Chapter 94: Trepidation

The Wydra dropped Cassian off directly in front of the Necrolord’s Crypt.

​As he hopped down from the chimera’s back, he reached out and patted the creature’s massive head. "Good work."

​The Wydra lowered its wolf-like head respectfully. "It is my duty, my Lord."

​With a powerful flap of its bat-like wings, the chimera ascended into the gloomy sky once more before disappearing into the distance.

​For a moment, Cassian watched it leave before turning toward the structure behind him.

​The [Necrolord’s Crypt] stood like the dark heart of the entire Graveshade Expanse.

Constructed from black stone veined with faint cerulean light, the building possessed an eerie, imposing atmosphere befitting an Undead Lord.

​Yet upon entering, the interior was surprisingly comfortable: the halls were spacious, the stone walls polished to a shine, and the furnishings simple yet elegant.

​The only unusual element was the dense concentration of death mana saturating every corner.

For ordinary living beings, such an environment would feel oppressive; for Cassian and his undead, however, it felt thoroughly refreshing.

​The crypt itself consisted of three floors:

​Ground Floor: Administrative halls, reception chambers, meeting rooms, and offices for managing territorial affairs.

​First Floor: Four spacious bedrooms.

​Second Floor: Three grand suites reserved for individuals of paramount importance.

​As Cassian stepped inside, three figures were already waiting for him: Nyxara, Morghanna, and his SSS-Grade [Overseer].

​The skeletal administrator bowed immediately. "My Lord."

​Cassian acknowledged the greeting with a nod before looking toward the Overseer. "Have you familiarized yourself with the Crypt?"

​The skeleton inclined its head smoothly. "Yes, my Lord. I have completed a preliminary assessment of the structure and have already begun organizing territorial records."

​A pleased look appeared on Cassian’s face. "Good."

​He folded his arms across his chest. "I’ll need someone handling daily operations while I’m away, and you’re perfectly suited for the job."

​The Overseer straightened slightly, the praise clearly pleasing the undead.

​Cassian wasn’t exaggerating. The Overseer was essentially the worker-type equivalent of a Commander-class summon, while its combat capabilities couldn’t compare to military leaders, its efficiency in territorial administration was extraordinary.

​Of course, a Steward would be far superior. Stewards were legendary administrative units capable of managing entire kingdoms and even interplanetary empires, but obtaining one was about as difficult as acquiring a General-class summon.

​An Overseer would have to do, not that Cassian was complaining, as an SSS-Grade Overseer was already an incredible asset.

​After finishing with the administrator, Cassian turned toward Morghanna. The orc Champion immediately looked back at him.

​"I’ll be leaving the territory for a while," Cassian said plainly.

​"And I will need you to watch over the Graveshade Expanse."

​A frown instantly appeared on her face.

The barrier still enveloped the entire territory, meaning even if hostile creatures appeared, they would have a difficult time forcing an entry. To her, the assignment sounded suspiciously close to babysitting.

​Seeing her reluctant expression, Cassian sighed softly. "You can spar with the commanders during your free time."

​The frown vanished instantly, replaced by a battle-hungry grin. "Now you’re speaking my language."

​Cassian continued before she could get too excited: "Just make sure you hold back..."

​The smile froze on her face.

​"...and try not to damage them too much."

​Morghanna placed a calloused hand over her chest, sounding offended. "I am an expert at holding back."

​Silence filled the hall.

​Cassian stared at her. Nyxara stared at her.

​Both shared the exact same skeptical look.

​’Are you sure about that?’

​Morghanna noticed their silent doubt and shrugged carelessly. "Don’t worry," she said, proudly patting her ample chest. "The commanders can testify when you return."

​Cassian’s eye twitched slightly. For some reason, the first thing that came to his mind was a certain miniature moon hurtling toward his face during their duel.

​Still, he decided to trust her, mostly.

​Turning away from the grinning orc, he looked toward Nyxara. "Alright."

​The elven Champion straightened her posture instantly.

​"Let’s go."

​"Yes, my Lord."

....

Cassian stepped into the master bedroom, and Nyxara followed closely behind him. The moment she entered, she closed the door with a soft, deliberate click before standing silently near the entrance.

​The room itself was simple: dark stone walls, a large bed, a sturdy desk, and several empty shelves.

Nothing extravagant, and nothing unnecessary, exactly the way Cassian liked it.

​He walked toward the bed before sitting down heavily on its edge.

​Nyxara remained standing, watching, waiting, and ready to receive her orders.

​Cassian looked at her for a moment before patting the empty space beside him on the mattress. "Sit."

​Nyxara blinked, the casual request catching her off guard. Still, she obeyed immediately, crossing the room before carefully sitting where he had indicated, her posture perfectly straight and her hands resting neatly on her lap.

​Cassian nodded in satisfaction. "We’ll be returning to my realm soon."

​The undead elf became instantly serious, her pointed ears perking slightly.

​A realm, her Lord’s home realm.

​’The place that birthed a monster capable of conquering an entire Death Zone in less than three days...’

​Naturally, it had to be an extraordinary place. Perhaps a sacred land, an ancient kingdom, or a forbidden domain hidden among the stars.

​Cassian folded his arms over his chest. "There are a few things you should know before we get there."

​Nyxara straightened her posture further. "Yes, my Lord."

​"First." Cassian raised a single finger. "When you use something, put it back where you found it."

​"..."

​"Second, after ten at night, try not to make too much noise."

​Nyxara frowned slightly in confusion. "Why?"

​"There will be consequences."

​The cryptic answer only deepened her confusion, but Cassian raised a third finger without missing a beat.

​"Third, don’t mess with the altar."

​Nyxara’s expression instantly turned solemn. A sacred altar... now this sounded far more reasonable.

​Cassian’s expression became unusually dark. "Unless you’re ready to receive heavenly retribution."

​Nyxara’s eyes widened.

​’Heavenly retribution? An altar capable of invoking divine punishment? What kind of terrifying artifact is this?’

​Cassian continued, his voice turning dead grave: "And most importantly... no swearing."

​"..."

​Silence filled the room as Nyxara stared at him. Cassian stared right back.

​Neither spoke for several seconds until the undead elf slowly tilted her head. "My Lord..."

​"Yes?"

​"What are these rules for?"

​Cassian remained silent.

​Nyxara hesitated before asking again: "Are we traveling to some ancient, dangerous temple?"

​Cassian shook his head slowly.

​For the first time since she had been summoned, Nyxara noticed something in his gaze she never thought she would see: trepidation.

​Not fear, and certainly not panic, but genuine, profound caution. It was a look that had never appeared even when he was facing down Morghanna’s crushing miniature moon.

​Nyxara’s confusion only deepened. What kind of realm could make even her supreme Lord so wary?

​Cassian released a long, heavy sigh before looking toward the vaulted ceiling, his expression becoming strangely distant.

​"We’re going home."

​The room fell dead silent.

​Nyxara stared at him.

​Home.

​Such a simple word, yet the way he said it made it sound far more dangerous than any bloody battlefield she had ever stepped upon.

​And judging by the wary look in her Lord’s eyes... the greatest challenge awaiting her in this mysterious realm was not surviving terrifying enemies.

​It was surviving his family.