Chapter 144
Chapter 144
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Legion (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Liberated black mana spread out in all directions. It was like watching endlessly extending tree branches.
"Oh ho?"
Gasdal's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Black mana, is it? I've known since you were commanding that flesh golem, but you're truly a fascinating one."
It was an unexpected situation, but Gasdal's vast experience and knowledge meant he wasn't one to be surprised by something like this from a guy named Victor.
"What do you plan to do with that black mana? Use alchemy? Or activate the demon's legacy?"
Even without black magic, there were quite a few ways to utilize black mana.
The alchemy and demon's legacy he just mentioned as examples were precisely that.
However, they weren't widely used because they were less efficient than black magic or came with severe side effects.
Victor didn't answer Gasdal's question. Instead, he manipulated the black mana to form a spell formula.
Gasdal's reaction gradually grew more intense.
"Black magic? Now that's surprising! A high-class knight using black magic!"
Gasdal watched the scene with a face full of intense interest.
"I once saw a knight like you long ago. He learned black magic to get revenge on a black mage. Something about knowing your enemy to kill them well?"
Was it because he'd encountered an amusing opponent after so long?
Gasdal's mood was far more elevated than usual. Enough to spout useless chatter.
"Do you know what happened to him in the end? The black mana and mana repelled each other, turning him into a cripple. What a foolish bastard, right?"
While Gasdal prattled on, the spell formula Victor had constructed was completed.
Following the completed formula, a massive magic circle began to draw itself on the ground.
"Well, the form is properly in place at least. Let's see how you differ from that guy..."
The moment Gasdal saw the structure of the magic circle, his face hardened instantly.
There wasn't just one black magic spell that created skeletons. They existed in stages according to the black mage's level.
The lowest-tier skeleton creation magic was so crude that no matter what soul was used, it only produced low-level skeletons.
Skeletons that would shatter with a single solid hit, with none of the rationality or personality of the soul used as material showing through.
The higher the black magic level, the stronger the skeletons became, and the more the characteristics of the souls used as material emerged.
And the black magic Victor was using...
"10th rank?"
The highest-tier black magic that not only created skeletons as powerful as monsters but fully reproduced the rationality, memories, and even habits of the souls used as material.
"How do you even..."
Even Gasdal, a grand black mage, needed more than a day of preparation to use 10th-rank black magic.
Yet Victor had completed it in less than a few minutes.
It wasn't just the speed. He had drawn such a complex and intricate magic circle without a single mistake or hesitation.
"This is the path you chose."
The magic circle emitted black light. Knights' and soldiers' souls began to be sucked into it.
"So don't blame me."
Just before being fully absorbed into the magic circle, the White Kingdom's knights and soldiers looked at Demian and smiled.
The magic circle devoured all their souls. Soon after, dozens of skeletons rose from within it.
The skeletons varied in size and form, each exuding a different aura.
It had to be that way. They had been converted into skeletons by the highest-tier black magic that perfectly replicated their abilities from life.
Gasdal stared at them in shock.
"...Impressive, but..."
But it was only for a moment. Gasdal quickly regained his composure.
"You can't beat me with those. Do you know why?"
Gasdal sneered as he spoke.
"There are two main factors that determine a skeleton's strength. First, the quality of the soul used as material. Second, the effort put in by the owner."
His red skeletons weren't just made from carefully selected souls; they had grown by devouring countless other souls and memories.
Thanks to that, they had all attained strength surpassing low-class.
On the other hand, what of the skeletons Victor had created?
Most were ordinary soldiers. There were low-class and mid-class knights, but only a tiny fraction.
Not only that, but their numbers were few overall. They barely numbered in the dozens, while Gasdal's loyal minions exceeded hundreds.
"Well, yeah. Freshly made ones like these can't beat you."
Surprisingly, Victor readily admitted the fact.
"But there's one thing I haven't mentioned."
Victor formed hand seals as he added,
"That with a black mage's support, undead can grow as strong as needed."
Victor used black mana to construct another spell formula.
Even as his enemy prepared black magic, Gasdal's demeanor remained relaxed.
"No matter what black magic you use, you won't close this gap... but go ahead, I'll watch. Let's see what black magic you pull out."
