Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Wander *

Ahcehera spent a full week alongside her fifth brother, coordinating the deployment of military personnel to the key locations marked on the map she had retrieved.

Each marked area corresponded to a portal location from the massive wormhole network she had discovered.

It’s hard to guard against the unexpected.

Together, they strategically distributed weapons in advance, ensuring that every station was equipped to handle potential threats.

Beasts or demons that might emerge from the portals were a looming possibility, and Ahcehera knew they couldn’t afford to be unprepared.

Her next task was a kingdom-wide survey to detect any traces of demonic energy.

She moved quickly but carefully, searching every inch of Sirius, her senses alert for the slightest sign of contaminating the environment

To her relief, the kingdom appeared untouched by dark forces. For now, I can only hope that there’s nothing I’ve missed.

It’s time to return. With her immediate responsibilities in Sirius complete, Ahcehera boarded a warship bound for Planet Agartha.

Her destination was the academy, specifically its mysterious lake, which had long been a subject of intrigue.

I’m back…

The thought echoed in her mind as she stepped off the warship. Agartha’s atmosphere was as she remembered it, vivid, tranquil, yet brimming with unspoken energy.

The academy grounds were unusually silent, as this was the time of year when students ventured out on their annual missions.

Teams were formed to complete assigned tasks ranging from hunting beasts and collecting their cores to gathering rare medicinal plants.

Some students were even sent to military training camps to sharpen their combat skills against the Zerg.

It’s great, the school is silent. There’s an opportunity to investigate the lake’s depths and the creatures within clearly.

Ahcehera breathed a little sigh of gratitude for the peacefulness. The administration office was her first destination.

I haven’t been there for a long time. She needed to assess the progress of the individuals she had entrusted with her responsibilities during her absence.

“Strategist Hera, it’s an honor to have you back,” the head administrator greeted her, bowing deeply.

Ahcehera nodded, her demeanor composed. “Thank you. I trust everything has been running smoothly?”

The administrator handed her a detailed report, which she skimmed quickly. Everything seemed in order, but she made a mental note to follow up on a few key points.

Her next destination was her private office. The familiar sight of the room brought a faint smile to her lips.

She ran her fingers over the polished wooden desk, noting the meticulous organization of documents and artifacts she had left behind. It’s been a while.

Her gaze lingered on a framed map of Agartha hanging on the wall, its surface marked with annotations and battle strategies from previous campaigns. They have changed the outline.

She inhaled deeply as her obligations once again began to press heavily on her. It’s really hard to have several tasks at once.

Ahcehera put her hands on the desk and straightened her back. She was prepared, but there was still plenty to accomplish.

The lake awaited her investigation, and she would ensure that no detail went unnoticed. It would be troublesome to go by the day…

Late in the evening, under the glow of the academy’s moon, Ahcehera stood silently by the lake. This is the place where the opening portal was found.

The water shimmered faintly, reflecting the soft light from above, yet it exuded an unspoken stillness that set her instincts on edge. Why can’t I detect anything underneath?

A compass appeared in her hand, glowing faintly as it scanned for demonic energy.

The needle swirled lazily before settling, with no signs of corruption. Yet, the unsettling feeling persisted, gnawing at her resolve.

Something is hiding below the lake. I’m sure of it. She clenched her hand around the compass and summoned, Syverian.

The towering machine appeared from her pocket dimension, its silver and crimson armor gleaming from recent modifications.

The last battle with the Zergs during the joint military entrance examination had left it heavily damaged, but it was now fully repaired and ready for action.

Ahcehera stepped into the cockpit, the familiar hum of Syverian’s core welcoming her.

“Mistress…” Syverian’s voice resonated through the interface.

A faint smile tugged at her lips. “It’s been a while. How are you, Syverian?”

“Better than before, Mistress. Repairs and upgrades have enhanced my systems significantly.”

“That’s good to hear,” she said, settling into the command chair. “This time… our mission lies beneath the lake. We’re going for a dive.”

“Understood, Mistress.” With a smooth leap, Syverian plunged into the water, breaking the lake’s surface with barely a ripple.

Ahcehera synced her mental power with Syverian’s interface, her senses expanding as the mecha became an extension of her being. I can sense everything around me.

“Syverian, scan the area,” she instructed, her voice steady. Her mental power wove through the watery depths, reaching for any sign of life.

“Scanning now, Mistress.”

The cockpit’s screens displayed a 360-degree view of the underwater world. The lake’s depths were eerily silent, with no fish, no plants, and no signs of movement.

Only smooth rocks and undisturbed sediment greeted her gaze. Where are the beasts that normally inhabit this area?

“Mistress,” Syverian’s voice broke the silence, “there are no living creatures beneath the lake. No flora or fauna detected.”

Impossible! Ahcehera frowned, her grip tightening on the controls.

“That’s odd… The lake’s surface shows no signs of contamination. Its color and clarity suggest a thriving ecosystem. I even confirmed with the academy president, he assured me there were creatures living here.”

She leaned forward, studying the holographic map projected before her. The absence of life felt unnatural as if something had erased all traces of existence below.

“Syverian, enhance the scan. Look for anomalies in the water composition or any hidden structures beneath the sediment.”

“Understood, Mistress. Running enhanced analysis now.”

Ahcehera couldn’t get rid of the sensation that she was being watched when Syverian’s systems jumped to life.

The serene atmosphere of the lake was a facade, something was waiting for her, just beyond her reach.

Her heart raced in anticipation as the readings started to pour in. She was determined to figure out the secrets of whatever was beneath this lake’s surface.

Ahcehera guided Syverian deeper into the lake’s dark, tranquil depths. The water grew denser, the light from above barely penetrating the growing gloom.

The holographic display illuminated her surroundings, but the silence felt oppressive, almost alive.

“Syverian, maintain enhanced scans,” Ahcehera commanded, her voice steady but tinged with vigilance.

“Understood, Mistress.” As they descended further, Syverian’s sensors suddenly pinged.

Something is living here, but it is possibly nonliving, too.