Chapter 85: Lich? Undead? Maiden?
"Incredible! A Heroic Spirit? Hehehehe, it's the first time I've heard a human use such a righteous term to address me. If it were in the past, I would have probably ripped out your soul and turned you into a puppet long ago," echoed a sharp voice akin to nails on a chalkboard, resonating throughout the entire hall amidst the swirling mist. Following this, a dark figure slowly emerged from the mist.
"Director Durin!"
The voice of the Headless Knight came from afar. Upon hearing this, Durin immediately halted the figure's attempt to approach. After all, he hadn't turned off the livestream yet, and allowing the figure to appear on camera would be too chaotic.
As the figure approached, its appearance gradually became visible. It was a skeletal being, so decayed that no flesh remained, only faint outlines. Though it appeared feeble, Durin could sense an indescribable aura of dread emanating from it. Despite seeming to have decayed to the point where the concept of undeath had almost dissipated, the vast difference in power rendered Durin utterly defenseless.
At the same time, the nobles watching the livestream erupted into a commotion. These nobles, who usually resided in the capital, were seeing an undead being in the flesh for the first time in their lives. While many displayed fear, some also showed excitement akin to watching a movie, even more so because the livestream was more realistic than any film they had seen before, leading to greater excitement than when they watched "Goblin Slayer" earlier.
However, in stark contrast to the nobles' expressions, a certain Church bishop, who had remained silent about movies and video communications from the beginning, seemed as if he had witnessed something unimaginable, exclaiming in disbelief, "No... it can't be? How could it still exist? Isn't that just a legend?"
"A legend? Bishop Morris, what are you talking about?"
"The Maiden... the Maiden of Flames... that's just a legend!"
Upon hearing Bishop Morris's seemingly frantic words, before Wilhelm could respond, the distant screen suddenly began to shake, and then, as if experiencing a network issue, the livestream turned completely black.
"What's happening? This..."
"That was an undead? Goodness, it's the first time in my life I've seen an undead! By the light of the gods, there's such a terrifying existence in this world."
"Wait, earlier Bishop Morris mentioned something about a maiden... what was that about? It couldn't possibly refer to that dreadful lich, could it..."
Suddenly, everyone present showed expressions of confusion and bewilderment. After all, if the scene just now wasn't staged, then Baron Durin Edward's situation was undoubtedly dire.
...
Within the Winter Castle of the Chaotic Domain.
The interruption in the livestream just now wasn't due to any external factors; Durin had simply cut it off himself to allow the Headless Knight to come to his aid.
Indeed, just moments ago, the lich in the distance seemed to suddenly emanate a tremendous aura of death, causing everyone except Durin, whose mental fortitude as a grand mage protected him, to fall unconscious, collapsing all around him.
Now, after Durin severed the livestream connection, Beldia rushed over from a distance and positioned herself between Durin and the lich.
However, even so, Durin could sense the lich, the strongest individual he had ever encountered, exuding an emotion akin to fear. It was like watching a mighty lion being intimidated by a scrawny jackal.
"I never expected you to still be alive..."
Hearing Beldia's words, Durin silently observed the lich, known to be Beldia's former "master." Despite the decay evident in the lich's appearance, its clothing still resisted the ravages of time. Seeing that attire, Durin couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity...
"Beldia? Ah, I see. No wonder these humans managed to break through the barrier I set up around the castle. Haha, don't think too much of it. With my undying body and immortal soul, even self-destruction is impossible. I just found existence too dull before, so I decided to go into a long slumber..."
"A slumber..."
Beldia couldn't believe that the reason for the lich's cataclysmic outburst earlier was simply to get a good night's sleep. As a subtle emotion welled up within him, the lich in front of him slowly spoke, "I won't discuss your escape for now, as I tacitly permitted it. However, you'd better give me a reason why you brought these people here to disturb my slumber. If you can't provide a reasonable explanation, even after all this time you've served me, I'll consider your stubborn soul, forged harder than stone, as a sacrifice to summon an extradimensional malevolent god."
Hearing the lich's words, Beldia trembled once again. He had no doubt that the lich would follow through if he didn't give a satisfactory reason.
Meanwhile, having grasped the situation, Durin quickly spoke up, "I apologize for disturbing your slumber, Lich... Your Majesty..."
Due to his uncertainty about how to address the lich, Durin spontaneously used this title. Upon hearing this, the lich in the distance nodded silently, seemingly satisfied with this appellation.
Realizing that his words would determine the fate of himself and his companions, Durin carefully considered his response before speaking slowly, "We came to your castle mainly to produce something called a 'movie.'"
"A movie?"
"Yes, since you seem unfamiliar with what a movie is, would you be interested in watching one to better understand?"
Clearly surprised by Durin's proposal, the powerful lich, his features inscrutable, responded, "Interesting. You're the first human to converse with me as if my aura of death were nothing. Very well, let me see what new novelty you humans have come up with this time. Don't disappoint me."
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