CHAPTER 1045: CHAPTER 1045: A GLIMPSE OF THE VILLAINESS SHE ONCE WAS

{Yes. Rest assured, if I felt another soul enter this space, I would imprison it immediately,} Alwin responded.

{You’d better keep your words. His Majesty won’t forgive us if something happens to her. It won’t be just about their promise anymore.} Rendell reminded.

{I know.} Alwin was not worried at all because he had seen a version of Arabella who was like this in his past life, except she did not go as low as the Former Queen of Crux, who went as far as using necromancy with their own people as sacrifice.

{Alight then.} Rendell relented.

Rendell was still confused and repeatedly glanced at Alwin, puzzled at the latter’s calm after what they were witnessing.

After all, Arabella spoke like another villainess. She dissed the Empire and praised the Former Queen. She talked like she loved what the Former Queen did and asked for the queen’s advice like it was some sage’s knowledge. The queen was delighted at finding a comrade and talked a lot about her ’’achievements.’’

While the Former Queen was high, like she had reached the pinnacle of success, soaring over the heavens to look down on everyone, and talked like she knew everything and everyone, Arabella finally asked questions about how the Queen executed her plans.

The Former Queen talked easily, narrating how she and her magician pressured the king and the disagreeing nobles to join them in their plans.

The Former Queen mentioned the name of some of her allies, further solidifying the results of Valeria’s investigations and the list the anti-slavery faction had gathered.

Even though the Former Queen’s sense of pride at the vile things she had done was disgusting, Arabella kept praising her and told the latter she needed her help because she also wanted to show Valeria they were not omnipotent.

Recalling how crazed and obsessed Evania was, Arabella copied how she acted and talked last time she saw her in the Magic Tower in her previous life. Even when her own words made her want to vomit, she flattered and praised the Former Queen of Crux like she was some great goddess.

Glad to meet someone who saw through her "greatness" and felt the same about wanting to do something against Valeria even if it posed great risk, the Former Queen spilled the beans about her talks with the hooded figures who were the ones who advised her about her using anti-magic weapons and necromancy.

This concluded that the former Queen had one source of information about it. It was the hooded figures and whatever their organization was.

"I also need their help. I want to succeed in my plans too. Can Your Majesty arrange a meeting between us?" Arabella asked. She wanted the Former Queen to spill a location or any clue about them.

"Just push through with your plans. They will approach you themselves when the time is right," The Former Queen said and chuckled.

Arabella thought she may have been caught by the queen but listening to the latter’s thoughts proved that she was indeed insane. She could recall things just fine but anything related to Crux’s loss in the war was twisted into a positive and victorious result.

As Arabella continued to gently prod by asking the Queen for help, she learned that the hooded figures approached her magician first. Her magician had been the one relaying information between them until the Former Queen trusted them enough to meet with them.

The hooded figure was alone at first. He was a man. Arabella saw and heard him in the Queen’s thoughts but she did not recognize his voice. She had never met him in this life or in her previous life before time was reversed.

However, due to his cloak and magic like the one Alwin uses, she was not able to see the man’s face. She knows his voice now though and has a clue of his height and build. If she saw him in the future and heard him speak, she would recognize him.

In the next few meetings when the execution of the plan was closing in, the Queen and her magician spoke with more hooded figures. From the voice alone, she could tell one of them was an elderly man probably in his fifties or above.

Another of the hooded figures was clearly a woman, judging from her smaller frame and colorful cloak. The woman did not speak and only listened. She wore gloves in all of the meetings except one time when her hand was bare and there was a ring on her hand.

Judging from where it was placed, it was an engagement ring. Thankfully, the Former Queen, also trying to figure out who the hooded figures were, had glanced at the ring several times and had it committed to memory.

"It was a pretty ring with a huge gemstone. She must have forgotten to remove it before heading for the meeting," the Former Queen said.

"Oh, what a pity I can’t see it. If only I knew what it looks like, I would know who to approach for help," Arabella acted all pitiful.

She actually already saw after meeting the queen’s gaze while she talked about it. However, Arabella wanted some form of proof that could be connected to the Former Queen. Thus, she added, "Ah! I heard Your Majesty has a knack for drawing! Can you illustrate it for this poor girl?’’

"Sure. I will only do this, this one time because I like your attitude," the Former Queen agreed and Alwin quickly made the necessary materials.

Arabella placed her hands on her back and Alwin gave it to her like she had carried them with her. She then handed the materials to the queen.

After more praises and flattery from Arabella, the Former Queen drew the ring and quickly wrote the introduction letter.

Checking the drawing and re-reading the letter, Arabella was satisfied. The ring looked exactly like the one Arabella saw in the former queen’s thoughts.

In the letter, the Former Queen mentioned she illustrated the ring and that this disciple of hers bearing the letter also wanted the anti-magic weapons and help with necromancers. She even signed it which proves the connection with her and Crux.

Arabella quickly secured the drawing and letter once the former queen handed them to her.