Chapter 103.1: , Battle of the Old Castle

I thought this when I was hunting the undead with Mister Lazar's group too, but it seems like the person who's been sending in the dead this time is devoted to Skeletons. Wraiths also appeared in the second half, but their numbers were obviously different. Though, neither of them pose any obstacle for me currently. Since it was my first time fighting Wraiths (Not counting the Lord's ghost, of course, but that was an exception) so, I was a bit worried, but I've learned about them too.

The various abilities that the Wraith species possess are aimed at living beings. They won't work on me, who's already dead. Even if I hear the repulsive cries that terrify the living beings, it won't cause even a slight disturbance in my mind. And, the Lord's heritage can cut through ghosts as if they were real.

I avoid the big swing attack from Huge Skeleton and run up on its smooth arm bones. I've already gotten used to my ridiculous athletic abilities. My opponent is strong, but because of its size, it lacks flexibility. While its big frame might be suitable to scatter countless soldiers, from my point of view, it's a good target.

I strongly rotate my body and swing my machete with all my power. The flesh on my arms squeaks and the jet-black blade conveys a dull impact.

―― It's hard.

Perhaps because its bones are harder than a human's, the blade that I swung down at its neck has stopped at the middle. The Skeleton Giant strongly shakes its body, trying to shake me off.

But it's useless resistance. I use 'Sharp Claw' to sharpen my claws, pierce its bone body and endure. I can already use power as easily as breathing.

And, if I can't cut it off at once, all I have to do is slash it as many times as needed.

I pull out the machete by force and hold it aloft. The blade that I aimed and released properly hit at the neck of Huge Skeleton - where I had cut till the middle a while ago.

A dull sound echoes and the giant skull wrapped in a shell tumbles through the air.

As soon as I jump off its shoulders, the towering giant body crumbles down. The ground shakes strongly, probably because even if it's just bones, when it gets to that size, it acquires an appropriate weight.

Looks like the core of the Skeletons is in their heads. They're already moving without a brain, so I think it's better if their core was at the side of their body, but I probably wouldn't be able to move with just a body either so that's probably the way it is.

The number of the Skeletons has considerably been reduced. The remains of countless Skeletons are rolling around the site of the old castle. I also buried a countless number of them too, but most of them were dragged into the broad attacks of Skeleton Giant.

I guess I already took care of the big gun? I sigh quietly while warily keeping an eye on the surroundings and calm my uplifted spirit.

―― They're only at this level, huh?

I was wondering how strong a regular Necromancer was, but the Lord must've been a fairly high-ranking caster. This time, the opponent was careless. They didn't know my identity. But if the average Necromancer is only at this level―― I won't have any problems.

I can win. I can attack them first. I can steal their knowledge, techniques, and power. Senri surely wouldn't stop me from defeating a Necromancer either.

As I finished my silly fantasies, I frowned.

"... It's time to end things."

I stayed for too long. I didn't see the caster among the undead. Necromancers are cautious, I'm sure that person is watching this battle too. I should leave the town before they come up with a countermeasure, before the Necromancer's main force arrives.

And I'll travel with Senri again. I have Night Crystals this time. I don't have to worry about the pursuers as much as before. We'll go to a town where there isn't much garlic and live in hiding there.

Things have been going so well lately that I can't help thinking about reprehensible things. But I shouldn't forget that I'm on the hunted side.

Night Crystals are attractive to the undead. You can never have too many reserves. But no matter how you look at it, if a Necromancer starts attacking with all their forces, there's too much risk. I should consider myself lucky this time.

The problem is Senri. Would she accept the option of leaving the town while knowing that a Necromancer is here? Senri is on my side, but her core is still undoubtedly that of a Death Knight. If she chooses to stay behind, ―― I will have to fight.

As I was heartlessly swinging my machete while thinking about such things, there was nothing left moving around me before I knew it.

The ruins of the castle at night, with broken bones and armor scattered around, was like a scene from hell. If they're not purified by Death Knights, the corpses of the undead usually stay where they are. According to Mister Lazar and his group, the town will hold the memorial service for the corpses of the undead. The townspeople will surely be surprised tomorrow when they see this scene.

There won't be any more attacks tonight. Its quality aside, they not only released such a big army, they even put out the irreplaceable 'Black Bone' and 'Skeleton Giant' which take time to evolve or need special ingredients. As you'd expect, I don't want to think that this was a test trial.

I'll go back to Senri.

The moment I decided to turn on my heels, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"As expected from you, Ancestor."

I open my eyes wide and reflexively ready my machete. I search the surroundings. I can feel the negative energy that the undead emit. Even without that, I can even discern the undead from their scent. But for some reason, I couldn't catch this presence. The presences of the undead that I just fought are permeating, but it's not like they're indistinguishable either.

It was the same last time too. She suddenly appeared.

The cold voice was praising me, but it didn't sound happy at all. She couldn't have appeared at the worst time.

"We do indeed not feel fatigue, but to think that you'd destroy it so beautifully―― it's hard to imagine that you're still a Lesser."

"Hiding and peeking? You sure have bad hobbies."

Sable. The retainer of the Stake King, the vampire Demon King. The vampire who tried to control me and was supposed to be burned by Senri.

She was alive... just as I expected. It might be conceited of me to say this, but the toughness of the undead is abnormal.

During our journey, I heard the information from Senri.

Stake King seems to be the longtime enemy of the Death Knights. He's one of the most terrifying Demon Kings in this world, who has a myriad of dark armies and many former Demon Kings as his subordinates. That Demon King's power is already understandable from the fact that he still maintains his might even now, when absolute heroes like the Order of Death Knights exist. According to Senri, the battle between the Stake King and the Order of Death Knights has been going on for a long time and it hasn't concluded yet.

The power of the Death Knights is something that the undead cannot resist. Even if a powerful vampire fought them head-on, they wouldn't be a match for them, but I can understand the reason why the fight hasn't been settled yet.

The Order of Death Knights is weak against the living army. Just like how 3rd class knight, Dell Gordon, was captured by Demon King Rainel, in an extreme case, if you can gather some monsters of that level, you will be able to fight with the Order of Death Knights.

Various thoughts pass through my mind in an instant.

Sable is strong. First of all, she has evolved more than me. She can use the special abilities of vampires that I can't use yet and she most likely also has a lot of combat experience. Senri failed to shoot her down. It's pretty unlikely that I'll be able to kill her. She's genuinely above me.

My heart beat hard. Cold heat runs through my whole body.

But Sable is an enemy. She tried to control me by inserting her blood in me. I don't feel like it, but I must get rid of her. I don't know how she followed us or why she appeared just now, but it's too bothersome. It was the same with Rainel too, is she not satisfied unless she butts in?

It's not her vampire abilities that I should be wary of. It's this hiding of her presence. Sable is a vampire that was changed by the Stake King, she's not an 'Ancestor'. In other words, she shouldn't have the abilities of a Ghoul and Dark Stalker―― and she's hiding herself with a power other than Silhouette.

Luckily, my weapon is special. There's no way a weapon made for killing the undead won't be able to kill a vampire. I have a chance to win.

I ask cautiously.