Sophia paused, her gaze sweeping across the familiar faces of her squad. Her expression was grave, as if the words she was about to speak carried a heavy weight, casting a shadow over the already tense atmosphere.

  The light within the small meeting room flickered softly, casting pale yellow streaks across the cold stone walls, creating a space that felt both solemn and slightly ominous.

  "...However, our Zephyros did not stop there. There is a record of what transpired within that diseased fog." Sophia's voice trembled slightly, a flicker of unease in her eyes.

  She hesitated, taking a deep breath. Her chest felt tight, as if she had to gather all her courage to continue this harrowing tale. The entire group instinctively leaned towards her, their expressions a mixture of eager curiosity and growing apprehension.

  Sophia's voice grew slower, becoming low and soft, like a whisper in the darkness. "A Rank 6 Archbishop from Aerion ventured into that region. He used the magical artifact, the Eye of Mobius, to peer through the miasma… and what he saw was truly terrifying."

  She stopped, her gentle amber eyes, like the last rays of autumn sunlight, meeting each of theirs in turn. The air in the room suddenly felt heavy, as if an invisible hand had pressed down upon them. The candlelight still danced, but it seemed insufficient to dispel the creeping chill.

  "The Death Rising tower had collapsed by then. Standing amidst the desolate, ruined remnants was the Rank 6 Necrofear…" Sophia's voice dropped even further.

  "He rode a white skeletal steed, the dry bones clacking against each other in a chilling rhythm. Two long, gaunt arms, blackened as if by fire, extended from his skeletal frame. Upon his face was a cold human skull mask - revealing only his eerie grey eyes with their opaque red irises, burning with a malevolent fire."

  Sophia spoke with such vividness that it was as if she herself had experienced the horror of that place, her tone tinged with fear. "The aura emanating from him… was pure death, a cold and decaying scent that enveloped everything around him. The Archbishop, though also a Rank 6 powerhouse, was completely overwhelmed. It was as if the difference in their power was immeasurable, an endless abyss separating them."

  The entire squad was silent, no one able to utter a word. Tension permeated the room, heavy as a black shroud. But Sophia was not finished, her eyes reflecting an indescribable dread.

  "Surrounding him… were four colossal monsters, each roughly six meters tall, towering like mobile fortresses. Their skin was greyish-blue, ashen like corpses dredged from a river. Upon their massive, deformed arms were countless rotting faces… constantly screaming, creating piercing, agonizing sounds that the Archbishop described as nearly driving him mad, making him want to block his ears to escape those cries of suffering and resentment."

  Sophia's hand tightened slightly, her index finger trembling almost imperceptibly, as if she could still feel the terror the Archbishop had experienced. "That creature… he sensed someone was observing him. But he was not afraid. He merely sneered confidently and introduced those four monsters as the next stage of evolution for the Undead legion. He called them the Undead Host. Each one possessed an aura equivalent to a Rank 5 powerhouse."

  A cold drop of sweat traced a path down Henry's cheek. A sense of unease welled up within him, a vague fear of power beyond comprehension.

  "Then he boasted that he was about to perfect the next evolutionary stage. Something that would reach Rank 6. He called it the Frenzied Bastard." Sophia's voice caught, the revulsion unmistakable.

  No one in the squad could hide the creeping dread that settled in their hearts. The horrifying images Sophia had painted were like cold phantoms clinging to their minds.

  "The Archbishop couldn't bear it any longer. Blood flowed from his eyes, ears, and nose… His body was completely drained under the immense mental pressure. Only the highest-ranking military physicians were able to save his life." Sophia concluded her account in a long, heavy breath. The air in the room grew even stiller, everyone silent - having listened with bated breath from the beginning to the end of the terrifying tale.

  Henry shivered involuntarily. A cold sensation ran down his spine, as if he himself had witnessed that horrifying scene.

  "What happened after that, Sister Sophia?" Melly was the first to break the heavy silence, her voice trembling slightly.

  "About three months later, the fog dissipated. But Beleth… along with his entire Undead legion, had vanished without a trace. No one knows where he went, how he left, or how long ago he departed." Sophia's voice became somber, carrying an indescribable sense of helplessness.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  She continued, her gaze distant as if searching for answers in the void. "The Dark Rising tower was almost completely destroyed by then. It was the only remaining evidence of his existence."

  Henry frowned, deeper lines creasing his forehead. In his mind, the image of Beleth became clearer. A being who not only possessed terrifying power… but was also incredibly intelligent and cunning, an unpredictable and formidable threat.

  "He forced three warring nations into a truce, freely carried out his dark plans, intimidated anyone who dared to be curious about him - and then silently disappeared as if he had never existed. During that time, the nations were at peace with each other. No war, no losses. Only he achieved his personal goals." Sophia's voice was bitter, tinged with irony.

  Henry swallowed hard, his throat dry. Beleth had been Rank 6 then. Twelve years had passed… if he was still alive, what kind of monster had he become?

