The campfire dimmed, wisps of smoke rising from the red-glowing wood ash.
Still heavy with sorrow, Rowan lay in Jaina's arms and fell into a deep sleep.
After drifting at sea for months, they finally had a chance to sleep soundly on land. No one volunteered to keep watch.
Instead, Rhonin set thirteen magical traps around the camp so everyone could rest properly.
The island stood alone in the middle of the ocean and had few wild beasts. With the Necropolis's ironclad guards stationed there, its interior was quite safe.
Besides, the shrine had gone dark. The Ironclad Souls would not venture into areas beyond its light of their own accord.
On this island occupied by the Necropolis, the shrine held another meaning-the will of Bwonsamdi.
Talanji was the first to grasp what the shrine meant. Once everyone had fallen asleep, she knew her opportunity had come.
Slowly rising, Talanji shifted her tightly bound wrists. A purple glow appeared, and the thumb-thick hemp rope fell away on its own.
Carefully setting the rope in a corner, Talanji looked toward Rowan, her face flushed.
I wish I could rush over and kill you right now.
The humiliation she had suffered these past few days filled her with an inexplicable fury whenever she thought of it.
But business came first. She had finally found the perfect opportunity. That damned Rowan had let his guard down at last.
Still, she wondered why Rowan had been crying earlier. Could someone so cold and ruthless have a vulnerable side?
Seeing Jaina smiling blissfully as she held Rowan close, looking every bit the loving couple, made Talanji sick.
She simply stopped looking. Business came first.
Tiny green ripples shimmered beneath her feet, surrounded by Krag'wa's divine power. At that moment, Talanji was like a frog foraging