Translated by: Novellise
"Count Klaus is truly a master of strategy. I never expected him to be able to train a mermaid to be a servant."
"The merfolk are truly born singers. I swear this is the most melodious voice I've ever heard in my life!
"I am prepared to offer ten thousand gold coins to buy this mermaid. I wonder if Count Klaus is willing to part with her?"
There were wealthy merchants from afar who had a great fondness for the mermaid and were willing to spare no expense.
When they heard the price, many of the guests' eyes turned red.
In the magical world, currency was divided into copper, silver and gold coins.
An ordinary farmer who worked hard for a year could only earn a maximum of ten gold coins.
But ten thousand gold coins.
That was the savings of a person who worked for ten thousand years without eating or drinking!
Sitting in the main seat of the banquet, Count Klaus cast a look of disdain and rejected the merchant's proposal.
To many outsiders, Blackstone City was just a barren and remote town.
But few local dignitaries knew that this frontier town was actually an inexhaustible source of gold mines and wealth!
Because of its proximity to the Kagal Mountains, Blackstone City's resources were plentiful and varied.
Furthermore...
As the main battleground between the Empire and the Abyssal Demons, the Skeleton Wasteland was the scene of small-scale wars almost every few years.
And the weapons and armour left behind by the dead, as well as the bodies and bones of the demons, were all valuable treasures!
This indirectly led to a large number of bounty hunters and mercenaries heading to the Skeleton Wasteland in search of gold.
Not to mention.
As commander of the Knights of the Holy Light, Count Klaus was also able to demand a large amount of resources and military spending from the Empire every year, using various methods and excuses.
So while ten thousand gold coins might seem like a lot, for Klaus it was not enough pocket money for his annual leisure activities.
Soon after.
Count Klaus clapped his hands again.
The mermaid had not yet rested when she opened her voice again and continued to sing to the crowd.
With her beautiful and melodious voice.
All the guests were enchanted, completely forgetting the passage of time.
"That's enough."
But just then.
A message scroll suddenly appeared out of nowhere and fell on the table in front of Count Klaus.
He picked it up, scanned it quickly, and with a grim expression on his face, he snapped his fingers.
The mermaid's song stopped abruptly and the guests came to their senses.
"Everyone, I don't want to dampen your spirits."
"But unfortunately, I have some bad news to share with you."
Count Klaus spoke in a solemn tone, as if he had encountered a difficult problem.
Seeing this, the other guests were all curious.
The Knights of the Holy Light were the Empire's elite forces, always victorious in battle.
And as the commander of the Holy Light Knights, Count Klaus's status was highly honoured, even the King of the Lein Kingdom would show respect when he met him.
With all his influence and prestige, what could trouble him so much?
"Respected Count Klaus, may I ask what is troubling you so much?" the Lord of Blackstone City asked respectfully.
"Just now, a scout under my command brought me news." Count Klaus' tone was heavy. "A new Undead Lord has suddenly appeared and now rules over the entire Skeleton Wasteland!"
"This Undead Lord is incredibly powerful, commanding tens of millions of skeleton soldiers and posing a potential threat to Blackstone City at any moment!"
"To ensure the safety of the citizens of the Empire, I have decided to impose a city-wide curfew, forbidding anyone to leave the city without permission!"
Count Klaus declared firmly.
Upon hearing the news, many panicked.
Blackstone City's location was unique, on the border between the Lein Kingdom and the Kagal Mountains.
All trade caravans had to pass through this area.
If a city-wide curfew was imposed, it would seriously affect their business.
As for the local dignitaries of Blackstone City, their faces turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
For they owned many gold mines and mansions near the Kagal Mountains; if mining were suddenly stopped, they would lose a huge amount of income every day!
Merchants cared about profit.
If they couldn't make money, it was even worse than killing them!
Only a few people remained calm, not taking the matter seriously at all.
They had business dealings with Klaus and knew very well what kind of person this commander of the Knights of the Holy Light was.
A citywide curfew?
What a joke!
After all, the largest gold mine in the Kagal Mountains belonged to Klaus himself!
How could he, with his money-loving personality, cut into his own profits?
Klaus was making the situation sound more serious than it was, just to take advantage of it.
"Count Klaus, isn't it a bit hasty to impose a curfew now, when the situation hasn't deteriorated that much? Besides, the Knights of the Holy Light are the most elite force in the Empire. Surely you have a way to handle this?" many merchants politely argued.
"Respected Count Klaus, the gold mines near the Kagal Mountains are an important source of income for the Lein Kingdom."
"I am willing to donate five million, no, ten million gold coins as expenses for the Knights of the Holy Light. Please lead your troops to eliminate all enemies and threats."
The dignitaries tried to persuade Klaus with benefits. But this time he remained indifferent.
"No, this undead lord is more powerful than before. We must not act rashly without knowing the situation."
"If you are determined to act on your own, you are free to seek help from the Lein royal family."
Klaus refused all bribes firmly and with righteousness.
On hearing this.
The dignitaries who had dealt with Klaus before were all confused.
When had Klaus become so selfless?
With his insatiable greed, he could squeeze a profit out of even the poor.
But now, faced with ten million gold coins, he remained unmoved?
Could it be that Klaus meant it this time?
At that moment.
The guests were worried, the sweet wine in their cups tasted bitter and was hard to swallow.
As the banquet ended.
A knight of the Holy Light in silver armour rushed into the hall.
"Lord Klaus, the Undead Lord's influence is growing rapidly. Should we do something about it?"
"No! We don't need to do anything. Let the people of the Lein Royal Family deal with it."
"Our job is to monitor the Abyssal Rift, but sweeping the Skeleton Wasteland is not our responsibility."
Klaus' eyes shone as he spoke calmly.
These fools from Blackstone City were still hoping to buy him off with money, as in the past.
Little did they know that the treasures of gold and silver in his subterranean palace were already piling up like mountains, almost rotting away.
It wasn't money he lacked now, it was achievement and merit!
But with the empire at peace for so long, there hadn't been a major war for hundreds of years.
Other commanders of the Knights of the Holy Light sought merit and promotion by targeting races such as orcs and elves.
Though Klaus had earned much in Blackstone City, he had no notable achievements to show for it.
Hence.
He welcomed any turmoil in the Skeleton Wasteland.
The worse the situation, the more merit he could gain, perhaps even securing a transfer to the Imperial Capital and an audience with the Holy Light Majesty!
As for the risks of stirring up trouble and playing with fire?
Klaus had never worried about such things!
As commander of the Holy Light Knights, he knew the terrifying power of the Empire!
The Ancestor King had destroyed millions of Abyssal Demons with only three hundred thousand Holy Light Knights.
And now.
Under Klaus' command were thousands of elite Holy Light Iron Cavalry.
With this force, he was confident that he could sweep the entire Skeleton Wasteland.
What kind of storm could a mere fledgling Undead Lord unleash?
(End of chapter)