Chapter 317

316. The War of Puppets (13)

Fernandez was advancing across the grassland. Now, it was a vast wilderness where wide courtyards, grasslands, and capriciously appearing jungle areas were chaotically intertwined.

Slowly, across this ever-changing land that had transformed from a land of death to a land of rebirth.

“I have come, Lavirata.”

Standing on the wide plain where the river flowed like a boundary, Fernandez whispered quietly.

Beneath the vast expanse of the Great Wilderness, a massive flow of magic stones ran. It was the magical scar left by Mumto’s ascension. No matter how thoroughly the ley lines were twisted, the scar left by the Great Demon’s ascension could not be covered.

Therefore, the deeper and denser magic flow below was moving along an intact tributary, despite Karadskar’s interference.

And the opponent was a hero from the ancient Empire of Ashit. A hero from the golden age of an ancient nation that had established an empire to fend off external enemies even during the dawn of civilization when humanity was just beginning to form a state system.

The guardian, Lavirata. The seal she had created slowly unveiled itself before Fernandez’s eyes, lifting a long curtain.

-Whooosh!!

A hot gust of wind blew. Fernandez calmed his startled horse and tightly gripped the reins. Like a mirage descending upon an ordinary field, a city began to slowly appear.

Majestic yellow buildings, a massive altar built of marble, city walls adorned with colorful fabrics and flowers, and towering statues.

-What the hell is that……?

At that moment, Faijashi let out a deflated voice. Fernandez looked in the direction he was pointing. There, a statue under construction was visible.

It was the largest statue in the city, skillfully carved from marble. It was almost complete, with hair, a crown, and ornaments being carved.

The revealed form…… that appearance…… anyone who saw it would…….

-Wow, in all my life. It’s really ugly, damn it!

‘Uh…… um…… I have no words for this……. I messed up.’

-In my eighty years, I’ve never seen such a bribe, you bastard. I’m speechless, really.

Faijashi and Fernandez both stood speechless. He inwardly felt relieved that he had sent the group ahead with Kirhas to the Federation of Beastmen Nobles.

If he had seen that with the others, even he, confident in his shamelessness, might have considered suicide out of shame.

Soon, the city gate opened with a heavy sound. Outside, petals poured out like a waterfall.

-What the…….

-Thud! Thud! Thud!

Moving statues and skeleton soldiers simultaneously thrust their spears into the ground, scattering petals. Like a wide carpet, the petals spread in the wind, leading towards him.

“Ha…….”

Fernandez swallowed hard and, with a reluctant expression, followed the skeleton soldiers’ welcome into the castle.

* * *

[I have been waiting only for your arrival.]

“Quite…… something, Lavirata.”

[Now, behold. This is the castle of our Ashit Empire.]

Lavirata, even within her expressionless golden mask, somehow proudly shouted and raised her hand. Luxurious silks and jeweled accessories swayed with her gesture.

What she pointed to was a massive statue inside the castle. She declared boldly.

[My subjects, who neither eat nor drink, have devoted weeks, months, solely to this task. With one heart and one mind, honoring our savior……. Now, behold. The majesty of Ashit…….]

“Enough…… please……. Enough.”

[Young humans these days are so full of shame! Now, our people’s memories preserve every scene without distortion, but even so, shouldn’t a great hero have a monument worthy of them?]

“Enough…….”

Fernandez turned away from Lavirata’s loud proclamations and clutched his head. Lavirata laughed, ‘Haha!’ and shouted.

[This colossal statue, created by the city’s finest stonemasons. Is the worship statue of ‘Fernandez, the God who killed Death’ to your liking?]

“Even the name is the worst, Lavirata.”

[Shall I give you a better name? The one who killed Death?]

-Your naming sense is just as bad as hers. Let’s kill her and then ourselves. Let’s start over, us.

‘Shut…… up…….’

Even Faijashi was trembling with shame. He was floating in the air, trying to strangle Lavirata’s neck. It was the best attack an old dark mage spirit, unable to use magic, could muster.

He sighed and slumped onto the sofa. As soon as he sat down, mummies wearing masks began fanning him.

“Take these guys away too.”

[Go. Our savior is about to speak important words. Call the scribe. Today’s meeting must be recorded in full on the great tablet.]

“Has your personality changed……?”

[Time twists even corpses. Why would we be any different?]

Lavirata spoke in a beautiful, singing voice. She swayed as she walked and sat across from Fernandez.

[Our city has no food. All we can offer is clear water, and most of the luxuries we consume are things the living cannot eat. I hope you understand.]

“I didn’t come for a meal, so don’t worry.”

The wraiths of Ashit maintain their personalities by repeating actions from their living days. They constantly eat, drink, play, and chatter, even though they don’t need to.

Thus, the wine, roasted beasts, and spices they consume are abundantly stored in the city, but they are not things the living can eat. They are rotten, contaminated food and drinks.

Merely shells created for formality. That was the identity of the wraiths. Like the splendidly dressed but still rotten food. The identity of wraiths hiding their withered bodies beneath lavish attire.

[Now, speak. What is the reason you sought me?]

“How is your relationship with Apotazar?”

[Apotazar of Tanis? I have little interaction with him. He was a Pharaoh after my time, so if I wished, he would not dare to defy me.]

Lavirata spoke confidently. But Fernandez shook his head. Since when did Pharaohs rank by seniority? They were arrogant beings, each considering themselves the only god.

Lavirata knew this well too. After a moment of thought, she spoke.

[Do you need his help?]

“Yes.”

[Probably because of the fight with those barbarians, right?]





“That’s right.”

[Then it will be a difficult task. Tanis’s Apotazar. That guy’s value is ‘survival.’ Apotazar doesn’t listen to those with low survival rates and is an opportunist who can switch sides depending on the situation.]

