Chapter 280 : The Dignity of Morzada

The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Dignity of Morzada

"Morzada? Wasn't he already dead?"

"No, he wasn't. He left a remnant soul within Beverly, but as a remnant soul, he lost all power and was imprisoned by us in the dungeon."

"Then let's go take a look."

With that, Serea entered the dungeon accompanied by Lola and the others. Manshir, who had just recently recovered, was now assigned as the guard here.

After a brief exchange, they entered the dungeon, where there were two girls in the cell. One wore black, her hands and feet shackled by magic-suppressing shackles. The chains had rubbed her tender skin raw, but she paid it no mind, sitting by the side of the girl in white, watching her with a gaze full of concern.

That girl in white was none other than Camilla.

Noticing the group's arrival, Beverly looked up. Upon seeing Serea, her face first showed disgust, then a helpless sense of resignation.

At this moment, she was but a remnant soul, unable even to change her host, completely trapped within Beverly's body.

Serea glanced at Morzada, then at Camilla.

"Why is Camilla locked up here too?"

"Because Camilla suffered soul damage in the previous battle, and there is nothing we can do to heal her for now. These days, it's been Be... Morzada maintaining Camilla's life."

"I see..."

Serea stared at Beverly for a while.

"What's your aim in doing this?"

"Hmph, she's the woman I, the king, have chosen! What need for other aims? On the contrary—it's you! Hurry up and return the power you took from me before. I need it to save her."

"So right now, you're asking me for help, is that your attitude when asking for a favor?"

"You!!!"

Facing Serea's mockery, morzada stood up instantly, but, restrained by the chains, she couldn't approach the edge of the cell.

She was now a prisoner...

Thinking this, looking again at Serea's aloof (though actually not so high and mighty) demeanor, morzada felt an endless sense of humiliation. But when she gazed at the unconscious Camilla again—

Thud!

Morzada dropped to both knees. This move stunned everyone present.

"I beg you, return some of the power you took from me before. Just a little is enough."

"......"

A Demon King actually discarding her dignity and kneeling before Serea—this was beyond anything Serea expected. Shocked, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

"You don't have to worry about me escaping. I've lost all of my power, and as long as you let me save Camilla, I'll agree to any conditions you put forward."

"But in the past, you only wanted to enchant her and use her. You, a master at manipulating souls, are kneeling before me for the sake of a single 'chess pawn'?"

Hearing Serea say this, morzada bit down hard on her lips.

"I don't need to explain myself to you. But don't forget, if I hadn't helped before, how could you have possibly slain Alysta and escaped? In fact, you owe your lives to me. And that girl is your companion, isn't she? Are you really going to just watch her soul dissipate?"

At these words, Lola and the others all looked stricken; Serea, though, thought for a moment...

"Dogsius, can you save Camilla?"

"Master, although I can devour any soul, saving someone is another matter..."

"All right, I understand."

Serea opened her hand, revealing a pile of soul crystals, which she handed to Manshir for delivery into the cell.

Glancing at the sack of soul crystals, morzada stood up and took a dozen or so pieces.

"That's enough."

Having said so, she turned her back to Serea, still somewhat hostile.

But once by Camilla's side, that hostility was gone, replaced by gentleness.

In Camilla's memories, she had once gazed at Beverly the same way, always holding onto hope for a girl whose soul was shattered—perhaps that's why Morzada could so easily 'deceive' her.

Now, however, their roles were reversed: Beverly stood at the bedside, and Camilla lay upon it.

"I told you, I'll never let you die—not like this, never!"

After saying this, the soul crystals melted, releasing pure soul power. Morzada could no longer generate such power herself, yet she could still control what was given to her.

She channeled the soul power into Camilla's soul. Because Morzada had previously burned her own soul to protect Camilla, Camilla's soul damage was still within treatable limits.

Soul of Karyrot!

Complex spell circles appeared on the ground. With Morzada's skilled hands, Camilla's soul was being mended little by little.

During the process, Serea sensed something and took a gemstone from her spatial ring.

Inheritance Gemstone (Golden)!

This was a gift from Betimia of Bloodstorm. It could grant someone the profession of 'Mind Dominator'. Now, the inheritance gemstone seemed to have chosen Morzada.

The soul repair lasted barely more than a minute, after which Morzada's brow was covered in sweat.

"Thank you. Now, as promised—kill me or punish me as you wish."

She slumped to the floor, as if resigned to her fate.

"Well, since you put it that way..."

Serea turned to Lola and the others.

"You all can leave."

Everyone filed out, including the guards.

Now, only Serea, morzada, and the sleeping Camilla remained within the dungeon.

"What do you want?"

"I want to ask you a question."

"Ask."

"What was your purpose coming here? What secrets were you hiding?"

"We came here to perform a summoning ritual and claim our respective bodies. After that, I don't know."

"You're the Demon King. How could you not know?"

Serea pressed further, but Morzada could only give a self-mocking smile.

"Demon king? To be honest, I even doubt my own identity. Clearly, I am a Demon King, but after resurrection, the only memories I have are of being killed and of my tasks to complete. I don't know the purpose of those tasks or the secrets behind them. All I know is that there's a mission I must finish."

"......"

"If you don't believe me, let that little fellow verify it. He can read minds, and I won't resist."

At that, Dogsius used mind-reading.

"Master, she really only knows about the mission and how to complete it. She knows nothing of the rest, not even her own past."

"That's odd..."

