Chapter 118.Experiencing Loss
In the morning, near the City of Orlando, 10 days later.
A squad of 2nd Circle Knights headed inside the destroyed mansion of Count Werbner. The five 3rd Circle Knights and Mages looked vigilantly and searched around for any type of evidence.
"The necromancer was here about two months ago… Maybe more…'' The Court Mage's blue eyes gleamed as he used a spell and concluded.
Beside him, the beastkin adventurer suddenly teleported outside. She had an innate Lesser Teleportation skill. The old Grand Knight Rowan looked at her and asked, ''Anything?''
Ariel shook her head. ''We should leave it to the Exorcists.''
Long lines appeared on the Marquis' face as he sighed. Exorcists? The church had refused to send reinforcements despite knowing that their paladins had died here. They even dismissed what Gilbert said about the lurking evil in the dungeon.
Rowan found it odd. Ever since the Archbishop left, things were getting suspicious with the Holy Church.
The marquis didn't have a good feeling about this mission. And in such a time, there was another trouble coming along with them. The new queen's son.
Looking at the third prince ordering the Royal Knights, Rowan let out a sigh again.
"Why must His Majesty allow him to come with us?''
Neither Ariel nor Ivan replied to the Marquis. All three knew Prince Splennar was useless in this mission.
The young man was a mere 2nd Circle Knight with little achievements to back up his strength. The prince said he wanted to prove to his father. Prove what, exactly?
''He's too young to think about the throne,'' The beast girl commented.
Ivan looked at her with a judgemental stare, telling her to not talk about royal affairs. As an adventurer, Ariel cared little for etiquette and whatnot. Though she understood the Court Mage and just chuckled, looking the other way.
''Let's go to the city first and rest, sire. According to the map, we are getting near the dungeon. It would take another week at most,'' At this moment, a veteran mage came forward and said.
The mansion of Count Werbner was located on a hilltop, and it was possible to see the whole view of Orlando from there. Especially the church's spire which shined under the sun.
Suddenly, Ariel's beige hair flowed in an unnatural manner as a dark shadow appeared beneath her feet.
''I'll go first and ask around.'' The moment these words left her mouth, the shadow enveloped her body, and she soundlessly disappeared.
No matter how many times she did it, everyone was awed. The power to move instantly from one place to another… Who wouldn't be impressed by it?
It was because of this skill that Ariel, despite being only at the 4th Circle, could complete an A-Rank quest. It wasn't easy to become such a high-level adventurer. Even people in the other kingdoms knew about Ariel, The Shadow Mistress.
If she could travel long distances instantly… That would be even more terrific.
''With her, it will be much easier to infiltrate the dungeon,'' the marquis said.
"No, she still needs a mental image of her destination. She can't just teleport anywhere,'' Ivan began flying as he replied.
''I'll leave them to you, Lord Bradley. We'll rest here for a day and head out.''
Holding his magic staff, the tall Court Mage elegantly flew toward the city. The elite squad of Royal Knights and Mages were left for the Marquis to handle.
In a few minutes, everyone quickly got on top of their horses and different breeds of tamed monsters, descending down the hilltop.
…
Dungeon of Sin. Afternoon of the same day. It was drizzling outside.
Inside the birth chamber on the 66th floor, people were gathered around a bed on which a young woman lay, smiling peacefully.
Today, Niru had birthed a girl. It was a joyous occasion. The little one had eyes like beads of chocolate, unlike her brother which Vin birthed yesterday.
In her father's arms, she giggled instead of crying. Her voice made everyone smile a little. Jake held the baby tightly, took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling. His eyes were red.
He glanced at the women who were hugging each other, shedding tears of joy.
No, it was of sadness. Niru had died.
Jake was not prepared for this. The mortality rate during childbirth was low on earth. He had forgotten modern medications were not available here. Every birth was natural.
Preparation for any type of life-threatening situation was limited to the healing of priestesses and herbs made by medieval doctors.
Niru had lost her life the moment she pushed the baby out. The labor had been too much for her body. Everything Jake tried didn't work out.
He even used Life Elixir, but it wasn't a resurrection fluid. Niru's body healed and became pristine, yet it was soulless. The elixir could heal life, nurture it, but it could not give life back.
Jake felt like something was stuck in his throat when he heard Rose's loud cries. He came back to Niru's corpse, and let the baby see her mother's face.
''Anna,'' Jake said. ''That's your name from today.''
The name was Niru's choice. Jake looked one last time at her, carried the baby and turned around. The girl began crying, throwing her little hands at her dead mother. However, Jake walked away, his grasp on the baby tightening.
''She will be remembered.''
The women looked at his broad back and covered their mouths. Tears fell endlessly from their eyes and they wondered. How could he not cry? Why?
They simply didn't notice the slight crack in his voice.
…
It was the night, around the time when the mourning stopped. Jake personally buried Niru on the 18th floor, near the underground riverbed.
He had controlled his emotions, not letting them slip out. Well, that was the first time he had experienced loss. Jake knew he was going to experience it again… and again.
Next time he would be prepared. After all, he had killed others. He deserved it, but he wouldn't repent. He was a demon.
''I will grow stronger to the point I can resurrect people. If I don't like others dying, then I will control life and death itself.''
Jake swore, listening to the sound of flowing water.
Whoosh!
He flew back to the 66th floor, spreading his wings. But at this moment, he suddenly heard a voice.
''Master, the reinforcements have reached here.'' It was an informant from Orlando.