Chapter 182: Our Neighborhood Archlich (2)

A lich was a powerful mage who had evaded death through the power of darkness, becoming undead in the process. Originally, the technique had been devised by an archmage determined to walk the path of magic even in undeath.

However, when he finally completed the spell, he found that it did not grant him what he had hoped for. A lich could not wield magic in the conventional sense. They could convert spells they had once mastered into necromantic arts, but they could no longer manipulate mana itself.

Cursing his own foolishness, the archmage ultimately passed on to the afterlife, leaving behind only a forbidden technique that was secretly passed down among necromancers.

Over time, the method of turning oneself into a lich evolved into a process where the mage's soul was forcibly bound and reanimated. Because of this, ancient mages occasionally reappeared in the world as liches.

"The strongest of them are called archliches." The eighth circle mage Theoderic, spoke in a calm tone before Karnak’s group. "In truth, there is no difference in the spell itself between a lich and an archlich."

The lichification spell could be used as long as a mage’s soul could be bound. In other words, even a first circle mage could theoretically become a lich. Of course, no necromancer was foolish enough to attempt such a thing.

Why would anyone invest immense resources to create an undead that was utterly useless? Thus, the average lich was usually a mage of at least the seventh circle. Only at that level could one expect to gain more from the investment than was lost.

"If a mage who becomes a lich was originally at the ninth circle or beyond, then we call them an archlich."

Karnak responded with admiration. "I see. I didn't realize that was the distinction between a lich and an archlich."

Of course, that was a lie. There was no way a former Monarch of Death wouldn't know such basic necromantic theory. Yet, his expression remained completely natural. He had spent years brazenly feigning ignorance in front of others, after all.

Thanks to that, Theoderic continued his explanation without any suspicion. "To raise a ninth circle mage as a lich would require an immensely powerful necromancer. Throughout the long history of the continent, such beings have been exceedingly rare."

For that reason, even the very existence of archliches had been doubted until now. And yet, the lich currently occupying Zestrad Barony wielded ninth circle magic freely.

"There's no doubt about it. Our enemy is an archlich, the strongest of the undead."

The middle-aged mage let out a deep sigh. Given the opponent they were facing, his despair was understandable.

Listening from the side, Serati suddenly asked, "If an archlich is a lich who was originally a ninth circle mage, then has a tenth circle archmage ever become a lich?"

"For reasons unknown, there has never been a case of a tenth circle archmage becoming a lich. That is why, in practical terms, a ninth circle lich is considered the strongest undead."

For unknown reasons...?

At times like this, there was a particularly useful person who always seemed to have the answer ready. Serati decided to voice her curiosity.

—What's the reason?

And sure enough, Karnak didn't disappoint.

—It's nothing complicated. The souls of archmages disperse too quickly once they cross into the afterlife.

In their pursuit of the tenth circle, archmages became too attuned to the flow of mana. Thus, they nearly transcended the realm of mortals. An archmage could transform themselves into a lich, but no one else could forcibly turn them into one.

—That's why I could enslave living archmages, but I could never use the dead ones.

—That's a relief, at least. That means there’s no need to worry about undead archmages flinging tenth circle spells around.

—Oh? That's what you think is fortunate?

—

Huh?

—I just found it a shame that I couldn't make use of archmages' souls. I suppose I should start considering it a relief instead.

—You're improving little by little.

At any rate, the enemy was indeed an archlich, and a member of the Black God's cult at that. There was evidence.

"This one is different from other liches. He freely wields both pure magic and dark powers. That's a signature trait of the cultists."

By now, it was common knowledge that the Black God's cult could wield normally incompatible powers of mana, aura, and divine magic, alongside necromancy.

"The army sent to reclaim Zestrad has already suffered two defeats at the hands of this archlich, Maloka. That's why—"

Leven, who had been silently listening, murmured almost absentmindedly. "Did you say Maloka?"

Erantel turned to him in surprise. "Do you recognize the name?"

Karnak's expression remained unchanged, but through telepathy, he scolded Leven.

—Why would you acknowledge that, Leven?

—I-I'm sorry.

Karnak and Varos were skilled actors. They had spent decades deceiving people, after all. Serati, having been around them long enough, had, unfortunately, absorbed some of their habits as well. But Leven had not spent as much time with them yet. He was still too honest by comparison.

"Sir Leven, do you know something about our opponent?"

"T-that is..."

As Erantel pressed him for answers, Leven floundered.

—Say you heard it from me.

"I-I had heard the name from Lord Karnak," he stammered.

Both Erantel and Theoderic turned their gazes to Karnak. Karnak remained composed as he asked, "Was there perhaps an imperial court mage of the old empire with that name?"

The two men tilted their heads in thought.

"Was there such a record? I am not aware of any."

"You certainly know some peculiar details, don't you?"

It was indeed true that Maloka had once been an imperial mage of the Lacania Empire. Karnak himself had raised his soul through necromancy, so of course, he knew.

Yet, he feigned ignorance with ease. "I recall coming across the name briefly in the Spellbook of Dallas. I had merely mentioned it to Sir Leven in passing."

