Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

Chapter 207: Enter Thunder City

Satan, in his fully transformed demon form, charged at the orc leader once more.

Boom!

Satan was sent flying again, though this time he wasn't as disheveled and didn't get embedded in the ground. He quickly adjusted his posture in mid-air, looking at the orc leader with a mix of surprise and frustration.

"Maybe we should get some help..." Sophie suggested from the rear, her voice tinged with resignation. She didn't mean to belittle Satan, but the opponent was clearly too strong to handle alone.

Satan, however, didn't take it that way. He shot Sophie a glare.

"Shut up and watch. I can handle this," he snapped, charging at the orc leader again. This time, he didn't go for a head-on collision. Realizing he couldn't match the orc leader in brute strength, he decided to use his abilities to wear the opponent down.

It might not look as impressive, but a win was a win.

Sophie sighed, thinking how stubborn Satan was. She couldn't gauge the exact power difference between Satan and the orc leader, but seeing Satan get knocked back twice made it clear he wasn't a match.

Satan unleashed his demon domain, conjuring a massive black blade with his demonic power, slashing it towards the orc leader. The orc leader, seemingly without any special abilities, blocked every attack with his weapon.

Even though Satan's attack was powerful, the black blade couldn't cut through the orc leader's seemingly ordinary bone weapon, puzzling Satan.

No matter the angle of Satan's aerial attacks, the orc leader stood firm, countering effortlessly. This infuriated Satan, his eyes glowing brighter with rage. He could channel the power of his twelve demons, and now he was using the power of Wrath.

Influenced by the demons, Satan's body housed twelve balanced emotions, slightly affecting his personality but not driving him mad.

This was his first time fully tapping into demonic power. His body transformed again, becoming more muscular, with his tail and wings disappearing, and his black skin turning black-red.

Satan landed, punching at the orc leader. The orc leader raised his weapon to block.

Boom!

Satan's strength surged, pushing the orc leader back a step. Feeling the shock in his hands, the orc leader was puzzled, while Satan's hand bled profusely, red blood dripping down.

Satan didn't pause, attacking relentlessly. This time, they clashed on the ground, with Satan still at a disadvantage but no longer being knocked away.

Ignoring his pain and injuries, Satan fought the orc leader, trading blows. The orc leader sustained minor injuries, becoming more disheveled.

Meanwhile, the two demons Satan brought relieved the pressure on the two undead, turning a four-on-two into a four-on-four.

In one-on-one combat, both the undead and demons had the upper hand.

The undead here weren't necromancers but liches.

Sophie sighed in relief. As long as Satan could hold his ground, they could kill the orcs and then gang up on the orc leader, increasing their chances of victory.

As for the battle between the undead and the orc army, the orcs relied on brute strength, while the undead couldn't be killed, making them a tough match for the orcs.

"Retreat!" the orc leader shouted, releasing his domain, causing numerous explosions around him, forcing Satan back.

The other four Monarch level orcs used the cover to disengage and retreat.

The orc leader wasn't foolish. Realizing they couldn't kill the undead and the battle's outcome was uncertain, he decided to avoid unnecessary losses. He didn't want his warriors to die in vain or his camp to be erased from the Orc Empire.

He regretted not bringing another camp's forces.

The orcs retreated, leaving their fallen comrades behind.

Satan, though furious, didn't lose his mind and didn't pursue.

"Such cowards, unworthy of being camp leaders," Satan taunted.

The retreating orc leader gripped his weapon tightly, seething but knowing he had to endure for his camp's sake. He vowed to find a way to deal with these extraterrestrial visitors and return with greater force.

With the enemy retreating, Satan reverted to his human form, covered in wounds and bleeding.

His injuries slowly healed as he stretched, feeling a bit unsatisfied.

"Tell Alex the enemy was too weak. I wasn't even warmed up before they ran," Satan said, glaring at Sophie before heading to the Portal of Transit with his demons.

Sophie, speechless, decided to let it go.

Crane and Arthas had reached level 9 Commanding during the battle, nearing Monarch level.

With the orc leader's failed attack, they likely wouldn't return soon, at least not until they found a way to kill the undead.

Crane planned to stay and guard, but Arthas had a different idea.

"Staying here will slow our advancement. Leave the liches to guard. We should go to the hobgoblin kingdom to aid the other undead," Arthas suggested.

Crane agreed, and the two undead race kings instructed the liches before entering the Portal of Transit.

Sophie, returning to the Portal of Transit hall after Satan, found him observing Undead City.

"Greed, Abaddon, look at this city. It's magnificent. We need to gather resources and upgrade to a city too!" Satan said.

Abaddon ignored him, while Greed's three heads grinned.

Satan noticed Sophie watching and felt awkward.

"Ahem, let's go," he said, leading his demons away. He decided he needed subordinates like Alex.

Sophie, puzzled, watched him leave and reported to Alex before returning to her castle. With no further orders from Big Shot, she assumed her presence wasn't needed.

