Ashen Dragon-Chapter 415 - 338 Undead Scourge

Chapter 415: Chapter 338 Undead Scourge

The truth proved that the more one feared something happening, the more likely it was to happen.

Soon, Cassius’s command came.

“Orestes, transform all the Bluefoot Dragon-snakes here into undead skeletons.”

“…”

The lich remained silent for a moment before stammering, “Master, but such a consumption is too great, I…”

Although the Scepter of Milco had the ability to cast Ninth Tier Spells like Undead Scourge, the transformation of undead still required the spellcaster to expend their own strength.

And to transform creatures as massive as the Bluefoot Dragon-snakes into undead skeletons would consume an enormous amount.

There were over a hundred Bluefoot Dragon-snake skeletons here!

If all the Bluefoot Dragon-snakes present were to be transformed into undead creatures, it would be enough to create a terrifying Skeleton Legion, but it would also consume one-third of the soul power he had accumulated over hundreds of years.

Even more pitifully, transformed undead usually provided soul feedback to the necromancer who summoned them.

Yet the undead transformed by the lich—their master could solely be Cassius, while he himself was no more than a medium for summoning, practically a sacrificial offering, with no control or extraction rights over these undead.

“There are no buts.”

“Or do you intend to defy my orders?”

Cassius lowered his head to gaze at the lich, an invisible Dragon’s Might descending, with a clear threat in his pale golden eyes.

Next to him, Hart also drew his long knife and placed it against the lich’s neck, “Lich! Do you dare defy His Majesty’s orders?”

“Quickly, perform the transformation for His Majesty!”

In the past, a mere newly-born Corpse Demon would never have been taken seriously by the lich.

But now, under the terrifying pressure of the Red Dragon, Orestes could only tremble, utterly helpless, even recalling the scene where the Red Dragon tore the ground open moments ago, feeling horrified by it.

He desperately tried to convince himself internally, “It’s just a little bit of soul power… Maybe serving this Red Dragon will bring me more strength later.”

Hart scolded again, “Hurry up! Do you want His Majesty to wait for you?”

Orestes finally lowered his head and rasped, “Of course not, master, I was just thinking about how to transform the most perfect undead skeletons for you… to live up to your great expectations.”

The Red Dragon laughed, “Heh, that’s more like it. Go ahead then.”

“This is merely a necessary cost.”

“This amount of soul power is nothing.”

Comforting himself in silence, the lich raised the Scepter of Milco with a tragic expression.

This scepter, originally intended to cause an Undead Scourge in Anzeta and fulfill Milco’s soul sacrifice task, was now used by the lich to create an undead legion for the Red Dragon.

With a sorrowful face, Orestes chanted, “Long-buried bones, I call upon your return…”

Undead Scourge

The eerie glow on the Scepter of Bones flickered, releasing an immensely powerful necromantic energy.

“Creak, creak…”

A faint sound emerged.

The Bluefoot Dragon-snake skeletons on the ground began to tremble continuously, with scattered bones gradually piecing and gathering together as a mist of necromantic energy enshrouded them, connecting the bones.

“Rustle, rustle…”

The sound of bones rubbing against each other and the rocks could be heard.

The skeletons assembled into dragon-snakes started moving like they did in life, wriggling forward, their dozens of skeletal feet quickly paddling along.

In the end, all the hundred-plus Bluefoot Dragon-snake skeletons were transformed into undead skeletons, these dozens-meter-long behemoths roamed the ground and walls like living creatures, coiling together clumsily from time to time.

“I am your master!”

“Roar——”

When Cassius’s will descended, over a hundred skeleton dragon-snakes bowed their heads to the Red Dragon, letting out hoarse roars, creating a rather grand scene.

Unlike the intelligent Corpse Demons, skeleton dragon-snakes were purely undead servants driven by the most basic instincts.

These creatures, originally created by giants specifically to combat dragons, were now weapons under the command of a Red Dragon, which was quite ironic.

