"I see. Then, in that case, there are two requests I'd like to make. First, if you ever uncover more details about Retribution and how to transcend, I would like to know. Second, I need the corpse of the strongest royalty to have existed in the last two hundred years!" The Demon Lord said, his smile gentle but his demand strange and bizarre.
The princess, still perplexed, furrowed her brows. "I don't know why you'd ask about the first one, but if I ever learn more, I'll gladly tell you. As for the second request, that person was our great uncle. I'm not sure why you'd want his body, but since you're the reason Aelfhim still stands, I have no reason to refuse. However, I do ask that you promise me you won't turn him into a demon or some kind of undead monstrosity!" Her tone was serious, for her great uncle had been one of the most powerful individuals in Aelfhim, his strength comparable to that of a 9th-order being.
The Demon Lord gave a reassuring nod, though his smile carried an air of cunning. "I assure you, I would never desecrate the memory of royalty. What I seek is far more than that—it's a gift, not a curse."
Reluctantly, the princess agreed to his terms. She led him to the sacred cemetery where Aelfhim's royalty had been laid to rest since the kingdom's founding. The graveyard stretched endlessly, with over ten thousand gravestones marking the long and storied history of her people.
"As expected of the oldest human nation, there are quite a number of graves. This will eventually lead to your kingdom's elevation in strength," Luseraph remarked playfully, though the princess found his words odd, wondering what he truly meant by them.
After what felt like an eternity, Luseraph finally left with the corpse of the princess's great uncle, but not before handing her a book. She stared at it, confused. "A book about demons?" she muttered under her breath, just as Luseraph's voice echoed in her mind.
"Think of it as a fair trade. I already know so much about humans, and having that book would be quite fortunate for you."
As the princess stood there, processing his words, she recalled the Demon Lord's earlier comment. "As expected of the oldest human nation... it will eventually lead to your nation's elevation in strength... What a joke!" she thought. But as she lingered on his words, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't joking.
Subconsciously, she began wandering through the rows of gravestones, inspecting each one. When she came upon the first stone, a name stood out: Morgan Aelfhim—the first ruler of Aelfhim. "Why is there no record of this person?" Roselle thought. She knew the names of every ruler before her, but this one... there was nothing.
An inexplicable urge to dig up the grave struck her. For a moment, she hesitated, but the pull was too strong. After a few minutes of digging, she reached the casket and opened it.
What she saw made her stumble back in shock. The corpse was as fresh as if it had just been buried—no decay, no smell, nothing to suggest it had been buried for over 9,000 years. It even emanated a potent mana that filled the air.
"How is this possible? This corpse is over 9,000 years old! How can it still be so... perfect? And it still has mana!" Roselle's mind raced as she examined the grave further, finding two items within the casket—a book and a necklace, both held by the corpse.
Just as she reached for the book, the corpse suddenly radiated with an ethereal glow. It lifted from the casket, as if coming to life. Roselle almost lost consciousness from the overwhelming presence it exuded, but then the corpse spoke.
"Ah, one of my direct descendants has finally uncovered my grave!" The voice was deep, yet friendly, and it filled the air with an ancient, commanding presence. "Tell me your name, child."
Roselle, still reeling from the shock, managed to compose herself. "I... My name is Roselle. I am the crowned princess of Aelfhim."
The corpse—now floating above her—gave a low, approving hum. "Good. It seems you are heaven-fated. After 9,000 years, no one thought to uncover my history or seek out my grave. But you, who will soon inherit my will and elevate our kingdom to greater heights... You have been blessed by the heavens..."