Chapter 297 Part1 (1/2)

<chapter 29.=”” level=”” 7=”” -=”” 1=””>

'Who came up with the t.i.tle of the 12 generals?', he wondered. It was simple. It was the Emperor. Only those amongst his subordinates he specifically recognized would be bestowed that name. The Lightning Shadow General, Hansen Von Dorthe was the last of the 12 generals that were supposed to 'protect him', and their status was one of respect.

Therefore, their status was unique, so much so that they stood out amongst the other generals [1] and the n.o.bles as well. They were more powerful than the others, even if they were similarly leveled, and the subordinates under their direct control were stronger than the others' subordinates.

[But there are a few amongst them that are especially powerful. The top members of the 12 generals... The sword that protects the Emperor, Seagald Von Retadane, the spear of the battlefield, Leofield Von Tariman... the Emperor's s.h.i.+eld, Arema Steelworker, and lastly, me, Archmage Feotane Von Seldin.]

He floated in the air, and his silk robes fluttered. Feotane looked like a handsome, young man, and spoke in a carefree, delighted tone.

No matter how Lee s.h.i.+n Woo looked at it, he looked like a normal man, but the somber and dark energy that came from his body, as well as the fact that there wasn't even a grain of life energy he could feel from him, proved that he was undead.

[We are known as the four commanders of the Empire.]

He realized where Guillotine Steelworker had gotten the term 'Four Commanders' from, grinned, and replied.

”For a self-introduction, you're too loud.”

[I've finally met you 'heroes', so if I don't introduce myself properly, it would spoil the mood, wouldn't it?]

Feotane was really composed. It was the composure that came from being one of the absolute strongest.

Hansen Von Dorthe was somewhat the same, but ultimately, he was nothing more than vanity and conceit. On the other hand, the Archmage was so powerful that it explained his composure.

”You know about the heroes?”

[How could I not? Dozens of years ago, the heroes caused chaos in the capital... Ah, G.o.d truly is indifferent. Considering the fact that she ignores our feelings.]

”...”

[Ah, why the long face? I don't hate heroes. His Imperial Majesty is the same.]

”What?”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had secretly been preparing to escape while conversing with Feotane, but when he told him about his and the Emperor's feelings on heroes, he gave an honest reply. Of course, this was also acting. He believed that this would cause Feotane to let down his guard.

[You might think that we hate you because you kill our precious citizens, but... Ultimately, quality above quant.i.ty. High level heroes that are hand-picked by G.o.d due to their talent... If we can incorporate you into His Majesty's forces, then we can endure that much heartbreak.]

”Incorporate heroes into his army? Says who?”

[Haha, it'll happen eventually, no? So long as you are in the Empire, the only way of getting out is to die.]

It seemed as though Feotane Von Seldin really took a liking to Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, as Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't just stiffen upon sight of him, plus he was responding confidently. Feotane smiled and was focusing all his attention upon him.

Feotane knew that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had some trick up his sleeve, but he acted nonchalantly as if taunting him, saying 'go ahead, try it if you can'. If he knew exactly what Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was planning, then he wouldn't have remained so calm.

[No one can escape death, so it was a game you had no hopes of winning from the very beginning. We have too great of an advantage. No... we made it that way. Mm, I'm referring to His Majesty and his wisdom.]

”Then, I suppose I just have to kill you all before I die.”

[No, you can't. You will never be able to kill us.]

Feotane said confidently, and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was vaguely aware of why he was so confident. He had surpa.s.sed life and death itself, and didn't possess the energy that 'all existences naturally possessed'.

Even if they could kill him, he wondered whether he would actually die or not... he inspected him meticulously and realized.

'The core of this guy's existence is... he doesn't have a 'core' that all existences possess. The root of his power, his stats, are hidden somewhere else. Holy s.h.i.+t, that ability's actually possible...?'

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo recollected a skill that black magicians rarely used in fantasy novels known as transmission. One's life force would be extracted and would be transferred to another vessel; by hiding that container, the undead black magician would become immortal... He was a Lich!

If that's the case, then the Emperor was probably a Lich as well. That meant that there were two Liches that had hid their containers somewhere! Right when Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was genuinely shocked, the Archmage clapped his hands and moved on to the main topic of discussion.

[Now, it seems like we're done with the introductions, so shall we go on to the main topic?]

”Rem!”

[Stop right there.]

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo turned to his comrades and was about to throw something, but at that moment, his body became stiff. Despite the deep concentration of lightning that continued to flow through his body, Feotane had frozen 'the entire s.p.a.ce' and made it so he couldn't move.

[I'm not done talking, young hero.]

”...”

[What's in your hand? Hmm? What's this, there's nothing there. It looked like you were about to throw something. Was I just seeing things? In any case, it doesn't matter. So, moving on to the main topic.]

The chatty Archmage looked like he couldn't be happier, as he put his arm around Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's shoulders and continued. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo couldn't move. Regardless of how much mana he had, there was nothing he could do, as the entire s.p.a.ce itself was frozen.

'Rem, I'm counting on you.'

'Activation is ready at any time.'

The only things he could do was to make use of the shared subs.p.a.ce function to secretly relay his message to Rem, who was perched atop Kratia's shoulder, or use his a.s.similation skill to apologize to his precious partner or activate a skill...

[I told you this before, but we put more importance into quality over quant.i.ty. We wait until several heroes become strong enough to enter our ranks and then... when they are strong enough, we accept them into the fold. You will ultimately become our comrades, so we can give you important positions as well.]

”...”

[Therefore, I won't kill you. It looks like you're still level 6, so... Mm, indeed. It looks like you can still progress further. It's strange, it's like there's something off balance with you. It's not yet time to harvest. Isn't that right? However, It seems like we can bring that beautiful magician girl with us soon... Huh?]

He tilted his head. Feotane had frozen both Kratia and Prince like he'd frozen Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, but strangely, it felt like something had changed. However, he couldn't tell what that was yet. It was as if there was a strange mana reaction...