Chapter Eight

Instead of directly confronting Nazrac, Dojin opted for a strategy centered on gaining his favor and manipulating him to his advantage, but it wasn’t his first approach. Like other players who came before him, Dojin also suffered countless defeats at the hands of Nazrac and his horde. These setbacks led him to adopt the strategy of exploiting the undead lord.

Dojin would first win Nazrac’s favor by enticing him with promises of strategic insight and diplomacy, ultimately earning a place in his service. Then he would persuade the necro-lord to attack other realms that posed a threat to Eiota. Such targets for destruction would include Solun, Eiota’s age-old enemy state.

“Your name is Otto, correct?” Nazrac asked, shifting his attention back to Otto.

“Yes, O Master of Death.”

“And you have achieved mastery over the art of strategy and diplomacy through years of diligent study.”

“I have, my lord.”

Nazrac opened his arms to his sides. “Then instruct me on how I should proceed from here.”

Having faced bitter failures in reckless conquests and diplomatic failures in the past, he intended to be more cautious this time.

“Firstly…” Otto gave a measured reply. “Since you’ve only awakened not too long ago, you must take steps to strengthen your power.”

The undead nodded. “I concur.”

“You must also increase the number of undead soldiers under your command. The number of ranks in your army is far below what they should be.”

Again, the necro-lord nodded along. “That’s also a reasonable assertion.”

“However, if you act hastily without a solid plan, a united front of humans will challenge you before you can strengthen your forces.”

“So, what do you suggest I do? It seems impractical to sit back and do nothing at all.”

“You should attack humans to increase your power and influence—that much is true. However, you must strategically prevent the living lords from forming a coalition. Take a look at this, Master.” Otto unfurled the map from his satchel and showed it to Nazrac. “Advancing in this manner would only afford the human lords the opportunity to form a united front.”

“Is that so?” Nazrac asked, drumming his fingers.

“By the time you seize the second realm, humans will likely become aware of your resurrection and form an alliance.”

The death knight hissed at the thought.

“But…” Otto pointed to Solun on the map. “It is here where you must focus your attention, Master. Launching your attack on Solun will hinder the other human lords from uniting behind one banner.”

“Solun?”

“That’s right. Look at its strategic location on the map, Master. You must capture these lands to prevent other factions from forming an alliance.”

Nazrac clapped his hands together and let out a whoop.

Otto began tracing his fingers to the other lands. “Start the purge with Solun, and then move your forces through Lassenou and Orte in succession.”

“Are you proposing that I cut them off at the waist?”

“Yes, O Master of Death.” Otto nodded respectfully. “When your march begins, I will mobilize my forces from Eiota to guard your rear. By doing so, this entire region will fall under your dominion.”

“An outstanding strategy, Otto of Eiota!” Nazrac exclaimed, astounded by Otto’s plan. “Following your plan will solidify this region as the stronghold for my new kingdom.”

“Indeed, Master. Indeed.”

The undead leader was pleased. “Understood. I will attack Solun first, as you suggested.”

“I am deeply honored that you listened to my counsel and found wisdom in it.” Otto got down to the ground again with a steep bow, got up, and prepared to leave. “Then please proceed with the assault on Solun. In the meantime, I will raise an army in Eiota and keep your enemies at bay from the back lines.”

“So be it, Otto!” Nazrac happily sent Otto on his way.

[Notification: Nazrac likes you!]

[Notification: Nazrac’s feeling toward you has improved from Excited to Impressed!]

Adhering to Otto’s counsel, the death knight Nazrac skipped over Eiota and headed straight for the land of Solun.

And that solves my debt problems. Hehe. Solun, which had been like a thorn in Eiota’s side, will soon be wiped off the map. Otto glanced back, a smile playing on his lips as he watched the shadowy figures of Nazrac and his undead army disappear into the darkness of the night. His job was far from finished, though. While Nazrac rampaged through Eiota’s neighboring realms, there was still much to be done.

It would be troublesome to let him snowball out of control. Your will has served your role well, Nazrac, Master of Death, but that’s as far as you’ll go. Otto pulled the reins of the spectral steed Nazrac gifted him and rode silently back to his castle.

* * *

Camille’s head was spinning.

Was this Otto’s plan all along? Was this what he meant when he said he’d bring about Solun’s downfall? The Knight Commander clearly remembered Otto’s words about Solun meeting its demise in two weeks.

