Chapter 307 So… only the losers get picked?
"Wait, if this is supposed to be a husband selection, why are all these male ghosts being held like prisoners?"
Looking at the scene outside, Timothy couldn't help but ask, puzzled, "Could it be that Miss Nightshade is... really ugly?"
"Well…"
The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to answer in a low voice, "It's not that Miss Nightshade is ugly. In fact, she's actually quite good-looking.
The main issue is…
Aside from her violent temper and unpredictable mood swings, almost every ghost in town knows that she has an Umbral Body.
This kind of body is naturally weak, and after death, it constantly needs ghostly energy to replenish her soul, or else her spirit will dissipate.
Over the years, the Lord has provided plenty of ghost energy for Miss Nightshade to absorb, just to keep her soul intact.
The problem is, even if she only absorbs a little bit, it leaves the ghost drained for at least half a month, barely able to move.
If someone were to actually become her husband, they'd probably be completely drained in just a few days!"
As the shopkeeper spoke, a clear look of fear crossed his face.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"Be careful, don't get too close to the door. If they see a young and handsome ghost like you, they might just drag you off too.
And if by some terrible luck you get picked by Miss Nightshade, your soul will be torn apart in no time!"
The shopkeeper tried to pull Timothy away from the door, but suddenly noticed that Timothy wasn't backing off. In fact, he looked intrigued. "Thanks for the warning, but I might have to pay for this tea later. I've got somewhere to be."
With that, Timothy walked straight out of the shop.
The shopkeeper was stunned. "You look like you just died recently and ended up in the Netherworld. Don't do anything reckless!
If you really get picked by Miss Nightshade, you'll be drained dry and your soul will be obliterated in no time!"
Unfortunately, the shopkeeper's well-meaning advice fell on deaf ears.
He could only watch as Timothy disappeared into the darkness, heading straight toward the group of male ghosts being escorted for the husband selection.
Timothy even managed to slip into the group, blending in with the other ghosts being marched toward the Lord's mansion by the ghost soldiers.
The shopkeeper was completely dumbfounded. He never imagined there could be a ghost like this.
Even if you've only just died, you wouldn't do something this crazy!
Didn't he realize that what awaited him was almost certain destruction?
Staring at the scene outside, the shopkeeper stood frozen in place.
Having lived in Ereboth for so long, he knew all too well how terrifying Elara Nightshade's condition was.
No matter what, whoever gets chosen tonight is doomed to have their soul torn apart.
There's no way any ghost could survive a single night with her!
...
Meanwhile, Timothy had already blended into the group of male ghosts being escorted.
"Hey, wait a second, doesn't it feel like there's one more ghost here?"
Experience new stories on empire
One of the ghost soldiers suddenly asked, confused.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm sure of it."
The two ghost soldiers exchanged puzzled glances, but after a moment, one of them just shrugged. "Eh, whatever. As long as the numbers are right, who cares? I mean, who'd be crazy enough to sneak in here?
If someone did, Miss Nightshade probably wouldn't even mind."
"Shh, be careful! If Miss Nightshade hears you…"
The two ghost soldiers quickly lowered their voices.
They both knew that aside from her terrifying Umbral Body, Miss Nightshade was infamous for her violent and erratic nature.
If she overheard them, the consequences could be dire.
"Clear the way! Make room! Tonight, Miss Nightshade will choose her husband and celebrate her wedding night."
The voice of the ghost soldiers rang out again, and many of the younger, stronger male ghosts trembled in fear, hiding in their homes, too scared to come out.
But since Elara was the Lord's daughter, plenty of other ghosts—those of different ages and genders—gathered along the sides of the road, or followed the ghost soldiers to watch the spectacle.
"Man, poor guy. I wonder which unlucky soul is going to get picked by Miss Nightshade…"
"But you've got to admit, these male ghosts are pretty good-looking. Especially that one—he's really handsome!"
"Oh my gosh, I see him too! He's so handsome!"
As Timothy's figure came into view, a series of excited gasps filled with admiration echoed from the crowd.
"Wait, the Netherworld cares about looks too?" Timothy muttered awkwardly, clearly caught off guard by the situation.
If he had known that appearances mattered so much here, he wouldn't have bothered sneaking into the group. Heck, he could've just walked straight up to Elara. No need for this whole husband selection process—he could've skipped right to the wedding night…
As the ghost soldiers escorted them, Timothy and the other ghosts soon arrived at the Lord's mansion.
The place was massive and grand, lit up brightly, with a large platform standing tall in the center.
"A martial arts contest for marriage?"
No, something felt off.
Timothy frowned slightly as he noticed a figure stepping out of a carriage and slowly making her way to the best seat near the platform.
Just as the shopkeeper had said, Magnus Nightshade's eldest daughter wasn't exactly stunning, but she was certainly attractive enough.
The only problem was…
In her eyes, Timothy could see a hint of greed, like she was desperately craving something.
Based on what the shopkeeper had told him, that "something" was likely the soul energy of the ghosts.
This whole husband selection was just a front for marriage. The real purpose was something every ghost in town already knew.
"I'll give you all a chance," Elara said, her voice cold as she looked down at the ghosts gathered near the platform. "You can fight each other. The winner gets to leave. As for the losers… well, I'll be choosing from them."
Her smile was chilling as she gazed at the ghosts, her tone dripping with malice.
"Fight? And the losers might get picked?"
For a moment, the male ghosts around Timothy exchanged terrified glances, their faces pale with fear.
This wasn't just a fight—it could determine whether they'd be drained of their soul energy and cease to exist.
No one wanted to be the first to step onto the platform.
"What's with the hesitation? Miss Nightshade gave an order, and you dare disobey?"
The ghost soldiers didn't wait long. They began forcing several of the male ghosts onto the platform, pushing them into the ring.
The fear in their eyes was unmistakable. None of them wanted to lose, and they were all prepared to fight with everything they had, hoping to win and secure their survival.
Meanwhile, Timothy stood there with an awkward expression on his face.
"So… only the losers get picked?"
This place, Ereboth, might look dark and terrifying, but honestly, there wasn't a single ghost here who could put up a decent fight.
If he wanted to, he could knock every ghost here off the platform with a single slap.
But how was he supposed to lose on purpose?