneath the hood, the mage only had half a head. The upper part was missing, leaving a gruesome mess of exposed bone and flesh.

And his lips were still moving, chanting a spell…

Chapter 88: Ambush

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Several distinct sounds of metal piercing wood echoed overhead. Sharp arrowheads protruded halfway through the wagon’s roof, but hadn’t penetrated completely.

“Hand crossbows!” Leona exclaimed, instantly recognizing the type of projectiles from the sound and the shape of the arrowheads. She was knowledgeable about various weapons.

“They didn’t pierce the roof?” Veronica, who had been pushed down by Leona, looked up at the arrowheads in surprise.

What kind of enemy would use such weak hand crossbows to attack a wagon with a wooden roof? They should know it wouldn’t be effective…

Flora shielded the sleeping Abyss with her body, her mind racing. “These bolts are enchanted with magical markers! Get out of the wagon!” she shouted.

Before Veronica could react, Leona scooped her up and leaped out of the wagon. Flora followed closely behind, carrying Abyss.

Boom!

The moment they were clear, a pillar of fire erupted from beneath the wagon, engulfing it in flames. Searing heat engulfed the coachman, who hadn’t managed to escape in time. His legs were vaporized below the knees, and he screamed in agony, rolling on the ground.

The mercenaries drew their weapons, those with shields raising them. The one in command shouted orders in the Ossi language, directing some to surround Veronica and Santos, while others formed a protective circle.

They were indeed from the Ossi Kingdom! But Leona couldn’t worry about that now. “Don’t get too close! The enemy has an Elemental mage!” she shouted urgently.

Many of the mercenaries, seemingly unable to understand Common Tongue, hesitated. Veronica, rescued by Leona, quickly drew a dagger and translated Leona’s words into Ossi. The mercenaries immediately spread out, forming a wider circle around Veronica.

As they did so, war cries echoed from the slopes on both sides of the valley. A group of short, stocky figures charged out of the dense forest. They were dwarves, clad in mismatched heavy armor, carrying steel battleaxes as tall as themselves and wielding powerful crossbows. Without hesitation, they fired at the mercenaries.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

The sound of crossbow bolts firing filled the air, a symphony of death approaching from all directions. Dozens of steel-tipped bolts ripped through the air, hurtling towards the mercenaries.

The mercenaries roared, their bodies glowing with various colored Dou Qi auras. They swung their weapons, deflecting the incoming bolts, the sounds of metal clashing ringing out. Two mercenaries were struck, the force of the bolts sending them flying off their horses, crashing to the ground, clearly dead. The mercenaries with bows retaliated, their arrows finding their marks, but only penetrating the dwarves’ thick armor, lodging in their tough muscles.

The dwarves, after firing a volley, immediately retreated. Their short stature gave them an advantage in the dense forest, making pursuit impossible.

At the same time, the ground trembled, and a figure, taller than two men, emerged from the earth. It was an earth elemental, as large as an ogre, its body composed of rocks and soil, covered in brown runes. It slammed its fist into the ground, creating tremors, and charged towards the mercenaries.

The mercenaries dismounted, their bodies blazing with Dou Qi flames, engaging the earth elemental, preventing it from reaching Veronica.

Their weapons chipped away at the elemental’s body, but it retaliated, sending mercenaries flying with its punches. Some managed to get up and continue fighting, others lay dead.

“Dwarf mercenaries and a mage? Fire pillar and earth elemental… At least seventh-tier,” Leona said, casually tossing aside the two crossbow bolts she had caught. “Flora, watch over Abyss and Veronica. I’ll find that mage!”

“Leave it to me!” Flora nodded firmly.

Leona charged forward, her small figure leaving a trail of orange flames, transforming into a meteor that shattered the earth elemental. Without pausing, she continued her ascent, racing up the nearby slope.

Veronica, shielded by Flora, watched in awe. She had initially assumed Leona was just a spoiled noble girl who had dabbled in Dou Qi. Now, she realized she was wrong.

But how could they encounter such a powerful Dou Warrior in this remote area? And so young? Leona looked barely ten years old. Could she be something other than human?

…

Leona sprinted, each stride covering over ten meters, her footsteps creating small craters in the ground. She plunged into the dense forest, casually shattering the shoulder blade of an unfortunate dwarf who got in her way, heading towards the source of the magical energy signature.

She couldn’t allow that annoying mage to cast any more spells. Among the five main schools of magic, the Elemental school possessed the greatest destructive power. If he continued…

It would be too noisy.

Leona didn’t consider the enemy a threat. Her sharp senses and her basic understanding of magic quickly pinpointed the mage’s likely location. She accelerated again, like an arrow loosed from a bow, heading straight for her target!

“Found you!” Leona exclaimed, spotting a figure in a brown mage robe standing on a hilltop. He held an iron staff, his face hidden beneath a large hood, only his mouth visible. He was chanting a spell.

This was clearly no ordinary bandit attack. Bandits wouldn’t hire well-equipped and experienced dwarf mercenaries. Those short, vicious creatures were willing to take on any dangerous job and excelled at ambushes. But their equipment and skills came at a price, and no bandit group would waste their resources on such expensive mercenaries. As for the seventh-tier mage—he could easily find lucrative employment anywhere. Why would he resort to such a risky and laborious task as highway robbery?

But Leona didn’t bother pondering these questions. She would simply beat the answers out of him!

“Ora!” she shouted, throwing a powerful punch at the figure on the hilltop!

Poof!

However, her fist didn’t connect with anything solid. The mage’s figure dissipated like smoke as her attack passed through it, then reformed. Leona, unable to stop her momentum, continued forward.

