There will be no advanced chapters on my Patreon for a short period of time for The Undying Magician as I rebuild up advanced chapters. And during that period of time, there will be no new chapters on Royal Road. You have been warned.

Intermission 6

All across the Mainland

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 24

Everyone on the continent, regardless of what nation they are from, stops whatever they were doing when various sirens echo out across the continent. Each belonging to different nations.

After the sirens, the words of the leaders of each nation, along with the words of the Class S magicians leading the rebellions for the nations, echo out at once.

All of their words vary, but each one directly declares the rediscovery of the Kingdom of the Fallen, which had stayed hidden for all these years while building itself back up. Proving itself to not be the wasteland everyone believed it to be.

Then one nation after another declares war on the newly rediscovered nation of the Dead King, whose name was declared along with the nation. The King of the Dead. King of the former Kingdom of Giese, and current King of the Kingdom of the Fallen.

The only Class S death magician in the world. Possibly the only death magician in the world.

And the bane of the Republic, who fought to a standstill with several other Class S magicians in the old war many years ago.

Adalwolf Giese.

But very few of the citizens or soldiers are happy about the news.

Because war has been spreading across the continent, causing chaos one turn after another for years. Entire nations have been split into factions, Class S magicians abandoning their own nations for better treatment, and even leaders of nations being assassinated. With the civilians and conscripted soldiers being sacrificed as pawns throughout the process. Drastically decreasing the population of the various nations.

And now another participant of the war has just arrived, bringing further chaos. Further war. And further death.

So the people push back against the declaration of war. Even if it is a war against the Dead King.

And despite the magicians usual treatment of the people, the push back grows so great in force that the leaders of every power gather together within the Council Chambers of the Republic. A place that is still cracked all over from Leodmir’s past visits.

There the leaders all form an agreement to appease the rebelling citizens. One without the participation of the Kingdom of the Fallen or the Dead King.

An agreement stating that the war between the nations will take place within the Kingdom of the Fallen.

One to ban all fighting on the mainland itself, keeping the non-conscripted citizens safe.

All of the factions will fight on the smaller continent, and each faction will be eliminated either when 75% of their forces are eliminated or their designated Class S leader is killed or captured.

The leader of the Class S magician faction, Leodmir Archeron.

The leader of the Republic’s faction, Artorius Hunter.

The leader of the Kingdom of the Fallen faction, Adalwolf Giese.

And various smaller leaders of the other nations which had split off from the original alliance with the Republic.

Edgar Brodnax, leader of the Collective Kingdoms.

Leopold Houk, leader of the nation of Entaria.

Juan Sequani, leader of the nation of Natra.

And Emma Sonnen, leader of the White Kingdom.

Leaving the other nations to join hands with the Republic or the Class S magician faction, or remaining entirely neutral in the case of the nation of Hardlight. The nation led by the greatest healer on the mainland.

And when the war comes to an end, according to the agreement, all remaining nations will join together under the command of the winning nation.

This agreement satisfies the people of the nations enough that the rebellions slow to a crawl, leaving the remaining rebellions squashed ruthlessly by the magicians. And soon enough, the various nations all send their forces out in droves to the Kingdom of the Fallen. Whether through teleportation straight to the shores in the case of the Class S magician faction, or through battleships. Each nation sends out their armies in full force.

And the moment they arrive, they’re faced with a large cloud of miasma spreading out across the shores, somehow not harming the battleships already located there from the Kingdom of the Fallen. Nor the people on board the battleships.

Before the mainland nations attempt to fight each other though, they each try to build a solid foundation on the Kingdom of the Fallen. Try to set up a home base for themselves.

So they all attack from different directions, clashing directly with the Kingdom of the Fallen’s forces.

But none of them other than the Republic and the Class S magician faction manage to break through into the small continent itself. Instead being held back by the forces of the Dead King.

Meanwhile seers from other continents take notice of the battle and watch. None of them acting in any way, but none of them taking their gazes away from the war either.

Because this war will affect the entire balance of the world, as whoever wins will take over the two continents. But not without growing weak from the aftermath first.

And if the Kingdom of the Fallen were to win the war, then the other continents may decide to stop ignoring the continents entirely. Since the grudge they have is not against the Kingdom.

It’s against the Republic.

In one of the battleships controlled by the Republic, a single team of magicians can be seen. Amongst this team are four women and two men. All, with the exception of the academy instructor leading the team, twenty years of age and wearing uniforms from the Arcadian Republic’s military given out to students of the Arcadian Academy acting fulltime as soldiers.

Uniforms with powerful protection enchantments on them.

