Elanor and the council stood in silence, looking at the middle aged man in front of them. The tall man was wearing a stylish but odd robe... seemingly crudely interwoven from leather and soft dragon scales, possibly sourced from the dragon relatives which made her think that the man came from the direction of the dry Barrens. The parts where the lesser dragon folk resided.

'What he did must be similar to how the immortal couple, their ancestor, could travel in between the floors and libraries they left...' She mused, trying her best to smile but ultimately kept her guard up.

At some extent, they were expecting this to happen, although grateful, they didn't really trust the Necromancer. And while as beings that extend their lifespan through gaining new knowledge for themselves, even they couldn't clear up their prejudice against Necromancers in general.

Elanor quickly cut of the thought. She knew that those prejudices had been long gone, specially on the higher floors, in fact, necromancers are key tankers for kingdoms for the 25th floor and beyond. Given how strong the monster waves there are...

but what could she do?

Her own weakness kept sparking up paranoia. Even more so, as the screams surrounding the whole barrier got louder and louder causing everyone to shiver in anxiety, in question of what's just happening outside.

The more experienced elders started welcome the man before she knew it. As her mind started to haze from overthinking. The man came far too soon than they have expected. And she just couldn't keep up to what's happening and what to do anymore.

There wasn't any point in capturing or killing the man. He could just end his own life and be revived after a full day. One wrong move, and the man could easily severe their connection from the core. Not only forcing everyone of the survivors into a backlash, but also risking them of getting wiped out or captured while unconscious, as there only a few hours left before the barrier completely expires and the army from the three kingdoms flood in.

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In summary, they had to do what ever it takes to try and establish atleast equal grounds with the man.

Of course, that was all wishful thinking from the young princess. Being inexperienced and young, it took a while, but the haughty elders acting subservient revealed enough clues just enough for to figure out what she had to know. Sweat started to pour down all over Elanor's body, as she forced orientation on herself.

Soon, realization started to dawn on her.

The man in front of them had full leverage on their lives. And they... they had nothing. No bargaining chips. No treasure or trove of knowledge hidden somewhere. Nothing.

In fact, the long siege had consumed literally all of the valuable spell scrolls they have, even the last harvest and rations they've been saving has been almost depleted.

"No..." Elanor groand unable to carry the burden of her thoughts. Due to the falling of their race, the old generation had long warned them about the disadvantages of surrendering when in a siege. But reality was way more terrifying.

They had been vastly outplayed. Forced to take the desperate hand just when they're all empty and drained out from the battles and sleepless nights.

In fact, everyone already knew what's gonna happen next. She silently wished that it wasn't the case, but the elders were already kneeling and chanting their oaths towards the system and the young man before she even had the chance to say anything.

She had led them to this.

No...

Guilt, pain, horror, dread and panic filled Elanor to the point that she just want it all to end. Should she just kill herself? Try to kill as many of her kin before they could take the Oath?

More tears fell at her cheeks at the very thought.

It was futile.

With the existence Core already connected to her soul, she would just revive a day later. And that applies to each and everyone of them.

She had to be strong. Elanor told herself. She would never abandon her subjecs, even in face of slavery. What would her late ancestors say? As the last of the royal family she...---

Her thoughts got cut off as silence reigned everywhere. The laughing of the unknown necromancer was the last thing she ever heard before her freedom from this world got stolen from her.

...

... ...

To be continued.