Chapter 16: A Difficult Dilemma
The happy smile that had bloomed on Flora’s face upon hearing Abyss’s discovery instantly froze.
“What’s wrong? Is there a curse on this village?” Flora leaned closer, looking ready to dispel any curse that might exist. It was clear that her interaction with the village children had made her care deeply about this place.
Abyss reached out and stroked one of the rings on his finger, releasing a translucent spirit from it. “I found him in the village graveyard. Let him tell you what happened. Don’t worry, I’ve used an illusion spell.”
The spirit formed a human face in mid-air and spoke in a raspy voice, “Kind lady, our village is indeed made up of guardians of the tomb. Forty-two years ago, the Empress selected a group of her most loyal soldiers and ordered us to bring our wives and children to this place. We were tasked with guarding Princess Leona’s tomb, preventing anyone from disturbing her rest. We were also to disguise ourselves as farmers and keep the location of the Princess’s tomb a secret. Now, apart from the Empress—now the Empress Dowager—only her confidants and we know about this.”
“Why would she do that?” Flora asked curiously. “Although the locations of royal tombs aren’t publicly announced, they’re only kept secret from commoners, right? I remember that high-ranking nobles are privy to this information. And wouldn’t this lack the grandeur of a royal burial?”
“Indeed, but we don’t know the specific reason,” the spirit shook his head helplessly. “We were just soldiers following orders. The Empress’s explanation at the time was that the Princess’s peace after death couldn’t be disturbed, or something terrible would happen.”
“What terrible thing? Would it affect you?” Flora pressed on.
“The Necromancer Lord just told me that you want to retrieve Princess Leona’s body. I can certainly lead you to it, but if the Princess’s tomb is disturbed, we will all be executed by the Empress’s men,” the spirit pleaded. “I don’t want to disobey the Necromancer Lord’s will, but I also hope you can reconsider, for the sake of the women and children in the village. They are not warriors and shouldn’t die for us.”
“Indeed, there’s a large magic circle inside the tomb. If Princess Leona’s body, or the magic circle itself, is disturbed, the Empress Dowager’s mages will sense it, and then the executioners will be dispatched,” Abyss said, his expression grim. “A princess who died from a curse, and an empress who is trying her best to keep the location of her body secret… it’s not hard to imagine the story behind this.”
“Abyss, is there no way to prevent the mages from sensing it?” Flora asked, now having great faith in Abyss’s abilities.
“They also send people to inspect the tomb every six months. If the Princess’s body is moved, we won’t be spared either,” the spirit interjected.
“Exactly. I need Princess Leona’s body. There’s no point in going there if I don’t take it,” Abyss said, massaging his temples. “Once we take it, these villagers will only have a month left to live because that’s when the Empress’s people come to inspect. Although I really, really want to obtain Princess Leona’s body, I can’t sacrifice innocent lives for it.”
Abyss’s words were a bit strange, but Flora had no time to comment. She was also caught in a dilemma.
“Let’s find a quiet place and think this through carefully,” Abyss said. “There must be a way.”
“Abyss, I haven’t asked you yet, you intend to resurrect me and four other people. I want to know your purpose,” Flora asked Abyss seriously.
“I already told you my purpose when you were first resurrected. I want you to be loyal to me, to belong to me body and soul, one hundred percent,” Abyss said.
Flora blushed slightly but continued to look into Abyss’s eyes intently. “Then, if one day I truly become completely loyal to you, what happens after that?”
“Well… this might be a bit rude,” Abyss pondered for a moment. “But since you asked, I won’t hide it. You’re a genius, and so are the other four. But your talents actually come from a portion of the Creator God’s divine power. If you can be one hundred percent loyal to me, then I can obtain all of your abilities through the link of necromancy. I am indeed using you, but I will also do my best to make you truly loyal to me from the bottom of your heart.”
“And then? What will you do after you have divine power?”
“I don’t have a plan for that yet,” Abyss looked up at the sky, thinking. “Maybe I’ll kill the Creator God and take his place. If he can’t manage this world properly, someone else should.”
“That’s a crazy idea.” As a Saint, Flora wasn’t repulsed by Abyss’s blasphemous thoughts. “I understand. You do have a reason to retrieve Princess Leona’s body.”
Abyss was surprised. If he had told anyone else about his idea, they would have thought him crazy. Yet, the always intelligent Flora had so readily affirmed his thoughts.
Perhaps this Saint was more rebellious than he imagined? Although their personalities were different, maybe they were kindred spirits after all.
“Why did you suddenly ask all this?” Abyss seemed to see a decision in Flora’s eyes.
Flora looked up and smiled. “Since you can’t give up your goal, I have an idea!”
“Tell me!”
Not only was Abyss delighted, but the spirit also turned towards her, waiting for her to speak.
“But this idea shouldn’t be coming from a Saint…” Flora hesitated. “Do you still want to hear it?”
“What kind of person you want to become should be your own choice,” Abyss shook his head. “In my eyes, Saint is just your previous profession, not your label. Are you afraid I’ll be disappointed in you? Don’t worry, I’ll be disappointed if you cling to your past identity.”
“Then I’ll tell you,” Flora regained her confidence with Abyss’s words and looked up. “If we can’t solve the problem, why not solve the person who created the problem!”
“Hmm? Wait, you really surprised me. Why are you suddenly saying such ruthless things?”
“I’m not joking. We’ll resurrect Princess Leona and bring her out, and then we’ll take her with us to deal with the Empress who buried her and ordered her tomb to be kept secret!” Flora said resolutely.
“My goodness, you truly are a genius,” Abyss couldn’t help but whistle.
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