Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 243: Soul Gems (2/2) [4/5]

1 more chapter, I will post it together with the daily chapter after 3h

’It’s him again, the son of destiny?’

Yumo surveyed the blood-soaked surroundings, the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere of the dungeon. Her aura grew colder:

"Why does he want to collect these gemstones?"

"Your Highness, he... he wants to gather these Soul Gems to... assist the Royal Knights in their breakthroughs and cultivate new talents... to make the snow night Empire even stronger in the future..."

"And..."

Yumo’s gaze shifted toward the children imprisoned in the cages around them.

"What about them?"

"These children, some are from the previous rebellion of the southern nobles... and others were purchased from slave traders."

Marquis Cowport trembled uncontrollably, his voice quivering,

"Are the Soul Gems extracted from the children’s bodies?"

Extracted?

Hearing this, Marquis Cowport frowned.

It was impossible for all the Soul Gems to be extracted from children’s bodies. There wouldn’t be enough quantity. After all, according to Emperor Xue Tianao’s statement, at least 100 high-quality Soul Gems are needed to cultivate a gifted person...

The reason why the dungeon was filled with children was simply because they were all transferred here for processing...

However,

He couldn’t directly state this fact.

Glancing at the dragon girl standing behind the black-haired girl, Marquis Cowport’s face revealed a complex expression.

To preserve his own life, he had no choice...

Otherwise, the medicine in his abdomen would cause him to explode and die instantly.

"Yes, yes, these gems were all extracted directly from the children’s bodies according to Emperor Xue Tianao’s orders. After all, children’s souls are purer, and the extracted gems have fewer impurities, making them easier to absorb. However, besides children, we also extract the souls of other criminals when necessary..."

After receiving the Marquis’s answer,

Yumo looked at the dazzling white gems in Sebastian’s hands with mixed emotions. While they didn’t amount to a hundred, there were still seventy to eighty pieces in the box.

"So, you’re saying that the gems in this box were all extracted from innocent children?"

"Yes, that’s correct..."

"Oh, I see. You mentioned criminals earlier. Will those individuals from the marquis and fallen families who were brought to the imperial city also be transformed into Soul Gems?"

"Well, um, I’m not entirely sure, but it appears to be Emperor Xue Tianao’s intention..."

As Marquis Cowport spoke, a brief silence settled in the dungeon, and an icy atmosphere permeated the air. A suffocating sense of death gripped the purple-haired man, making it nearly impossible for him to breathe.

...

"I understand."

After a moment of contemplative silence, Yumo nodded thoughtfully.

"Thank you for your cooperation."

Her tone remained calm yet penetrating.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yumo disregarded Marquis Cowport and slowly turned her head. Accompanied by several Black Rose Knights, she made her way toward the staircase at the dungeon’s entrance.

With Yumo’s departure, the heavy weight of impending death that burdened Marquis Cowport gradually dissipated. Hope for survival rekindled within him.

"Huh?! She... She won’t kill me?!"

Witnessing this scene, a profound sense of relief washed over Marquis Cowport. A gleam of joy appeared on his face as he watched the black-haired girl fade into the distance. He inwardly sighed with relief.

’Ah, thank goodness...’

’That woman didn’t deceive me. As long as I follow her instructions, I won’t meet my demise...’

However...

"I truly fail to comprehend what goes on in the mind of this young lady from the Black Rose family."

What’s wrong with utilizing these untalented and underprivileged children to create Soul Gems and bolster the empire’s overall strength? Haven’t the nobles of the Sadik Empire engaged in similar practices? Why such an exaggerated reaction? They stormed into my estate, assaulting my face as if they were possessed!

Gently touching his bruised and swollen face, Marquis Cowport couldn’t help but harbor resentment.

’Damn it...’

’I must report this to the emperor later! I will make all of you pay for your foolish actions! This is the Snow Night Empire, not the damn Sadik Empire! The Black Rose family cannot hold sway here!’

While his heart seethed with rage, Marquis Cowport had already devised a plan for his next encounter with Emperor Xue Tianao. He would shed tears and castigate the Black Rose family, admonishing them for their impudence.

Of course,

The most important thing was to pin the "Soul Gem" project on the Black Rose family... However, just as Marquis Cowport was scheming in his heart, the black-haired girl suddenly halted in her tracks. This sudden stop caused Marquis Cowport’s heart to tremble, a foreboding sense of danger instantly rushing over him.

In the next moment, as if to confirm Marquis Cowport’s ominous feeling, Miss Yumo turned her head slowly, casting a half-scornful gaze upon him, the white-robed mage, and the trembling jailers. After giving them a brief indifferent glance, Yumo turned her attention to the black-haired girl with horn-like hair that suppressed Marquis Cowport.

"Oh, right, Xizhi."

"Yes, Miss Yumo... I mean, Miss Yu, what is your order?"

"Don’t forget to clean up the trash."

"As you wish, my lady."

Upon hearing these words and sensing the suffocating murderous intent concealed within Yumo’s voice, Marquis Cowport’s expression changed dramatically. He anxiously turned to the half-dragon girl by his side, seeking help.

"Wait?! We agreed you wouldn’t kill me, you can’t...?!! Huh?!!"

striking down the white-robed mages. In an instant, blood sprayed, and the dense scent of blood filled the entire dungeon...

’No,’

’You! You deceived me!’

Marquis Cowport’s eyes filled with astonishment and anger as he looked at the black-haired dragon girl in front of him, her face displaying a kind smile. The resentment and unwillingness in his gaze seemed sharp enough to tear the girl with horn-like hair into pieces. However, as his life force and blood continued to drain away, Marquis Cowport had already lost the ability to fight back. With his neck pierced by the dagger, the esteemed lord of the region was even stripped of his ability to hurl a few curses...

Observing the frantic appearance of the purple-haired man before her, Xizhi tilted her head with a playful expression. After confirming that Yumo had already left the dungeon, the girl with horn-like hair sincerely expressed her "gratitude" to the man before her:

"Thank you for your assistance, Lord Cowport~"

Indeed, the person who manipulated Marquis Cowport into saying such things was none other than Xizhi herself. She was also the one who gave Ed the chance to escape. The purpose was simple—to further diminish Yumo’s favorable impression of the Son of destiny. To minimize any obstacles from Yumo when they would act later. Yumo had an affection for children, and even if the Abyss Demons clashed with humans in the Winter Forest, she would try to avoid involving the children as much as possible.

In order to ensure that Yumo believed Marquis Cowport’s words and did not detect anything amiss from his facial expressions, Xizhi had to give him a good beating first, leaving his face completely disfigured. That way, Yumo would not be able to discern any issues through his expression.

"Hehe~"

With this thought in mind, Xizhi couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. Then, as the leader of the Nightingale organization, she no longer paid any attention to Marquis Cowport’s inept and furious glare. After leaving a small wound, no larger than a bowl, on his neck, she left the dungeon and followed Yumo’s footsteps...

As Xizhi transformed into a shadow, leading the group of children out of the dungeon, the Black Rose Knights who remained inside showed no mercy. They drew their swords without hesitation, swiftly striking down the white-robed mages. In an instant, blood sprayed, and the dense scent of blood filled the entire dungeon...