Chapter 45: The child of Lusifero
Continuation…
Selena was seething with anger upon learning who had killed her mentor.
Hilama: Eliza also took a book from Rain, but when we read it, several pages were missing.
(My mentor must have torn out the important pages. I need to retrieve and find them at all costs because I feel that those missing pages contain information about me.)
(But first, I need to escape from here to accomplish that.)
Selena: Where is Eliza now?
Hilama: She's dead.
(How can I avenge my mentor if the person who killed him is already dead?!)
Selena: Who killed her?
Hilama: Zilpher Farley.
Selena was shocked.
Hilama: Hhmm?? Didn't your husband tell you? As far as I know, he knows everything that happened to you when you were here in our lair after we abducted you.
(So… is that why he put me to sleep so the monsters could abduct me again and use me in their plans? Does that mean that the entire country of Exolorus is in league with the monsters? Is that why Exolorus remains powerful and never experiences crises—because Nefertirani supports them?)
(Does this also mean that I was just being played by the people of Exolorus—especially by Zilpher? And all those battles we fought together, the stories we shared, the laughter, the revenge plans—were they all just an act to make me trust him completely?)
Selena bit her lip.
Hilama: Oh? Why that expression? Don't tell me… you were deceived by Zilpher too?
Selena: ?!
Hilama: That's why Eliza died—because she was fooled by your husband's words.
Zilpher kneeling: I promise to help you get Selena back—just remove the curse you placed on me. I'm suffering too much, Eliza. I'm begging you, take it away, and I will swear my loyalty and obedience to you and the monsters.
(So it wasn't all an act, the things he showed and made me feel were real. But why did he make me drink that sleeping potion? I wouldn't have been abducted if I had been awake and able to fight!)
Tsskkk!!!
Suddenly, a woman with long horns and black wings arrived.
???: Looks like my pet is finally here. She smiled.
Hilama and Kaori bowed. Welcome, Your Majesty!
(Nefertirani!!!)
Nefertirani: Hhhmmmm… (She really does resemble Calla, so I'm glad you were the one taken instead of your sister. I've always wanted Calla to kneel, beg, and obey me because I was enraged by everything she did against us before!! But that doesn't matter now. What matters is…)*
I can finally use you for my plans!
Selena: I won't let you use me so easily in whatever way you want!
Nefertirani: Let's see about that. She smirked.
Kaori: We need to remove the bracelet she's wearing to make her obedient.
Nefertirani: Do it.
Kaori: But there's a problem—there's a spell on the bracelet, and only the giver and the receiver of the bracelet can remove it.
Nefertirani: In that case, remove the spell on that bracelet.
Kaori: Understood, Your Majesty.
Nefertirani: You do know how to remove that bracelet, don't you?
Kaori nodded.
(Tsskkk!! This is bad!)
Kaori began chanting in Latin.
Nefertirani: Hilama, order the Jelly Monsters to attack the place where Zilpher is.
Hilama: Understood. Leaves.
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One Hour Later…
While Zilpher was in a meeting…
Bang!
Guard: Your Majesty, the town of Kanux is under attack by the Jelly Monsters!
Zilpher stood up. (It looks like the monsters came from Nefertirani's own camp.)
Prepare yourselves—we are going to Kanux to slay all the monsters attacking the town!
Soldiers bowed. Yes, Your Majesty!
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Meanwhile…
Kaori removed the bracelet and threw it to the ground.
Selena: Acckkk!!!! (Something feels terribly wrong, and it's spreading throughout my entire body!)
Hilama: Oh, here, to speed up your transformation. He injected a red liquid into Selena's right arm.
Selena: Aahhh!!!
Slowly, Selena's eyes turned red, and her hair turned black.
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Meanwhile, at the De Lolce Mansion…
At the dining table…
Aella: I miss Ate.
Aerielle: Me too. (I hope you're safe in Exolorus, Selena.)
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Now, back to Selena…
Inside Selena's mind…
In a dark room, Selena lay on a black bed, blindfolded with black fabric, her mouth covered with black tape, and her hands and feet tied to the bedposts with red ribbons.
Then, a woman with long curly hair, red eyes, and a black gown approached and sat beside her.
???: Stay here for now, Selena. I will take care of your mind, heart, and body. She smiled menacingly.
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Meanwhile…
Gusano's group was helping evacuate the people of Kanux.
Gusano: Leave now!
While Zilpher's group was fighting the Jelly Monsters.
Zilpher: Yaahhh!!!
Swish! Swoosh!!!
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Now, back to Selena…
Selena closed her eyes and lowered her head.
Moments later…
Selena opened her eyes and looked at Nefertirani.
Her eyes had turned red, and her hair had turned black.
Nefertirani smiled. We are honored to see you reborn, Ireña.
All the monsters knelt before Nefertirani and Ireña.
Ireña was the daughter of Lusifero, the greatest warrior, intelligent, and leader of Lusifero's army. However, she was killed by Calla and Sylvan before they defeated her father.
Clank! Clank!!!
Ireña broke free from the chains binding her body.
Ireña: Nefertirani, are you the one who revived me using this body?
Nefertirani: That's right, Princess.
Ireña: In that case, what do you want me to do?
Nefertirani smirked. I want you to destroy the entire world and rule this land with us, ensuring that only monsters live here.
Ireña grinned. Very well, I agree.
Nefertirani: But before that, I want you to kill Zilpher Farley—he has slain many of our kind.
Ireña: Where is this man you speak of?
Nefertirani: In Kanux. My right hand, Hilama, will accompany you on your journey there.
Hilama bowed. It is an honor to witness your power, beauty, and the cruelty you will unleash upon this world, Princess Ireña.
Ireña: I need a sword and shield.
Nefertirani: Don't worry, I have already instructed my servants to prepare your attire and the weapons you will use in battle.
Ireña smirked. In that case, let's begin our conquest of the world.