Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 746 - 689: Incarnation of Nightmare
A gust of wind blew by, and a maple leaf fell onto my windowsill outside. The leaf’s color was so deep that it almost vanished into the mottled red paint of the sill.
My name is Jack Elon, an archaeologist living in Balgoda.
I had a happy family, a beautiful wife named Rose and a ten-year-old son, Duran, along with a small dog named Charles.
A month ago, I embarked on an archaeological exploration in Anduhar, where a massive earthquake occurred, a once-in-a-century event. The earthquake tore the ancient city in two with a deep chasm, and rescue workers discovered an ancient relic 800 meters underground while searching for victims in the crevice. After investigation, it was clear that the site was a temple dedicated to the sun that dated back a thousand years.
Filled with an archaeologist’s unique zeal, I applied for an archaeological permit from my superior, Nitel Seban. After a series of tedious official procedures, I became one of the first archaeologists to set foot in this buried piece of history.
Rose had tried to hold me back before I left home, as archaeology takes much time and is very dangerous, and she was very afraid. Looking back, my refusal was indeed too heartless, and I did indeed encounter a dangerous situation underground, nearly failing to return.
"Thanks to this..."
A golden cross was clutched in my hand, something I had brought out from the underground temple. It had been placed in the center of the temple, and in the midst of the collapse, I grabbed the cross in a panic. In an instant, a golden light protected me, and because of that, I became the only survivor of the expedition.
I secretly hid the cross because it was too miraculous, and it also bore two lines of ancient text that I had yet to decipher.
Leaning by the window, looking at the glowing surface of the cross, I pondered the relevant scriptures. I was certain no religious texts used such script and designs. Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I rushed excitedly into the study. Rose stood outside the study with a plate of food, her expression somber, as Duran silently followed his mother, paying no attention to Charles’s barking.
I deciphered the text on the cross after much time and effort. Now it was deep into the night, and I looked up at the wall clock.
Midnight had struck.
Suppressing my excitement, I rubbed my somewhat dry eyes and began to read the ancient language word by word, comparing it to the reference chart I had prepared.
"What is given, shall be taken back."
Crack, the cross shattered at the moment I finished reading, bursting forth with blinding radiance. In my dazed state, I saw a figure in full dark-golden armor leap out of the golden light. He held a thundering spear in his hand, and in the next instant, the burning hot spear was pressed against my chest.
Raymond roared, setting my world ablaze to ashes, shouting loudly.
"Die, fool."
...
A gust of wind blew by, and a maple leaf fell onto my windowsill outside. The leaf’s color was so deep that it almost vanished into the mottled red paint of the sill.
I am Rose Elon, a housewife living in Balgoda.
I had a family that once included my husband Jack and my ten-year-old son Duran, along with a small dog named Charles.
The reason I use "once" is because my husband Jack, an archaeologist, died a month ago in an archaeological accident in Anduhar. When I heard the news, I felt more joy than sadness.
That’s because I did not love him. I did indeed cherish our marriage in the beginning, my Jack, but Jack loved archaeology more. The long separations gradually cooled my heart, and Jack, oblivious to my changing feelings, didn’t care at all. Gradually, I found him bothersome.
I fell for Nitel Seban, Jack’s superior, a humorous and charming man with the same intellectual air as Jack but more gentle. He was willing to spend lots of time with me when Jack was away.
I was very satisfied with him and willing to accept his courtship. But I never wanted to end my marriage with Jack, though it seemed I was not in control of that. An earthquake erupted in Anduhar, and there was an archaeological site below, which was said to be very dangerous and at risk of collapsing again at any moment. I knew that Jack would definitely go there.
Nitel secretly told me he approved Jack’s exploration request. I was scared, but even more so, I felt a guilty thrill. I begged him not to go, using up the last of our spousal affection. He rejected me, as cold as ever.
Now, I watch the falling red leaves with a smile. In my hand is the cross that was a relic of Jack’s, firmly grasped in his hand when his body was discovered. I have no interest in such ancient items, but this time, I want to keep it as a memory, even if it’s to commemorate my failed marriage.
Tonight, Nitel has invited me for dinner, which I will happily accept. I hang the cross on my neck with a fine string and start preparing myself for the evening in front of the dressing table.
Duran stands outside the door, his gaze icy cold as he holds Charles in his arms.
I get into Nitel’s car, commanding Duran to go to bed early in my motherly tone and leave the house with the maple trees.
Nitel kept praising my attire; I felt an unprecedented satisfaction. My cross necklace glittered. Nitel looked curiously at the cross, saying that there were two lines of ancient script on its side. I didn’t care about that, but I enjoyed listening to Nitel explain their meaning to me.
