Free Web NovelChapter 172: Chapter 100: Pale Elegy: Only I Can Touch My Little Mouse
The zombified Hog sat up, its movements slightly stiff, then slowly rose and walked over to Lynch.
Compared to other newly-created zombies, its movements were already remarkably fluid.
Its three-meter-tall, imposing frame was filled with an oppressive presence. The moment it stood still, a dense, deathly aura radiated out from it.
Although its aura was a far cry from what it had been in life, Lynch’s initial assessment placed it at the Tier Two Peak.
Lynch heaved a great sigh of relief. ’Good, at least I didn’t botch it.’
’If I turn it into a Black Corpse, it should quickly recover its Tier Three strength, maybe even reach Tier Four... And in the future, once my own tier is higher and I have High Tier materials, it might even be possible to upgrade it to a bronze-armored corpse!’
"Excellent. From now on, your name is ’Corpse Demon’." In high spirits, Lynch bestowed a suitably impressive name upon his new key subordinate.
The Corpse Demon’s Soul Fire flickered faintly, as if it were struggling to comprehend the name. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
However, Lynch glanced around the room, and the excitement of successfully creating the Corpse Demon quickly faded.
It couldn’t be helped. His materials had run out.
He had used up too many materials to create the Corpse Demon. The cellar floor was now covered in the dust of depleted Negative Energy Crystals, and he no longer had all the necessary materials in his Space Ring to create a Black Corpse.
This was especially true now that he had a new Corpse Puppet.
’The Corpse Demon has such a great foundation. I have to raise it to Tier Four no matter what, but the resources required for that upgrade will be astronomical.’
’I have to find a way to get my hands on more intermediate-grade Negative Energy Crystals...’ Lynch thought, rubbing his throbbing temples.
’Should I go to Red Ridge Castle and ask my senior brother for a "donation"? Or buy them through the black market? Or... I wonder if the North Wind Legion’s quartermaster has the materials I need?’
****
「At the same time.」 freeweɓnovel.cøm
On a road several miles from Lakefront Town, a formidable elite force several hundred strong was marching toward the town.
The troops’ discipline was impeccable. The Soldiers marched in perfect unison, their killing intent so thick it was almost tangible.
Their Armor gleamed and their weapons were of fine make. They were accompanied by over a hundred warhorses, whose hooves thundered against the hard-packed earth.
At the head of the column, several flags snapped in the wind.
The most eye-catching was a large, blue banner embroidered with a roaring tiger. Stitched clearly at the bottom were the words: Radiant Battle Group—Tiger Battalion.
Alongside it, a Heraldic Banner billowed in the wind.
It was emblazoned with the image of a sword piercing a rose—the sigil of the renowned Holy Light Clan, the Adela family.
At the head of the force rode a Holy Knight who appeared to be in his thirties.
He sat tall astride a magnificent, pure-white warhorse. With his handsome features and gleaming silver Knight’s Armor, he cut an imposing figure. A deep blue cape billowed gently behind him.
He was flanked by a dozen or so Knights and officers, all clad in gleaming Armor and exuding powerful auras.
And among them, clad in a new suit of Knight’s Armor, was none other than Catherine Adela.
At the moment, however, her brow was furrowed, her ice-blue eyes filled with a complex expression.
Any Imperial noble familiar with the North Wind Legion’s high command would have instantly recognized the lead Holy Knight. He was Andis Adela, an Imperial Viscount and commander of the Radiant Battle Group—one of the legion’s three main combat divisions. He was also known by the moniker "the Sword of Dawn."
He was also Catherine’s uncle, one of the most distinguished figures of the current Adela generation.
Andis’s posture was casual, his expression nonchalant, as if he were merely on a country outing.
"Uncle Andis."
Seeing that they were about to reach Lakefront Town, Catherine could no longer hold back. She urged her horse closer and spoke in a low voice.
"I admit I suffered a defeat in Lakefront Town. It is my disgrace. But... I don’t want to reclaim my honor this way. Please, just give me a little more time. I will erase this disgrace with my own strength and effort..."
Andis shook his head gently. "My dear Catherine, my Ice Rose, at this point, this is no longer just about your personal honor."
He turned slightly in his saddle, his tone growing more serious. "You were defeated, disarmed, and—according to your men—forced to record certain... inappropriate statements. If word of this gets out, it won’t just be your reputation on the line. The honor of the entire Adela family is at stake."
"We’ve managed to suppress the news for now, but secrets don’t stay secret forever. Word will get out sooner or later. We must act preemptively to regain control of the situation."
He paused, his gaze fixed on the ever-nearing Lakefront Town. His eyes grew profound. "Besides, do you really think I came all this way just to get revenge for you?"
Catherine’s lips parted slightly, a flicker of contemplation in her ice-blue eyes.
’You mean... you didn’t?’
Andis chuckled. "Lakefront Town, including the West Ridge Mining District behind it, is a juicy prize. Plenty of factions want a piece of it."
"But its location is sensitive, and the various factions are keeping each other in check. The previous Lord couldn’t handle the pressure and fled, turning it into what seems to be a ’disputed,’ masterless territory for the time being. This has created a delicate balance. If anyone makes the first move, it could easily trigger a chain reaction. And believe me, all the old foxes in the legion are watching."
"But," he said, his tone suddenly sinking and his voice turning cold, "I never expected that cunning fatass Raymond to quietly shove his junior disciple in here and even secure him an official appointment and jurisdiction."
"What’s more, that Lynch kid is backed by Annabella. She’s not a woman to be trifled with. Her presence has become even more formidable since she returned from her studies in the Realm of the Dead. Rumor has it the Old Dean intends to groom her as his successor."
"If we were to force the boy out without a good reason, just bullying the weak, it would not only look unseemly, but it would likely send Annabella on a rampage. It might even alert the Old Dean, which would put us at a disadvantage."
At this, a sly smile touched his lips. He looked at Catherine and said, "But now... your ’personal feud’ with that Lynch fellow provides us with the perfect opening. We are here to ’seek justice’ for you. We are here to uphold the dignity of the Empire’s soldiers and the honor of its nobility. With such a just cause, our actions become legitimate."
Catherine opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but the words died on her lips, and she fell silent.
Such was the life of a noble lady. She could be as willful as she pleased in her daily life, making as much of a scene as she liked. But the moment the interests of the family were involved, all personal desires had to be cast aside.
Amidst Catherine’s silence, the menacing elite force soon arrived outside Lakefront Town.
The militiamen on duty had only been training for a short while. They had never witnessed such a sight.
The grim military formation across from them, the sheer number of troops, and the palpable aura of hostility washed over them, draining the color from their faces and making their legs feel weak.
If not for the fear of disgracing Lord Lynch, they might have already collapsed.
At that moment, the amiable expression on Andis Adela’s face suddenly vanished, replaced by a stern and severe look.
The next instant, his voice, infused with Holy Light Fighting Qi, boomed like a thunderclap, echoing through every corner of Lakefront Town and into the ears of every resident.
"Commander of Lakefront Town, Lynch Blackwood."
"Get your sorry ass out here and die, you son of a bitch!"
"You dared to defile the rose of the Adela family. Today, I, Andis Adela, will claim justice for her and for all the soldiers of the Empire!"
Wait, what...
De... defile?!
Catherine was utterly dumbstruck, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson.
...
