Chapter 603 - 549: Xiao Cui Hua and Her?

Since that incident, Necro has become especially somber and heavy-hearted. Even after half a year, he still finds it hard to let go.

Even the beauties sent by his subordinates don’t interest him much anymore.

He picks up the treasured portrait and gazes at it for a long time, barely reacting when a subordinate knocks and enters the room.

The newcomer is a young beastman with auburn hair, appearing no older than twenty-seven or eight. He is Necro’s most recently promoted commander, North, responsible for handling miscellaneous affairs in the camp.

North looks at the leader’s expression, then glances at the beauties in the album, recalling the past and sighing inwardly.

After the death of that cat clan female, the leader captured many renowned artists trying to have them recreate her likeness from memory.

Unfortunately, none of the portraits turned out satisfactory.

Several artists lost their heads before this one portrait emerged.

Yet Necro always felt it wasn’t quite right; nobody could capture Xiao Cui Hua’s bright and enchanting eyes. When she smiled, her eyes would gently curve like a crescent moon in the sky, the most dazzling brightness in the night, gentle and beautiful.

When angry, her eyes reddened, and a veil of mist would gather, melting even the coldest hearts in her hands.

In moments of playful annoyance, her delicate cheeks would blush, and her rosy lips would unconsciously pout, like a budding flower waiting to bloom... One gesture, one smile, so vivid, yet forever living only in his memories.

North observes the expression of the lost leader, sighing inwardly: who would’ve thought they could see the iron tree bloom one day.

It seems the boss truly fell for that cat clan female.

Alas, her beauty was fleeting, destined to become a lost memory.

"Commander, lately the commotion in the Night Glow Empire is quite remarkable. Apparently, they are planting a tree capable of purifying polluted land, and remarkably, it’s actually curbing the spread of pollution!" North reports the news.

Necro sets aside the album, his cold countenance showing some interest, "Oh? Is it truly as miraculous as they claim?"

"Indeed, there’s video evidence. It’s not some contrived sham—it really happened."

North opens the light computer, projecting a screen into the air, "I hear the Emperor of Night Glow Empire personally visited the polluted land, showing a commitment to this matter."

"If true, Night Glow Empire could use this to their advantage, demanding other empires to bow to their whims." Necro narrows his eyes, his voice icy.

North shakes his head, "Initially, that’s what I thought too. But oddly, the Monarch of Night Glow Empire doesn’t seem to intend that. They possess these precious purification tree seeds, yet haven’t used them as leverage to choke other empires, nor to exchange for wealth and resources. Instead, they...

formed an alliance?"

Necro turns to him, signaling to continue.

North scratches his head, puzzled, "The name of this alliance seems to be called Dawn Alliance, inviting other empires to join. Any empire or faction joining the alliance can receive gifted purification tree seeds for free."

"Dawn Alliance?" Necro mutters it several times, his deep voice devoid of emotion, "How many countries have joined?"

"Yiyuan Empire was the first to join, followed by Yunding Empire and Haixin Atlantis. Later, a few surrounding small countries joined, but these small nations are weaker, typically vassals to larger ones, so it’s no surprise."

North speculates, "It seems the Monarch of Night Glow Empire aims to use this alliance to strengthen her nation—a clever person. But in my opinion, possessing such important treasures, she could take a more assertive stance, even annex neighboring regions!"

Necro felt things weren’t that simple, Dawn Alliance... an interesting name.

As the two conversed, the video on the screen began to play, with images and sounds appearing.

"Commander, this is a video documenting the purification tree seeds. See for yourself."

Necro typically wasn’t interested in foreign affairs. The rebel army operations were mostly managed by other commanders, with him providing directives, usually behind the scenes.

He thus had little impression even about the long-standing war against Night Glow Empire, unfamiliar even with the newly ascended monarch of two years ago.

Nevertheless, he was curious about the purification tree and glanced casually.

That one glance.

His expression stiffened, eyebrows tightened, focused on a distinct figure amid the crowd on screen.

The figure differed from the surrounding tall and burly males—clearly a graceful and tall female, standing at the forefront, back facing the screen, conversing with nearby beastmen, her face hidden.

Yet her sylphlike figure evoked an inexplicable familiarity in Necro.

Necro had many females around him, but few memorable, save for the unfortunate Xiao Cui Hua, who died pitifully in his embrace.

Seeing Necro staring intently at a certain figure, North turned to look, understanding dawned across his face, "This female is the current Monarch of Night Glow Empire, also deemed the most beautiful in the Empire—a coveted prize for countless males."

Lowering his voice, "Commander, if you’re interested, I could lead men to capture her, present her to you—"

Before the words finished, a chilling and bloodthirsty glare cut across him, leaving North pale with fright, collapsing to his knees, lips trembling, daring not to continue, "Please calm your anger, Commander. I’ve overstepped!"

Slapping his own mouth in remorse for speaking too much. Everyone knew the Commander cherished a deceased white moonlight.

A trace of deep pain flickered in Necro’s profound eyes. He had promised Xiao Cui Hua never to wage war on Night Glow Empire again.

She was his life’s torment.

Never would he violate his promise to her.

Yet for some reason, he found this Night Glow Empire Monarch’s figure uncannily familiar, reminding him of the deceased Xiao Cui Hua.

The video was unfortunately taken from afar, making it difficult to discern the female’s features.

Necro commanded, "Send me all videos regarding this Monarch."

"Yes, Commander!"

North promptly got people to gather and review all videos of the Night Glow Empire Monarch attending meetings, containing several close-up captures.

Necro scrutinized every single one; her appearance differed from Xiao Cui Hua, yet there was an unspeakable resemblance in her eyes, especially those charmingly innocent eyes, stirring a familiar heartache!

Necro’s breath caught, silent for a long while, "The Monarch of Night Glow Empire... Shen Tang... her beast form—what is it?"

This rebel leader, who typically sneered at everything, now bore a hint of urgency in his voice.

North paused, quickly replying, "I hear she’s also a black and white cat."