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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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‘Could this be related to the sudden appearance of the new monsters?’
He wondered if the dragon, slumbering within the dimensional fragment, could have caused this, and at the same time, he considered the possibility that a dragon, a master of magic, might be capable of such a feat.
-You sensed my presence, yet you didn’t awaken me. Not bad for a human.”
Perhaps he should have risked awakening the dragon. He had assumed it would remain dormant, but it had awakened on its own.
He hadn’t even contacted his former master yet, and now a new variable had emerged.
-Are you just going to stand there and watch?”
As it had stated, it didn’t seem to intend to interfere.
Or rather, it seemed incapable of doing anything. After all, its physical body was dead.
‘No, considering it can communicate, I can’t be certain.’
He needed to be cautious.
He quickly used Temporary Base Construction, summoning a large number of undead to reinforce the front lines.
The sudden appearance of the undead, radiating a familiar aura, brought cheers from his companions. They realized he had returned and renewed their assault on the monsters.
The slain monsters were raised as undead, and he simultaneously strengthened his existing undead and bombarded the enemy with curses, unleashing a torrent of demonic energy.
Elosette’s Staff resonated with the temporary base, and the monsters began to fall at an unprecedented rate.
-Hmm. Your magic is quite refined for a young human. And without incantations. Wait a moment, you’re not using mana, but pure demonic energy… just who are you?”
At first, the dragon seemed impressed by his magic, but it quickly realized he wasn’t ordinary, its voice trembling slightly.
Even a dragon was surprised, which meant he was definitely unusual.
-A human wielding pure demonic energy? And without incantations… could you be blessed by demonic energy? A human? And that constant flow of demonic energy… you’re directly connected to the demon realm. Yet, you don’t have the scent of a demon… I suppose if you have access to demonic energy, you wouldn’t need a pact with a demon.”
Despite the dragon’s ramblings, he focused on the battle.
Sensing his presence as a threat, several monsters charged towards him, but Kayla, with her heightened senses, intercepted them before they could reach the temporary base.
He layered curses on the monsters targeting him, weakening them enough for Kayla to decapitate them with a single swing, despite their considerable strength.
-You seem quite experienced for someone so young… and your undead are also high-level. You’re an interesting one.”
The dragon’s voice regained its composure.
Perhaps due to his and Kayla’s arrival, the monsters at the rear began to flee.
Ironically, those at the front, consumed by bloodlust, continued to fight until they were overwhelmed and slain.
With the battle concluded, he transformed the temporary base into an underground tomb, and the dragon spoke again.
-Ashen Construction as well… could you be a half-demon?”
“You know that’s impossible.”
-Indeed. A half-demon would have a distinct scent. If I was alive, I would have made you my test subject. What a shame.”
In other words, it couldn’t do anything to him in it’s current state.
He was relieved, but he didn’t let his guard down.
His companions, having finished off the remaining monsters, were approaching, and Untinia was among them.
He quickly addressed the dragon.
“Can we still communicate if I close the dimensional fragment?”
-No.”
“Then we’ll talk later.”
-Hmm. Very well. I’ve grown curious about you as well. I expect you to return soon.”
He closed the dimensional fragment and greeted Athena.
“Phew, you arrived just in time. We would have had to retreat into the tower if you were any later. You found out quickly.”
“Rabid and Gagar fell.”
Athena fell silent at his calm reply, and Baldur spoke.
“I apologize. I failed to protect those you entrusted to me.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I understand the situation. If we can find any trace of them, resurrection isn’t impossible.”
However, judging by the situation, it would be difficult.
Annelise looked devastated.
Cereo, her dedicated protector, had fallen.
And because he had been so far away, even resurrection was unlikely. The faint connection he had with Cereo was almost gone.
There was still hope for Gagar, who was stronger and had left behind more demonic energy, but Rabid and Cereo were effectively lost.
While he understood her grief, there was nothing he could do at the moment.
Undead weren’t truly immortal. Their existence was conditional.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
Baldur still looked ashamed, unable to meet his gaze.
Then, Golun mumbled.
-Master, I’m sorry. I… I couldn’t protect it. I lost all my subordinates.”
“I told you to retreat if it was too dangerous. You retreated successfully and helped defend this place. You should be commended, not ashamed. Don’t be discouraged.”
Unlike Baldur, Golun seemed somewhat relieved by his words.
“You seem close to your companions. It’s reassuring. And heartwarming.”
It was Untinia.
She seemed pleased, perhaps assuming his treatment of the other companions and undead would extend to Annelise.
“Thank you for your assistance. I apologize for dragging you into a dangerous situation and forcing you to fight.”
“Don’t mention it. Even though I’ve left my house, I couldn’t stand by and watch a child with dark elf blood struggle. And I’m actually glad I came here.”
“I expected you to be skilled, but I didn’t anticipate this level of power. The Ashen Constructions, including the Tower of Ghosts, at least two undead comparable to the Knight Banneret I saw at Desert Shield, another companion I hadn’t seen before, and even specialized mage and priest-type undead. Frankly, I’m quite impressed.”
She had practically seen his entire force.
Fortunately, he had managed to conceal the dimensional fragment, Mutre the dwarf, and the dragon’s existence.
‘I should have hidden the Tower of Ghosts as well.’
He cursed the Goddess Religion again.
If it weren’t for them, Untinia wouldn’t have come here.