The magicians consist of a fire affinity magician, a lightning specialization magician, a water affinity magician, a poison affinity magician, a gravity affinity magician, and a shadow specialized magician. And of these six people, none of them are pleased to be there. And all of them are under the command of the Healer General of the Arcadian Republic’s military.

And they’re currently landing on the continent.

Landing in the Kingdom of the Fallen.

Chapter 56

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The Nobles

Nathan

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 25

The next day I find myself alone in a meeting room with just Claire and Benjamin by my side, and a large screen at one end of the room displaying various videos. Each of which show a noble of the Kingdom of the Fallen. And it honestly feels like all of their attention is focused on me rather than each other, despite us being in a group call. Making it impossible to really tell who they’re focused on.

“As of this morning, we have received word of a unilateral agreement signed by every faction of this war other than our own Kingdom,” Duke Elmwood states while staring at the screen with a rather hard to decipher face. He has the same brown hair as his daughter, except with hints of a vivid green spread through it. His eyes are that same color of green instead of her brown eyes, and they glow ever so slightly. Clearly displaying how powerful his understanding of nature magic is.

Duke Stretarious scoffs at that, the man rolling his eyes in the process as his long black hair falls over his shoulder. But he doesn’t say anything, the Class B earth magician not generally being one to speak. Even if he has no problems scoffing or displaying his irritation.

“Just like the damned Republic to not even consider us in the negotiations,” Marchioness Solar says as the woman leans with her head resting on her elbow, her elbow on a table. Meanwhile she has a lazy yet irritated look on the Class B light magician’s face. “What was in the agreement?”

Duke Elmwood’s eyes narrow ever so slightly. Just barely noticeable. Then he answers, “All combat during this multi-faction war will be fought on the lands of the Kingdom of the Fallen, and the winner at the end of the conflict will take control of all territory belonging to the losers of the conflict.”

Seriously?

I stare incredulously at the screen as Claire begins writing this down.

“Additionally, the losers will be determined by two different deciding factors,” the duke continues, still without showing any expression on his face. “Either the faction’s leader is killed or captured, or seventy-five percent of their forces are eliminated. With their leaders being the Class S magician leading their faction during the war.”

Chaos immediately breaks out amongst the nobles as they all start talking at once. But I just look down while rubbing my chin.

Two ways to win. Through war or through single combat between the designated leaders.

And it’s obvious who ‘our’ leader is, since there’s only a single Class S magician in the Kingdom of the Fallen.

The skeleton.

At the very least we don’t have to worry about the skeleton getting killed. Something many of the nobles are talking about. How their king can’t die. What with him being a death magic magician at Class S.

It’s just not possible unless he were to completely run out of mana entirely. Which isn’t possible unless he wants it to happen.

His regeneration as a Class S magician is too great.

As for seventy-five percent of our forces… our numbers are far fewer than the nations on the mainland. So this condition won’t work out well for us. Not well at all.

They need to kill far fewer of us than we need of them.

The only benefit we have is that they’re probably still gonna be focusing on fighting between themselves rather than us. Since we’re the small fry here. The ones with far less unity and power. Far fewer forces. And far less resources and inferior technology.

Which should make for some great ambush opportunities.

And there’s no point in hiding my immortality. Not when they can find out from any random Joe in the Kingdom of the Fallen. Considering that I’m considered the prince of this nation by some, including the king of the nation.

An announcement that wasn’t exactly a private one.

Especially in the Outer Ring apparently.

The nobles all continue talking amongst themselves, without much progress being made. But none of them actually leave the call despite some of them looking rather angry.

I’m honestly a little impressed by that.

The nobles of the Kingdom of the Fallen have never gotten along with each other for as long as I’ve been here. And that’s without me even knowing every noble by name. Just the more important ones.

Although now that I’m interacting with them all, I should spend more time gathering intel on all of them.

On a different note, there are twenty eight total nobles not including myself amongst these nobles. However, of the twenty eight screens, five are currently blacked out with no one shown on them.

The five barons I’ve killed, including Cedric who I killed with my brute force strength, that poison affinity guy who was killed by the destruction affinity magician, and the other three killed in the war I just finished not long ago.

None of the other nobles seem to care about their absence though. Which is saying something.

Actually, speaking of the destruction affinity magician…

I glance at her screen, finding Rachel to be lounging around on a sofa lying on her front with her face in her arms on the armrest of the sofa. And she doesn’t seem to be paying even the slightest bit of attention to what is being said. Other than clearly enjoying the chaos going on, judging by her smile and how she’s just tilting her head back and forth.

Then there’s Baron Crimson. Val Crimson.

He’s… just casually sitting there drinking some wine.

Yeah, he’s probably just waiting for people to actually get serious instead of throwing out random shouts and complaints.

