The Golem Mage

“How is that possible? We all know that the pill capable of curing the zombie virus can only be obtained from the royal palace itself, only the royal alchemist possesses the knowledge to create it, and even then, it’s said to be incredibly difficult to produce. “

“That’s one of the reasons we rarely see it at all,” someone from the crowd exclaimed, sparking a wave of discussion among the mages, most still uncertain whether to believe Alec Gordon’s words.

This time, Alistair couldn’t keep his composure, his mind was spinning as he tried to recall if there was any other way to contact the royal alchemists from the Capital city without a direct referral from the city hall, but he came up with nothing.

That left only two possibilities: either the Gordons were involved in black market dealings with a Royal Alchemist in the capital, or they had a direct connection that allowed them to acquire rare items from there.

Neither scenario sat well with him, as if it was the black market, it meant someone powerful was behind it, someone even the authorities would hesitate to confront, reporting such an operation might trigger an investigation, but the one who reported it could suffer serious consequences from the owner of the black market ring.

Worse still, if the person running the market had enough influence, they could just set it up again later after the heat cleared.

But if the Gordons truly had a connection to the capital, it was far more dangerous, as that would imply backing from someone important, someone who would not sit quietly if anything happened to the Gordons.

Not once did Alistair consider the possibility that the Gordons themselves might have produced or independently acquired the pills.

He continued underestimating them, convinced that the auction was a front for a much larger group or wealthier mage, as he simply couldn’t accept that all these powerful items genuinely belonged to the Gordons.

Because to accept that would be to admit that the Gordons Clan now held more wealth and resources than even the city hall, an institution backed by the capital city and supported, at least partially, by the Dragonmir Clan.

Seeing so many people skeptical about the cure for the zombie virus didn’t anger Alec at all, in fact, it pleased him, they were trying to question his words seriously, which meant he now had the perfect opportunity to stage a performance.

“From what I’m hearing, it’s clear that none of you believe the Gordons Clan has managed to acquire a pill capable of fully curing zombie infection,” Alec said to the crowd, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

“In that case, I’ll demonstrate it here and now, and I won’t be picking a low-ranking mage either. I’ll be choosing a Tier 7 mage to help me prove the potency of this pill.”

With that, all eyes turned to the two remaining Tier 7 mages in the auction hall who were still infected after the Coral Clan elder died on that blood moon day, they could feel a chill run down their spines.

One of them was about to be chosen to determine whether the pill truly worked or not.

It was an enormous chance, so much so that they were nearly tempted to beg Alec to pick them.

They had nothing to lose, if the pill worked, they’d be cured and would no longer face the looming threat of execution before turning.

If it didn’t, they hoped at the very least it might buy them more time than the current healing pills ever did.

Mages who had lived for so long often claimed to be at peace with death when it came, but when it finally approached, they found themselves desperate to hold onto life, and now, with Alec standing before them, holding what could be their salvation, their breath hitched with hope.

“If the Grand Elder of the Lanzt Clan would kindly join me on stage, I’ve decided that he will be the one to test the potency of the Undead Purge Pill for us all.” Alec announced at last,

The second Tier 7 mage slammed his fist into his chair, shattering it instantly as he shot to his feet, eyes blazing red with anger.

He pointed a trembling finger toward Alec on the stage.

“Why are you acting biased, kid? It’s obvious you’re only picking Bailey because your clan and his are allies!” the mage shouted.

Alec turned to him with a cold sneer.

“Biased? I could’ve been, and no one would’ve stopped me, if I truly wanted to be biased, I would’ve sent healing pills only to my allies, but I remember clearly, my clan sent an envoy to your clan as well, and that’s the only reason you’re even standing here alive today. And yet instead of gratitude, all I hear is your ungrateful whining.”

“For your information, I picked Bailey not because of any alliance, but because he’s been an excellent customer tonight, he has bid and actually won items. You, on the other hand, have done nothing but sit there, drink our drinks, and eat our snacks, sneering constantly, You came here for the excitement, not to support the auction. You don’t even have a single corpse to bid with, yet you’re furious now that someone else is being rewarded for their patronage?”

“Before you run your mouth again, reflect on why you’re still alive, because of me as I saved you from the Jaws of zombies that day, the same person you’re accusing of being biased, if you have nothing better to say, sit down and let me continue.”

Alec’s words hit like a hammer, and the mage—visibly humiliated—had no comeback.

He hurriedly moved around the room, desperately begging others to lend him corpses, unwilling to return home to get corpse as that would mean he would miss out on the next round of the auction which was the Undead Pill round.

But at such a critical moment, no one was willing to lend even a single body.

The mage in question just also happened to be one of the few mages that were able to escape the attack on the Gordons Clan’s outer region on that day.

After he got affected, he had made his allegiance clear to the City Lord that he would attend the auction solely to disrupt it, not to purchase anything, it was a move meant to secure the City Lord’s favour and ensure protection for his clan after he was long gone to the after world.

But now, with a chance to obtain a pill that could save his life and give him more time to lead his clan, the weight of his mistake crushed him. Out of arrogance, he had arrived empty-handed, certain that an auction in a mid-tier city like this would offer nothing of value.

Now, as the realization hit him, he was filled with deep regret, but his eyes changed as a gleam flashed past them.