Chapter 108
Chapter 108: The Secret of the Lich
Translator: StarveCleric Editor: StarveCleric
The over reliance of the Undead Calamity on its mastermind dealt it a solid wound. Following the fall of the Lich, Carlohin’s Undead army falls apart.
In our eyes as ex-Undead Lords, this shows that the army’s structure is extremely chaotic. The more mature an Undead army is, the more Middle-tier and High-tier Undead they would have. With more middle-level commanders within the army, the low-tier cannon fodders would be able to exert a greater impact on the battlefield through their leadership. They would also be even less fearful of getting killed.
However, the reason why Emperor Yongye’s Yongye army fell apart after his death back then was because he also walked the opposite extremity. His army had too much High-tier and Middle-tier Undead in their midst. After losing their common leader, Emperor Yongye, along with the formation of the Country of Undead and the temptation of the Eternal Night Scepter, an opportunity opens for the powerful to climb to the pinnacle, causing them to fall into internal strife.
“That being said, that junior Lich of mine is really quite dumb. To actually chant right in front of a melee fighter, not to mention a spell with a long incantation. Is he that sick of living? Is this what you taught him? His battle experience is incredulously horrid. Looks like your standard as an educator is getting worse and worse.”
The darned cat on my shoulders became so mad from my words that her hairs stood on ends. If it wasn’t for the fact that she is still feeling awful from trying to bite through my skin, she would definitely come assaulting me once again.
I understand her quite well. Usually, she is about just as thick-skinned as me, indifferent to any words directed towards her. However, the moment when doubt is cast over the standard of her magic and her standard as an educator, she would be provoked in an instant.
“That… That isn’t taught by me! Also, I don’t teach such a basic thing. The fool is obviously the one who lacks battle experience. I am not some kindergarten teacher; do I still have to teach these basics over and over again?”
Yes, basics. As a fragile Mage job, the first law that they have to observe is to maintain a safe distance from close combatants.
During a battle between a powerful Mage and a close combatant, the close combatants would often be trying their best to close in distance on the Mage while the Mage would be using their defensive spells to avoid them and further the gap between them through Teleportation. This cycle will go on continuously until a gap appears in one’s defense, and that would be the decisive moment.
In the final conclusion, either the Mage would gain sufficient distance and time to focus their firepower to blast away the close combatants or that the close combatants would successfully grind away the defensive spells, escape spells and control spells of the other party and slice them apart.
To say the truth, this isn’t very fair. The Spellcasters could err over and over again whereas it could be fatal the moment the close combatants commit a mistake. Under most circumstances, close combatants would find themselves unable to catch up with the Mages and end up being played to death.
However, there is no such as absolute equality in this world. Mage jobs have a high requirement for innate talent and they number less than a tenth of the other jobs. Furthermore, they require a large amount of time and fortune to groom. Thus, it is often easier for Mages to earn a position of respect in the human society compared to close combatants.
Without doubt, as the Head of Court Mages and a king of the royal family, Carlohin possesses true authority. However, being in an esteemed position, he would be lacking in opportunities to accumulate battle experience. Venturing out, he would always bring along a large group of bodyguards. So, how could it be possible for him to stand on the frontlines and be forced into a life and death situation?
Should I say that he inexperienced to the point of naivety? This junior of mine actually dares to chant right in front of a close combatant. Even though my power rank is much lower than his, he shouldn’t underestimate me that much. Assuming that I didn’t dismantle him forcefully, if I were to send in a few more attacks from the Pale Justice, he would also be done for.
“I… I think that I should expel Carlohin from my apprenticeship. I have never taught such a shameful apprentice. Actually, you should be secretly joyful over it. If it wasn’t for this fellow lacking in battle experience to such a ludicrous point, given his strength as a Saint-rank Lich along with his SemiGod Equipment, it is definitely impossible for you to defeat him.”
