The Golem Mage

It was known that the City Lord had visited the Gordons Clan, but the content of their discussion remained a mystery to the people of Estonia City.

No one could say for sure what had been offered, yet the result was clear, the Gordons Clan announced their participation in the upcoming battle despite already having a three-month exemption after the visit of the city lord.

This declaration brought unexpected relief to some of the clans who had decided to use their exemption period and not participate.

Unconsciously, they had all begun to see the Gordons Clan as miracle workers, feeling as long as the Gordons were involved, a sense of calm and hope would settle over them.

Such was the reassurance the Gordons Clan now provided to the long-established clans of Estonia City.

—

Meanwhile, inside the Gordons Clan meeting room

“I heard we’re going into battle again. Aren’t we supposed to be taking a break? Even if we didn’t lose many mages last time, we still need to be careful about battle fatigue,” the First Elder remarked.

“There’s no cause for concern, First Elder. I assure you, this battle will be different from the last, our clan is now stronger than ever, you all can tell from the fact that Draco and Zack have come out from their secluded cultivation much stronger, and I’ve also grown much stronger as well.”

“It’s no secret that every victory the city gains also weakens the energy of the space gate, I just want to let you all know that we’re fully prepared this time, plus, we now have the Undead Purge Pill, so there’s no longer any need for our clansmen to lose their lives to beheading, because of zombie infection” Alec explained as the elders began to murmur.

Eventually, they all came to an agreement, because if there was one thing they had learned, it was that Alec always delivered on his promises.

“So, what did you ask that made that old man leave looking so gloomy, huh? My cunning student,” the Fifth Elder asked, smirking as Alec simply smiled.

“Simple, he came here asking us to participate, claiming he was willing to offer an extra month of exemption just for agreeing, this doesn’t even include the possibility of being crowned MVP of the battle,” Alec said, instantly piquing the interest of the elders.

The thought of earning an additional three months of exemption through battle stirred a wave of excitement.

But then Alec’s next words struck like a thunderbolt.

“So I asked him to increase it to three months,” Alec said casually, raising three fingers with a harmless smile.

“Hehehe, knowing that bastard, he must’ve flared up and broken something, right?” the Third Elder asked, clearly amused.

“On the contrary, he didn’t. But it looked like he would’ve loved to break the Young Master instead,” the Grand Elder chimed in.

“Fortunately, he held in his anger once he realized he truly needed our help, and since Alec wasn’t pressing him over past grievances, a negotiation took place, and they settled on two extra months.”

The Fifth Elder nearly spat out his drink.

“The City Lord agreed to that? George has never managed to negotiate more than a single extra month. Now we might gain four months just from one battle! Oh, please, just become the Patriarch already,” he said, unable to contain his joy.

If things went as planned, the Gordons could enjoy a long stretch of peace without shedding blood or enduring the hardships of war.

“Well, it’s settled then. You’ll hold onto the promise and lead the clan mages into battle once more,” the Grand Elder said.

“But this time, who do you propose should serve as the Tier 7 representatives alongside you?”

“If it isn’t too much trouble, I’d appreciate it if you two elders could once again grace the battlefield with your presence,” Alec replied as he looked towards the Third and fourth elder, prompting the Grand Elder to nod in acknowledgment.

With the Patriarch still in seclusion, Alec was making decisions that were typically left to his grandfather.

Though he hadn’t immediately caught on to the true intent behind the Grand Elder’s question, but to Garrick, Alec had already passed the test without a doubt.

If it had been any other hot-blooded youth from the younger generation, they might have used the opportunity to showcase power by selecting different Tier 7 mages or changing the team for vanity.

But Alec’s choice preserved the hidden strength of the Gordons clan in his eyes, though Alec had only chosen the two elders again because of their experience and effectiveness against zombies, but the Grand Elder was already thinking further ahead.

With only a few days left before the Blood Moon Battle, Alec was now more determined to begin equipping the mages that fought last time without a spirit equipment set.

Unlike the last battle, where not all Gordons mages had received full gear, this time he was determined to change that and had already begun preparations, since he had surplus of Spirit equipment fragments for Tier 6 and Tier 5 demonic beast now.

—

Meanwhile, in the second dimension, the zombie army, which was still weakened after their clash with Estonia City’s forces was ambushed during their return by the Goblin army, who had been lying in wait for just such an opportunity.

The fight for the space gate had been stalled for a while, as the zombies had maintained an overwhelming advantage.

But upon noticing the weakened state of the Zombie horde, the Goblin scouts quickly reported back to their leaders.

This prompted Red, the Goblin Chief’s favoured and first son, to lead the charge against the battered horde.

The Goblins aimed to cripple the zombie army further, hoping to reduce them to a state where they could no longer contest the gate’s control.

After all, the Goblin clan’s growth had been stagnant due to a lack of recent wars.

Meanwhile, the zombie territory continued to thrive on death energy—an environment that greatly benefited the undead and accelerated their strength. That was the nature of the space gate: for every human mage killed by the resident of the second dimension, a portion of their essence would seep into the killer, while the rest would be consumed by the gate itself.

This accumulated energy from the killings of an army of second dimension races is what fuels the prosperity of an area, shaped by what best benefits the dominant clan of that area.

Ever since the goblins lost control of the space gate, their growth had stagnated, and due to the fact they were weaker than the zombie army, they hadn’t dared to make a move, knowing that a prolonged battle would only weaken them further due to the special traits of the zombie army.

But today, an opportunity presented itself, and they seized it.

However, contrary to the Goblin Chieftain’s expectations, the zombies didn’t fight back.

Instead, they began a full-speed retreat toward their domain, the Type 3 mental zombie left behind about a thousand low-rank zombies to buy time for its stronger forces to escape.

It glanced back with hatred in its eyes, powerless as the goblins refused to give chase, satisfied with what they had achieved.

The Goblin Chieftain then approached the space gate, embedding

his aura into it, marking his race as the new holders of its usage rights.