493 Undead Army (2/2)
The entire carriage was carved from white jade and the back of the carriage was even decorated with intricate feathered wings. The carriage was designed in the traditional elven ivy carts and was pulled by two snow white unicorns. Strands of grass and wildflowers even grew from where the unicorns stepped on. The abundant power of nature made people feel that it was practically the vehicle of the Child of Nature.
Seeing that the new owner had arrived, the two unicorns cried in joy, as though they couldn't wait to set off. They had already rested for a long time in the stables, and now with a chance to stretch their legs, they kicked their hooves. The bells upon the unicorn horns rang repeatedly as they swung around.
”...Are you telling me that this is the phantom horse carriage created by the undead mage? With phantom horses that have fatal exhales of despair? And that black lightning-like phantom body? Was the bone horse carriage originally decorated with bones? And where did that headless coachman go? After moving, shadows should have been left behind and not grass, right? How did the undead arts and the beauty of the bones of the phantom horse carriage in my memories turn out like this!?”
”Please forgive my bluntness, but I don't think that's some kind of dark beauty. The bone and shattered body only just makes it clearly look unpresentable. From what I remember, the early undead mages were all dishevelled-looking slaves. Ah, apologies. I didn't mean to suspect you were a bum.”
As the person who redecorated the horse carriage, Winlair was naturally satisfied with this elf's kind of style. ”She” was repeatedly observing the ivy carvings that she left behind and seemed to have engraved then into her memories. Her tone of voice sounded like she regretted selling it to me.
And even his phrasing was said in the typical elven style; despicable, and in a voice which sounded unsatisfied like one had to redecorate twice over. What did he mean by ”I didn't mean to suspect you were a bum”? That line actually meant ”Undead mages are all bums. You're an undead mage, so there's no need to suspect otherwise. You're definitely a bum!”
”Apologize! Apologize to all undead mages!”
Just as I stepped out the door, I realized that other people were looking at me with an odd expression. The annoyed and fearful looks which undead mages often saw had vanished quite a bit in today's age. Rather, they looked astonished and were strongly resisting laughter like they'd seen an alien.
”Damn it...”
It felt like I'd just humiliated myself a little, as I regretted this trade even more so.
”Damn it! Only this dragon lich could possibly come up with such ridiculous appearing undead. I just had to carry the blame.”
Since I was an ”undead mage”, those weird undead beings naturally became my creations in the eyes of others. Also, this odd phantom horse carriage was still the easiest to accept above them all...
This time around, the gargoyles to the side were also part of the elite combat strength amongst the undead I obtained in the trade. There were six of them in total.
This constructed kind of half elemental, half undead creature always used stone to disguise themselves. In battle, they would launch surprise attacks. As most of their bodies were rock-hard, the power of their strikes and defensive abilities weren't bad, and their soaring ability, their sharp claws, and their heavy material gave them the beautiful name of the undead soaring sharp soldiers.
As the constructed half undead creatures, gargoyles could collect materials, design, enchant, create human crafts and even more that other undead creatures weren't capable of. However, even the weakest gargoyle was a mid-level undead creature. After all, only ranked-silver undead mages could bestow these gargoyles with life, and add some of their own personal style upon them at will was practically a must.
Their basic blueprints were very simple. That also meant that they were easy to mold and modify, and their strength and attack methods differed completely. The weakest was a soaring gargoyle who would be exhausted simply by flying. But if an undead mage was willing to spend enough money, it was also quite possible to create a gargoyle which was capable of defeating a dragon by itself. For example, with a titan's heart as the energy source, enchanted gold outer armor, and two latest models of magical engines buried in the skull... Alright. I listed the latest, best selling Northern Army's weapons mecha battle collection. Actually, I saw right through the amended gargoyle's blueprints.
And the several gargoyles that I got a hold of were most probably made at the dragon lich's big expense. He used mithril anti-corrosion coating and enchanted sapphire eyes, which were materials that were definitely not cheap. In gold pieces, I certainly hit it big, but…...
”...Why not give them clothes? Alright, alright. I'm stupid. They're stone, so of course they didn't need to wear clothes. Haha. Fashion really is awesome. The stupid otaku sold his own women (figurines).”
*Sigh* I'm afraid that someone has already guessed the dragon lich gargoyles' appearances. Uh-huh. There were two kinds; naked elven men and naked elven women, and they were complete replicas of the real deal!
Looking at that uniquely true to life expression and physique, they looked exactly like living elves. The female elves carried a bow and arrows on her back; she was a long range type. The male elf didn't even have underpants, but he had two machetes.
”I'll quit complaining about the missing basic qualities like sharp claws and steel teeth. What's the point in giving all your enchantments to a gargoyle so that their joints can move?! Did you make an action figure or a weapon? With such a relaxed attitude, why don't you equip several magical attack weapons on them?”
My biggest doubt right now wasn't how Winlair had such creativity, but how he ”gathered resources” back in the day or, one should say, how he stripped those elves and didn't become the elves' public enemy!
It goes without saying just how beautiful elves were; the men were handsome, and the women were charming. What's more, the dragon lich didn't choose ordinary models. They were valiant and formidable yet elegantly beautiful. On top of that, Winlair had all of wood elves, moon elves, silver elves, and dark elves amongst his gargoyles. The young, curvacious, and skinny elves were practically the elven imperial harem, of which he kept them at home due to their beauty, but…...
”I really didn't do it... F*ck! What's the meaning of these looks you're giving me? I never lie!”
And now, five naked female elves (long distance attack type) and a naked male elf (close combat type) were flying around me. His problem became my problem, and everyone looked at me with eyes full of condescension. If it was practically like saying ”As expected, he's a pervert” and ”Why in the hell did he create those things for?”
Why the hell was it five naked girls and a naked guy? Actually, the dragon lich's trove had quite a few close combat types. I also needed some cannon fodder close combat types, but thinking about it again, I would rather be suspected as a pervert than a gay guy without hesitation…...
And at this time, that naked man gargoyle was behind me. As close combat gargoyles were only used for fighting, his core nature required him to undertake the responsibility of guarding me. However, I felt that he was too close to me right now, especially with how a certain area of his was almost touching me…...
”So he was bisexual… I mean, why else did Karo never make a move on Katerina...”
”So big. I never imagined Karo liked this type.”
I heard these kind of words and instantly covered my face. Aggrieved tears wanted to practically fall from both my pupils. As expected, I should never have considered taking a close combat gargoyle at all. My legendary name was completely ruined. In that moment, I'd rather become a super pervert in everyone's eyes.
”Onward!”
Those words were heard a few more times, as we rushed onto the horse carriage. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to help but flip out and the only thing that would give me relief was the even more strange creation in the horse carriage. The situation hadn't reached it's very worst just yet.
”The first stop, out of the city... No! Anton's tailor shop! Yes, you heard that right. First, I'm going to get those indecent gargoyles some clothes!”
A sudden sense of sadness rose from my heart. I was afraid that I would become the first undead mage in the history books to give gargoyles clothing.