Chapter 14 Shadows of The Past
Elias surveyed the area around his makeshift camp, the shadows of the forest casting eerie shapes as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was time to move again, but this time, he had a plan. After dealing with the bandits, he intended to transport their corpses to his old drop-off point deep in the woods. It was secluded enough to avoid prying eyes, allowing him to begin his next phase of necromantic work without the interference of other bandits or adventurers.
He gathered his undead around him, their forms shifting in the fading light. "Draugr," he commanded, pointing towards the pile of bandit corpses, "bring them to the old drop-off point." The Draugr obeyed without question, lumbering towards the fallen foes with a haunting silence.
As the Draugr began dragging the corpses, Elias took stock of his remaining mana. He would need to summon each of the dead individually, ensuring they would serve him well. He had ten corpses at his disposal and intended to raise them all as his personal undead servants to further his ultimate goal: a kingdom where magic users, commoners, nobles, and other races could coexist harmoniously, united under his rule and vision.
Once they reached the drop-off point, Elias set up a small camp, the flickering firelight casting shadows against the trees. He took a moment to rest, letting the cool night air calm his thoughts. The woods were quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl.
After a while, he stood and moved to the first corpse, the lifeless body of a bandit. With a steady breath, he began the summoning ritual. "By the power I command you shall rise," he whispered, channeling his mana into the lifeless form.
"I will make you stronger," he muttered, his eyes flickering with determination. Each undead he raised was a step closer to realizing his ambition—a foundation upon which he would build his kingdom, where magic users could thrive alongside commoners and nobles, unbound by the prejudices of the past.
With the last bandit summoned, Elias felt a surge of excitement as he prepared to raise the shadow. "You will serve me as a scout and infiltrator," he declared, focusing his remaining mana.
Shadow: The dark entity emerged from the depths of the night, its form shifting like smoke. It would be a valuable asset, capable of gathering information and moving unnoticed among the living.
By the time he summoned the last undead, Elias's mana pool had dwindled to nearly empty. He took a moment to rest, gathering himself before assessing his newly raised undead.
Inventory and Equipment
His undead now stood before him:
1 Draugr
4 Ghouls
3 Zombies
3 Skeletons
1 Shadow
The Plan
With his ranks bolstered by these new servants, Elias contemplated his next steps. For now, his focus remained on mastering his necromantic abilities and growing stronger. He realized that establishing a small business would serve as a vital step in gaining resources, drawing attention away from his true intentions, and ultimately aiding in the creation of his kingdom—a realm where magic users, commoners, nobles, and other races could coexist and thrive.
"This will provide the means to an end," he thought, satisfied with his progress. Each undead servant represented not just power, but also a crucial building block toward his ultimate goal.
As he drifted into a restless sleep, Elias envisioned the possibilities that lay ahead, his undead standing sentinel around him—loyal, mindless guardians of a future only he could see.
Got it! Let's revise the chapter with a focus on lower prices for the supplies and only two gold and 42 silver coins in total. Here's the updated chapter: