After spending some time in solace, Blaze walked back to the lair. Despite his potential death, there were things he needed to check on.
First were the bone turrets, the lair’s primary way of defense, other than the zombies, of course. Marrow was working diligently alongside her skeletons. They had already made over two dozen turrets.
While some of them were mounted on the ground, some of them had been turned mobile by strapping them to the ants’ backs.
Although these could only be used twice, as they couldn’t be connected to the corpse pits directly.
Satisfied with the progress, he left to check on the next thing. He moved further down the tunnels and found Myrme protecting her nest.
Thanks to her non-stop egg production, Blaze didn’t have to worry about manpower anymore. The ants she birthed were more than apt at handling various tasks.
Myrme clanked her mandibles to greet him, and Blaze waved back before leaving again. That’s when he received Saturn’s report.
Alaric had arrived at the swamps to help Cyclops farm. Chimera was with him, just in case Cyclops tried doing something to Alaric.
While Blaze didn’t think Cyclops would turn on him, Chimera was just an insurance.
After all, he wasn’t in a condition to fight Cyclops anymore, and among his horde, Chimera was the strongest. He was the perfect bodyguard for Alaric.
Other than his declining health, everything was going smoothly.
"Looks like everything will stay in place... even if I disappear."
He was about to leave when he heard something.
"Disappear? Where to, my lord?"
Blaze shook his head, clicking his tongue as he turned around. Marrow stood there, her wings furled. It seemed she had been following for a while, but he didn’t notice her presence at all.
What is wrong with me now?
He thought, looking at Marrow. Until now, he had always been able to sense the elites within the horde. It was the first time he had failed, and instantly knew something was off.
Perhaps the toxin was eating away at more than just his body. It had dulled his strength and senses despite consuming June’s blood.
Should I try eating her flesh? New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel※fire.net
Blaze’s thoughts were interrupted by Marrow’s voice.
"My lord, where are you planning to leave—"
"You’re reading too much into it," Blaze said, waving his hand dismissively. "If you have the time to follow me, then use it to make more turrets. You don’t need to worry about anything else."
With that, he walked past her, but something happened. Marrow grabbed his wrist, unwilling to let go.
For the first time, she did not back down. Instead of letting him go, her grip tightened as if Blaze would fade away if she let go.
"You’re hiding something..." she said, turning her gaze away. "Your presence is... shrinking. I sensed it a few days ago, but I didn’t want to bring it up before now."
"It’s nothing to worry about," he said, removing her hand. "I’ll take care of it."
Marrow let go, but didn’t look at him again. Blaze couldn’t figure out if she was angry or upset. In the end, it didn’t matter. Since the jig was up, he felt it was wise to inform the horde about his condition.
For the plan to succeed, I’ll have to leave the zone either way. It would be better if I appointed someone to look after things in my absence.
At first, Blaze wanted to leave things to Voss. But it was likely the horde would not listen to him since he was still human.
The second choice was Marrow. And well, he could trust and manipulate her as he wasn’t a fool to not notice how she looked at him. Her blind devotion made it easier for him to exploit her.
"Come with me," Blaze said, holding Marrow’s arm.
"To give you what you want."
The two disappeared inside his room, not appearing before the others for two entire days. Fester was the only one allowed to enter and leave, and that too only to deliver June’s blood, but even the rat left quickly, not wanting to disturb.
Blaze was the first to emerge, followed by Marrow, who had bite marks all over her body.
"Did your healing effectiveness decrease?" Blaze asked her as they made way to the throne room.
"Then why don’t you heal those marks?"
Blaze nodded, not questioning her anymore. Either way, since Marrow got what she wanted, it was time to brief the rest of the horde. But first, they had to meet Voss.
"You’re looking to be in good health, my lord!" Voss said.
"Only on the outside," Blaze replied. "So, how long do I have left?"
Voss’s smile disappeared as he presented him with the sample of blightspore. They had died, despite receiving a part of June’s flesh and blood.
"A week at most..." Voss said.
"I see," Blaze briefly checked the sample before handing it back to Voss. "It seemed June had outlived her usefulness."
"What about Miss Marrow’s healing—"
"We tried," Blaze said, turning towards Marrow. "Even she couldn’t remove the toxin. At least it isn’t contagious, like you said."
Voss nodded. He was happy the strange toxin wouldn’t spread to the horde, but that didn’t ease his worry regarding Blaze.
That was all the time he had before the Necrophage went rogue and killed him.
"Those cultists... they really are something," Voss mumbled under his breath.
"The supplies?" Blaze asked, and Voss handed him a few cases.
Blaze opened one and saw a piece of preserved flesh. It was June’s thigh, to be accurate. Freshly prepared, meaning Blaze had a day to consume it. The last dose to subdue the toxin, along with some vials of blood.
"You’ve done well. You can leave now."
Voss nodded and left as Blaze tossed the flesh and blood into his domain. Since time in the Corpse Domain was frozen, he could still use them later. Then, he and Marrow left for the throne room.
Within seconds, he sat on his throne. His loyal subjects had gathered around. As usual, Marrow and Fester flanked his side, perhaps for the last time.
"As of this moment," Blaze announced. "I temporarily relinquish the position of the horde commander. Until I return, Marrow will take over for me. It is my wish that you serve her as well as you have served me... That’s all..."
The countdown had begun.
When the timer hit zero, either Blaze would be gone, or the Blightlord would.