Chapter 31: Loyalty (Bon POV)

I looked around the fort. Lord Idmon left for a journey to increase our strength.

I saw dwarven caravans earlier. They were carrying food and medicines to the other forts. The campaign was on hold because the dwarven army needs to rest and tend to their wounded.

Living things are an inefficient lot; I thought to myself. If we turned these guys all into undead, then we can win this war right away.

I know Lord Idmon will reject the idea, though.

The Skeleton Dwarves are a lot stronger than our usual soldiers. They also do mining, and some of them even had blacksmith experience. I already ordered them to make new equipment for the army.

Another group was sent to the nearby mountains to mine materials for the equipment.

Something was bugging Bon, though. The soldiers are starting to talk to each other. They sometimes have these kinds of conversations.

Soldier 1: "Hey, you understand me, right?"

Soldier 2: "Yeah."

Soldier 1: "Do you remember who you were back when you're alive?"

Soldier 2: "Sorta... and how I died."

Soldier 1: "You too, huh... I guess we can't go back to our families looking like this anyways."

"Yeah, let's do our best since they gave us another chance."

Bon was teaching tactics and formations to these guys, and that's when he realized. Some of them are aware that they turned into undead. There was another weird thing happening asides from this.

He noticed it back then. Ran, Mel, and Mag were talking. He was able to guess that these guys were once friends when they were still alive.

Bon was troubled since this might be a huge problem.

The skeleton soldiers are not mindless followers anymore. They could rebel if they want, and Lord Idmon is just relying on their loyalty.

He was so troubled that he decided to consult with Lina. Bon and she was undoubtedly the second-in-command of this army.

Even though he's not fond of Lina, he could feel it. She has another motive in joining Lord Idmon's army. Bon wanted to confront her but he knew that he's not capable of fighting her yet.

As he was walking, a soldier greeted him.

Skeleton Champion: "Good morning, Lord Bon."

He was surprised a soldier just greeted him. It was one of the remaining human-based skeleton warriors that they brought with them on their journey.

This guy was a Skeleton Champion now. Back then, he was nothing but a fragile Skeleton Warrior.

Bon: "Lord???"

He guessed that he might have stared into space for a few moments there.

Bon: "Ah, yes... Good morning."

Skeleton Champion: "Is there a problem, Lord?"

Bon: "Ah... Please don't refer to me as Lord. We only have one lord, and that is Lord Idmon. You can call me Bon, tell that to the others."

Skeleton Champion: "Yes, Master Bon!"

Bon: "Master, huh... That's fine."

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.

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Bon: "Lina, I need to speak to you about something."

She was not responding. She was in the middle of concentrating. Bon found out that Lina was trying to make herself stronger by discovering new spells to reach her full potential.

Bon knew this process. She was trying to force herself to evolve.

It seemed like she was so shocked at the scene where Lord Idmon's limbs suddenly disintegrated. Lord Idmon also lost consciousness, which drove her into a panic.

He had used too much N.E. energy that his vessel almost became bone powder.

She was howling for hours, causing the others to leave her alone for days. And now.

Bon: "It's concerning Lord Idmon."

She suddenly stopped.

Lina: "What is it?"

Bon: "The soldiers are regaining their consciousness from when they were alive. I'm worried that not all are loyal to Lord Idmon."

Lina: "If that's the case, then we crush them."

Bon: "You know, Lord Idmon wouldn't like that."

Lina: "He'll accept it when he knows that those guys were a traitorous bunch."

Bon: "Okay."

Lina: "And I believe you should trust Lord Idmon more."

Bon: "What!? Me!? Not trusting Lord Idmon!? That's blasphemy!"

Lina: "Really? You're worried about this because you think that he can't lead this army without any problems. Right?"

I was so shocked. It was like that. I was not confident at Lord Idmon's capability as a leader.

"I believe that Lord Idmon already has it in his mind."

I thanked Lina for her advice and left her. I need some time to think.

I'm sure Lord Idmon has been thinking about these things a lot more than I am. I'll make sure to provide him the best aid I can give.