They don't want me to try anymore.

Come to think of it, I've been dead for many years, haven't I?

she……

Have I really become this heartbroken and nostalgic for myself?

Thereafter.

Richard quietly observes Veronica's life in her bedroom, and also learns about the various events that have occurred in the years since he became an undead.

First, shortly after his death, Norton I succeeded him, followed by civil war in the empire. The conservatives suffered repeated defeats, and Luvia was unable to hold the line alone. In the end, the second prince successfully ascended the throne.

However, Luvia didn't die this time; she just went missing. It's said that she's gathering strength in a secluded place.

The empire, having quelled its internal strife, once again spread its military might across the land.

For example, it completely annexed the leaderless Connaught, which is why there are so-called Connaught remnants—they are warriors who remember Richard's kindness and are unwilling to submit to the Empire.

For example, the power struggle between Xiang Nan and Vanderbilt, who are in power under Alice, is currently the only direction in which the empire has not gained a clear advantage.

Next, they moved westward to suppress the newly independent Divine Grace Islands.

The entire world is on the brink of total war.

At this time, Veronica was the first ruler of Divine Grace Island. Facing the Empire, she did not shy away from its sharp edge, but instead resolutely fought back, even taking the initiative to cross the Western Ocean to harass the Empire's homeland.

This is why Richard met Veronica in the mage tower.

But the Divine Grace Islands are not a country that has developed for more than two hundred years in the previous life. They have just gained independence, their foundation is very poor and they are in dire need of reconstruction. They simply cannot withstand Veronica's kind of turmoil.

Unsurprisingly, Veronica's actions sparked fierce internal opposition, and her position as First Ruler became precarious, surrounded by potential enemies except for her personal guards.

But the former female pirate didn't care about any of that.

Richard confirmed it after seeing Veronica carefully preserving her belongings countless nights.

She did this most likely because she suspected she had died at the hands of the empire and was therefore seeking revenge.

Even if the two sides are so vastly different in strength, even if it means she will lose the power she has worked so hard to gain, she is willing to do it...

Richard is a skeleton, but even a skeleton isn't made of wood.

Faced with this scene, he couldn't help but feel moved.

This guy isn't just a lustful pirate who only lusts after women!

Is she actually a good woman at heart...?

That night, Veronica picked up your skull again, caressed it for a long time, and seemed to think she could find some new uses for it...

...I take back what I said above!

Quickly put my head back on my spine!

At this moment, another crew member came to report that they had discovered new Connaught survivors.

Veronica leads her fleet to the rescue.

But upon arriving at her destination, she realized it was a trap.

[The opposition within Divine Grace Island colluded with the Empire, luring Veronica to the ambush site and activating a forced teleportation spell...]

Veronica and her most loyal subordinates were teleported to a lake in the interior of the Empire, surrounded by heavily armed Imperial troops who had been prepared in advance.

Chapter 112 Bones can't be used like this!

We're surrounded...

Moreover, being trapped in an inland lake, Veronica's most familiar and proficient naval combat skills were also restricted...

This is likely to be a very bad situation.

Richard's judgment was absolutely correct.

The Empire has mobilized two Gold Saints and three times the number of elite troops to encircle and annihilate them.

After holding out for a day and a night with their warships, Veronica's forces were outnumbered and most of them were killed in battle. A small number of them, including Veronica herself, were captured using secret methods—this seemed to be the request of the traitor on Divine Grace Island.

The Imperials towed away Veronica's flagship, looted it, and then sealed it away.

No one noticed anything unusual about you.

Yeah, well, after all, I'm just a little skeleton without even a set of clothes~

Richard smiled slightly and then began to act.

A good woman has been captured by the enemy; we can't leave her unrescued!

When the night was deep and quiet, you quietly began to move.

[You've scouted the surroundings and discovered that the flagship has been towed into the harbor of the inner lake, while the Imperial Army is temporarily stationed in the town near the harbor, awaiting further orders.]

Veronica and the others were imprisoned in the very center of the military camp.

The two goldsmiths originally tasked with guarding her have returned to the southern front to confront Vander after leaving behind a series of sealing measures.

Although you were very careful, some townspeople still saw you. The Imperial Army didn't pay any attention to it, but a legend spread among the locals that Veronica's dead subordinates had returned as vengeful spirits, which later evolved into a bizarre love story between a human and a ghost...

System, get to the point!

[...After gathering enough intelligence, two nights later, you noticed your shadow trembling.]

[At the almost instinctive urging of the incantation, you uttered a string of words, and your shadow came to life, transitioning from two dimensions to three, enveloping your skeletal body like a curtain.]

A moment later, moonlight descended, the shadow vanished, and you returned to your physical form.

This is what you've been waiting for!

Ever since making the deal with the Goddess of Night, Richard had been counting down the days. And today, he has once again become Richard Targaryen of Connaught!

Or, to be more precise, he can decide for himself when to be a human and when to be a skeleton!

[You didn't waste any time; you infiltrated the military camp in the early hours of the morning.]

[Because this is the heartland, there's no need to worry about reinforcements from Divine Grace Island. The Imperial troops stationed here have been extremely lax these past few days and are all fast asleep right now; even the number of sentries has been halved.]

And so, after many years, as a summoner who was just one step away from reaching the Gold rank, you summoned your legion once more.

[Purple-eyed black dragons, dragon vein dragonflies, elemental lords... They suddenly appeared and instantly turned the imperial military camp upside down.]

Amidst the chaos, you released the old pirates who had fought alongside Veronica to the very end. They were all astonished by your resurrection, but due to the urgency of the situation, they asked no further questions.

You have further discovered the alchemical iron coffin that sealed Veronica.

You cannot break this seal using brute force or knowledge.

hiss……

The seal left by a Gold-rank expert... what a headache.

Richard pondered for a long time, then suddenly remembered that one of his traits was "Liberator".

The effect is described as... having the ability to break chains?

Could the chains symbolize a seal or seal?

Let's try it out.

Your attempt has succeeded; the magic sealing Veronica is rapidly dissipating.

Really useful!

That makes things much easier!

You rescued the severely wounded and weakened Veronica, and before the Imperial army could react, led everyone back to the pirate ship and escaped downstream.

We're safe... for now.

Richard breathed a sigh of relief and began to consider his next move.

Wandering aimlessly within the empire's borders is definitely not an option; I need to find a better place...

at the same time.

Veronica was shocked.

That man is still alive?

And they even rescued me at my most dangerous moment?

It's like the most beautiful dream...

Pfft, pfft hahaha!

As expected of the man I've chosen!

It seems we were destined to be together!

[Veronica is in your arms, stroking your chin, laughing heartily]

Is this woman crazy?

Lose you!

You toss the beauty to the giant Groom behind you, who carries her on his back, and then take command of the ships.

Although you are not the captain, no one will question you at this moment. Under your leadership, the group sailed downstream for half a day before abandoning ship and entering the nearby mountains and forests.