The small knife Shard found in Miss Norma's house was used to draw blood to create those potted plants, given to the men who favored her, so that after her death, she could continue to use the soul to draw power for that land. Having the three men who loved her bury her was the final call of that land to her, an ancient ritual of 'love,' a voluntary sacrifice, a mad yet pure love affair, and the blinded ritualists.
All of these jointly gave birth to the terrifying undead Shard just encountered. Although for him the undead wasn't strong, he wasn't an ordinary Five-Ring Sorcerer, and not to mention, most of his skills were precisely targeted towards this type of monster.
As Shard released his left hand that touched the soul, the Arcane Technique "Guide to Death" effect ceased, and the resentment entwined around Miss Norma's soul lightened somewhat. But she still appeared as crazed as ever, trying to bite Shard even with the Moonlight Greatsword pinning her to the ground.
