Chapter Eighty-One: In the Human World; Alive...

A circle of deep blue light appeared. Roald, pressing down on his sword, materialized before Barton, who was under the control of the Mind Stone. He placed a hand upon Barton’s head.

The power of Dark Infusion surged forth.

Barton echoed Roald’s words, his soul gradually tinged with the hues of corruption.

“You are the Lord who descends!”
“You are the Messiah of the millennium!”
“You are the radiant glory beneath the Holy Throne!”
“You are the master of death and all living things!”
“You are... my master!”

After S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Barton, Hydra’s Barton, and Hawkeye Barton, he had now acquired yet another hidden identity.

Once again planting a spy within S.H.I.E.L.D.’s helicarrier, Roald vanished using the Space Stone.

The seed of hatred had been sown. Roald awaited the day it would sprout within Barton’s heart.

He wondered if Barton might one day pierce Thor’s side with his arrow.

Having settled Barton’s issue, Roald returned to his previous guise, letting the Mind Stone continue to whisper its seductive, corrupting words, sowing darkness in men’s hearts and luring those with ulterior motives down the path of ruin.

A mature Mind Stone should know how to ease its master’s burdens.

So far, Roald felt his relationship with the Mind Stone was quite agreeable.

Meanwhile, downstairs—

Sindragosa wore a simple shirt and apron, one hand holding a wooden spatula, the other clutching a book titled The Complete Guide to Children’s Nutritious Meals.

For a dragon, Roald’s age still counted as very “young.”

She was communicating telepathically with Kel’Thuzad.

“Archlich, I have a question for you.”

“I am always at your service, Lady Sindragosa.”

Kel’Thuzad, likewise donning an apron, held a wooden spatula in one hand and The Complete Guide to Nutritious Pet Breakfasts in the other.

“It’s about nutritious meals...” Sindragosa’s tone was hesitant.

“Just follow my instructions and the result will satisfy you,” Kel’Thuzad replied, brimming with confidence. “The secret to a nutritious meal: add a little milk, then a bit of cane sugar, fry two eggs, and include a small slice of bacon.”

“Oh, Kel’Thuzad, I’m not raising a cat here.”

“Then forgive me, madam. You should consult Erica instead.”

Placing the prepared meal before Mr. Bigglesworth, Kel’Thuzad responded, “As a lady of grace, it is rather improper to disturb another’s work or rest. Please be mindful not to consult me on such matters in the future. Should I be ignorant of the subject, it would be quite awkward.”

“Very well. May the great Scourge bless you, and may your Mr. Bigglesworth live long.”

Sindragosa cut the telepathic link and began leafing through The Complete Guide to Children’s Nutritious Meals.

“What is all this? Can one truly grow up happy without eating meat?”

After a brief look, she tossed the book into the trash.

While Erica was away in Nepal searching for Spider City, Sindragosa had taken up her duties, also serving as Roald’s diligent daily assistant.

Thirty minutes later.

Sindragosa carried her prepared refreshments upstairs: a cup of coffee and a store-bought cake.

Of course, the main reason was probably that Roald’s kitchen lacked utensils to suit her.

“My knight, it is time for afternoon tea. I’ve brought you some treats.”

Sindragosa pushed open Roald’s door. He sat on the terrace; from this spot in Queens, one could see the distant river. She also saw his silhouette.

The sun slanted mischievously over Roald, casting a small halo around him on the terrace. At this moment, he resembled a saint encircled by divine light.

As the new Lich King, he still lacked somewhat in bearing, composure, and capability, but Sindragosa nonetheless saw certain qualities in Roald.

Thus, she hesitated for a moment, gazing at Roald’s tall, handsome figure, letting her words trail off.

“My lady, you’ve forgotten one thing in your thoughts just now. It’s not only certain qualities that make me likable—it’s also myself. I am, in truth, quite easy to like, whether by the living or the dead.”

Roald pressed his right palm to his heart. “This heart, beating strong and true, is a testament to my loyalty to death—and to my indelible love for this world.”

Sindragosa smiled in silence, watching Roald’s cheerful expression. She lowered her voice: “Everyone yearns for loyalty. Do you, too, my knight?”

“Look at those tiresome mortals. Each one wishes to be a little closer to God, even building churches at the very heart of their cities. But have you ever cared what ants think?”

“God may love the world, but I am loyal only to myself.”

“My knight, it is afternoon tea. Would you truly let an elegant lady wait in worry?” Sindragosa’s tone held a gentle reproach, for Roald had sidestepped her question.

“My lady, this is the only teapot in the house that’s still intact. I beg you to show mercy and spare it—it would be the greatest kindness you could show me.”

Roald’s words brought a faint blush to Sindragosa’s cheeks. She set the tray swiftly on the table and changed the subject, resting her hand on the wisteria-clad railing as she gazed at the distant river, and farther still, at the Statue of Liberty. She murmured, “In Northrend, I could never see a sight like this.”

“Everyone yearns for beautiful scenery, yet most never have the chance or time to truly appreciate it. Life is found in these small, comforting moments. But if one day, even the right to enjoy beauty is lost, that would be the tragedy of an age.”

“You promised me—I hope that day will never come for us.”

Sindragosa gazed far into the distance. Her eyes could discern the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom, glory, and greatness, created by the ancestors. To defend such glory and greatness is the very spirit of liberty today.

“Nothing in this world is eternal, save death, my lady.”

A cold, indifferent smile played at Roald’s lips, revealing a glimpse of white teeth. Facing the breeze from the riverbank, he spread his arms wide. “But I can create eternity.”

A chill seized Sindragosa’s heart, making her shiver.

She felt herself enveloped in profound darkness, much as she had been, years ago, on the frozen plains of Dragonblight in Northrend. Despair, hatred, and loathing crushed down upon her, and for some forbidden reason, she had once answered the Lich King’s call, becoming this man’s eternal servant.

As she had always believed, this man harbored a deep and terrible arrogance.

While he remained, Sindragosa thought, the glory and greatness of the Scourge would never truly fade. Even if in this world, nothing lasts forever.