Return
[One day later]
"Are you sure I can't come with you, mistress?" Camille, Lethia's new servant, pleaded. She had changed into a maid fit for a loyal servant.
A day before, she hated Lethia enough that she went out of her way and tried to kill her, but now, a day later, she was more obedient to her than an ordinary servant would be. This change was so significant that the maids who knew her couldn't even recognize her anymore.
None of them could understand just what could've caused her to become so obedient to Lethia, who had killed all of her fellow maids. Some of them felt hate for her for betraying the people and joining sides with Lethia.
This betrayal marked the end of her relationship with the other maids, but Camille didn't show any sign that she was bothered by this. She had only one person in her heart now, to whom she devoted her life: Lethia.
It was clear that her sudden betrayal and obedience weren't natural. Lethia's blood was the cause, which held the innate ability to turn anyone who consumed her blood, either willingly or forcefully, into a loyal servant. There were other effects that came with it, including an increase in strength.
One might've been able to grow stronger through this and become eternally loyal, but there was also a risk to it as well. This was seen as Camille had almost lost her life during the process. If it weren't for her strong will, she wouldn't have endured for that long.
The ones that could endure were the only ones that Lethia deemed worthy. It was a test that revealed if one was capable of surpassing their limits. Only those who can pass her test can truly become her servants.
"Not this time." Lethia had already decided that she would leave alone, leaving Camille to finish the orders she gave the night before. She also didn't need anyone to accompany or protect her, as no one was considered a challenge in this entire region, excluding her father, whom she knew wouldn't attack her without reason.
Camille didn't raise another question, agreeing to Lethia's instructions. Since her mistress has instructed her to remain here, she will, even though her heart keeps telling her to follow and serve her, until she is beyond satisfied. She felt that she needed to repent for her sins for trying to kill her deep in her heart.
She also didn't like the feeling of being away from her. At the same time, she also didn't want to make her angry at her. The blood bond had another effect she hadn't realized yet; it developed feelings deep in her heart and erased her hatred.
Her feelings wouldn't end there. They would slowly grow stronger until the only person she cared about was Lethia. To her dismay, her feelings would never be reciprocated. Lethia's heart was too cold to experience love and warmth.
Lethia raised her left hand and summoned her undead phoenix to carry her back to the dark ore mine. It was finally time for her to leave and return to the mine, where she could continue her progress.
Strangely enough, she felt an odd feeling, but nothing came to her mind as to what could've caused her to feel this way. For some reason, her instincts told her it had something to do with the mines.
'I wonder what has happened at the ore mines for me to feel this way. Whatever it is, I do hope it's entertaining, as commanding zombies aren't interesting. If only this would've been smooth, then it wouldn't take this long.' Lethia climbed up and seated herself on the undead phoenix, gazing at Camille.
"Remember to complete all the orders I've given you by the time I return. You should know what will happen if you don't."
"Yes, mistress!" Camille bowed respectfully, as if to show her absolute loyalty. She was saddened that she couldn't go, but she was still happy that she could follow Lethia's orders. Her life's purpose was to serve her.
The undead phoenix started rising into the air before taking off at great speeds, flying towards the dark ore mine, leaving Camille behind, who demonstrated her respect.
…
[Five hours later]
Lethia soared through the air, riding atop a magnificent phoenix. The pitch-black flames of the Phoenix increase its speed, making it much faster than if she were to fly on her own, which on its own was incredibly fast.
'This ominous feeling... For the last few hours, it hasn't stopped growing. I'm certain something has happened at the ore mine, but I can't put my finger on what it could be. Could it be that Malik escaped the zombie collar? No, he alone can't warrant this ominous feeling. Just what could it be?'
She might have been unable to figure out the main cause of this feeling, but she understood that it was dangerous, and she wasn't afraid. She was confident that whatever the cause was, she would come out alive. Her life had been this way since her first years from birth, but every time she survived.
She didn't believe it would be any different this time! In the end, she would benefit from this the same way she did many times before. She felt excited for the challenge to come.
Lethia lied comfortably on her back, gazing off into the sky and enjoying the cold breeze brush against her skin. "I hope my anticipation for it is equivalent to what's to come. It better be worth my interest; otherwise, I'll have to resort to something else more violent."
Her face was covered with a devilish grin as she grew more and more excited for what was to come as the undead phoenix grew closer.
****
Aurora passed through the passageways inside the mine in the direction of the mine's entrance. It appeared that she was in a hurry, swiftly reaching the entrance in a matter of minutes.
"I'm back." Amia's voice fell into Aurora's ears, seeing her return after being gone for the last few days. However, she wasn't alone! Hundreds of zombies stood behind her, their lifeless eyes staring at the monarch in front of them!
Even though they had little intelligence and no essence of life, they all fell to one knee, as if they were greeting their empress.
Aurora was slightly surprised by this. She didn't expect for them to obtain a little of their past intelligence from when they were alive. She also didn't expect there to be this many zombies. When Amia left, there were about one hundred zombies that came with her, but now, before her, there were at least three hundred, increasing the zombie population by threefold.
Not only that, but the zombies didn't only have humanoid figures; some appeared to be wolves, while others had the appearance of different undead demons.
Gazing at them, her vision was quickly covered by a number of transparent screens, revealing their race and stats.
============================
• Unknown, Earth Serpent
• Type: Undead
• Tier: Lesser
• Class: Demon Earth Mage
============================
• Unknown, Poison Vanara
• Type: Undead
• Tier: Intermediate
• Class: Demon Poison Mage
============================
• Unknown, Burning Fox
• Type: Undead
• Tier: Lesser
• Class: Demon Fire Mage
============================
Seeing their stats, Aurora couldn't help but grin. There were so many zombies that had strength that rivaled hers or were weaker than her, but there was one of the many that caught her eye, giving her greater confidence with their victory...
[Serrith, Sound Wyvern]
[Type: Undead]
[Tier: Advanced]
[Class: Sound Specialist]
"It seems your journey was fruitful."
"Yes, it was. We've lost many of the zombies that I left with, but their sacrifice led to us coming back with more." Amia responded, jumping into Aurora's embrace and moving in for a kiss.
"It's not the time or place to do it now. Not when our sense of touch is gone."
Amia reluctantly separated from Aurora as she pouted. She wanted to please her, but neither of them had the sense of touch, nor was this the right time to start. She would have to wait until later to fulfill her desires.
"Rise!" Aurora raised her hand. "You've come to serve me, and it's time for you to finish the little preparations left. Our enemy is near; we'll need to finish in the time before her arrival."
One after another, the zombies rose to their feet and followed her commands, finishing up the few preparations that were left.
Within a few minutes, the zombies were out of sight. Throughout the mine, all the zombies were following her orders.
"Malik should be returning soon, and all that's left is for the target to arrive where she will finally meet her end!"