Chapter 88
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: A Fairy Ally and the Captive Immortal
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Aindelph rubbed his eyes. An unbelievable sight was unfolding right before him.
“What... what is this?”
Palm-sized body, adorable little frame with sparkling translucent wings. No doubt about it—a fairy. The mysterious race that only showed up in history books and ancient legends.
Why were these supposedly extinct creatures right in front of him?
“This isn’t some doll, is it?”
He reached out to grab the tiny fairy before him, but she nimbly dodged his hand, fluttered through the air, and landed lightly on Ian’s shoulder.
“Not a doll, then. Unreal.”
“I told you I’d introduce you to a fairy.”
“I thought you were joking. Who’d believe that?”
Dozens of pairs of eyes brimming with curiosity locked onto Lara.
“B-but...”
“She really is pretty.”
“I can see why they were symbols of mystery since ancient times...”
‘No, but aren’t you staring way too openly?’
Can’t you see she’s uncomfortable?
Ian shot him a pointed look, and Aindelph cleared his throat belatedly.
“Ahem! S-sorry. It’s just so astonishing. This is our first time seeing a real fairy. We’ve seen plenty in picture books, though.”
“I get it. That’s understandable.”
The other humans who’d first laid eyes on fairies had reacted the exact same way.
“So, what’s your connection to the fairy? How’d you meet? You two seem pretty tight.”
“Ian and me? We’re inseparable. A bond not even the heavens could sunder.”
Lara’s response. She’d been playfully poking and prodding Ian’s face from various angles. Aindelph stroked his chin, glancing back and forth between Ian and Lara, his eyes narrowing.
“As lovers, the size mismatch is a bit much.”
“Pardon?”
“Nah? A great mage could probably swing it somehow. Shrink-body spells exist, right?”
What the hell is this dwarf on about?
“Whoa, glaring daggers there. Just kidding. Won’t pry. You’ve got your reasons. We just care about getting the job done right.”
Aindelph chuckled and snatched up the bundle of blueprints on the table.
“Anyway, this fairy miss is gonna help us out?”
“That’s right.”
“Good. Let’s see what you’ve got. We don’t work with half-baked mages. Only the best.”
With introductions wrapped up, they moved straight into a simple skills test.
The test was straightforward: use magic to purify designated contaminants.
Lara handled every one flawlessly. Muddy water, pitch-black sewage thick with filth—gone without a trace.
Aindelph watched as the puddles turned crystal clear in an instant under a surge of mana, then burst into booming laughter.
“This fairy miss is top-notch! Love it. No complaints here. Hahaha!”
“Eek, don’t cling! You reek of booze!”
“Can’t help it. Booze breath is a dwarf’s best friend! Tell you what—Fairy miss, no, Lara, right? Care for a beer?”
“I don’t drink.”
“Aw, that’s a shame. Not very manly of you.”
“Manly? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oops, tongue slip. Not very ladylike, then. That better?”
“Ladylike’s not perfect either, but beats manly. Just don’t flip my gender around anymore.”
“Hahaha! Sorry! I hang with burly bruisers all day—slips out!”
“So, where’s the devil?”
“Huh? Devil?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you summon me to purify devils?”
“No clue what you’re on about.”
They chatted amiably. Ian nodded in satisfaction watching them. Dwarves were just so affable—they’d hit it off in no time.
‘Good thing. Was worried they might not like her.’
He’d figured if they hated elves, they might hate fairies too. But it was just needless concern.
‘Guess I’ll go make those golems.’
For worker golems, he planned to cap it at five max for now. Anything more would feel off.
Didn’t want other territories getting greedy or drawing unwanted eyes.
Arcbon opened his eyes. He felt his shattered body knitting back together. His caved-in skull reformed, his darkened vision cleared, and Arcbon sensed he’d grown stronger once more.
‘Stronger this time.’
He clenched his fist. His joints screamed as if they might shatter. That was how much his grip had improved.
