Chapter 46 Part1 (1/2)

<chapter 46.=”” death's=”” companion=”” -=”” 1=””>

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo figured out where Seagald was. He was already in the center of Bayran, protected by the thorn wall! Tarian's force had just been bait and the golems, which they'd form a temporary alliance with, were as well.

[So they were trying to kill us here?]

”No. They made it so that you couldn't interfere. It seems like their interests don't align with yours. ...Or they know exactly who you are.”

[...]

Even after absorbing his precious subordinate's bones, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't know what Seagald's true intentions were. However, he was sure of one thing: that this loyalty towards the Empire hadn't changed.

'Was Anti-Skull really just created to protect people from the undead curse? To kill the Emperor, who spread the undead curse? No, probably not. There's no way it's that simple.'

On second thought, there was something else that was strange. The Undead Emperor, Jissehanu, had seemingly been researching immortality but was actually looking for a way to break through the barrier. And there must've been a few people who knew what he was planning.

'The Retadanes are a family of high rank n.o.bles that have been with Jissehanu since the very beginning. Were they really not aware of how to get past the barrier? Seira might not have, but it wouldn't make sense for Seagald Von Retadane, the past head of the Retadane family, to have no knowledge about it.'

No... What even was Anti-Skull? Was it truly an organization designed to research methods to resist the undead curse? Was that all? If not, then perhaps...

”d.a.m.n. Let's think about this later. Let's get a move on for now!”

[Agreed. It seems like our alliance with Anti-Skull is already meaningless...!]

As always, Arema Steelworker despised following Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's orders and moving according to his will. However, he hated Seagald Von Retadane more, who'd put him in this situation in the first place.

Above all, he wanted to know what Seagald was planning. His strength may not be enough, but he was sure the Heaven Defying General would be able to find out.

”I'm going at full speed, so try to keep up. Leave behind anyone who can't keep up.”

[It might take a bit longer, but we're all going.]

”Your choice. Let's go!”

Jin really ran at full speed. They couldn't reveal everything, so Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't reveal his darkness and Jin didn't reveal her light. However, just the fact that she used all of her skills and exhibited such overwhelming speed was enough to astound the others with her speed.

[That horse...!?]

[I knew he wasn't normal, but to think even his horse was unusual!]

The Metal Army realized just how far ahead Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had gotten, gritted their teeth, and followed him. Fortunately, no other traps activated as they rushed after him!

Arema and the rest of the golems were relieved, thinking that all the traps had been destroyed already. They couldn't even imagine that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was actively disarming them as they went along.

'Anyway, what was that explosion all about anyway? It must've been Seagald Von Retadane. If not, then it might've been the Spirit General, Dana Von Etliber.'

'It looked like magic to me. It'd be nice if it was Kratia or Prince, but it probably wasn't. Which means...'

The first thing that came to mind was the Archmage, Feotane Von Seldin. There was a chance he was here. The palace might've sent some 'insurance', aside from the Golden Shadow General.

”There really are three of the four Heavenly Commanders (of the 12 Generals) here.”

If that were indeed true, then not immediately striking down Arema Steelworker while also bringing him to his side was a wise decision. If the Annihilation Flame Sword G.o.d and the Archmage were truly there, then it wouldn't matter how strong Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was, he wouldn't be able to take them on whilst protecting his allies.

'd.a.m.n. That only matters if they're still alive.'

As a test, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo sent all of them a private chat request. All of them denied his request, but the fact that they even denied his request meant that they were still alive.

But it also meant that they didn't have the time to answer him... That's probably what it meant. It was just a hypothesis, but there should be three level 8 members of the 12 Generals in there!

[Lord Paul Zero!]

[We were waiting for you!]

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo soon arrived in front of the thorn wall. He'd called the Chi Pauls beforehand. Aside from the three who'd been injured and retreated, all of the Chi Pauls had gathered here.

[I see it. The thorn wall... Huh? Are those your subordinates?]

[They're not weaker than me. Where exactly did they come from...?]

Arema Steelworker and his elites had arrived. They were shocked once they saw the Chi Pauls standing by. Although they were standing right in front of them, they couldn't properly sense their presence, as if they were looking at the Golden Shadow.

[I would've been suspicious if you hadn't called your subordinates in such a dire situation. So you did have your forces here.]

[They're all strong too. How did you nurture them in the Empire...? No, wait. Did they come from the surface?]

[...Hoo.]

The golems stirred up a commotion while the Chi Pauls desperately suppressed their urge to kill them. He knew this would happen. After all, they had been used as their test subjects in the past!

Fortunately, unlike Tarian, they were decent enough actors to not allow their emotions to show. It was all due to Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's influence. This is why you had to have a good master!

[Paul Zero. Do you have a way to get through the wall? If you don't, then we have no choice but for the two of us to attack at once.]

”We don't have time to waste here.”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo replied and extended his hand, feeling as though Arema was a pain in the a.s.s. Even now, he was trying to get a feel for his abilities. The area of the wall his fingertips were pointed at collapsed without any resistance.

He had condensed the Evil Eye ore into a single, tiny piece, which was floating over to him. But such a trivial thing had given Arema Steelworker quite the shock.

[Impossible. The thorn wall!?]

”Let's go.”

He'd completely broken the link in the affected area, so the collapsed area didn't repair itself. With just one gesture, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had broken the thorn wall, the Empire's pride and joy. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo just took command of the Chi Pauls and went inside.

Arema Steelworker couldn't believe his eyes and pounded on the thorn wall with his full strength. Aside from the area Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had just demolished, the rest of the wall retained its incredible durability.