Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1872: It’s Time

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Once Emeraldine and Oberon finished their bath, it became obvious their power had intensified dramatically. Both now radiate divine spiritual energy in their purest form.

They then introduced their new guests to everyone else. A long, earnest conversation followed, during which the two rulers of Alfheim learned far more detailed information about the world.

They agreed to help in whatever ways they could, especially through Emeraldine. After receiving blessings from both, she could now summon their power and even serve as a temporary vessel for their souls, granting her an enormous surge in strength.

Thanks to this alliance, two powerful new allies were forged. Still, although Maria wanted to secure more support, time was running out. They chose to seclude themselves and train relentlessly.

To contribute more effectively, the Great Divine Spirit Tree and the Fairy Queen were also taught Martial Arts and Cultivation Methods. They even gained Dream Hearts of their own, which manifested within their true bodies back in Alfheim.

This newfound power left them astonished, marveling at its implications and the vast strength now flowing through them. Maria knew that if they became Dream Warriors, it would be far easier for Emeraldine to channel their power into her body.

Throughout this period, Maria oversaw everyone’s training while refining her own Martial Arts. She had already developed three distinct forms of her techniques, and her cultivation—bolstered by constant sparring—had pushed her to the peak of the Dream Soul Ghost Nebula Realm.

She had begun glimpsing the next realm. Even Darkbound, with his boundless talent, had never reached it; he remained stuck at the beginning stage of the Third Realm.

But Maria could see it: the countless sparks of light within her nebula were slowly coalescing into something greater, a giant white star gleaming with divine radiance.

Before it could fully form, the process collapsed, and everything reverted to normal.

"Damn it... I need more power? But I already have plenty... there’s something else I’m lacking right now..."

Maria groaned in frustration, feeling she wasn’t quite there yet. She was correctly drawing Imagination and Dream Power from her Artifacts—the Teddy Bear, Bobo, given by the Toy Maker, and the Moonlight Mirror from the Living Moon, Seleneum.

"Is there something I’ve missed? Surely it has to do with that... but what? What did I overlook?"

As she pondered, she noticed the bright paintings etched into her very soul. Their beautiful colors glowed intensely, reaching deep into her nebula and resonating with her other two artifacts.

"The Painter’s Painting!"

Her eyes widened as she felt the powerful energies of all three artifacts strongly harmonizing.

The Painting—Imagination.

Bobo the Teddy Bear—Childhood.

The Moonlight Mirror—Love.

"These three essences are resonating so powerfully together! I think I’m getting closer, but what else must I do to combine their power and break through to the next realm?" Maria wondered for a long time.

She had been unable to level up since the massacre on Olympus—no monsters from her Soul Realm or its Fragments could grant her any EXP.

Still, she planned to gain plenty once the battle began.

For now, Maria wanted to be as prepared as possible. She hoped to achieve the Fourth Realm of "Records of Surpassing Cultivation With The Sword Born From The Stars Within My Dreams."

That seemed unlikely at the moment, however. The day of the great conference had finally arrived.

"I guess I’ll figure it out as I fight... I can’t afford distractions anymore," Maria nodded and stepped forward. "It’s been months. Is everyone ready?"

"We are," they all replied in unison.

Her family and friends stood ready inside the pagoda, waiting for her signal to join the battle.

Now only one step remained: getting there.

Maria tapped the ring she wore—a Void Artifact—and instantly appeared inside a carriage. She was dressed in elegant noble attire, looking every bit at the small, beautiful, spoiled young lady.

Beside her sat a youthful duchess with pink hair styled in adorable twin ponytails, wearing a black-and-red dress and holding a fan.

"Maria!" she gasped. "Y-You should’ve warned me you were coming!"

"Ah, sorry about that," Maria smiled. "Are we there yet?"

"Indeed, just a few minutes until we reach the gates of the Empire of Light..." Julia said. "Remember what we practiced?"

"Yes, that I’m your bodyguard," Maria nodded.

"No! You are not my bodyguard—where did you even get that idea?" Julia facepalmed. "Listen, Maria. You are Emilia Desperado, a noble daughter from one of the families in my city. I’m currently engaged to your big brother—my future husband—but he fell ill and couldn’t come, so you’re here in his place to accompany me. Also, hold this metal plaque; it’s your Noble Certificate."

"Thank you," Maria said. "But aren’t nobles registered and everything?"

"And you think Emilia Desperado doesn’t exist? I know her—she looks identical to you except for blue eyes," Julia explained. "We fixed that with your magic."

"Yeah, I can change my eye color easily," Maria nodded. "Alright, so you’re engaged to her brother?"

"Of course not! Well... we did get engaged just for now to make the story believable when the empire checks the registry," Julia said. "Once this is over, I’m obviously breaking it off. I’ll marry someone I actually love!"

"I see. If you can wait a few more years, I’m sure my little Oberon wouldn’t mind," Maria teased.

"W-What? The baby?!" Julia sighed. "Come on, Maria, don’t talk nonsense. Though... it does make me wonder how handsome he’ll be once he grows up... A-Ah, well... if he’s an adult by then and I still haven’t found anyone... I’ll consider it."

"Okay, so it’s an engagement then," Maria nodded.

"It’s not! I bet you’re just trying to help your son inherit land...!" Julia complained.

"Oops, you got me," Maria laughed, patting her head. "I was joking. But do you like someone right now?"

"Um..." Julia blushed faintly, thinking of a very gentlemanly man with a ghostly, dreamy aura from the sect where she trained. "There’s this man with that dream essence aura... is he really a ghost? He felt solid and lifelike, so I was confused."

"Oh, you mean Kim Hua!" Maria nodded. "I see! Fufu, good choice. He is indeed looking for a lady—his master keeps nagging him about it. And yes, he died... and became a Dream Ghost. He’s more like a Divine Spirit now and can fully materialize 24/7. So you shouldn’t worry."

"Hm... a ghost, huh? I should be more scared, but somehow... that makes him even more charming. I don’t know why," Julia said, picturing the handsome cultivator. "He’s so dreamy... such a gentleman, so kind."

"Heh, maybe I can arrange something if I ask Wu Lieng," Maria smiled. "But that’ll be for later."

"Yes, I believe we’re finally reaching our destination," Julia nodded.

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