It was a plausible explanation.

"I see."

"You are, after all, the apprentice of Lord Dallas." Erantel let out a deep sigh and muttered, "As Theoderic explained, our opponent is a mage comparable to Lord Deltros. And on top of that, he is undead."

If such a monster were to march toward the capital, it would be an unprecedented catastrophe. It would perhaps even be an existential threat to the kingdom itself. But he had not marched. Maloka remained in Zestrad Barony, repelling every wave of reclaiming forces.

"Do you have any insight as to why, Sir Karnak?" Erantel questioned him.

***

Karnak inwardly let out a bitter laugh.

Do I have any idea?

Of course he did.

So, losing that version of Leven really did become a problem.

The future Leven might not have figured out Karnak's true identity. He wouldn't have realized that Karnak was once the Monarch of Death. But he would have understood that Karnak was someone to be wary of. After all, Karnak had demonstrated feats beyond what any ordinary necromancer could achieve.

That was precisely why Karnak had decided to raise the Twilight Church and then head straight for the empire. If he left Eustil Kingdom, they would follow him. And in doing so, they would eventually reveal some trace of themselves. But instead, they had taken Zestrad Barony hostage.

Serati's voice rang through their mental link, laced with skepticism.

—I mean, it’s hardly surprising, isn't it? You couldn’t have failed to anticipate a hostage situation, right?

—Uh... actually, I really didn't see it coming.

To be precise, Karnak had never even considered that someone might take hostages against him. He had never had anything weak or valuable enough to be used as leverage.

—Wait, are you telling me that none of your past enemies ever tried using hostages against you?

—Well, that's not exactly true.

In fact, when his enemies had resorted to hostages, he had turned the tables on them. He would pretend to rescue the captives, only to lure the enemy's main forces into an ambush and annihilate them. Rather than simply ignoring hostages, he had used them as bait for counterattacks.

—And the hostages?

—They probably died, right?

He wasn’t even certain what had happened to the hostages. Not even

they all died

, but

probably

died.

Serati was appalled.

—You really had no concern for their survival at all, did you...?

After experiencing this enough times, his enemies had simply stopped trying to use hostages against him.

—But now I can't live the way I used to, so I suppose I have to save them.

Honestly, it was baffling. He had rescued his comrades, and now on top of that, even hostages?

—Wow, I really am becoming human.

For once, Serati acknowledged his efforts.

—Yeah. This is actually quite an improvement.

Meanwhile, Erantel and Theoderic were still waiting for Karnak's response. They assumed he was deep in thought while he was silently exchanging words with Serati. That made Karnak inwardly chuckle. Of course, he already knew the truth. But he couldn't exactly say it.

—You see, I performed some unprecedented necromantic feats right in front of them. They must have been so shocked that they decided to track me down.

If he said something like that, he would receive wonderful treatment indeed. He hadn't foreseen that his estate would be attacked, but he had anticipated that he would be targeted eventually. So, he had already prepared an excuse beforehand.

Karnak slowly opened his mouth. "Well, it can only be one of two possibilities."

The first was that Zestrad Barony itself was the objective. Karnak's territory might contain something of great importance to the cultists. Perhaps that was why they were occupying the land, either to excavate or investigate."Perhaps their target is the copper mine."

"What makes you think so?"

"It's possible that the Tecas merchant guild, which manages our copper mine, has ties to the cult."

Due to the Drunta branch incident, Karnak had been suspicious of the Tecas merchant guild for quite some time.

"So, I've been conducting a separate investigation through the Altas merchant guild. I haven't found anything definitive yet, though."

The second possibility was that the cultists were targeting Karnak himself.

"To be honest, I find this unlikely. I'm not such an extraordinary person that a monster like an archlich would go out of its way to deal with me."

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

But if that were indeed the case... "It would likely be because of the magic I inherited."

The Judgment Series, a set of high necromantic spells meant for Grand Necromancers.

These legendary spells, said to have been left behind by Dallas, were still being passed down through the Azure Silver Tower of Magic and spreading among mages across various nations.

"The cultists may very well see it as a thorn in their side. Though, whether it warrants the direct intervention of an archlich is another matter." Feigning humility, Karnak concluded his explanation.

Erantel and Theoderic both waved their hands.

"No, that actually makes a lot of sense."

"Both are very plausible theories."

The problem was that both seemed equally reasonable. They needed to determine the enemy's true objective. Only then could they form a proper strategy moving forward.

"There's only one way to find out." As the two men deliberated, Karnak shrugged. "I'll act as bait and lure them out."

Erantel looked at him in shock. "Are you certain? That's a dangerous plan!"

"This concerns my territory and my people. As their lord, I must take responsibility, mustn't I?"

It was an impeccably noble response.

Theoderic found himself impressed once again.

Such a steadfast and thoughtful young man for his age!

Of course, Serati, as always, was on high alert.

—What is this? What kind of scheme are you up to, saying something so reasonable?

Meanwhile, Varos seemed oddly disappointed.

Lately, Sir Serati has been scolding the young master so well that I barely have a chance anymore.