As she passed through the smoky figure, a wave of drowsiness washed over her.

Chapter 87: A Suspicious Caravan

Veronica returned to the wagon after a few minutes of conversation with her father, Santos. She hadn’t overheard Flora and Leona’s discussion and was unaware that Flora recognized the pendant around her neck. It was none other than the Fountain’s Draw, a moonstone pendant Flora had worn during her time as a Saint. It was originally an ordinary ornament, meant to complement her pale dresses, with no special properties. But the person who wore it was Flora.

Those who heard tales of Flora’s deeds might dismiss them as exaggerated legends, but Flora herself would confirm their truth.

Flora, the girl blessed and favored by the gods, could not only wield various Divine Arts effortlessly, amplifying their effects, but also possessed an aura of inherent miracles.

If you were a woman suffering from chronic rhinitis and happened to be close to Flora, she might allow you to smell her hair. Weekly sessions for a month would completely cure your ailment. Of course, if you were a man hoping to catch a whiff of the Saint’s fragrance, the Church might send Holy Knights to break your nose, ensuring your rhinitis would never be cured.

If you had an eye disease, such as trachoma or conjunctivitis, and happened to attend one of the Saint’s speeches, simply gazing at her throughout the event and getting a good night’s sleep afterward would miraculously heal your eyes.

The Saint’s singing voice could dispel nightmares and lull insomniacs to sleep. Her gaze could ward off fear and embolden cowardly warriors. These might sound like exaggerated praises from a lovestruck youth, but they were all true, without a hint of exaggeration.

If merely seeing, hearing, or smelling her could bring about effects comparable to Divine Arts, it was no surprise that the objects she wore would be imbued with a portion of her miraculous aura.

Similar to a mage enchanting an object, items worn by Flora would naturally acquire random Divine Arts effects. The Fountain’s Draw had been imbued with the powers of soothing and healing. Wearing it was equivalent to having a Divine Arts user constantly praying for you, accelerating your healing and making you less susceptible to negative emotions like fear and anger.

Now, Flora was trying to understand why her pendant was in another girl’s possession. Based on her intuition, Veronica didn’t seem like a bad person. Those who engaged in theft or robbery inevitably developed a certain sinister aura, perhaps imperceptible to most, but Flora was sensitive to it.

Perhaps she had bought it from grave robbers, or maybe someone had gifted it to her, Flora thought, feeling a pang of unease.

The thought of her body being desecrated by grave robbers disturbed her deeply. In her mind, no man other than Abyss had the right to touch her. Only Abyss had rescued her from fear, only Abyss trusted her completely… and only Abyss possessed such clear eyes and pure thoughts.

She glanced at Abyss, sleeping peacefully on her lap, a faint smile on his face. He seemed to be enjoying the makeshift pillow.

Leona had wanted to ask Veronica about the pendant’s origin, but Flora had objected. She didn’t want to reveal her identity and cause trouble for Abyss, even though the entire Church was probably no match for him. However, both Leona and Flora had learned during their travels that Abyss hated chaos.

They had been traveling for half a day. Dawn had broken, and Veronica, who had treated them to dinner and provided them with a place to rest the previous night, had been chatting with Leona and Flora. She was a talkative and well-spoken woman, her insights on various matters quite interesting. Her friendly demeanor even made Leona consider befriending her—after learning her true identity, of course.

“Veronica, why haven’t we encountered any bandits during our journey?” Leona asked, testing the waters.

“I hired over thirty mercenaries, and everyone in our caravan is riding a horse. Ordinary bandits wouldn’t target us,” Veronica replied immediately. “Don’t worry about that. Our mercenaries aren’t weak either. They can handle any bandits.”

“Your mercenaries do seem different from the usual ones… They seem very disciplined. Shouldn’t ordinary mercenaries be drinking and playing games in the back by now?”

Veronica looked at Leona, puzzled by her sudden interest in their mercenaries, but her expression remained calm. “Oh, you’re right. These mercenaries belong to the same company. We hired them specifically because of their discipline and training.”

Veronica’s answer was flawless, leaving Leona slightly disappointed. She couldn’t tell if her questioning wasn’t subtle enough or if Veronica was simply well-prepared.

As the wagon continued its journey, the sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains gradually dimmed. It wasn’t because the sky was darkening, but because they were entering a valley. The road was flanked by high ground, the dense vegetation blocking most of the sunlight.

Leona peeked out the window, observing the terrain, then sat back down with a chuckle. “Hehe.”

“What are you laughing at, Leona?” Flora asked curiously.

“I’m laughing at those bandits who don’t know how to utilize terrain for ambushes,” Leona said smugly. “This terrain is perfect. If I were a bandit leader, I’d set up an ambush here, blocking the road and positioning archers on both sides. No caravan could escape.”

“I heard those Ossi bandits don’t kill indiscriminately. We don’t need to worry,” Veronica said.

The wagon continued for a while, then suddenly stopped.

The mercenary who had been scouting ahead rode back and reported to Santos and Veronica, “Sir, the road is blocked by boulders that rolled down from the mountain. We need to clear them before we can proceed.”

“Alright, take a few strong men and try to move them. Here’s a potion. If it’s too difficult, use it to blast the rocks,” Santos said, handing the mercenary a vial.

“Yes, sir…”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Leona’s sharp ears suddenly picked up a strange sound—the whistling of arrows piercing the air.

“Get down! Ambush!”

Chapter 86: Flora’s Observation

“Hmm? What’s big?” the young woman asked, confused by Leona’s sudden exclamation. Her bosom was indeed well-developed, even larger than Flora’s, much to Leona’s envy.