Now, it seemed to be becoming a reality. The undead army, which was previously marching toward Eiota, suddenly changed course toward Solun. At this rate, Solun would indeed fall on the day Otto had predicted.

This is all so incredibly hard to believe. It can’t be true, right? Considering Otto’s track record, it was hard to imagine him possessing the ability to see into the future or the wisdom to wield such an ability.

“Stay prepared for combat and stand by for further orders. Messengers, I want all of you to carry this news to the neighboring realms and their lords. It must be relayed as soon as possible.”

“Yes! Sir Camille!”

The Knight Commander had dispatched messengers to spread the news about the approaching undead army in hopes of forming a coalition against it. He then ordered the castle gates to be closed and maintained a vigilant watch over the surrounding areas from the ramparts. Hours passed in solemn silence, and then something unexpected happened.

“Down here, Camille! Yoo-hoo!”

Camille, who had been scanning the lowlands ahead of the castle, turned around to rest his eyes for a while and found himself locking gazes with a rather unwelcome face. It was none other than...

“Y-you’re…” He let out a gasp upon spotting Otto’s head peering out from behind a gargoyle statue.

The knight was both shocked and incensed to find the lord, who had abandoned his people and later became a thrall to the undead, within the castle walls.

“Hello, Brother,” Otto whispered. “Come here for a minute, will you? You need to hear this.”

“How dare you show your face here again?”

“Shh.” Otto gestured for Camille to lower his voice. “Don’t make a scene out of this and come here for a second. I’m not going to bite, despite my reputation as an undead thrall.”

“Fine…” Camille cautiously moved toward the gargoyle statue. He supposed he should, at the very least, listen to Otto’s explanations for his actions. “In here. Quickly now. Come on”

Otto had been hiding in a secret passage concealed behind the statue.

“What in the world is going on here?” As soon as Camille stepped into the dank tunnel, he bombarded Otto with questions. “You! You abandoned the realm and its people. And you even tried to lead those rotting corpses over to our lands. Did you come back here just to—”

With a frown, Otto cut him off sharply. “Oh, that’s enough from you! How many times do I have to tell you that I have a plan?”

His outburst caught Camille off guard. “What you said before… It was all true, then?”

“Did you think I would lie to you? Even when an undead horde is now marching toward Solun as we speak?”

“T-that’s…”

“Also, can you use your common sense for a second? Who in their right mind would want to become undead? Goodness, there are plenty of other things in the world to supplicate for.”

“Y-you’re right… Still…”

Otto gestured with his hand, waving it up and down dismissively. “Anyway, I’ll let the results speak for themselves later, but first, I need you to follow me.”

“All right,” Camille replied after a moment of hesitation.

“Now, hold on a moment,” Otto said as he raised a finger. He then narrowed his eyes inquisitively. “You’ve done away with the formalities after my short absence, huh?”

“About that, I—”

“Let’s not forget our places, Knight Commander.”

Camille bowed his head. “Forgive me, my lord.”

“Mutiny as soon as I turn my head for a second. Good grief!”

The knight offered no response this time.

Otto released a long, pent-up sigh. “Just my luck, I suppose.” He then looked Camille square in the eye, signaling that he was about to issue an order. “Sir Camille.”

“I stand ready for your command, my liege.”

“By dawn, Nazrac’s army will have sacked Solun, and he’ll waste no time heading for Lassenou. It’ll be Orte’s turn after that, and therein lies our opportunity, Camille.” Otto took out his map and gestured to a specific point along the northern mountain ranges. “When the undead army sets off for Orte, ready your men and ride to this location.”

“What will we find there, my lord?”

“There’s an ancient citadel there. Its stones have weathered, and an overgrowth has taken over its courtyards.”

Camille nodded slowly. “Yes, but why there, of all places?”

“Nazrac’s real body rests beneath that stony sarcophagus.”

“Surely, that can’t be true!”

“Oh, but it is. You see, Nazrac has hidden his soul somewhere inside the walls of this citadel. The figure commanding the undead army is merely a vessel under Nazrac’s control. It’s not his real body. To destroy him completely, we must destroy his soul in the citadel.”

“How did you come upon such a secret?” asked Camille, his face pale and in shock.

