CHAPTER 56

"The obsidian mines now belong to us. Do you need to buy obsidian?"

Lamorak, witnessing the great general's immense confidence and his calm demeanor in the presence of the released aura and direct gaze, admired him even more.

"Obsidian is a good source for connecting energy flow and storing magic in artifact creation, but if it's near humans, it causes corrosion and disease in living cells..."

The general stood firm, unswayed by the lack of a direct response to his question, insisting on an answer as if he did not care about the difference in power.

"If you need to buy obsidian, the king is currently occupied, but whatever you tell me is as if you told him directly—I have full authority from him."

With that, Lamorak assessed the undead female general before him as more significant than he had initially thought.

"If the price is reasonable, why not? We could even establish a friendly relationship through trade!"

The political cards were being laid on the table, and each roll of the dice carried different meanings and strategies.

"You wish to intimidate us with your army and return to your lands victorious with a profitable deal?"

Of course, the general wished to say this, but he held back. The rumors of Elizabeth Báthory's existence had been told to him by Hazard at the height of legendary status. Given the legendary old man and the war in the south, he had no doubt that if war erupted in the north, with the bluff of no support behind it, defeat would be inevitable.

However, someone could not bear to let the conversation between the duke and the general, the leader of the witches, and Merlin remain without tension.

"Duke! These demonic creatures from the depths of the Abyss have been summoned to destroy and devour this world! In the south, they are under attack by the united army of darkness, and there is no way they can withstand us! Do not ally with them!"

With that, Duke Lamorak, who had been awaiting the undead general's response, turned back and saw the leader of the Hero Association—another of his old friends.

"Henry..."

Lamorak uttered the name of his old friend in disappointment, for Henry had always walked the path of faith alongside him, praying at sunrise. However, the once-glorious and righteous Henry had changed a year ago, ceasing his prayers.

On the very first day, Lamorak personally sought him out, fearing something bad had happened. But when he found one of his paladin warlord commanders in his own bed, surrounded by several naked prostitutes, it felt as if he had lost his blood brother. He stripped Henry of his rank and had since despised the new man he no longer considered his brother in faith.

"Leader of the Hero Association, I warn you not to interfere in my conversation!"

Lamorak deliberately emphasized the word "Hero" because he knew that just as heroes sought to kill demon kings, demon kings also aimed to eliminate powerful heroes. By saying this, he had successfully positioned the heroes as a third faction in the battlefield.

As he predicted, upon hearing the word "Hero," the undead general tightened his grip on his sword, and the fire in his eyes burned brightly beneath his helmet.

"Duke Lamorak, know that we do not fear battle, even if your numbers are tenfold! However, even if you seek peace, I will maintain war against the heroes in your army!"

With that, Duke Lamorak sighed. As he noticed the mischievous grin on the old man beside him, along with the young-looking witch and her strikingly legendary staff, he ignored Henry's shouting and responded.

"As you may know, the obsidian mine was in neutral lands, yet it was the darkness that had been utilizing it. During the time we did not control the mines, and to prevent unnecessary bloodshed while seeking compensation for the servants who have already perished in previous battles, I demand fifty tons of obsidian as reparations over five years."

Hearing such a request and the extended timeframe, which demonstrated the opposing side's goodwill, the general contacted Hazard. However, the only words he received were "Do not fight" and "Help," making him realize that a true crisis was unfolding in the south.

"Your request has been accepted by the king. However, this is not the trade relationship you spoke of."

Lamorak pondered for a moment but did not know what the undead needed until the general spoke.

"We possess a great number of fire gems and seek a trade for death or darkness gems. How about such an exchange?"

"Death or darkness gems? The church has buried a stockpile of them. I would be more than happy to sell them to you!"

With that, Lamorak extended his hand. The general stared at him for five seconds before shaking it. But this act enraged someone even further.

"Paperwork—"

Lamorak was in the middle of his sentence when someone stepped forward, pointing toward the central cardinal of the Star group.

"Does your god permit you to shake hands with heretics and forget the vengeance for the slain humans?"

With that, the cardinal glanced at Lamorak and smirked.

"In the presence of Duke Lamorak, the honorary cardinal, I am merely a witness."

Lamorak smirked.

"Henry, how can you forget..."

"If you do not wish to fight, know that the heroes will not abandon the people and will take revenge for those lost!"

William, the Star Cardinal, then shifted his gaze. Since he was merely one of Lamorak's pawns, he stared at him intently, knowing that if such statements from their own group members spread, and Lamorak did nothing, the consequences would be dire.

"Oh, Henry, you truly..."

With that, Lamorak turned back to the general.

"Nameless undead general, conqueror of the obsidian war, I challenge you to a sacred duel of equal power as the representative of my army!"

If the general had the ability to smile, he would have done so. But lacking enough facial muscles made it impossible. Nevertheless, he understood what was going through Lamorak's mind and unsheathed his sword.

"Duke Lamorak, this forgotten paladin accepts the sacred duel with you as the representative of my army!"

—

Meanwhile, in the south, another story was unfolding. Hazard prayed that his opponents would be as peace-seeking as Lamorak. However, upon arriving at a battlefield filled with craters from explosions, blood and bones scattered everywhere, and an innumerable army surrounding two individuals, he realized the situation was far worse than he had imagined.

—

"Thirty minutes earlier"

The King of Death, watching Hazard flee, glanced at the warlords beside him. Among them, Count Maximan stood tall with his spear, part of his armor shattered, and began to speak despite the stark height difference between him and the king.

"My king, with the arrival of the princes, I know that this will be my true end. But know that in this short time, I have realized many mistakes in my life, and I am deeply grateful for your guidance."

As the undead army howled, the King of Death looked at Count Maximan and the other warlords—most of whom were nobles of the dark faction.

"Know this, my children: for us, death is an honor. For by fighting to the last breath—though we may no longer breathe—we can save countless innocent lives. For those of us who bear responsibility for others, death in battle is a path to peace, rest, and the immortality of our names!"

With that, the warlords and even the dark lords gazed upon him. Knowing that this might be their last moments of service to their king, Maximan was the first to break.

"My king, if I were granted another life, I would be your sword until the end of time!"

One by one, the other nobles followed.

"My lord, wherever I am, wherever you may be, your shield will never abandon you in the face of your enemies!"

"Great King, know that your armor shall not perish after you! Know that your protector shall give his life for you eternally!"

"My king, though only a day has passed since I have served you, sharing in your emotions and goals has saved me from delusion and guided me to the true path. If there is anything I regret in this life, it is not having more time to serve you!"

As the other warlords and lords declared their loyalty, the King of Death set his gaze upon the opposing army.

"Meeting you has been an honor I will never forget until my soul is obliterated."

And in that moment, as the King of Death took his first step forward, he created the legendary army that bards in taverns and historians in academies would remember for centuries as the "Army of Weeping Spirits."