https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-411-Player-s-Undead-Minion-Part-1-/13676817/
Chapter 410: Undead Research Institute
“New Era 17869, September 14th — Transformed seventy thousand Skeletons on the Okgaral Plain for King Kai Xiusu.”
“New Era 17869, September 16th — Transformed two hundred Frost Giant Corpses from Storm Ridge for King Kai Xiusu.”
“1786, September 16th — Transformed six thousand Skeletons on the Plain for King Kai Xiusu.”
“1786, September 18th — Transformed…”
Inside the Castle of Weeping Souls, the bone quill continued scribbling furiously across The Diary of the Great and Immortal Orestes.
Orestes had long been accustomed to keeping a diary. He had bound the Bone Quill to his Soul Link, transforming it into something akin to a living undead entity—capable of sensing, feeling, and recording the emotions of the Lich at all times.
“Imperial Special Operations Unit, move in!”
“Do not move, undead! Any sudden action will scatter your souls to oblivion!”
Suddenly, a squad of Tiefling soldiers wielding specially enchanted Necromancy Weapons smashed through the castle’s gates, charging into the now-defenseless Castle of Weeping Souls.
The Bone Quill froze mid-scribble, leapt in panic, and scurried up to the shelf. The leather-bound diary itself slowly snapped shut.
Arcane Division mages entered next, scanning the Rune Arrays and Traps within the castle, neutralizing them one by one. Though Kai Xiusu had already disrupted most of the spells during his Barge In, some hidden remnants still lingered in the shadows—traps too subtle for ordinary perception.
Once the Tiefling Guard confirmed the area was secure, officials from the Imperial Engineering Department stepped forward. Most were Humans, their eyes scanning every corner with cold precision.
They wandered through the entire Castle of Weeping Souls, pointing and criticizing everything they saw.
“These Human Skull Ornaments are far too bloody—unsuitable for the Empire’s image.”
“And this Skin Throne—so evil. What would the Stellarfallen think if they saw it? Replace it!”
“The Chief Minister himself said: this place must reflect the Empire’s grandeur. We won’t allow a Lich’s repulsive taste to taint it!”
Outside the gates, the Empire’s Construction Crew stood ready—Ogres, Bear Goliaths, and Frost Giant Slaves pushing massive construction equipment, lugging heavy steel beams and carrying concrete mix.
Having learned the craft during the rebuilding of Isdalia, the Empire Construction Crew had become masterful—even without player assistance, they could execute complex construction quests flawlessly, especially with the massive machinery provided by the Mechanical Divinity.
Undoubtedly, this centuries-old Castle of Weeping Souls was about to undergo a transformation beyond recognition.
Boom!
The heavy iron ball from the crane crashed down, shattering the stone door engraved with a Skull Ensign in a thunderous explosion.
“Watch it! Don’t hit the load-bearing walls!”
---
Across the Empire, on the Afton Plain, Orestes—midway through preparing to Transform Undead—suddenly felt a shiver ripple through his spirit. His expression darkened.
Through his Spiritual Soul Link, he caught sight of something unnatural unfolding at the Castle of Weeping Souls—a massive iron ball tearing through the castle wall.
But that had already happened days ago.
He paused, reflecting. Still, he cautiously probed:
“Master… my Castle of Weeping Souls.”
“My Castle of Weeping Souls?”
“You didn’t already dedicate the Valley of Confusion and the Castle of Weeping Souls to the Empire?”
Kai Xiusu replied, tone flat, feigning confusion.
The Lich nodded rapidly, trembling with deference.
“Of course, of course. Everything in the Valley of Confusion belongs to the Empire.”
“I only wished to ask—what changes are being made to the Castle of Weeping Souls?”
“After all… it will be my workplace from now on.”
Kai Xiusu glanced at him, his voice calm.
“Now, it is an Empire public facility. The Empire will handle all arrangements. You need not concern yourself with such matters. Your only duty is to transform Undead for me.”
“As for what changes occur… you will learn when the time comes.”
“Yes, Master.”
Orestes bowed again.
After days of relentless exploitation, the once-mighty Lich—a being of legendary stature with vast Spiritual Soul power—had become hollowed out, drained.
The Ghost Flame in his eye sockets flickered weakly, like a dying candle. His body no longer radiated the thick, oppressive aura of death—because he could no longer afford to. He was conserving every ounce of energy just to maintain his existence, lest he degrade into a Half-Lich.
Kai Xiusu spoke, voice steady:
“Orestes, your recent contributions have been substantial. I’ve taken notice. These Afton Plain transformations are the final batch.”
“In two days, you may return to the Valley of Confusion.”
“Yes, Master!”
The Lich trembled on his knees, a surge of emotion threatening to break through—almost tears of joy.
For days, he had transformed over a hundred thousand Undead. His century-long accumulation of Soul Power was nearly gone, leaving only a sliver to keep him alive.
It was finally over!
At least he could return to the Valley of Confusion, free from the constant dread of “serving a king like a tiger.”
But Kai Xiusu added, “However… your Spiritual Soul seems insufficient.”
“Here’s an offer: allow you to retain five hundred Undead during this transformation—your personal possession.”
“M-Many thanks, Master!”
After days of subtle psychological conditioning, Kai Xiusu had nearly implanted the doctrine into Orestes’ soul: Undead belong solely to the Emperor.
It should have been natural—his own creations, his own domain.
But now, the Lich felt an overwhelming, almost unbelievable excitement. He hadn’t tasted the sweet feedback of Soul Control or the thrill of commanding his own undead in days.
And now—this greedy, stingy Red Dragon Master was allowing him to keep some of his own!
“Master… is this… truly real?”
Orestes’ bony hand, clutching the scepter, trembled. He feared he’d misheard. He felt honored beyond measure.
“This is an exception.”
“I said: the Empire never forgets those who contribute.”
“Now, begin.”
The Lich nodded, trembling with excitement, raised his scepter, and began the incantation—familiar, effortless.
Another eleven thousand Skeletons burst from the earth, rising in formation, assembling into a vast Undead Skeleton Army.
But among them—five hundred were his own.
“Good.”
“Standard achieved.”
Kai Xiusu observed the army, giving a slight nod.
The Valley of Confusion already held a hundred thousand Undead Skeletons, already under the Empire’s Powerful Military Power. They weren’t needed as soldiers.
Instead, they were used for mining, transport, and exploration in the pitch-black depths of the Underdark, or in total darkness—cheap, expendable labor, the ultimate Consumable Resources.
Later, when the Player’s technological tree advanced far enough, these skeletons could even be repurposed for Power Generation.
“And Orestes,” Kai Xiusu murmured, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
“This valuable Lich must not go to waste. He will serve the Player—perfectly, sustainably, and endlessly.”
In Kai Xiusu’s design, every Undead would be seamlessly integrated into the Empire’s system. And so would the Lich.
With the work completed, and with Kai Xiusu’s verbal approval, the Lich was finally allowed to return to the Valley of Confusion.
But Orestes stood frozen before the newly rebuilt Castle of Weeping Souls, staring at the strange, unfamiliar construction.
This was no longer the old, decaying, cursed fortress. The grotesque piles of mangled limbs and dried bloodstains had vanished.
In their place stood a cold, sleek Metallic Gate, smooth, white walls, and an overwhelming Industrial Aesthetic—pure, clean, and unmistakably Empire.
Even at night, under the glow of Modern Electric Lamps, the interior blazed with light.
And at the entrance, a prominent metal plaque stood out.
—Undead Research Institute.
“My Castle of Weeping Souls…?”
Orestes stared at the words, whispering, dazed.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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