Months have passed since Lilia locked herself in her room. The "Stepdaughters of the Lich King" are still in the castle, and fortunately, we haven't crossed paths again—at least not directly. I've seen them from a distance or when I leave the forge, but they haven't dared to approach me.
My routine remains the same as always: wake up, eat, play with Lilia, go to work, eat, work, return to play with Lilia, eat, sleep, and repeat.
I must say things have been going well for me. Occasionally, a subordinate of the Lich King brings me forge blueprints, allowing me to improve my skills. Lately, I've reached weapon levels between 6000 and 7000, meaning I can now craft MUCH more powerful weapons, with pure damage ranging between 200,000 and 300,000. However, my level has regressed, and now I'm only level 10:
Mizuki. Level 10
HP: 750
Mana: 15,921
Strength: 165
Defense: 195
Magic Defense: 656
Magic Damage: 1,438
Intelligence: 14,310
Speed: 18
My stats have increased significantly thanks to my diligent work—except for my speed, which has dropped slightly... Oh well, it is what it is. If things continue at this pace, I may soon be able to craft the Lich King's staff...
But, as always, all good things must come to an end, and this would be no exception. On one of those peaceful days, the King summoned me.
As usual, I made my way to the throne room, escorted by one of Lilia's summons. However, as I walked through the dark corridors, I noticed that the people—or rather, the Undead—who would typically greet me with smiles seemed tense, avoiding my gaze. Intrigued by this sudden change, I turned to my escort, Edna, to see if she had any idea what was going on. To my surprise, even she appeared confused, completely unaware of the situation. This only deepened my unease, making me wonder what might be happening.
Upon arriving before the Lich King, I noticed two figures standing behind him—Vespera and Blanche. Their piercing gazes attempted to intimidate me, but such an effort felt superficial against my lunar will and past experiences. I had already faced far greater challenges than this meager display of hostility. Keeping my composure, I pressed forward.
"Good morning," I greeted as usual, offering a slight bow before taking my usual seat. The atmosphere was gloomy, but I had long since grown accustomed to it. However, Blanche... well, she seemed to have lost a few screws. Her head tilted slightly forward, detached from her body, and her arms twisted unnaturally from time to time.
"Yes, good morning," the Lich King responded calmly, his gaze shifting toward the two girls behind him. Vespera, with a broad grin, chimed in, "Good mooooorning, Mizuki~!" her tone playful and mocking.
Meanwhile, Blanche merely snorted.
"S-So... do you need me for something?" I asked hesitantly.
The King sighed again.
"You'll have to return to the potion hall."
Return there? I mean, I don't really mind, but… why does he look so down about it? Did this request affect him that much?
"I need... we need you to make 100,000 fire resistance potions within the next 15 months. Also, 'the other request' will be handled immediately after that. Every potion must provide at least 50% resistance and last a minimum of 10 hours."
Those words... Is this serious?! Let's see, 15 months equals 450 days, meaning I'd have to make 222.222 potions per day. With 30 hours per day, that's about 7.4 potions per hour… Assuming I don't sleep, eat, or do anything else, it still wouldn't be possible.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can complete them in time…" I braced myself for a verbal battle with the Lich King if necessary, but I was relieved to see that he was reasonable.
"Even for you, it's too much...? How many could you make?"
"I... I've never made fire resistance potions before, so I couldn't say."
"When you leave this room, go to the potion hall and report back on how many you can produce."
"Understood. Anything else?"
"Our turn!" Vespera suddenly interjected with a wide grin. This time, her smile wasn't mocking—it was challenging. (Honestly, I didn't appreciate the interruption while I was speaking with the King...)
"We want new weapons and gear!" she declared energetically, flying around me.
"New equipment...?"
"Yes! I want a pair of new spectral swords, and Blanche wants a spectral greatsword!" I glanced at the Lich King, silently asking, Are they serious? He merely shrugged—such is the burden of fatherhood, I suppose...
"If it's new equipment you're after, I've already made several pieces. They're stored in the armory," I replied. Aside from what I crafted, the treasury held even more treasures—did they not realize that?
"We can't use those!" Vespera pouted in frustration.
