Chapter 286 : Requiem of the Undead

Requiem ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍of the Undead

"So beautiful..."

Serea looked a bit dazed, while Tethys spoke with evident pride.

"Of course, this is a diva's dress I crafted especially for you, woven from a mixture of rare materials and took a full week to complete."

"Thank you, tethys."

"If you wish to thank me, use your unique mermaid voice and sing the most beautiful melody in this world."

Serea agreed, and Tethys's words also reminded her that she had never truly shown the real power of her "Deep Sea Mermaid form."

A diva's abilities could be a huge trump card in largescale wars, capable of pushing the team BUFF to its maximum in an instant.

It seemed she would have to try it out in the future...

Yet after admiring the dress for so long, Serea didn't spot anything particularly special about it.

After rehearsing the song to the accompaniment and confirming everything was in order, Lola arrived as well.

"Report, My Queen, everything is ready."

"Huh? So soon?"

As she spoke, not wanting to arouse suspicion, Serea quickly stepped out of the tree hollow—only to be greeted by an absolutely dazzling sight outside.

In the darkness, the entire camp was brightly illuminated and decorated as if it were a festival.

That said, counting the days, it was now New Year in her original world—and even before the evening party officially began, the camp was already filled with various snacks and entertainment stands.

Inside were traditional foods from each tribe, as well as "cross-world" cuisine brought by Serea, and the games were equally diverse.

As for this group of outsiders in the jungle, none had ever seen such a lively street market; thus, given a holiday and the chance to remove their battle armor, they had all let themselves go entirely.

You could see the blood slaves and dwarves gathered around the barbecue stands, exchanging strong liquor; elves and foxfolk scooping goldfish together; skeletons and werewolves in target shooting duels; even the usually meticulous Augustin was singing and dancing with the trolls, naga, and lizardmen.

Whether they were retainers, subsidiary tribes, or wandering outcast races, everyone was utterly immersed in this carnival.

Of course, some familiar faces stood out.

Leklis and Julie, Aruka and Avril—these two inseparable couples—as well as Dorulu, who always clung to Little Black, and Maro and Sahi, forcibly dragged along by the foxfolk.

And then...

"Thank you."

"If you're happy, then that's all that matters."

Beverly handed a pearl hairpin to Camilla, who smiled sweetly.

Since it was a festival, Serea made an exception and let Beverly come out too. But it was worth noting that after her last treatment, Camilla, though awake, was left with severe aftereffects.

Having lost part of her memory, she had forgotten Morzada's existence and now believed Beverly was simply Beverly.

Or perhaps, back then, Camilla's feelings toward Beverly were always just the affection of sisters who depended upon each other since childhood, and only after Morzada's appearance did a different kind of feeling arise.

Tracing it back, maybe what Camilla truly loved was the soul inside Beverly's body—whether she saw Beverly as a substitute or genuinely liked her, that soul was always Morzada, someone who once wanted to deceive her but in the end sacrificed everything to save her.

Noticing Serea's gaze, Beverly turned her head warily, but Camilla called out excitedly.

"Queen Serea!"

Beverly, pulled along by Camilla, came face to face with Serea, looking most reluctant but still gave a curtsey under Camilla's urging.

"Hmph, queen Serea."

Seeing her reluctant attitude while still curtsying, Serea found this situation strange.

"Have fun, and the pearl hairpin is very pretty."

She complimented them, and as for Morzada, she didn't harbor much hatred—in fact, she even felt a kind of sympathy.

According to legend, morzada was the demon lord who, having been betrayed by a woman, swore never to trust women again and treated them merely as tools and playthings. Yet in the end, he sacrificed his entire soul for a woman he had just met.

But the result was good, because she was willing.

After bidding them farewell, Serea glanced at a jewelry stand by the street. She recalled that Celia had gifted her a box of pastries, and she'd yet to repay her.

Carefully browsing...

"I'll take this one."

Her pick was a hair ornament inlaid with a black pearl, able to increase the charm attribute by 1 level.

"The Queen's kindness to our clan is beyond repayment; if you like it, please take it."

"Then I won't be polite."

Serea didn't hold back with the lizardman vendor—for she had already promised to use skeletons to help the lizardfolk rebuild their home by Lake Nos.

After tucking the ornament into a gift box and writing down her well-wishes, Serea continued to wander around the camp.

