So where is he?!
I'm floating inside a creepy looking room that is filled with all sorts of tomes and scrolls scattered all over the floor, tables with bottles and vials on it, skulls of unknown creatures hanging on the walls and a huge assortment of decayed body parts that smelled like it was being preserved.
This room doesn't feel like the room of a demon king.
Is my assumption wrong?
Am I meeting someone else?
But to be fair, the demon king might be in disguise!
Should I escape?
My Lion is in danger! I need to rescue him!
Also the rest of my companions too!
I need to think of a way.
But I should try to remember what else do I know about liches.
Attacking a lich directly is definitely suicidal as they are master spellcasters. As far as I know, they have what we called a phylactery, which is a magical container to store their soul. A phylactery can be a gem, any jewelry or an amulet. By destroying it, I can kill the lich permanently.
But they are not stupid enough to put it in plain sight.
Glancing around at my surroundings, I know for a fact that I'm alone in the room.
I should try to find something that looks like a phylactery.
Despite the fact that I'm floating, I managed to move around as I recalled the advice given to me by Leon back then when we tried to eradicate some pests.
I should hurry.
It took me sometime to rummage around the room until I found a quite interesting looking tiny gem of some sorts.
Now the problem is... how on earth should I destroy it?
I don't have my Buddhist staff with me. That's the only way I know that can destroy a phylactery.
Because I don't know how to cast any spells at all!
Obviously.
Suddenly, I heard some noises from outside the room in which I remembered that a lich can feel when their phylactery is being moved or touched.
Curses.
What should I do?
The sounds from outside the room got a little louder in which I realized that the owner of the phylactery that I found is trying to return here fast.
I'm running out of time!
I'm beginning to panic when a sudden, ridiculous thought crossed my mind.
No.
I might die.
But I have no choice!
I can hear a yell from outside the door in which I took a deep breath and swallowed the tiny gem.
I hope I don't get a stomachache.
Suddenly, several liches came inside the room in which they all stared at me while a large-sized lich entered the room after them, looking like he is in a very, very bad mood.
It is quite obvious to see who owns the phylactery that I swallowed.
....
The large-sized lich introduced himself as One while reaching his hand towards me.
I just smiled at him innocently while he looked at me with amusement.
He called me "little imp" and asked for his phylactery to be returned.
Instantly, he noticed that I can't seem to talk that he casted a spell that restored my voice.
I can talk!
I can finally talk!
I was so happy that I forgot for a moment that I'm inside a room full of liches that are staring at me with amusement.
After several minutes of floating around the room in excitement, I calmed down and floated in front of One.
I acted dumb and told him that I haven't seen it anywhere and that he should've made sure that he cleans his room every now and then.
The other liches murmured all sorts of unintelligible words to each other while One simply grinned towards me in amusement.
His grin is terrifying to me but the thought of my companions being in danger is on a much higher level.
One told me that he doesn't need any confirmation from me because he knows already that I touched it.
I tried my best to act as pitiful as possible while trying to show One that my hands are empty.
He laughed genuinely as if he found the whole situation hilarious.
The other liches looked surprised at our interaction in which they murmured among themselves again.
After a few moments of laughing uncontrollably, he went near me and stared into my eyes.
Um.. why is staring at me like that?
He chuckled for a while then told me that he can feel that his phylactery is with me but somehow he can't see it anywhere.
Of course he can't.
After a while, he sighed and asked me if I wanted something in exchange for returning his phylactery.
Instantly, I told him that I want my companions to be set free, making all of them laugh in a horrible way.
They seemed to think that it is some sort of a game to them...
Game...
Of course!
Liches lived for a long time and they must be starved for any kind of amusement!
It's difficult to think of anything as they must be living for so long that they must've known any sort of entertainment all throughout the millennia.
I remembered reading about liches and how they usually found amusement from schemes, struggles, rare knowledge, corruption, any intellectual hobbies or if someone attempts to kill them.
I can't attempt to kill them! That would be stupid!
Corruption? As if!
Intellectual hobbies seems interesting but I don't know any hobbies that might interest...