I glance at Duke Elmwood to find him staring blankly at the screen without saying a word, once again with an unreadable expression on his face. Which I can’t help but compare to his daughter’s usually calm expression.

She isn’t the same in any way, but she definitely has some traces of that expression in her. Even if she does show happiness unlike this guy from what I’ve seen.

I glance at Claire to find her writing down everything everyone is saying just for future note. In case they say something important or that they shouldn’t. Meanwhile my general is just frowning at the screen.

This is going to be a long meeting…

Chapter 57

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Exemption

Nathan

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 25

It takes almost an entire fifteen minutes for the stupid nobles to progress past their petty squabbles and shouting before we all finally begin to decide on our plans going forward. Of which are largely decided by the Class A and more advanced Class B magicians of the bunch. Since I don’t really care much about how the war actually goes so long as I come out on top myself.

And either way, I’ll be fighting someone after the war. Whether that’s the nobles, returning to our feud, or whoever goes after me from the nations post-war.

A fact that is pretty much set in stone will happen. Since there’s no way the magicians of the mainland will be able to resist the idea of immortality.

In all honesty, the war might be helping in that regard. They’ll be too busy focusing on their immediate survival and grudges to deal with me. Delegating me as a later matter to handle after they learn of my existence.

Quite convenient.

So by the end of the conversation, it’s decided that all of the nobles on the shores of the continent will be the frontline forces. Each of which also happen to be the stronger forces, both economically and in numbers and magic. Partially due to the lack of miasma on the shores, and partially due to having access to the ocean and the fish in it.

Fish that aren’t contaminated by any miasma.

Meanwhile the weaker nobles are all required to send their forces to assist. At least seventy-five percent of their forces.

And while everyone at first objected to this, since that’s a large portion of their forces, we were all shortly convinced after Duke Elmwood brought up mention of us all signing a magically enforced contract. One that bans any and all attempts to harm, interfere with, or do anything against other signatories of the contract.

Making it so that our territories are, in fact, safe from the other magicians.

On paper at least.

There are still some ways to get around that. But none that we’d need a large number of forces to stop.

And none that would require a large number of forces either.

To my surprise though, after we finish with that decision, Duke Elmwood turns his attention to me and says in front of everyone, “Before we agree on the final details of the contract, I would like to add an exception for the Undying Magician.”

Silence fills the room as the other nobles all show various different reactions. Most of which are curiosity and silence, but some seem irritated at the mere mention of me.

“And what would this exception be, Duke Elmwood?” I ask with my arms crossed and one brow raised.

He doesn’t miss a beat as he answers, “You have the least forces out of all of us, and you have just finished with a major conflict of your own. Therefore I would like to suggest your forces be exempt from joining the battle.” And before anyone can object to that, he adds, “Of course, this is with the stipulation that you must be present during the war at all times. You yourself are not allowed to leave the frontlines and must fight a certain amount every single month using your special constitution to the advantage of our fair Kingdom.”

Silence fills the room, and after his added comment after the first part, which left people more than a little angry, everyone calms down in a matter of moments. Clearly deciding that having me fighting on the frontlines personally throughout the war would be a far better benefit than having my meager forces joining in.

And I have to admit, it does sound nice. Because it means others are even less likely to mess with my people during this.

“I support this exemption,” Duke Stretarious says with a smirk on his face. One I feel is directed at me.

Then Crimson quickly adds his own word on it, saying, “Supported.”

Followed shortly by the psycho lady, Rachel, “I support this.”

And after that, more and more voices of support echo out until every last noble has given their support for the suggestion.

“It looks like it’s nearly unanimous,” Duke Elmwood states, still not showing a single sign of what he’s thinking on his face. “What say you, Undying Magician?”

“Will you aid the war personally, or have your soldiers die so that you can stay back?” Duke Stretarious adds, almost like he’s trying to provoke me.

But I ignore him as I answer Duke Elmwood, “I will participate personally.”

“Then this exemption will be placed within the contract,” Duke Elmwood continues before addressing every noble here. “Every noble of the Kingdom of the Fallen excluding the Undying Magician, Nathan Fox, must support the war effort with seventy-five percent of their forces or more. Furthermore, any attempt to harm one of the signatories of this contract in any way, whether physical, an attack on their forces or territory, or other potential methods are banned during the duration of the war. Meanwhile the Undying Magician, Nathan Fox, will be required to fight on the frontlines himself during the duration of the war and will not be able to leave the frontlines unless it is an emergency, or he returns within a day of leaving and does not leave more than once a month.”

Silence fills the call for a couple seconds. Then Duke Elmwood asks, “Is this agreement acceptable to all those present?”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

A few more seconds pass as the nobles all mentally go over what he stated before one agreement after another fills the hall. And eventually I add my own to it.

