Chapter 33: The Searcher Meets the Army.

I read the research while we were traveling back to Horgen.

It states here that the Skeleton King's original "Raise Dead" spell had a hidden effect.

It would implant the hatred of the Skeleton King, and the raised person would follow him until they stopped existing.

The effect is something like a leash that enforces absolute loyalty.

I told The Searcher about our spells. He was surprised that we could raise the dead without the said effect because hatred would cause a soldier or a person to be unstable.

He also told me more about evolution and such. It would seem that once an undead kills a living creature, it takes its soul to increase the killer's maximum negative energy store.

But…

It wouldn't be filled right away. So evolutions are usually delayed. The searcher gave me an example: if you kill 100 monsters, it will raise your maximum N.E. considerably, but it would take time to fill that out.

Usually, you would need to meditate and recover your lost N.E. before you could evolve. Of course, there are exceptions, as always.

Since N.E. is also considered the health of the undead, it can also be said that killing living creatures will make the undead stronger and tougher indefinitely.

Once the maximum N.E. reaches a certain point, the undead will evolve.

Oh. That makes sense. It's not like humans, which level up after a certain amount of "experience" is gained.

While I was reading this, I could feel negative energies returning to me. A dim purple aura surrounds me now. Am I about to evolve again?

The Searcher: "Oh, you're glowing. Lord Idmon, I believe you are in the process of evolving. You should take care not to use your N.E. as it will delay evolution."

Idmon: "(t) Okay."

I wondered what class I would turn into after I evolved. I asked The Searcher about this, and at the same time, I gave him the monster registry for reference.

Idmon: "So, what do you think will be my evolution?"

The Searcher: "Hmm... The most likely evolutions are Dread Knight or Skeleton Spearlord. It is fascinating that it is written here that other variants might exist. May I borrow this book for research?"

Idmon: "(t) You may."

Hmm. Dread Knight. And what the hell is Spearlord?

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Idmon: "(t) It's my first time hearing that class. Can you tell me more about that?"

The Searcher: "According to this book, here are their stats."

He told me the statistics.

Skeleton Spearlord

Str: 5th tier

End: 5th tier

Agi: 3rd tier

Magic: 3rd tier

Wisdom: 4th tier

Spells and Skills: (moderate), , , , , Leaping Thrust.

Passives: Enhanced Strength (4th tier), Enhanced Endurance (4th tier), Agility (unique passive), Wisdom (unique passive), Intimidation Aura (moderate)

The titles were very much the same.

The searcher told me that I learned some unique skills rather than being part of my class or race. It was a good sign; it means that we can still be stronger than what is written in this book.

Evolution huh? There was still one thing bothering me.

Idmon: "(t) I had this problem producing a voice. My wizard taught me the basics of how to do it, but I just can't seem to get it."

The Searcher: "Let me see; being an observer for a long time gave me a special skill. ."

A dark aura covered his eyes.

The Searcher: "By the way, I just named the spell myself. Hehehe. Eherm. Let's see here."

He was checking the flow of energies in my throat, where I'm supposed to concentrate the negative energies to produce a voice.

The Searcher: "There is an irregularity in the energies. It explodes when you try it."

Idmon: "Yeah, how did you know that?"

The Searcher: "Hmm... This problem would require more research. Give me some time, and I'll try to find a solution."

.

.

.

When the searcher arrived at the fort, you could see it from his gestures; he was ecstatic.

The Searcher: "Amazing! An army made of the undead. Free from the tyranny of the Skeleton King!"

He went ahead on his own and started talking with the soldiers. He was floating here and there, occasionally surprising the soldiers.

A lot has changed in the army. I see some of the soldiers discussing and chatting around; some were even playing!

I expected them to regain some of their memories, but not to this extent. You could hear laughter from the dwarven groups.

People were lining up at the undead blacksmiths makeshift shops operated by the Skeleton Dwarves. They were equipping themselves with better equipment without my direct orders.

It was amazing. It was like a legitimate, functioning community.

When they saw me, they did something even more surprising. I saw the soldiers lining up, getting into neat formations. Also, the others relaxing on the side suddenly stood up and took up positions.

Skeleton Officer: "Welcome back! Lord Idmon!"

I nodded at them and ordered them to go back to whatever they were doing. Is this Bon's work?

Bon: "Ah, welcome back, Lord Idmon."

Bon was running toward me.

Idmon: "Yeah, did you teach them that?"

Bon: "No, Lord Idmon. I was surprised too. They can think of that on their own, and, amazingly, they decide to do that. I was planning on teaching them to do that myself."

Hmm. This event is extraordinary. It's like the soldiers are grateful to their superior! It's human behavior that is absent in most non-human armies.

I approached one of the skeleton blacksmiths.

Idmon: "Hey there."

Skeleton Blacksmith: "Oh! Hello there, Lord Idmon."

Idmon: "(t) What kind of equipment are you making right now?"

Skeleton: "Master Bon advised us to make the best equipment for our army."

Oh. The smith showed me the production of new spears, swords, shields, bows, and arrows. My men are now even wearing steel full-plate armor.

We got the materials from a nearby mine, he told me.

The equipment that we got from the Dwarves before was also of high quality, but the materials they used were iron and bronze. Some of them broke after the intense battle.

These new pieces of equipment were all in good condition. I even got some for myself. The smiths were also making some magic-resistant armor for flexibility. Amazing.

They still have their smithing skills even now, when they are already undead.

With these kinds of equipment, I can even make divisions for our army. I won't just order them to charge mindlessly anymore, and they don't have to claw their enemies.

Skeleton Blacksmith: "And Lord Idmon..."

Idmon: "(t) Yes?"

Skeleton Blacksmith: "Thanks for giving my brothers and me another chance at life."

I thought they would be kind of angry at me for not letting them rest in peace, but it's not like that.

What I got was a lot of thanks for giving them another chance.

I need to check on Lina now. I hope she stops doing those howls since I don't believe she'll evolve by doing that.