By now, the camp's construction had reached the size of a small town. While the area wasn't vast, the structures were undoubtedly the finest in the jungle.

With complete facilities and orderly street planning, only the Darkmoon clan, with their multitude of skeleton drudges, could accomplish this in the whole jungle.

After all, other tribes were content with just having a wall and a house—who cared about anything else?

With pride swelling in her chest, Serea strolled several more rounds through the camp with her handmaidens.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Slap slap slap!

Brilliant fireworks exploded in the sky, and following the display, everyone gazed in the direction of the opera house, already glowing with colorful lights.

"It's begun!"

Lola, standing on the opera house stage, served as the evening's "host"—and the real show was about to begin!

Everyone took their seats. Serea also walked up to the audience area, while Lola performed the evening opening ceremony. The speech wasn't long, and the show began soon after.

The opening number was the elves' "Voice of Nature"; as the second diva after the mermaids, its effect needed no further comment. Guided by the singing, more people gathered, and when the song ended, every seat outside the opera house was filled.

Since the delegations from other clans weren't included in the seating estimate, many had to stand outside, but even then, they enthusiastically stayed to watch.

The dwarves' "Dance of Spirits"; lizardmen's "Ritual Dance"; naga's Sea Witch ensemble; Little Red's fireworks show; Little Black's illusionary vanishing (stealth act); Augustin and Eighty's boulder-smashing performance, and so on...

Some acts captivated; others made the audience roar with laughter. For those living in the jungle, who lacked amusement, these simple performances delighted them.

After several exciting hours, the opera house's atmosphere peaked, and Serea knew it was her turn to perform!

"Queen Serea, you—eh? Where's Queen Serea?"

Vina was stumped, as was Lilith and the others. Serea was sitting there just a moment ago—where had she suddenly gone?

Backstage at the opera house, with Tethys and the others' help, Serea had changed into a performance gown; though a little uncomfortable in a backless dress, she...

"Pelam!"

"Here."

Putting on the mask transformed from Pelam, Serea took on the persona of "Candice."

She would perform under this name so no one would guess it was really her—erasing any shame she might have felt.

Intellect: get!

But...

"So nervous. What if something goes wrong?"

She looked at the "Deep Sea Relic" backstage—whether she could gather enough Faith Crystals depended on this one performance. What if she messed it up...

"It'll be fine. Just treat it as practice. Believe in yourself."

Tethys encouraged her, and she, nora, and Dogsius had all donned black gowns and gotten into position. At the same time, the performance onstage was ending.

While Serea inhaled deeply, Lola came onstage to host. After telling a joke to amuse the audience below, she came to her final line.

"And next, a mysterious guest will appear—a diva of the merfolk, miss Candice, specially invited by Queen Serea herself!"

At the mention of "mermaid," the Whirlpool Tide clan delegations' eyes sparkled—they hadn't expected to see a mermaid's performance here.

"It's time!"

Tethys patted the still breathless Serea. Startled, Serea suddenly felt the ground at her feet rising.

"Wa—wait, I'm not ready yet!"

But before she had finished speaking, the lift had already carried her onto the stage.

Spotting the dense crowd below, Serea froze. What was the first step again? An introduction? But how...?

"Oh, oh oh, miss Mermaid!"

The naga cheered excitedly—for a mermaid was, after all, every sea tribe's dream lover.

"I—I... mmpf!"

She bit her tongue...

Seeing the girl falter on stage, the atmosphere chilled; everyone's attention fixed on Serea, their piercing stares making her legs tremble—she could barely stand.

Quickly, tethys saved the moment.

"Music!"

Ding~

It was the sound of a harp. As it rang out, the platform slowly rose, and Nora's engrossed figure, playing the harp, appeared onstage.

Taking advantage of the prelude, tethys used the fishmen's telepathy to reassure Serea.

"Relax, follow the accompaniment—you can do it!"

Whether because of Tethys's encouragement or Nora drawing away much of the spotlight, Serea calmed her nerves and found her rhythm.

She couldn't back down—not if she wanted enough Faith Crystals!

And so, an epic song—"Requiem of the Undead"—was about to debut in this world!

As the accompaniment played, even just the prelude drew the audience in—especially the elves, who, being half-experts in music, could sense what lay behind the song.

But others, too, had their own unique feelings stirred by the song...

As the melody rose, all the undead turned to look toward the center of the camp.