The duke then states a time and place for all of us to meet tomorrow, following which the call is ended. Leaving me in silence within my main meeting room.

I purse my lips for a few seconds, lightly tapping on my table for a bit.

Then I tilt my head slightly, looking down at said table as I briefly wonder something.

Do these nobles not realize that magically enforced contracts don’t actually do much of anything to me? Other than hurt to break?

Probably not.

Chapter 58

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Last Minute Preparations and a Greeting

Nathan

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 25

After the meeting with the nobles, I discuss the logistics and leadership of the Undying Caverns with Claire, Benjamin, and Ryan for when I’m gone. A discussion that lasts for a few more hours.

Then I proceed to go to my lab. Because there’s still one thing I want to finish before going to the war.

My latest lesson from the skeleton. An important one at that.

Necromancy.

This spell isn’t actually very difficult since it’s a very basic necromancy spell. So basic it didn’t take me long to figure out how to do it from the skeleton’s teachings right before this war broke out.

But it still needs a few touchups.

Right now it does raise the dead as undead, but it’s far too mana inefficient, and some of them begin to deteriorate while raised. Which is a major issue.

Not a hard one to fix though.

And I’d rather have this spell working properly before I leave this place.

I end up spending at least five hours in my lab, binging through the rest of the spell until it’s complete. A spell to raise the dead as an unintelligent zombie that follows scripted orders.

It’s a basic necromancy spell. So basic that you can’t even give orders to the undead after the initial raising of it.

The only orders you can give it are the orders inputted into the spell when it’s first cast.

Hence why it’s so basic. Since most necromancy includes scripts to actively give orders to the undead after they’re already raised. Some even let the user give orders in their mind and not out loud, but those are Tier V and Tier VI spells.

Although…

I glance at the corpses lined up in the lab.

This place smells.

Lots of wild animal corpses. A waste of food for the Caverns, if you ask me. But a necessary one.

Not that I need food.

I turn around and leave my lab – after burning the undead I made with the finished spell along with all of the failed undead and the remaining corpses – before proceeding out of my home and towards the entrance of the Undying Caverns. Briefly calling Claire on the terminal over my arm in the process.

“Is there something you need, Your Majesty?” Claire asks right away as I hear typing on the other end of the call. Likely her doing the work I set her and the others on.

“I’m heading out,” I tell her, having decided to go ahead and inform them. Since I might not come back tonight.

Depends on the skeleton.

“Understood,” she says, after which I cut off the call and step outside of the Caverns.

Now then. To check on the dark treant.

I quickly break into a sprint straight towards the Dark Forest.

Unfortunately I can’t take vehicles into the forest since it’s too dense. So is the forest beyond the rather large clearing around the Undying Caverns. A clearing that I swear grows larger by the day due to the battles that’ve taken place outside of it.

Rest in peace trees.

Anyways, it doesn’t take me long to reach the Dark Forest when I’m running at full speed, with the help of some blood. And when I do, I immediately enter it and rush towards the Dark Treant.

But no matter how long I run, I don’t seem to get anywhere. Meaning that I don’t have permission to find it through the illusion.

Probably because the skeleton is out right now due to the war.

I’ve learned a trick to get past that though. So I glance at Incendia on my shoulder before nodding, making her jump off before flying high into the air. Then she just goes over the Dark Forest, following her own senses to find the dark treant.

And I follow her scent in return until I too arrive at the dark treant in the form of a massive, dead tree.

My eyes narrow ever so slightly at the dark treant whose entrance is sealed.

I raise my fist, coating it with death flames before slamming it into the treant, setting part of its base ablaze with the black death flames. Then I declare, “Open up or you’re burning.”

And just like the last time I was here, the dark treant opens up. Clearly not wanting to be burnt by my death flames.

Thankfully treants aren’t exactly the smartest of things. Otherwise it’d know that the skeleton is far more dangerous than me.

The thing only listens to threats like that when the skeleton is nowhere nearby.

I proceed inside of the dark treant before climbing up the stairs and moving over towards the place covered by the barrier. Where my parents are being kept.

Then I pull my fist back and slam it into the barrier while coated in death flames. And just like I expected, it doesn’t so much as budge.

But I wasn’t expecting to damage it at all. Mostly just wanted to see if I could test how strong it was without the skeleton around here.

The reason I came here though is entirely different.

I summon forth several spell circles around me, making death flames only barely leak out from them to burn parts of the dark treant. Then I raise my head and shout at it, “Open the wall behind the barrier now!”

And after some more coaxing, which mostly just involves me turning up the heat a bit more, sending out more death flames to fill the entire hall, the treant opens up the wall behind the barrier. Obviously not opening or affecting the barrier itself.