“Ah? Ah! I meant, this wagon is quite spacious, I like it,” Leona quickly averted her gaze, chuckling awkwardly. “By the way, it’s quite dangerous out here. Those two dwarves we met earlier were robbed clean by bandits and were heading home. We wouldn’t know what to do without you, haha…”

“We’re just ordinary merchants, traveling between the Western and Eastern Empires, trading potions for a bit of profit. We hired these mercenaries from the guild,” the young woman said with a smile, extending a hand to shake Leona and Flora’s hands. “My name is Veronica. The man outside is my father, Santos. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too. I’m Leona,” Leona replied.

“I’m Flora. Thank you, Miss Veronica, for allowing us to travel with you,” Flora said politely, seemingly having shifted her gaze to a more appropriate location.

“We’re headed in the same direction. I couldn’t just leave two girls to face those dangerous bandits. By the way, is this your brother? He’s handsome, but he seems a bit sickly,” Veronica said, looking at Abyss curiously. He did look like a patient, pale and thin. If not for his steady breathing and the occasional movement of his eyes beneath his eyelids, one might mistake him for a corpse.

“Yes, yes, our brother. He suffered a head injury when he was young, so he loves to sleep. And when he wakes up, he does all sorts of crazy things,” Leona said with a laugh, pinching Abyss’s cheek. Her grip was strong, stretching his soft cheek. “Don’t let his current calmness fool you. When he wakes up, he’ll start rambling about intestines and stomachs. It’s quite annoying.”

“You’re taking him to the Eastern Empire for treatment?” Veronica asked, observing Abyss’s face closely. “To see an alchemist?”

“Yes, yes. The Church couldn’t cure him,” Leona said, waving her hand dismissively, pretending to be a concerned older sister. “We have no choice but to go to the Eastern Empire and find a skilled alchemist to heal him.”

“The alchemists in the Eastern Empire are indeed very skilled. We’re also headed there to acquire some high-quality potions for trade,” Veronica said with a smile. “However, I apologize, but I won’t be able to accompany you once we enter the Eastern Empire. Our procurement plan is quite complex, and it wouldn’t be convenient to bring you along. But during our journey together, please feel free to eat and stay with us. We only have some dry rations, but we’ll occasionally buy fresh meat from nearby farms.”

“Nearby farms… That’s the former territory of the Ossi Kingdom, right?” Leona said, thinking. “I heard those Ossi people don’t like Westerners very much. Will they really sell us food?”

“Don’t worry about that, Miss Leona. We’re just ordinary merchants. We’ll pay fairly for any food we buy. The Ossi people won’t harm us,” Veronica said. “Although Westerners often think of the Ossi people as barbaric and uncultured, they’re not unreasonable savages. They’re just straightforward. If you treat them with respect, they’ll make you feel welcome…”

The middle-aged man outside coughed, and Veronica stopped abruptly. “Oh my, look at me, rambling again.”

The Ossi people did have a less than stellar reputation among Westerners. They were known for their rough manners, low literacy rates, and a long-standing dueling culture. Although the Western Empire also valued martial prowess and had its own dueling traditions, they were quite different. Western duels required both parties to wear their finest clothes, use their best or rented swords, and fight under the supervision of witnesses. Ossi duels, on the other hand, involved two men stripping to the waist, fighting with fists, teeth, or whatever sticks they could find. And while the Western Empire valued martial prowess, it didn’t neglect education. Their literacy rate was eighty-five percent, three percent higher than the Eastern Empire, which ranked second.

With both cultures having dueling traditions, the difference in civility was stark. This, combined with the high illiteracy rate in the Ossi Kingdom, led many Westerners to look down upon them.

Leona, however, didn’t care. She stood at the pinnacle of the continent’s fighting force, with few rivals. She wouldn’t bother looking down on those who were weaker than her.

“Veronica, can you come out for a moment?”

The middle-aged man called for Veronica again. It seemed he needed to discuss something with her privately. Veronica smiled apologetically at Leona and Flora, and after the coachman stopped the wagon, she stepped out.

As soon as Veronica left, Leona pushed Abyss’s head down, leaned on his back, and looked at Flora with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Flora, what do you think? Did Miss Veronica’s chest give you a sense of inadequacy for the first time? Imagine if that lecherous Abyss woke up and saw those magnificent breasts, wouldn’t he fall head over heels in love?”

“Eh? Her chest?” Flora blushed. “No… I wasn’t thinking about that. It’s not like she can control the size of her breasts…”

“Oh my, are you blushing? Come on, let me see how long it’ll take for yours to catch up,” Leona said, reaching for Flora’s chest with a mischievous grin.

“Stop it… Stop it…” Flora said, trying to fend off Leona’s hand. “I wasn’t staring at her chest! I was looking at the pendant around her neck!”

Leona, having enjoyed a good squeeze of Flora’s soft and bouncy breasts, retracted her hand and asked curiously, “Hmm? Her pendant? What about it? Do you like it? Do you want me to ask for it? Although she might not agree.”

Flora shook her head. “No, it’s not that I like it. I just noticed it looks very similar to a pendant I used to wear… And Abyss didn’t take that pendant when he brought me out of my grave…”

“Hmm? Are you saying Veronica might be a grave robber?” Leona asked, her eyes widening. “Who in their right mind would rob a Church Saint’s tomb?”

“I don’t know… I only gained consciousness after Abyss brought me out of the grave. I don’t know what happened to my pendant. I don’t even know if I was buried with it,” Flora said, placing a hand on her chest, her voice laced with sadness. “It’s not important, just an ornament given to me by the Church. I just hope the grave robbers… if there were any… didn’t touch my body… I don’t want anyone but Abyss to touch my body…”

Chapter 85: Can they really be that big?