Just one battle had made him exponentially stronger—but it still wasn’t enough.
This wouldn’t cut it against the monster before him.
‘Death Knight Karl Dratz.’
Arcbon repeated the enemy’s name. The fiend had boasted it himself. He claimed to have once been the empire’s guardian blade, and he had the skill to back it up.
His physical prowess wasn’t lacking. But battles weren’t won on brawn alone.
The real decider was technique. The enemy was a swordmaster, while Arcbon knew nothing of swordplay or martial arts.
All Arcbon could do was charge in swinging fists and kicks, but the knight wielded his blade with otherworldly finesse. Arcbon felt that gap acutely.
—Truly bizarre. How does he keep coming back no matter how many times I kill him? What’s his mana source even made of?
‘Technique. That’s what I lack.’
—Self-resurrecting? Or does someone revive him? Either way, impressive. Means he’s got mana to burn for endless revivals.
No voices reached him. Arcbon focused on one thought alone.
‘If I had his technique. Could I surpass him?’
—Mana’s off too. Necrotic, sure, but no sticky gloom. Feels pure, like holy power.
—...
—Weird. Fascinating.
Karl Dratz smacked his lips. By then, Arcbon had fully recovered and risen again.
—Fine. Decision made. I’ll drag you to my lord. A freak knight like you—he’ll love it.
—...
—Nameless knight of the Immortal legion. Playtime’s over. I’ll bind you alive and deliver you to my lord, no matter how many times you revive.
—I... want to learn... technique.
Arcbon’s words burst out suddenly. Karl Dratz scoffed. What nonsense was this?
—Learn your technique... I’d get much stronger. Teach it to my men too. Immortals... could grow strong.
—Died so much your mind snapped, huh? Makes sense—even undead egos crumble after that many deaths.
—Fine. Decision made.
A pale glow ignited in Arcbon’s hollow sockets. Eerie vibe, but Karl brushed it off. What did a weakling’s glare change?
—I’ll master your techniques. And grow strong.
—Whatever. Suit yourself.
Karl Dratz kicked off the ground, sword flashing. His necro-infused blade cleaved Arcbon in half. He watched the bones reknit, then flicked his wrist dismissively.
Three necromancers approached from behind. The sorcerers raised staves and chanted. A massive net materialized in the air, ensnaring Arcbon tight. He couldn’t budge.
Arcbon offered zero resistance. Bizarre—he’d fought back fiercely even after dozens of deaths.
But Karl didn’t suspect a thing. What could a pinned weakling do?
—Enemy leader captured. All units, retreat.
The Graveborn legion under Karl Dratz withdrew.
Oddly, the Immortals didn’t pursue. Truly peculiar.
—Guard him tight—no escapes. He’s for the lord.
Locked in the transport cart, Arcbon remained utterly still. Not a word. But he wasn’t silent. Through linked minds, he was issuing orders to his subordinates—a certain mission.
[Arcbon has been captured by Death Knight Karl Dratz!]
Ian blinked at the notification that popped up while sifting through his backlog. What the hell?
‘Captured? Taken alive?’
He knew they were at war. Leader clashes happened. But captured?
—Arcbon. Everything okay?
—Father.
Oh, instant reply. Arcbon wasn’t the type to read and ghost.
—You’re not in danger or anything, right?
—No danger. Don’t worry.
Got it. Just needless worry after all.
...Except that system alert nagged at him.
—You got nabbed by the enemy?
—...Not nabbed. Strategic infiltration.
Suuure. Smooth talker.
That’s totally getting captured.
Same difference.
Situation intrigued him, but no prying.
Just one question.
—Need a rescue? I can summon you right now.
—No. I’m good. Got a plan. Father, handle your stuff.
No wonder parents fret over kids.
Says don’t worry, but now I am.
—If it gets dicey, say the word. Instant summon. Got it?
—Got it. Thanks, Father.
