Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

Chapter 321: The undead shall rise above all others

The Death Spirit's clone dissipated, its task of notifying the undead underway. Its other clones, scattered across various battlefields, received the message simultaneously, ensuring a swift dissemination of the queen's command.

Alex, feeling the weight of exhaustion, glanced at the time. It was past two in the morning. She retreated to her bedroom, ready for some much-needed rest.

Before drifting off, she remembered to send a message to Drake, informing him of the upcoming event.

Lilith and Satan, however, were left out of the loop. They were, after all, former allies, not part of her inner circle.

She snuggled into her blankets, closed her eyes, and was soon fast asleep.

[Night retreats, dawn arrives]

Arsen Continent, Featherfolk territory.

The Featherfolk chieftain perched atop a grand throne, its blue-feathered face creased in confusion as it listened to the reports from the front lines.

"The undead powerhouses are retreating? All of them?"

"Chieftain, should we pursue them? Strike while they're vulnerable?"

"But we don't even know where their lair is!"

"Then let's destroy that fortress!"

The Featherfolk alphas below erupted in a cacophony of suggestions, their voices echoing through the hall.

The chieftain frowned, its patience wearing thin.

They had learned, through countless skirmishes, that the undead, while susceptible to soul attacks, were relentless and seemingly inexhaustible.

If not for their aerial advantage and the favorable terrain of their territory, the chieftain believed they might have been locked in a stalemate.

Of course, with their superior numbers of powerhouses, they held a clear advantage in battles involving alphas. The lower ranks, however, were evenly matched.

Most importantly, they had a high-level King level powerhouse on their side, a deterrent that the undead couldn't easily overcome.

But the sudden, coordinated retreat of the undead powerhouses raised alarm bells.

"There's no need for such drastic measures. The human Holy Court has been eager to collaborate. We'll inform them of the situation. If they help us eliminate these undead, we'll agree to their terms."

The chieftain had found a convenient solution. These undead, their numbers swelling with each battle, were a drain on their resources. Letting the Holy Court deal with them was the most logical course of action.

Despite their consistent victories, the Featherfolk had suffered significant losses.

The chieftain, recognizing this unsustainable trend, had been actively avoiding direct confrontations with the undead.

While not particularly powerful individually, their ability to teleport, coupled with the presence of King level undead among them, made it difficult to gauge the true strength of their leader.

The chieftain wasn't willing to risk facing a high-level King level opponent.

Shifting the burden onto another race was the safest bet.

The Featherfolk territory was relatively close to the dwarf kingdom, which, in turn, bordered the Southridge Republic.

This proximity meant they were within the sphere of influence of the human factions.

While the humans generally left them alone, the Holy Court couldn't openly coerce them into submission without attracting the attention of the Mage Association.

Such a blatant power grab, if exposed, would create unnecessary complications. Therefore, the Holy Court's strategy regarding factions near the Mage Association's territory was simple: collaborate if possible, abandon if not.

They decided to ignore the retreating undead, leaving them to the Holy Court's machinations.

A decision they would come to regret.

...

Time: 06:30 AM, Undead City.

Xiao Hui woke with a start, not to the gentle caress of dawn, but to a cacophony of sounds echoing through the city.

She scrambled out of bed, her curiosity piqued, and peered out the window.

"What's with all the undead today?"

The source of the commotion was clear. Undead were pouring into the city through both the Portal of Transit and the main fortress.

The largest undead, their movements ponderous and earth-shaking, were the main culprits.

Xiao Hui, her sharp eyes scanning the scene, quickly noticed something unusual.

Not only were all seven race kings present, but all ten King level undead had also returned.

"Did the Featherfolk campaign end already?"

"No, wait... all these returning undead are Monarch level!"

Something big was happening. She quickly threw on some clothes and hurried downstairs.

She found Xiao Mu, emerging from his adjacent palace, and Sophie, still half-asleep, her hair a tangled mess.

"Xiao Mu, what's going on?"

"I have no idea."

As they stood there, bewildered, a massive orange-red portal shimmered into existence above the Portal of Transit chamber.

Drake, riding a Rock Dragon, emerged from its depths.

Xiao Hui stared, her jaw slack.

"Why is Drake here?"

Drake landed gracefully, the Rock Dragon soaring towards the outer city.

He looked at them, confused by their stunned expressions.

"What's with the stares? Do I have dragon droppings on my face?"

"What are you doing here?" Xiao Hui asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

"What do you mean? Why wouldn't I be here for the establishment of the Undead Empire? It's a momentous occasion!" Drake replied, genuinely puzzled by their reaction.

Had he done something to offend them?

"Huh?"

"Did you say... Empire?"

The three of them gasped. Xiao Mu suddenly recalled the argument between Alex and Ruby the previous night, the one about the Race's Tear.