"We need gear around level 2200 or 2300, not level 5000 or higher! And the ones at our level are only 'Uncommon'—they're useless to us!" Vespera continued complaining, now flailing her arms and stomping—well, stomping the air.
"Huh? But there are several ultra-rare weapons at that level... like the 'Shadow Daggers' or the 'Daggers of the Wandering Princess,' right?"
"Those are physical weapons, not spectral!"
"Spectral weapons?" I questioned. Vespera suddenly froze, her expression contorted with horror as if I had just uttered the most blasphemous words in existence.
"You don't know what a spectral weapon is?!" Judging by her reaction, I assumed it was something as basic as knowing that 2+2 equals 4. But no, in my memories, I only recalled the terms "weapon" and "cursed weapon."
"No?"
Taking a deep breath, Vespera began explaining spectral weapons. In summary, these were weapons that ghosts could wield, categorized into four types:
Elemental Weapons – Weapons composed entirely of an element, enhancing its properties (e.g., 'Ice Daggers'). These can be wielded by elementals or those proficient in that element.
Spiritual Weapons – Weapons forged from a spirit or containing one within.
Spectral Weapons – Weapons exclusively usable by ghosts, often dealing direct damage to the soul or mind.
Ethereal Soul Weapons – Weapons requiring ether to wield but usable by any entity. Typically classified as Ultra-Rare or higher.
— Did you understand? — At the end of these two hours, she finally stopped...
Continue, you missed: — Did you understand? — At the end of these two hours, she finally stopped...
—Yeees~ —I understood, and I even had time to take some quick notes while you were talking... Almost the whole two hours were just chatter...
—So, will you do it?! —Her gaze... She's giving me a very expectant yet challenging look. I glance again at the Lich King, but he just averts his gaze...
— I-I should be able to make them if I have the right materials, but the time... —If it were an Exceptional or Rare weapon, it would be easy, but making a Super-Rare weapon is much more complicated. I can make sure to get one of this level, but it takes a lot of time, around six hours per weapon...
— Girls, if Mizuki finishes the potions on time, then she'll make them for you, right, Mizuki? —The Lich King winked at me... or so I assume; his right eye flame just flickered.
—Y-Yeah, if I finish the potions, then I'll do it.
—Is that so? I understand... I'll be back in 14 months then. Well, that's all. Goodbye. —She said before disappearing. Blanche, seeing her sister leave, did the same. They simply vanished into the air.
—Uh... King...?
— Sorry, sorry, but could you do me this favor?
— O-Okay... —It's not like I could refuse, right? But... I was hoping they'd at least help me with the potions...
—If that's all, I'll take my leave. —I have a lot of work to do now, so I have to start as soon as possible! But... 100,000 potions... A normal person makes up to ten a day... That's nowhere near enough...
— Yes, that's all for now; I'll give you more information later. —With that final line, the King disappeared, merging back into the shadows to go who knows where. Sigh... Are they taking advantage of me, or is it just my imagination...?
Upon arriving at the potion room, I notice it's as abandoned as ever. Miraculously, there's no dust or cobwebs, but it still feels very lonely...
—It doesn't matter! Time to get to work!
Reviewing the recipes I have, there's one for a fire immunity potion: 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%, 90%, 100%. The 50% immunity ones are Super-Rare. The materials needed are... incredibly rare! Red dragon scales, Fire Flowers, Flaming Bear teeth, Fire Slime cores? W-Well, the last two aren't that unusual, but red dragon scales... 100,000 scales...? With little enthusiasm, I head toward the necropolis treasury.
As I walk through the halls, I notice more undead looking away... This is strange... Is it just because of the number of potions, or has something else happened? No! Mizuki, focus! You're on a march of death...
— Mizuki... where are you going...?
As I was walking, I ran into Edna again. I forgot she was at the other exit! How could I forget?!
—I-I'm going to the treasury to get some ingredients...
— I see... Do you need company? —Her words sounded a bit sharp. Normally, she would just say she was coming with me...
—Y-Yes. By the way, how has Lilia been? —After a moment of silence, Edna spoke: "She's fine. Still locked in her room, sleeping..."
