CHAPTER 54

In the north of the Hazard territory, the Grand Undead General stood at the head of an army, leading 150,000 demonic undead archers, 100,000 demonic undead swordsmen, 20,000 elite swordsmen, 10,000 elite archers, 1,000 demonic undead mages, and 100 demonic undead generals, each commanding sections of the force. They had arrayed themselves against a distant ten-million-strong army.

At that moment, the Grand General was speaking with Hezhna, who had been ordered by Hazard to stall the empire's army with all available witches, including even undead witches, as much as possible. This delay was crucial for Hazard to resolve the matters in the south so the Death King could join them. Initially, there was no problem, as thirty warlord-ranked stallions were present to assist them. However, with their sudden recall, Hezhna trembled like a leaf, shifting her gaze between the Grand Undead General—standing calmly at the front lines, his long white hair flowing in the wind—and the ten-million-strong army of Duke Lamorak, famed for having the largest number of paladins capable of using holy magic—the undead's greatest weakness.

"So what miracle is supposed to happen now?"

Her eyes were on the Grand Undead General, but he had only positioned his forces strategically—taking higher ground, forming a U-shaped formation, and blocking the army's flanks with whatever resources he had to maximize the use of his vast number of archers. Yet, with every passing second, the Duke's army grew clearer, and the presence of forty warlords, including one near-epic warlord, sent shudders through Hezhna.

That near-epic warrior was none other than Duke Lamorak himself, leading from the front.

Minutes passed, and as the ten-million-strong army closed to three kilometers, an envoy from the empire marched forward. The Grand Undead General, recognizing Duke Lamorak as the opposing commander, mounted a noble undead steed from a previous battle and advanced to meet them. Hezhna and eight undead generals followed him, stopping in the middle of the battlefield before the ten-member delegation of the empire.

The delegation included:

Duke LamorakSir Foussard, the Grandmaster of the Thunder KnightsTwo veteran marquises, loyal flagbearers of Lamorak, battle-scarred and built like giantsThe Cardinal of the Central Ducal ChurchThe leader of the White Owl Mercenaries, a force of 200,000 elite troops, many of whom were lord-rankedThe leader of the Adventurer's Guild, bringing 100,000 championsTwo generals sent by Lamorak's brothers, each commanding 50,000 elite lord-ranked warriorsAnd finally, a mysterious figure who had arrived minutes earlier. Clad in a white cloak, he approached Lamorak and declared he had come to repay his debt to House Pellinore. From the old voice alone, Lamorak instantly recognized him as his childhood mentor, though none of the others present could even sense the true aura he concealed.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Lamorak did not fear battle—but he still preferred negotiations first. However, in the south, events were taking an entirely different turn.

Hazard threw aside his broken scythe and attempted to sever the Death King's warlords' connection using the powers of the Elemental King of Death. Yet, the link was far stronger than he had anticipated. A moment later, the Death King's sword struck him down, sending Hazard crashing into the heart of the undead army, breaking countless lesser undead who lacked the strength of their demonic counterparts.

Then, the tide of undead swarmed over Hazard, as he desperately searched for an escape while enduring their relentless attacks. The Death King loomed over him, his massive blade descending, slicing Hazard's body in two.

"In the end, we are all doomed! The Succubus Queen and the orc armies will slaughter this continent! You're fighting for a lost cause!"

The Death King remained indifferent, lifting Hazard's upper body with one hand while crushing his lower half underfoot.

"Orcs? With the summoning of the Lionheart Knights from other dimensions, they won't be a problem. But letting a hound of destruction like you live—that would lead to a far worse fate for this world!"

Hazard was prepared to resurrect himself, yet he had no hope of continuing the fight—his resurrection would erase the Shadow of Death, rendering him powerless. However, at that very moment, the air itself cried out, and dozens of portals began to open.

"Genibas!"

Hearing that name, the Death King's voice roared with fury as he tossed Hazard aside and mobilized his army toward the portals. His forces had only lost 100,000 elite undead, while Hazard no longer had an army left.

"Sit back and watch, young one!"

The Death King stood at the front, watching as an endless army emerged—two-meter-tall werewolves alongside giant wolves stretching over a hundred meters long, savage vampires mixed with pale, moonlit nobles with glowing crimson eyes.

Then, at the front of the werewolves, a towering man, clad in pitch-black armor of incredibly rare materials, wielding a five-meter-long spear, stepped forward. Simultaneously, at the head of the vampires, a regal figure in ornate crimson armor, carrying a thin, three-meter-long sword radiating a bloody aura, emerged.

Both were at the peak of epic rank.

Behind them, a figure in a long black cloak, radiating mid-epic power, appeared. Yet the onslaught did not end—another epic-ranked warrior, a demonic dwarf with an enormous battle axe, stepped forward, leading a force of war chariots.

Hazard shuddered, feeling the presence of four epic-ranked warriors—an overwhelming force backed by an army of nearly eighty million, stretching across the land and sky. Yet, despite their numbers, the enemy forces did not advance—instead, they watched in silence.

Bats screeched through the skies.Mercenaries slammed axes against shields.Werewolves howled.Vampires bared their fangs.Fiery imps ran wild, waiting for the signal to be unleashed like starving wolves.

Hazard watched in horror. When the thirty warlord stallions arrived, he ordered them to take him back to the fortress, for no place was safe anymore. He placed his last hope in the fortress's defensive systems.

Yet, in his final moment before departing, he saw the Death King standing at the front of his army, gazing at him.

Then, the Death King spoke directly into his mind:

[I could have taken your life, but I didn't. If you survive, ally yourself with the humans. To grow stronger, you need the faith of the living.]

With that, the mental link was severed, and the Death King raised his sword.

In response, his undead legions roared and howled with fearless defiance.