—Alright. Stay safe.
Mind link severed. Arcbon’s doing. Ian paused mid-golem craft, wiped sweat from his brow.
‘Doesn’t seem like a big deal.’
Still worried, though.
Things happen.
Ddol Ddoli proved that—nearly dragon chow. Who saw that coming?
Ian enabled Arcbon’s HP alerts. Summon out if needed. Felt better.
‘Back to it.’
He refocused on the blueprints. Tons to do. Didn’t even feel like work. Territory growth, sure—but really just alchemy extended.
Ian knew he could pull all-nighters on alchemy without tiring.
Karl Dratz’s Graveborn legion raced day and night for days before reaching their stronghold. The massive castle they boasted, ‘Nightmare Castle.’
The sturdy gates swung open as the legion approached. Karl entered smoothly, like always.
“Welcome back!”
“Great work, sir!”
He brushed past the slaves’ hearty cheers and headed to the top floor, transport cart with Arcbon in tow.
Finally in the audience chamber, he bowed properly to his lord.
—My lord. I’ve returned.
“Good work.”
—No need for thanks.
“What’s that behind you?”
—Enemy leader. Captured him.
“Oh?”
—Might’ve heard. The Immortals.
“Immortals, yeah. Drove out Necropolis and took over, right? Immortal Skull was the boss or something.”
—This is that Immortal Skull.
“Oh ho. Him?”
—Yes. Sliced him hundreds of times, but he kept reviving. Figured you’d be thrilled, so I took him alive.
“Fascinating. Very fascinating. Gonna be fun.”
The man called lord’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“Well done. My faithful knight...”
“Hiiik! M-m-monster!”
Words cut off by the black mage Bill in the corner. He trembled at Arcbon locked in the cart.
“Who’re you?”
“M-my lord! Th-that thing’s a monster! D-discard it! Right now!”
—Hey now. Know your place?
Karl glared. Bill didn’t care—or rather, terror blinded him to all else.
“C-commander! Y-you’re tricked! C-can’t beat it! We’ll all get devoured!”
Bill thrashed. Karl booted him flying, then stomped down.
“Kraaak!”
—My lord, ignore this coward. No need to heed him.
“Why’s he so terrified?”
—Necropolis alum. Sole Blood Reaper survivor—that’s him.
The man nodded. Right, remembered now.
The human who surrendered with a haul of spellbooks. Bill.
Decent haul. Kept him around, but nothing special.
“Leave him. Let’s hear him out.”
At the lord’s word, Karl eased off. Bill’s screams poured out.
“W-we were the same! Thought him a scrub, let our guard down. He slaughtered us all, claimed Necropolis. It’s a monster! Hiiik!”
Clawing his hair, curling up.
“D-discard it! Or Graveborn’ll end up the same. Ashes like Blood Reapers! Uhihihi!”
Then mad cackles. The lord shook his head.
“Lunatic.”
—Indeed.
“Drag him off. Irritating.”
—Yes.
Bill dragged away giggling insanely. Audience chamber fell quiet. The lord rose, approached the cart.
Stared straight at Arcbon. Eyes locked. Arcbon didn’t twitch.
“Immortal Skull. Won’t die no matter how many times killed, they say.”
—...
“Dying to know. Where’s your immortality from? Real deal?”
No response. The man smirked.
That’s more like it. Prisoners don’t play nice.
“Perfect. Was curious myself. Time to kill you a thousand, million times. Let’s test this immortality.”
—Heh heh heh.
The man flinched. Did that thing just laugh?
Glanced around. No one caught it. Not even keen-eared Karl.
—Something wrong?
“Nothing.”
‘Misheard, I guess.’
“Haul him off.”
He waved. Soldiers rushed in, dragged Arcbon to the underground dungeon. The Immortal Skull now faced eternal hellish torment.
But something felt off. Arcbon’s face as they dragged him... looked like he was smiling.