The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 322: The Change, And Before The Expedition

Dark hair and dark eyes. They were traits that definitely didn't befit a saintess. At least, that was what Neraxis thought, anyway.

But she seemed to be accepted by everyone around her, with only a minority giving her the side-eye.

Even so, Neraxis slowly approached her. Just as she put down the two chalices and turned around, their eyes met.

"Hey, long time no see," Neraxis remarked with a smirk. "You're doing pretty well, I'd say. Definitely an improvement from last time."

He fully expected her not to remember him. However...

"It's you?" Jane muttered, tilting her head. "It's been a few years since then. I thought you were dead."

"Not exactly," Neraxis said. "I don't die that easily. I've come here to help you with something. You wanted help in an expedition, from what I saw in the quest, right?"

She flinched. "The expedition... right..."

Neraxis raised a brow. "Is something wrong?"

"It's a bit of a difficult topic... They want me to reclaim a ruined temple in the Chasm of Aerenholt," Jane replied dramatically, yet he remained confused.

"What's that?"

"You haven't heard of it...?" Jane muttered, shocked. "It's the area the demons took over years ago. It belonged to humanity, and it was a massive staple of our freedom."

"After all those years... and they still want you to reclaim it?" Neraxis commented, a frown appearing on his face. "So how exactly are you supposed to do that? I mean, sure, you can gather an expedition and retake the land in maybe a couple of years, but in the end, won't you just be run over by the countless demons?"

"That's why I only have to retake a single temple," Jane replied with a shrug. "You helped me in the past, and I'd wish to call upon your help again. We will infiltrate the chasm and enter the temple. From there, leave the rest to me."

"You sound awfully reliable for someone who needed my help back then," Neraxis remarked with a chuckle. "But very well, when do we leave?"

He wanted to get it over with fast. But he kind of doubted it would be this easy.

After all, if the humans of this world weren't able to get things done, how could he, a level 25, do anything?

"Leave... We can leave now, if you don't mind," Jane stated flatly. "The quicker we get this done, the more freedom they'll grant me."

Neraxis's brows furrowed. "You're doing this for freedom? Can't you leave this place?"

She shook her head with a resolute look. "Since that time you saved my city, a lot has happened. The people shunned me, so I ran away. But thankfully... or not really thankfully, the priests of Lumiara found me and took me in."

Jane paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"Everyone was nice to me. No one shunned me for who I am, and they definitely didn't try to kill me..." she trailed off, a frown appearing on her face. "But one day, their behavior toward me changed. That was around the time my revival powers began extending past the recently dead."

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Neraxis nodded skeptically. "I see... So they want you to do what, then? Revive those who had died in that particular temple?"

"Pretty much," Jane affirmed with a sigh. "But they've been dead for centuries... I don't think I can even revive that far back. My longest revival so far was only 2 years. The others either failed due to circumstances or because something was blocking them from being revived."

Just as Neraxis was about to speak up, she continued.

"The top brass of that temple, the cardinals—each of their bodies was preserved using magic, and they're all stored in their own separate coffins. If I can get them out, then we can retake that chasm back for humanity."

After hearing her story, Neraxis felt a mix of emotions, but mainly, he was puzzled.

She said she was going to be granted freedom—or more of it. However, what if she kept on being used after that?

Her powers were immense, and they were definitely useful for a variety of things.

So it's safe to say, after this is over with, they'll ask her to do more ridiculous suicide missions, Neraxis thought with a sigh.

He had no clue what he could do. Frankly, he wasn't even sure of the layout of this world.

Nonetheless, Neraxis decided to help her out, and think about what to do later.

Yet just as he was about to open his mouth to speak, a familiar voice rang out inside his mind.

[I'm doneeeeeee!] Evangeline cheered. [I'm in that world of yours now. Where are you? Lumiara, right? I'm close, I think.]

You're done already? Wow... Neraxis thought with widened eyes. [How long till you get here?]

[I don't know. I can feel my connection with you, and according to it, you're not that far away. Maybe an hour?] Evangeline replied. [You can go ahead if you want, I'll catch up.]

I'll wait.

Neraxis turned to Jane again and flashed a smile.

"Let's wait for a bit, okay? Someone's coming to help us."

"Hmm...? Where are they?" Jane asked. "I can pick them up right away."

"...I'm not sure about that. They said they were close," Neraxis replied plainly. "At most, we'd have to wait an hour, right? It shouldn't matter much."

Jane shook her head. "It doesn't. But tell me, are you sharing that connection with your mind?"

"Yes?"

"Okay, good..." Jane trailed off as she approached him, and then tapped his forehead.

In the very next instant, Neraxis felt as though his mind had cleared, followed by a dull pain that lasted only a few seconds.

All of a sudden, he felt another presence appear beside him, and when he glanced over, he saw Evangeline standing there, looking just as confused as he was.

"Uhhh..." Evangeline looked around, her eyes meeting his. "So you can teleport even in this world...? Neat."

"Not exactly..." Neraxis trailed off, glancing at the innocent-looking Jane.

"So, mind explaining?"