Chapter 64

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 64

Chapter Title: Imperial Civil Servant Hides Alchemy

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It took about a week to finish all the enhancements on Arkbon.

Of course, he couldn't devote himself entirely to enhancements for a full week—he only worked on them in his spare time.

Starting with the 'Return' spell engraved on Ddol Ddoli, he applied various enhancements like increased durability, boosted strength, improved dominance, and more. But the most crucial one by far was the 'Collective Consciousness Network.'

The naming was different from Ian's 'Consciousness Link,' and so was the effect.

The description and effect seemed quite complex at first glance, but Ian grasped it immediately.

'So, it's basically a group chat.'

Arkbon now had group chat functionality.

It was a group chat, but an undead-only one—only Arkbon's minions could join.

Since Arkbon held complete control, he could invite and kick people at will.

"Arkbon. Want to try using the ability?"

-Understood.

Arkbon nodded and focused for a moment.

'Whoa. A 458-person group chat, including him.'

The number was insanely high.

"But why only 457? Don't you have over a thousand minions?"

-This is the limit for now. My mental strength isn't sufficient.

"Ah, got it."

So, he couldn't invite more due to lack of mental strength.

Knowledge gained.

-Oh.

"How's it feel?"

-Fascinating. I feel something connected.

Arkbon kept marveling at it, but honestly, Ian was more amazed watching Arkbon than Arkbon himself.

'Who knew this guy could be so surprised.'

The usually stoic one who rarely showed emotion was this astonished.

How incredible must it be?

-I can hear my minions' voices.

He said he could hear voices, yet the undead around weren't making a sound.

They were probably deep in silent conversation.

-Father. I'll focus for a bit.

Arkbon seemed to be exploring the function, standing blankly for a while.

Ian finally couldn't hold back and asked.

"Arkbon. What were you doing?"

-Ah, giving orders to my subordinate.

"Orders?"

-Yes. Part of my forces are currently at war. I told them to return immediately once the war ends.

Ah, he was just sending a message.

-Since Father has come to our land, they should pay their respects.

"Huh? No, it's fine. No need for greetings."

Recalling the army just to say hello...

Not necessary. Really.

-I also ordered the skeleton cavalry I sent north to return. Told them to rush back and greet Father...

"No, I said it's fine."

-But they must pay respects to Father.

"It's okay. Focus on your own stuff."

-Understood...

This felt like being a division commander on a surprise visit to the front lines.

'Why would I make troops in the middle of war return for me?'

Really, no need.

But Arkbon looked oddly dejected.

"Arkbon. Are you sulking?"

-I'm not sulking.

"Really?"

-Yes.

"You seem sulky."

-I'm not!

'Whoa, startled me.'

Why yell like that?

Was not needing a greeting such a hurt?

-Ahem. I spoke too loudly. But I'm really not sulking. Just a bit disappointed.

'Yup, definitely sulking.'

Ian threw an arm around Arkbon's shoulders and patted him.

"I know. I was just teasing. Sorry."

-It was my fault. How dare I yell at Father. I deserve death. Ah, but I resurrect anyway. So I can't even die.

"..."

The guy could even joke.

-Anyway, Father. Thank you.

Arkbon bowed his head.

-It's a great ability. It will greatly aid my conquest.

"Glad it helps."

'That should be enough enhancements.'

Not only overall stat boosts, but he'd even added a bone-related soul attribute stone he'd been saving.

Arkbon wasn't quite at Ddol Ddoli's level, but he was surely strong enough to have no equals.

"Arkbon. I'm heading out now."

-Already?

"Yeah. I have work too."

He'd stayed long enough.

Excluding the time holed up in the lab enhancing, pure time spent in the Necropolis was nearly three days.

-I see. Just as I have duties of conquest, Father has his own work.

'Duties of conquest? Is that a thing?'

Was conquest a duty?

"Right. Work hard."

-I will.

"See you. I'll come back...

Ian stopped mid-sentence. The cityscape suddenly caught his eye.

A ghostly ruin of a city.

'Ugh, gives me the creeps.'

Literally ghosts, in fact.

Undead were ghosts—what else?

"Oh, right. Fix up your city a bit."

-Fix it up?

"Yeah. Look around. It's too spooky."

-Spooky? Not sure I get it.

"Plus, it's shabby."

Even for undead.

Still, as a faction's base—practically a capital—it looked too ragged. Bad optics.

"Not fancy, but at least not shabby. Right?"

-I understand. But I don't usually care about such things.

"Start caring from now on."

Ian never planned to micromanage his creations or impose his views.

But this felt necessary.

Why?

Simple.

'Every visit feels like a heart attack.'

Not asking for prosperity.

Didn't expect that.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

But at minimum, less terrifying.

Clear the ashes, put out random fires. Sweep rotting flesh and scattered bones. Yeah?

-Understood. I'll pay attention. City aesthetics. Appearance. I know what you mean.

'Huh?'

