Chapter 212

Chapter 212

- A few requirements have to be met if one wants to animate the best undead creature out there.

A hypothesis was about to become a fact.

Joshua's glare hardened as he walked.

Joshua’s eyes darkened as he walked. If what Lugia said was true, then it would be possible for him to animate even the Twelve Superhumans and use them as if they were an extension of himself. Joshua didn’t have the whole story, but it was intriguing nonetheless.

- First, the caster. You need to find a magician who’s familiar with the death contract, but you don’t need to worry about this part. You’re in luck. I, Lugia, can do that!

‘...’

- Second, a vessel for the soul to reside in. Thanks to that big ignorant brute burying the corpse like it actually means something, I don’t think that we’re going to have any problems in that department. After all, the best vessel is the soul’s original body.

Joshua could hear the triumphant tone in Lugia’s voice.

- As for demonic power... as far as I can tell, you’re fully capable of utilizing demonic power. If my assumptions are correct, then your strong affinity with demonic power will smooth out any problems.

‘...’

- It has been less than twenty-four hours since he died, and it’s a beautiful day... This is the perfect time to animate him.

At that, Joshua finally spoke.

‘Sure, you know how to handle everything, but what can you do when you’re just a will?’?

- Oh? You’re finally interested? Hm, you’re pretty greedy, you know that?

‘It’s just a legend, but everyone knows that you can’t form a death knight’s contract without the contractee’s permission.’

- Well, a death knight wouldn’t be a death knight otherwise...

Joshua’s figure twitched.

‘What?’

- As you said, I can’t turn him into a death knight through sheer force of will, even if I were the demon king. So why waste your time, right? You have to find a way around the problem. In this case, the solution I have is the best.

‘...’?Joshua remained silent as Lugia continued.

- I’m going to turn him into a dullahan that has become a myth, even in the Demon Realm. I’m going to turn him into a Dullahan Lord.

‘...!’

- Naturally, the requirements are a lot and stringent to do so, but...

Lugia continued speaking, and Joshua’s eyes widened with each word.

“Master?” Cain gave Joshua a concerned look when the latter suddenly stopped walking. Everyone was already inside the gates aside from Cain and Joshua in the back. They were the only ones remaining outside the castle.

“You should go ahead.”

“Yes?” Cain asked, seemingly dumbfounded.

“Your Majesty?” Leo de Grans approached with his slightly red ears.

“I have to go.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, and it might take me some time.”

“Then, I—” Cain started.

However, Joshua quickly shook his head. “You two need to get to work immediately.”

“Cain,” Joshua called out.

“I-I’m listening!”

“It’s going to be difficult, but we will start the campaign at noon.”

“Campaign?” Cain asked with wide eyes.

“We’re going to Aiden Gorge. We’ll leave the bare minimum number of troops and move as quickly as possible.

“U-ummm...” Cain hesitated. It was obvious that he had no idea what was going on.

Fortunately, someone gave him an answer.

“So, you’re planning on dealing with Count Cox and the other traitors.”

“Icarus?” Cain’s eyes widened as he stared at the blue-eyed strategist approaching them.

“If you don’t dig up the roots, the weeds could spring up at any moment. We don’t want a thorn in our foot.”

“Yes?”

“There is a problem, though. I’m sure there’s another way out of the basin.”

“I already sent someone there.”

“Someone...? Ah!” Icarus’s eyes lit up.

“I sent him to the Dennis River and told him to find them.”

“Who the hell is he? I don’t think I’ve heard his name yet...”

“I’ll tell you next time,” muttered Joshua without even lifting his head.

For some reason, Joshua’s reply annoyed Icarus. However, how could she possibly say that she was upset over something so trivial? Icarus unknowingly clenched her tiny fists in frustration as she inwardly muttered, ‘Why am I being like this?’

Fortunately, Cain was here to distract Icarus. Cain started nodding as if he actually knew what was going on, eliciting a doubtful look from Icarus.

“Don’t worry, Master. If that’s the case, then go ahead. But, I’m worried that you’d leave me behind. So, I’ve decided that you can’t leave without my permission. I’m watching you for the next twenty-four hours, so don’t you try and trick me.”

Once Cain’s words fell, a sharp voice echoed from behind.

“What's going on?”

Icarus and Cain both tossed a confused look over their shoulders.

“Oh, I wasn’t trying to...” Iceline, who was still clad in her robe and cloak from top to bottom, started blushing when she found that everyone was looking at her.

The others went silent.

