82 The Price for Arrogance and Carelessness (1/2)

Clay was floating in the skies of Evernight as he tried to contain his fury. He had the urge to kill Marduke for the spell he unleashed but realized that it was his fault for even allowing the Lich to cast the spell. His arrogance in thinking that nothing the Lich threw at him would work on him backfired and ended in disaster for his people.

At first, Clay hadn't considered the men of Evernight as his people. They were merely pawns that needed to work hard to release themselves from the torment of the Grand Liches' rule. However, after a few years of working on them and with them, he slowly changed his way of thinking. He cherished these people as his own army. He did not train them like he did his retainers, however, the amount of battles that these men faced for the past years could be said to have exceeded even the battle experience of Caltec and the rest.

Every day, they had to fight with their lives on the line only relying on the equipment and the minimal training that Clay had given them.

Clay grunted.

Thinking about the men he lost this time grieved him terribly. And the guilt that came with it almost consumed him with anger. However, Clay also knew that he would not be able to bring them back unless he knew how to recall souls or if he could even reproduce their souls from being devoured.

So, he knew what he had to do. He had to visit one last Grand Lich and extract information out of him.

Ackers.

He was the one who delved into souls that retained their memories and even their experiences in life, albeit enslaved to Ackers. He had to know the secret to his necromancy to fully utilize it in accordance to his will as well.

”I have to stay cool. I don't need to kill him.” Clay decided to pay Ackers a visit and instantly, he disappeared from the skies of Evernight and into the dark lair of Ackers.

Ackers place looked exactly like what a barracks would look like. He stayed at a separate place to rest, however, most of the time, he would be staying at the training field where he would train his soldiers day in and day out. These soldiers needed no sleep nor food and drink, and their stamina was inexhaustible. This enabled Ackers to train these undead soldiers all-year-round without worrying about fatigue and overtaxing the body.

As Ackers was resting in his tent, Clay silently appeared behind him.

Ackers was quite sensitive to the living, especially to those who possessed strong souls. So, although Clay appeared silently, he noticed Clay and even prepared himself to defend himself if Clay attacked. He was waiting for it and acting as if he had not noticed, however, Clay did not attack nor did he move.

It was Ackers himself who broke the stalemate and greeted the ”guest.”

Even until he asked the question, Clay stayed silent. A few seconds later, Clay's head snapped up as he stared at Ackers face armor. Ackers' eyes were pale blue, as he was a Deathknight. Originally, his body was only as tall as Clay, however, when he absorbed more souls and leveled up into the Grand Arch Deathknight that he was currently, his body grew and even his eyes changed color and glow.

”I need your Grimoire. Hand it over.” Clay was obviously fighting the urge to just end this ant in front of him and taking the Grimoire for himself, however, he learned that there are things he could learn from having a conversation with others, case in point, Elkanor.

Ackers heard this command-like tone and immediately, the air around him changed. He was mad. He never took too kindly upon humiliation and especially against those that seek to order him around. Ackers was on the verge of assaulting Clay despite his caution earlier.