“Your Majesty… The transformation is complete.”

The lich’s voice sounded particularly dejected, the ghostly flames in his eye sockets dimmed a bit.

Evidently, a considerable amount of soul energy had been drained from him to transform these undead skeletons.

“My soul!”

The lich silently cried out in his heart.

“You did well.”

“Tsk tsk, it’s a pity that the legendary Storm Giant turned into dust. Otherwise, I could have resurrected him for labor.”

Cassius sighed regretfully.

Randta had stored all his power in the Eye of the Storm King during his lifetime, and once the equipment was seized, the body turned to dust due to the loss of power.

The elder Storm Giant from thousands of years ago probably hadn’t expected that such a move would save him from being dragged out of the grave for labor.

Listening to Cassius’s words, Orestes felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

Transforming a legendary Storm Giant!

Who knew how drained his soul power would have been! Thank goodness it didn’t leave a full corpse!

The lich breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

Watching the skeleton dragon-snakes, Cassius looked quite pleased.

These skeleton dragon-snakes were immensely useful, not only as excellent fighters but also for mining and transporting supplies—they were a vital foundation for his conquest of the Gloomy Region.

Although these undead skeletons couldn’t appear in daylight, the Gloomy Region never had daylight.

“Marquis Hart.”

“Present, Your Majesty.”

Cassius lightly waved his claw, pulling a bone whip from the tip of a skeleton dragon-snake’s tail and tossing it in front of the Corpse Demon.

“I grant you control over these skeleton dragon-snakes. They will form your undead legion, aiding the Empire’s conquest of the Gloomy Region.”

“Lately…those Drow Elves have been quite unruly.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!”

Hart immediately knelt, respectfully receiving it, his bloodless face gleaming with joy and ambition.

Aside from being obedient to their master, Corpse Demons harbored deep-seated hatred for the living and a thirst for slaughter, and war—was the perfect outlet for it.

“Go ahead, I have already made arrangements.”

Cassius casually opened a portal to Rackman Castle and the Twilight Garden.

There lay the portal to Dragon Shadow City, a place once belonging to Mortifael but now completely occupied by him, though still a desolate ruin, with only part of the Empire’s forces stationed there.

Besides Hart, several generals from the Empire’s Military Department, and even numerous players, were sent there, all meticulously planning for the war.

The Gloomy Region had few unified nations, consisting mostly of city-states, families, and villages, with various races and forces intertwined, allowing the Empire to expand in the underground world.

Yet, the Empire did not intend to fully occupy this chaotic place but sought to establish a foothold, creating a few reliable bases in the darkness.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“I will show the Gloomy Region’s mongrels…the strength of the Empire.”

Hart, wielding the bone whip, steered the dragon-snake skeletons through the portal, his long-stopped, perforated heart thrumming with excitement.

Reviving from death was already an unexpected joy, let alone commanding a fierce army to wage wars everywhere.

“He’s going to conquer the Gloomy Region?”

“This is a perfect opportunity! The battlefield’s countless vengeful spirits can replenish my lost soul power!”

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Orestes thought to himself.

He approached, his decayed head fawningly smiling, “Master, I too can accompany Marquis Hart to the Gloomy Region, serving the Empire faithfully there. I believe my necromancy skills can significantly aid the Empire’s conquest of the Gloomy Region…”

“Orestes, this is only the first batch of undead you need to transform.”

“Moreover, it would be a waste to send you to the Gloomy Region. I have other plans for you.”

“Yes…Master.”

The lich’s smile instantly froze, his bony hand holding the Scepter of Bones trembling slightly.

The situation seemed to be getting worse, beyond his expectations.

And what did “first batch” mean?

Did it imply he had to convert many more undead that weren’t his?

Though liches harbored few emotions of the living, for the first time, the ghostly flames in Orestes’s hollow eye sockets showed a sense of fatigue called “heart-weary.”