Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 732: A Suitable Offering

Gina shifted forward slightly, her posture tense as she spoke.

"If it is not an overstep, Your Majesty... would you be willing to restore the Elven Queen’s soul?"

The Spirit Queen’s gaze sharpened, a curious hum vibrating in her throat as she replied.

"You are a rather greedy little mortal, aren't you? Not only have I granted you unrestricted access to the powers of nature, bypassing any need for mana, but I have also gifted you one of my own daughters as a companion. And yet, you still ask for more?"

Color flooded Gina's cheeks; she felt a wave of embarrassment as the weight of her own audacity hit her. The Queen was correct—she was asking for too much. She had already secured the ability to manipulate the wind without expending a drop of mana, and managed to gain a spirit partner, even if said spirit was quite difficult to deal with.

Requesting the return of the Elven Queen’s soul after receiving such boons made her seem ungrateful, yet Gina could not simply ignore the plight of the elves. Not when a solution was within reach.

Gina inclined her head to the Spirit Queen, who hummed in surprise at her sincerity.

"I realize how presumptuous this sounds after your generosity, and I understand that I must appear selfish. However, the elves have shown me great kindness, and I would struggle to forgive myself if I didn't at least attempt to recover their Queen."

The Spirit Queen rested her chin on her hand, observing Gina with an intense, calculated gaze. Gina was uncertain if her plea would land; if it failed, she would at least have no regrets. She could only hope the Queen would be benevolent. Finally, after a silence that stretched on for an eternity, the Queen spoke.

"Returning a solitary soul is of little consequence to one of my stature. But if you wish to reclaim a life, is it not only proper that you provide something of equal worth in exchange?"

Gina blinked in disbelief. For the first time since their encounter, a seed of hesitation took root in her mind as she wondered what the Spirit Queen might demand. Detecting Gina's sudden anxiety, the Queen smiled wickedly. She glided off her lotus bed, moving with a speed that defied the eye, and gripped Gina’s chin.

"Is it not common practice to exchange one soul for another? After all, much like the Elven Queen, you are quite the beauty yourself."

Gina tensed, prepared for a struggle. A desperate resolve hardened her heart as she locked eyes with the deep, cerulean gaze of the Spirit Queen. Her pulse hammered against her ribs as the terrifying reality of the request settled in. She knew she was outclassed by an immortal entity, but she refused to surrender her soul without a fight. Her hand clenched, adrenaline surging as she searched for an opening, when the spirit, Ulyn, interrupted with a sharp eye-roll and a rebellious tone.

"Ugh, stop it, Mom. You are always acting like some archaic villain."

The Spirit Queen’s expression softened instantly, shifting from intimidating to playful. Gina watched in shock as the Queen burst into laughter, breaking contact and drifting back.

"Hahaha, forgive me, Ulyn, but you must admit her reactions are delicious. Peace, Gina, I have no intention of claiming your soul as an offering. I am not that heartless. Furthermore, one glance is enough to see your soul is already claimed by another. It is not yours to offer, making such a request pointless."

Gina released a long, shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding as the Queen returned to her lotus bed. Gina turned to Ulyn, intending to thank her, but the spirit only huffed and looked away with an annoyed glare. Gina’s eye twitched; it was clear they were destined to clash. The Spirit Queen’s voice cut through the air, drawing her focus back.

"I possess countless souls in my collection, so I do not require yours as a tithe. However, I still expect a valuable offering in exchange for what you seek."

Gina’s relief waned, her spirits dampened as the realization hit that the Queen still intended to drive a hard bargain. She struggled to grasp why the Queen was making this so complicated. A soul should have been trivial for someone of her power, yet the Queen seemed determined to make her toil for it.

As if reading her defiance, the Queen leaned forward, a wry smile on her lips.

"You wonder why I persist in making your life difficult when I could simply grant your boon, yes? The answer is simple: I choose to because I can. Whether things are bestowed freely or purchased is a matter dictated by nature’s whims, and as a Queen of this realm, I possess the authority to enforce my will. You will provide a tribute of my choosing, and only once my satisfaction is met will you receive what you desire. Is that clear?"

Gina closed her eyes, bowing to the inevitable. The Spirit Queen held the absolute advantage; negotiation was futile. She was relieved at least that her own life was not the price, though she worried about the difficulty of whatever task the Queen would soon assign.

....

Outside the Spirit Cave, a massive tornado, manifesting from the aura surrounding Gina, began ravaging the Lake of Remembrance. Elf guards from across Arandelle converged on the garden at the sight of the vortex. Farlow commanded them to maintain their perimeter before stepping inside to investigate. As he entered, he frowned, feeling the power of the twister intensify as he neared Gina’s form. Suddenly, his stoic mask shattered as a realization washed over him.

"There is no mana signature at all."

Farlow’s heart leaped. When he had assigned the task, he had considered it impossible for any mage to achieve such a state of enlightenment in such a short window. He had expected Gina to fail, hoping she might learn a lesson from the attempt to eventually become a true Sage. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine she would not only succeed, but do so well ahead of the allotted time.