The two dwarves, having already been robbed once, were terrified by Leona’s warning. They scurried away, their short legs carrying them as fast as they could, not daring to run back the way they came. Instead, they huddled behind East Wind, trembling, hoping the girl on horseback could hold off the bandits.

Leona and Flora were also on high alert, not for their own safety, but for Abyss’s. He was still asleep and couldn’t defend himself.

They were now in the southern region of the Western Empire, where the climate was humid and warm. Unlike the barren landscapes of the north, the roadside was lined with dense forests. A rustling sound came from the trees, and a bald man with a mace, wearing mismatched armor, emerged, leading a horse.

He looked at Leona and Flora, sitting on horseback, and asked, “Are the bandits gone?”

“What bandits? What are you talking about?” Leona frowned, looking around. She didn’t see any bandits, only heard more people approaching from behind the man, their footsteps accompanied by the rumble of wheels and the snorting of horses.

“We’re a merchant caravan. We spotted bandits nearby and hid in the forest,” the man said, his attire suggesting he was a mercenary. “Now that they’re gone, we need to continue our journey.”

Leona eyed him suspiciously. His story seemed plausible enough. It was common for caravans to avoid bandits. But the location where he emerged was strange. What kind of caravan would venture deep into the forest, knowing the rough terrain would be difficult for wagons and make escape impossible if they were discovered?

The man signaled to those behind him. “Come out, everyone. The coast is clear. Let’s get moving!”

Following his call, more people emerged from the forest.

Leading the way was a wagon pulled by two horses, followed by several cargo wagons pulled by pack animals. Then came about thirty mercenaries, dressed similarly to the first man, riding on lightly armored mixed-breed horses, wielding various weapons and wearing mismatched armor. They looked like a ragtag group, but their combined strength was enough to deter any would-be robbers.

The caravan headed southeast along the road. Leona watched the mercenaries for a while, then called out, “Hey, merchants, where are you headed?”

Flora smiled, saying nothing. She, like Leona, had noticed something strange about this caravan. Mercenary work was unstable and dangerous, so most mercenaries were commoners who had learned some basic Dou Qi or low-level rogue mages. Even retired soldiers rarely became mercenaries—they received a pension and wouldn’t risk their lives for money unless they were desperate. However, this mercenary group was different. Although they tried to appear untrained and lazy, their posture and gait betrayed their disciplined training. If they encountered thirty or fifty bandits, they could probably eliminate them within five minutes, even arranging the bodies neatly and perhaps even applying funeral makeup.

If it were up to Flora, she would have let them pass. She wasn’t one to stir up trouble. Since they didn’t know the true purpose of these soldiers, they wouldn’t interfere.

But Leona was different. Once her curiosity was piqued, she wouldn’t let it go until it was satisfied.

The caravan stopped at the command of someone inside the lead wagon. A portly middle-aged man, dressed in the embroidered and silk-trimmed attire favored by wealthy Western Empire merchants, stepped out and greeted Leona with a smile. “Noble ladies, we’re on our way to the Eastern Empire to acquire some high-quality potions and spices.”

“My sister and I are weak women, traveling with our mentally ill brother to seek treatment in the Eastern Empire. May we travel with you?” Leona said, fabricating a story without hesitation.

“Well…” The middle-aged man hesitated.

A young woman’s head poked out from the window of the lead wagon. “Father, let them travel with us. We can’t just leave them on this dangerous road. Besides, I’d like some company my own age.”

The woman, in her early twenties, had curly auburn hair and freckles, her beautiful blue eyes calmly observing Leona and Flora. The man, apparently doting on his daughter, smiled at Leona. “My apologies, I was being rude. Since you ladies are in need, we, as fellow travelers, shouldn’t abandon you to such dangers. Please, bring the young man into the wagon and chat with my daughter. Your mounts can follow the caravan. Our grooms will take care of them.”

Leona nodded in satisfaction. “Thank you for your generosity. We won’t impose.”

She wrapped an arm around Abyss’s waist, lifted him effortlessly, dismounted gracefully, and then offered a hand to Flora, helping her down from East Wind.

“Go, East Wind, follow us,” Leona said, patting the horse’s foreleg. East Wind twitched its ears and obediently joined the caravan.

The middle-aged man’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly. The strength Leona had displayed when casually lifting Abyss wasn’t ordinary. While most Dou Warriors could easily carry a slender young man, this girl, barely over 1.4 meters tall, had done it effortlessly, without any apparent technique, indicating that her body had been thoroughly tempered by Dou Qi training.

Weak women? He didn’t believe it. But he had already agreed, so he had no choice.

At the young woman’s invitation, Leona and Flora carried Abyss into the lead wagon.

Leona was pleased. She wasn’t in a hurry to uncover the caravan’s true purpose, only mildly curious. For now, she was content to ride in a comfortable wagon, befitting her status as a lady. Her curiosity about these fake merchants was overshadowed by her enjoyment of the comfortable ride.

The wagon was spacious, the six-seater model favored by the Western Empire. Leona placed Abyss between her and Flora, and he naturally leaned against Flora’s shoulder, snoring softly. The middle-aged man didn’t seem to be joining them. He had mounted a horse and was riding alongside the wagon.

Leona glanced at Flora and noticed she was staring at the young woman’s chest.

Flora rarely showed such an expression, so Leona looked as well—

“My goodness, can they really be that big?”

