End of Slaughter

Chapter 4: Investigation Of The Dead

"Your majesty, are you alright?" Barbara asked. she notices how intense Val looked while staring blankly at the page. Val jumped slightly but responded " Barbara... What do you know about The Lamentation?" Barbara was taken back at the question. " well not much... i apologize i cannot be of help" she looked down to her feet. lips trembling.

"oh no it's alright!" Val rensured seeing the disappointment in Barbara's expresion. "can you.. maybe help me find out more about them?" "Of course Your Majesty.." Barbara's hope had returned to her eyes. eager to help. "wonderful! where do you suggest we start?" Val got up from the floor still holding the book she read moments ago. " We can start with books similar to the one you're holding now." she replied while pointing to the book with her gloved palm open. a formal way to point thought to the staff of the castle. "What book is this anyway?" Val questions and turns the book around to read the cover.it was blood red. There was a pentagram in the middle of the pentagram, and there was a skull. It reads " Concentration of spirits. Necromancy spells."

"Alright, I guess we need to find more necromancy books." Val announced as she closed the book. "will do Your Majesty" Barbara went to work. grabbing every book that has the word 'Necromancy' in its title. it's  endearing but also a little terrifying seeing this 161 cm girl running around and carrying an ungodly pile of books she can carry. Val took the pile from Barbara's hand and carried them herself " a-ah Your majesty, let me do it." Barbara protested "nonsense! you can only hold so much" Val set the books down on the desk she used before. Val seeing the desk made her remember what happened in the morning. Val bit her lip but decided to ask anyway "Barb.. do you- I-I mean- do you mind if i tell you something?" Val asked hands subconsciously flexing." of course you're majesty" Barbara replied while grabbing another book " we-well you see... yesterday.. I spent the night here. i fell asleep on this desk" She explained while tracing the wood pattern on the desk. " and i woke up in my room." Barbara pauses for a moment before setting down the mountain of necromancy books on the desk. " I am no detective but I believe one of the staff members might have carried you to your room." Barbara said as she read through the pile from the top. " hmmm.. I guess so." Val mumbled. sitting down at the desk and starting to read them through. Lucky sitting down on his own throne. Val's lap.

It's almost dinner time but they are nowhere near done. they only manage through half of the books Barbara picked out. Val kept notes beside her writing down useful information.

undead

can use magic and weapons

have the same colour eyes as the summoner

Not a long list but it's useful nonetheless. Val kept seeing and reading the same thing over and over again. Anxiety building up in her chest. 'What if they can't be defeated? How am I supposed to return to my family and kingdom if I can't defeat them?!' Val began to stop consuming water a long while ago. She's a little dehydrated. Her lips chapped. Subconsciously she brought her hand to her lips and began pulling at the skin. Ripping them off. Her fingers have little amounts of blood and her lips began damage and wounded it stings whenever she licked her lips. But that didn't stop her.

Lucky caught on this habit of Val's long when he was a little kitten. He noticed quickly what she was doing when the smell of fresh blood hit his nose. He pawed at Val's arm repeatedly trying to stop her.  Barbara saw the futile attempt of the cat trying to stop his owner from hurting themselves more, and decided to help out. Clearing her throat "your majesty." Barbara sternly said. Val turned to her, still picking at her lips. " Your majesty.. Please put your hand away from your lips. You're picking at your skin. "

"Ah? oh .. sorry i couldn't help myself.." Val mumbled under her breath looking down at her lap. Lucky giving her the most worried expression he could. " Please refrain from doing such matter again, your highness."

" I didn't find any new information!!" Val whispered scream to herself as she rested her elbow down on the table and set her head on top. Barbara slid another book into her peripheral vision. Val looked up and read the first paragraf she saw.

The Lamentations are an unstable force; they are bound to the land they died in and can only go so far. Before the earth consumes them again. And they are unstable for the necromancer as well. Even the strongest Necromancer known to Kangwei. Is only able to control a Lamentation for an hour.

EUREKA! NEW INFO! Val set the book on top of the one on top of her and wrote it down on her notes

4. Can only stay in their death land

5. Only up to an hour

Her eyes glimmered full of excitement. 'So they're NOT invincible!!' she said to herself. A sliver of hope in her mind. Now determined more than ever to learn more and a way to defeat them entirely.

"Your majesty, may I leave for a moment?" Barbara asked " huh? Sure thing you did so much already, thank you!" Val replied without looking away from her book. Barbara bowed before exiting the library. Leaving Val to her own thoughts.

Not long after she left, Barbara returned this time with dinner. Val was so caught up in her research that she forgot the thing she loved most. Food. she rolled the cart next to Val's messy and unorganised desk. Where Val half-heartedly set the books she already read on the carpet around her. Making it look like a wall of books has surrounded her. Barbara took the book wall apart, by taking one pile and setting them back to their respective shelves. Until there is no more wall around Val. who was still so immersed into her study she did not notice the book wall was gone. Barbara did what might be an effective strategy.. She opened the food cover.

The smell of food woke her up and she turned her head to the tray at a neck breaking pace. Her eyes dilate. A plate of grilled chicken and asparagus pesto pasta. And a glass of iced jasmine tea Barbara's heart beated quickly. She had never seen her so terrifying.

Val grabbed the plate and glass so fast the tea spilled a little. And she went back to work.

Barbara grabbed Lucky's tray and set it down. The orange cat just ate the food without a meow of thanks.

Barbara turned to one of the books on Val's table as Val eats her dinner legs up to the chair in a fetal position eating her pasta. Research it for Val as she eats.

Although no one can confirm legend say the sword of the god of protection, Loinone can defeat The Lamentations

"Your Majesty? Take a look at this." Barbara showed it to Val as she ate. Reading the same paragraph Barbara did. Her eyes widened, choking on her pasta.

"HOW THE FUCK DID I MISS THIS?!"

"Calm down your majesty.."

"I AM CALM I'M GOING TO KHEGTORUM!"