Oh, wait!
I know what will interest them!
With this knowledge on hand, I started to laugh in which they looked at me with curiousity.
I asked One if he wants a trade, making him grin at me as he told me that I have nothing on me that might interest him.
Confidently, I told him that I have something that he might like and it is very, very good.
I floated around him, as if I wasn't scared to death, telling him that I know what interests him and started to count from my fingers as I mentioned schemes, struggles, rare knowledge and a new hobby.
All of the liches seemed to lit up, especially One while I continued to float around the room.
One seemed to ponder for a bit before telling me that he can only trade one of my companions for whatever I'm offering him.
Ah. This is hard.
So I need to think of 5 more ways that will interest them.
He nodded then asked for my offer.
Uh.. no. I need a contract first.
....
Finally, we're done!
One asked me why I insisted on making a contract about our deal. I told him that I don't trust him and that he might find a loophole in our deal.
The other liches seemed to nod in agreement while One looked at me thoughtfully while rubbing his jaw.
After awhile, he crossed his arms and asked me about my offer.
With a grin, I asked him if he knows how to make my designs come to life.
He looked surprised at first then smiled smugly as he exclaimed that I must be belittling him.
Oh, no! Not that!
I told him that I am dreadful in drawing something else besides weapons.
He seemed to be suspicious with my words until I showed him by drawing a flower using the scroll and quill that he gave me.
After staring at my drawing for quite sometime, he seemed to grunt a name in which one of the liches that is standing behind him approached him hesitantly.
One told me that if I needed some help with the designs, Ten can definitely assist me with that.
After several moments, we are finally done making a chessboard with all the works.
It looked quite fancy as the chess pieces are designed after them.
I taught them all the rules and moves then asked One if he wants to try playing it with me.
After getting the hang of it, playing chess became a delightful hobby to him and the rest of his underlings.
And of course, he released Lion upon my request.
....
But they didn't removed the paralyzing spell on Lion.
Thankfully, I can walk properly as One removed the floating spell that was placed on me.
Seeing Lion helpless while lying on the floor, I tried on carrying him on my back with difficulty until One felt sorry for me and casted a spell on me that can make me carry any heavy objects.
He cautioned me that it's temporary though he can make it permanent too.
For a price.
Instantly, I shook my head.
No thanks.
Afterwards, I felt somewhat stronger that I easily carried Lion in my arms, much to his embarrassment and pleasure.
Hmmm.. I like this... Maybe I should ask One about his price...
No.
Tempting but no.
This time, Lion can't talk as well though I don't mind at all as I tried to tease him while he's being helpless.
This is so fun!
I slowly licked his neck while trying my best not to laugh upon seeing the look in his eyes.
As much as I want to tease him more, I stopped as One and the other liches are looking at us with fascination.
I cleared my throat then asked him to release another companion of mine in which all the liches looked at me with anticipation.
Hmmm.. let's see..
What else can I offer?
Ah, yes.. since they have all the time in the world, they might enjoy games that will last a long time.
Like monopoly.
...
I didn't know liches have foul mouths.
Based on the fantasy books that I read about, liches do not swear as it is beneath them.
But while I was watching them playing monopoly with each other, I soon learned several new colorful curses that are being added to my vocabulary, much to Lion's horror.
Despite his embarrassment though he seems to enjoy it somehow, I continued to give him all sorts of affection as I waited for One to win as he seemed to enjoy crushing his opponents.
He is merciless!
And of course, he won the game then released Sly immediately.
Like Lion, he was placed in a paralyzing spell too.
Now I looked kind of funny as I tried to carry both Sly and Lion at the same time.
The liches took some time laughing at the situation before One turned both of them into toddler like sizes, making the situation even more hilarious.
But they looked so cute!
I squealed in delight as I hugged them both while nuzzling both of their cheeks.
Lion and Sly looked at me with amusement in their faces that turned into tenderness as they seemed to enjoy hearing my voice again.
I grinned at One then told him that this is the best spell he has done so far.
He seemed to enjoy seeing me in delight that he had a mischievous look on his face as he offered to make the spell permanent.