Chapter 84: The Restoration Army

“Oh, is that all? Just bandits? Nothing to be afraid of,” Leona said confidently, squeezing her legs against the horse’s flanks (her legs were too short to reach its belly) and urging it forward. “Let’s go, East Wind! A glorious knight wouldn’t retreat from mere bandits!”

Leona’s beloved East Wind responded instantly, proudly raising its hooves and trotting forward with a brisk pace.

The robbed merchant rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Damn it, those hypocritical nobles will do anything for show. Even a little girl who hasn’t even grown hair can be knighted. Just another spoiled brat from some noble family.”

His voice was low, seemingly inaudible to others. But Leona, as the world’s strongest Dou Warrior, had superhuman hearing, honed by her Dou Qi. “What was that? Did my lack of hair eat your bread? Want me to teach you a lesson?” she glared at him.

She lifted the sleeping Abyss from East Wind’s back, pretending to throw him at the merchant, who quickly scurried away, shrinking his neck in fear.

Leona and Flora, of course, weren’t afraid of any bandits. Leona’s combat prowess was unquestionable, and Flora could easily use her Repentance spell to turn bandits into paragons of virtue, ensuring they wouldn’t stray from the righteous path for two hundred years.

Thus, the two girls, standing at the pinnacle of the world’s fighting force, continued their journey without fear, even though they encountered several dejected merchants returning empty-handed after being robbed.

…

The shortest route from the Western Empire’s capital to the Eastern Empire passed through the Western Empire’s newly acquired territory—the land recently seized from the Kingdom of Ossi. The area where the merchants had warned them about bandit activity was within this territory.

Many citizens of the former Ossi Kingdom, now forcibly incorporated into the Western Empire, were resentful. They refused to cooperate with the new administration, and some even resorted to banditry, hiding in the mountains. The Western Empire’s officials couldn’t simply kill these uncooperative people. If they resorted to violence against those who hadn’t committed any crimes, the bandit problem would only worsen.

Therefore, the Western Empire could only rely on compulsory education and minor reforms to gradually assimilate these rebellious Ossi people over generations. As for the current bandit problem, they only dispatched troops to escort large caravans. Smaller merchants, unwilling to spend a fortune on guards, hired only a few low-level mercenaries to protect their goods, making them easy targets for bandits.

Rumors spread that these bandits weren’t ordinary criminals but a force specifically targeting the Western Empire’s citizens and resources, funneling their loot to the “Restoration Army” of the Ossi Kingdom. This theory was supported by their unusual discipline and their reluctance to kill. They only robbed goods and wouldn’t harm anyone who didn’t resist or simply fled. This policy effectively reduced the Western Empire’s desire to pursue them relentlessly.

Leona and Flora, encountering several returning merchants along the way, learned more about this “Restoration Army.”

A few years ago, when the Western Empire invaded the Ossi Kingdom, the old King of Ossi had chosen to fight to the death. This decision, although popular among the people, was clearly suicidal. The Ossi Kingdom, only one-sixth the size of the Western Empire, stood no chance against its well-equipped army. Many within the court and among the people opposed the King’s decision.

The resistance led by the old King hadn’t even lasted a month when the leader of the pro-surrender faction, the King’s own son, the Prince of Ossi, staged a coup. He led a group of loyal soldiers, stormed the royal headquarters, captured his father, forced him to abdicate, and then, upon ascending the throne, swiftly signed a treaty with the Western Empire, ceding territory in exchange for peace. Although the treaty forced the Ossi Kingdom to relinquish a large and strategically important portion of their land, it ended the war.

The old King had another child, a daughter. The Princess of Ossi was a staunch supporter of fighting to the death. After her brother usurped the throne and signed the humiliating treaty, she immediately disowned him.

The new King couldn’t allow her to remain a threat and quickly declared her a traitor, sending soldiers to arrest her.

However, the princess wasn’t naive. She had anticipated this outcome after disowning her brother. Before the King’s soldiers arrived, she escaped the capital with the help of her supporters, successfully crossing the new border and establishing a force in the lost territory, calling it the “Restoration Army,” aiming to reclaim the Ossi Kingdom from the usurper King.

But this army was shrouded in mystery. They hadn’t launched any attacks and remained only a legend among travelers. Rumors spread that the princess, after forming this army, began having strange dreams that plagued her sleep, rendering her unable to lead. Some speculated that the new King had hired black mages to curse her, but this explanation didn’t satisfy Leona’s curiosity.

“Black mages? Why do you blame everything on black mages?” Leona asked, frowning at two dejected dwarf merchants sitting by the road.

“Oh, beautiful lady, these are just rumors we’ve heard,” one of the dwarves said, spreading his thick hands. “Some even say the princess is already dead, and the current leader of the Restoration Army is her maid.”

“Others say she’s just having erotic dreams, nothing strange at all,” the other dwarf added.

“Your stories are unreliable,” Leona said dismissively.

“We’re being completely honest,” the first dwarf said with a nervous chuckle. “We wouldn’t dare lie to such beautiful ladies. Every word is true gold.”

“Tsk, lecherous dwarves. Even after being robbed, you still can’t resist flirting with girls.”

As Leona spoke, her ears twitched.

She listened intently, then looked up, her expression alert. “You two, hide quickly. A group of people are approaching. They seem to be armed. They might be bandits!” she warned the dwarves.

Chapter 83: The Adult Entertainment Queen of the Eastern Empire

The journey from the Western Empire to the Eastern Empire was long and arduous. After the Western Empire seceded from the Mynian Empire, a province in the southeast, with the Eastern Empire’s covert support, declared independence from the Empress, renaming itself the Kingdom of Tami. This province was strategically located at the border between the two empires, separating their previously contiguous territories.

