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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The reinforced and altered wall of the Temporary Base slowly sank, and the Land of Death, condensed into a single point, seeped into the Underground Tomb.
The ground trembled as if a minor earthquake had struck, and a small shrine-like structure slowly rose from the earth. Stairs leading underground were formed at the base of the shrine.
The interior, filled with demonic energy, was pitch black, obscuring its contents from the outside.
“It’s a structure. It’s called an Underground Tomb.”
A kind of underground graveyard.
“…I barely sense any demonic energy.”
“You won’t feel it once you’re away from the entrance.”
That’s what it was like.
“…May I enter?”
“I wouldn’t recommend it.”
There wasn’t much to see.
The interior was a vast space, divided into countless chambers that spread like an ant colony. These chambers were filled with coffins containing undead.
Upon completion, the undead would open their coffins and emerge.
‘And hunt the living.’
They would drag their victims back to the Underground Tomb, placing the corpses inside the coffins.
The flesh, blood, and soul would be converted into demonic energy to sustain the tomb, and the bones would be used to create new undead to hunt more prey.
“It encompasses the entire area of the Temporary Base. It’s not fully utilized yet due to a lack of corpses, but it will expand gradually.”
“…You can use it for that as well?”
“It’s impossible to even attempt this before 6th circle.”
More precisely, it was a spell I could only attempt after reaching 6th circle.
It required knowledge of Ashen Construction, related to Necropolises, and a pre-planted ‘seed’ within the Temporary Base Construction spell.
I met all those conditions, making this attempt possible.
‘Even then, it would have been difficult without Eloset’s Staff, an artifact of immense power.’
It consumed a tremendous amount of demonic energy.
I wouldn’t have been able to attempt this if the Temporary Base Construction and Eloset’s Staff hadn’t amplified the demonic energy simultaneously.
“If you can do this, then perhaps the tower…”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have requested construction materials from the royal family, would I?”
Of course, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
If I spent a decade accumulating black water and black bones, and if I had a mountain of corpses and years of preparation time, I could theoretically build a tower using magic alone.
Theoretically, with enough corpses, demonic energy, magical knowledge, and skill, Ashen Construction could create a Necropolis.
However, even in legends, no warlock had achieved such a feat.
Even demon kings wouldn’t bother with such an inefficient method.
It was far easier and faster to invade a city of the living, slaughter everyone, and convert the entire place into a Necropolis.
‘Even this Underground Tomb is only utilizing less than 10% of its total area.’
While the spell was complete, the Underground Tomb itself was unfinished. It would take time to complete.
I couldn’t instantly create a perfect Underground Tomb, let alone a Necropolis.
Building a tower with magic alone… it was out of the question.
“…I apologize for my presumptuous remark.”
“No, it’s a good habit. Communication is better than silence.”
“…Thank you.”
Kayla, after hearing my explanation of the Underground Tomb, asked curiously,
“Do you plan to build these everywhere?”
“I don’t intend to go that far.”
While it might sound incredibly powerful, the maximum level of undead created within an Underground Tomb was mid-ranking.
It couldn’t create sentient, high-ranking undead.
Its limitations were clear.
“Furthermore, the undead that leave the area don’t regenerate easily. Once their demonic energy is depleted, that’s it.”
Within the area of influence, they would regenerate as long as the Underground Tomb had demonic energy.
While a significant advantage of the Underground Tomb, unlike the Land of Death, was that the assigned undead could operate outside its boundaries, their inability to regenerate outside, and the fact that any destroyed undead outside were lost unless retrieved by other undead, were definite drawbacks.
“…Indeed, its limitations are clear.”
“I created it because it requires no maintenance and can be built instantly, but creating multiple tombs would be detrimental in the long run.”
One was useful for immediate deployment, but more than that would be a waste.
Corpse resources were finite.
“Well, if I could upgrade it to a Catacomb, it would be a different story, but this isn’t a suitable location.”
“…Can you create high-ranking undead in a Catacomb?”
“Of course. It’s a tomb for the living, but a cradle for the undead.”
Furthermore, theoretically, it could expand infinitely as long as it had a steady supply of corpses.
As we briefly discussed the Underground Tomb, the others returned, having eliminated the remaining Desert Orcs.
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“An Underground Tomb… so the tower will have similar functions?”
“It will, but it’s a bit different.”
A magic tower wasn’t the same as an Underground Tomb.
Frankly, it was an unfair comparison.
Comparing a simple Underground Tomb, which relied on hunting to create and maintain its undead population, to a mage’s tower was absurd.
“I’ll use Ashen Construction for parts of the above-ground structure, so there will be some similarities. I intend to make it Orie’s domain.”
-My domain?
Orie looked surprised at the sudden mention of her name.
“Yes. I’ll turn part of the upper levels into a Tower of Ghosts. It won’t be very large, though.”
-That’s more than enough. To think you would go this far for me…
“It’s out of necessity, so there’s no need to be so grateful.”
No undead were as mobile as spectral undead.
Therefore, they would serve as my eyes and ears.
‘While they’ll be bound to the tower, it will also steadily produce Specters.’
Since the tower itself would be mine, I could indirectly control them, and since it would be Orie’s domain, under her control, there wouldn’t be any issues.
Of course, the above-ground structure was only a small part of the tower.
I intended to build a much larger underground structure, including a laboratory for studying the dragon’s corpse, living quarters, and other structures, effectively turning it into my personal dungeon.
