Volume 8, Chapter 66 – Ruth’s Gift

When Fia, holding Lucitine’s hand, returned to the gray hall, everyone inside fell silent almost simultaneously. They stared as if seeing a ghost, their eyes wide and mouths agape to sizes impossible for humans. The word “shock” was written all over their faces.

Although due to the height difference, Lucitine couldn’t rest her head on Fia’s shoulder, the satisfaction and sweetness on her beautiful face were enough to leave the assembled skeletons and corpses utterly dumbfounded.

First, they were amazed that their majestic queen could display such a sweet side. Second, they were astonished that Fia had managed to reconcile with the queen who had drawn a line with her in just a few days. Although they didn’t know what methods Fia had used, that didn’t stop them from feeling admiration. This elf princess was not only powerful but also highly skilled in the art of winning hearts.

Especially the Thirteen Attendants who had offended Fia and been spared by her. They had already been uneasy about showing contempt for Fia during their initial contact. Now, seeing their queen won over for a second time, their respect for Fia reached an even higher level. They silently resolved that even if they ever found themselves on opposing sides again, they would remember never to offend the elf princess. Their queen could change her attitude at will, but they couldn’t. If they were later called to account, they would be the first sacrifices.

Therefore, even though everyone was curious why Lucitine, who had driven Fia away, was now together with her again, not a single person dared to speak. They just watched with exaggerated expressions as the two, hand in hand, step by step approached the throne, until Fia proactively stopped in front of Ruth.

Ruth’s expression froze, and anxious drumbeats sounded in her heart.

This woman was clearly here to cause trouble.

Although she didn’t know what Fia had done to her mother, judging by her mother’s current behavior, the two had definitely reconciled. And she was the one who had handed over the recording crystal that shattered their relationship, ruining Fia’s plans. She would surely be targeted.

Suppressing her fear, Ruth crossed her arms and glared at Fia, outwardly tough but inwardly weak.

“What? Not satisfied with just my mother? Now you won’t spare me either?”

“How could that be? I’m not the type to fall for everyone I see. I have something to say to you. Is it convenient?”

“That’s right, Ruth. Just focus on being a good daughter. You don’t need to meddle in our affairs.”

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Lucitine chimed in from the side. Ruth glanced at their still-clasped hands, and her already dark expression grew even darker. Recalling the humiliation she had suffered among the Fire Cat tribe, her expression shifted, but she still used a stiff tone.

“If you have something to say, you can say it now.”

Fia was someone with discretion; she probably wouldn’t mention whipping in front of the Thirteen Attendants.

“Really? You won’t regret it?”

Tch.

Seeing Fia’s surprised, wide-eyed expression, Ruth gnashed her teeth hatefully in her heart. She began to waver. What if Fia really did mention whipping in front of the Thirteen Attendants? She would never be able to show her face again.

Ruth swallowed hard. Her voice, filled with resentment, seemed to emanate from hell.

“Don’t push it.”

“Ruth, what kind of attitude is that? Fia is doing this for your own good.”

I don’t think this is for my own good at all!

Facing Lucitine’s frowning admonishment, Ruth screamed in her heart. She was no longer a child. Corporal punishment happening to her was fundamentally a personal insult. How could her own mother not understand such a simple truth? Whose mother was she, hers or Fia’s?

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However, Fia was used to Ruth’s tsundere attitude. She didn’t take it to heart. Glancing at the nearby Thirteen Attendants, she got to the point.

“Haven’t you always wanted to live with Nola? With Afla as an example, it’s enough to prove that I can turn the dead into the living. Now that the conflict between Lucitine and me is resolved, you can go live the life you like.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Even as she said this, Ruth’s expression changed dramatically. The previous coldness and hardness were gone, replaced by even stronger wavering and a hint of remorse.

Afraid of being bitten by Ruth, Fia smiled and patted Ruth’s head.

“I mean, I can create a living body for you too. That way, you can come and go freely in the world of the living without worrying about your death energy turning innocent people into undead.”