This separation benefited the Eastern Empire. The Kingdom of Tami possessed several excellent harbors, and most cargo ships traveling between the eastern and western parts of the continent stopped there for trade. Under the protection of the Eastern Empire, Tami paid two-thirds of its annual revenue as tribute, filling the Eastern Empire’s coffers.

However, this separation wasn’t so convenient for land travelers. To journey from the Western Empire’s capital to the Eastern Empire, one had to first traverse half of the Western Empire’s territory, then cross the border between the Western Empire and the Kingdom of Ossi—a region still recovering from the recent war and plagued by instability, requiring travelers to hire mercenaries for protection. Next, they had to pass through the Kingdom of Tami and finally undergo inspection by the Eastern Empire to ensure they weren’t spies from the Western Empire. This journey spanned nearly three thousand kilometers and was quite costly. Of course, if the traveler happened to be a high-ranking mage, it was a different story.

However, their only high-ranking mage was currently asleep on horseback, leaving Leona and Flora to travel by conventional means.

Despite the inconvenience, the journey from the Western Empire to the Eastern Empire offered breathtaking scenery. The climate grew warmer as they traveled south, perfect for the two noble ladies to enjoy at a leisurely pace. And they weren’t in a hurry. As undead, they had all the time in the world, as long as Abyss allowed it. They could “live” until the end of time.

Thus, an amusing scene unfolded on the road: a tall, well-equipped warhorse ridden by a short, silver-haired girl, carrying a sleeping young mage on its back, followed by an elegant blonde girl. They looked like noble children on a leisurely outing, yet they had no luggage or entourage.

Leona ignored the curious gazes of other travelers. Her only concern was avoiding the Church’s Holy Knights, preventing them from recognizing Flora. As for what others thought, she didn’t care.

“Flora, what do you think that genius alchemist Abyss is planning to dig up will be like?” Leona asked, turning back to Flora.

Flora thought for a moment. “You mean Miss Rebecca? I think she’ll be a strong-willed person, perhaps similar to Abyss in some ways.”

Abyss had informed them in the dream realm that his next target was Rebecca. Even if they hadn’t, they could have easily deduced it from their own memories.

Rebecca Viper, the genius alchemist and mechanic of the Eastern Empire, was a household name during her time. She was famous not only for her exceptional talent in potions and mechanics but also for her immense wealth.

Rebecca had displayed remarkable talent from a young age. At the age of three, while alone at home, she brewed a potion and nearly poisoned herself. Before the poison spread throughout her body, she concocted another potion that saved her life. This incident made her a legend, and the reputation of Rebecca, the alchemy prodigy, spread far and wide.

By the age of fifteen, she had monopolized the continent’s adult entertainment market with her invention of several highly effective aphrodisiac potions with no side effects, along with a variety of pleasure toys designed for different races. She also invented various practical potions with sleep-inducing, pain-relieving, and stimulating effects, which were sold in high-end markets across the continent, gaining popularity among the wealthy. Moreover, the alchemical solvents she invented were highly sought after by alchemists due to their stability. These ventures made her one of the richest individuals in the Eastern Empire.

Even today, her factory-produced sleep-inducing potions were widely used by nobles for health purposes. Drinking a cup of hot tea with a drop of the potion before bed, ensuring a sound sleep until morning, was a common practice among the aristocracy. And the adult toys she invented were still popular among dark elves, considered essential items.

Three hundred years ago, her ancestor had revolutionized alchemy, transforming it from the old “throw random ingredients into a cauldron and hope for gold” approach to a new science capable of producing practical potions, ushering in a new era. Two centuries later, Rebecca revitalized her ancestor’s legacy, creating immense wealth. Unfortunately, her inventions were mostly used for luxury purposes. It was said that she possessed thousands of blueprints for practical machines and dozens of formulas for advanced medical potions, but she never revealed or produced them. After her death, these blueprints and formulas were burned by her assistant, leaving behind no trace.

This Miss Rebecca was shrouded in mystery—despite her title as the “Adult Entertainment Queen of the Continent,” she never interacted with men. Not only did she avoid romantic relationships, but even for necessary business discussions with men, she wore thick gloves and a mask with air filtration, leading many to send female representatives or simply communicate with her assistant instead.

At the age of seventeen, her assistant suddenly announced that Rebecca had died in a laboratory accident. Following her will, her assistant quickly divided her business into several parts and sold them to various wealthy merchants in the Eastern Empire. The proceeds were partly converted into gold and hidden away, and partly invested in an alchemical research institution dedicated to training alchemists specializing in agriculture.

Thanks to the alchemists trained by this institution, the Eastern Empire’s food production had increased by thirty percent, and even people in the northern regions could enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter.

But the sudden death of this genius left behind many unanswered questions. People still didn’t know what experiment had claimed her life, nor why she hadn’t shared her groundbreaking inventions with the world.

Perhaps only after Abyss found her grave and resurrected her would these mysteries be solved.

As the two girls were speculating about Rebecca’s personality, a ragged man approached them, his once-expensive clothes now reduced to tattered strips of fabric. His goatee was half-burned, and he looked utterly disheveled.

“Where are you three headed?” the man asked, his voice gruff, his mood clearly foul.

“To the Eastern Empire. Why? Are you begging for money? We don’t have any,” Leona replied immediately.

“Forget about going to the Eastern Empire. If you head south, near the Empire’s new territory, you’ll run into Ossi bandits. They don’t kill or bother women, but they rob everything they see. They stole my entire caravan of tea leaves from the Elven Kingdoms, and my guards all ran away. I advise you to turn back. They’ll definitely want that horse of yours!”