Meanwhile, on the continent of Nytheria, Alex saw Thunder City on the horizon and closed her system interface. For safety, she decided to walk the remaining distance.

"You've had a tough journey. You can go now," Alex said, looking at the tiger behind her and signaling it to leave.

"Roar!" The tiger looked puzzled but relieved. It hadn't expected this human to keep her promise and not kill it. It quickly turned and left.

Alex pulled her hood lower and walked towards Thunder City.

Outside Thunder City, people were coming and going freely. Contrary to Alex's expectations, the city gates were wide open, and there were no guards in sight. Anyone could enter and exit as they pleased.

Among the crowd were many mage apprentices, and even some mages flying in the sky. Most of the people on the ground were ordinary folks hoping to try their luck in Thunder City, dreaming of becoming great mages.

This made it easier for Alex to enter the city without drawing unnecessary attention. Her attire didn't stand out among the crowd.

Being deep within the Celestian Empire and home to the mage association's branch, it made sense that there were no guards.

As Alex approached, she slowed her pace, walking steadily into the city, feeling a bit anxious inside.

Ordinary people stepped aside for Alex, not daring to speak to her. The mages in the sky were too busy to notice her, each preoccupied with their own tasks.

Alex entered the city without arousing any suspicion.

Inside, Thunder City was unlike any city Alex had seen. She was struck by its unique atmosphere.

Thunder City wasn't large, about the size of a level 1 Undead City. However, there were few residential houses for commoners. The most prominent features were the tall spires scattered throughout the city.

Each spire emitted different elemental energies, indicating the residences of the mages.

Alex continued walking, avoiding lingering at the city gate, which might seem suspicious. The wide, clean stone roads were lined with vendors.

"Come and see! We have all kinds of elemental stones!"

"Today's special at the tavern: Martino Wine! Experience exotic flavors!"

"I'm a guide in Thunder City. Do you need assistance?"

The bustling atmosphere made Alex feel a bit out of place. These businesses had likely developed within Thunder City, where commoners couldn't live long-term but could stay temporarily.

Despite this, many commoners flocked to the city daily. Nobles, dressed in luxurious clothes and adorned with strange jewelry, also roamed the streets. Though arrogant outside, they dared not act haughty here.

Regardless of their status, no one dared approach Alex. Her black robe marked her as a mage, a symbol of nobility and sanctity to the commoners. Mages were busy and powerful, rarely interacting with commoners.

Alex walked at a measured pace, neither too slow nor too fast, scanning her surroundings. If the city had businesses, there must be a place to heal Chi-Chi.

In the city center stood an ancient palace, surrounded by mage towers. The area bustled with mages, making Alex wary of getting too close. She searched the perimeter instead.

At a corner, Alex finally found her target: a small shop with a green symbol representing life magic. It had to be the right place.

The shop was small, near the corner, with wooden doors and windows open. From across the street, Alex saw it was empty inside.

Life magic treatments were expensive, affordable only to the Empire's nobles. Commoners couldn't pay the fees, explaining the shop's emptiness.

Alex crossed the street and entered the shop.

A young woman in a black cloak, marked as a mage apprentice, stood at the counter.

"Welcome, great mage. How can I assist you?" the woman asked, assuming Alex was here to see her mentor.

"My friend is gravely injured and needs treatment," Alex said directly.

The woman wasn't surprised and left the counter. "Please follow me."

She led Alex to a room.

Alex gently laid Chi-Chi, whom she had been carrying, on a bed. Chi-Chi's clothes had been changed to local attire, making her look like a young local girl. No one in Nytheria would suspect she was an extraterrestrial visitor.

The woman didn't ask questions, focusing on her duty as a life mage.

As life energy flowed from her hands, she began examining Chi-Chi.

Alex sensed the magic's fluctuations and realized the woman was only a Commanding level mage. She doubted the woman could heal Chi-Chi.

Before Alex could speak, the woman said, "I'm sorry, but her injuries are soul-related. I can't help."

Alex remained silent.

"If you agree, I can call my mentor. He might be able to help," the woman offered.

So, she wasn't the shop owner. Would her mentor be a Monarch level or King level mage? Would they discover Alex's identity?

Alex hesitated, weighing the risks. Healing Chi-Chi was crucial, but she couldn't make a reckless decision.

"Don't worry. My mentor is a recluse, only interested in research. He doesn't meddle in other affairs," the woman reassured, sensing Alex's concerns. She suspected Alex wasn't a registered mage, but it wasn't her place to care.

"Thank you," Alex finally agreed. Chi-Chi didn't have much time left.

"Please wait a moment. My mentor isn't here, so I need to fetch him," the woman said, leaving the room.

After she left, Alex sat by the bed, placing her hand on Chi-Chi's chest. Chi-Chi's heartbeat was faint, her face pale, and her condition dire.

Alex sighed, feeling helpless. She knew how to destroy souls but not how to heal them.