Next, he carefully examined the crystal coffin. It was carved from a large block of frost crystal, making it perfect for "preservation."

He rummaged through his Space Ring, stuffed a few things into the coffin, and then, with some effort, managed to fit the coffin and its miscellaneous contents back into the Space Ring.

When the little Vampire, Esther, saw the coffin disappear, a flash of panic crossed her eyes, and her hand gripping the corner of Lynch’s clothes tightened.

"It’s okay, don’t be afraid," Lynch soothed her gently. "I know that was your bed. I’m just putting it away for you for now."

He wasn’t sure if she understood him, but she seemed to calm down a bit.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Lynch.

’Where am I going to put this little one? I can’t just keep her with me all the time, can I? A vampire loli following a Necromancer around is just too conspicuous.’

’But, come to think of it, aren’t Vampires also considered Undead Units?’

’I’ve heard that in the Realm of the Dead, Vampires are an Undead race that gathers in clans. Even in many human-dominated nations, numerous Vampire clans are said to be hiding in the shadows.’

’In any case, I’ll see if I can put her in the bone bracelet first.’

To his surprise, when the spatial vortex opened, Esther actually flew into it at his mental command. The spiritual link held steady, and she only seemed faintly afraid.

After he soothed her mentally for a bit, she seemed to fall into a deep sleep.

Lynch secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

’It’s good that she can be put away. At least I have a place to keep her for now, so I don’t have to carry her around and attract attention.’

Next, it was time to leave this troublesome place.

Lynch gathered the three young women, lowered his voice, and began to get their stories straight.

"Listen, you absolutely cannot tell anyone what happened today, especially about the appearance of the ’Pale Elegy’ and anything concerning Esther," Lynch said with a serious expression. "We’ll just say we tracked the Draenei Brotherhood here and discovered Viscount Golding colluding with the Necromancer Anthony to use innocent young women in an evil sacrificial ritual."

"We fought a bloody battle, and with the help of the Silver Armored Corpse left behind by Master Annabella, we managed to kill Golding, destroy the Sacrificial Array, and rescue these young women."

’In any case, Golding’s body is still here, so we can use it as evidence. As for his belongings, those have naturally been collected as spoils of war. If the Holy Light faction wants them, they can buy them back.’

In fact, the three young women had already discussed what to say. They knew what Lynch said made sense, and they didn’t want Esther to be captured by the Holy Light Church either.

"We understand, Lynch."

"Don’t worry, Lynch."

The three young women readily agreed.

They all came from noble families with good standing, so their words would carry considerable weight as testimony.

"Good." Lynch nodded. "Then let’s prepare to leave. Avril, how’s your foot?"

Avril tried to take a couple of steps, but her brow immediately furrowed as a piercing pain shot through her ankle. "It’s no good... I think I might have injured the bone. The Healing Skill isn’t very effective."

"Then don’t push yourself." Lynch swung himself onto Red Rabbit’s back, grabbed Avril’s hand, and pulled her straight up in front of him, having her sit sideways before him.

In this position, Avril was practically leaning into Lynch’s arms, her back against his chest where she could feel its warmth and his heartbeat.

She was a little stiff and shy at first, but she soon began to relax as Red Rabbit started walking with a rhythmic gait. She even found the position to be very secure and comfortable.

She discreetly adjusted her position to lean back more comfortably. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her gaze became much more composed.

’We’ve kissed, we’ve hugged... sharing a ride is... no big deal.’

’He’s just worried about me.’

As she thought this, the corners of her mouth curved up into a slight smile.

Meanwhile, Ophelia and Lilith voluntarily stayed at the back of the group to protect the rescued girls, who were stumbling along.

The equally battered Naga Squad brought up the rear, guarding against any surprises.

After half an hour of trudging along like this, the group and the army of Skeletons finally emerged from the mine entrance.

It was still the middle of the night, with a bright moon and few stars.

Phew~~

Lynch looked at the wide-open world before him and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.

’Finally out of the mine. Now, I need to go meet up with the Bone Shaman and the bone wolves at the ruins.’

’They were lucky enough to survive since they had to guard the prisoners.’

But just then.

Suddenly.

"SKREEE—!!"

Several loud, piercing cries of raptors tore through the night sky.

Immediately after, with a howl of fierce wind, several majestic, winged Griffins descended from the sky, landing in the open area in front of the mine.

The immense wind pressure kicked up vast clouds of dust.

Seven or eight figures leaped down from the Griffins’ backs one after another.

They wore varying styles of Armor and mage robes, and each of them had a heavy aura, their expressions anxious and solemn.

These were several masters from the Hurst Royal Extraordinary Academy—from the Warrior Series, Holy Light System, and Elemental System—who had rushed over after receiving Annabella’s distress signal.

They immediately spotted the large, motley crew emerging from the mine.

However, before the leader, Master Gwen, could ask about the situation...

...the female master from the Holy Light System, Lianna, froze. Her gaze locked onto the two people on Red Rabbit’s back at the very front of the group.

In an instant, Master Lianna looked as if she’d been struck by lightning. The anxiety and concern on her face completely froze.

On Red Rabbit’s back, a young Priest with silvery-white hair was sharing a ride with a Necromancer. And what’s more, she was leaning intimately back into his embrace.

Who else could that be but her most prized student, Avril Grant?

"Avril?! You... you two..."

Lianna’s lips were trembling, and her outstretched finger wouldn’t stop shaking.

This was a scene straight out of her worst nightmares.

Her precious student had gotten involved with some bastard from the Undead System.

And worst of all, that Undead brat... was none other than one of the Undead brats she currently despised the most—Lynch Blackwood!

Seeing this, the other masters’ hearts skipped a beat, and they all thought, ’This is bad!’

This had all the makings of a major incident.

...