Chapter 82: A Shift in Power

While Abyss and his companions were sound asleep, a long-overdue upheaval shook Golden Griffin City.

According to unnamed sources, Princess Helen, accompanied by her two brothers, requested an audience with the Emperor. The two princes, previously opposed to their sister’s plans, seemed to have undergone a sudden change of heart, now firmly supporting her. The four of them had a two-hour conversation at the Emperor’s dinner table, summoning various ministers throughout the night, but the details of their discussion remained a closely guarded secret.

At dawn, the Emperor issued a series of decrees: increasing the size of Princess Helen’s personal guard; dismissing a dozen officials on charges of corruption, replacing them with new appointees, and confiscating their ill-gotten gains; and declaring several nobles, led by Grand General Bert, guilty of treason for plotting to assassinate the princess, sentencing them to death and ordering their immediate arrest by the royal guard.

Several nobles, directly or indirectly involved in the assassination plot, were dragged from their beds and beheaded before they could even fully wake up. General Bert, perhaps sensing something amiss, had packed his belongings and attempted to flee the city under the cover of night. However, his four brothers intercepted him at the city gate and executed him on the spot. The brothers, previously amicable with Bert, showed no hesitation as they severed his head.

After the four brothers presented Bert’s head and all his embezzled wealth to the Emperor, he decided to spare their families and even promoted Reynard, the third son of the late General Gick, to the position of Grand General.

Throughout the morning, numerous officials shifted their allegiance, publicly declaring their support for Princess Helen’s plan to use the confiscated funds for projects benefiting the Empire and its people. Some even offered to contribute their own funds and resources, which the royal family readily accepted.

Golden Griffin City, previously a place of revelry and indulgence, transformed overnight into a city brimming with ambition and progress. The nobles, previously idle and preoccupied with frivolous pursuits, suddenly became paragons of knightly virtue, singing praises of the royal family, donning their long-unused, polished armor and ceremonial swords, and flocking to the palace to pledge their loyalty.

Furthermore, the Emperor issued an order for the city guard to cooperate with the Church in searching for illegal gatherings, arresting all suspected cultists, particularly those with wrinkled faces and unusually round eyes. It was clear that Abyss had somehow informed Helen, prompting her to take action against potential threats within the city. The followers of the Lord of Submergence were likely still unaware that their master had become a servant to a necromancer’s follower. Once they learned the truth, they wouldn’t remain idle.

The Church members in Golden Griffin City were overjoyed. This was the first time in years that they had received orders from the Emperor, and they were filled with zeal. Every priest donned their finest armor, grabbed their weapons, and rushed to the frontlines, skipping breakfast to fight for the glory of the Nine Gods.

The entire city was in turmoil. The commoners didn’t understand what was happening, but since Princess Helen was willing to spend so much money on them, they naturally praised her generosity.

As Leona and Flora carried Abyss out of the city at noon, they even heard children singing newly composed rhymes, mentioning “Empress Helen,” a phrase that would have been considered treasonous under normal circumstances. But the patrolling guards turned a deaf ear, not even bothering to silence the children. The lyrics of those rhymes were surprisingly well-crafted, suggesting they weren’t composed by children…

Leona felt a surge of pride. Princess Helen was her favorite niece, and if she became Empress, Leona could claim some credit—after all, she had inspired Helen with her words.

…

Leona had Flora carry Abyss on her back, pretending to be three siblings leaving the city. It didn’t arouse any suspicion from the guards. Flora, as an undead, could easily carry the slender Abyss. Once they were outside the city, Leona led Flora to a secluded spot to summon her familiar.

If it were an ordinary familiar, Leona could have summoned it within the city. As one of the most prosperous cities on the continent, Golden Griffin City was home to well-traveled and knowledgeable residents who wouldn’t be surprised by a mage summoning their familiar. But Leona’s familiar was different—it was too large. Ordinary mages couldn’t create familiars of that size, as the mana required increased exponentially with size. Flora’s rabbit familiar was the typical size, notable only for its softness and obedience.

Leona chanted the incantation Abyss had taught her. A wave of magical energy emanated from him, transferring to Leona, who acted as a conduit, casting the summoning spell.

Flora was also curious about Leona’s familiar. After Abyss had created it according to Leona’s specifications, she had kept it a secret, claiming she wanted to summon it only when needed for a grander effect.

With a flash of magical light, a blurry figure, about two meters tall, materialized before them. It was indeed a large creature.

As Leona looked on with a triumphant grin, a tall, majestic horse appeared. It was a pure white warhorse, adorned with beautiful ornaments and equipped with a full set of tack, even a pair of short stirrups—designed specifically for Leona’s short legs. This was the familiar Abyss had painstakingly created, meticulously adjusting its design to meet Leona’s numerous demands.

Few mages chose to create familiars for transportation. Low-level mages couldn’t create familiars, and high-level mages could usually fly. A horse was a rare choice indeed.

“What a beautiful steed,” Flora said, looking up at Leona’s familiar in admiration. Leona, as a formally recognized knight, was knowledgeable about horses. The one she had commissioned Abyss to create had strong legs, well-proportioned muscles, and a handsome face. It was a truly exceptional horse, worth tens of thousands of imperial coins if sold on the market.

“I call him ‘East Wind.’ He’s the legendary steed of my dreams. Once I save enough money to buy my own full suit of armor, I’ll ride him and show off,” Leona said, then winked at Flora. “He has a few other tricks. Want to see?”

“Other tricks?” Flora asked, intrigued.

“East Wind, activate Destruction Mode!”