As a Demon King, tasked with a mission—knowing only how to complete it, but not why—this made no sense.

Could it be...

"Are you done questioning me?"

Morzada sounded impatient. Serea scrutinized her for a moment.

"Dogsius, is it true that he's completely useless now?"

"Yes, after burning her soul, only her unusually strong soul allowed her to survive. Recovery is almost impossible."

"Almost? That means there are exceptions."

"Nothing's absolute, but relying on herself alone, it's impossible to recover. Even if it were possible, it would take an extremely long time. To the Queen, she poses no threat now."

With Dogsius's confirmation, Serea didn't hesitate any longer. She tossed the inheritance gemstone over.

"Hm?"

Morzada looked at the gemstone rolling on the ground, confused.

"I was entrusted to give this gemstone to someone it recognized. Now it's yours. Stay here, and don't even think of escaping."

"You're going to let me go?"

"What, you don't want that?"

"......"

"But from now on, don't use the name Morzada. Just go by Beverly, so as not to cause trouble."

Leaving those words, Serea exited the dungeon. Soon after, blood slaves entered to keep watch over her closely.

As for the reason for keeping her—

Serea was very interested—or rather, very wary—of that 'mission'. Keeping Morzada, now 'useless', might just prove helpful one day.

After leaving, Serea entered a sealed stone room—a warehouse for precious items. Now, however, some very special things were kept here.

She stared at three stone coffins. Inside were three bodies: two female, one male—Addis, morzada, and... Laviel!

Inside was already someone waiting—it was Celia. Her purpose was simple.

"Master, master! May I really choose one of these as my body?!"

Dogsius's voice was filled with excitement.

"Of course you can. I promised you a powerful body."

"Thank you, master!"

As Celia raised her hands, a ball of black fluff appeared—Dogsius's true form!

Now she inspected the three bodies, unable to decide for a moment.

"Master, which body do you think suits me best?"

"As a Parasite Demon, mental strength and soul are paramount. Morzada—the Lord of Wailing Spirits's body—would certainly be most suitable."

At this, Dogsius paid special attention to Morzada's body.

The young man's looks were dashing, and his strength would suit Dogsius perfectly, but...

"Master probably doesn't want a male subordinate..."

This thought Dogsius kept inside. She looked at the two females: both strikingly beautiful, both with S-rank charm, but...

"With Queen Serea's tastes, she's sure to like Celia's tsundere [cold-princess] type the best, so this one's the pick."

By this process of elimination, Addis and Morzada were ruled out. She jumped into Laviel's body. Beneath the black veil, only a glimpse of her breathtaking beauty was visible.

"Morzada's body might be more fitting for me, but I feel this one is stronger. Master, can I choose this one?"

"You may."

"Thank you, master."

With that, Dogsius entered the evening gown of the girl. As she possessed the body, Serea observed, deep in thought.

"Apparently Adolf and Alysta are quite wary of this girl..."

While pondering, laviel—no, Dogsius—opened her eyes.

Flexing her hands: no problem. She slowly sat up, then stood and went through a few movements. She had full control. Then, she flung herself toward Serea.

"Master~"

Dogsius rubbed vigorously against Serea's chest. She'd always wanted to do this but couldn't as Celia; now, with her own body, there was no more need for restraint.

"All right."

Serea gently pushed her away, studying the girl's face, and immediately received her information.

Dogsius! Level 35! Lord!

"Hm? Why do you seem weaker now?"

"Because this body had no soul, just an empty shell—but my strength will gradually recover."

Dogsius explained, and Serea felt relieved.

"From now on, keep the name Dogsius, and try not to let others see your face."

"Yes, master! From now on, only you'll see my face."

"Er... That's not quite what I meant..."

Serea tried to explain, but at that moment, a voice came from outside.

"Report to Queen Serea: Lady Avril has arrived."

"So soon? Let's go then."

She casually tossed the mask she'd previously worn to Dogsius, who immediately put it on.

With Lola and the others, Serea received Avril in the just-constructed inn.

Upon entering, avril, already waiting, stood and gave a courteous bow.

"Queen Serea, it's been a long time."

"No need for such formality—you see, Aruka is getting anxious."

Serea joked. Aruka, supporting Avril with one arm, scratched his head shyly. Ever since Avril became pregnant, his whole heart had been set on his wife.

After some polite pleasantries, everyone sat down. This time, avril was representing Xiyun Merchant Guild. As for the topic...

With the fall of Maregof, news would soon spread. The entire western jungle's trade would be reshuffled. With so much at stake, the Xiyun Merchant Guild could hardly sit still.

But Serea was also happy to help—after all, helping them was helping herself. The more they profited, the more gold would roll into her own pockets.

"I believe the Queen understands my purpose in coming."

"Indeed. Maregof is dead, and soon the jungle council will convene. Send an envoy to join me for the meeting, miss Avril. I'm sure they'll need a trustworthy trade partner."

"I'm truly grateful, queen."

Following that, avril and Serea discussed matters further. Though the 'cake' had grown, avril assured that the Darkmoon clan would not receive any less than their fair share.

The talks lasted into the evening. After all was settled, both sides smiled with relief.

"We'll leave it here for today. I've prepared accommodations for you all."

"Thank you, queen Serea."

With that, avril prepared to leave with Vina, but suddenly, as if recalling something important, she turned back.

"Wait, queen Serea. There is one more matter I must inform you about."

As Avril said this, her expression grew very serious.

(To be continued...)