"Yeah," Drake said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Why didn't Alex tell us she was establishing an Undead Empire? That's so unfair!" Xiao Hui exclaimed, finally understanding the situation.

That explained the influx of undead. They were preparing for the establishment of the Undead Empire.

"Just a thought, but maybe it's because we're already in the city? No need for notifications?" Sophie chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Shut up! I know that!" Xiao Hui snapped, her fangs bared.

Sensing another pointless argument brewing, Xiao Mu quickly pulled Xiao Hui towards the palace.

"Come on, let's go inside."

The main hall was bustling with activity, dark elves scurrying about, attending to their duties. But Alex was nowhere to be found.

"Where's the leader?"

"Maybe she's still asleep?" Drake suggested, only to be met with a chorus of denials.

"Impossible. Alex is always the first one up. She wouldn't be sleeping at this hour. She must be out doing something."

"Oh, right."

Drake, unfamiliar with Alex's daily routine, accepted their assessment.

Outside, the seven race kings buzzed with anticipation. They had waited for this moment, the establishment of the Undead Empire, for far too long.

The Undead Empire's name would once again be etched into the annals of history.

"Organize your troops and assemble in the square!" Arthas barked, directing the Monarch level undead.

They quickly fell into formation. An unruly mob of undead wouldn't do for such a grand occasion.

John, Crane, and Azure, however, found themselves in an awkward position. Their troops, limited to Commanding level, had no Monarch level units.

Arthas, realizing his oversight, quickly issued new orders.

"Destroyers, Ghouls, Zombie Titans, Gargoyles, Death Conquerors, Necromancers, Crypt Fiends, Reaper Guards! Take your positions behind the four leaders!"

The Death Spirit, like the three kings, had no troops of its own. As for the vast majority of Commanding level undead, they were currently stationed within the Silverscale Leviathans, hovering above Undead City.

A colossal serpent, its body composed of rock, slithered up the city wall. A smaller, green serpent coiled around its neck.

They were the chieftains of the Vine Serpent and Rock Serpent races, King level powerhouses who had pledged their allegiance to Alex. Their presence was expected.

Brak and Brok, the two trolls, were absent. Their agreement with Alex lacked any formal binding oaths.

All other subjugated races with Monarch level individuals were present.

Those below Monarch level were gathered outside the city walls.

With nearly a million undead already within the city, allowing everyone inside would create chaos and overcrowding.

Time: 7:00 AM

Alex finally stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She glanced at the time displayed on her system interface.

"Seven o'clock already?!"

She jumped out of bed and peered out the window, surprised to see the sheer number of subjugated races gathered below.

"The Death Spirit must have informed them. But only Monarch level and above are allowed inside the city. Good work."

She quickly freshened up, letting her long white hair cascade down her shoulders, and headed downstairs.

"No breakfast today."

She waved away the concerned dark elves and entered the main hall, where the other four were already waiting.

"Miss Alex, you're finally here!"

"Yeah, overslept," Alex admitted sheepishly.

The three exchanged awkward glances. Drake, oblivious to their discomfort, looked at them, confused.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," they replied quickly, changing the subject.

Just then, Ruby descended the stairs. Her enhanced hearing had alerted her to the commotion long ago, but she had waited for Alex to wake up before making an appearance.

"You overslept too?"

"Nope. I was woken up before dawn by all the noise outside," Ruby explained.

She didn't ask about the day's events. She had overheard Alex's orders to the Death Spirit and knew that today was the day the Undead Empire would be established.

Alex retrieved the Undead Empire's Tear from her Warehouse and walked towards the exit, her steps measured and deliberate. The two dark elves guarding the doors quickly opened them, and the four followed closely behind.

Alex stood at the top of the grand staircase, the vast expanse of Undead City's central square spread out before her.

Hundreds of undead and other creatures, all Monarch level and above, stood in silent anticipation. The only sound was the rustling of leaves from the Dark Forest beyond the city walls.

Alex cleared her throat, holding the Undead Empire's Tear aloft, her King level aura radiating outwards, commanding attention.

The four flanking her, two on each side of the staircase, watched in silence.

At the forefront of the assembled crowd stood the seven race kings and the King level undead, their gazes fixed on Alex, their loyalty unwavering.

All subjugated races with Monarch level individuals were present. Hobgoblins and dwarves were the most numerous, followed by orcs.

Medusas, Longtail Apes, Minotaurs, Dragon Lizards, Man-eating Ants, and other races had fewer representatives, most of them summoned through Auxiliary Barracks.

Xiao Mu and Drake's troops stood out, their presence a testament to their unique abilities. Rock Dragons, Light Titans...

Their massive forms towered over the other races, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Zombie Titans and Bone Dragons.

Alex raised the Undead Empire's Tear high, her voice amplified by magic, echoing across the silent square.

"Today, we establish the Undead Empire! The undead shall rise above all others!"

As she spoke, she opened her system interface and selected "Establish Empire."