"My Queen..."

Serea slowly opened her mouth to sing...

(It's recommended to play the live version of "Requiem of the Undead" while reading; otherwise, those unfamiliar with the song may feel awkward—feel free to skip the lyrics if it makes you uncomfortable.)

Night~ spreads~

Across the blood-colored~ fields~

The moment her voice rang out, all eyes refocused on Serea.

With the mermaid's natural talent, her first note alone captivated everyone, and paired with this song, all were drawn into the unique "mood" of her performance.

At the same time, an invisible power passed through their gaze and into a black gemstone.

System: Acquired Faith Crystal*1

System: Acquired...

Ignoring the system prompts, Serea lost herself in singing.

The dim moonlight~ never shines~

Can't disperse~ the death~

Forgotten~ and forsaken~

What~ remains on the heart~

A dried-up heart~

As the song stretched out longer and softer, tethys and Dogsius appeared behind Serea; the sudden entrance of jazz drums and an electric guitar sent the audience into a small frenzy.

Everyone seemed to be transported to a smoke-filled battlefield, preparing for tomorrow's victory, the impassioned cries of undead warriors echoing all around.

Sensing this resolve, the soul flames in every undead's eyes in the camp suddenly blazed brighter, burning fiercely within their forms.

As "the Forsaken," they fought for freedom and glory!

Dawn~ is breaking~

Awakened~ beside the tomb~

The bell tower's walls~

Only scarred pain~ and wounds remain~

Looking back, and back again~

Battlegrounds~ of blood and fire~

Glory of the past~

As the music soared, the forsaken marched to war. They didn't know what awaited ahead, but as the forsaken, they would not retreat a single step—for glory!

Shells~ all that's left~ are slaughtered~ bodies~

Hollow sockets~ no blood~ no tears~ no light~

Looking far, further still~

The splendor~ of Undercity~

Decayed splendor~

Water~ cannot wash away~ old scars~ on finger bones~

Tattered armor~ fails to hide~ the warrior's~ old faiths~

Gripping the spear, once more~

Return to the front lines~

Where is the prince~

Where is the hate!!!

The voice rose, then fell. The war seemed won, the warriors returning home in triumph, but as forgotten undead, where should they turn? Facing the world's skepticism, all they could do was find a cleaner grave to sit on, set down their weapons and hatred, take out a token from their life, and reminisce about days gone by.

Suddenly, the music stopped, the accompaniment vanished, and the crowd snapped back to reality—every eye on the stage.

Silence...

Many craned their necks, most stood up—and just then, the music and singing returned, the voice now low and somber...

A horn sounds far away again~

When will I return home~

How could I return home~

How is the person you once were now~

Whose bride~

Whose garment you sew~

The flame~ of despair dances~

Someone quietly hums~

Sings~ of the Forsaken's sorrow~

Proving hope with battle~

The voice soared again. Defeated on the front lines, it was time for the Forsaken to rise once more!

"Sha!!!"

With the stirring music, the soul flames inside the undead's bodies blazed even brighter. Accompanied by the singing, every undead in attendance let out a howl, and from above, the entire camp was bathed in the blue light of soul fire.

This was the faith of the undead clan—and the faith of the "Forsaken" from another world!

At that moment, the "Black-White Twin" costume skill triggered. In an instant, the white wedding dress burned away like fire, turning to black ashes; the dress transformed from white to jet black.

Along with the passionate music, this dual visual and auditory impact sent the opera house into an absolute frenzy. The power of faith reached its peak—but Serea had no time to care about that, completely swept up in her performance, singing of the "Forsaken's" faith.

Shells~ all that's left~ are slaughtered~ bodies~

Hollow sockets~ no blood~ no tears~ no light~

Ah~ ah~ ah~~ ah~~

Decayed splendor~

Withered splendor~

Gripping the spear, once more~

Return to the front lines~

Where is the hate~

Where is the prince~

The high note slowly eased, the accompaniment still lingering, but the singing was over. The audience remained immersed in the song; even after the accompaniment faded, none realized the performance was finished.

System: Skill "Requiem of the Undead" acquired.

System: Faith Crystal*327 acquired.

Faith Crystals, achieved!

In truth, I didn't want to pad the chapter with lyrics, but if I didn't write them the whole thing would seem sloppy. If you still think it's padded, please comment below.

(To be continued...)