Again for a price.
Aw.. such a shame!
But no thanks.
As I kept nuzzling their faces like they are some sort of plushies, I asked One to release one of my companions again.
Once again, we made a deal.
....
Soon, all sorts of games gave delight to the liches that One murmured towards me that I might have done too well with all my offers.
Alpha was released from his spell but was turned into a mini version of his werewolf form.
Like he was some sort of a slightly bigger than average dog.
Despite being in his right mind, he was forced to walk on all fours, making him growl in anger until he noticed that I seemed to find him adorable.
After several all sorts of affection from me, he is in a great mood and doesn't seem to mind his current situation anymore.
In exchange for his release, I taught the liches on how to play poker.
And of course, I warned them not to gamble or else they might end up getting addicted.
I'm not sure whether they will heed my warning or not.
.....
Soon, everyone was released.
Orm and Bubu were turned into toddler version of themselves while Khamsin remained on his current form like he was some sort of a pet bird.
He perched on my shoulder while the rest of the males sat on Alpha's back.
Bubu insisted on riding my back which I don't mind and used a cloth to secure her.
Now everyone is with me and I was about to leave the place when One reached his hand towards me once more.
Oh, yeah!
His phylactery!
I almost forgot.
But before I told him the whereabouts of his phylactery, I asked him about what his companion meant by saying that he is going to bring me somewhere and that they might succeed.
He looked surprised upon hearing it and admitted that he was so distracted by the games that I introduced that he forgot his real intention of bringing me somewhere.
After a long time of walking inside a tunnel, we stopped in front of a huge, magical door.
Bubu seemed to shake in fear while the rest of the toddlers, Khamsin and Alpha snuggled towards me, as if they are trying to protect me despite their cute sizes.
They really are too cute.
One seemed to murmur something that made the door glowed brightly until it opened.
Then several torches lighted up a path in which there is a huge tank of some sorts at the end of the massive room.
One told me to leave everyone behind the door as the room is filled with a spell that might worsen the current situation of my companions.
After several reassurances, kisses and hugs from me, not to mention some gentle threats as well, everyone peeked at the door anxiously while I slowly went with One towards the end of the room.
The more I got closer to the tank, the more clearer I can see what's inside the tank.
It seems to be filled with a sort of liquid and there is a massive object inside, thrashing all over as if it wants to escape.
What is that?!
One seems to observe my reactions as he didn't warn me or say anything at all the closer I got to the tank.
It seemed that the glass fogged up somewhat that I used my hands to wipe a part.
I don't know if I'm dumb or just curious.
Maybe both.
Then as the glass started to clear, I saw a face staring back at me that I screamed in fear.
As soon as I started screaming, everyone tried to go inside the room in which One immediately placed a spell at the door, preventing them from going inside.
My legs gave out and I sat on the floor while staring at the face that is inside the tank.
As I kept staring at the face, its eyes looked like it is suffering with intense sadness and pain, as if its heart is broken into pieces while suffering in humiliation.
Seeing its eyes somehow made me feel like I'm also suffering with it that soon, tears flowed down my face.
Despite my shaking legs, I went towards the tank closer and placed my hand on the glass and closed my eyes.
I whispered all sorts of comforting words towards it while apologizing for being scared earlier.
I know that I'm scared and yes, I'm risking my life here as I don't know what will happen next but I felt like comforting the face that I saw.
After several moments of comforting it, it seemed to calmed down. Then glancing towards One, he seemed like he didn't expect what happened.
The way that he reacted made me feel suspicious all of a sudden.
My gut seems to tell me that I should be careful on what to do next.
I was almost tempted to say something impulsive but managed to keep a tight rein on my emotions.
Good thing that I didn't say anything as One waved his hand towards the tank, making the entire glass clear enough for me to see what's inside.
It's Ghost.
Almost all of his entire body and half of his face are in his ultimate form.
His lich-like form.
I have a feeling that they tried to turn him into his lich form permanently against his will.
With unexpected courage from my heart, I faced One with my back towards Ghost as if I am trying to protect him.
I'm sorry for being late, Ghost.