Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

Chapter 329: Yellowrock City

"He's always been like that. Don't take it personally. Magic is his life," the woman said, her tone softening as she realized Alex and Eldrin weren't particularly close. Alex's description of their interactions was consistent with Eldrin's personality.

The woman, however, had been initially wary. Alex, despite her concealing robes, was undeniably attractive. She had feared a romantic connection between Alex and Eldrin.

But Alex's words had quickly dispelled those concerns.

Alex remained silent, patiently waiting for the woman to dismiss her.

"And this... extraterrestrial visitor accompanying you. Can you tell me about your relationship?" the woman asked, her gaze shifting to Ruby. Her voice was gentle, devoid of any accusatory tone.

The term "extraterrestrial visitor" in this context didn't refer to Lords, but to all non-human races.

"As you know, the Mage Association has strict rules regarding the use of the teleportation array by outsiders."

The woman's gaze returned to Alex, silently urging her to provide a suitable explanation.

"She is my servant," Alex replied, deciding to play it safe.

If the woman had already sensed Ruby's non-human nature, this was the simplest explanation.

"Very well. That will suffice."

Alex breathed a sigh of relief. She had feared a more thorough interrogation, questions about Ruby's race and origins. That would have been a nightmare.

"You can proceed to the third basement level and inform the teleportation department. As a Magus, you have unrestricted access to the teleportation array. No need to seek my approval," the woman said, finally dismissing Alex.

She even offered a helpful tip. Alex hadn't been aware of this rule.

"Thank you, madam. I'll take my leave then."

Alex placed her left hand on her right shoulder, bowing slightly to the president before leading Ruby out of the office.

Ruby, eager to speak, opened her mouth, but Alex quickly silenced her with a gesture.

They were still within the Hurricane City branch, potentially under observation. Silence was their best course of action. Loose lips sink ships.

Upon reaching the third basement level, Alex was surprised to find Robert, the mage who had gifted her the bag of gold coins, in charge of the teleportation department.

"Miss Alyssa, it's a pleasure to see you again," Robert said, his eyes widening slightly as he noticed the badge on her chest. His tone became noticeably more respectful.

"I didn't expect to find you here."

Seeing Robert meant they wouldn't have to waste time explaining themselves.

"Ah, well, we're short-staffed. They had to pull us mages in. This job is more tedious than meditation. It's mind-numbingly boring," Robert grumbled, clearly unhappy with his current assignment.

His badge still displayed a single star, indicating he hadn't reached lv2 Monarch yet.

Under Robert's guidance, they quickly reached the teleportation chamber. The mages stationed there, mostly Novice Mages (Commanding level), treated Alex with deference.

The teleportation array was identical to the one in Thunder City.

"Miss Alyssa, where are you headed?" Robert asked politely.

"Yellowrock City," Alex replied curtly.

The Novice Mages began preparing the array for teleportation.

As usual, a mage was sent through first to test the connection and ensure the array's stability.

Once the mage returned, Alex and Ruby stepped into the array.

"Alyssa, you're always in such a hurry. Perhaps you'll have time to visit Hurricane City and relax for a few days?" Robert asked, a hopeful smile on his face.

"Another time," Alex replied vaguely.

The array hummed to life, a blinding white light engulfing the chamber. When it faded, Alex and Ruby were gone.

"Robert, you seem to be quite familiar with this Honorary Magus," one of the other mages remarked, his curiosity piqued.

"I first met her when she was still a Novice Mage. Now she's a Magus. Her talent is incredible. No wonder the president took an interest in her. Those chosen by the president are never ordinary," Robert mused, his voice laced with admiration.

He didn't know Alex's background, but she had been granted Honorary Mage status in Thunder City. And only a vice president or higher could authorize that.

This mysterious white-haired mage was clearly a prodigy, handpicked by one of the presidents.

...

Arsen Continent, Yellowrock City.

Alex and Ruby exited the teleportation chamber and made their way into the city. This time, Alex didn't bother seeking an audience with the president.

The teleportation array handled numerous mages daily. The president wouldn't single her out for special attention.

Yellowrock City, as its name suggested, was a hub for earth magic.

It was responsible for recruiting and training individuals with earth magical talent from across the continent.

Its architectural style was a stark contrast to Thunder City and Hurricane City. Sturdy walls and roads, constructed from thick layers of rock, dominated the cityscape.

The air was dry and hot, the sun beating down mercilessly. Gusts of wind whipped up clouds of dust and sand, obscuring the horizon.

Sandstorms were clearly a common occurrence here. The Southridge Republic was likely mostly rocky wasteland or desert.

There were fewer mages here compared to the other cities, and most of them wore masks to protect themselves from the dust.

Alex signaled to Ruby that it was safe to speak.

"Alex, what level was that president? She seemed so... ordinary," Ruby asked, her voice laced with confusion.

"Emperor level or Sovereign level, I'm not sure," Alex replied.

Her knowledge of the Mage Association's inner workings was limited. There might be multiple branches on a single continent.

"Sovereign level? So there are at least seven Sovereign level humans on the seven continents? They're that strong?" Ruby exclaimed, awestruck.

She had always known humans were powerful, but this was on another level.

No wonder the Beastman Empire avoided provoking them.

"And that's not even their full strength. They're at the top of the food chain, alongside angels and other top-tier races, for a reason."

Alex didn't want to linger in Yellowrock City. Reaching Stone Pillar Mountain and eliminating Raphaela was her top priority.

Grumble...

Ruby's stomach growled, interrupting her thoughts.

"Alex, I'm hungry..."

Alex had almost forgotten. She didn't need to eat, but Ruby did.

