Acolia town, Housten's house.

"Thank you for taking back our children." A man and a woman bowing towards Evan.

"We already searching them but couldn't find them. Once again, thank you Sir Theo." The man spoke. He is the current head of Housten family, Brjon Housten.

"It's okay, rather thanking me. It's better to think about what will Najie do in the future."

Evan bring this up because Najie want a freedom and don't want to shame her family. It is best for her to leave.

"Yes, we will talk about that later. Sir Theo, you may stay with us."

"Okay."

Evan and Erone were led by the maid to their own rooms. But Evan called Erona to his room and locked the door.

"Are you ready?" Evan asked.

"Yes, please begin." Erona spoke and undressed then lie down on the bed with reverse position. Slowly, Evan walks to her and touches her back.

"It might be painful, but hold it."

"Yes..."

A sinister black ice floating on his hand then he pushed the ice into Erona's back.

"Guuuh!!"

The black ice is far frightening than white ice. It eats mana and soul, however, with Evan controlling the black ice. It will be fine.

What he doing right now is cleaning her mana. The black ice will absorb all of her mana and then he will release her mana with high purity. Afterwards, he created an inscription on her back with magic.

The inscription is called 'Eternal covenant'. A covenant that will bound her to Evan for the rest of her life. Once she died, she will become an undead and joining ranks with his previous servants.

"Your name is Erona, i shall bestow you your servant's name. Amaran Shi!"

The inscription glowing and incredible power entering her. With covenant bestowal to her, Evan's power reduced to 40%.

"It's done."

"Thank you." Erona felt her body is really weak despite incredible power entering her. She slowly gets up and dressed herself. Her vision expanded and now she can see up to 20 meters with focus area seven meters. She also could focus into one place but it will limit the other part.

"Magic vision is the first, you will wear this. It will protect you in danger." Evan gave her Bracelet of Thorn.

"Then, you need to learn offensive magic to protect yourself."

"I do know a magic to protect myself."

"Oh, what is that?"

Erona smiled and a faint glow surrounds her. Her mana coming out from her and forming spirits.

"Hm, that's good. But they are vulnerable against magic itself. Still... if you able to materialize it into something, it can be very powerful."

"Yes, i'll work hard."

What Erona just use is 'Mana spirits'. By let out mana and manifesting spirits, she could use it for attacking opponent's mental and use for scouting. They are vulnerable against magic but invincible against physical contact unless it has magic with it or special force.

"Where did you learn it?"

"Before.... my father taught me this to protect myself. At that time, my magic is quite bad." Erona laughed bitterly. If she is good with magic and has 'Magic vision', she wouldn't be kidnapped at that time.

Knock.

Evan opened the door and saw a maid slightly bowing at him.

"Master request Sir Theo and Miss Erona to have lunch with the family."

"Okay, we'll be there."

On their way to the dining room. Evan secretly praising the house. Housten's house is different from Rishawd's house. Housten's house is smaller than Rishawd but it has better decorations. On the wall, Evan found a painting of a man wearing official military uniform and has stern face. It has name, "Housten family's founder, Youbin Housten."

Then, the next side is second generation of Housten family, third generation, fourth generation and keep continuing till eight generation which is Perry's father on the painting.

At the dining room, Brjon, his wife, Perry, and Najie gathered. Brjon stood once he saw Theo and Erona.

"Please come and eat with us!" He spoke with sincerity. Evan slowly nodded and sits beside Perry while Erona sits beside him.

"Sir Theo, where did you come from? If i may know." Brjon asked.

"From wilderness, i left because of the short winter."

Brjon and his wife turned grim. Short winter is clearly a sign of Undead king, no one would look down upon it.

"How was the situation here?" Evan asked.

"It's okay. Thanks to Union moving quite fast and spread news about festival in Voru city, the people is calmed down a bit."

"I see, how long the festival being held?"

