The Xiluo Empire is made up of the Xiluo Swamp, the Great Wastelands of Katya, and the Baikal Highlands. The terrain is complex, making it easy to defend and hard to attack … Actually, to put it more accurately, it is a place where the living can't live.
The Death Swamp, the uninhabited desert, and the Extreme Cold Highlands. The three forbidden areas of life form the living's hell and the undead's paradise.
However, not many people know that in this world of magic, the harsh natural environment isn't invincible. In the depths of the Great Swamp, there is an area where it is like spring all year round. The vegetation is lush and the scenery is picturesque. That is the capital of the Xiluo Empire — Xiluo, and the Gela Administrative District around it.
Even though this is a miraculous territory, it requires a large amount of time and effort. The Soul Towers in the border areas are always shining with the radiance of Soul and Arcane Magic. The flood of White Bones that represented death in the past is now the countless Undead labourers who work hard to cultivate the land.
As long as it is an intelligent life form, even the high-level Undead who loathe the living would still maintain their sense of beauty. No one likes their home to be a pile of ruins and dirty swamps.
The undying Undead never lack time and labor. While the people of the world still think that this is a hell, quietly, this place has gradually changed.
The capital of the Xiluo Empire, Xiluo, has close to a million intelligent Undead who are Silver-rank and above. The living who are slaves are 20 million, and the number of low-level, low-intelligence Undead is simply uncountable. The scenery in the city is beautiful, and the infrastructure is complete. The underground network and the transportation network made up of airships are abnormally developed. If one only looks at the scale and design of the city, the luxurious Ottoman Empire can't even compare to half of Xiluo.
One of the sculptures on the main road might be a heirloom of some kingdom that has been passed down for thousands of years. This is the foundation of the Undead Empire that has destroyed countless kingdoms.
In a luxurious mansion in Ciro City, the Seventh Senator of the Empire, Spider Marquis Reinhardt, was dealing with government affairs. As one of the strongest Death Knight in the Empire, he was also the nominal commander and instructor of the Death Knight Group. However, in the eyes of the people of the Empire, he always wore the loose clothes of a scholar, presenting himself as a cultured and refined scholar.
But those who truly understood him would know that he was a ferocious beast that couldn't be tamed the moment he entered the battlefield. He once disobeyed orders from his superiors and fought for seventeen days and nights to destroy an entire kingdom in one fell swoop. The so-called "recorder of history" and "refined scholar general" were probably nothing more than an amateur hobby and disguise on the battlefield.
However, right now, the 'Eternal Captain of Emperor Yongye', the 'Chariot of Death That Would Go Mad the Moment He Boarded the Chariot of Death', was deep in thought over the two pieces of intelligence in his own mansion. His handsome face was ashen, as if he had run into a great conundrum.
"Lionheart, why do you look so bitter? Those long ears in the west are starting to cause trouble again? Or did the barbarians from the north come down the mountain? If there are such interesting matters, then let me share your worries. "
A cold and lazy female voice sounded from outside the door. Even though it was a question, there was a strange teasing and joy in her words, as though she was excited about the rise of war.
"Lord Gray.Sin, there is no war, so don't try to start one. I have said it many times, the wariness of the living towards us has reached a critical point. To the current Empire, a meaningless war isn't a good thing."
"Tsk, then why did you call me here today? You know that I am only interested in war. Could it be that the group of Liches from the Parliament are too bored to find something to do? Let's talk about the diplomatic issue from the last time. Go and find the other Senators. I, the 4th Senator, the Empire's Duke, Bone Dragon Queen Gray.Sin, have no interest in those things. "
Just by looking at her appearance, she is a cold and tall female Elf. Her long silver hair reaches her waist and her pale white skin gives off a strange sense of beauty. Her red, black and grey long dress drags on the ground. The part of her appearance that leaves the deepest impression is her eyes. Those black and white pupils are like black holes that are sucking in light. It seems like there is something, but at the same time, it seems like there is nothing at all.