What Harloys said is true. Actually, this couldn’t be blamed on the teacher for not guiding him well. Apparently, he would usually make full use of his strength as a Saint-rank and his SemiGod Equipment to blast everything with high-circle spells. Meeting someone who is immune to his spells, he immediately panics. If Carlohin wasn’t that foolish, given his strength as a Legend-rank Fire Mage and a Saint-rank Necromancer, not to mention the possession of a SemiGod Equipment, he could have dealt with us patiently. There would at least be a dozen methods for him to claim victory and he wouldn’t have ended up decapitated.
This sufficiently verifies an old adage. No matter how powerful a person’s martial arts is, if their brain is unable to function well, they would end being put in place by a concrete brick.
I nod my head solemnly, even though a smile had creeped onto my face.
“Heh, this junior of mine is almost like a captain of a treasure delivery convoy. The equipment on his body is not bad at all. Then, I will be taking this SemiGod Equipment with joy.”
[The Dark God’s Breath of Death]
[Attack Power: 1-2 Tier: SemiGod]
[Single-handed staff. Prerequisite: Intelligence 15+, High-ranked Necromancer]
[Breath of Death: Allows one to store 3 Death Spells that is of maximum 8-circles (Legend-rank), allowing the user to instant cast it the moment it is activated. For a 9-circle spell (Myth-rank), the user is able to cast it without incantation and only one 9-circle spell can be stored.]
[Domain of Death: With this staff as the center, an intangible Domain of Death exists. In this domain, the effects of Death Magic is increased by 50% and the probability of Affliction of Death being inflicted is increased by 30%.]
[The Countenance of the Dead: The wielder’s Intelligence will be increased by 2, Stamina by 2 and he will be immune to all fear-related and death-related effects. However, his charm will be reduced by 10 (This stat can be reduced to the point of negativity)]
[The Protection of the Dark God: Summon a formless protective barrier which can withstand 200 magic damage/magic equipment damage. Before the protective barrier breaks, the wielder will be immune to all stunning, hexing and any other control-type magic. Duration: 10 seconds]
[The Rage of the Dark God: An active ability. After it is activated, the next magic spell will be enchanted with the Affliction of Death effect, even if it is just a normal Magic Bullet. The Affliction of Death effect would be equivalent to the power rank of the spell.]
[Soul Conversion: Siphon the soul of a dead and convert it into pure Power of Death]
[The Ancient Undead Emperor Dark God has once reached the pinnacle in the field of Death. It is said that just by breathing, he is able to plunge the living into the world of the dead. Even if he has already fallen, the SemiGod Equipment still contains a fragment of his soul. Perhaps, an Undead Lord would be able to comprehend the profoundness of death through this equipment and ascend to the highest throne of as a SemiGod Undead Emperor.]
This is a classical SemiGod Equipment catered for battles. The Undead Emperor’s soul fragment as well as the profound wisdom hidden within it that could send Undead Lords into a state of frenzy could actually be neglected. After all, it is much more dependent on luck than anything else, it is not something that could be attained forcefully. Rather, the three instant-cast Death Spells of the Breath of Death ability already makes it an astonishingly powerful killing tool.
Just with this ‘Breath of Death’ itself, it doesn’t need any other abilities. Throwing out three Death Spells in an instant, who would be able to withstand it? Also, with the ‘Soul Conversion’ ability, the wielder’s mana would never run dry,
No wonder Carlohin’s battle experience would be that lacking. With this SemiGod Equipment, he is probably used to instant killing everything. Even if he is obstructed temporarily, he just has to siphon a few souls and continue blasting spells over.
“Although they say that I am a cannon Mage, this junior of mine is obviously the true outstanding cannon Mage.”
Looking at the Protection of the Dark God, it seems that I have underestimated the other party. When he chanted the spell to commit a double suicide with us, he seems to have been putting his faith on this protective barrier. To get through that 200 damage barrier, I would have at least taken me 7 to 8 strikes. I wouldn’t have the time to do anything else even if I managed to break the barrier. However, he didn’t expect that I would be unlike his previous opponents, that I wouldn’t utilize my powerful weapons while challenging the powerful Lich and instead choose to pull out his bones barehanded. After pulling out his lower jaw with one strike, he was unable to even chant any spells normally and naturally, the odds fell in our favors.