‘But the damage would have been greater.’
Objectively, the early arrival of Athena, Annelise, and Untinia had been a significant advantage.
However, he would have preferred to keep his secrets, even at the cost of greater losses.
It was in the past now.
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and addressed Untinia.
“I apologize, but it seems returning to the mainland will be difficult for a while. Can you contact your people?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t. I don’t know what’s happened, but communication is impossible.”
If he couldn’t contact them, he couldn’t inform them of the situation…
It couldn’t be helped. At least Prina was aware that something was happening here. He could only hope she would relay the information.
Untinia simply nodded when he explained the situation.
“It can’t be helped. I can see that the situation isn’t favorable. I won’t insist on leaving. And… even if I could, I would prefer to stay.”
He looked at her quizzically, and she smiled.
“I want to protect Annelise, and… I’ve realized that Do Inha-nim is far more valuable than I initially thought.”
In other words, she intended to use this opportunity to place him in her debt.
‘It’s not a bad thing.’
While he didn’t like being indebted to others, Untinia seemed to view it as an investment.
She had seemingly upgraded her assessment of him from Annelise’s protector to a potential long-term ally of House Riiaia.
She seemed to be considering the possibility of a deeper, more substantial alliance.
And he needed her help.
Judging by her performance in the earlier battle, she was quite skilled, and even if she wasn’t, he needed all the help he could get in this situation.
“Thank you for your high regard.”
“I should be blaming myself for not recognizing your true worth sooner.”
“I’m grateful for your assistance, especially in our current predicament.”
As their conversation concluded, Athena spoke.
“Oh, Inha. About that lake…”
“It dried up instantly.”
“Dried up instantly?”
“Yeah. The blood drained away as if there was a hole in the bottom.”
His expression hardened, and he asked Orie.
“Orie. Is the Tower of Ghosts alright?”
-It became slightly unstable, but there were no major problems.”
“I see… what about the other constructions?”
-The total amount of demonic energy decreased slightly.”
Something was disrupting mana and affecting the constructions made of demonic energy… He couldn’t determine the cause with the limited information he had.
“I understand. I’ll investigate later.”
While his companions had rushed to greet him, they looked exhausted. He and Kayla were also fatigued.
They hadn’t slept properly since leaving Desert Shield. He desperately needed rest, and he suggested they return to the tower.
The undead, who didn’t need sleep, would stand guard.
Golun also offered to take the night shift, and Orie promised to wake them if anything happened.
Exhausted, they readily agreed, and as soon as they entered the tower, they dispersed to their respective rooms.
They had spent enough time here to have their own rooms.
It seemed Orie had arranged them, likely to keep him out of his research lab.
After everyone had fallen asleep, he summoned Orie and instructed her to transfer some of the life force she had collected through Energy Drain.
-You look exhausted. Wouldn’t it be better to just sleep?”
“I have something important to do.”
It wasn’t because he was unwilling to expend his own life force.
Orie was genuinely concerned about him.
Despite her repeated objections, she eventually complied, and he felt refreshed, as if he had just woken from a good night’s sleep.
While repeatedly using this method wasn’t ideal, and actual sleep was always the best option, he couldn’t afford to waste any time.
-I’ll be inside the dimensional fragment for a while.”
-I’ll set up a barrier to conceal what’s happening inside and send one of my Specters if the enemy attacks. I’ll leave the entrance open, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”
Thanks to Orie’s control over the Tower of Ghosts, all of this was possible.
“I’ll go with you.”
Kayla entered the room, startling Orie.
She hadn’t sensed Kayla’s approach.
While she still trained Athena, she no longer used her assassin skills in combat.
Yet, she seemed to have maintained her proficiency.
It wasn’t surprising. One could learn by teaching.
“You must be tired.”
“I know I’m being stubborn. But I need to go.”
She glanced at Orie before continuing.
“You’re going to see the dragon, aren’t you?”
Her words shocked Orie.
He must have assumed he could trust Orie and decided to tell her.
He was also trying to bring her onto his side.
‘Now that she knows, he won’t let me go alone.’
As expected, Orie sided with Kayla.
While she didn’t seem to enjoy this kind of thing, she must have been worried.
Having an extra escort wouldn’t hurt, so he didn’t argue, and he and Kayla entered the dimensional fragment, leaving Orie to guard the entrance.
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-You’ve returned quickly. Hmm. The woman beside you came as well. Your personal guard? She wields a strangely familiar sword.”
Kayla flinched.
Unlike before, the dragon seemed to be addressing both of them.
“Where’s Mutre, the dwarf?”
-He’s underground. He asked about you, but the insolent creature refused to answer.
“You didn’t harm him, did you?”
-Not particularly. I was displeased, but he’s not mine to command. He chose to remain underground.
The dragon claimed to have shown him that courtesy.
Just in case, he went to check on Mutre and found him safe, as the dragon had said.
He explained the situation outside and asked Mutre to remain inside the dimensional fragment for a while, despite the inconvenience.
Mutre looked pale but eventually accepted the reality of the situation after seeing his resolve.
He wanted to let Mutre out.
However, he wanted to keep Mutre’s existence hidden from Untinia, so he had no choice but to ask him to stay inside.
‘It’s safer here anyway.’
After speaking with Mutre, he headed towards where he had stored the dragon’s corpse.
-There’s no need to come here.
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