The Xiluo Empire's system is probably the strangest in the entire world. It is an Empire, but it doesn't have an Emperor. The real power lies in the hands of the 12 Senators. It has a Dark Night Council formed by the Liches to manage the affairs of the Empire, but they only have the right to make suggestions to the 12 Senators …
To put it simply, there was a group of Undead Lords (Senators) who wielded military power that made it impossible for the Dark Night Council to deal with them. However, the Senators were also unable to deal with the united power of the liches. Without an Undead Emperor with the highest authority in the world, both sides could only go their own way and not interfere with each other. This was how this strange system was forcefully created.
Of course, there are also Senators who are close to the Parliament. Even the Chairman of the Parliament, Feyman, is the 2nd Senator. In fact, there are a few Senators who are close to the Parliament. The proposal to abolish the Senators would be brought up in the Parliament every year, but it is a pity that as long as they don't want to start a civil war, this proposal is destined to fail.
On the other hand, Gray.Sin and Lionheart are both Senators who aren't close to the Parliament. Furthermore, they are the minority within the Senators. Most of the Senators have their eyes on the highest authority, while they are the Royalty Faction who believe that Emperor Yongye will return one day … This is an obviously idealistic idea. Although it is supported by the veterans from the Emperor's era, it is too unrealistic, making it hard for them to grow in the Undead race which is getting more and more realistic. As time passes, more and more of their companions turn to other factions.
Not long ago, the Royalty Faction which once had 4 Senators split up once again. One of the Four Heavenly Kings under the Emperor, the Corpse Eating Ghost King Decars, turned to the Parliament Faction, causing this minority faction to suffer a heavy blow.
The Being the Boss Faction (Most of the Senators), the Parliament Faction (Headed by the 2nd Senator), the Ideal Royalty Faction and the Living Foolishly Faction. These are probably the biggest factions in the Xiluo Empire.
It might sound complicated, but compared to the hundreds of factions in the Human Empire, in this country with tens of millions of intelligent people, the Undead are already simple enough. Furthermore, most of the Undead directly state their goals, "Waiting for the Emperor's return", "With the Parliament in power, I will be the boss", "Ah Dang doesn't mind who becomes the boss, Ah Dang only cares about eating", "If I become the boss, I will start a new Undead Calamity", to the nobles who are used to beating around the bush, this is simply inconceivable.
Now, the 2 big shots of the Royalty Faction are meeting in broad daylight. Probably, all kinds of rumors and information will be flying around.
But at this moment, facing Gray.Sin's questioning, Lionheart didn't even raise his head, only throwing out a sentence.
"There is news of the Eternal Night Scepter."
Gray.Sin is stunned for a moment before her face is filled with shock.
"Didn't you say that there is no need for the existence of the Eternal Night Scepter? Aren't those works of yours meant to scare people? "
"Yes, based on my previous judgement, His Majesty most probably treats it as a joke. Furthermore, it is a joke filled with malice. The reason why I wrote those things is to divert the attention of those ambitious people who are vying for the throne into finding the wooden scepter which they might never find. "
Lionheart raises his head, his eyebrows are twisted together and his expression is filled with all sorts of emotions. There is joy, anger, reminiscence, unease …
"A few days ago, I received 2 reports regarding the underground world. One of them is regarding the Eternal Night Scepter … However, I suggest that you take a look at the other one first."
Gray.Sin snatches it over, but …
"I thought that it is some important report, isn't this a travel brochure? Lionheart, are you intending to go on a holiday? You even intend to invite me along? I'm sorry, you are a good person, but other than the Emperor, I am not interested in other dead people. "
He is already used to his colleagues being unreliable. Compared to the other 2 Heavenly Kings, this Bone Dragon Queen who always thinks too much is considered easy to deal with. Silently keeping the good person card, Lionheart says solemnly.
"Please take a closer look."
"Death Crown Undead Theme Park and Ghost Festival Tourism Week. Enjoy a journey filled with darkness and death. Free entrance fee for the first 30 days? What is this!! Is this another boring plan suggested by a fool? Boring, I am a little interested in a war theme park. But for Undead Theme Park and Ghost Festival, don't we have them every day? "
"Please take a closer look."
"Sulfur Mountain City? Oh, Adam Han has finally gone mad? Congratulations!! "
"Please take a closer look …" Even the patient Lionheart can't stand the weird thoughts of the Bone Dragon Queen. His tone is filled with helplessness and pleading.