"It's a grand festival, so it might be over than two months? It's not like the festival will be held all day." Brjon laughed and then continue, “We’re also planning to send Perry and Najie to go there."

"Mister Brjon and Mrs. Housten aren't going there?"

"No, at times like this. We should guard up and keep an eye around us. Who knows what will happen and our king also gave a warn to us too."

Evan slowly nodded. It's a good thing to be cautious. Short winter caused by him and new Undead king is clearly a threat to them. No one knows when old Undead king will attack or when the new one will attack. The new Undead king might won't let things go off so easily.

Afterwards, they are eating together. Evan had talks with Brjon and then to Perry. Once the lunch is finished, Brjon asked Evan to come to his office.

At the office, Brjon is waiting with Najie and his wife.

"I already thinking over this. Supposely, Housten's woman will be a lady. But, Najie's circumstance is quite bad. I know that she might not receive good opinion from others and i know that she wants to leave." He sighed and looking at Evan with hope and trust.

"Sir Theo, would you like to bring Najie along with you?"

".... Why me?"

"From what i heard from Najie and Perry. You are a strong mage and you also the one who saved our children. This is might sound selfish, but outside world is dangerous and i can't get over myself to let Najie go alone. So, i wish Sir Theo would like to bring her."

Evan glanced at Najie, honestly for him, he rather chooses to travel alone because there will be nothing to burden him. But now he already took Erona under him and then there is Najie.

Looking at her, there is an anticipation and hope for Evan to agree. Thinking of what will he do in the future, it might be something crazy.

"Mister Brjon, i'll be frank. My journey is dangerous. By means of dangerous, you could say challenging the Undead king." With leisure and relaxed tone, he said that. The others had stiff expression and just keep quiet.

"I might be strong but there is always someone stronger above me. There might be a time where i couldn't protect her or paid any attention to her."

"That is fine." Najie spoke out, "It's adventure and there always be a danger. I'm ready for it." She gave a wide smile that represent her confident.

"...Very well then, i shall bring you along."

Brjon and his wife have relief expression. Evan then excused himself and leave the office. Going back to his room, he lies down on his bed and close his eyes.

.....

"Osion is dead."

A shadowy figure spoke in front of him.

"He is dead long ago." Evan replied calmly.

"No, this time his remnant is dead. Defeated by someone and absorbed. The green fire once again lit to this world."

"...."

"Don't you feel anxious? It's coming closer, the reason i'm here because the time soon will come."

The shadowy figure then disappears and speaks, "Become stronger quickly, time won't wait."

Evan opened his eyes and found out that it's already night. He slowly sits on the bed and looking towards the door.

"Erona."

"Yes?" A shocked tone answer coming from behind the door.

"Tell them, we will leave tomorrow morning."

"Them? Ah, okay." Her footsteps can be heard walking away from Evan. He sighed and looking to the window.

"If i don't became an undead... will i be happy?"

The next morning, it was sudden departure. Although Evan already informed through Erona, they still thinking that Evan is leaving them too soon.

"Are you sure Sir Theo? Why not just staying bit longer?" Brjon spoke with worry but Evan shook his head.

"Yes, and also, i'll be sure to bring Najie to the festival."

"Becareful Mister Theo! Although you are strong, don't be overconfident and arrogant!" Perry said with smile. Evan only nodded and then walks away followed by Erona and Najie.

"We're going to a clothes store first." Evan said after looking at Erona. Right now, she is wearing Najie's dress. She needs her own clothes.

"The money-"

"I have a lot." He said leisurely. Even if the money wasn't enough, he could sell all the items he found in the balloon ship.

"Najie, you go with Erona. You know what i mean right?" He said while giving a pouch of coins.

"Yes, i know." Najie smiled happily and pulls Erona towards the clothes store. He wanted girl to handle girly's things. He doesn't know what their needs and ignorant about it.

After a while, Erona and Najie coming out from the store. Erona wore a plain blue ocean long dress that has no decoration at all.

