Chapter 24
There are numerous tasks that do not necessitate personal engagement. When Regulus Black announced to the townspeople that he was the Duke of Black and that Headless Valley had become his domain, those who attracted his attention, especially a pair of young girls, would naturally be brought to him by eager individuals.
"If it's convenient, I would like to ride around the area. After all, it's essential to get acquainted with my territory."
Regulus intended to borrow a horse for exploration, and such a request would undoubtedly be granted.
The mayor provided his finest horse for the duke's use.
As Regulus rode the horse, he began to meander aimlessly, while the mayor promptly took the sheriff and the priest to persuade the cook. Being favored by the duke, even in the role of a simple maid, would be a significant opportunity. If the three of them could accomplish this task for the duke, they would surely leave a favorable impression.
Regulus quietly observed his panoramic map system, and the entire Headless Valley became increasingly distinct with his movement.
In the whole of Headless Valley, aside from the single road leading to the outside world, the surrounding areas were unsuitable for road construction—either steep cliffs and rivers, chaotic rocky mountains, or extensive patches of peculiar forests.
The flora in the entire Headless Valley could still thrive, but they emanated a sense of decay. The pale, withered branches not only lacked leaves but also displayed various growths protruding from them, some even oozing pus and releasing a repugnant odor.
Thus, certain cultivable plots became particularly valuable, as they were among the few areas untainted by magical energy.
After surveying the entire environment of Headless Valley, Regulus arrived at a tree.
This was an ancient juniper that continued to grow even after falling. Its branches shimmered with a pale hue even in daylight, and under the moonlight, they took on a color reminiscent of bleached bones. The tree trunk was cracked, revealing a black-red wood within.
He ultimately arrived here because this was the source of the entire Headless Valley.
The cracks in the trunk actually served as a gap connecting to hell, with demonic energy continuously seeping into the valley from this point. However, the amount of magical energy was so minimal that it had not drawn the attention of the wizarding community, or perhaps they had noticed but chose to ignore it.
The surrounding trees were also affected and twisted. Within a hundred meters of this tree, the trees facing the center bore grotesque patterns resembling ghostly faces, with various distorted and anguished expressions seemingly issuing silent howls.
"What a treasure! So many magical plants, so many alchemical materials, yet it has remained undeveloped—what a waste."
Regulus Black took a deep breath. This magical energy was a significant boon for him, whose essence was that of a Yin corpse. To describe it as a great tonic would be an understatement, but he could not allow this hellish gap to expand unchecked; he needed to limit the proliferation of the gap while making use of it.
"Clip-clop... clip-clop...!" The sound of hooves approached.
Under the dim sky, a headless knight in a black suit appeared, clearly heading for Regulus.
In no time, the horse covered the hundred-meter distance. The headless knight swung his arms, wielding an axe and a sword, and charged at Regulus.
"Petrificus totallus!"
Regulus Black waved his hand and cast a spell on the horse. The sudden stop caused the headless knight to fly over its head and crash heavily to the ground. If an ordinary person fell like that, they would surely break several bones.
The headless knight, embodying the essence of the undead, stood up as if nothing had happened and turned to charge at the target again.
"Petrificus totallus!"
Regulus cast a petrification spell to immobilize the knight's movements. However, the headless knight, being a seasoned killing machine, released the axe and short sword from his hands just before being hit by the spell.
"Obstacula abundant!"
Stepping back, the spell caused the axe and sword to bounce off an invisible wall and fall to the ground.
"It seems I've touched upon the source; I must have stepped on someone's bottom line."
Looking at the fallen headless knight, Regulus Black contemplated many questions. Aside from the two girls, it appeared that there were other inheritors in this Headless Valley.
Thinking carefully, it makes sense. As a predetermined inheritance, anyone who meets the set conditions should receive the inheritance, so as not to waste the designer's original intention.
It is estimated that ordinary women born here can receive this soul inheritance as long as they are sufficiently influenced by magical power.
"What a convenient inheritance! Let me try again and dance with my subordinates!"
Regulus waved his hand and summoned seven skeleton soldiers from his skills.
Double-axe skeleton, staff skeleton, chain skeleton, scythe skeleton, spear skeleton, long staff skeleton, claw skeleton.
These are the skeleton soldiers of the seven major professions: Barbarian, Paladin, Druid, Necromancer, Amazon, Mage, and Assassin.
When the Headless Horseman was surrounded by these professional skeleton soldiers, the scene was quite awkward, as any skeleton soldier could fight the Headless Horseman with great vigor. As long as the skeleton soldiers were careful not to get smashed, they could hold on indefinitely.
Since they are all undead beings, neither side could be killed. To kill the opponent, one must find and extinguish the source.
If the opponent only has this one Headless Horseman, then they can only wait for Regulus Black to counterattack.
Riding the borrowed horse, Regulus Black began to return in the direction of the mayor's house, while the Headless Horseman desperately tried to break through the encirclement, but was firmly held back by the skeleton soldiers, and both sides were entangled as Regulus Black left.
Mayor: "Mrs. Cook, your daughter being favored by the Duke is her luck."
Sheriff: "Yes! Yes! This is a good opportunity that many people can't find. Why don't you think it over carefully!"
Priest: "Duke Black is clearly a good person. Mrs. Cook, you must believe this is God's will."
"Get out! I won't let my daughter leave with anyone."
After a long period of persuasion, Mrs. Cook exploded in anger. Since meeting Regulus Black, she had been trapped at home by the three leaders of the town. Although she managed to lock them out at first, they had been persuading her through the door for over an hour without any sign of giving up. Duke Black seemed to have a remarkable brainwashing effect.
After more than an hour of continuous persuasion, the three of them were parched and now faced with insults, yet their task was not accomplished, leaving them feeling physically and mentally exhausted. This woman was too stubborn, too rigid, and too unreasonable.
Why did Duke Black choose her daughter? Wait, he didn't have a daughter either—this was a tricky situation!
"Mom! Why can't we follow Duke Black?"
the elder sister, naturally wanted to protect her younger sister and family. Following a noble would provide them with appropriate protection, and even though she was only ten, she understood this principle early on.
However, her mother's unwavering opposition felt strange to her. Compared to her innocent younger sister, these questions needed to be asked by her.
"Mom is thinking about Dad again. Every time Mom is sad, she hugs Dad's skull."
Katrina Cook reached out to touch the skull in Mrs. Cook's arms. It was the skull of their deceased father, the only remnant left after he died in an accident shortly after the sisters were born.
After encountering difficulties at home several times, when Mom prayed while holding Dad's skull, the family managed to get through tough times.
It was also because of this skull that the sisters unintentionally awakened and inherited the soul legacy of the Headless Horseman.
"Mrs. Cook! I think we need to communicate privately about some matters."
Regulus' calm voice came from outside the door, causing Mrs. Cook to fall into a state of panic.
Meanwhile, the skeleton soldiers were continuously dismembering the Headless Horseman, relentlessly cutting and shredding him, no matter how he healed.