"That mark was just applied. It matches the pattern we found on the remains of Zweig and Mr. X."
Although Turner, the "Dusk Affairs Specialist," had already examined the remains of the first Count Seeko, Grand Duchess Triss couldn't come all this way and leave empty-handed. So after Turner and Varland left, Triss used vampire methods to examine the recovered remains once more.
As she kept crimson psionic energy coursing over the bones, she spoke to Murphy, who was waiting for the results:
"So we can be certain that whoever orchestrated this grave-robbing operation from the shadows was either that 'Source' or one of her servants."
"I've noticed that nearly every operation involving the 'Source' has something to do with necromancy."
Murphy frowned.
"So can we conclude that this person is a master necromancer? Going by your earlier theory, she must be connected to the Moon Temple in the Empire of Sangha, where it all began. Could she be from Sangha?"
"No, she isn't."
Triss shook her head.
"Using this power doesn't mean she has any connection to the people of Sangha. The Moon Priests' secrets of the underworld have clearly been leaked extensively. We can't even be sure when that knowledge first began to spread.
"Murphy, you have to understand: the Moon Priests have always monopolized necromantic knowledge, but that doesn't mean no one else can glimpse the underworld through other means.
"That real plane of existence doesn't belong exclusively to the Moon Priests. In recent years, the power of the undead has leaked all over the continent.
"The only difference is whether someone learned it through formal training or figured it out on their own.
"Still, the necromantic power the 'Source' uses doesn't seem like something she picked up through self-study. The undead army beneath the ruins of