"Hm, right, we need magic storage to keep your belongings." Evan took out several rings from his storage and give to Erona.

Both Erona and Najie was shocked by the number of the rings.

"Mister Theo... you're rich." Najie said with amaze.

"Hahaha..." he scratched his head turned away. He became rich by looting people's belongings. It's not a crime since they were dead already.

"We're going to armory store next. Najie, lead the way."

"Yes!"

"Now, i'll tell your positions. Erona will be a mage that will support with her spirits. Najie will be our attacker and deal with the enemy head on. As for me, i'm all-rounder."

"All-rounder?" Najie titled her head, "Aren't you a mage?"

"Who said i can't do anything else? Just trust me."

Arriving at the armory store. Evan let Erona choose an armor that is light and would protect her well. A mage is vulnerable in physical body, so she needs good defense. As for Najie, she is happily enjoying browsing around the store to find armor that best for her. She is also looking for a sword that fits her well.

After finished choosing. Erona choose a wooden spear. She doesn't know how to use spear but it is weapon that she will use when in close combat. At least, she could swing it around. A chainmail to protect her body from incoming attack, long or close attack.

Najie armed with medium weight armor, materials made of titanium and she doesn't get affected by the weight at all. She has two weapons, short sword and longsword.

"Good, we are prepared. Then, shall we go?"

"Mister Theo, to where?" Najie asked.

"Hunting bandits."

"Are we going to become bounty hunters?" Erona spoke with confusion.

"No, let's say we're hunters and those bandits are our preys. We didn't seek bandits for money, seek their death."

The way of him saying it with calmness made Erona and Najie had stiff and ashen expressions. They realized that Evan wanted to kill the bandits, just killing them. But none of them knows that Evan only seek for life force and death force.

Since they're traveling together. Evan needs to buy a carriage for them to ride and foods too. After dealing with these, they start their journey to the next bandit's lair.

The one who driving the carriage is Evan with Najie while Erona is meditating inside.

"Mister Theo, why did you want to kill the bandits? Do you hate them? Or is there any other reason."

Evan didn't answer right away. He glanced to her and then says, "If i told you i killed them to make myself stronger, will you believe it."

Najie had disbelief expression right away. She doesn't understand why would killing someone making you stronger. Evan doesn't want to explain it either, their relationship is just comrade in journey. If she is trustful enough, Evan will reveal it.

"Um... Theo." Erona called.

"I'm stuck at Magic spirits; will it be fine when comes to fight?"

"You worried about its usefulness?"

Erona nodded.

"Magic spirits capable to attack mentality of a person and it's quite dangerous. As i said before, it can become a scout or something like that. It can protect you too from magic attack. The most important thing, you need to expand it by your own. Magic is about creativity, expand your imagination and crave for further experimentation."

"Do not chant, imagine to create the spirits from your mana. This is the example." Evan open up his palm and then his mana formed a small human being. It moved around before disappear.

"Amazing!" Najie happily clasped her hand. She doesn't really understand what Evan said but it's clearly something amazing.

While Erona, she is in deep thought to understand it. She didn't ask further and begin to meditate again.

Day went to night, both girls went to sleep after eating dried meats. Evan still keep driving the carriage without stop. He doesn't need rest and his stamina is full.

At the moment of peace, Evan received a telepathy from Romue.

"Master! Congratulations for you!" She screamed like a girl who saw her favorite idol. Her screams instantly making Evan got a headache.

"Yes, thank you. How was the situation."

"The fake king decide to stay low for a moment but he aiming for something big. One of his plan is to attack neutral zone by gathering huge number of undead."

"Besides that, master... this fake king is quite fast. Even though he didn't get Death book, he still manages to open a small portal to underworld and conquer some part of it."

"That's quite skill he got."

"Master is better, also master... i found where Kolan whereabouts."

Evan twitched and smiled. Kolan is his servant, a dwarf that let his soul entering a golem and serving him. He is the first servant he obtained, Kolan is knowledgeable one and likes to create something. Who knows how many creations he made and how many creations he destroyed. His personality is bit odd.