—She's been sleeping for days now. Is she really okay? —Lilia has been sleeping for almost seven days... By the third day, I started to worry, but apparently, she has slept for nearly three years straight before, and it's a miracle she lasted this long without sleep. It seems she sleeps when unwanted people come...
— Yes, as mentioned before, it's a defense mechanism for Lilia. We shouldn't wake her until her siblings leave. —After that, she resumed acting like an Undead servant and followed me to the treasury.
The exterior of the treasury looks like just another hall. There aren't many things inside, and it seems designed that way to blend in. So, standing in front of it, I say "Treasury, appear" in the language of the Undead, of course, and without warning, it sucked me in. I didn't even have time to say anything—within seconds, I was inside the treasury.
Honestly, I expected more from the treasury. It's just a vast, empty blue space with nothing in it except one person. I assume he's the caretaker. What was his name again? Oh, I remember now!
— Are you "Vorax"? —I asked the skeleton. The skeleton had sunglasses, a purple robe with golden threads, some embedded gems, and some of his bones and teeth were coated in gold. A skeleton that undoubtedly reflected wealth, but, uh... Isn't he a bit small? How tall is he, 70 cm?
—Yes? Cling Who Cling are you?
When he speaks, the gold-coated parts shine... It looks funny... Also... He seems like just a kid.
—Nice to meet you. My name is Mizuki. The Lich King sent me to get some things for making potions.
—Mi...zuki? Cling Wait Cling —Without another word, he pulls out a small list and starts checking it. Then, his gaze begins to alternate between the list and me, faster and faster, until at some point, his head starts spinning like it's about to fall off. Before that happens, I try to hold him up, but he's way too heavy! How much does he weigh, a ton?! F-Fortunately, he didn't fall, or I would've broken something...
— Oh, you're the new blacksmith! —Blacksmith... That's all he knows me for... W-Well, I guess it's better than nothing... Besides, this time, his eyes were the ones that sparkled.
Before I could say another word, the tiny skeleton hugged me. Instinctively, I closed my eyes—he's super heavy! If he hugged me too tightly, he could break my spine! But after a moment, despite the image I had in my mind, nothing had broken. Slowly, I opened my eyes, and yes, I was perfectly intact. Lucky...
— Don't worry, I know how to handle a treasure like you Cling
After another moment, he let go.
— So… Did they ask you to stay in the treasury? Cling — Is it just me, or is this little one really good at flattering?
— N-No, they asked me to gather the ingredients for the potions…
— Potions? Cling
— Yes, for some fire resistance potions.
— Oh! Is it that time of the year already? Cling How many red dragon claws do you need? 500k? Or maybe 10k dragon hearts or 1 million scales? Cling
— W-Wait, a million scales?!
— So, a million scales? Cling This time it was cheap, then. Cling — He says this last part with a wide grin.
— N-No, just 100k scales!
— Huh…? Why so few? Cling
— And also, what do you mean 10k dragon hearts?! Aren't dragons really rare creatures?
— Oh, that? Cling How much do you know about this world, little traveler? Cling — After talking with Vorax for a while, he gave me some very interesting information, which boils down to this: The Lich King has lived for millions of years; the Lich King made a pact with God, and that pact granted them abundant resources; there are dungeons filled with all kinds of creatures, including dragons.
— Well, that would be all, please.
— Understood, 100k red dragon scales Cling, 20k fire flowers, 1 million flaming bear teeth, and 250k fire slime cores Cling Hmm... These are very cheap materials... Cling Are you sure that's enough? Cling
— Yes, but what materials did they use before?
— Hmm... Infernal red dragon heart, infernal fire lotus, infernal slime, burnt ghost ectoplasm, golden sun seeds Cling?
— W-Whaaaaat?! That's way too expensive! And it only lasted for 8 hours?
— Yes Cling
— H-Hey... Could I take some materials to test which recipe works best?
— Are you making fire resistance potions? Cling
— I promise! — Though it will take me more time... But it should be fine if I make it last longer, right?
— Alright Cling I trust you Cling Just bring more equipment to the warehouse! Cling It's been a while since we've had new treasures Cling
— I promise! — After that, I took some ingredients to the potion room to experiment and set aside the ones I was going to use.