Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

Chapter 45: Ethereal Wraith

Alex unleashed a massive pillar of fire directly at Charles, who blocked it with his shield and continued advancing through the flames.

Suddenly, two black fireballs attacked from both sides. Despite wearing heavy armor, Charles was exceptionally agile and performed a backflip to dodge Alex's two Black Flame Blasts.

Charles had realized that Alex's proficiency in fire magic was at best intermediate, and her dark magic seemed limited to just one move.

The most effective way to combat a mage is to get close. Mages are physically weak, and if he could close the distance, she would undoubtedly lose.

"Holy sword, slay the person before me!"

Charles raised his cross sword, the blade shining brightly, and a slash made of condensed light cleaved through Alex's incoming fire magic, continuing its trajectory towards her.

"Damn, he's strong!"

Alex quickly dodged to the side, but Charles seized the moment she evaded to close the distance, swinging his sword at her.

"Damn it, you really think I'm just a mage?"

In an instant, Alex produced a large scythe in her hands to meet Charles's cross sword.

The moment the sword met the scythe's blade, the bells on the scythe jingled crisply.

Charles suddenly felt a severe pain in his head. As Alex drew her scythe, her attributes doubled instantly—her 60 points of Strength became 120, and she forcefully pushed Charles back. The large scythe blade nearly wounded him.

"Mind attack, sudden appearance of a weapon, inexplicably enhanced Strength, truly bizarre!"

Charles shook his head, the pain in his mind gradually subsiding.

Alex, holding the scythe with one hand and dragging the blade along the ground, swung it at Charles.

Though Alex lacked close combat skills, she knew one thing from childhood fights—force can work wonders.

Charles was about to raise his shield to block.

Ding-a-ling—

The sound of the bell distracted him, slowing his reaction.

Slash—

Charles was struck by Alex's scythe, the blade clashing against his armor with a grating noise.

With a loud thud, Charles was knocked to the ground not far away, his shield flung aside by Alex's strike.

"Damn, thought you were strong. Turns out you're not, feel the thrill of being beaten by double attributes."

Alex felt a bit regretful; if it weren't for his armor, he would have been dead.

"Cough, cough..."

As Charles tried to stand up, a black fireball came flying straight at him.

Charles immediately swung his cross sword at the black fireball.

But there wasn't just one fireball—Boom, boom, boom!

Knowing her melee skills were lacking, Alex wouldn't risk getting close. She preferred to wear him down from a distance first.

Three Black Flame Blasts hit Charles squarely, knocking him down again, his armor ablaze with black flames.

Then, his armor emitted a holy light, and the black flames were quickly extinguished.

Alex noticed that this knight seemed not very susceptible to her dark magic; on the contrary, it seemed to be countered by their abilities.

Charles realized he was completely outmatched by this extraterrestrial visitor.

Wait, weren't the previous extraterrestrial visitors weak? Why is she so strong?

Charles had previously interacted with these Lords under the guise of being a native, then lured them out to kill them. The Holy Court had ordered that all extraterrestrial visitors be killed without mercy.

Charles kicked up the moist black soil at Alex and then quickly got up, unleashing two golden sword energies before decisively turning to flee.

He didn't want to die here!

Charles saw an unidentified creature flying towards them in the distance. Upon recognizing the creature, his pupils shrank.

"A bone dragon! Why is there a bone dragon here?"

Then, Alex's voice came from behind him.

"Arthur, stop him!"

Charles was startled by Alex's command.

"They're together!"

Charles again decisively gave up on fleeing, dropped his cross sword, and turned to kneel before Alex.

"Respected Miss Carrie Oakey, I submit to you, please spare my life!"

Well, a man's got to do what a man's got to do.

Arthur's massive form landed behind Charles, who shuddered and bowed even lower.

"Arthur, why are you here?"

Alex was curious why Arthur was there.

"Responding to my queen, Arthur received a distress call from a phantom saying that you were engaged in combat here, so I hurried over."

That made sense. With a large base of undead within her territory, it wasn't surprising that they noticed the fight.

Alex looked down at Charles, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, wanting to violate and kill her, and now he was kneeling and begging for mercy.

Alex signaled Arthur with her eyes, and understanding her intent, Arthur acted before Charles could react, ending his life with a breath of dragon. Charles's body, still in a kneeling position, was frozeninto an ice sculpture.

It wasn't that Alex didn't want to act personally; it was just that if she did, it would have been too cruel. Whether using her scythe or burning him with fire, having Arthur freeze him was somewhat more dignified.

[Congratulations Lord, you have killed a lv2 Commanding level Holy Court knight.]

"Huh, no experience points?"

"Is it because he's human?"

Alex cast a spell, and a magic circle appeared beneath Charles, emitting a gray mist that formed a Phantom above his body.

It looked like a Phantom but was distinctly different; its ethereal form was less human-like, its eyes glowed green, and its soul aura was denser, its size slightly larger than a typical Phantom.

Alex sensed that something had changed and quickly checked the information.

[Ethereal Wraith (ethereal)]

[Race: undead race]

[Loyalty: 100% (Never Betray)]

[Life Tier: Commanding level]

[Level: lv2 (non-upgradable)]

[Health Points: Undead trait, immortal as long as the soul fire burns]

[Mana Points: 20]

[Mind: 45]

[Stamina: ?]

[Agility: 40]

[Growth Limit: Commanding level]

[Skill: Soul Curse]

Soul Curse: Casts a guaranteed hit curse on the target's soul, cooldown thirty minutes, consumes 20 Mana Points.

Ethereal Wraith! Indeed, a class change. The growth limit for the three basic troops is Commanding level, it seems the final class change must be after reaching Commanding level.

A new curse skill added, along with the undead race's traits, definitely a powerful combatant.

"Arthur, you continue leveling up. I'll practice here a bit longer."

"You go back to the castle and strengthen yourself at the Blackwater Altar."

Alex instructed the figures before her, Arthur and the Ethereal Wraith.

"Yes, my queen."

Arthur and the Ethereal Wraith flew away, the Necromancer heading towards the castle, while Arthur chose to delve deeper into the Dark Forest, opting to stay by Alex's side.