- Jack’O: DO NOT attempt a rescue mission! I mean it!

- Bubblegum: I hear you. Talk later.

”….”

- Jack’O: DO NOT come for me!

- CPR Dude: I hear you, Boss!

”….” Why couldn’t they simply agree?!

Bubblegum —> Had her own thoughts and could be quite stubborn.

CPR dude —> Had a strange obsession with saving family

Cultists —> They were even worse!

Jack sighed from the bottom of his heart. After all, The masochistic monk had already told him about the Brave army gathering at the Drunken Sailor.

The enormous mobilization had even prompted the militia to watch over them, worried about a Town takeover. Still, he was definitely scared!

D.L. versus Dark Elves? —> His people would get utterly massacred! All the work that had gone into training his minions would be gone.

Ironically this simply meant that he had to escape his current predicament before reinforcements could arrive. This single task occupied his mind.

He remained absentminded even as his silver-haired captor came back for another round of “fun”. He let the torture wash over him, showing a relaxed expression.

The less he reacted and the more impatient she became. Her sadistic smile was long gone, her elven pride wholly shattered. But even then, she still wanted him to submit.

The girl’s efforts would have amused him were he not completely restrained and defenseless.

”Just kill me already. Let me respawn!” He kept inwardly begging, but she simply wouldn’t.

Physical torture? —> She could lacerate his undead flesh all she wanted. He wouldn’t make a peep.

Mental torture? —> She made him see his worst nightmares. He woke up in his tiny old apartment in the visions, his current life nothing but a fleeting dream.

Temptation? —> He didn’t care about her charm or her empty promises. It all came with way too steep a cost: his freedom.

Jack showed a very sorry state, his body in tatters, but his spirit was still strong as he slowly gathered information and schemed.

- He was sequestered in the estate of the noble Black Rose House.

- The missing MTG members were here too, as gladiators

- His captor was the third eldest daughter of her family

- Her siblings made fun of her for the failed “taming”

- She worshiped the Dark Mistress as many did

Soon psychological warfare started. He had to rattle her enough for her defenses to fall, which only increased the torture’s intensity. He was akin to a lobster in boiling water asking to increase the temperature.

”Don’t worry. You’re doing well for someone from a declining house. At least you tried.”

”Ghouls have the direct protection of the Goddess of Death, didn’t you know?”

”You don’t have to compare yourself to your betters. Just live your life.”

Every single of his “praises” reminded her of all her problems. Why was the torturer the one leaving with a belly full of resentment every time?!

Thus he kept pushing, slowly driving her to insanity…

━━━━━━ POV ━━━━━━━

Lyriana felt her blood boil as she resisted the urge to rip her prisoner in half. As she gracefully left, she felt his smirk and dark eyes follow her.

This ghoul was utterly insane!

- He wished for death

- He cackled alone at times

- He seemed to understand dark elves.

It was as if he had a way out or was receiving information in real-time, but how?! The anti-magic shackles should have prevented that!

She had obviously missed something, but what?! As she kept pondering, she absentmindedly reached her private garden, one full of poisonous flowers.

It was the domain of her best friend: Ghost Silver. The silver spider was busy munching on a Black Lotus.

”Little Ghost, what do you think his secret is? He doesn’t even emit mana. He just stands there and endures everything with impossible poise….”

That’s when a scornful voice resounded.

”Tsk— Useless thing! You can’t even break one little ghoul?! No wonder you’re the shame of our family!”

”Ah, Second Eldest Sister, are you lost? Do you need my help to find your living quarters?” Lyriana gently offered.

”Tch— I’m not like you. The Black Rose Matriarch is requesting your presence, do not make her wait….or do, I don’t mind seeing you punished.” She shrugged, harrumphing as she left.

Lyriana sighed, gently patting the now trembling silver spider. They both knew what this meant. “Don’t worry. I’ll come back…probably.”

She made her way through the large opulent palace, shaking her head at the countless empty artifact displays. Long ago, their corridors had been laden with treasures.

Every year they became more destitute, a vicious circle with no end. The house’s only hope was the younger generation.

Sadly without resources, they were always lagging behind their wealthy peers that could drink elixirs as if ordinary Shadow-Worm milk.

As soon as she saw the audience room, she instantly knew this would end badly. She could already notice a dozen of her siblings sneering as they glanced at her.

On an intricate dark obsidian throne, the Current Black Rose rested. The Matriarch had been the House Head for centuries, yet she looked younger than her 103 years old daughter.

”Matriarch, you’ve called for me.” Lyriana kneeled respectfully, holding her breath.

”Rejoice, your worthless existence will finally find purpose. You’re getting married to the Raven-heart House tomorrow. Dismissed”

”How much.” She couldn’t help but inquire as she trembled.

”You dare!!” Her fourth brother teleported next to her a second later, grasping her throat. A little more force, and her neck would snap!

That’s when the Matriarch made a move, slicing the air with her slender finger adorning a regal onyx ring.

— Slash! —

Blood spurted out, and the aggressor’s right arm was sliced right off. It fell to the ground with a small thud, creating a pool of blood on the chiseled floor.

”Now, now, she’s precious merchandise.” The Matriarch chuckled. “Rejoice, little one. Your sacrifice will buy your beloved Fifth Brother a place at the academy.”

Lyriana bowed one last time, obediently leaving. She knew full well that this was a death sentence. Her husband-to-be liked eating his wives, in the literal sense.

This changed everything…