If this toy were to be exposed outside, the Church of Holy Light would probably launch a crusade against me instantly. I intended for Harloys to consume it but the current her should still be unable to ingest a SemiGod Equipment. Preparations still have to be made and thus, I kept the SemiGod Equipment joyfully.
Just when my evaluation of Carlohin went up after catching sight of that defensive ability which didn’t activate as anticipated, five minutes later, my overly high evaluation of him crumbles once again.
“This… I really didn’t teach this. I… I don’t know him!”
“I believe you. Such a brainless student indeed cannot be justified by the improper guidance of a mentor. He is probably born with a defect in his brain that cannot be cured with any medicine. His intelligence is probably on par with that silly lass. How did he ascend to Saint-rank?”
The moment we walked into Carlohin’s room in the Mage Tower, we began to ‘collect spoils of war’. However, the moment we started searching around his room, we found a square box under his bed.
Opening it, we saw a blue bottle wrapped in velvet. Inside the bottle, a soulfire burns quietly.
If there isn’t a second Lich here, this toy is surely the Carlohin’s phylactery.
This is an ideal textbook example. A model soul bottle, placed in a box in fear that he might lose it. To interpret the word ‘phylactery’ literally to such a level, he could be considered as eccentric as well.
TL: Phylactery literally means Soul Box in Chinese. And his soul is literally placed in a bottle in a box.
While other Liches are trying their hardest to disguise their phylacteries over and over again, fearful of someone finding this weakness of theirs, this phylactery which sits upright there without a hint of disguise left us stupefied.
“Hey, Harloys, if you were to be converted into a Lich here, how would you create your phylactery?”
“I would find some debris and throw it into the water after successfully converting it. I can guarantee that no one would be able to find it. You?”
“I would put it into an ordinary-looking concrete block and use it in the main passageway. Passers-by would cross it every day but they would never imagine that there would be a phylactery under their feet.”
The two of them stare at each other, a hint of a smile appearing in both their eyes.
“Alas, our heritage was unfortunate! Back then, I should have included an intelligence test in the entrance exams.”
“Don’t tell others that I am his senior. I can’t afford to gain such a title.”
The sighs of the two harmonizes as one. Finally, someone can no longer withstand all the sarcastic remarks directed in his face.
“Darsos’s dogs, do you think that you could insult me casually just because I have lost? No matter what, I am a king of Auland. My senior? Do you know who my master is? You think that you… Don’t shake the bottle, I am feeling really giddy now. Stop shaking it!”
One of the reason why the textbook example of soul bottles has died out is because that souls contained in a bottle is really too fragile. Just by slightly shaking it, Carlohin immediately surrenders without second thoughts.
“This sensation feels so familiar.”
“Un, it is made from your skin, darned cat.”
Alright, ignoring the darned cat who stops what she was doing to bite me with all her might, I turn my attention towards the phylactery which fell into silence.
“Alright, allow me to reintroduce ourselves to explain why I am your senior. Un, I should the oldest senior who managed to survive until this point. I am Roland.Mist and this darned cat is our master, Harloys.”
“How could this be possible!”
Carlohin is unable to retain his silence. Not mentioning how his heritage is exposed in a few words, how could that fearsome Queen of Banshees be reduced to a soft and furry little cat.
However, that black cat glares at him in displeasure. An apparition-like figure flashes behind her for an instant. That familiar ripple of her soul is the best name card.
“How have you been doing? By the way, don’t claim to be my disciple in the future. It is really embarrassing for me. Right, Harlock (Carlohin’s fake name), seeing you in such a state, all of my anger has been dispelled. Let’s just strike off the grudges we had in the past. Of course, you can also reject it and we could recalculate the debt between us.”
The soulfire in the bottle ripples. If the bottle could nod its head freely, it would have most probably have turned into a roly-poly toy.
“Teacher Harloys, you said it as though I wronged you. You were obviously the one who made use of all of us. We should be the one seeking you for revenge, not… Alright, I will stop talking.”
