Overwhelming Firepower

Lucen, who was healing because of his regeneration skill, stopped the others from approaching Alexander and Aleister as they had their conversation.

Despite the distance, every one of them had excellent hearing, especially Catherine, meaning they heard the entire conversation.

’That was nice! I have witnessed a f*cking real-life talk-no-jutsu! This is why I like those heroes who believe that everyone has a chance to be redeemed. Not just killing their enemies but also trying to save them as well.’

Lucen couldn’t help but smile at the sight. He had read many novels, webnovels, lightnovels, manga, and comics. Near the end, he remembered there being too many anti-hero or revenge-type heroes.

Heroes who saw the world as grey. It was getting harder to find a shining bright hero like Alexander, who, despite knowing the darkness in the world, chooses to believe in the light.

He himself believed that he was a Grey type who saw neither good nor evil, and simply saw the world as it is.

If someone threatened him or the people he cared about and they had nothing to offer him, he would either beat them up or kill them. He would not lose sleep over enemies who had made their choice.

He saw people that he liked and did not like; he was someone who only moved because of interest.

This was different for Alexander, someone Lucen considered a true hero. Alexander was someone who would try to save anyone, even his enemy, but of course, he was not a foolish hero.

Even if someone had committed terrible crimes, Alexander would spare them if there was still a chance for repentance. However, if redemption was impossible and they continued threatening others, he had the resolve to send them into Lady Velmira’s embrace.

’Yeah. That’s the kind of hero I want to see. One who has a clear line of what’s good and what’s evil.’

At this moment Lucen was so engrossed in the scene he ignores the level up notifications he had.

While Lucen was admiring one of his favorite heroes, Alexander watched as the Lich’s body turned into dust. As if the Lich timed it, the sun was rising on the horizon.

The light passed through the broken trees and illuminated the ashes scattered inside the crater.

Alexander remained there for several moments, then he opened his mouth and said something none of them could hear before turning around.

He slowly climbed out of the crater and returned to the others. Lucen noticed the complicated expression on his face.

There was sadness in Alexander’s eyes, but also relief. Lucen, who had seen Alexander’s different routes, could pretty much tell what the other party was thinking.

’This guy must be thinking that if he were strong enough, he could have found the Lich before anyone died and convince him to stop his revenge.’

Lucen’s comment to himself was exactly what Alexander was thinking. However, before Alexander could continue blaming himself, Lucen spoke.

”I know what you’re thinking, but lamenting about what is done will get you nowhere. The only thing you can do is do better next time.”

Lucen spoke in a serious, composed tone, hoping to imprint upon Alexander the image of a reliable expert whose advice should be followed.

Hearing what Lucen said as if he could read his mind, Alexander smiled faintly. He nodded his head once before responding, ”I will keep that in mind.”

Lucen showed a soft smile, hearing Alexander’s response. Once that was done, Alexander told everyone else what the Lich told him about the ring.

”That must be the item that holds his soul,” Robert said excitedly. Ignoring Robert’s excitement, Lucen ordered the others to find the ring.

***

While Lucen and the others were looking for the ring, the undead that had been attacking relentlessly in different areas stopped moving.

Skeletons froze with their weapons raised. Zombies collapsed onto the ground, while the blue flames within the eyes of the stronger undead suddenly disappeared.

The soldiers and mercenaries fighting them did not immediately celebrate. The sound of gunfire and explosions stopped. The war trains stopped firing; the airships did the same. Still, they remained in formation, staring cautiously at the motionless creatures.

A few of the braver ones came close to the undead and started probing them, but no matter what they did, the undead no longer moved.

With Aleister’s body destroyed, the necromantic network connecting him to his army had collapsed.

His soul remained intact, but until he created another vessel, he could no longer command the dead.

Seeing this, one of the mercenaries fell to the ground exhausted, and another suddenly shouted in victory.

The others followed suit, either falling to the ground exhausted or cheering at their survival. It was at that moment that several people thought of a person.

One name entered the minds of many soldiers: Lucen Thornehart, the ever-victorious young lord. If the undead had suddenly stopped, then he must have defeated whatever had been controlling them.

A few people shouted Lucen’s name, and the others started to realize why. There must be a reason the undead stopped, and the person who most likely achieved this miracle was Lucen Thornehart.

The soldiers raised their weapons and shouted until their voices became hoarse.