“That’s another trade secret I can’t disclose, dear Camille. Just do as I say. Understood?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Also, keep the insults behind my back down to a minimum, will you?” Otto gave Camille a menacing glare. “My ears burned the whole time I was out there. It was awful, just awful!”

The knight lowered his head again.

Otto leaned forward. “I could pin that on you as an act of mutiny. What kind of knight insults the lord to whom he has sworn his allegiance? Hmm?”

“I… I did not speak ill of you, my lord.”

Otto rolled his eyes. “As if I’d believe that.”

“I-it’s true, though.”

“Should I find out otherwise, you will be demoted to a lowly foot soldier. Do you hear?”

Camille flinched.

“Aha! Your body tells another tale, Sir Camille.” Otto shook his head and displayed a half-disappointed look. “You ask for my trust, yet you continue to doubt behind my back, throwing slurs and libel about me!”

“N-no, I would never do such a—”

With a swish, Otto turned his head away, conveying his sullen mood. “Forget it.” He paused for a moment before saying, “When the time comes, I’ll meet you there.”

“I will be there, my lord,” replied Camille.

“It will be a tough battle, no doubt. Steel yourself and be prepared for the worst.” After saying that, Otto disappeared into the darkness of the passage.

“What in heaven did I just…?”

Looking quite nerve-wracked, Camille watched as the glow of Otto’s torch completely faded into the darkness. It was difficult to get used to this new lord, who was too different from the one he remembered.

* * *

Two days passed.

“As per Lord de Scuderia’s orders, we will storm the citadel where the soul of an evil undead lord sleeps.”

Following Otto’s instructions, Camille assembled the army and led it through the wilderness, venturing into the vast northern mountain ranges.

“So that snake of a bastard— Erm, no. Our lord... didn’t betray us?”

“Gods! That means Lord de Scuderia risked his neck by pretending to be the undead lord’s servant in order to obtain this information!”

“T-this is all too ridiculous to believe!”

“I know. What are we supposed to make of this?”

The knights and soldiers of Eiota were visibly having trouble believing Camille’s revelations. The notion that their notorious vagabond lord had pledged himself to the service of the undead lord, Nazrac, solely for information seemed absurd.

“Do not doubt him, men of Eiota! To maintain the utmost secrecy of this operation, our lord suffered disgrace as a man who has sold his dignity by becoming an undead thrall! We may have cursed our lord behind his back, but…”

Camille’s cheeks flushed as he spoke. In truth, he also felt guilty for hurling insults at Otto in his absence.

“But our lord has turned over a new leaf, and for good this time. And by his command, we will march upon the ancient citadel where that fiend’s soul sleeps. Pick up your swords, soldiers of Eiota. Today, we march to vanquish the beast!”

The knights and soldiers gave a cheer, but a shadow of doubt still loomed over them as they readied for the march.

* * *

Meanwhile, Nazrac, having already sacked Solun and Lassenou in succession, was now advancing toward Orte with his army of undead. Following back-to-back conquests, the number of his hordes had more than doubled in size. This was thanks to Nazrac resurrecting fallen soldiers from both realms.

“U-undead horde approaching!”

“Do not give an inch of ground!”

The soldiers of Orte fought valiantly, but they were outnumbered and overpowered by Nazrac and his augmented undead army.

Impressive. The real Nazrac, who was at the citadel, found satisfaction in the battle’s progression. The death knight and necromancer fighting in his stead was nothing more than an empty husk, a vessel. It was an avatar created through the use of the foulest form of black magic.

Once Orte submits to me, these lands shall all be mine to— Nazrac’s thoughts were interrupted.

Wh-what…? The undead lord detected the presence of an armed force heading toward his citadel.

Who dares to enter my domain? Through the eyes of the undead monsters guarding the ancient citadel, Nazrac attempted to discern the identities of the intruders. In a moment, he made a startling discovery.

T-that man is…! The necro-lord flew into a rage at the sight of Otto leading the vanguard of the invading troops.

So, a snake you have been all along! How dare you betray me, Otto de Scuderia! However, by the time he realized the ruse he had fallen for, it was too late. His army, which was engaged in battle against the soldiers of Orte, was too distant to provide him with protection.

Furthermore, Otto’s forces had advanced dangerously close, weapons drawn and ready to kill.