But that’s not what’s important right now.

What’s important is that I hear my parents’ voices coming from through the barrier.

I smile at the sound of their voices, both of which cut off a few seconds later as they no doubt realize the wall was removed.

Without hesitation, I walk up to the barrier made by the skeleton before placing my hand on it and leaning my forehead against it. And as I do this, I hear my parents’ footsteps coming closer through what I find to be some sort of nicely designed suite of rooms on the other side.

Then, when I hear them gasp, I raise my head a little again with my smile growing a bit sadder at the sight of them behind the barrier.

“Hello, Mom, Dad,” I tell them, feeling a few tears leaking out. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Chapter 59

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

A Father’s Thoughts

Within the Dark Treant

Jason Fox holds his crying wife in his arms while stroking her long brown hair as they sit on the sofa of one of the various rooms the skeleton placed them in. All while unable to form a coherent word himself.

Ever since the first moment they learned about Nathan’s condition when he was younger, about his immortality, he knew things were bad. That they’d only get worse.

He’s been in a constant state of uncertainty. Because he has never liked their family’s doctor. And he trusts him less than he trusts the random neighbor that’d moved in next door not long before the incident. A neighbor whose child kept almost kicking in their window with a soccer ball and didn’t care.

But the doctor was their only route to go. Because not only did he already know their secret and could do whatever he pleased with it, but Jason knew at the time that he was far more powerful than he was passing himself off to be.

So he put up with it. He stayed quiet as his son came home almost lifeless every day that he went to visit the doctor.

Stayed silent as the doctor no doubt did unspeakable things to him.

In the name of Nathan’s freedom.

Because there wasn’t anything else they could do.

His wife, Julia, on the other hand, would often cry herself to sleep.

And all Jason could do was watch and try to comfort them as best he could. Which didn’t amount to much for Nathan, since the boy never wanted to open up to his parents about magic related subjects.

Jason regrets it all now. He should’ve tried harder to find a way out instead of just giving up. He should’ve tried harder to help his son.

And that realization sunk in deeply with its razor sharp fangs the moment Jason saw his son again for the first time in years. With his crimson eyes, nearly lifeless gaze, and the sharp fangs in his mouth where his canines would normally be. All while a strange bird made of black flames perched on his shoulder.

When he saw the lifeless gaze suddenly fill with life once again. Fill with tears.

The first thought that ran through his mind wasn’t about what had happened to his son to turn him into what he’s no doubt become. A vampire. Or how he’s aged physically when he couldn’t before.

No. His first thought was that he was glad to see him again after so long. That he wanted to apologize for what he hadn’t done in the past.

Then their reunion was cut off just as quickly as it had begun when the skeleton sealed them away again.

Leaving Jason and Julia in silence with the only sound within the suite being his wife’s crying.

And ever since then, his mind, and no doubt the mind of his wife as well, have been running wild trying to figure out what happened to their son. What managed to change him.

Whether it was another magical accident like the cause of his condition, or if his condition was cured and someone then turned him into a vampire. Or if someone managed to figure out how to go around his condition.

One possibility after another filled their minds, making them more and more anxious with each one.

Jason looks down as he feels his hand clenching a little into a fist, his wife still held in his arms.

She’s barely been able to say a thing since seeing Nathan again. Likely due to all of the stress building up over the past few years and releasing all at once.

I’m not one to talk about that though…

Jason hasn’t said much of anything out loud either.

But after a while has passed like this, he hears it. And he’s not the only one as his wife suddenly stops crying.

At the sound of moving vines and roots.

The same sound they heard the previous times the undead treant opened or closed the exit. Or when their supplies was being restocked by the roots.

But this time the sound was coming from the main entrance of the suite of rooms. The same place he and his wife saw Nathan.

He and Julie share a quick glance before hurrying to their feet and rushing off towards the main entrance of the suite. Where they soon find themselves face to face with their son, with that same barrier in between them as before.

Their boy is leaning partly against the barrier with his forehead resting against it and the slightest hint of a smile on his face. One that is completely different to the lifeless look they saw in his eyes just the day before.

Both Jason and his wife gasp at their son’s unexpected arrival. A mixture of joy, hesitation, anxiety, and fear on their faces. Fear that he will reject them for their inability to help him all his life. Since the incident.

But their son just raises his head and looks at them with a genuine smile building from the slightest hint that was there a moment ago. Meanwhile tears build up at the corners of his crimson eyes.

A few seconds pass before Nathan says, his voice sounding deeper than the last time he heard it, “Hello, Mom, Dad. It’s nice to see you again.”