She glanced at the sun's position, estimating the time to be around one in the afternoon. She avoided checking the system time, not wanting to raise any suspicions.

"Come on, let's find something to eat."

Alex led Ruby to a small, unassuming eatery in the city. It was an open-air establishment, its furnishings simple and worn.

This wasn't a cost-saving measure on Alex's part. As a Mage Association branch city, Yellowrock City lacked the usual amenities and services geared towards ordinary citizens.

Mages had dedicated staff to cater to their culinary needs. This eatery was primarily for commoners and aspiring mages.

With few dining options available, they had to make do. Alex wasn't keen on returning to the Mage Association branch for a meal.

Ruby, however, was unfazed. She enjoyed human food, regardless of its presentation or sophistication.

A few rickety tables and mismatched stools were scattered outside the eatery.

Alex grabbed two stools and settled down at a table, Ruby mimicking her actions.

"Honorable mages, what can I get for you?" the owner asked, rushing out to greet them, his face beaming with a mixture of surprise and delight.

Alex glanced at the fire-powered stove and the ingredients stacked within the kitchen, quickly deducing the local culinary preferences.

It seemed the Southridge Republic favored hand-held meals, like rice dishes meant to be eaten without utensils.

"Just bring us whatever you recommend. Lots of meat," Alex said, her voice muffled by her hood.

The owner paused, momentarily startled by the feminine voice emanating from beneath the dark robes. He quickly nodded and hurried back to the kitchen.

The open-air eatery was deserted. They were the only customers.

Alex frowned. This was unusual. A Mage Association branch city should have attracted a sizable population of commoners. Why was the city so desolate?

"What's wrong?" Ruby asked, sensing her unease.

"This city... it's too empty. It's not right."

But she quickly dismissed the thought. It wasn't her concern.

The owner returned, carrying a large platter piled high with food. Several flatbreads, made from some kind of ground plant, accompanied the main dish.

As expected, there were no utensils.

"Enjoy your meal, honorable mages," the owner said politely.

Alex wanted to ask him about the city's unusual emptiness, but she decided against it. It would seem suspicious.

"Excuse me, do you have any forks or knives?" she asked instead.

The owner looked at her, a confused smile on his face.

"Are you not from around here, honorable mages? This is how we eat in the Southridge Republic. We use our hands. But if you're not comfortable with that, I can make you some utensils."

"No, that's alright. Thank you. You can go," Alex said, waving him away.

She glanced at Ruby, who was already digging in, clearly unconcerned about the lack of utensils.

"Strange. Humans eat with their hands? Like savages?" Ruby asked, her voice muffled by a mouthful of food.

Alex ignored her, her gaze scanning the surroundings, her eyes sharp and alert despite the shadows cast by her hood.

Suddenly, she spotted someone. She stood up abruptly.

"Wait here. I'll be back in a bit," she said, leaving the eatery and heading towards the city's central square.

Ruby, engrossed in her meal, simply grunted in acknowledgment, paying little attention to Alex's sudden departure.

Yellowrock City's layout was simple. Four main roads connected the four city gates, converging at a large central square.

The eatery was located near the northern gate, offering a clear view of the square.

Alex watched as her target entered a tavern near the square, two mages trailing behind him, acting as bodyguards.

She changed course, following them discreetly.

Inside the tavern, Nori settled into a familiar corner booth. Without a word, the owner brought him a large tankard of the local brew.

The two mages remained near the entrance, their postures relaxed but alert.

Nori drained the tankard in a few long gulps, savoring the strong, earthy flavor. He slammed the empty tankard on the table, and the owner immediately brought him another.

Things were finally looking up. His relationship with his mother had improved, and she had grudgingly accepted his identity.

The two mages, upon returning to Yellowrock City, had accused Nori of orchestrating their capture, causing quite a stir.

He had been forced into hiding for a while. If not for his mother's intervention, he would have been killed.

Fortunately, he inherited more human traits than dwarven ones. Aside from his slightly shorter stature, he looked like any other human male. Without a proper examination, no one would suspect his true heritage.

His mother's influence had helped to suppress the accusations.

However, she had forbidden him from leaving the city. As for the supposedly destroyed dwarf kingdom, investigations had revealed that it was still functioning, its unity restored.

Nori's claims of an undead invasion had been dismissed as absurd, especially since no evidence could be found.

Ultimately, the word of two Monarch level mages held more weight. They hadn't seen any undead, only dwarves.

Nori, though furious, was powerless to change the outcome. He didn't understand why the mages had survived, or why they had accused him of treachery, but he had abandoned them, and that was undeniable.

"At least life is good now. No more constant danger. Why bother with revenge?" he mumbled to himself, his words slurred slightly.

He had a low tolerance for alcohol, but he enjoyed drinking, perhaps a trait inherited from his father.

"Honorable Magus," one of the mages said, rising to his feet as Alex entered the tavern.

Alex nodded curtly, ignoring them as she made her way towards Nori.

The tavern was empty, just like the eatery.

Nori, hearing the mage's greeting, glanced over his shoulder, but he didn't pay much attention.

As the footsteps approached, he realized they were heading towards him. Assuming it was someone sent by his mother, he quickly set down his tankard and stood up, turning to face the newcomer.

His eyes widened as he saw the golden badge on the figure's black robes. A Magus! As powerful as his mother!

Even though it was only a three-star badge, he couldn't afford to be disrespectful.

"Greetings, honorable Magus," he said, bowing slightly.

As the figure drew closer, he caught a glimpse of the face beneath the hood, a face of breathtaking beauty.

His blood ran cold. His instincts screamed at him.

Danger!