Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!

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"Maria, do you really have to leave now? Can't you stay? Isn't this a good world? W-What… What else is there that you want?" Amelia asked, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry, Amelia… It's not that this world isn't good. I love it, and if it were up to me, I would stay here to care for it with everyone else…" I sighed. "But I can't. I have a family in Yggdrasil and another on Earth. And there are… many other responsibilities I must fulfill."

"Uuuhh…" Amelia sniffed, covering her eyes with her handkerchief. "This world… my real sister is gone… I was hoping to die from cancer, to find her somewhere else, but you healed me, and you made me feel like I truly had a family again with Arthur."

"I'm sorry…" Arthur lowered his head. "I also have a world to return to in Yggdrasil… However, we won't leave forever, right, sister?"

"Indeed! We plan to visit periodically, so don't worry, Amelia," I said with a wink, gently wiping her tears. "And don't even think about coming with us, okay? This world needs someone like you with your abilities… Your power over Time could save many lives."

"I… I know…" Amelia nodded. "When are you leaving, then? And when will you return?"

"We don't know yet, but we'll likely leave in a few days. The Tower and the System need to calculate a few things, and it seems they're still processing," I explained. "I might have caused an error or two after that battle, though… I hope it's fixed."

"Okay…" Amelia sighed. "I… I'm sorry. I was selfish. I shouldn't have said those things… I was only thinking about myself… Ugh, I didn't realize you had so many people depending on you out there. You're truly different from everyone else who came before you two. You are remarkably strong, and I understand why after hearing how many people rely on you across multiple worlds. It explains your strength to end this Nightmare, and… I'm sorry for what I did before. I know I deserve punishment for betraying humanity and siding with the Nightmare Demon King, but—"

"Well, I knew you were going through a lot, and you had completely given up at the end," I said. "I can't say I wouldn't have done something similar in your position… We're all human, after all, and we make mistakes. At the very least, it's over… Yes, I agree you need some consequences, but you're also my sister in this world, so I'd rather you reflect on your actions and use your power to save people here. Although the Nightmare Dimension is gone, Nightmare Fields persist across the world, so the threat of Nightmare Beasts remains. But now we won't see Nightmares pouring out of dimensional gates unexpectedly, which should ease the pressure on humanity."

"Indeed…" Amelia smiled, nodding. "I'll enlist as a Dream Warrior and do my best to protect the people of this world, for you two… and my original siblings."

"I'm sure that's what they would have wanted," I said, patting her head. "Now that you're healed, you haven't experienced any side effects?"

"No, I'm alright," she said. "All thanks to you, Maria… I'll always see you as my sister from now on, and Arthur too, of course."

"You don't need to, but… thanks," Arthur smiled. "We've spent considerable time together, so, yes… I've grown attached to this place. Back home, our parents are gone too. We only had each other… Well, I thought my sister was dead not long ago, but… I guess things can improve, despite all the despair we face. That's why… we must never give up hope, Amelia."

"I know… thank you, Arthur," Amelia smiled, hugging him tightly. "You're so cute too! Let me hug and kiss you a little more, okay?"

"Ugh…" Arthur blushed as Amelia kissed his face and hugged him tightly.

"Heh~ I bet you're thrilled to have two beautiful big sisters now, don't you, Arthur? You're one lucky boy~" I giggled, teasing him. "Many kids your age would be so jealous!"

"W-What?! Shut up! And I'm not a kid anymore!" Arthur said, embarrassed. "…A-Anyway, shouldn't we get going? We have to attend the funeral… for those who didn't make it."

"Ah, yes… the funeral," Amelia nodded. "Let's go, Maria."

"Yes, let's go," I said.

As we stepped outside our old manor and looked into the distance, we saw my family and friends waiting for us.

Emeraldine, Partner, Nia, Celes, Lucifer, Nyx, Arachne, and Jonathan stood there, alongside Alma, Sofia, Emily, and Martina.

Whew, we've built quite a team, haven't we?

"Hey! Maria! Amelia! Arthur! How are you doing?"

Ah, there were even more friends we'd made along the way.

"Cheng Xie! Good morning. I'm glad you're as energetic as ever, haha!" I laughed.

It was Cheng Xie, perhaps the strongest Dream Warrior in this world, aside from my family and me, though we don't include ourselves in such rankings for obvious reasons. We're not from this world, after all.

"Hmph, must you scream like a monkey from so far away, Cheng Xie? Maria could easily hear you from that distance…" a blond boy rolled his eyes, glaring at Cheng Xie with an annoyed expression.

"Tche! What's wrong with that? You're being annoying for no reason again, Artorias…" Cheng Xie groaned.

There was also Artorias, Jonathan's rival and likely the second strongest in this world… Their powers are extraordinary, and they've only grown stronger through countless battles.

Their help was crucial in defeating the fragments of the Original Nightmare Curse… And, yes, in his battle against Emeraldine, Cheng Xie was actually holding back! A true gentleman who doesn't go all-out against women… Apparently, his abilities are so powerful that he seals them using his own powers.

He's likely as strong as the heavy hitters on my team. I'm not sure if he matches Lucifer, but he's probably just below him… That makes me happy, though. He'll be a great guardian for this world's people.

"It's alright, boys, don't fight," I said. "Thanks for joining us… Let's head to the funeral. I'm sure everyone there is waiting."

"Yes…" Cheng Xie nodded. "Many people lost their lives… We must protect the world they died fighting for."

"Hm," Artorias nodded. "You're right… let's go."

As we moved toward the Academy, or rather, what remained of it while still under reconstruction, I suddenly sensed something.

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