Tears immediately flood Jason’s eyes as he moves closer to the barrier, placing his hand against it as he drops to his knees. And this time he feels his wife’s hands going around his shoulder in a comforting manner, reversing their earlier position as she no doubt cries again too.

Jason doesn’t pay any attention to the inhuman aspects of his son’s current appearance. He doesn’t care about the slightly inhuman look that he saw in his eyes before, or the dark instinct prickling at the back of his neck to run away from him as if his son were a predator.

He doesn’t care about any of it.

Instead, all he sees is his son. A son he wasn’t able to help for all those years. A son he failed to help.

And a son he’s wanted to see again for so long now but hasn’t been able to.

The area of the dark treant around the barrier is then filled with nothing but the sounds of the family’s first reunion, filled with tears, in years.

Chapter 60

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Brief Catchup

Nathan

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 25

We end up spending nearly half an hour just crying while practically glued to the barrier separating us. Then I slowly begin to tell them both what’s happened over the years.

About the academy. Then the doctor’s taking me to the Kingdom of the Fallen. The skeleton’s experimenting on me after I accidentally set him free.

How I became a vampire. Some of the things I’ve done since.

The wars with the nobles. My eventual plans to rescue them from the doctor just to find them here.

The current situation with the war.

And by the end of it, I find myself on my knees as tears flow endlessly from my eyes. Wishing that this damned barrier wasn’t here blocking us.

“Nathan… I’m so sorry…” Dad says, making my head jerk up in surprise to find tears flowing from his own eyes as Mom lies down next to him, having fallen asleep while crying herself. “I’m sorry for not trying harder to help you. For standing by and watching all these years. For-”

“No!” I exclaim, shaking my head frantically. “There’s nothing you could’ve done!”

He smiles wryly at that and quietly says, “But I should’ve tried something.”

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. I just can’t find the words.

Silence fills the area around the barrier as we both stare at each other.

Eventually I feel the dark treant beginning to shift a little, likely signifying that the skeleton is returning.

I quickly begin to rush in order to figure out something to say, but Dad beats me to it as he places his hand against the barrier and says with that same wry smile on his face, “If there’s anything you need to say, don’t be afraid to say it.”

My eyes widen in shock at that, then the treant replaces the wall, pushing them out of the way in the process and separating us.

Leaving me with Dad’s words behind in the silence that follows.

Don’t be afraid to say it… I have been afraid, haven’t I? Afraid to bring my parents into any of my problems. Afraid to speak up. To get help.

Or, at least, I was afraid. Before I largely grew numb to that feeling over time.

At that point I just became used to dealing with everything myself. Never asking for help.

Even when I had friends, fighting alongside them and getting and giving out orders was nothing but business for me. It wasn’t asking for help or receiving help. It was us fighting together as a team, following and giving out orders.

Asking for help…

I shake my head at the thought before turning around and glaring at the skeleton I find standing further down the hall. But to my surprise he doesn’t say a word to me. Just walks right past me while muttering to himself about a spell and the doctor and Chairman’s magics.

He’s too focused on the battle he just came from to even notice that I’m here.

The dark treant’s closing of the wall must’ve been on its own and without his order. Likely because it didn’t want to be found out that it obeyed me.

That or it’s no longer afraid of me since he’s here.

Either way, looks like I won’t be able to talk to Mom and Dad any more today.

I scowl at the skeleton’s back for a few seconds before turning away and beginning to walk down the hall. Heading towards the entrance of the dark treant.

But I don’t manage to make it even a dozen steps without pausing and turning back around.

Because there’s something I want to ask the bag of bones.

So I follow after the skeleton to his lab, where I find him writing stuff down in a hurry. But I don’t say anything at first.

Instead, I walk up to him and look over his shoulder at his notes. Reading everything he writes down.

Something most people would never do to another magician. Because a lot of people tend to get touchy about their own research and would straight up attack anyone who tried peeking.

But he told me before he didn’t care if it was me looking over his shoulder. Probably something to do with the fact that he’s teaching me magic already and wants me to be his successor.

And the fact that we’re both immortals.

Anyways, I can’t understand a lot of what he’s writing down. It’s just too complex for me at my level.

Actually, is this…

Huh.

Is this a Tier X spell he’s taking notes for?

Interesting…

Not why I came here though.

And I only have a third of the amount of mana a single Tier X spell costs to use. The weakest Tier X spells at that.

“Adalwolf,” I state, finally announcing my presence to the man. But he doesn’t stop working. Just continues writing notes.

I let out a sigh before looking around to find a chair.

This might take a while.

He probably won’t notice me until he finishes writing down what’s on his mind.

So I sit down and open my terminal while I wait, beginning to type on it for my own spell. The next level of necromancy.

Starting the script for it though proves to be rather difficult. Since it’s a lot different. In the control area at least.

