Chapter 411: Player's Undead Minion (Part 1)
The Lich stepped into the familiar yet alien Castle of Weeping Souls, and instantly, a Human researcher in a pristine white lab coat and surgical mask approached with a polite bow.
"Good evening, I’m Maxi Choulin, researcher at the EmpireMagic Ministry. You must be the Orestes主管 the higher-ups mentioned. Please, follow me—I’ll show you around your new workspace."
Maxi bowed slightly, extending a hand with formal courtesy. He was used to this—after all, in the Empire of Ashen, where every race rubbed shoulders, one’s superior could be any creature at all. Even a Lich.
"Uh… hello," Orestes replied, hesitating before shaking the man’s hand. It had been centuries—over three hundred, at least—since anyone had dared stand before him without fear. He had not felt such a gesture in a lifetime.
Yet as he listened to the Human’s words, a strange sense of absurdity settled over him. This was his home—the very same Castle of Weeping Souls he had ruled for three centuries. Every corner, every shadow, every whispering echo in the stone corridors was etched into his soul. And yet now, he needed a stranger to guide him through it.
But this was the Master’s will. There was no refusal.
"My Soul Lantern?" Orestes asked.
"Oh,主管," Maxi said with a hint of apology, "that would be unbecoming of the Empire’s dignity. The wandering souls have already been dealt with. We’ve replaced them with the latest model—electric lamps."
"This… this is the Howling Corridor?" Orestes frowned.
"Exposing Undead like this is too risky," Maxi explained. "We’ve reinforced the entire structure for safety."
"And the Death Butchery Chamber?"
"The Empire’s specialists insisted that biological experiments require sterile, controlled environments. We’ve equipped the lab with the most advanced tools for anatomical studies—helping us unlock the mysteries of Undead physiology."
"..."
Maxi paused, sensing the silence. Concern flickered in his eyes.
"主管… are you all right?"
"I’m fine. Continue."
Ahead, the grand office loomed—once the heart of the old Castle of Weeping Souls, now transformed into the most prestigious chamber in the newly established Undead Research Institute.
"Higher authorities specifically instructed me," Maxi said, "that though you are Undead, you must go above and beyond. Your contributions to the Empire have been immense. You’re the model we all strive to emulate."
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
A dozen researchers in white coats emerged from adjacent rooms, applauding warmly. The sound echoed through the sterile halls.
"Is this Orestes主管?"
"Long admired in the ranks!"
"I hear he’s transformed over a hundred thousand Undead for the Empire—truly a hero among us!"
"Yes! Using a body worn thin by centuries, yet still serving the Empire without rest—no wonder he was personally chosen by the Emperor."
"I’ve heard the Emperor only created this institute because of Orestes主管. We should all be grateful."
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Orestes stood frozen in the midst of it all, bewildered and increasingly aware of just how strange the Empire of Ashen truly was.
These Humans… they weren’t afraid of him. They admired him.
Maxi pushed open the door with a flourish.
The blood-stained, bone-littered, corpse-riddled hall of old was gone.
In its place stood a bright, clean, modern office space—simple, efficient, and utterly foreign to the Lich.
"..."
Orestes fell into silence once more. The flicker of his soul flame deep in his eye sockets trembled, dimming and flaring like a dying candle.
Suddenly, a sharp bang! Bang! echoed from a metal cabinet nearby—something inside was struggling.
Orestes turned slowly, as if he had known all along.
He approached, wiped the cabinet’s surface clean with a gloved hand, and opened it.
Inside, bound in chains and trapped behind glass, was the Bone Quill—the old, familiar pen that once wrote his spells. It still twitched and jerked, struggling to write.
And beside it, sealed in another display case, lay the Human Skin Journal. Its face-covering had been replaced with a brand-new, shiny cover—emblazoned with the Imperial Medal.
"This… this…" Maxi looked down, apologetic. "The Engineering Division said such relics damage the Empire’s image. We gave them a proper presentation. Please forgive the… alterations."
"Ah…" Orestes exhaled, long and heavy.
"Stop touching them."
With a sigh, he reached into the glass, and the two artifacts—Bone Quill and Journal—pulled themselves free, as if released from a spell.
In the past, any Human who had dared provoke him would have been turned into an Undead slave, their entire village consumed by undeath.
But now? The Lich was under the roof of another.
"Understood,主管."
"Ah, one more thing—I’ve brought the Emperor’s newest orders. This will likely be your primary duty from now on. Please review it yourself."
Maxi pulled out a golden-edged scroll—the Emperor’s Edict—and handed it over with reverence.
Orestes leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the parchment. The ghost flame in his eye sockets flared violently. His back sagged, as if the weight of centuries had just crushed him.
"主管?"
"You’re… all right?"
"You may rest for a few days. The Emperor said the task hasn’t begun yet."
On the desk, the Bone Quill continued writing, its ink flowing without pause.
October 3, 1786. I only now realize—this Castle of Weeping Souls… or rather, the Undead Research Institute—has utterly ceased to belong to me.
---
Isdalia, Ashen Emperor’s Square.
The city pulsed with life. Crowds flowed like rivers, steam locomotives clattered along the rails, belching thick plumes of smoke—yet the people barely glanced up. To them, the Iron Horses were as common as the wind.
As the Empire’s flagship metropolis, Isdalia drew citizens from every corner of Anzeta. And now, with a flurry of new quests being issued like snowflakes across the land, nearly forty thousand Players had gathered here—drawn by endless opportunities, abundant resources, and the promise of rapid advancement. On forums, veteran guides had already dubbed it the "Newbie Rapid Growth Holyland."
On the Stellar Fall Bulletin Board, Tiefling Guards peeled off the old posters for the Experience Point Shop and replaced them with fresh, glossy announcements.
"Empire’s New Announcement!"
"Hey! Look here! This one looks interesting!"
Players flooded toward the board like waves crashing against a shore. The crowd pressed so tightly it was nearly impossible to breathe.
"Another money trap? Is it Dragon Overlord’s Secret Treasure coming back? If I buy this again, I’ll eat my own dog!"
"You mean Opening Boxes? Kai Xiusu’s Secret Treasure? That one’s actually fair. I spent five gold coins and got a Green Gear. If I’d bought it outright, it’d cost fifty!"
"Seal it in hell!"
"Wait—this isn’t Opening Boxes! It’s a brand-new Undead Minion!"
"Undead Minion?"
"What’s that? Sounds… promising."
Every new poster change signaled a new frontier. Veteran Players surged forward, and within minutes, the news spread across the forums like wildfire.
Less than ten minutes later, the square teemed with nearly ten thousand Players.
(End of Chapter)
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