Looking at the steely face of her little brother, Gray.Sin finally becomes a little more serious. Just as she flips to the 2nd page, she is stunned.
It is a realistic poster. On it, there are quite a few Undead dressed in weird clothes parading the streets. Some of them are beating gongs and drums while some are singing and dancing. But if it was just that, why would Gray.Sin be frightened?
At this moment, she only knows that she is pointing at a corner of the painting with her mouth wide open. The image of the Undead Lord is completely gone.
That Skeleton Dog who is dressed in all sorts of colors and is covered with peacock feathers is trying his best to stand on his hands. Below him is a green colored ball. This is a cute pet pushing game.
However, it seems that his balance isn't that good. If he isn't careful, he would slip and the artist just happens to capture the moment when he falls.
"AHHHHHH … It's boss!! Bastian, the head of the most ferocious and strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Demonic Void Dog Bastian!! "
Lionheart had already covered his ears in advance, but he still felt dizzy from the Bone Dragon Queen's banshee-like screams. This ancient Bone Dragon Queen's singing voice had long been known as the throat of death … "It's so f * cking awful. I authorize you to beat her to death if she dares to open her throat and sing — by a certain emperor!"
At this moment, even Lionheart can understand the death scream of the other party. When he first saw this painting, he wasn't any better than him.
Demonic Void Dog Bastian, the leader of the Red Hunting Hound Army of the Emperor of Yongye, the Deputy Chief Commander of the entire Yongye Army and the head of the Four Heavenly Kings. There are a lot of such titles but publicly, he is the strongest and most ferocious Undead Lord. He once destroyed countless armies and kingdoms by himself, leaving only ruins wherever he went. Furthermore, he is the most trusted and relied on general of Emperor Yongye.
He and the other armies under him should have been destroyed in that battle. Now that he suddenly appeared, and in such a cute appearance, it naturally gave Gray.Sin quite a fright.
"I can't be wrong. That tail is strangely twisted, and the scratches on its head. Most importantly, it has two left legs on its upper limbs and two right legs on its lower limbs. It's impossible for other Skeleton Dogs to look like this."
"That's right. Other than Lord Bastet, I can't think of anyone else who would remove all four limbs before going to sleep, and then randomly reattach them after waking up. Front leg, back leg, left leg, right leg, and so on. Then, when walking, all four limbs would move freely, spinning around …"
The head of the Four Heavenly Kings who should have been dead suddenly appeared. What does it mean? Gray.Sin is shocked. Happiness comes too easily, but she also feels a little guilty.
"Could it be that the artist casually drew it …"
"No, look at the back."
Flipping the back, it is a Skeleton General with 18 arms. At this moment, the weapons in his hands aren't swords stained with blood but wooden poles with spinning plates hanging on them.
At the back, there is even an accepted note: "Master of Miscellany Dyphy will perform extreme skills for you, spinning 18 plates at the same time!"
Squinting her eyes, Gray.Sin looks at it for a long time but isn't able to see anything.
"It doesn't seem like anything. It is just a fellow who knows how to spin plates. "
"When Skeleton Generals are promoted, they can choose to have an additional pair of arms to wield weapons. However, the soul has its own limits. Too many weapons will only distract them and they will only hurt themselves. A normal Skeleton General is able to control 4 weapons, a top-notch Weapon Master is able to control 8, an Undead Lord is able to control 12 and there is one who can control 16. He is Lord Bastian's subordinate, Red Hunting Hounds' Chief Instructor, Great Sword Saint Dyphy. Looks like he has improved once again. "
"Dyphy? Dyphy? This fake name is too insincere! "
"And this one."
This is a Headless Knight who uses his own head to play polo … Aside: "An exciting competition that you have never seen before."
"Camisia that idiot!! Damn baldie! Damn cross-eyed, even if you turn into ashes, I would still recognize you. "
"Yes, the Titan Wrestler, the most terrifying Fearless Vanguard, Red Hunting Hounds' vice-leader, Lord Camisia. And this … "
That is a Lich who is rubbing his hands together. At this moment, his face is filled with smiles and he is carrying a bag of pale green potions … Aside: "A delicious drink that you have never tasted before. Created by the Alchemist Master Dyphy for you, it is your favorite to strengthen your body."
