Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 14 Emerald Frost
When settling in a six-leaf forest, travelers typically have three options.

My top recommendation is Brave Hostel, the one that Macaca, the little guy, strongly recommends.

This building occupies a prominent position in the central square, with a high elevation, open view, and excellent lighting and ventilation. The building itself blends elegance and ruggedness, and the interior rest and dining environment is highly praised. It can be said to be a "five-star" hotel in the woodland.

Aside from being expensive, it has no flaws!

Secondly, there are the centaur's own "livestock sheds".

A space with a roof and a half-leaky wall, with livestock snorting and wagging their tails tied up on one side and travelers huddled on bedding on the other, filled with the smell and sounds of animals. It would be almost impossible for anyone but the most thick-skinned to fall asleep in such an environment.

Aside from being cheap, it has no other advantages.

The last option is camping in the wild. It really saves money, but you have to bear the risks yourself.

The Brave's Inn is heavily guarded, and the stables at least have centaurs patrolling at night, but if you don't pay a penny, then sorry, the great centaur chieftain will not protect these reckless travelers.

If you wake up still wearing only your underwear, then you're considered a poorly trained thief in the camp.

Or perhaps the underwear was too dirty for me to do.

However, for Princess Liushuang from the Emerald Duchy, camping alone is the safest and most comfortable option.

A ring of tents of varying sizes surrounded the central tent like stars around the moon. Guards from the family and mercenaries who were leading the way set up temporary lookout posts. Under the moonlight and lamplight, the glint of cold light reflected from the weapons at the waists or in the hands of the patrolling guards was enough to ward off any ill-intentioned individuals.

Princess Liushuang of Yunwu Territory was reclining on a thick velvet-covered armchair, her long, cloud-like hair cascading down to her waist. Her pretty face was etched with exhaustion as she forced her drooping eyelids open, helplessly accepting the "mental baptism" from Chief Lady Linda.

"Your Highness, you have not yet completed your lesson for today. As the twenty-second in line to inherit the Emerald Duchy of Cloudy Territory, you must maintain sufficient self-discipline to ensure that you can always demonstrate your family's upbringing and uphold the honor of your territory."

"Yes, Lady Linda, I understand!" Liu Shuang replied weakly, her lips curling up as she resignedly picked up the brick-thick book, "Aristocratic Etiquette."

Although Linda was nominally just a maid, she was actually the personal lady-in-waiting of Liushuang's deceased mother, serving both mother and daughter for more than twenty years. She was rigid, serious, and meticulous, like a finely wound clock.

Her mother passed away early, and her father was busy with official duties in the territory and had to deal with more than a dozen wives and concubines and dozens of children. If it weren't for Lady Linda's all-out efforts to take care of Liushuang, the little princess might not have been able to live peacefully until now.

Therefore, no matter how unwilling she was, Princess Liushuang had no choice but to muster her spirits and pick up the thick book "Aristocratic Etiquette".

"The twenty-first category of audience ceremony," Lady Linda's voice was clear and resolute, as if reciting the Bible, "is to a lord and his wife who are not related to you but whose rank is equal to or higher than your own. The procedure follows the following hierarchy, none of which can be omitted and the order must not be disordered."

"First level: Neat appearance and proper demeanor."

"Clothing must strictly comply with the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Royal Code of Etiquette: Foreign Affairs. The main color scheme is based on the family's symbolic colors (cloud white and emerald green), supplemented by patterns that are appropriate for the season and occasion."

"The specifications, materials, and inlays of crowns, sashes, and family crests must all reflect equal honor, and must not be overstepped or treated with disrespect. All ornaments must be spotless; any wrinkles or stains may be considered a desecration of the host's household."

"Appearance should be solemn and dignified: hair should be tightly tied up and ornaments securely placed; face should be clean and may be made up with light makeup appropriate to one's status."

"..."

"Second level: Presented with a letter of credit."

"At the beginning of the audience, the chief attendant or the designated master of ceremonies must first present the formal visiting card and proof of identity to the master of ceremonies of the host family."

"The first choice for credentials is a copy of an introduction letter or visiting card bearing the family crest and signed by the head of the family. The second choice is a document bearing the identity seal of a core member of the family, ensuring that the crest or seal on the document is clearly identifiable."

"The token must be presented on a three-inch-three-centimeter tray, received by the master of ceremonies with a velvet cloth covered with the family crest; it must never be passed from hand to hand." "..."

The young princess held the book in her hands, her eyes blurred, as if the words in front of her had gathered into dark shadows.

It was truly remarkable that Lady Linda could memorize such an incredibly boring and tedious passage word for word, even though she didn't have a book in her hand.

Not yet, Lady Linda continued reading, word by word.

"Third level: Ceremonial steps."

"The order of entry is based on rank: the ruler or representative goes first, followed by the entourage in rank, with a three-step interval and in unison."

"The steps should be steady and dignified, with moderate strides. From the main gate to the audience position, the 'respectful steps' should be taken, with each step landing on the heel first, transitioning to the entire sole, and the rhythm of the steps synchronized with the announcement of the names by the Master of Ceremonies."

“When you reach the seven steps in front of the audience seat, or the marked spot designated by the host, you must stop and wait for the master of ceremonies to announce your name and purpose of visit.”

"..."

"Fourth level: The ceremony of audience."

“After the chanting, the lord (or his representative) must perform the ‘cloud and mist audience’ ceremony.”

The actions are broken down as follows:

"First, place your right palm facing inward on your left chest at the heart level, and bow slightly at a 15-degree angle. This is a gesture of respect to the lord, signifying 'My heart is as good as can be'."

"Second, maintain a bowing posture. If wearing hunting attire, place your hands slightly clasped at your sides. If wearing a skirt, lift the hem of the skirt with your left hand, let your right hand hang naturally at your side, step back half a step with your right foot, touch the ground with your toes, and slightly bend your left knee to perform a 'half-bow' to express your respect for the lord."

"Third, maintain a humble posture, keep your eyes down about three steps in front of the lord and lady, and wait for the lord or lady to indicate 'no need for formalities'."

"..."

Listening to this elaborate etiquette tutorial, which was precise down to the angles, steps, movement breakdowns, and symbolic meanings, the little girl's head drooped, nodding like a chick pecking at rice. The thick book of "Aristocratic Etiquette" wobbled precariously on her lap, and she looked like she was about to fall asleep again...

I had only one thought in my mind: Stop posting nonsense, stop posting nonsense, or I'll fall asleep...

Suddenly, a series of hurried and forceful footsteps came from outside the tent.

"Your Highness! Lady, the centaur guide has brought over a necromancer, requesting healing! Captain, please give your instructions!"

Liu Shuang immediately perked up. She cheered, deftly lifted her skirt, and jumped off the chair with a "whoosh," rushing out impatiently.

The young princess has never met the legendary necromancer who is both righteous and evil.

Lady Linda sighed helplessly and could only immediately follow closely behind with dignified steps, reminding him in a low voice as she chased after him, "Your Highness! Mind your manners! Manners!"

"Skirt! Footsteps! Your Highness, slow down!"

After passing a guard tent ahead, the view suddenly opened up, and Liu Shuang immediately saw the group standing on the open ground at the edge of the camp: a muscular centaur warrior, a skeleton standing quietly with its bones gleaming faintly in the lamplight, and a young apprentice who looked somewhat awkward.

(End of this chapter)