Overwhelming Firepower

Lucen sighed when he heard the reports. He had expected it to happen, but it was still irritating for it to happen.

’To think those fools would actually do the cliché of not reporting the situation, trying to get as much glory as possible. Well, it is much better than I expected since there were also quite a few that remained steadfast and reported their situations the moment the undead attacked.’

Lucen was now looking at a map. Small markers had been placed over every town and village within the suspected area.

The black markers represented settlements that had been attacked. Red markers showed the defensive lines that had fallen, while white markers represented the places that had managed to repel the first wave.

He used the information he gained and, based on the timing of each report and their locations, Lucen now had a rough guess as to where the Lich’s main hideout was located.

’Okay, first find the lich, destroy his body, then with the time given before his next resurrection, find the item where he hid his soul.’

Despite the plan being nice and simple, the way to achieve all those things was harder than one could imagine.

In the game, if you found the Lich this early, he would only have a small number of undead, but now he had a f*cking horde.

’Still, based on how many towns and villages he is attacking and the reported numbers, he should not have enough to take on Norvaegard. This should only be a test to see how we react. This might be the best chance we have to kill the Lich before he gains even more strength.’

Now with a location, Lucen summoned the others who would come with him to defeat the Lich.

It did not take long for the people Lucen had summoned to arrive. Sir Thalos and Alexander entered first, followed by Cael, Mina, Nina, Catherine, and Ryan. Robert and Mireya came shortly afterward, while Harlik, Elyra, and Eisen were the last to enter the room.

These were the people Lucen planned to use to deal with the Lich. Normally, people would think he would call for a cleric or someone with divine authority to help with healing and dealing with the undead, but Lucen did not.

The clerics were needed elsewhere. It would be better for them to deal with the horde of undead and help the wounded than join them in battle.

Not to mention, seeing as he did not know how strong the Lich was now, he needed more damage dealers than healers.

If not for the constant threat of a possible monster wave, his Father, Duke Vardon, would have come as well.

Due to the possibility of another skirmish with the Kingdom of Inevir, the Sword Duke would have wanted to join this subjugation, but now he was at the border waiting to see what Inevir would do.

Alongside him were the Duchess Seraphina and even the strongest Mage Thelwin. The Judicar house was busy finding the masked spies and dealing with their subordinates.

The knights at the fifth aura mantle, and the mages above the fifth circle, needed to remain in the Capital to protect from the hidden threats and also could not join the subjugation. The only fifth mantle user that could come with them was Sir Thalos.

So, right now, Lucen only had these people he could use to defeat the Lich.

Although calling them the only people available made them sound far less dangerous than they actually were.

Sir Thalos was among the strongest swordsmen in Norvaegard. Harlik and Elyra had fought beside Lucen through several battles, while Eisen was a genius whose mana supply would shock even a dragon.

Robert and Mireya offered abilities that no ordinary warrior could replace.

As for Alexander and his companions, they were still students, but no one who had seen them fight would treat them as ordinary students anymore. Especially Lucen, who knew that they were the hero and his party.

”I’ve figured out the general location of the Lich. I will give the command to Mark, while we take down the Lich.”

”So it’s finally time,” Alexander spoke with a serious tone, holding the hilt of his sword.

”Heh, I wonder what mysteries I will learn from such a being. If possible, I would want to study his body.” Robert licked his lips, excited to meet the so-called Lich.

”Since you have already figured out its location. We should quickly move. The faster we end this, the fewer people need to die.” Elyra spoke, her aura mantle already blazing with anticipation for battle.

Lucen nodded his head. ”I know, but before we head out, I need to tell you guys everything I know about the Lich.”

Lucen then started explaining the skills of the Lich, like Drain Touch, his necromancy, like how he’s able to control the undead and share their senses, his mastery of draconic language, and other such abilities. He also explained about the item housing the Lich’s true soul.

”As long as that object remains intact, destroying his body will not kill him permanently,” Lucen said.

Robert’s eyes immediately lit up. ”You mean his soul is completely separated from his physical form?”

”In a way, yes. So even if we somehow destroy his current body, he will eventually create another one. Still, that would take some time to do. That means destroying his body will give us some time to locate the object containing his soul.”

”Hoh, well, that’s truly interesting,” Robert spoke, his excitement becoming greater.

Lucen stared at him. ”Do not touch anything suspicious inside the Lich’s lair.”

Robert looked offended. ”We haven’t even defeated the Lich yet, and you’re already thinking that far ahead. Also, why would you assume I would do something so reckless?”

Everyone inside the room looked toward him. Robert decided to ignore them as he shrugged his shoulders.

After a short briefing and checking their equipment, the group headed out.

***

The group travelled aboard Robert’s personal airship. Several more airships flew nearby, but they carried soldiers who would establish a perimeter around the suspected location.

Lucen did not bring many forces since they needed to defend several areas and prevent the undead horde from reaching civilians.

The airships flew above the forest, their searchlights moving across the trees below. From above, there was nothing unusual about the area.

There were no ruins, graves, or large groups of undead. Only trees, rocks, and several hills covered in thick vegetation.

Robert stared through a device attached to the side of the airship. ”The mana in this area is strange.”

”Strange in what way?” Lucen asked.

”It is being pulled underground.” Robert adjusted the device again. ”The amount is small enough that an ordinary mage would not notice it, but it is happening across the entire forest. Everything is flowing toward the same place.”

Lucen approached the window. ”Can you determine where?”

Robert pointed toward a group of hills ahead. ”Somewhere beneath those.”

Lucen immediately picked up the communication orb. ”All airships, prepare to descend. Establish the perimeter around the hills. Do not enter the forest unless ordered.”

***

Lucen’s group exited the airship and walked on foot. While they were walking, Catherine spoke to Lucen.

”Sir Lucen, there seems to be an underground passage over here.”

Hearing what Catherine said, Lucen couldn’t help but smile. ’As expected of a blind character with enhanced senses!’

Catherine pointed toward a large tree growing between two boulders.

”There is empty space beneath the ground. I can also hear air passing through somewhere behind those rocks.”

Lucen approached the area and looked around. At first, there appeared to be nothing unusual. The roots of the tree had spread across the soil, while moss covered most of the stones.

Mireya narrowed her eyes. ”There’s an illusion.” She released a small wave of mana, and the surroundings flickered.

The tree disappeared first, followed by the moss and several rocks. What remained was a narrow stone entrance leading deep underground.

Robert quickly inspected the opening with his device. ”This is where the mana is going.”

Lucen stared into the passage for several seconds before drawing the Crimson Lord Mk V from his back.

”Catherine and Mireya, remain near the center. Robert, keep watching the mana flow. Eisen, collapse the passage if anything attempts to surround us.” Eisen nodded once.

Alexander drew his broadsword. Beside him, Mina readied her spear, Nina raised her rapier, Ryan unsheathed his twin short swords, and Cael silently drew his longsword.

Catherine carried her staff on her back and held two revolvers loaded with the special explosive rounds Lucen had prepared for her.

Sir Thalos and Elyra moved toward the front, while Harlik lifted his shield and rested one hand on his sword.

Once the group had formed a makeshift formation, they entered the passage, with Sir Thalos, Elyra, and Lucen at the front.

The passage swallowed them one by one. After several steps, the entrance behind them disappeared beneath an illusion, cutting off the moonlight.

Robert created a ball of light to illuminate the area, and they continued onward. The underground passage was bigger than they expected.

The battle that was to come was going to be difficult, but Lucen was ready to show the Lich the power from another world.