Jon Svenson watched the retreating Chaos and felt a sense of relief, but as he looked towards the nearby Lich, curiosity arose within him.
The military had said that this legendary Lich was a trustworthy ally, hired in exchange for the souls of Chaos, to assist the Northern Kingdom in striking down all manifestations of Chaos.
Truth be told, the day Jon first heard this news, his younger brother Link almost killed the messenger, mistaking him for one whose memory had been tainted. Thankfully, Jon consulted with the staff using the messenger, preventing what could have been the most innocent of casualties in the campaign.
Of course, his brother Link was bound to be reported, demoted, and fined, tasting every charge that could be applied.
And Jon, as his brother, could only stand by, impotently furious.
Therefore, when the Lich appeared, Jon was frightened by the troops he led—thousands of spear-wielding skeletons. Unlike the cannon fodder in the stories, their breastbones had completely turned into solid bone plates, their bone arms significantly thickened, and their legs even more so. Within the eye sockets of their skulls flowed a pale blue Soul Fire, dissipating with their movements.
They were at least of dangerous-level skeletal spearmen, completely different from their kind in previous Tides of the Dead, who were merely nuisances, without any comparison.
Their arrival pushed back the Plague Messengers who had achieved a breakthrough on the left flank of the defense—the proud plague of the Plague Messengers had no effect on these Undead. Their spears gleamed with the radiance only holy weapons possess. When those pure white blades pierced the Plague Messengers’ torsos, they immediately set them alight.
Jon didn’t know which mighty being had blessed these weapons with holiness, but more than knowing this being’s name, Jon was more curious as to why these Undead could wield holy weapons—was it because of the pale blue Soul Fire they possessed?
Considering their master, the same was true for Lord Ails, so Jon didn’t know if this should be considered identity recognition, or some other anomaly.
In any case, it was outrageous because apart from the spears, Jon also saw breech-loading cannons... Yes, exactly those he and his brother saw listed in the workshop in the South at Carterburg.
They could see those because of their Northern Kingdom military status, but breech-loading cannons cost three hundred and sixty thousand Sydney currency for a set of twelve, supposedly even after a discount available only to higher-ranking commanders like them.
This legendary Lich had brought three sets at once, firing shells that released a sacred mist harmless to the soldiers at the front lines. Jon even saw soldiers afflicted with the plague stand back up within the mist—not as the Undead, but as healthy living people!
And those Plague Messengers and Nagoth spirits who charged in afterwards began to stagger upon entering the range of the mist, eventually falling permanently within it. They began to combust with sacred flames, illuminating the entire frontline.
Chaos excelled in night battles, but they had never before retreated actively after such losses, as Jon witnessed today.
"Alright, young man, you must be an officer of the Northern Kingdom. I will take away the souls of Chaos according to the contract I signed with your King."
The Lich approached, and his Whisper of the Soul prompted Jon to look up, "Please do, Your Excellency, these are rightfully yours."
Allegedly this was a legendary Lich, from the world of the Undead, a visitor from the Outer Domain. He had a close relationship with Lord Malin. Considering Lord Malin’s identity, Jon was very curious, "Your Excellency, may I ask you a few minor questions?"
"Young human, what is it?"
As the Lich activated an Array, automatically collecting souls, he sorted out those belonging to humans while responding to Jon’s query.
"I’ve heard that you are acquainted with Lord Malin, is that so?"
"Yes, the first time I met Malin, he was just a child, about up to my waist. But... I don’t know how to explain it. Just know that I felt as though I was standing before an Emperor who wielded my fate, not a defenseless child."
Jon was quite surprised; this Lich was not like the other Liches he knew of, who only knew slaughter. This one’s mind was still intact, and he even made judgments. Truly, there were differences among Liches; those native and this one... just incomparable.
"Then, you became friends with Lord Malin?"
"Yes, you could say that, although it’s usually to my advantage. Often Malin asks me to absorb the souls of Chaos as if he needs me, not knowing that I actually appreciate the invitation. After all, it’s like picking up free souls. You know, the term ’free picking’ wasn’t part of my life before then."
As the Lich mentioned ’free picking,’ it seemed as if he were laughing loudly, his Whisper of the Soul full of mirth.
Jon also knew that Liches from the Undead world, like his colleagues, had an insatiable desire for souls. Their opponents were not only those against whom they waged war in the worlds they invaded; their allies could also be their enemies. In fact, Liches spent more time in cunning battles with their companions than in outright combat with the natives of the invaded worlds.