***

Back in the ruined forest, Lucen and the others began searching for the place Aleister had described.

It didn’t take too long to find the tree on top of a hill filled with lilies. The tree was so tall and large that it was hard not to notice. It was quite a beautiful sight to behold, especially under the sunrise.

Alexander and Mina had passed through this region before, yet neither of them had ever seen this hill.

There were no lilies to be found in this area, which was why when they heard the Lich’s description, they were confused. Of course, Alexander never thought that the Lich was lying. Still, to see such scenery here took him by surprise.

Robert looked around the hill with a mixture of fascination. ”This entire area must have been concealed by some form of ancient magic.”

”How beautiful,” Mina murmured to herself.

”... I don’t know why, but looking at this tree, I feel something weird.” The ever enthusiastic Ryan spoke.

”You feel it too?” Nina asked.

Ryan nodded. ”It feels warm, but also sad.”

The others fell silent. Even Lucen could sense it. The mana surrounding the hill was completely different from the dead forest behind them. It did not contain the cold hatred Aleister had released during the battle.

Mana was everywhere; no matter what it was, it would exude mana, and depending on the surroundings, the feel of mana would be different.

The feeling they got from the surroundings was gentle. The lilies swayed beneath the morning breeze, their white petals reflecting the light of the rising sun. There were so many that the entire hill looked as though it had been covered in snow.

At its center stood the enormous tree. Its trunk was wide enough that several people would have needed to join hands to surround it. Its branches stretched outward like a roof, shielding a small part of the hill from the sunlight.

’This place is where he hid the item that holds his soul?’ This was the first time Lucen had seen this location.

Even though in the game, the location of the Lich’s soul vessel changed between routes, it was always hidden somewhere connected to his resurrection or past. This place was different from all those locations he had seen before.

This place truly felt like a sacred ground. Lucen started thinking a bit, remembering the backstory of the Lich Aleister.

’I see... This place is a grave, either of his memories or his loved ones.’

Lucen did not immediately order the others to search. For once, no one seemed eager to move.

The contrast between the hill and the ruined forest was too great. Behind them were shattered trees, blackened earth, and the remains of a battle that had nearly killed them all.

Before them was a field of white lilies untouched by death. Even the morning breeze felt warmer here. It felt relaxing just standing in this place as if all their worries could disappear in the breeze.

Even Harlik, who cared little for scenery, lowered his shield and looked across the lilies in silence. Catherine listened to the wind moving the branches.

’It kind of makes me feel bad to sully this place by digging for that ring... Even if we do get it, it’s not like there is any way at the moment to destroy it.’

The item that stores the soul of the Lich in the game was a nigh indestructible item that could only be destroyed using some divine items or certain rituals, which were not yet available at this point in time.

’Still, we can seal it so that the Lich can’t create a new body. Yeah, as long as the ring doesn’t have contact with too much mana, it will stop its functions.’

Lucen remained silent before finally sitting among the lilies. The others followed his example. No one spoke loudly. Even Ryan, who normally could not stay quiet, watched the petals sway beneath the morning light.

For a few minutes, they simply appreciated the scenery. This hill had witnessed Aleister and Liora laughing beneath the tree, sharing dreams, and promising to remain beside one another. It had also witnessed their final moments together, their love becoming the last warmth Aleister carried into undeath.

The mana lingering here had preserved those memories. Perhaps that was why the place felt warm and sorrowful at the same time.

Of course, Lucen and the others could not know this, but they sensed it. They understood that this place was something important to Aleister.

Alexander placed one hand against the tree’s trunk and closed his eyes. ”I hope you both find peace,” he whispered.

Lucen smiled when he heard those words. He and the others then waited for a few minutes. When Lucen felt his strength returning a little, he stood up with the help of Harlik and spoke.

”Alright then, it’s time to dig and find that ring. Be careful not to damage the roots.”

The group then started digging using their hands and spells. It didn’t take too long to find the item they were looking for.

They found a wooden box with ancient letters on it. Robert was the first to check the item out.

It had several layers of defense implanted on the box, but for some reason, a few of them had already deactivated, and the remaining ones were easy to unlock for Robert.

Once Robert was done unlocking the box, he passed it on to Lucen. Holding the wooden box in his hand, Lucen felt like it had a pulse.

Lucen then opened the box, and inside was a ring made of an unknown material, glowing ever so faintly in the sunlight.