Sensing the change in the Thirteen Attendants’ mood, and considering the undead’s contempt for the living, Fia added.

“At that time, Lucitine will be in charge of the kingdom of the dead, and you will act as an envoy for liaison and supervision in the world of the living. Afla’s strength is insufficient, and her personality is too sharp. In comparison, you have more experience managing people. You’re more suitable than her. What do you think?”

“Guh…”

With Fia having spelled it out this clearly, the regret in Ruth’s pink eyes became even more pronounced, and her teeth clenched tighter. If she had known that Fia wanted to create a living body for her, even if she didn’t get along with Fia, she wouldn’t have refused her help. Like Lucitine, she longed for the world of the living. To some extent, her longing was even stronger than Lucitine’s. However, her sense of mission was particularly strong, which was why she suppressed her desires and merely stayed in the Weeping Mountains, watching the beastmen who came there from afar.

Now, she was truly in a dilemma.

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Accepting Fia’s help would expose the secret that she didn’t actually loathe the living. Refusing Fia would mean missing the opportunity to experience the wonder of being alive. These past few days, she had been incredibly envious of Afla, especially when Afla described the taste of sweetness to her. She could only imagine it in her mind, having no way of knowing what that feeling of happiness tasted like. It was quite lonely.

She opened her mouth blankly, but couldn’t utter a single word. Under other circumstances, Fia’s gesture of stroking her head would have made her feel her dignity was insulted. But now, it inexplicably brought a feeling of being able to rely on someone. This hand was clearly not big, yet it made one feel at ease.

This is what they call being caught in one’s own trap.

Ruth’s dazed reaction made Fia curl her lips. There was no doubt Ruth was tempted, but due to the circumstances, it was inconvenient for her to speak. So she would take over and change the venue for Ruth.

She contentedly withdrew her hand and sighed with feigned regret.

“So you still have reservations about the living after all. My apologies for the rude suggestion.”

“bu—”

Before Ruth could explain, Fia turned to Lucitine.

“Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, shouldn’t Lucitine explain the facts to the others? The sooner you explain clearly, the sooner everyone can be at ease.”

“Ah, ahh… you’re right.”

Lucitine was momentarily taken aback, then, catching Fia’s meaning from her playful, repeatedly blinking expression, she stepped up onto the platform where the throne stood, turned to face everyone, and adopted a tone befitting the majesty of the Queen of Death.

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“My expulsion of Fia the other day was an impulsive act on my part. I have now realized it was all a misunderstanding. This was entirely my fault. The Chaos beneath the anthill merely wanted a place to live. They regard Fia as their deity. They now obey Fia’s commands and will play a crucial role in the future fight against the Chaos in the abyss.”

“Although ten thousand years of accumulated hatred cannot be resolved overnight, a greater crisis of survival is before us. Internal conflict will only deplete our strength. Even if you cannot let go of your hatred, you must set it aside for now. Everything can be discussed after the war. Understood? If any of you are unclear about the difference between the Chaos in the abyss and the Chaos under the anthill, Fia will take you to the abyss to see the true enemy. Then you will understand the terror of the abyss. If anyone has objections, you may speak now. I will not hold you accountable.”

Her clear, cold voice echoed in the empty hall. Both the Thirteen Attendants and Ruth deeply bowed their heads and did not answer.

The undead obeying the Queen of Death’s commands was their nature, like worker ants obeying the queen ant’s orders. Even if Lucitine gave an order to march to their deaths, the undead would not hesitate. Before personal emotions, the queen’s decree was more important.

“Since no one is speaking, I’ll assume there are no objections.”

After asking and receiving no answer, Lucitine looked down at the Thirteen Attendants with a satisfied smile.

“Very well. Dismissed. Everyone else may leave. Ruth, you stay.”

Author Note

Only one chapter today. This volume is about to end. Need to sort out the climax and also make some preparations for the next volume, Claire’s personal arc