NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67 : Royal Lich Assassin
120 km southeast of Arclens City, Besanfort Castle Ruins, July 10, 02:00 AM.
Hundreds of years ago, Besanfort Castle was one of the grandest and largest castles in the Igrasian Empire. It once served as a venue for high-ranking nobles to convene and discuss significant matters.
However, an incident occurred when dozens of demons from the Abyssal Forest began attacking the northwest of the Igrasian Empire. These demons were led by a Legarodial Demon, a high-level demon above the Primal Demon, who had lived for tens of thousands of years.
According to rumors, a hell gate opened deep within the Abyssal Forest, allowing a Legarodial Demon to escape and wreak havoc. Despite their limited numbers, these demons managed to put many kingdoms on high alert and in a state of emergency.
The first country visited by the demons was the Igrasian Empire. At that time, a grand celebration was being held at Besanfort Castle because a high-ranking noble had finally been blessed with a child after decades of childlessness. Thousands of residents were in attendance at the party.
The celebration was extremely lavish, with thousands of gifts prepared for the attendees. However, no one anticipated the great incident that would occur that night.
The Besanfort Castle Incident: The demons suddenly attacked the castle brutally, killing everyone in sight. No one knew their purpose, but it was speculated that the demons intended to have fun before returning to hell. The area around Besanfort Castle turned into a sea of blood due to the high number of casualties.
Only fewer than five people survived, and they were considered very lucky. This incident caused a massive uproar throughout the Igrasian Empire, and the Besanfort Castle Incident was discussed for decades until it was eventually forgotten.
Many residents were reluctant to live near Besanfort Castle because, according to rumors, remnants of the demons from the incident still lingered, along with a pervasive evil aura in the area.
Besanfort Castle is now merely a ruin, covered in moss and various plants. However, tonight, the ruins of Besanfort Castle are bustling with many people and numerous horse-drawn carriages.
They are all dressed in black, hurrying to move many items and numerous crates.
"FASTER! FASTER!"
"OVER HERE, YOU'RE IN THE WRONG PLACE!"
"QUICKLY! DON'T WASTE TIME!"
"WE HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME LEFT, HURRY UP!"
Yet, there is one person who appears calm: a man approximately 190 cm tall, with a well-built physique, dressed in simple clothing like that of an ordinary resident. At his waist, there are three very expensive-looking swords.
This man is Rand, the leader of the cult base situated directly beneath the ruins of Besanfort Castle. There is a reason why many cult bases are located in a certain area, one being that they need many places to conduct experiments.
The cult members' primary goal is very simple: to control the world and become the pinnacle of power. After hearing about an attack on a cult base about a week ago in Arclens City, cult members at other locations immediately accelerated their experiments and began preparations to relocate.
Meanwhile, Rand is casually leaning against a rock, watching his subordinates hastily move many items to the prepared carriages. To avoid suspicion from the soldiers of the Igrasian Empire, they plan to disguise themselves as merchants and use false identities.
"Hmmmm... No signs of the enemy yet,"
Rand observes the very calm surroundings. The night breeze continuously brushes against him, and the trees sway gently in the wind.
"Hopefully, there will be no issues,"
According to Rand's estimate, they should depart and leave this location in about 10 minutes. Previously, the cult members were confused by the order from the higher-ups to relocate immediately, as they usually would counterattack and eliminate any threats.
The cult not only conducts experiments but also engages in illegal trade, such as selling illicit pills that can instantly boost strength but have certain side effects.
"Tonight is very quiet...."
"Hopefully, this calm continues,"
"Yes, I don't want to die here either,"
Rand then takes a photo from his pocket, showing him posing with his wife and two children. Photography technology in this world is very expensive and rare, requiring scarce magic.
Only cult members with notable achievements can receive a photo as a reward. Rand is one of them; about two years ago, a group of cultists disguised as merchants was surrounded by the knights of the Igrasian Empire. However, due to Rand's strength and strategy, they managed to escape the knights.
Rand gazes at the photo for a few moments until a scream suddenly prompts him to put it back in his pocket.
"Who’s there!?"
"Who is it?"
"There’s a body!!!"
