Chapter 141
At the same time, in the South.
The key figures of the Nu clan had gathered in the underground chamber where the infected were confined.
“Ugh, the smell….”
“The stench is indeed severe.”
While a few covered their noses with their long sleeves, Hies stood calmly, staring at the infected without the slightest reaction.
Several days had passed since the king and queen had departed.
With most of the strong warriors loyal to the king now in Wilkeron, this place was as good as empty.
And the reason it could be left like this was simple—if the Nu clan were to stage a rebellion, all Yasamin had to do was kill them all.
He had both the power and the ruthlessness to do so.
‘But what if I were to turn all the people into infected instead?
So that when he returns, there is no kingdom left for him to rule?’
He wouldn’t have expected something like that.
No matter how many years he had lived, there had likely never been anyone as vicious as her in his lifetime.
If she could not be loved, then she would claim the most intense hatred instead, ensuring she would never be forgotten.
After long contemplation, the path Hies had chosen was just that.
To be thoroughly, completely, and truly evil. And in doing so, to take away the thing most precious to him.
“When would be the most suitable time? If we trigger it too soon, the entire South will be annihilated.”
“We need to wait and gauge the situation. It should be around the time His Majesty returns with the warriors.”
“Exactly. That way, he can handle the aftermath while we are safely aboard the Ark.”
The <Ark>.
It was both a massive ship and the safest refuge.
In truth, ships had always existed in the South. Since the region could not sustain itself alone, they had been necessary for trade—or for raiding.
But the Ark had been created by linking and modifying three of these ships.
Built in secret by the Nu clan, it was something the king knew nothing about.
“The selection process is nearly complete.”
“The chosen ones should all be aboard within a week, Priest.”
“Then… shall we proceed at that time?”
The elders, cautiously gauging the situation, turned to Hies for an answer.
She remained silent, holding a lantern, before finally giving a slight nod.
“Let’s do it.”
Yet none of them knew what Hies was truly plotting.
How far she was willing to go in the name of love.
Wilkeron.
That evening, a modest gathering was held exclusively for the Southerners.
The warriors stationed at the royal palace of Wilkeron were delighted to have Southern-style food for the first time in a long while.
Though the dishes were somewhat dry and lacked proper nutrition, they were still a taste of home.
As Siren idly watched the banquet, the sound of hurried footsteps caught her attention.
“Madam!”
“Pamilla?”
“Uh, well, something strange is happening…!”
Since the room was closed off and only Southerners were gathered, Pamilla had her round ears perked up, fully exposed.
Tilting her head in curiosity, Siren watched as Pamilla nervously looked around before rising on her toes to whisper.
“It’s… Nicoletta!”
“Hm? What about her?”
“I think she’s lost her mind! She’s running around the garden, laughing like crazy.”
What on earth was this about?
Though a little perplexed, Siren stood up.
If Nicoletta was acting deliberately, then she must be trying to get her attention. If not… then someone needed to make a decision. As long as Nicoletta was being treated as a ‘guest,’ no one could simply act against her.
“Yasamin, I’m going to the garden.”
“Want me to come with you?”
“If I’m not back in ten minutes.”
“Got it.”
At his signal, a few warriors who had been drinking with him quietly followed as escorts.
‘Well, this is still better than before.’
There was a time when they would have trailed after her so persistently that it was almost a nuisance. But now, they knew how to restrain themselves and consider her wishes.
It was quite admirable.
“Kya-ha-ha-ha!”
The moment she stepped into the garden, she was met with the sound of wild, unrestrained laughter.
“Catch me if you can! Kyahaha!”
Nicoletta’s long hair fluttered as she ran, dressed in a white indoor gown.
At a glance, she truly did seem mad.
“It’s the queen!”
Rushing toward her and grabbing her wrist—surely no one in their right mind would do such a thing.
“Dance with me! Dance! I’m a butterfly!”
Spinning and twirling, she murmured nonsense, her lips curling into an unsettling grin. Her vacant eyes, however, were shadowed with sorrow.
Siren let herself be dragged along in silence. She could have resisted, but she wanted to see how this human’s story would end.
“Look, an apple! There’s an apple!”
Nicoletta pointed at an empty tree, laughing as if her mouth would tear from smiling too wide.
Following the garden path led to the royal laundry yard, where the palace maids washed clothes. There was a well there.
A well, naturally connected to the waterways.
The moment Siren caught sight of it, she gestured for her escorts to step back.
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