Chapter 562 - 222: Grave Digger (2)

Damn it, Captain, First Officer... Help... help... help... help... help...

...

...

「At the same time, inside the theater space.」

Wei’en put down his quill and looked at the parchment, which detailed his activities from the past few days. Most of the entries were about his research project.

"New Calendar 1578, September 6th. On the recommendation of Teresa and the others, I’ve decided to use Ghost Stone as the primary material for the alloy in the mechanical body. (This part references knowledge from the Mechanical School, exchange fee: one thousand gold pounds)..."

"New Calendar 1578, September 8th. Began fusion experiments today. As expected, the unexpected kept happening. Suffered heavy losses in experimental equipment. (Eight hundred gold pounds)..."

"..."

"New Calendar 1578, September 14th. Soul Fusion Rune maxed out, Earth Spirit Array maxed out. Ugh, back to making mechanical arms, inscribing runes, and then getting the bad news of another failed experiment. (Dammit, another two thousand gold pounds spent)..."

"New Calendar 1578, September 15th. Got a suggestion to delay the activation of the Earth Spirit. Christa, that unassuming Witch, turned out to be surprisingly reliable. (Another day of heavy losses, one thousand two hundred gold pounds)..."

Reading the last entry, Wei’en sighed softly. ’There’s been progress, but not much.’

The worst part was the cost in gold pounds... Even though he wasn’t paying for the research materials out of his own pocket, the institute was his, and he felt those gold pounds could have been put to better use.

With a heavy heart over the expenses, Wei’en took out the Magic Potion ingredients he had just acquired. He planned to follow the knowledge in his mind and try making a single dose first.

’I hope this gray potion that enhances the fundamental power of Undead Creatures can help me achieve a breakthrough in the experiment...’

Wei’en couldn’t help but complain again. ’I have no idea what great Alchemist came up with such a terrible name. Gray Potion... they might as well have called it Gray Area.’

Then, he activated the crucible and, without hesitation, tossed in the soil from the Undead World, a Director Level skeleton’s Origin Core, and the other ingredients...

Meanwhile, outside the workshop, several women were sitting at the dining table, enjoying a relaxed and pleasant dinner, a stark contrast to the busy Wei’en.

Clelia was holding a wine glass, savoring the fine wine confiscated from the Purple Flower Clan. A blush bloomed on her cheeks, making her already beautiful face even more radiant.

Compared to just over ten days ago, her manic and seductive aura had faded somewhat, replaced by a noble air similar to that of a highborn lady like Vian.

Well, to be precise, she was even more regal.

"I wonder what Wei’en is so busy with in there. I feel like he’s been more focused than ever lately." Clelia gave a pointed look toward Miss Zombie, who was sitting in the corner. "Shawa, do you know?"

Of course, she knew about Wei’en’s current research project. In fact, it was precisely because she knew his goal that her emotions were in slight turmoil.

’I care so much about Wei’en, yet I’m still not as important as a little zombie who’s been dead for years with a stiff body?’

’Am I not pretty enough? Not seductive enough? Is my body not delicate enough, my figure not hot enough?’

’Hmph, what am I lacking?!’

Shawa silently held a zombified Deep Sea fish and ate, her pale face expressionless. Only after hearing Clelia’s words did her mechanical eye contract slightly, betraying a flicker of emotion.

"First Officer Clelia, I heard you haven’t known the Evil... I mean, Wei’en, for very long?"

Pavla, using the power of her authority, vaguely sensed Clelia’s thoughts. ’Envy?’

She didn’t understand why this assertive woman before her would be envious of Miss Zombie. ’Could it be because of Shawa’s Undying Body?’

"Not long. Only thirty-one days, eight hours, and forty-two minutes," Clelia said with a smile, spearing a piece of sashimi with her fork and putting it in her mouth as she chewed.

’Thirty-one days... How did she pinpoint the time down to the minute?’

’And what was the point of remembering it so precisely?’

’It feels like I’ve read something similar somewhere before?’

Pavla thought back to the precious Era Relics she had seen in the past. It seemed a similar line existed in some epic about a Knight and a princess eloping.

’So... Lady Clelia and the Evil Mage... it’s love?’

"Then your feelings for him..." Pavla asked cautiously, a hint of curiosity on her face. "I mean, back then he was just an ordinary Wizard, and you were ’Thousand Faces’ of the Eternal Life Association. How did you develop such a deep... um, relationship with him in such a short time?"

In truth, she had wanted to say ’bond’.

But on second thought, it seemed that every girl sitting at the dinner table had an extraordinary relationship with Wei’en.

’Wait, that doesn’t include me!’

"Hmm..." Clelia’s graceful movements paused. The image of Wei’en surfaced in her mind unbidden. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "It’s love."

In truth, she had pondered this question herself, especially after that seal was removed, but she had never found an answer.

The answer she sought wasn’t about her feelings for Wei’en, but rather the origin of the sense of security and familiarity he gave her.

In other words, even before she was consciously aware of this question, she had been inexplicably drawn to Wei’en, subconsciously seeing him as *that* reliable, honest, and handsome man she could count on.

"Love?"

An "I knew it" smile spread across Pavla’s face. It was confirmed. Now she could truly call their relationship a romance.

"Of course. But I’m not the only one who feels this way." Clelia pursed her lips, her gaze falling on Little White Fur and the little zombie across the table. Her eyes said it all.

"Tina, likes, Wei’en." The white-haired girl looked up and stared at Clelia’s... chest, then stuffed a handful of potato chips into her mouth. "Tina, dislikes, Clelia."