Iceline had no idea why they went silent all of a sudden, but the others had the same thoughts in their minds.

‘So, the cloaked figure is a woman...’

“Master...” Cain barely managed to avoid looking angry as he said, “Seriously, you have some problems...”

“Playboy,” said Icarus while staring at Joshua as if she were looking at a despicable man.

For once, Cain and Icarus actually agreed on something rather than fighting.

Joshua sighed and said, “Leo...”

“What is it, Your Majesty? Please feel free to speak.”

“...” Joshua was instantly silenced when he saw Leo de Grans.

Why?

It was all because of the sheer look of admiration in Leo de Grans’ eyes. Leo de Grans seemed to admire him even more after he defeated the Mercenary King.

Leo de Grans was looking at him with such a burdensome gaze that Joshua had no choice but to cough awkwardly. He could only try his best to ignore it.

“Take the Wilhelm Knights with you and head straight back to Reinhardt.”

“Yes, yes. We will also assist, of course—” Leo de Grans stopped talking. He stared at Joshua and repeatedly blinked before asking. “Did Your Majesty say Reinhardt instead of Aiden Gorge?”

“Yes.”

“But why...?”

Rather than answering Leo de Grans’ plea for an explanation, Joshua turned to look at Icarus.

Icarus nodded at Joshua and explained, “Reinhardt is in danger.”

“Yes?”

“EHHH?”

Leo de Grans and Cain were dumbfounded. They found it hard to believe that Reinhardt would fall in danger. It was so unbelievable that they couldn’t help but think that their ears were malfunctioning.

“Reinhardt had always been a neutral city, and it has long become tantamount to a symbol of peace. However, all of a sudden, they appeared in the middle of Avalon to help a noble of Avalon in a territorial war...”

“With that being said, how do you think that people will react?” asked Icarus.

“But we didn’t come here for Reinhardt’s vested interests, we came here to—”

“Sir Leo’s thoughts don’t matter at all,” interrupted Icarus.

“...” Leo de Grans remained silent.

“People will always believe what they want to believe. This is Reinhardt we’re talking about. It’s powerful, a natural fortress, and the only neutral city on the continent.” Icarus looked away from the confused Leo de Grans to Joshua. “To be honest, I still don’t get it. The Wilhelm Knights could have only come here if His Majesty the Emperor allowed them to cross the border.”

“Well, His Majesty allowed Marquis Crombell and the Mercenary King’s collaboration, so I don’t think we should worry about that,” said Cain.

Icarus nodded at Cain's words. n0Velusb.c0m

“It seems that you don’t understand His Majesty at all.”

“Young Lady, please speak in a language that we can understand...”

“It’s plain as day—he wants to obtain Reinhardt.”

“...!” Leo de Grans’ eyes widened.

“Wow...” Cain shook his head, but he wasn’t even surprised. The other nations referred to the Emperor of Avalon as a madman for his warlike tendencies, so it was no surprise that he wanted to conquer Reinhardt.

Icarus stared at Joshua’s handsome face and continued. “Since our hero won the Master Battle, he must have decided that now is the best time to take over Reinhardt. The shape of the continent will be decided on how our master here acts.”

“...!” Everyone stewed in their own astonishment for quite a while.

“Right now, not much is happening. However, we’re already in the midst, so whatever Master does, it could drastically alter the future and the shape of the continent,” said Icarus.

Cain started trembling. Why did it seem like the world was made for his master? If he hadn’t decided to dedicate his entire life to serving Joshua Sanders, would he ever get to feel such emotions?

Beneath the moonlight, Icarus’ blue eyes gleamed sharply as she asked, “What are you going to do, Master?”

Joshua was silent for a long time. Eventually, he emerged from his thoughts and finally spoke, “I will...”

***

- Kraaaa!

The skies above the Black Monster Forest were torn apart by a bestial roar as an enormous shadow tore through the canopy.

The monster was so huge that it looked like a floating castle.

Mighty man-eating ogres held their breaths, the nigh-unkillable trolls cowered in the shadows, and the orc trembled amidst their hordes...

The Beast of Tripia’s proud golden eyes stared at the ground. Aside from its astounding features and size, the Beast of Tripia also possessed impenetrable pitch-black scales that covered its entire body.

The word ‘overwhelming’ wasn’t enough to describe this beast.

- Kraaaa!

It was widely acclaimed to be the strongest creature in the world. Yes, the Beast of Tripia was none other than a dragon, and it roared ferociously as it flew.