Therefore, while I called it Orie’s domain, the tower itself would be my dungeon, and Orie would be one of my guardians.
Technically, all my undead were guardians.
However, since Orie’s domain would be at the entrance, she would also serve as a gatekeeper.
Orie seemed quite pleased with this arrangement.
“So, we need to retrieve the materials. Are you going yourself?”
Athena asked as Gagar carried the Desert Orc corpses to the Underground Tomb.
“I have to. Only I can use the dimensional fragment.”
“We’re not all going, are we?”
“No. Just you, Kayla, and me.”
I would leave the rest of the undead behind. While I had created the Underground Tomb, it wasn’t enough to defend the oasis on its own.
The first undead would emerge soon.
The Underground Tomb needed to expand, and that required undead to hunt.
However, as mentioned before, the Underground Tomb couldn’t create high-ranking undead, so if we all returned to Desert Shield, the tomb would likely be destroyed before it could become fully operational.
Therefore, only Kayla, Athena, and I would go.
‘They can handle a Desert Orc tribe, even without me.’
The same was true for the Blue-Maned Lions.
As a precaution, I provided them with black water, as I had done in the past, and we set off across the Barren Lands.
Riding Skeletal Steeds in a straight line allowed us to quickly reach Desert Shield.
The castle had changed significantly in just over a month.
From the outside, it looked almost fully repaired.
Thea and Mutre greeted us warmly.
Thea looked particularly happy, reminding me of Athena’s comment about her diligently following my instructions.
It seemed her workload here would be reduced.
“You came yourself? Does that mean you’ve already secured the location?”
I nodded at Mutre’s question.
“Indeed. The others are currently defending it. By the way, the castle looks much cleaner. Is the construction finished?”
“Of course. While I’ve mostly done blacksmithing since becoming a slave, I have some knowledge of construction. The castle wasn’t completely destroyed, and simply moving materials from one section to another isn’t difficult.”
Mutre said nonchalantly.
“As you requested, I’ve lowered the overall height of the walls and added several gates.”
He had also created a secret passage.
“Sir Entin’s help was invaluable.”
I glanced at Entin, who was observing us from a distance, and he bowed his head.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Well done.”
“Hahaha. He’s incredibly dedicated. And you provided him with plenty of subordinates… It was a great help.”
Mutre seemed quite fond of Entin, showering him with praise.
He was delighted to be able to communicate with him, and he appreciated Entin’s polite demeanor and considerate words and actions.
“I never thought I’d receive such respect from an undead, a level of respect I’ve never experienced from any human, aside from you and your companions.”
Therefore, Mutre addressed Entin as “Sir,” and Entin addressed Mutre as “Master Craftsman.”
‘I’m glad they’re getting along.’
“So, there are no problems with the castle…?”
“Yes. You’re free to leave anytime.”
“What about me, brother?”
“Unfortunately, you need to stay here until Lineta reclaims this place.”
“…I see.”
She likely had a general idea.
If we completely abandoned the newly restored castle, it would be reclaimed by monsters.
There would have been no point in repairing it.
Someone had to stay, and that someone could only be Thea.
Therefore, Entin, tasked with protecting her, would also remain.
“Did you complete the tasks I assigned you?”
“Of course, brother Inha. In addition to the provided materials, I purchased additional materials through a merchant. I’ve also prepared a detailed report…”
Thanks to the merchant introduced by the royal family, the negotiations were smooth, Thea explained.
Indeed, a merchant chosen by the royal family wouldn’t dare overcharge.
“As you instructed, I’ve stored most of the materials inside the castle.”
I checked the materials, and there was indeed a considerable amount.
“What’s this?”
“Ah, that. Those are the stones.”
“Stones? These are stones?”
“Yes. They said these are commonly used for building magic towers in remote areas.”
I pointed at the peculiar mana-infused orbs.
“They’re consumable magic items imbued with earth-type magic. When used with this dedicated artifact, they draw in surrounding materials and solidify them like stone. Even sand can be used to create something stronger than ordinary stone.”
They were single-use magic items. Upon use, the orbs would shatter, and the resulting stone would be as durable as rock, lasting semi-permanently.
“…I didn’t know such things existed.”
“They’re quite expensive, and you can’t even purchase them without proper credentials.”
It wasn’t surprising that I was unaware of them.
In my previous life, I had never built a magic tower or had connections with high-ranking nobles.
I simply didn’t have access to such information.
‘Would I be able to acquire these with associate membership in the Magic Tower?’
The Enchantment school would undoubtedly be involved with such items, and as an associate member, I might have the credentials to purchase them.
‘…Does it even matter?’
I would soon lose that status, and once the tower was built, I wouldn’t need them again.
I decided to use what I had received and stored all the materials within the dimensional fragment using the Bone Golem.
Thea had indeed fulfilled my instructions perfectly, as she had promised.
I praised her briefly and asked her to continue her good work.
“Leave it to me!”
Having completed this task, there wasn’t much left for her to do here.
Her only remaining task was to receive and manage the periodic resupply.
Entin was responsible for managing the castle and dealing with the surrounding monsters.
“I’ll come back for you once the tower is complete.”
Athena, who doted on her sister, would likely rush over immediately.
Naturally, I planned to bring Mutre and the Bone Golem with me this time.
After a day of rest, we began our journey back.
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