As Zealot made his way back to his grand castle, he pondered the meal he would prepare. The thought of a hearty, satisfying dish filled him with anticipation. Although he lived alone in the castle, he took great pride in his cooking skills. The castle's vast, empty halls echoed with a sense of quiet solitude, but Zealot found comfort in his own company and the routine of his daily life.
Reaching the castle's towering entrance, Zealot pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside. The familiar coolness of the luxurious stone walls greeted him, a stark contrast to the warmth of the forest. He moved with purpose through the grand halls, his thoughts drifting to the upcoming meal. The vast kitchen, with its assortment of well-maintained tools and ingredients, awaited him. He could almost taste the rich flavors as he planned out his menu, eager to create something delicious.
With a satisfied grin, Zealot set about preparing his meal, the rhythmic sounds of chopping and stirring filling the castle's emptiness. The solitude of the castle, once a source of isolation, now felt like a sanctuary—a place where he could unwind and enjoy the fruits of his labor after a victorious battle.
As the aroma of his cooking began to fill the air, Zealot took a moment to reflect on the day's events. The battle against the Minotaur King had been a significant victory, yet the Minotaur King's ominous words regarding the "Age of Monsters Is Coming" continued to echo in his mind.
Nevertheless, for now, Zealot chose to set aside the Minotaur King's words and focus on savoring this peaceful moment, letting the satisfaction of his triumph and the simple joy of a good meal soothe his thoughts.
As he sat down to eat in the expansive dining hall, the long, polished table stretched out before him, lined with the finest silverware and dishes. Despite the grandeur of the surroundings, the hall was eerily quiet, save for the faint echoes of Zealot's movements and the soft crackle of the fireplace.
Just as Zealot was about to take his first bite, a sudden, unsettling noise echoed from the direction of the grand throne room, jolting him from his peaceful moment. “Hmm, what was that?” he muttered to himself, a mix of curiosity and concern in his voice. The unexpected sound was enough to break his concentration, prompting him to set aside his meal and investigate.
Intrigued by the disturbance, Zealot made his way to the grand entrance of the throne room. As he approached, he could hear faint murmurs and the soft thuds of footsteps beyond the colossal throne room door.
‘Who could be in the throne room at this hour?’ Zealot wondered, a sense of curiosity piquing his interest.
Eager to discover who was inside, Zealot carefully pushed the gigantic door open. Before he could fully step in, the sight that greeted him was shocking. Sasha was in the throne room, kneeling before an unfamiliar skeletal figure that seemed to radiate an eerie, dark presence. The figure's hollow eyes and commanding aura left no doubt—it was Lich King Drelak.
Zealot was not particularly concerned about Sasha. He had full confidence in the capabilities of his Skeleton Gold Warriors, believing they were more than equipped to handle any threat she might pose. However, the situation was vastly different when it came to the Lich King. The thought of facing the Lich King filled him with apprehension, as he wasn’t confident he could defeat Drelak.
At this moment, Zealot was caught in a dilemma: to fight or to flee. After careful consideration, he chose to remain calm and not run. He feared that attempting to escape might worsen the situation and provoke Drelak's wrath even further.
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‘I don’t know the full extent of the Lich King’s power, but the aura he exudes is clearly far beyond my capabilities. I can’t afford to provoke him… I need to find a way to get on his good side if I want to stay alive... Alright, let’s stay calm and see what he has to say,’ Zealot thought.
EYES OF TRUTH!
To determine if Lich King Drelak posed a threat, Zealot activated his mind-reading skill and began to probe Drelak’s thoughts. Fortunately, his decision to stay was validated; had he tried to escape earlier, Drelak would have killed him on the spot. Drelak had no tolerance for anyone attempting to flee and harbored a deep resentment for such actions.
During this time, Zealot suddenly recalled what the Minotaur King had said about the “Age of Monsters.” Initially, he had dismissed the Minotaur King's words because the novel hadn’t depicted such an event. However, after encountering Lich King Drelak, Zealot began to consider that the Minotaur King's prophecy might indeed be true after all.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me, right?’ Zealot thought, disbelief edging his mind. ‘Did the future really change because of me…? No, that can’t be the case—not yet. The existence of this Lich King might just be a mere coincidence; it’s still too early to draw any conclusions. After all, there have been rare instances of monsters escaping from dungeons in this world, so this is not new. Well, whether the Minotaur King’s prophecy is true or not, only time will tell.’
Zealot’s mind raced as he stood at the entrance to the throne room, the sight of Sasha kneeling before the menacing Lich King Drelak stirring both anxiety and curiosity within him. Despite his unease, he maintained his composure, carefully observing the interaction between Sasha and Drelak.
Drelak’s skeletal gaze shifted toward Zealot as the grand throne room’s heavy door slowly creaked open wider. His eerie glowing blue eyes locked onto Zealot, and a cold, calculating smile spread across his bony face.
"Ah, another guest?" Drelak’s voice echoed with unsettling calm. "It seems I have more company than anticipated."
Sasha’s head snapped up in surprise, her eyes widening at the sight of Zealot standing at the entrance. In an instant, anger flashed across her face, but she quickly masked it with a strained semblance of calm.
‘Zealot! You son of a bitch!’ Sasha thought, seething with rage.
Despite Sasha's best efforts to mask her anger, Zealot could clearly see she was seething at the sight of him. Observing her fury, he couldn’t help but smirk at her, only intensifying her rage. Nonetheless, in front of Lich King Drelak, Sasha had no choice but to control herself, suppress her emotions, and adopt a calm, composed demeanor.
‘Ugh! Just you wait, Zealot! I’ll definitely have my revenge soon enough!’ Sasha thought. If it weren’t for her new master, Drelak, she would have already unleashed her wrath upon Zealot by now.
Drelak's skeletal form exuded an aura of dark authority as he fixed his gaze on Zealot. "And who might you be?" he inquired, his voice a chilling whisper that echoed through the vast throne room.
Zealot took a deep breath, steadying himself before responding. "I am Zealot, the owner of this grand castle," he stated, his tone measured and respectful. He knew that any sign of disrespect could provoke Lich King Drelak’s wrath.
Drelak's eerie blue eyes flickered with interest. "The owner of this grand castle, you say?" he mused. "How intriguing. Tell me, Zealot, what brings you here at this moment? Were you drawn by the disturbance, or perhaps by curiosity?"
Zealot nodded, maintaining his calm demeanor. "I heard a noise and came to investigate. I didn't expect to find a Lich King in my throne room."
Drelak's sinister smile stretched wider, revealing a glint of malevolent amusement. "Ah, the Mortal World is indeed full of surprises, isn't it? But there is no need for you to fear me, Zealot." In a heartbeat, as if time itself had faltered, Drelak vanished from sight and reappeared directly in front of Zealot. With a swift, deliberate motion, he seized Zealot by the neck and began to lift Zealot up slowly into midair, his grip tightening as he raised Zealot higher, leaving the ground far below.
CHOKE!
Drelak's eyes glinted with malevolent glee as he met Zealot's gaze. With a chilling laugh, he declared, “Kekeke! Now make your choice—join me or face inevitable death!” The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, underscoring the dire stakes of the moment.
While most adventurers might have succumbed to panic in such a situation, Zealot remained composed. His calmness stemmed from his mind-reading ability, which had enabled him to foresee Drelak's plans in advance; thus, he was fully prepared for it.