Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

Chapter 208: So, you are the new undead lord

Alex waited in the room for about half an hour before the door opened again. The young woman from earlier stood at the door, waiting without entering.

"Mentor, she's in here," she called out.

Alex stood up and looked towards the door.

A moment later, a scruffy, disheveled old man with a beard walked in. Despite his frail appearance, Alex could sense his immense power.

He didn't look at Alex; his eyes were fixed on Chi-Chi as he approached the bed. Alex followed him silently, praying he could heal Chi-Chi.

The mage's expression shifted between confusion and deep concentration. His magic was far more advanced than the young apprentice's, but Chi-Chi's condition showed no signs of improvement, making Alex increasingly anxious. If even this mage couldn't help, Chi-Chi's chances were slim.

"If I'm not mistaken, her injuries were caused by an angel," a male voice suddenly said from behind. Alex turned quickly, as did the mentor and apprentice.

"Archmage Eldrin, what brings you here?" the young woman asked respectfully. Her mentor looked puzzled, unsure why Eldrin was there.

Alex's heart raced. This man was incredibly powerful, even more so than the mentor. She began to think about how to escape.

"I came to take a look," Eldrin said, his gaze shifting to Alex.

"Don't be nervous, young one. Let me introduce myself. I am Eldrin, Vice President of the mage association's branch in Thunder City and on the continent of Nytheria. You remind me of an old friend," Eldrin said, smiling warmly.

Alex didn't know how to respond. Lying would be futile; Eldrin would see through it. Despite his friendly demeanor, Alex remained on guard.

Eldrin didn't seem to mind and turned his attention to Chi-Chi.

"Mage Sylas, her injuries are soul-related, caused by an angel. Life magic won't heal her," Eldrin explained.

Sylas nodded in understanding. "I see. My apologies, but I can't help her."

"Can you save her?" Alex asked Eldrin, her voice filled with hope. If he could diagnose Chi-Chi's injuries so easily, he might have a way to heal her.

"Who is she to you?" Eldrin asked instead of answering.

"A friend," Alex replied.

"You risked coming to Thunder City for a friend. Do you realize that if you're discovered, your strength won't save you?" Eldrin's words revealed much.

He knew Alex's true identity!

Alex was stunned, unsure how to respond. Sylas remained indifferent, while the young woman assumed Alex was a rogue mage.

"I can try, but don't get your hopes up. She should have died long ago. It's a miracle she's still alive," Eldrin said.

Sylas and the young woman stepped aside as Eldrin approached the bed. He didn't start healing immediately but examined Chi-Chi's condition more closely.

Regardless, Eldrin's willingness to help was a good sign. Maybe he had mistaken her for someone else.

Before Eldrin began, he stood up. "You two, leave the room," he instructed.

Once Sylas and the young woman left, Eldrin waved his hand, creating a barrier around the room.

"I'm sorry, but your friend doesn't have much time left. Even I can't save her. Perhaps only a god could," Eldrin said.

Alex fell silent.

A gust of wind blew, knocking back Alex's hood and revealing her white hair. Eldrin saw her face clearly.

Alex looked at Eldrin, confused. Their eyes met, and she felt a surge of energy. Her eyes glowed blue and red.

"So, you are the new undead lord," Eldrin said, confirming his suspicion.

"Yes," Alex admitted. From the moment Eldrin identified her, she knew she couldn't escape if he decided to act against her.

"Aren't you curious how I knew?" Eldrin asked, surprised by Alex's calmness.

"You mentioned an old friend. It must be the previous undead lord," Alex guessed.

"Correct. I knew the previous undead lord well. We met when we were both Monarch level. He once did me a great favor. One day, he predicted a new undead lord would appear years later and asked me to help them. Then he disappeared.

He was my only friend. How could I refuse such a small request?" Eldrin reminisced.

Alex understood. Eldrin had set up the barrier to share these secrets.

"How did you recognize me?" Alex asked.

"You have a similar aura to his. It's unique, and I've only sensed it in you. It means you share the same origin, making you the new undead lord," Eldrin explained, sighing.

"He said your appearance meant he had either fallen or left this world. Unfortunately, my talents are limited, and I couldn't join him in seeking the world's truths," Eldrin added.

Alex was taken aback by the mention of leaving this world.

"Was he an extraterrestrial visitor?" she asked.

Eldrin shook his head.

"Do you not know, or is he not?" Alex pressed.

"He wasn't an extraterrestrial visitor. He was human and became undead later. I don't know the specifics," Eldrin replied.

Alex recalled what the Destroyer had said during the beast tide. The undead seemed to recognize her as the undead lord, even though she was human.

"How did you know I was an extraterrestrial visitor?" Alex asked.

Eldrin looked puzzled, realizing Alex had revealed her identity. He wasn't surprised.

"I didn't know you were an extraterrestrial visitor. But many legendary figures have fought the undead lord and are familiar with their aura. You're still weak. If discovered, you'll be killed. As an extraterrestrial visitor, you should stay in your castle and grow stronger. Why are you wandering around?" Eldrin scolded.

Alex felt embarrassed but relieved that Eldrin, as a friend of the previous undead lord, wasn't hostile.

"I got trapped on the continent of Nytheria..."

Alex briefly explained her situation, and Eldrin found it quite intriguing.

No wonder the angels were purging extraterrestrial visitors from the continent of Nytheria. These visitors had the ability to traverse continents at only the Commanding level, a feat only possible for those whose races had produced Divine-level beings.

Eldrin didn't know much about extraterrestrial visitors, and this was the first time he had heard of such an ability.

"I see. So, you can't go back," Eldrin said.

Alex nodded helplessly.

"Follow me," Eldrin said, waving his hand to dispel the barrier and heading towards the door.

"But..." Alex glanced back at Chi-Chi. She couldn't leave her behind.

Eldrin looked back at Chi-Chi but said nothing.

They left the room, and Eldrin led Alex towards a mage tower in the city center. It was his tower, where he lived and conducted his research.

Mages they passed greeted Eldrin warmly, showing him great respect. No one suspected the girl following him was an extraterrestrial visitor.

Soon, they arrived at Eldrin's mage tower. The entrance was sealed with magical wards, and there was a single-person staircase leading up. Eldrin stepped forward and opened the door.

"Go in," he said.

Alex, carrying Chi-Chi, entered. The interior was much larger than it appeared from the outside, divided into several areas, rivaling a castle in size.

"This place is infused with spatial magic. It's quiet and undisturbed, perfect for a mage's studies," Eldrin explained as he led Alex up to the seventh floor. This floor was lined with bookshelves filled with incomprehensible books.

By the window, there was a desk and several chairs. Eldrin gestured for Alex to sit there.

"I need to step out for a bit. Stay here; no one will find you," Eldrin said before leaving.

Alex had many questions for Eldrin, about this world and the previous undead lord. As the vice president of a continent's mage association branch, he was the highest-ranking person Alex had encountered.

Alex took off her black robe, laid it on the floor, and gently placed Chi-Chi on it.

Sighing, she thought, Chi-Chi might not even wake up.

Alex looked out the window. It was the only window on this floor, and Eldrin's mage tower was the tallest structure in Thunder City, offering a view of the entire city.

Feeling bored, Alex browsed the bookshelves, but the books were too specialized for her to understand. She gave up and returned to her seat.

Suddenly, she noticed Chi-Chi's fingers twitch.