In just a few seconds, confusion and panic swept through all the cult members present. Many of them immediately drew their weapons and stood on guard. However, one by one, the cult members were killed, and slashed apart without being able to resist, in a very short time, leaving pools of blood visible.
"Akkkkhhh!!!!!"
"Hiakkkkkk!!!!"
"Arggghhhhh!!!"
The screams of the cult members being cut down grew louder in all directions, and many of those killed did not make a sound as they did not realize they had been slain. The slashes made by the mysterious enemy were so smooth and precise, like a chef perfectly slicing vegetables.
Of course, Rand was bewildered because he could not see the enemy. The enemy seemed to possess an invisible ability but could attack with perfect precision. Rand immediately prepared to wield all three of his swords simultaneously, waiting for the enemy to strike while observing his surroundings.
"Is this the enemy that attacked Arclens City?"
"EVERYONE, DON'T GIVE UP! HOLD YOUR GROUND!!!"
"ACTIVATE ALL EXPERIMENTAL CREATURES!!!"
Hearing Rand's command, the cult members quickly opened many crates in the carriages containing experimental creatures and released their seals. As time went on, the number of cult member casualties increased significantly, with bodies piling up in various locations.
The cult's experimental creatures were divided into several types, one of which was coded "Cult Blood." This creature was a human forced to drink blood provided by the cult to significantly increase their strength but at the cost of greatly reduced sanity.
Rand was now on high alert, ready to deflect any incoming attacks from the enemy.
"Damn... The enemy is invisible...."
Rand sensed an attack coming from behind and immediately spun around, trying to move his sword to block the attack.
The sound of clashing swords echoed loudly, and the enemy attacking Rand finally revealed itself. The enemy was a Royal Lich Assassin.
The Royal Lich Assassin is a high-level and rare undead. According to the background in the game Monsterland, the Royal Lich Assassin is a special force under the command of the Undead God. The Royal Lich Assassin's killing ability is exceptionally high and nearly perfect, with levels ranging from 130 to 145.
Rand had no idea what kind of enemy he was facing, but he knew it was far stronger than himself. The stench of undead was overpowering his foe, and this enemy appeared to be under someone's command. Rand could not afford to be killed senselessly now; he still had a family waiting for him at home.
"This enemy is very strong....."
Rand then dropped all his swords and raised both hands as a sign of surrender, kneeling. Suddenly, he felt intense pain in his right hand after clashing swords with the enemy and realized his hand was broken, unable to move, so he could only lift his left hand.
"I-I am the leader of the cult base here! I surrender!!"
The Royal Lich Assassin stood still upon seeing Rand surrender and seemed disinclined to kill him. A few seconds later, another Royal Lich Assassin appeared, wearing a red armband on his right arm, indicating that he was the leader of the Royal Lich Assassins here.
"You... surrender...?"
Rand was immensely relieved, feeling that he had made the right choice, as the aura emanating from the two undead before him was utterly terrifying. The cult members who refused to surrender were also being slaughtered by the Royal Lich Assassins.
"Yes, I am Rand, the cult leader here, and I surrender."
The Royal Lich Assassin with the red armband nodded in agreement with Rand's surrender.
"Very well... as per... Boo-sama's... orders... we... will not... kill... enemies... who... surrender... especially... enemy leaders..."
Rand was then bound with strong chains, and he could only watch as his subordinates were decimated, though a few also surrendered as he had. Rand was truly grateful for making the right decision, as not surrendering would have meant sharing the same fate as his subordinates, who were being turned into mincemeat.
The Cult Blood creatures began to rise from the crates, destroying them and the carriages. There were about nine Cult Blood creatures that had been activated. The bodies of these creatures grew larger over time until they reached up to five meters in height. The roars of the Cult Blood experimental creatures were very loud.
Suddenly, the Royal Lich Assassin in front of Rand disappeared.
"Huh?"
Rand turned towards the rampaging Cult Blood creatures, but he remained calm because the enemy he faced was far more terrifying than the Cult Blood creatures. The sound of numerous swift slashes echoed clearly, and Rand could only close his eyes and smile resignedly.
The horses, which were previously set to pull the carriages, were terrified, breaking free from their harnesses and fleeing the area.
