Chapter 164: The Final Cleanup
Flora had been with Abyss long enough to understand his unspoken intentions.
Without any instructions, she knew her role was to prepare for Abyss’s next move while he was trapped in the dream, laying the groundwork for his future plans.
She was worried about him, but she wouldn’t let fear paralyze her. She had grown stronger since joining him, her once passive nature, which had led to her tragic demise, now replaced by a quiet resilience. She was still the same kind and gentle Flora, but her inner strength had blossomed.
Using Flora’s Soul Chains, Abyss effortlessly located all the followers of the Lord of Nightmares, including the dying Kohler, and erased their memories.
He wasn’t as gentle as he had been with the followers in Golden Griffin City. These followers were traitors to Hai-Teweru, and he showed them no mercy, purging their minds completely, giving them a blank slate, a chance to start anew. He only left them with basic knowledge, the ability to speak and essential survival skills. This was an act of mercy. He didn’t want to disrupt the world’s balance.
Kohler’s memories were also erased. The Dream Shear was likely nearby. Flora, using her Soul Chains, could pinpoint his location. Abyss would retrieve it personally.
This man, whose life had been filled with suffering and twisted choices, had found a strange form of peace in his final moments, his memories erased. His story had ended. Abyss wouldn’t risk leaving any loose ends. Even if Kohler no longer served the Lord of Nightmares, the Outer God could still use him. It was best to eliminate any potential threats.
Throughout the Ossi Kingdom, people watched in astonishment as those who had suddenly become mute now wandered around, their memories gone, asking who they were, where they were. But most weren’t concerned. The Lord of Nightmares’ followers, although not outwardly dangerous, had always been unsettling, their behavior eccentric, their personalities strange. Now, their minds wiped clean, they seemed harmless, their strangeness gone.
Abyss finished chanting, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes. He felt a slight drain on his mana, a significant amount, considering the thoroughness of the spell. He had completely erased their memories, replacing them with a blank slate, leaving no chance for recovery—unless someone recounted their past, but even then, it would be like hearing someone else’s story.
“Well, you seem exhausted,” Leona said, fanning him with her hands, as if he were a boxer after a match. “Are you done?”
Abyss smiled, enjoying the cool breeze generated by her small hands. “Not really exhausted. It’s done. Now the Lord of Nightmares’ other path is blocked. His influence in Hai-Teweru must be severely weakened—now, I need to retrieve the Dream Shear. We can’t leave that artifact lying around. Someone might find it. The power of an Outer God is always tempting. Even the Church might not be able to resist it.”
“Are you sure there aren’t any other artifacts or followers?” Leona asked, her voice still filled with a hint of concern.
“I’m not sure, but we must do everything we can to weaken his influence, to prevent him from recovering,” Abyss said, standing up. “He only has two known artifacts, but I don’t know if he has any other hidden tricks.”
“Understood!” Leona nodded. This was typical Abyss—cautious, but not paralyzed by uncertainty. They would deal with any remaining threats as they arose.
“Flora, thank you for your assistance with the Soul Chains. But I still need your help,” Abyss said, turning to Flora. “Accompany me to the Church headquarters. I need you to locate Kohler. I’m going to seal the Dream Shear with a potion and store it safely.”
“Alright, let’s go,” Flora said, nodding. “I know the Church headquarters like the back of my hand. I can guide you.”
“The Church holds some unpleasant memories for you, Flora. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” Abyss said, remembering her past, the dream he had witnessed, a nightmare amplified by the Lord of Nightmares, but still rooted in her memories. “I can handle it myself.”
“I’ll go with you,” Flora said, smiling reassuringly. “It does hold some unpleasant memories, but as long as you’re with me, I’m not afraid.”
Abyss, touched by her words, nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
…
To save time, they entered the Shadow Realm and flew to the Church headquarters, not summoning Little Fire Dragon, but using Abyss’s magic for transportation—it wasn’t as comfortable, but it was much faster.
Everything went smoothly. Flora led him to a secluded storage room behind the Church headquarters, where they found Kohler’s body. He was dead, his body covered in bruises, a cloth bag beside him, containing the Dream Shear. He had anticipated Abyss’s arrival and had kept the artifact close.
Abyss cremated Kohler’s body, then carefully sealed the Dream Shear with a potion, adding a few protective Divine Arts cast by Flora, before storing it in his magical catfish.
Now, all that remained was to return to the Ossi Kingdom with the Restoration Army and await the Lord of Nightmares’ final, desperate attempt at retaliation.
“Shall we return?” Abyss asked Flora, as they re-entered the Shadow Realm.
“Abyss, if we have time, I’d like to explore the Church headquarters,” Flora said, taking his hand. “You can’t place your usual undead spies here, so I think we should investigate ourselves. The Church must be aware of our actions.”
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