  In the years that followed, no one found any trace of him. No information matched those terrifying descriptions. It was as if he… had vanished with that deadly poisonous fog, fading into nothingness.

  "But the truly ridiculous thing… is that while he didn't directly cause casualties or property damage, he still sowed such deep-seated unease that the nations were forced to issue orders to hunt down and execute all Necromancers who performed undead summoning, regardless of scale." Sophia's voice was filled with resentment.

  Henry's lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "Then this Necromancer in the Bandit case is truly out of luck."

  The conversation continued for another fifteen minutes, the heavy atmosphere lingering. Afterwards, the squad dispersed to prepare for the upcoming mission. From now until deployment, all were exempt from patrol duty - needing to focus entirely on this dangerous operation.

  Sophia left the meeting room, her footsteps leading her towards the Estath Cathedral. She needed to borrow some magical artifacts from Archbishop Ralph. Since they would be facing the Undead this time, the light and purification-attributed items in the cathedral would be incredibly useful, potentially becoming the deciding factor in the upcoming battle.

  Sophia's duty roster was usually lighter than Henry's - female soldiers were often assigned to logistics, medical units, or support roles at religious institutions. Sophia frequently assisted at the Estath Cathedral.

  Ever since she was an orphan, Sophia had been familiar with this place. She grew up under the cathedral's protection, studying in the ancient library, assisting the priests in preparing solemn rituals, and guiding new believers. It had become her second home, a haven of peace amidst a turbulent life.

  When she came of age, wanting to be near Henry, the one to whom she had given her heart, Sophia joined the military. But whenever she had free time, she would return to the cathedral. She distributed food to the poor, taught literacy to stray children, and assisted with the parish's events, big and small. Gradually, she became an indispensable part of this place, a beautiful flower blooming in a sacred space.

  She also frequented the cathedral library, passionately reading ancient history books, religious scriptures, and records of strange beasts and mysterious events in Tehra. For Sophia, knowledge always held a strange allure, and she possessed an astonishing talent, remembering all information after just one reading. Not only that, but Sophia also actively exchanged knowledge with Archbishop Ralph - sometimes asking questions, sometimes boldly debating complex issues. It was that thirst for knowledge and dedication that made Archbishop Ralph hold her in such high regard… and from there, he also began to feel favorably towards the young soldier Henry. After several encounters, the old prelate had recognized Henry as a strong, rational, responsible individual with a praiseworthy sense of integrity.

  Today, Sophia was delighted to have borrowed four precious light-attributed artifacts from Archbishop Ralph. Her eyes sparkled with hope as she looked at the ancient items radiating a gentle aura:

  Light Emblems: Silver emblems engraved with the image of angel wings, capable of significantly reducing the effects of poison and dark magic, while also suppressing dark creatures of Rank 3 and below within a five-meter radius.

  Angel's Chain: A white gold necklace with a pendant in the shape of a small, winged angel. It could be activated once per day to unleash the "Angel Strike" attack, dealing damage equivalent to a Rank 4 spell.

  Holy Light Rings: A pair of platinum rings set with a bright white opal. They possessed two special abilities: Holy Blessing - healing wounds for ordinary people, and dealing corrosive damage to dark creatures equivalent to Rank 3, usable twice per day.

  Sophia bowed deeply before the benevolent Archbishop, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you so much for your generous help, Your Eminence."

  Archbishop Ralph offered a kind smile, his deep-set eyes filled with affection. "I pray that your squad returns safely. May the Angels always protect you in all your missions."

  "Thank you for your blessing." Sophia smiled gently, her heart feeling warmer amidst the anxieties about the upcoming dangerous mission.

  Archbishop Ralph suddenly grew pensive, his gaze distant, then spoke softly, his voice filled with sincerity, "I truly cherish both you and Henry. I hope that one day, I will have the honor of officiating your wedding. That would bring me great joy."

  Sophia's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, a shy smile blooming on her lips. But her eyes shone with a gentle happiness. "I also very much look forward to that day. I hope… you will be the one to officiate… and also to bless us, Father."

  For Sophia, the Estath Cathedral had always been a second home, a place of peace and shelter. The priests, the kind nuns, and especially Archbishop Ralph - had long become her beloved family. She did not hesitate to express her affection, for in her heart, he was always a respected spiritual father.

  "Yes, yes, my child." Archbishop Ralph replied, his voice filled with emotion, his eyes shining with affection. "I eagerly await the day when my two beloved children… stand side-by-side, building a happy family under the Angels' witness."

  Sophia bowed deeply once more, expressing her respect and gratitude. Then she quietly left the cathedral, the precious magical artifacts carefully stored in her pouch. Her footsteps headed towards her rendezvous point with Henry, her heart filled with a mixture of worry about the dangerous mission ahead… and a gentle anticipation at the thought of a bright future with the one she loved. The twilight painted the stone streets with gold, and in her heart, a silent faith still burned brightly.