"Send me his location, i'll visit him soon."

"Yes master, but the fake king's servant and army also stationing nearby Kolan. He tried to recruit Kolan but since Kolan bound to you by Eternal covenant, it was impossible."

"I see, well, they're not threat."

"It is as you say master."

Two days passed and they are getting close to the bandit.

"The bandits are attacking people; we will arrive soon."

"Will they be alright?" Erona asked with worry.

"It will be fine, there are several adventurers guarding those people but they are outnumbered."

Then, not far from them, they could see several carriages are stopped and people fighting.

"Najie, did you ever kill someone before?"

"N-no." Najie shook her head nervously.

"Then, this will your first time killing someone. Do not feel guilty and go."

Najie didn't respond right away and after few breathing, she finally dashing towards the bandits. Unsheathing her swords, she is lowering her stance and once get closer to one of the bandits. She stabbed his stomach and then retreating.

Her arrival caught everyone's attention and the bandits enraged. One of them charging towards Najie but she is unprepared mentally after killed someone.

"Erona, break him."

"Gather my spirits coming from my own. Attack!" A spirit shot out towards the coming bandit. The spirit entering the bandit's body and suddenly the bandit fell over.

"How was it?" Evan asked.

"That man is quite weak. I can keep going." Her attack just made the bandit broken and not dead. Still, if she uses more power, she could kill that bandit right away.

"Just support Najie, she needs to adapt."

Erona nodded quietly and watch the Najie fighting the bandits. She is fighting with her body lowered, her movement is fast and rather choose dodging that blocking the attack. Evan could see that she could become a professional dual swordsman and deadly one. Unfortunately, her opponents are bandits. Despite rough and attacking without style, they are strong and on top of that they are males.

Yet, Najie deflect them and dodging their attacks quickly but unable to land a hit right away. Right now, she is only engaging with one on one and if there is other bandit joining the fight, Erona will deal with him.

Evan leisurely absorbing the life forces. He come to understanding that it is good to have someone doing the mess and you gain the profit.

Evan looking at the adventurers, there are ten of them but three have died. They are quite skilled but sadly outnumbered. Now, because there is Najie and Erona, the bandits' numbers quickly reduced. Although it's all thanks to Erona.

"Retreat!"

The bandit's leader saw the disadvantage situation and ordering to retreat. However, before they are retreating. Their heads got cut off.

Fear starting to color the people who saw what was happening. Najie got shivered and looking at Evan, she had high intuition that it was Evan.

"Theo... what are those coming to you?" Erona asked. She felt restless when saw life forces coming towards Evan.

"Life force."

Erona doesn't know what is life force. But she understands that the life force came out from people after they died. Which makes her thinking it was their souls being absorbed by Evan.

The broken bandits also got killed by Evan and none left alive.

"M-Mister Theo, you..." Najie spoke with fear, back then she is looking at Evan with high regards and admiration. But now, it's full of fear.

"Najie, remembered what i said before right?"

Najie of course remembered that Evan wanted to kill the bandits to become stronger. But she never had though that it would be this scary.

"Get on, we're going to leave."

"Y-yes."

"Please wait!" An adventurer wearing an iron mail armor stood in front of their carriage.

"Thank you for helping us but you don't have to kill-"

"Then, i should let them live and starting making chaos? You are an adventurer, you should understand. Now, move away."

The adventurer doesn't have anything to say and steps away from the carriage's path. Clearing evil must end to the root, if not, the evil will spread. If the root pulled, at least, it will take longer for a new seed to come.

"Theo, where do we go next?"

"Alainstein, Omunda mountain."

"Alainstein? That will take us more than a month!" Najie shouted.

"Hm, really? It's really far huh."

Omunda mountain, that's where Kolan lived. Evan never expect that he will go to Alainstein, at least when he arrives there, he must greet new Undead king's servant a visit.