But the moment he saw the spell formula Victor was creating, Gasdal's leisure vanished completely.
"...What the hell is that?"
Grand black mage.
The knowledge Gasdal had accumulated to reach this position could fill entire valleys.
Even he had never seen the black magic Victor was now preparing, not even in records.
Not only the method of forming the formula but its composition was entirely new to him.
"It's on a different level... isn't it? How can you form black magic like that..."
It differed from existing black magic from the ground up. As if completely denying the foundations of conventional black magic.
"Th-that... where did you learn such black magic...!"
The moment Gasdal shouted, the black magic Victor was preparing was completed.
At that instant, the ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.
* * *
As Demian completed the black magic, the ground trembled. At the same time, an altar began to rise behind him.
Its shape was exactly like a square pillar. Wide at the base, narrowing toward the top.
At the very top of the altar sat a single chair.
The chair was entirely made of bone, with an extremely high backrest.
Perhaps because of that, it exuded a strange sense of intimidation.
Just looking up at it felt like committing a sin.
Like one had to bow their head.
It was as if beholding a throne.
"What... what the hell was that black magic..."
Gasdal asked in a trembling voice.
Even he, a grand black mage, had never seen it, not even in records.
It had to be that way.
This was the ancient black magic that Archlich Dorgo had left only as his personal secret technique.
Binding Black.
A black magic created for the purpose of supporting his undead subordinates.
Demian placed his foot on the altar. At once, silence fell everywhere.
Not only the skeletons Demian had summoned but even Gasdal held his breath, watching Demian ascend the altar.
Why was that?
With each step Demian took up the altar, fear grew in everyone's hearts. The emotion of terror piled up. A sense of awe quietly raised its head.
It was the same for allies and enemies alike. Even Gasdal was no exception.
By the time Demian reached the top, the emotions everyone harbored reached their peak.
Demian sat upon the throne. He leaned back against the headrest and looked down at them all.
No one felt any resentment toward that arrogant posture. Instead, a single word came to mind.
Overlord.
Demian's appearance evoked the image of a lord reigning over the dead.
"I declare."
Demian's voice rumbled low.
"From this moment, I shall not move a single step from this seat."
Iron chains emerged from somewhere, wrapping around both Demian and the throne.
"From this moment, I shall not react to any threats."
A second chain bound Demian's legs to the throne.
"From this moment, I shall use no black magic whatsoever."
A third chain bound Demian's arms to the throne.
Everyone watching this scene harbored doubts.
Why was he sealing his own abilities? And in the middle of fighting a transcendent like a grand black mage, no less.
"In exchange for these three restrictions, I shall share with my loyal minions, if only for a time."
Demian paused once before finishing.
"My knowledge and experience."
At that instant, a flood of countless information poured into the skeletons' minds.
No, it wasn't pouring in. It was like diving into an ocean of knowledge. The sheer volume of data felt suffocating.
The skeletons' talents were far too meager to absorb it all.
What the skeletons could gain was a single grain of knowledge.
But the moment they accepted it, an enormous change occurred in them.
Explosive energy erupted from the dozens of skeletons.
"Wh-what..."
Gasdal panicked greatly at the sudden transformation.
"What... what's happening right now!"
The skeletons simultaneously raised their weapons toward the sky. Pitch-black aura surged from the weapons.
"Low... class?"
Gasdal muttered dazedly at the sight.
But he immediately denied his own thought.
"No, no... this is... this is...!"
Gasdal cried out in horror.
"Mid-class!"
All dozens of skeletons had been promoted to mid-class.
"I-It can't be..."
In life, the majority had been ordinary soldiers. There were knights, but only low-class. Mid-class numbered barely one or two.
Yet these unremarkable, insignificant things had leaped straight to mid-class.
"What the hell... what have you done!"
Undead grow stronger with their owner's support.
But there were limits. No black mage could elevate ordinary skeletons to mid-class.
"What have you done, I say!"
At Gasdal's bellow, Demian propped his chin indifferently.
"Noisy."
The skeletons' gazes turned to Gasdal. Dozens of mid-class killing intents poured down simultaneously.
"Silence that bastard immediately."
At Demian's command, the dozens of mid-class charged toward Gasdal.