"That alchemist symbol and that strange hat … The Tyrant of Plague Kaka. The potion that she created is something that even the Undead wouldn't dare to drink. As for the living, pui, they will definitely be strengthened after drinking it. However, I hope that they still remember what they look like and can try to restore their original appearance in the future."
"And this, this, and this."
"The legendary Bone Dragon who acts as a mount and commentator, the Queen of the Lamia who does belly dances, the Great Witch who sets up a divination stall … I roughly understand it now."
"Yes, my intelligence agent has already disguised himself as a tourist and went on a tour once. He even obtained a commemorative badge for the 9th tourist. Looks like the business is terrible. Un, he has also confirmed that the characters in the painting are real, which means … "
Gray.Sin stands up abruptly and her strange eyes are filled with surprise.
"Which means that the Emperor is still around! Yes, only the Emperor would be able to make these ace soldiers dress up like this and only the Emperor would be able to make Boss obediently play with a ball!! "
"Un, this is just my initial guess. There are too many suspicious points about the matter back then. Why would the Red Hunting Hounds of the Royal Guards suddenly leave His Majesty and head over a thousand miles away? Why would the armies of the other 3 Heavenly Kings suddenly be moved to the periphery of the war zone and thus escape the calamity of the civil war … Perhaps, the underground world will give us the answer. "
Following which, the news regarding the Eternal Night Scepter that should have been shocking becomes less important in the eyes of the two of them because of the small travel booklet.
"I want to go to the underground world immediately. Hmph, that darned Decasse. He was promoted step by step by the Emperor from a weak Ghoul to his current position. Back then, you were shouting for revenge so loudly and I thought that you were the most loyal. In the end, after persevering for a hundred years, you still betrayed us. When the Emperor and Boss return, let's see how they deal with you. "
After hesitating for a moment, Lionheart says softly.
"Actually, there are some suspicious points about Lord Decasse's betrayal. 10 years ago, when the news of Adam .Han came, when the proposal for revenge was blocked in the Council and we didn't support him, didn't he go to Sulfur Mountain City alone to seek revenge against Adam? We thought that he would never return … "
"Yes, no one expected that not only did he return, he even held a few Arena Tournaments excitedly. We were all happy that he had thought things through, then …"
"In the blink of an eye, he defected to the Council Faction … Perhaps, this is the biggest suspicious point. His Majesty had praised Decasse as his most loyal dog many times. This might sound like an insult but you should know that the Emperor has a special love for dogs. Decasse has always treated this nickname as the highest honor and it is a nickname exclusive to His Majesty. "
"That's right. Back then, when he wanted to use the weird name 'Night Hounds' to replace the army code 'Night Winter Wolves', it is fortunate that you stopped him. It is a pity that the Royal Guards still used the Red Hunting Hounds in the end. Even though the Pink Queen Squad sounds nice too."
"Cough." A light cough turns into slander in his heart. "Your taste in naming is as weird as His Majesty's. In addition to that fatal Throat of Death, this is the reason why His Majesty chose Lord Bastian and not you to be the Captain of the Royal Guards."
Of course, he won't say these words out loud.
"I believe in His Majesty's foresight. Since he trusts Decasse so much, then, Decasse should be trustworthy … Perhaps, Lord Decasse met something in the underground world or someone gave him instructions …"
As they say this, their gaze turns towards the travel brochure on the table.
"I will set off now."
"I am unable to leave Xiluo, so I can only rely on you. The underground world will definitely not be peaceful now. If even us' Ignorant Warlords' (the derogatory name of the Council) can receive news of the Eternal Night Scepter, those fellows who have been searching for it for a century will definitely come out in full force. Lord Gray.Sin, please focus on finding that person. If I didn't guess wrongly, this Scepter might be a trap set by that person! "
Gray.Sin isn't someone who doesn't listen to advice. This little brother isn't one of the 4 Heavenly Kings, but with his loyalty and wisdom to the Emperor, he walked step by step to the core of the Royal Faction. His advice is very useful to an old fellow like me, so naturally I have to respect it.
