Abyssal Awakening

With everything now sorted, Verona had Caera prepare tents so Warriors could go for the treatment if they wish.

They'll give the soldiers a briefing and they can begin around dinner time.

Watching Alice leave with Caera, Verona couldn't help but sigh.

"What's your opinion of that girl?" Verona asked as Frida materialised next to her.

"Strange… probably doesn't do it justice. Everything she's done points at her being a spy. Her senses are a little absurd to be just a random Hunter. But her choice of reward is… Peculiar." Frida replied honestly.

To her, Alice was like a jumble of weird quirks and absurd powers. It didn't make sense at all.

"I don't think she's a spy seeing as how she genuinely wants to help those affected by the curse. Perhaps choosing the mead is a sign of goodwill." Verona massaged her temples while rereading the notes again.

"Ah actually I have something else to report on that. Sigurd has… made a contract with her. An exchange. She gave him part of her power and in return, Sigurd promised five pieces of equipment."

Hearing this, Verona's smile twitched for a moment.

"For free?"

"No, for a price with a 40% discount."

". . ." Verona wanted to throw the research away right now and smack Sigurd on the head. Thankfully, it wasn't for free. However, even if you have the money for materials, you might not be able to buy them.

So whenever Sigurd is making equipment for Alice, that's one less rare material for their nation.

"I've already lectured him on his decision. But I will admit that his new power is… Rather unique." Frida's eyelids trembled as she recalled the brief experiment they had done together.

With Sigurd controlling the violet flames, no matter how she tried to use her ice to put it out, it only burned with greater intensity and even decreased her control over her powers.

"I see… Seems like I'll have to take a look at it in due time. For now, can you make these arrangements?"

Receiving a note of things to do, Frida nodded her head and disappeared in a cloud of cold mist.

###

"Ah young master! How nice of you to join me in the North." The scholar smiled and gave Albert a small bow.

He wore a black top hat, a golden monocle, a large flowing black cloak tattered on the ends and a thin layer of snow on the shoulders. Beneath the cloak, he wore a stylish black suit with golden accessories and a pair of gloves. Sturdy black leather boots crushed the snow beneath his step as he had a walking stick in his hands.

"And for Miss Eryn to join us as well, always a pleasure to see you."

Eryn, an Abyss Lord unaffiliated with the Zenia family aside from being Albert's master. A woman of unmatched swordsmanship and a physicality that makes him question the limits of human strength every time he sees her.

She has long flowing silver hair tinted reaching down to her lower back. The tips of her hair trimmed neatly to form a line. A pair of crimson violet eyes that seemed to cut everything she stared at.

Despite the cold, she wore a rather revealing outfit consisting of black straps wrapping around her body. Connected to the straps were pieces of black fabric that covered her waist.

Her left arm was left completely exposed, revealing a scar that ran all the way up to her shoulder. Her right arm was replaced by a prosthetic made from black metal. A pair of black boots and on her waist was her blade that was almost taller than her.

A left handed swordswoman.

"As always, your gaze disgusts me, doctor." Eryn spat in annoyance, holding back the urge to unsheathe her blade.

"A compliment for a man of my occupation." The Doctor grinned before turning around.

"Allow me to escort you to our temporary residence. I will give you the information we have later tonight young master, for now, please make yourself comfortable." He chuckled.

Following behind the Doctor until they reached the camp, Albert was expressionless as he saw the northern people being dragged to the camp.

He knew the fate of those people while Eryn had a frown on her face.

"Is this the first time you saw this kind of scene master?" Albert revealed a bitter expression.

Eryn's grip around her blade tightened for a moment before loosening up.

"No." She shook her head.

She's seen scenes like this plenty of times before. It wasn't anything new.

"But I thought you already have information on what you want to find." Eryn asked but the Doctor shook his head.

"Oh this isn't for information Miss Eryn. You see, before we received the retrieval mission, we had lost quite a few of our forces in the north. I'm merely replenishing our ranks." He chuckled but Eryn raised an eyebrow.

Who would dare use the enemy civilians as soldiers? Setting aside their lack of power, it's clear that they'll run away or betray you the first chance they get.

"Are you concerned about their loyalty to the northern nation? If so you do not need to worry Miss Eryn. I have my ways and they will not be an issue whatsoever." He reassured as Eryn nodded her head.

"I'll rest in my tent. Do whatever you need to do. I'm just here as a guard so don't involve me in anything." Eryn turned around.

"As you wish." The Doctor bowed.

Watching Eryn walk away, he turned to Albert.

"Young master, I believe Miss Eryn should start being aware of our glorious objective if she is to continue being your master/bodyguard. Having to dance around topics and certain keywords is rather bothersome."

"I know. Father hasn't mentioned anything yet. But she'll know in time." Albert glanced down at the floor and kicked the snow aside.

"If that's what you desire then so be it. I will let my assistants know to be more careful with what they say and what they show."

"Good. So how reliable is the news around Al- the monster? Is she really in the north? Did someone see her?" Albert asked.

"It has a high chance of being reliable, young master. Though… there's a slight possibility that the subject may flee the north considering our previous failed assault. There is no doubt that she's aware of our existence that's approaching the north." The Doctor replied, gesturing for Albert to enter his tent.

Stepping through, Albert frowned seeing Ayla squirming on the floor while muttering something incoherent.

Tears could be seen in the corner of her eyes as her body twitched from the pain.

The fact that this failed product resembled his sister and the monster annoyed him as he looked away.

"I apologise for the disgusting decoration. I had not expected you and Miss Eryn to be so fast so I was unable to clean things up. I'm merely punishing her for the losses that occurred because she was preoccupied with two people."

"Don't mind it." Albert shook his head and sat down away from Ayla.

Every time he saw the failed product and the monster that used to be in the prison, he was reminded of his sister's cries. Her cries as the monster consumed her and wore her skin. The hatred that burned in his heart couldn't be quenched.

But what's worse is that it wore her appearance as a shield and used her memories as a weapon. Find your next read on m_v l|e-NovelBin.net

How dare a monster call her brother, how dare she look at him with those betrayed eyes as though she didn't eat his sister.

"So the plan?"

"We are planning to scout out the situation a little first. According to the failed product, the Queen didn't see fit to intervene at all, leaving the work to her subordinates. The initial chemical attack failed to achieve the effect we had initially expected so there are unknown variables to their combat power.

"Lord Zenia only tasked me with one objective and that is to retrieve the subject. If we can avoid a fight that would be ideal. However, it also allows us to observe and judge the state of the capital and whether or not it is suitable to become another breeding ground." The Doctor explained as Albert listened silently.

"Despite her… shortcomings, the failed product is still the most optimal subject when it comes to stopping the Queen. There are pieces of her designed with the sole intention of fighting the Queen hence her overall strength may be lacking a little. So I would have to ask young master to avoid damaging the failed product too much if you wish to take out your anger."

"I'm not that foolish to the point you have to tell me. I'm assuming stepmother has given you a task for me as well seeing as how you're dragging this one." Albert narrowed his gaze.

After his mother died to the monster, this strange woman had approached his father. He didn't know why but eventually, his father married her and used the resources she provided.

Regardless, she was now his stepmother and occasionally, there were tasks that she wanted him to help out with.

"Perceptive as always young master. And yes, the mistress has indeed given you a task to complete. Though rather than a task, it's more of a letter. She has instructed me to let the young master know that you should relax and enjoy the northern sights. If you do come face to face with the monster, remember that we still need her blood." The Doctor nodded as Albert frowned.

After a short pause, he sighed and nodded.

"Alright."

For now, he'll wait for the Doctor to complete his preparations then they can scout out the capital.