The Death of the Queen

The campfire burned, its faint orange flames lighting the murky darkness around them.

Firewood crackled, and the scent of pine softened the sickening stench of blood and rot. It was strangely comforting.

A hot iron pot sat over the fire. Bubbles rose through the boiling meat soup, releasing a savory aroma.

Xia Lun grabbed a piece of bread soaked in hot broth and swallowed it in one bite. Rich fat and the fragrance of wheat burst across his tongue, leaving him deeply satisfied.

In the dark sewers, the flickering campfire was their only source of light and warmth. Amid the ever-present danger, Xia Lun felt a rare moment of ease.

Danger still surrounded them, and the enemy could find them at any moment. Objectively, though, they were relatively safe for now. In other words, it was time to spend some points!

"We'll rest for two hours." He raised his eyes toward Tina, who was staring blankly into the flames. "Once we've recovered our strength, we'll move on." No one objected. They were all exhausted, content to feel the warmth flow over their skin and drive away the damp. Abby lay down with her head on Tina's lap and began snoring softly within seconds.

A faint smile appeared on Tina's pale face. She removed her left glove and gently stroked Abby's cheek. After their brief separation, Renee seemed reluctant to leave Xia Lun's side. She sat close to him, quietly reading a book she had taken from the Grand Library. Xia Lun glanced over and saw that it was a hefty volume, its title stamped in ornate gold letters across the cover: Complete Guide to Alchemy. He rubbed his forehead. Once he had confirmed their surroundings were safe, he silently called up the Information Panel.

A screen of light flickered, and