In fact, since the rise of the Empire, Apotazar has been steadily interacting with the Empire to find a way to survive. However, even now that the Empire’s fences have collapsed, it was hard to imagine he would maintain such a stance.

“How long would it take to send a message?”

[Three days would be enough. We can attach a letter to a carrion crow.]

“Then tell him this: ‘If you join us, you will perish after defeat, but if you join them, you will perish after victory.'”

Karadskar is hostile to all civilized societies. They had no reason to leave the Wraith Dynasty alone. If they sided with them, they might buy time for now, but after the Empire falls, Apotazar would never be able to withstand their invasion alone.

“If he truly thinks for survival, he should know which side offers a higher chance.”

Even during the height of the 50-year war a few years ago, the Empire did not antagonize Apotazar and the Wraith Dynasties. If communication and trade were possible, they were willing to recognize them as new kingdoms and respect their domains.

From the Empire’s perspective, it was a no-loss situation. Even if they were wraiths, their location was the Great Wilderness—a land without an owner. There was no need to recklessly covet the wealth buried in their tombs and stir up trouble.

Thus, to Apotazar, the Empire is a neighbor with whom communication is easy. There’s no need to be friendly, but there’s also no gain in being hostile.

[That’s a reasonable thought.]

“Do you think he’ll agree?”

[He’ll follow until the decisive defeat. ‘Irrationality’ is a trait of the living. We, the dead, always make rational choices. But if you and your country are decisively crushed and lose the will to resist…]

Wraiths don’t need to breathe air. That means even if their burial cities and tombs are buried back into the earth, they won’t suffer any harm.

All Pharaohs are plagued by a desire to dominate the Great Wilderness and nearby civilizations. This was their eternal curse, even before Mumto’s curse, from the time they were alive.

So far, Apotazar has quietly walked the earth, striving to increase his influence… but that’s a matter for after survival. Apotazar is someone who would abandon everything he’s worked for over the years and burrow underground if it meant survival.

“Are you the same?”

[Why do you say such hurtful things? You saved my people twice. So at the very least, I will die for you twice. Since I’m already dead, my words carry no weight, don’t they?]

Lavirata smiled brightly. Her voice, heard through the mask, was so clear and pure that it was hard to believe she was a corpse, sounding almost like an instrument.

Fernandez, who had seen her living form in an illusion spell, couldn’t believe the being before him was dead. He drank the clear spring water she offered and spoke.

“Don’t you want to hear what I’ve prepared?”

[I can guess.]

Lavirata’s eyes sparkled.

[If it’s something that requires both me and Apotazar… and if the enemy’s invasion is imminent, it’s even harder to ignore. Especially if a mage as skilled as you needs us.]

She slowly extended her hand, spreading three fingers, and playfully said.

[So if I guess all your intentions, will you grant my wishes?]

“Three wishes, is it?”

[At least. You’re not like ordinary people who act for one or two reasons. The average person sees one thing, the clever consider what comes after, but you combine three aspects.]

“You flatter me too much.”

[I am the sovereign who has judged your value most wisely in this world.]

Lavirata said so and folded one finger.

[Even a strong river slows when it bends. Do you not wish to be the rock in the river for us?]

It was the same strategy Robert and Piel were employing. To act as a breakwater, weakening the enemy’s offensive in the final phase.

To exhaust the enemy’s combat capabilities and hasten the end of their offensive. Correct. Fernandez nodded.

[Next. They are advancing straight toward the Empire now, but if you need Apotazar to the north and me to the south, unrelated to their advance, you must be planning an encirclement. You want none of them to escape this land after the war.]

Karadskar is undoubtedly the current Kagan Amar. But with some fateful force having pushed Karadskar’s northern advance forward by 30 years, can we be sure such a thing won’t happen again in 30 years?

With Erik’s invasion thwarted, the only remaining threat is Karadskar. In 30 years, he won’t be here, most of the current heroes may not survive, and the state of civilized society is uncertain.

Therefore, the White Bone Demons must be annihilated without exception. Even if it becomes a massacre, it must be done. Absolutely, without fail.

Not a single one will be spared. That’s the meticulous encirclement plan. Kirzat, holding back the enemy’s relentless offensive at Rahot Fortress, the Empire preparing for the final battle near Paltennoia, and the assistance of the two Wraith Dynasties.

The triangular encirclement will tightly strangle their throats.

[Lastly. Considering you, a powerful spellcaster, and their ability to suppress spells, if we must stop them in close combat without spells… you would think of another way instead of giving up spells and devising a new strategy. Isn’t that why you sought me, a mage of the Ancient Ashit Empire? To obtain ancient secrets?]

Necromancy. Regardless of the enemy’s numbers or our disadvantage, without fear or battle fatigue. Just a wave of wraiths marching toward the enemy.

Beneath the Great Wilderness, countless such beings lie dormant, and the most advanced spell to awaken them is the necromancy used by the burial priests of the Ancient Ashit Empire.

It’s nearly impossible to defeat Karadskar in simple close combat. The troops we can muster, combining infantry and cavalry, fall short of their total cavalry strength.

To add one more variable, necromantic support was absolutely necessary.

“All correct.”

[Then there’s much I can do for you right now. It will be quite different from last time. From that statue to the transfer of spells, I am giving you all my support without reserve.]

“…Why do you say such things?”

[According to the sacred laws of the Ancient Ashit Empire, I have the right to demand three wishes from you.]

“…Is there really such a law?”

[No. But my word is the law of this land. Who do you think I am?]

Lavirata laughed brightly and stood up. She gestured to Fernandez.

[Follow me. Whatever my wishes may be, teaching you the spells must come first. Isn’t that the deal?]