Leona suddenly commanded. Upon hearing this, East Wind’s body split open, revealing a multitude of mechanical parts that extended and reassembled with a series of clicks. Before Flora could fully comprehend what was happening, the horse was now equipped with two cannons, and a single horn, tipped with a blue magic crystal, protruded from its forehead.

“Behold! In this form, his cannons can fire magic projectiles that automatically track enemies, and his horn can fire a powerful magic beam! And it all runs on ABC’s mana, costing me nothing! Isn’t he awesome? He can also transform into Flight Mode and Burrowing Mode! Want to see?”

Flora stared, speechless.

Just how many demands had Leona made? And Abyss had actually fulfilled them all, patiently using his mana to create such an extraordinary familiar.

Chapter 81: Flora’s Embrace

Flora was the first to wake up.

Abyss, having torn a piece of his soul, needed to recover and would be sleeping for a few days. Leona, having absorbed the Lord of Submergence’s power, needed time to adjust in her sleep. According to Abyss, she should wake up by morning, as the Lord of Submergence hadn’t transferred his full power yet.

Flora woke up to a warm sensation against her chest. She looked down in surprise to find Abyss curled up in her arms like a baby, a peaceful smile on his face.

He looked so innocent in his sleep, his grey eyelashes fluttering slightly, his pale lips pursed as if dreaming.

He was always a man of action, never resting, utilizing every moment of the day, even sleeping only briefly. Perhaps the power he received from Leona and his own magic granted him boundless energy, allowing him to function without proper sleep.

But he was still human. No matter how energetic, humans needed a good night’s rest to recharge their minds.

Flora couldn’t help but feel guilty for not sharing more of his burden, for not allowing him to sleep peacefully without worries. Seeing him now, she realized how much he needed rest.

She gently stroked his hair. It was soft and clean after his bath, emanating a pleasant sandalwood scent. Abyss hummed softly in his sleep, seemingly enjoying the sensation.

“Sleep, sleep…” Flora whispered with a gentle smile, combing his hair, then playfully messing it up again.

A small, delicate foot rested on Abyss’s waist. It was Leona’s. Even in her sleep, the princess lacked any semblance of proper posture. Her bare legs were exposed beneath the bathrobe, the warm air of the inn enveloping them. Flora gently pulled the robe down to cover her legs, and the sleeping princess smacked her lips, pressing her masked face against Abyss’s back.

Flora sat on the bed, watching them. They were the most powerful beings in the world, yet they slept like children.

Perhaps they both craved maternal love… Abyss had been raised by his master, not even knowing his mother’s identity. Leona had also been separated from her mother at a young age, sent to the palace as an unloved illegitimate princess.

Flora wanted to help them, but she wasn’t old enough to be a mother, nor did she know what a mother should do. She couldn’t fill the void in their hearts.

“Maybe… just being by your side, providing a place you can call home when you need it, is enough…” Flora murmured to herself.

She found herself looking forward to the cemetery Abyss had promised. Building an underground palace where they could all live, returning to rest after their tiring adventures.

That was the kind of happiness Flora desired. Having experienced betrayal and intrigue, all she wanted was a warm home and a group of companions she could trust unconditionally.

She lay down again, letting Abyss continue to snuggle in her arms. Even though her shoulders weren’t broad and her body wasn’t warm, she wanted to provide him with a comfortable and restful sleep.

…

The next day at noon, when the maid politely informed them that their rental time was up, Leona had already woken up, and Abyss, although still sleeping, was now dressed in his clean clothes, thanks to the inn’s laundry service.

Leona had woken up at dawn. When she realized she had been sleeping with all four limbs wrapped around Abyss, she almost threw him out the window in embarrassment. She felt refreshed and energized, her power significantly increased. It seemed the Lord of Submergence had faithfully fulfilled his promise.

She and Flora had assumed they would simply carry Abyss out and continue their journey. But as Leona was about to hoist him onto her shoulder, Flora realized he wasn’t fully dressed.

Dressing Abyss presented a challenge for the two girls. He, like them, was wearing a bathrobe, with nothing underneath. Neither of them had ever seen a naked man, let alone dressed one.

As a Saint, Flora was required to remain a virgin and never marry. Her knowledge of intimacy was limited to hearsay, and she had received no formal education on the matter. Leona, as a princess, had received royal lessons on how to please her future husband in bed, but she considered them an infringement on her individuality and skipped them all. The royal family couldn’t punish the Dou Qi prodigy who could shatter mountains with a single kick, so they had to let it slide.

In the end, the girls had no choice but to call a male servant from the inn to dress Abyss. Fortunately, this service didn’t cost extra, sparing them from further financial embarrassment.

As Leona carried the still-sleeping Abyss out of the room, the maid at the door stared in disbelief.

The boy had entered the room full of energy the previous night, looking slender but lively. But after spending the night with the two ladies, he was now unconscious, being carried out, while the girls looked radiant and refreshed.

Looking closely, the boy was pale and thin, almost like a corpse. Based on common sense, it seemed like something had drained his vitality.

She didn’t know what had transpired that night, nor did she dare to ask.

Leaving the luxurious inn, Leona, carrying Abyss, glanced back with a hint of longing. It might be a while before they could enjoy such luxury again.

“How should we travel?” Flora asked. “Abyss told us how to summon the little fire dragon, but I don’t think there’s much to do in the Eastern Empire so soon. Why don’t we take our time?”

Leona puffed out her chest proudly. “Of course we’re not flying on a dragon. Although you can use Divine Arts to conceal us, I have a cooler mode of transportation—let me show you my familiar. Abyss created it for me, but I haven’t had a chance to summon it yet.”