Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

Chapter 381: Welcome back, Queen

Alex was overwhelmed by the influx of information from the past two months, feeling as if she had stepped into a different world.

She turned and prayed respectfully towards the shattered tombstone. "Thank you for your guidance. May your soul rest in peace."

...

"Welcome back, Queen!"

The two necromancers seemed excited to finally see Alex again. They didn't inquire about what had transpired during her absence, nor was it their place to do so. They had simply remained here, steadfast in their loyalty.

"You've worked hard. Return to the undead empire with me."

Alex nodded in acknowledgment. Although she had been out of contact, Xiao Hui had kept her informed of all major events. These reports, along with system notifications, were the only messages she had received during her absence.

Therefore, Alex had some understanding of the changes that had occurred within the undead empire.

Stepping out of the cave, she was momentarily blinded by the sunlight. Having spent so long in darkness, she was unaccustomed to the brightness.

"Is that sunlight? The sky is clear on the Eldoria continent..."

Alex quickly adjusted to the light and looked up at the sky. It was a cloudless, azure expanse, the air fresh and invigorating. Even the ocean seemed more inviting.

She didn't know why the sky had cleared on the Eldoria continent, but if the perpetual gloom was connected to the previous undead lord, then its disappearance was likely related as well.

Alex didn't bother concealing her presence. She didn't even wear her mage robe. With her current strength, she no longer needed the guise of an Honorary Mage.

It was time for the undead empire to reveal itself to the world.

The patrolling angels had long since departed. Alex, accompanied by the two necromancers, traveled to the southern coast and erected an undead fortress.

She then summoned the dozen or so Reaper Guards she had left behind in Tomb City, sending them to the undead empire along with the necromancers.

As for herself, she returned to Tomb City alone.

Upon arriving, she noticed that the city was more populated than before, clearly with newly recruited Freelancers.

Under M's leadership, they had remained well-hidden, evading detection by the Starfallen Empire.

"You've arrived!"

The five bishops spoke respectfully. Alex nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded towards the Liberty Church's underground headquarters.

She quickly caught up on the events of the past three months, gaining a basic understanding of the current situation.

"All the factions have been eerily quiet lately. It feels like the calm before the storm."

Alex murmured as she reviewed the reports.

"I've gathered some information about the era. It's highly sensitive, so I chose to keep it confidential until now."

Selene entered the room, approaching Alex from behind, her voice soft.

"Tell me more." Alex turned, her interest piqued.

"The initial phase of each era is known as the Chaotic Era. I was too weak to know this before, but it's said that within the first hundred years of a new era, a great war will erupt between the races, determining the dominant race for that era. This might explain their recent silence."

Selene met Alex's gaze, her voice calm, as if the matter didn't concern her.

"The era crisis, I see." Alex pondered for a moment. "By the way, I can now build Dream Race crystals, which can help you restore your race."

This was a reward she had received when Selene pledged her allegiance. Since she hadn't returned to the Undead Empire, she had kept the Auxiliary Barrack of the Dream Race with her.

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Selene's face lit up with genuine joy. Nothing brought her greater happiness than the prospect of restoring her race.

"It's a small matter. The Liberty Church relies on your support. Once I return to the undead empire, I might launch a larger-scale war. The entire world will know of the undead race's existence. You should remain here for now."

Selene understood Alex's intentions. Her combat abilities were limited, and it would be too dangerous for her to return to the undead empire.

Moreover, she was the heart and soul of the Liberty Church. The bishops relied on her leadership and guidance.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Alex rose to her feet, bidding farewell to Selene before vanishing in an instant.

As she journeyed back to the undead Imperial Capital, Alex pondered the system's update announcement.

After learning of the information revealed by the previous undead lord, she found the system increasingly suspicious.

"Establish a divine kingdom, achieve godhood, huh."

Alex scoffed. The concept of a divine kingdom was a lie, a mere trick employed by pseudo-gods.

Divine kingdoms were nothing more than tools for gathering faith power. Conquering the will of a continent was essentially a way to siphon power from the planet Astralon's World's Heart.

This confirmed what the previous undead lord had said. The system was trying to weaken the unconscious World's Heart, perhaps even replace it entirely.

Although the system hadn't explicitly stated that this was the final event, Alex had a feeling that it was.

While it differed slightly from the final event described by the five members of the Liberty Church, this only meant that the current system was more cunning.

Alex had no intention of establishing a divine kingdom. She had already built an empire, and she wouldn't become a pawn in the system's game against the World's Heart.

The system had only presented one path to godhood. For lords who hadn't dabbled in empire building, this was their only option.

As for godhood? It was nothing more than a tempting illusion offered by the system.

Last night's announcement had ignited the passions of all lords and Freelancers.

The surviving lords were ecstatic, while the Freelancers were filled with regret.

Establishing a kingdom meant the possibility of achieving godhood, driving everyone into a frenzy.

A new wave of Freelancers seeking to pledge allegiance to lords emerged.

Based on Xiao Hui's reports, Alex suspected that the Sea Race's planned actions were also connected to the era crisis.

Even the Angel race, who had always harbored deep animosity towards the undead, had adopted a wait-and-see approach after learning of the undead empire's existence.

Everything seemed out of the ordinary.

The Holy Court's internal strife, the Angel race's observation, the Sea Race's strange behavior, the dragon race's alliance request, and the friction between the two powerful factions on the Valoria continent...

Given the demons' fiery tempers, the Valoria continent should have erupted into war by now. However, so far, the Valoria continent has not erupted into any war.

Lost in thought, Alex arrived at the depths of the Dark Forest. As she stepped through the gates of the undead Imperial Capital, Garethor appeared before her.

He removed his hat with his right hand, placing it over his heart, his expression filled with unprecedented respect.

"My name is Garethor, one of the seven former race kings of the undead, at your service, Queen. I pledge my unwavering loyalty to your will."