Noticing the black cat baring her teeth, he recalls her narrow-minded and vengeful nature and that he is now in the other party’s hands, Carlohin immediately gives in.
“Wait, the oldest senior? That legendary person is also one of Harloys’s disciple and it is said that he is from Mist Country… Yong yong yong yong Emperor Yongye!”
Alright, the agitation of his soul ripples throughout the room, revealing his shock and fear.
As the only Undead Emperor and the founder of the strongest Undead Calamity in recent times, Yongye Calamity, Emperor Yongye is an existence well-known to all Necromancers. He is an obelisk which can’t be surpassed as well as an existence which strikes fear in them.
“Un, that’s me. You don’t have to be that shocked. You are also an immortal existence yourself now. Are you that shocked that I didn’t die?”
I planned to reveal my own identity from the very start. The world of the Undead is much simpler than the world of the living. There is only one law in the world of the Undead, the powerful reigns supreme. With the golden name of Emperor Yongye suppressing him down, the reality of his failure just a while ago and his phylactery in my hands, I don’t think that he is able to play any tricks.
“I won’t be saying anything excessive. From now on, you will listen to me. We are all from the same trade and are well-versed in means to torture souls. If you wish to play any tricks, go ahead. However, if your schemes are sub-par to the point that I can’t stand looking at them any further, I don’t think much have to be said about your outcome.”
Don’t think much have to be said = Think for it yourself = Scaring yourself. There is no bottom limit to the imagination of intelligent lifeforms. The more used one is to being cruel to others, the more easily they are able to think of cruel tortures that could be done to themselves. This kind of method of inducing fear in others has works hundred out of hundred times, especially against Necromancers who are adept in torturing the souls of others.
If Carlohin is really some warrior who refuses to yield even upon death, he wouldn’t have converted himself into a Lich in the first place. Seeing how even the almighty Harloys was turned into a pet, he lost all of his will to resist.
Thus, what happens afterwards is me giving the commands and him carrying out the commands.
“… I will stop here. Anyway, you already have a grudge against Darsos, so when he opens the door, you can lead your army to battle against him. Of course, it will end with your loss, but do remember to end it with a splendid self-explosion. Of course, the information on the fleet must be left behind as well. Don’t destroy it along with the explosion.”
I don’t think that we would be able to conceal everything from Darsos after we start to develop our own Air Fleet. However, it is entirely possible to create a little bit of chaos. The traces of the existence of Undead cannot be concealed, not to mention the scars of the battle which was just fought. The easiest way to conceal the scars of a fight is to cover up with new ones.
Of course, there are no eternal secrets. There are some matters that would surely leave behind traces if done and a day will come when everything is exposed.
To the East Mist which lacks everything, the rare alloy equipment of the White Wolf Guards is already a priceless treasure. There is no way we could give up on the spoils of war we collected here. The thing we have to do now is to do a series of preparations so that our existence here won’t be exposed that quickly.
“Heh, after Auland is done dealing with the Seafolk, it would be about time for the onset of the ‘Vultures of War’, the great war of the human kingdoms. When the war finally ends, it should be about time for the onset of the Underground Alliance and the Undead Calamity onto the stage. As long as we are able to tide through our current crisis, I do not believe that he would still have the leisure to find trouble with the northern countries. Furthermore, the East Mist would have grown stronger by then. It would be hard to tell who would be the one finding trouble with the other. Right, the seven countries in the Northern Lands aren’t that unambitious as well. Since we have decided to stake it all on East Mist, we should also make preparations for war.”
No matter what, this is the territory of Lich Carlohin. The best way to clean up the base is to obtain the assistance of the other party. Currently, the most important thing to do is make him submit to us obediently. In order to make him work for us without worries, it is imperative for us to offer him some benefits after slapping him in the face.
“I am not an unreasonable person. If you listen to me obediently, no matter what profound magic secrets or godly weapons and treasures it is, if there is something you want, feel free to bring it up. You should have heard of it before, that I am not a stingy person and I tend to be credible.”
