After examining all the dead children present, Lilya summarized the cause of their deaths.

 

Soul depletion.

 

The soul and the body are inseparable, mutually dependent entities.

 

The flesh serves as the vessel for the soul, and the soul is the driving force behind the body. For these children, their souls had completely dissipated, and even the resurrection magic of the Holy Empire’s Redeeming Saint couldn’t bring them back.

 

Edwina, as an informed individual, had witnessed the helplessness of someone whose soul had dispersed due to the prolonged absence of the deceased more than once.

 

In the end, the souls of ordinary people are too fragile. Perhaps they could linger for some time after a normal death, but it was evident that they had suffered a direct attack on the soul…

 

“H-How could this happen? They were perfectly fine just a moment ago. Why did it suddenly turn out like this?”

 

Being mercilessly killed with all hostages just before success was achieved felt like a slap in the face to the entire party.

 

Edwina found it difficult to accept in the moment, and even the composed princess, with her delicate and noble countenance, struggled to suppress her anger.

 

However, Lilya managed to maintain her composure.

 

“I don’t know. The path of the soul is too mysterious, and the people I brought only have limited knowledge. But… their previous condition was already a bit off. It seems someone had tampered with them a long time ago, and it just exploded now.”

 

In other words, no matter what they did, they couldn’t save these children.

 

The crowd fell into silence, and a somber mood descended upon the atmosphere. Just as Lilya was suppressing the uneasy feeling of being watched and contemplating whether to go to the prison area first to ensure the safety of other hostages…

 

“Your Highness, don’t you feel like the air here is getting colder and more ominous?”

 

Nicholas, the swordsman, suddenly looked up at the high dome of the experimental field, instinctively placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.

 

“I do sense that, but it’s still within…,”

 

Before she could finish her sentence, the princess’s pupils suddenly contracted, her body covered in goosebumps. A chill far exceeding the previous one and a strong sense of danger surged through her. The dark feeling of being watched intensified to the extreme!

 

Someone was behind her!

 

“Who!”

 

Lilya instinctively turned around and swung her sword!

 

“…?”

 

There was nothing there, only a faint breeze swirling from an unknown source. The airflow stirred by the princess’s sword hung in the air.

 

No matter how she turned, even with reliable companions right behind her, the shiver-inducing sensation of being watched by a terrifying entity persisted, and the feeling of dread reached its peak!

 

For the first time, the princess felt fear.

 

No, something is terribly wrong here. There’s definitely something! Where is it, where exactly is it!

 

“Lilya, calm your mind!”

 

A light command struck the princess’s panicked heart like a heavy hammer, instantly bringing her back to clarity.

 

The Crimson Flame Flora’s arrow was already nocked on the short bow. Although she was affected by the eerie atmosphere in this place, she wasn’t as disoriented as Lilya. However, her gaze had become focused and sharp, sweeping back and forth across the empty field.

 

“!”

 

“I just…”

 

The reassuring feeling brought by reliable companions temporarily suppressed the fear, and Lilya quickly realized that her previous state was a bit off.

 

At this moment, she discovered that most of the members of the expedition team were also showing unusual states.

 

Pupils contracted, trembling all over, she subconsciously gripped her weapon, nervously looking around. If it weren’t for the presence of the princess and the fact that rationality barely restrained instinct, she might have already started attacking wildly due to extreme fear.

 

Strong Sky-ranked individuals like Edwina, Nicholas, and a few top adventurers or shadow guards seemed a bit better, but their breathing also became very rapid, showing a posture as if facing a formidable enemy.

 

It seemed that only the legendary Crimson Flame Flora was least affected, able to calmly analyze the situation.

 

“Flora, what is this…?”

 

“Law, simulated law. From the effects, it should be [Fear].”

 

Crimson Flame Flora replied without turning her head.

 

Fear…?

 

No wonder.

 

Speaking of simulated laws, Lilya was not unfamiliar. In the Tepaya Basin, when she fought against the legendary fox assassin Mevis, the girl had faced what she called “Fox Spirit Technique,” a simulated law.

 

Indeed, even if it was just simulated power, Lilia, recalling that battle, still couldn’t think of any way to resist it. Not to mention the terrifying presence summoned later by Mevis, the so-called 【Death Omen Star】, the true 【Death】.

 

If it weren’t for Violet’s intervention, she probably would have perished in a foreign land back then.

 

This absolute emotion is not something that can be resisted by sheer determination, only powerful strength can weaken the impact.

 

“Prakaka, stop hiding! If you have any clues, speak up!”

 

After a while, the somewhat sly voice of the rat-man echoed in the princess’s ears.

 

Through an item, Lilia felt that this guy had hidden in the corner the moment the law began to spread. Clearly being legendary, why did it seem like he was more affected than others?

 

“Your, Your Highness! It’s Leopold’s research creation! Resentful spirits, definitely fused resentful spirits!”

 

“This feels very much like it. Oh my goodness, it actually succeeded! It’s not like before, it actually stably created a resentful spirit with simulated laws!”

 

“What’s it called? Calm down a bit!”

 

Lilya forcefully kicked at an empty spot beside her. Although she was resisting the fear emanating from within, her actions inevitably became somewhat agitated.

 

“Resentful spirits aren’t invincible. The urgent task now is to find its main body!”

 

As a princess, Lilya’s knowledge base was undoubtedly extensive. Normally, resentful spirits either exist by attaching to and plundering others’ bodies or maintain their appearance from their living days, directly manifesting as spiritual entities.

 

But why could this resentful spirit, in a situation where it couldn’t be found by their side, casually use laws to interfere with everyone’s minds?

 

This is too tricky!

 

“Lilya!”

 

At a critical moment, Miss Crimson Flame played a crucial role.

 

She put away her short bow and quickly placed a string of white bracelets on Lilya’s right wrist. Speaking at an extremely fast pace, she explained, “Listen, what currently exists here is only resentment, and the dominating consciousness of the resentful spirit is not yet fully fused. It’s rapidly getting stronger, and we must interrupt its progress, understand?”

 

“Ah…”

 

The bracelet on her wrist emitted a faint white light. The princess took a few deep breaths and finally calmed down completely.

 

With the situation unclear, Prakaka was overwhelmed by the fear law, and only Crimson Flame could confront this evidently legendary resentful spirit.

 

As the princess and commander, her role was to avoid causing trouble.

 

“I understand, Flora.”

 

“Everyone! Those below Sky rank, immediately leave the room. The rest, prepare for battle!”

 

It must be said that Lilya had considerable prestige among this group. Even under the suppression of the simulated law, most people immediately followed the princess’s orders.

 

A few adventurers with weaker psychological endurance, who were in extreme confusion, were knocked unconscious by the shadow guards and taken outside.

 

After the majority of the team left the room, only about ten people remained in the experimental area.

 

Lilya, Crimson Flame, Prakaka who wanted to escape but was prevented, Edwina, Nicholas, three or four Sky-ranked shadow guards, and a few elite adventurers.

 

After preparing for the upcoming battle, Crimson Flame lifted her short bow, aiming at the dome directly above the experimental area that she had noticed earlier.