The seven Royal Lich Assassins began to take down the Cult Blood creatures, despite their high HP. Seven Cult Blood creatures were killed in less than 15 seconds. As the Royal Lich Assassins were about to kill the remaining two Cult Blood creatures, a voice suddenly stopped them.
"Stop!!!"
A three-meter-tall monster, appearing as a purple, melting creature, emerged. Its head was solid, not liquid, and a small creature sat atop it.
The small creature had liquid green hair and looked like a child, wearing a white jacket. These two were Boo and Beelzebub. Boo sat comfortably on Beelzebub's head.
A Royal Lich Assassin with a red armband approached Boo and Beelzebub, kneeling before them without lowering his head.
"Boo-sama... Welcome... Apologies... But... We... Were... Just... Completing... Our... Task..."
"Don't kill them all! Just capture those two fat creatures."
"Understood... We... Will... Follow... Boo-sama's... Orders..."
The Royal Lich Assassin with the red armband then vanished from Boo and Beelzebub's sight. Boo then shifted his gaze until he saw a human bound in chains, dressed like a commoner.
"Hey, human!"
Rand, who had his eyes closed, opened them and saw the terrifying monster right in front of him. His expression was quite blank, but it did not mean he wasn't scared; rather, he had resigned himself to his fate.
There was no point in resisting a creature with such immense power. Rand could estimate the enemy's strength because of the powerful aura emanating from them.
"Yes?" Rand answered Boo with a resigned tone.
"Are you a cult member?"
"Yes, I am the leader of the cult base in this area."
"I didn't expect the cult to have members who look like farmers."
"It's just a disguise, ha... ha..."
"Is this base very important? Because it wasn't on the map I found in Arclens City."
"You could say so, as this is one of the cult's research locations."
"Are those fat creatures the result of the research?" Boo asked, pointing to the large creatures not far from them.
A rumbling sound was heard as the Royal Lich Assassins managed to chain the two Cult Blood creatures, leaving them immobilized on the ground.
"Yes....."
"Alright," Boo nodded and smiled.
"Will I be killed?"
Boo's expression instantly turned scornful as he looked at Rand.
"Are you worth killing?"
"I don't know..."
"You won't be killed, but I hope you'll be cooperative, or you'll experience something more painful than a slow death."
"Alright...."
Boo, and Beelzebub then left Rand and began to enter the ruins of Besanfort Castle. Shortly afterward, a portal appeared, and dozens of low-level skeletons emerged from it, beginning to carry Rand and the two Cult Blood creatures into the portal.
======================
Azaroth Throne Room, July 10, 19:00.
"Boo reporting to Alice-sama."
"Very well, Boo. I always have high expectations of you, I hope you won't disappoint me."
Alice was currently seated on the throne, accompanied by an Ancient Lich named Uzhala. In front of Alice stood Boo, who was 30 cm tall, kneeling along with Beelzebub, who was chosen as Boo's assistant.
"I have completed Operation: Dornen using the special Royal Lich Assassin Battalion."
"Oh yes... Some of the Royal Lich Assassins are also with me. What about the details?"
"The details are in this report, Beelzebub."
Beelzebub then produced a document from within his body, which Uzhala took and handed to Alice.
Alice began to glance through the contents of the document, and her red eyes lit up with interest as she examined the various reports from Boo's file.
"Interesting... As expected, your performance is unquestionable, Boo."
"Thank you, Alice-sama!"
"Then, you will have a four-day leave, and after that, you will be tasked with protecting the eastern part of the Abyssal Forest."
"Yay! Thank you, Alice-sama! May I stay with you and play during my leave?"
Alice smiled and nodded, indicating her approval.
"Thank you, Alice-sama!"
Alice continued to review Boo's report with great interest.
"Blood experiments... This is similar to what I did with Clarissa. I'm curious if blood other than that of players can enhance strength in this world."
"Yes... There are too many mysteries in this world, but I must stay focused."
After a while of examining the report, Alice looked at Boo with a smile.
"Boo... Come here."
"Yes!"
Boo then approached Alice and sat on her lap like a child sitting on his mother's lap. After all, Alice's Servants regarded her as both their creator and mother.