Chaos’ Prelude (3)
Undead beings were inevitably rejected by the world from the very beginning.
Setting aside their grotesque appearance, the fact that a dead corpse moves as if it were alive could only be seen as unpleasant by the living.
Furthermore, the undead, who instinctively desired life while opposing the world’s natural order, would harbor hatred—beyond mere jealousy—when faced with the living.
Peaceful coexistence among them was simply out of the question.
And here, deep within the Northern Mountain Range.
The vicinity of the Undying Castle was a place densely populated by such undead, truly a ‘holy land of death.’
The overwhelming aura of death emanating from their massive number had already withered all the flora and fauna, and the surrounding atmosphere was so polluted that even the stoutest would soon vomit blood and collapse.
Anyone who witnessed this scene would not hesitate to declare it as hell unleashed upon the mortal realm.
Clatter— clatter!
Kiyaaaak—!
Creeeeak—!
At that moment, the undead swarm, which was swarming everywhere, parted to the sides.
Two beings, radiating an exceptionally strong aura of death, approached the entrance of the Undying Castle.
[It’s been quite a while since I was summoned by the king. Let’s hurry.]
A doom knight clad in black armor, Doom Knight Drexler, towering over three meters in height, and—
[…You usually call only a few of the high-ranking members. What’s the occasion this time?]
A spear-wielding General Spartoi, Trev, fully covered in skeletal equipment with a helmet shaped like a dragon’s skull.
They had been hunting monsters outside their territory when they received the sudden summons and quickly returned.
It had been quite some time since the undead had started pouring forth from the Abyss, and the Undead King had begun to act in earnest.
During that time, the Undead Army had been steadily gathering forces not only across the western continent but also in other regions, allowing most of the surviving legion members to gather in one place.
Naturally, many of the high-ranking members who had made significant contributions under the previous Undead King were also among them.
The two beings present were part of that group.
In fact, the spear-wielding Trev, created using the Dragon Heart, ranked within the top ten of the highest-ranking officials—a monstrous being who had gallivanted across the continent for a long time even after suddenly falling into the human world and had only recently joined.
‘I was really looking forward to something starting by that time, though.’
As they passed through the entrance of the Undying Castle heading toward the great hall, Trev couldn’t help but dwell on his dissatisfaction.
When he first heard the news of the Undead King’s resurrection and establishment in the Northern Mountain Range, he had joyfully rushed over and eagerly joined the Undead Army.
To once again burn this body in the invasion plan of the continent that was left unfinished in the previous era.
But…
‘If this was going to happen, it would have been better to stay where I was before coming here.’
He was one of the undead with an especially strong desire for slaughter.
Thus, immediately after breaking free from the borders, he had spent fierce days continuously slaughtering humans in an environment filled entirely with enemies.
‘…What is this childish game? This formidable Undead Army is hiding in a mountain, hunting monsters instead of waging war against humanity!’
He had only wanted to stand at the forefront of war as part of the Undead Army and indulge in slaughter, but the order from the Undead King to “not harm humans indiscriminately” felt like a bolt from the blue.
Though he was currently hunting monsters to quench his thirst, these maddened beasts could not satisfy his desires.
‘Ah, it’s insufficient. I need humans, humans! I want to hold a festival with their screams and blood! How long must I endure this…?’
He had also heard the talk of a three-year reprieve from the hero.
It was a ridiculous assertion, but he thought that since it was the king’s decision, there might be some profound meaning behind it and made an effort to accept it.
However…
‘Then why only send these pathetic low-ranking undead? Does he truly intend to conquer the continent?’
Moreover, he had repeatedly requested to be sent when forces for the continent were to be dispatched, only to be ignored.
Instead, they were sending nothing but numerous useless undead and clueless black mages, leaving him unable to make sense of the current situation.
[We’ve arrived.]
As Trev suppressed his overflowing dissatisfaction and questioned the intentions of the Undead King,
Kiiiii—
He observed Drexler opening the massive doors to the great hall, quickly collecting himself.
No matter how accumulated his grievances were, he could not dare show them in front of the Undead King.
[Are we the last?]
Inside, nearly twenty high-ranking officials were already gathered, prostrating on the floor.
Each one had ranked within the top fifty of the previous Undead Army, being humanity’s worst nemeses responsible for countless casualties.
The two naturally joined them, bowing respectfully toward the empty throne that occupied the higher position.
This Undying Castle was a space solely created by the king’s authority, so if he desired, at any moment he could…
[Is everyone gathered?]
…appear as he had now.
[Indeed, my king… We have all answered your summons…].
[Aah— that’s enough. You all must be busy, so let’s keep it brief.]
In reality, aside from some officials including Olivia, the head of the intelligence department, there wasn’t much for anyone to be occupied with, yet everyone merely bowed quietly, waiting for the king’s next words.
[The festivities have come to an end.]
And what followed from his mouth was:
[I’m getting tired of toying around, it’s time to take this continent… to the world.]
Considering how the king had presented himself until now, it was somewhat a surprising declaration.
However, it was unlikely that someone as formidable as the Undead King would jest about such matters.
Finally realizing this, the vigor of the officials began to rise steadily.
[Kuhuhut— Of course, this time you will have to take the lead yourselves.]
At those words from the king, a few of those prostrating bodies jolted!