The part that sends orders to the undead body.

The undead body and raising itself isn’t any different.

But to let an undead receive orders after it’s already raised is a far more complex spell than raising an undead to only follow the order hardcoded into the spell.

I continue sitting here on the chair brainstorming and working on my new spell in general until I hear the skeleton finally stop writing, and I raise my head to find him staring at me.

“What do you need?” he asks in a much more emotionless tone than normal. Clearly having his mind preoccupied with the war and what he was just doing.

My eyes narrow slightly as I stand up and, take a deep breath, and ask, “What are your plans for the war?”

Chapter 61

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Frightening Anticipation

Nathan

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 25

The skeleton stares at me for several seconds before turning away and focusing on his notes again as he answers, “Single combat with the other Class S magicians and keeping the nations other than the Class S faction and the Republic off of the continent. It’s my role as King. The rest is up to you and the nobles.”

I stare at his back with my eyes slightly squinted. Then I nod and state, “Alright.”

And without another word, I turn around and begin to walk away.

Before I leave his lab though, I glance back at the man, finding him just reading through his notes. Not writing anything right now.

Then I turn around again and continue leaving.

No matter how much I dislike the man, he’s the only way for the Kingdom of the Fallen to stay alive.

He’s the strongest singular magician alive from what I can tell. Even if he isn’t the one capable of the most destruction.

He’s immortal, a death magician, and is the oldest magician alive. Or, dead, I guess. Considering that his body is more undead than human.

So he really is our only hope. Not only against all of the forces attacking, but against the Class S magicians themselves.

And with that in mind, it’s best not to bother him now.

I continue walking through the dark treant before eventually leaving the tree entirely, only briefly glancing back when I think about how he was so focused he didn’t even say anything about me being there. Not a single word.

Will I ever get that absorbed in my work? So absorbed in my research that I ignore everyone else around me to focus?

Not sure if I want to end up like that or not, but I do know that it’s the mentality that got him to Class S in the first place. Probably the mentality that got most of the Class S magicians today to that point.

I frown at that thought as I begin marching through the Dark Forest. No longer being hassled by the illusions of the Dark Forest itself since the skeleton is back in his lair again.

When I get out of the Dark Forest, I immediately make my way over towards the meeting place the other nobles and I agreed to meeting at. Because I’d rather arrive early to scout the place out.

The meeting place was set to be in the Outer Ring. In the middle of multiple different noble territories including my own. Strictly to make it neutral.

And this time I take out a jeep to drive over there instead of just running. Which would take a lot longer.

But while I run, my mind won’t focus on the meeting I’m heading to. The contract signing.

Instead, my mind is focusing on two different things.

My parents and our last words, and the possibility that my friends from the Republic will be coming to the Kingdom of the Fallen soon.

The words Dad said… makes me think of my friends and the people from the Undying Caverns. How they were determined to help me with my conflicts with the nobles, even if a lot of them have ulterior motives. And how much respect they clearly have for me.

After thinking for several minutes as I drive, I eventually come to a decision.

I’ll ask them to defend my territory and people while I’m at war.

A faint smile stretches across my face at that thought, but it fades away again when I focus on the other issue.

My friends from the Republic who no doubt believe me to be dead.

They’ll find out about me sooner or later if they’re coming to the Kingdom of the Fallen. In fact, even if they don’t come here, there’s a decent chance they’ll find out from the news anyways.

Because there’s no way the news won’t cover an immortal magician amongst the enemies. One who can’t die.

And while I look different now, I don’t look that different. It’s just my physical age and crimson eyes that have changed.

Mom and Dad recognized me after all. So I’d be pretty surprised if my friends don’t.

And our reunion will be awkward as hell.

Especially since we’re on opposing sides of the war.

That said, I at least don’t have to fight them. I was never given any requirements for where I have to fight on the frontlines.

So if I end up spotting them, I’ll just go fight somewhere else. Where they aren’t.

I glance at Incendia, who has been rather quiet lately. Only to find her eyes shut as she perches on my shoulder.

From what she’s told me, she isn’t a fan of war. So this is probably tiring her out mentally constantly going around warring against people.

She’s the type who enjoys relaxing and doing research undisturbed.

I reach up and stroke the flaming feathers on her head, making her rub her head against my hand as I drive. Then I focus on driving again a second later when I begin to near the valley between the Rings.

At least I know Incendia will always be by my side.

A faint smile stretches across my face.

When I reach the valley, I stop my jeep, get out, and place it back in my storage space. I jump down into the valley and head over towards the Outer Ring without hesitation or paying much attention to Crimson’s cleanup of the place that’s still ongoing.

Although I do take note that some of the workers run for the hills when I get close. As if they’re terrified of me.

