Chapter Forty-Nine: The First Glimmer of Truth

Jann and his companions acted swiftly and efficiently, leaving nothing behind as they swept through the outpost. They seized every resource, even weapons and equipment, regardless of whether Jann currently had subordinates suited to wield them. Better to reclaim and repurpose these items than leave them arming his enemies. Fortunately, although there were no subterranean lizards, the robust bodies of the Aberrants made transporting supplies effortless, allowing Jann's group to carry away everything they'd scavenged.

Before departing, Jann prepared a small surprise for future visitors to the outpost. After all, it's only polite to reciprocate; having taken so much, he felt compelled to leave a token in return. Courtesy was a principle Jann understood well.

The journey back was smooth, unimpeded by obstacles. With the dungeon’s surveillance, Jann easily led his companions around the returning patrols. More than once, the hurried footsteps and clattering armor of the enemy echoed just beyond a stone wall, yet none sensed Jann’s presence, enabling them to return safely to the dungeon.

Perhaps unnerved by Enoya’s merciless necromancy, both Elise and Vilna unconsciously kept their distance from her during the return. Jann found Vilna’s reaction amusing; she preferred to stay closer to him than to approach Enoya. Understandably so—Vilna was a warrior accustomed to bloodshed, but manipulating corpses was a grotesque novelty for her. Elise, by contrast, maintained a semblance of composure. As a spellcaster versed in chaotic energy, she had read many records of corpse dissections and experiments, and could somewhat adapt. Yet even she was cautious around Enoya, scarcely daring to breathe, like a rabbit caught in a tiger's jaws.

Enoya herself seemed indifferent, as serene and gentle as ever, as though the person who had just gutted a corpse and crushed its innards in front of everyone was someone entirely unfamiliar.

Upon their return, Jann assigned Vilna to handle the spoils. The dark elf was delighted, abandoning her usual aloofness in favor of swift action—after casting a wary glance at Enoya, she dashed off.

As for Elise...

“Elise?”

“Ah?” Elise, still in a daze, finally returned to herself at Jann’s call. Though she’d vented her frustrations in battle, witnessing Enoya’s necromancy left her unsettled and confused. If not for Jann’s voice, she might never have snapped out of it.

“Lady Elise?”

“Lord Castellan? Do you have instructions?”

Jann did not answer immediately, instead scrutinizing her closely. Elise blushed under his gaze, recalling the moment when Jann had drawn her into his arms. She’d never been so intimately close to any man—not even her father. Strangely, when embraced by Jann, she felt neither alienation nor resistance, but a familiar attachment, as if it wasn’t the first time she’d been held by him.

But that was impossible; prior to that, Jann hadn’t so much as touched her finger. Why, then...? As Elise pondered, Jann’s voice suddenly sounded in her ear.

“Do you want to return to Onyx Stone City?”

“What?” Elise was stunned, looking at Jann anew.

Return? Leave the dungeon and go back to Onyx Stone City? It was a long-held dream. Yet, fearing Jann might trouble her home, she’d stayed here willingly, if only as a hostage. Still, she was no masochist and disliked living as a captive. In her cell, she constantly yearned for the warmth and comfort of her room in the Scarlet Abbey. If she could return, she’d never choose to remain here.

But now, hearing Jann’s offer, she realized she wasn’t as happy as she’d imagined.

Return? Leave the dungeon? Go back to Onyx Stone City?

What should have been joyous news left Elise feeling empty—a sense not of long-awaited fulfillment, but of the melancholy of leaving a familiar home for an unknown land. Words that should have come easily were caught in her throat, unable to escape.

“It seems there’s no need,” Jann remarked, reading her expression with a faint smile in his eyes. “Lady Elise, you should rest.”

“Yes... All right...” Elise nodded absentmindedly. Her mind was in turmoil, torn between reason, which told her she should accept and return to Onyx Stone City, and a deeper reluctance to leave. Now that Jann had made the decision, Elise felt a bittersweet relief—no longer needing to agonize over the choice. She nodded to Jann and departed.

Once her figure vanished beyond the door, Jann withdrew his gaze, turning to the quietly waiting Enoya.

“Enoya, prepare a guest room for Elise later. It seems our library will have a new mistress.”

As he spoke, Jann’s eyes lingered on the system panel before him, where notifications were displayed in clear lines:

A new member has joined your dungeon. Recruitment of Elise Grinty Aidan (Gold SR) successful.

Elise Grinty Aidan (Gold SR)
Race: Hybrid (Bloodline—Perfect Form)
Combat: ★★☆ (Primal chaotic magic flows in her veins, granting limitless power)
Management: ★★ (A scholar is not always a good commander, but a good commander is an excellent scholar)
Influence: ★★☆ (Noble blood grants the girl graceful charm; mere courage is insufficient to impress her)
Loyalty: ★ (A fragile soul wavers in the storm; who knows if the lost traveler will ever find her path again)

Traits:
Hellfire—The flame of death, the chill of curses, the oath of destruction (Negative Energy Mastery +3)
Perfect Form—She is no mortal; prolonged contact has taught her to mimic mortals (All resistance to damage +15%)

Skills:
Sigil Mastery: Can use hellfire to forge sigils mimicking other spells
Diligent Learner: Able to rapidly improve through study

Personal Quest “Lost Soul”—Never assume you have her heart; a woman’s mind is unfathomable. Nothing is more inscrutable than the human soul. The lost soul moves through the mist—no one knows if ahead lies an abyss or a smooth road. Only when she gives up everything and makes her choice will fate render its judgment.
Reward: Conversion (Demonkin), Soul Mark +1, Forced Awakening

As expected, it was still difficult.

Examining Elise’s information, Jann was not surprised. Her loyalty was the lowest among his subordinates—even Vilna had one and a half stars now, while Elise had only one. The system acknowledged her, but at this loyalty level, betrayal was always a possibility. This, however, was within Jann’s expectations; Elise had only begun to be “cultivated,” still in the early stages. Fully transforming her would take time, but for now, it was enough.

“Now, let’s discuss business.”

Closing the character window, Jann looked again at Enoya, his expression growing solemn.

“I assume you know their origins?”

“Yes, master.”

Enoya nodded, finally replying.

“They belong to the Sanctum Order.”