City development?

'Just said tidy it up, and that's the result?'

Well, developing the city was good anyway.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot your gift."

-Gift?

"Yeah. Here."

Ian pulled a demon soul stone from his inventory. It was Succubus Vespera's.

True to a demon soul stone, it thrashed wildly the moment it appeared, as if trying to escape.

Fearing it might slip away, Ian gripped it tightly.

-What is it?

"Details later. Just hold it tight. It'll run if you don't."

-Understood.

Arkbon gripped the soul stone firmly.

Skinny bone fingers looked weak, but their strength far exceeded Ian's, so no issue.

"Don't let go. You'll lose it. Got it?"

-Understood.

Arkbon squeezed like it might burst.

Ian explained what a soul stone was.

Not in detail—just that it contained a soul.

-Soul or stone. Fascinating item.

"Personally, I'd love if you took her as a subordinate."

-Subordinate. I don't take mediocrities, but if it's Father's order.

Ian chuckled. Mediocrities?

"She's not that weak."

A demon, after all. Not comparable to lowly skeletons.

"Anyway, can you do it?"

-I'll try.

Arkbon channeled demonic energy while clutching the soul stone.

The soul stone bounced like a rubber ball.

'Won't work?'

Ian clenched his fist. He hadn't done much, yet sweat poured.

'No. It will.'

Not given to Arkbon lightly. There was a plan.

If his guess was right, it would succeed.

-Hmm.

Arkbon's low groan.

-Not easy. Strong soul. Far beyond humans.

Demonic energy pouring from Arkbon was intense. Probably going all out.

-But it cannot escape.

'Yes!'

Ian pumped his fist.

'That's what I was aiming for!'

Arkbon's unique trait, Unbound Fate, which ignored demon realm laws.

He'd wondered if it could free a demon soul stone—and it worked.

Snap!

A thick cord snapping echoed in Ian's mind.

Soon after, Arkbon released the soul stone. Surprisingly, it didn't flee.

-Success.

"Good job! Heh heh heh!"

-Can I do with this soul as I please?

"Of course! It's a gift!"

Ian grinned.

The demon soul stone had been a headache, but he'd found a use.

The next day after enhancing Arkbon and generously gifting him, upon returning.

He entered the palace as usual, but the atmosphere was off.

"Um, Sir Hermann. Why's the mood like this?"

"Mood?"

"Yeah. Everyone looks down, sighing heavily. Gloomy faces."

Well, not quite that bad—a bit exaggerated.

"Did another head roll or something?"

"Good grief. Such grim talk. Who're you planning to kill?"

After over a month, he was on friendly terms with court mage Hermann.

Hermann treated Ian casually too.

"Nothing like that. But wails are coming soon enough."

"Wails?"

"Yeah. Northern barbarians' invasion is all but confirmed. How could there not be wails?"

"Huh?"

"One misstep, and we'll send our kids to the front. Can't not sigh. Tsk tsk."

"Wait, invasion? The barbarians?"

"That's right."

"Who said?"

"Who? The situation tells us."

Ian widened his eyes, and Hermann added.

"You really have no clue. Living cut off from the world?"

"Been busy with something lately. Spill the details."

"Intel guys say Karak Tur has opened."

Ian's expression turned odd. He knew what that meant.

Karak Tur.

Northern barbarian tongue for 'Oath of the Stone God'—a ritual they always held before major wars.

A sacrificial rite to the gods before large-scale conflict.

Holding it meant they were dead serious about war.

In simple terms: 'We're coming to crush you. Prepare.'

'Weird. They shouldn't invade for another three years. Did history change?'

Ian's face grew serious.

It made sense upon reflection.

How much chaos had he caused everywhere?

Pandemonium appeared far earlier than it should, court mage Siena's identity was exposed prematurely.

And not just that?

The Necropolis, meant to be a great evil, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was half-occupied by some undead playing territory tag. Even fairies, not in the story, appeared.

Who knew what else would pop up now?

'Damn. That's trouble.'

He could survive war ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fine, but the issue was work-life balance.

Could he commute peacefully from the capital?

No, straight to the front lines on assignment.

Hated that. Really hated.

What to do?

'Can't just tell Ddol Ddoli to wipe them out...'

Ian paused.

'Wait. Ddol Ddoli?'

Come to think, Ddol Ddoli had encountered the barbarians.

'What're they up to?'

"Huh?"

What?

Already subjugated that many?

'Wait. This.'

Ian's mind lit up. He roughly understood the situation.

Due to the barbarians' unique faith in megalith gods.

They worshipped rock gods in human form as 'Karak,' and mistook Ddol Ddoli for one.

'Plausible.'

Ddol Ddoli was humanoid too.

And their rock gods were depicted as human-shaped.

Easy mix-up.

'If I ask Ddol Ddoli to order them not to war, will they listen?'

Ridiculous idea.

But Ian felt it had real potential.

He knew religion's power well.