Guess that’s to be expected after what they saw of me in the last war.

I continue ignoring them as I reach the Outer Ring and quickly make my way over towards the meeting location after resummoning my jeep.

Time to sign a contract.

And to get this war officially under way.

Chapter 62

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Some Things Always Stay the Same

Nathan

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 25

“I would like to welcome you all to this pre-war meeting,” Duke Elmwood declares while spreading his arms out at the front of the long table. A table covered in twenty-three contracts, each placed in front of a seated noble. With me seated on the opposite end of Duke Elmwood. An arrangement that initially surprised me before I remembered that he was at least partially on my side.

None of the nobles here have any subordinates in the room with us. A room that makes up the entirety of this rather grand-looking, single room building no doubt made by magic. With all of the nobles’ followers – assuming they have any with them – outside of the room.

Most of us do actually have subordinates with us outside though. Even I have Incendia waiting outside.

I think the only person who doesn’t have a single person with her is Rachel, who is lounging around with her feet up on the table. To the great annoyance of those who were left sitting beside her.

Better them than me.

The duke continues with a smile on his face as he inclines his head towards the contracts on the table and says, “Please look over the magical contracts placed in front of you. If you have any objections, express them and we will discuss your issues.”

I look down at the contract and begin reading through it. And it’s just as the duke stated over the call.

In simple terms, every noble signing onto the contract except for me is required to send seventy-five percent or more of their forces to aid in the war. Every noble signing onto the contract is banned from interfering with the other nobles in any way during the war including myself. And I am required to participate in the war personally, with me being allowed to leave the frontlines once a month so long as I return within a day of leaving.

Overall, a pretty good contract.

No loopholes I can see, and even if there were, the magic in the contract would enforce the spirit of the contract. Not the exact words.

It’d enforce what all of the signers believe to be the truth in the contract and wouldn’t let you sign if your believed truth is different from the believed truth of everyone else signing it.

“Does anyone have any complaints about the contents of the contract?” the duke asks, following which silence reigns for several seconds. Then he nods his head and says, “Very well then. Everyone, please sign the contract where your name is listed.”

I look down at it again to find a list of names along with lines next to them. Implying places to sign.

Then signatures from the others begin appearing on my paper as the others no doubt sign it, proving just how high quality this magic contract is.

I sign my own name as well, and the moment every last signature has finished signing, the contracts turn into a white and blue light before fading away.

The magical contracts sealed, binding each signature to it lest they lose their lives.

Or, lest the others lose their lives.

The doctor already tested contracts as a way to kill me before.

Didn’t work.

Hurt though.

I raise my head to find a number of the other nobles getting up and preparing to leave. But some appear to be interested in talking with me.

My attention focuses on Duke Elmwood though, briefly ignoring the psychopath and Crimson. And the other nobles who clearly just want to get an idea of what I’m like. Or a couple who are openly eyeing my body trying to figure out what’s different about me from others. Treating me like some lab rat with their eyes.

The duke nods his head silently, following which a green spell circle appears and roots shoot out of the building’s floor and begin carrying both of our seats up into the air far away from the others, breaking through the ceiling in the process. Then vines form a sphere around us to block them from overhearing.

“You’ve earned my respect, Undying Magician,” he says, still with that undecipherable face of his. “Don’t lose it.”

I narrow my eyes at his clearly arrogant attitude, but I don’t say anything.

So he lowers us back down to the ground again while undoing the sphere.

Then he walks away. And I do the same, but in the opposite direction.

This war is going to be big. Possibly the biggest conflict I’ve ever been in.

Actually, without a doubt the biggest conflict.

But I won’t be the center of it. Not at my Class.

I need to reach Class B as a magician. And I need to reach it soon.

Out of the corner of my eye as I’m leaving the building, I spot the destruction magician waving at me with a smile on her face. While she breaks through the wall, using her destruction magic to disintegrate it in the process.

Guess it’s not just at my place that she doesn’t know how to use doors.

I continue walking for a bit away from the building before summoning my jeep and beginning to head back to the Undying Caverns so that I can plan where to head for the war. And it wouldn’t hurt to ask for some help from Benjamin for that task.

A faint smile stretches across my face at the idea of actually asking someone for help.

But the smile fades again as my thoughts return to the war. To the bloodshed I’ll be causing throughout it.

And black veins begin to emerge across my face as I see my glowing crimson eyes in my reflection on the water from some puddles I pass by. Puddles left by the rain earlier this night.

I raise my head as I walk to look at the full moon high in the sky.

Everything’s changing.

I lower my gaze again to look at my hands before clenching them and making my claws dig into my palms, only for the wounds to revert right away.

Yet some things always stay the same.