‘…I lacked faith. Indeed, the king is…!’
That was the one phrase many officials, including Trev, had long awaited.
*
The undead, multiplying aimlessly, began to organize under the oversight of the Undead’s high-ranking officials.
It wasn’t that they were standing still here as before; for a full-scale invasion of the continent, it was efficient to shape the army.
As everyone busily moved around,
‘Breaking the promise of the three-year grace period isn’t good. Such a waste; nothing replenishes karma as perfectly as a full-scale war.’
The Undead King Hannibal lounged in his throne, observing the progress of events and reevaluating subsequent plans.
‘Ultimately, I wouldn’t care about the human reputation, so not keeping promises wouldn’t matter…’
His true motive wasn’t really to conquer the continent; it was to efficiently accumulate karma.
Of course, this might cause the world to collapse as a result, but for the smooth conduct of the “drama in my living room,” he had to consider Heinrich’s reputation as well.
‘Already, that three-year reprieve has become Heinrich’s achievement. If I were to break that promise, it would tarnish the saint’s honor.’
The church, along with other factions, was proceeding with the belief that there would be no full-scale war for the next three years, thanks to the saint’s assurance.
But what if that trust shattered?
‘Heinrich would suffer a critical blow to his credibility, which would hinder future moves substantially.’
That was something he didn’t desire.
Thinking of future events, such a flaw would naturally hinder the efficient accumulation of karma.
‘Anyway, once the main body awakens, we will return to the previous policy. Therefore, I should prepare for the subsequent events as well.’
He was the great Undead King who had reached a transcendental realm.
Naturally, he was aware that his actions were more radical than usual.
Had it been in the past, the restrictions from his main body would have prevented him from behaving this way.
‘It’s a naive thought. But no matter how I think about it, this is right. I must make as much progress as possible in the next month.’
In other words, Hannibal’s state right now was akin to being intoxicated, with the brakes of self-restraint broken and stubbornly insisting on his whims.
However, he believed that it was his main body affected by unnecessary emotions, thus clouding his rational judgment.
‘Solutions can be made as needed. The only promise made was not to engage in full-scale war, after all.’
Then, he could just utilize what had been promised to Heinrich more actively.
‘More locations, more numbers, stronger elites—.’
He would not hesitate to invade the entire continent.
Of course, he would no longer care about the innocent victims that would be sacrificed in the process.
*
‘This is bad.’
Heinrich frowned, rubbing his temples and exhaling deeply.
‘Hans has begun to move in earnest.’
While the main body was unconscious, it was running amok freely.
In reality, to Seong-hyun Han, it was just like having several brains; even while he slept, unconscious control continued.
Like a person who doesn’t consciously think while breathing or walking.
‘But the situation is different now.’
With the main body’s control completely vanished and the effects of Abyss erosion having thoroughly erased Hans’ self-restraint,
Just as Heinrich was grasping Hans’ psyche, he assumed Hans was also accessing the thoughts of other avatars, yet he disregarded that and ran straight ahead, believing only his thoughts were right.
Truly, this was a minuscule form of trouble.
‘Oh my Holy God, illuminate the way through this adversity.’
While Heinrich was wracked with his troublesome situation, he subconsciously closed his eyes and clasped his hands in prayer.
“…Saint? Are you alright?”
Only when he heard Cardinal Cordelia’s worried voice from beside him did he realize where he was.
‘Oh no.’
This was the conference hall where the continental summit was taking place.
He had been sighing alone and grunting while the meeting progressed.
Naturally, the eyes of the representatives seated at the central circular table had been fixed on him for quite a while.
Except for Heinz II, who sat folding his arms, lost in thought.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I was just for a moment…”
As he was trying to apologize with a forced smile, Heinrich suddenly halted his words and tilted his head slightly.
Thinking about it, now was the best opportunity to inform them of the unusual situation and prepare a response, with all the faction heads gathered in one place.
‘The quicker the response, the better. So I’ll raise this as an urgent matter… hmm?’
As he scanned the seated individuals, something caught his eye.
The figure of Saint Liesta, seemingly anxious and restless, suddenly stood out.
Looking at her, he recalled the conversation they had shared right after hunting the White Giant.
‘Back then, she indeed mentioned that something was unsettling with the Undead King being quiet. That something big might happen in the future.’
It seemed that Saint Liesta had sensed something both then and now.
After all, with her connection to the Holy God being vastly superior, she might have felt something indirectly.
‘If that’s the case, she could have given a clearer revelation.’
It would have been nice if she had informed him as well.
‘It’s probably due to my insufficient faith that it didn’t happen.’
Having thought that far, Heinrich offered a short prayer again to the Holy God with his hands joined in reverence, before slowly turning his gaze back to those watching him.
“A moment ago, the Holy God granted me a revelation.”
Whoosh—
With the divine aura radiating naturally from him came forth a lie as effortless as breathing.
“The Undead King is preparing for an assault of a scale unlike anything we’ve seen until now. …And we must prepare in advance for it.”
The personality of the avatar was a reflection of a part of Seong-hyun Han.
And that remained unaffected whether the main body was conscious or not.
‘Surely, this amount will be tolerated by the Holy God. He’s a generous being, after all.’
Even if Heinrich’s faith and devotion were inflated, this fact remained separate…
This was his original form.
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