Ashen Dragon

Chapter 418: Chapter 341 Player’s Undead Minion (Part 1)

The lich entered the familiar yet foreign Soulcry Castle, immediately greeted by human researchers wearing white coats and masks.

“Hello, I am Maggsy Qulin, a researcher from the Imperial Magic Department.”

“You must be Director Orestes as mentioned by the higher-ups. Please follow me. I’ll show you around the new office environment.”

Maggsy slightly bowed, respectfully extending his hand.

He was long accustomed to this. After all, in the Ashen Empire’s melting pot of races, having a superior of any creature, even a lich, was not strange.

“Uh… hello.”

Orestes was stunned for a moment before reacting to shake hands with the human. Since he had transformed into a lich, it had been centuries since a human dared to stand before him without fear, estimating nearly three hundred years.

Hearing the human’s words, the lich felt inexplicably absurd.

Clearly, this was Orestes’ residence for three hundred years, every corner was exceedingly familiar to him.

Yet now, he needed a stranger to guide him through what used to be his Soulcry Castle.

But this was obviously the “master’s” arrangement, and he had no way to refuse.

“Where is my Soullight Chandelier?”

“Ah… Director Orestes, that conflicted with the Empire’s style. We have dealt with those souls and replaced them with the latest electric lights.”

“This, this is the Howling Corridor?”

“Exposing undead creatures in the open was too risky. We have reinforced this area.”

“Then… what about the Death Slaughterhouse?”

“The Empire’s experts said that such biological experiments need to be conducted in a clean, sterile environment. We have equipped it with advanced facilities to dissect human bodies, helping us understand the mysteries of undead creatures.”

“…”

Seeming to notice the lich’s silence, Maggsy asked with some concern.

“Director Orestes, are you… okay?”

“I’m fine, continue.”

“Ahead is your office, transformed from the former Soulcry Castle hall, now the highest standard office at the Undead Research Institute.”

“The higher-ups specifically instructed that although you are an undead creature, you have given your all for the Empire’s development. You are our entire institute’s role model.”

“Clap, clap, clap!”

Over a dozen researchers in white coats walked out from various rooms, their enthusiastic applause echoing throughout the institute.

“This is Director Orestes.”

“I’ve heard so much about you.”

“It’s said he’s converted over a hundred thousand undead creatures for the Empire, truly a model for our kind.”

“Indeed, to dedicate everything to the Empire with a body hundreds of years old, no wonder he was personally appointed by His Majesty.”

“I’ve heard His Majesty established this institute specifically because of Director Orestes. We should all be grateful to him.”

“Clap, clap, clap!”

“…”

Surrounded by everyone, Orestes felt increasingly bewildered and deeply sensed the uniqueness of the Ashen Empire.

These humans were not only unafraid of him but also admired him?

Maggsy pushed open the door for him, revealing that the once blood-splattered hall filled with bones and remains was gone.

In its place was a bright and clean office hall with a simple and clear layout, appearing before the lich.

“…”

Orestes once again fell into deep silence, the soul fire in his eye sockets flickering.

Suddenly, there was a “bang! bang!” sound from a metal cabinet not far away, as if something inside was struggling.

The lich seemed to guess what it was, slowly approaching and opening the polished metal cabinet.

The bone pen was locked inside the display case, bound by chains, but it kept jumping and struggling.

Meanwhile, the human skin diary was locked in another display case, its face-cover hidden by a new cover stamped with the Empire’s emblem.

“This, this…”

Maggsy’s eyes held a hint of apology: “The gentlemen from the engineering department said these things harmed the Empire’s dignity, so we packaged them for you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Sigh—”

“Stop touching them.”

The lich sighed deeply, releasing the bone pen and human skin diary from their confines.

If this were the past, facing humans who had provoked him, he might have turned the entire family, even the whole town, into undead.

But now, the lich was under the roof and had to bow.

“Alright, Director Orestes.”

“By the way, I also brought you the latest edict from His Majesty. This might be your main task from now on. Please take a look personally.”

Maggsy carefully took out the Emperor’s Edict from his chest pocket.

Orestes leaned in, browsing the golden scroll. The soul fire in his eye sockets trembled violently, and his back hunched a bit more.

“Director Orestes?”

“Are you alright?”

“You can rest for a few days. His Majesty said this task hasn’t started yet.”

On the desk, the recently released bone pen was still scribbling away.

“October 3, 1786, I then realized this Soulcry Castle, or rather the Undead Research Institute, no longer belonged to me.”

…

Isdalia, Ashen Emperor Square.

The place was bustling with people coming and going.

The Empire’s new steam locomotive operated on the tracks, belching thick smoke, while people were already used to these “iron carriages.”

As the Empire’s key construction center, Isdalia attracted residents from across Anzeta.

With various tasks issued like snowflakes, nearly forty thousand players had gathered here. With abundant tasks and development opportunities, this place was called the “holy land for rapid growth” by strategy masters on forums.

At the Starmeteor Notice Board, Tiefling Guards tore down the old posters about the Experience Shop and replaced them with new ones.

“The Empire’s new announcement!”

“Hey? Come and see! This event looks interesting!”

Players called one another over, and soon a swarm of players gathered, crowding around the notice board.

“What’s the new money-grabbing event? Don’t tell me it’s the return of Long Aotian’s Treasure? If I buy it again I’ll be a dog!”

“Are you talking about the box-opening? Cassius’ Treasure? That thing was quite generous. I got a green gear for five gold coins, and buying it would cost at least fifty gold coins.”

“Sealion can die!”

“Look closely! This time it’s not box-opening. It’s a new undead minion!”

“Undead minion?”

“What the heck is that? Sounds interesting!”

Every notice board change represented the latest opportunity. The experienced players immediately flocked over, and this news spread like wildfire on the forums.

Within minutes, nearly ten thousand players had gathered at Ashen Emperor Square.