"Right, please bring Lord Ah Dang along. If my guess isn't wrong, since that person intends to stir up trouble, then, he should be looking forward to reuniting with Lord Ah Dang. "
"Are you sure? Alright, I understand, I will bring him along. "
Carnivore Ah Dang, the final boss of the Royal Faction, the 12th Senator. Actually, as a Giant Abomination, his intelligence isn't considered high. But in terms of individual fighting prowess, there isn't a single Undead in the entire Xiluo who dares to challenge this' weakling who isn't fit to become an Undead Lord and Senator '.
Ah Dang's intelligence isn't high, but after the departure of the Emperor, he has always listened to his elder brothers and sisters. As long as Gray.Sin speaks, he would even tear apart the parliament building and beat up the Lich Councilor who slandered the Emperor.
Looking at the leaving Gray.Sin, Lionheart stands up. Looking at the prosperous scenery outside the window, he falls into deep thought and reminiscence.
Those are the teachings of the Emperor …
"Little Lionheart, it isn't cute to only know how to fight and kill. You won't be able to last long as a thug, if you only know how to charge around, you will be treated as an idiot. It is better for you to read more books and become a proper professional. Right, do you like history? I have always believed that reading history will make one more intelligent, so you should read more history books when you have the time. "
Recalling that pair of warm hands (which had been beautified in the memory) and that gentle, knowledgeable and caring voice (which had also been beautified), the Emperor's former attendant, Little Reinhardt, who was now the observer of history, was also trying to read history to understand the present. He was using his eyes to look past the shackles of time.
"You are always looking at history books and worrying at night, as though the calamities and calamities that destroyed the eras might descend at any moment. I am unable to understand those strange deduced notes? Goddess of Order? Grim Reaper Aillé? Chain reaction? Butterfly effect? Your Majesty, what exactly did you see? What kind of despair would make you choose to abandon everything and start anew … Who!! Come out! "
After a roar, a familiar smiling face appears outside the door. That is Gray.Sin who has returned.
"Little brother Lionheart, it is better to lower your voice when you talk to yourself. If not, if it were to spread out, outsiders would think that you are crazy."
"Did you hear …"
"No, no, I only came back to inform you of one thing. I didn't hear anything else."
Looking at the Bone Dragon Queen who is trying her best to act dumb, Lionheart smiles in annoyance. She and Ah Dang are the people he trusts the most in this dangerous country.
"Inform me of what?"
"In the future, I will not be called Gray.Sin, I will be called Gria. Don't get it wrong."
Upon hearing this, Lionheart felt strange.
"Why, you have been called Gray.Sin for thousands of years, why did you suddenly change your name? It can't be that you listened to those fortune tellers in the alley, they are all ignorant scammers. "
"No, no, it is just a small problem that I have to change my name?"
"Inconceivable! Who would be able to make a first-tier Duke cum Senator of the Empire change your name? "
"Previously, didn't the Senate reorganize the aristocratic system and inheritance of the entire country? They suddenly realized that my name is unable to be displayed on the Magic Network, nor is it able to be printed out. Thus, they suggested for me to change my name. "
"Unable to be displayed? Why? "
"It is because of the problem with the Gray.Sin in Gray.Sin. It is said that in a certain remote mountainous region, Gray.Sin is a nickname for certain females with a unique sexual orientation. Previously, when the system was upgraded, the organization in charge of the Magic Network, for the sake of civilization creation points, blocked the forbidden words. Now, the Magic Network automatically marks all the forbidden words with XX. "
"Thus, if I insist on being called Gray.Sin, in the future, my nameplate will show the Empire's first-tier Duke, Fourth Senator Ge XX … Wouldn't that be even more embarrassing? Left with no choice, I can only change my name to Gria. Don't get it wrong in the future. "
"Can you be even more ridiculous than that? You are a Senator of the Empire, yet you changed your name for such a strange reason? Isn't your dignity and pride crying? "
"Alright, it is said that the main reason is that a certain Will of the Universe is too lazy to mark the middle of my name, thus, I was renamed …"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
