Chapter 91: Violet’s Memories

When Phield first witnessed the combat power of a Divine Chosen, he had once fallen into confusion about the necessity of an army. The terrifying strength of Divine Chosen made it seem as though conventional forces were meaningless.

But after the battle between Ashina and Rosalia, Phield became firmly convinced that armies would never be replaced by Divine Chosen.

They were simply different branches of warfare. In modern terms, an army formed by ordinary people was like infantry; knights and mages were tanks; and Divine Chosen were aircraft carriers.

Although the difference in individual strength was immense, within an entire military system, none of them were dispensable.

Besides, as technology advanced, ordinary people would also gain formidable power.

Phield glanced at the mini-map. “One veteran leading ten recruits. Thirty-three people per squad. Train through combat—spread out in all directions and clear the remaining corrupted corpses nearby. And today will mainly be veteran demonstrations. Tomorrow, they go into real combat.”

“Huh?” The slaves were dumbfounded. Who started this big right away?

“Form ranks! With us here, what are you afraid of?”

Ben and the others were already fully equipped, marching in coordinated steps as they urged everyone into formation.

Most of the corrupted corpses around Starnight Grand Manor had already been eliminated. The scattered remnants were perfect for building courage.

“We’ll return this afternoon to practice formations and military posture.”

Phield himself mounted his warhorse, riding alongside the cavalry to provide support across the field.

Amid chaotic footsteps and the sounds of flesh colliding with steel, Nightfall Domain launched a full extermination campaign against the corrupted corpses.

Far to the north, gazing distantly toward Nightfall Domain—

“Puchi.”

Blood splattered. Accompanied by a low, muffled groan, a body reduced to only a head and torso fell like a kite with snapped strings, crashing into a muddy pit.

“Violet, you’re so obedient.”

Agnes’s ethereal, harmless-sounding voice drifted through the air. She sat on a tree branch, swinging her legs as her delicate tongue licked the corner of her lips.

“Partner, tasty.”

A massive creature emerging from the music box in her hands quickly devoured the torn flesh, muttering incomprehensible sounds of hunger.

Three more figures landed nearby, like hyenas drawn by the scent of blood.

“You’re not allowed to bully Violet. Corrupted Divine Chosen aren’t allowed to kill each other,” Agnes emphasized the rule. The monster within the music box extended countless tendrils, driving away the surrounding corrupted beings. Then Agnes hummed a cheerful tune. “Violet, grow quickly.”

Violet’s hollow eyes gazed into the boundless gray mist above. Slowly, she closed them, memories surfacing from before she had become a corrupted being—before she had been a vampire.

“Violet, come out and see your father off.”

“No! I don’t want to see that bad guy off! You promised to celebrate my birthday and make bread together, but now you’re going to war!”

Violet hid under her blanket, shouting her protest.

“This child… still so willful. She’s already old enough to marry,” her mother said, checking the ration bag for the third time. Inside were still-warm oat flatbreads.

“Haha, it’s my fault.” Her father scratched his head, slinging a shield over his back. “The orcs’ offensive is too fierce. I must defend our beloved country.”

“Her Majesty the Empress will surely send reinforcements, right?”

“Of course! The Empire won’t abandon its people. Maybe I’ll even make it back by the end of May—just in time for Violet’s birthday.”

“That would be wonderful.”

“I wonder what gift I should bring back,” her father said loudly on purpose.

Sure enough, Violet secretly lifted a corner of her blanket to peek. When she saw her family looking her way, she quickly covered herself again.

“I don’t want any gifts, hmph!”

Even though everyone knew that defeating the orc invasion in two months was impossible.

After the couple shared a farewell kiss, her father shouldered his rations and left the village.

Her mother hummed a folk song, praying silently.

Violet cried endlessly beneath her blanket. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see her father—she just couldn’t bear watching his departing figure.

“Defend our beloved country…”

Violet opened her eyes again. It was already evening. Her limbs had regrown, though her body felt weak.

“Defend the country…”

She looked toward the corrupted beings gathering in the distance, confusion filling her eyes.

“What am I doing? It hurts so much.”

Dragging her feet, Violet slowly walked south.

Nightfall Domain.

“So tired… Clearing corrupted corpses is exhausting. Are those corrupted creatures perpetual motion machines or something? They just keep running endlessly. We should capture some and use them to generate electricity.”

Phield dropped heavily into his chair. Thankfully, Ashina immediately stepped forward to massage his shoulders, easing his fatigue.

“By the way, corrupted corpses don’t get tired, right? Don’t they need to eat?”

Rosalia explained, “They do. The gray mist is their nourishment. If they leave the gray mist, they can only survive by devouring flesh.”

“At the same time, creatures killed by corruption slowly generate gray mist, quickly forming a comfortable environment. Of course, Divine Chosen are an exception.”

Phield stroked his chin. “Sounds like polluted air.”

“So, how did your administrative work go?”

Rosalia proudly puffed out her chest. “Don’t worry. This lady’s administrative ability is absolutely the… second best in Nightfall Domain.”

“If you can say that, then that’s great.” Phield felt relieved as he accepted the documents she handed over. The handwriting on them looked like beautifully printed calligraphy—pleasing to the eye.

It looked extremely professional.

Having a secretary handle documents really did make things easier. With a secretary, there was always someone to handle matters—and when there wasn’t…

“First matter: Matt, a free citizen of Windrise Town, stole three loaves of bread from another free citizen. How should this be handled?”

Rosalia’s verdict: Behead Matt, to be personally carried out by Miss Rosalia.

“Pff—”

Phield nearly choked. He glanced at Rosalia, who was sipping tea elegantly, and moved on to the second item.

“Demi-human slave Cole had a verbal dispute with human slave Dean. How should this be handled?”

Rosalia’s verdict: Behead both of them, to be personally carried out by Rosalia.

“…”

“Hehe, stunned by this lady’s intelligence and capability, aren’t you? Handling territorial administration is so easy. Ah, this tea is delicious.”

Rosalia shot Phield a look that clearly said: I’m giving you a chance to praise me.

“Bonk!”

Phield flicked Rosalia hard on the forehead.

“Ouch! Why hit me? Although it felt kind of nice, please don’t do it so suddenly.” Rosalia rubbed her head.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep