Chapter 411: The Players' Undead Followers (Part 1)
The lich entered the familiar yet unfamiliar Soulweeper Castle, and a human researcher wearing a white lab coat and mask immediately approached.
"Hello, I'm Magusi Churin, a researcher from the Empire's Department of Magic."
"You must be Director Orest, as mentioned by the higher-ups. Please follow me, and I'll introduce you to your new working environment."
Magusi slightly bowed and respectfully extended his hand.
He was already used to such things—in the Ember Empire, a melting pot of various races, having a superior of any species, even a lich, was no surprise.
"Uh, hello."
Orest paused for a moment before realizing he needed to shake the human's hand—it had been over three hundred years since any human had stood before him without fear.
Hearing this human's words, the lich couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity.
This was the residence he had lived in for over three hundred years without change. Every corner was familiar to him.
But now, he needed a stranger to guide him—inside what used to be his own Soulweeper Castle.
Clearly, this arrangement came from his "master," and he had no choice but to accept it.
"Where's my Wailing Soul chandelier?"
"Ah, Director Orest, that didn't meet the Empire's standards. We've replaced those souls with the latest electric lights."
"Th-this is the Howling Corridor?"
"Exposing undead creatures like that was too risky, so we reinforced the area."
"What about the Death Slaughterhouse?"
"The Empire's experts insisted that biological experiments require a clean and sterile environment. We've equipped it with the most advanced tools for dissecting bodies and studying the secrets of undead creatures."
"..."
Noticing the lich's silence, Magusi asked with concern.
"Director Orest, are you... okay?"
"I'm fine. Let's continue."
"Ahead is your office, converted from the former main hall of Soulweeper Castle. It's now the highest-spec office in the Undead Research Institute."
"The higher-ups specifically mentioned that, despite being an undead, you've devoted yourself fully to the Empire's development and are a role model for the entire institute."
"Clap, clap, clap, clap!"
A dozen researchers in white lab coats emerged from various rooms, their applause echoing throughout the institute.
"So this is Director Orest."
"I've heard so much about you."
"It's said that he's transformed over 100,000 undead creatures for the Empire—truly a model among us."
"Indeed, using a decayed body of hundreds of years to contribute everything to the Empire, and being personally appointed by His Majesty—remarkable!"
"I heard that the institute was created specifically because of Director Orest. We all owe him our thanks."
"Clap, clap, clap, clap!"
"..."
Surrounded by the crowd, Orest felt increasingly bewildered and deeply experienced the unique nature of the Ember Empire.
These humans weren't afraid of him—instead, they admired him?
Magusi opened the door for him. The once blood-stained hall, littered with bones and remnants, was gone.
Replacing it was a clean, bright office space with a simple and practical layout.
"..."
Orest once again fell into a deep silence, the soul fire in his eye sockets flickering.
Suddenly, a loud "bang, bang!" came from a metal cabinet nearby, as if something inside was struggling.
The lich, as if guessing what it was, slowly approached and opened the polished metal cabinet.
Inside, the bone pen was locked within a glass case, wrapped in chains, but it continued to bounce and struggle.
The journal, bound in human skin, was locked in another case, now covered with a new cover bearing the Empire's emblem.
"Th-this..."
Magusi looked slightly apologetic. "The Engineering Department officials said these items damaged the Empire's image, so we made some adjustments. I hope you don't mind."
"Sigh—"
"Don't touch them again."
The lich sighed and released the bone pen and human-skin journal from their confinements.
In the past, if humans had dared to do something like this to him, he would've turned their entire town into undead.
But now, under the Empire's authority, he had to bow his head.
"Understood, Director Orest."
"By the way, I have His Majesty's latest order for you. This may become your primary task going forward. Please review it."
Magusi carefully handed over an imperial decree.
Orest leaned in, reading the golden scroll. The soul fire in his eyes flickered violently, and his hunched posture grew even more pronounced.
"Director Orest?"
"Are you alright?"
"You can rest for a few days. His Majesty said this task hasn't started yet."
On the desk, the newly freed bone pen continued to scribble away.
"October 3, Year 1786—I realized today that this Soulweeper Castle, or rather, the Undead Research Institute, no longer belongs to me."
Isthalia, Ember Emperor Square.
The square bustled with activity, teeming with people.
The Empire's new steam locomotives rumbled along the tracks, emitting thick clouds of smoke, though the sight had become commonplace.
As the Empire's central development hub, Isthalia had attracted residents from across the Anzeta Wasteland.
With a flood of new missions being issued, nearly 40,000 players had gathered here—thanks to the abundance of tasks and development opportunities, it had been dubbed the "Newbie's Fast-Track Paradise" by strategy experts on the forums.
At the [Starfaller Notice Board], tiefling guards removed old posters about the experience shop and replaced them with brand-new ones.
"The Empire's new announcement!"
"Hey? Come check it out! This event looks interesting!"
Players called out to their friends, and soon a crowd gathered around the board, packed tightly.
"Another money-draining event? Is it the return of the Dragon Proud Heaven's Treasure Chest? If I buy it again, I swear I'm a fool!"
"Are you talking about the treasure chest? Cassius's treasure chest? That wasn't bad—I spent five gold coins and got a green item. Buying it would've cost at least fifty gold."
"Stupid whales, get lost!"
"Look closely! This time, it's not a treasure chest—it's a new undead follower!"
"Undead follower?"
"What's that? Sounds intriguing!"
Every change to the notice board signaled new opportunities, and the veteran players swarmed the area, spreading the news across the forums like wildfire.
Within minutes, nearly 10,000 players had gathered in Ember Emperor Square.