Chapter 44 (2/2)

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1 hour ago.

They were ambushed in the underground refuge where they were lying hidden.

The forces that stormed in were adventurers of various professions and wearing various equipment. The dark elves had plenty of experience trifling with mere adventurers.

The only things different this time were the adventurers’ numbers and morale.

While soldiers blocked off the the escape tunnels with numbers as numerous as mice, the adventurers came after them with glittering eyes.

At that time, for the first time ever, she felt the puppeteer behind her exuding fear.

The restraints digging into her soul loosened just the tiniest bit. However, instead of feeling joy at the weakening of the power that had so completely held her down and controlled her, she felt unease. That’s how much she’d grown to depend on her bonds of hatred and power.

At that moment, a cold, sharp pain a.s.saulted her. It was due to the needle that was the gaze of her long-dead subordinate.

The pain freed her soul for a mere moment.

For the first time in 25 years, she fought under her own will. She managed to occupy the adventurers and soldiers long enough for her 4 subordinates to escape, then was captured.

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Now.

Inside the deepest parts of her consciousness, a colorless and shapeless Power is trampling over everything.

The puppeteer that had full control to the very tips of her fingers received the Power head on, then let out a high-pitched scream as if it was a real body.

The fetters that had reigned so absolutely over her were burned as if by h.e.l.lfire, crumbling to pieces like mere waste paper.

The shackles on her soul literally fell off, one by one, until there was none left.

What a wretched release from the bindings that, though tight, had been so rea.s.suring!

With her support gone, terror rushes into her as if to fill the now-empty hole in her heart.

“NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!”

She screams and cries, like a baby.

The puppeteer that had clung to her so desperately is now mere dust, blown away into the wind. There is no longer anything left inside her.

Only——madness.

Having forgotten even her own shape, she was about to let go of her fading self. But at that instant, a tremendous pressure envelopes her.

It is the Power that had burned away that puppeteer.

The Power roars into her hands, her feet, her neck, her waist, and everywhere else. Everywhere the Power goes, it reminds her of that part of herself, until she completely recalls her Self.

She has been reborn.

“AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Raising her voice in immense joy, the girl returns from doll to dark elf.

All while feeling herself being changed from Ruu [Head of a.s.sa.s.sins] into s.h.i.+ [One who Serves].

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