Desolate Era - Book 3, Chapter 18 - Determining Life and Death

Ling Chen was a peerless master hiding within the city hustle as a nobody-courier, until he stumbled into the world of the beautiful CEO, Nanrong Wanqing, the 'untouchable flower' of Donghai City, due to one of his work assignments. From then on, watch as his life is thrown into an exciting disarray!

Born as a lowly goblin, Leav refused to accept fate’s cruelty. Through sheer will and tactical brilliance, he clawed his way up—evolving, battling, and commanding monsters who once saw him as nothing. But power comes at a cost. As war rages and enemies lurk in shadows, Leav faces betrayal, brutal losses, and the cold truth—strength alone won’t forge a kingdom. With ancient magic resurfacing and rival factions closing in, can he rise above mere survival and claim true dominion? In a world where the strong rule and the weak perish, Leav must choose: remain a pawn or become a king.

Theodora is the Queen of Polis, a city-state that lost the war against the most powerful empire in the continent.

She is sure that they'll execute her immediately but, somehow, she survives the meeting with the Emperor, and she finds herself... Married?

Tossed in a new world without connections and allies, she has to either accept her fate or lose the chance to help her people once again.

She soon finds out that her new husband knows more about her than she does herself, and that his purposes are often far from what she expects.

A fallen queen that doesn't know how to be anything else. A handsome Duke who's the cause of her ruin. And their efforts to find some happiness in a marriage that's been forced on them.

WARNING: there are contents not suitable for a sensitive audience.

The smut scenes are half-censored at the beginning, but the amount and details will increase after a few dozen chapters (according to the Queen's mood .-. )

***

«I'm sorry for lying to you, your grace...»

«You're a Duchess. No one will dare to consider your words a lie: if you say that you were painting souls, then it's the truth.»

«I will remember it.»

«No, you have to understand it, Theodora. You're not a prisoner, but my wife. I'll protect you when you need it, and I'll help you with any issue you have. You're not just a Duchess in the name. You're my Duchess.»

«It's hard to believe in such a short amount of time.»

«For now, stop shaking like a chicken. I won't hurt you.»

***

“H-Haru.... please... go...”In the midst of the sudden and ongoing Apocalypse, which had turned their lives into a complete hell, Haru embraced his loved one amidst the sadness and despair, watching helplessly as her bitten neck turned black.The person who meant the world to him was turning into a zombie, and he felt helpless to save her.“Why... Why... Why...” Tears fell as he held her tight, not wanting to let go. He was afraid, not of death or turning into something else, but afraid of losing her once more.Yet, amongst tears and desperation, a bit of unexpected hope appeared out for Haru.[Ting! Ting! Ting!][System has now finally initialized!!][Assigning a designated Class suited for the User!!][3][2][1][Congratulations! You acquired the EX Class – Zombie’s Husbando!!][First Quest – Choose a Zombie to be your Waifu!]