Emperor Yongye’s promise is extremely valuable. Hearing my words, the soulfire in the bottle stuns suddenly before blazing frenziedly.
“Pardon my insolence, but what is with the current form of yours and Lord Mentor? Could it be that you all have been revived?”
This isn’t something much to hide about. I nod my head directly.
“Then, have you all regained your senses? Do you all possess the desires of a physical body?”
I nod my head once again. Although Harloys is still half an Undead, her functions on all aspects are no different from the living.
“Harloys’s body is created by me. You should also be aware of my ability in that aspect. Why, do you wish for me to create a physical body for you as well?”
“Of course! I have had enough of the days living as an Undead. Although it is true that we aren’t plagued by hunger and thirst, we are also devoid of the desire to enjoy luxurious food. While it is true that we are devoid of the instinctive desires of the physical body, living on like this is really a torture. Lord, I am begging you, as long as you are able to restore the senses and desires of the physical body in me, I am willing to pay any price!”
“Alright. It is just a body of a male. It is but a simple task. However, I have to first emphasize that even though you would be similar to a normal person on most aspects, you are still an immortal Undead internally, so you will be unable to leave behind descendants. I am able to restore senses and desires, but I am still incapable of transcending the boundaries of life and death at this point.”
“Just restoring desires is enough. Just desires are enough.”
I smile gleefully. I am not afraid of you coming up with unreasonable requests, I only fear that you are devoid of pursuits. Since you have something to request of me, naturally, it makes it easier for me to control you.
“Fine, leave it to me. When it is time, pass me a painting of how you were previously. I can guarantee that I would be able to restore your original appearance.”
“That… Are you able to make a female physical body?”
At that moment, I lost my footing and my hands loosened, almost dropping his phylactery onto the floor.
Based on my many years of experiences of meeting with such incidents, I can already guess the damned developments that is about to happen.
“That, liking cute little boys is a common little interest among nobles. I believe that Lord would be able to understand that as well. Although it was fine with my original body back then, if there is a chance, I would still like to change to a different style!”
As though intimidated by my livid face, the next moment, Carlohin yells out his desire as though he is putting his everything on the line.
“No, I will honestly tell you, my Lord, that this is the goal of my life. This is also the main reason why I pursued Necromancy!”
“Shut up, gay!”
I suppressed the urge to smash the bottle and ignored the darned cat who is busy rolling around in front of me in laughter. She seems to have knew it from the start. I have no desire whatsoever to interact with this kind of pervert. The next moment, I turn around to leave.
“Lord! Please don’t go. I am begging you, this is the deepest innate desire of a foolish man who was born in the wrong body…”
“Pui!” I already have enough Gentlemen by my side. This kind of gay pervert is challenging my tolerance and bottom line as a man. Thus, I refuse to stop for him.
“Lord! Have you heard of Cassomes?”
Of course, I have heard of it. The future flagship of the Auland Air Fleet —— The Unsinkable Cassomes. That is a super warship that would be known by every single household in the future.
“Hmph, of course I have heard of it. However, if its construction is complete, is it possible for you not to take it out in this battle? That is a flagship of an Air Fleet after all. It isn’t that easy to build it.”
“Of course, its construction isn’t completed yet. However, its prototype, the King Carlohin which I built privately, is almost completed! Lord, as long as you fulfill my wish, he would be yours.”
No matter how powerful a person’s martial arts is, if their brain is unable to function well, they would end being put in place by a concrete brick.
TL: i.e. Even if they are extremely powerful, if they are not smart enough, they will still end up defeated by creative methods sooner or later by an enemy.
即死类法术
TL: Truthfully I had no idea how to translate this. Literally, it means Instant Death Magic and it afflicts an Instant Death Status (or Brink of Death status, depending on how you interpret the word). I tried googling it but couldn’t really find any usage of it in any literature. So, I’ve translated it into Death Magic and called the status Affliction of Death. The terminologies I chose to use doesn’t really affect the story or the meaning of it but just leaving a side note to inform you all.