I can’t believe the kind of luck you have , - Kruta said , looking at Zac with wonderment . - One of the greatest inheritances of the Limitless Empire popped up in your backyard? -
Zac wryly smiled . He wondered what Kruta would think if he heard it wasn’t a coincidence . According to the Void Priestess , Ultom had picked him as an inheritor . Without the System’s interference , there wouldn’t have been a contest for seals or any trials .
That alone filled Zac with mixed emotions . It felt a bit like he’d been robbed of his good fortune , while at the same time benefitting him from someone else’s hard work . He ultimately hadn’t done anything to deserve the attention of the Left Imperial Palace . His mother’s clan had somehow found and stolen the bloodline of the Void Emperor for their experiments .
Zac wasn’t a true descendant , and he sometimes likened himself to a thief and an impostor . It was another example of his fate being decided by things outside his control . Ultimately , he’d reached the same conclusion as he had with the Remnants and the System’s interference . He wasn’t in a position to say no to opportunities and power just because he didn’t like how he got them .
Still , that’s a problem , - Kruta frowned . - Just leaving the Ralphi Continent without going through the Heavens is almost impossible . Me reaching the frontier? I can’t see a way . Even if my elders tried to plot a path with the help of porters , I fear the imperial families would catch wind of it . If they’re even sending people into places like the Perennial Vastness in search of tickets , they’re looking high and low . -
Zac nodded , sighing with regret . But then it hit him . Didn’t he know someone who might be able to help?
Have you heard of the Tayn Family or Dynasty? - Zac said . - They should be pretty famous . -
He initially hadn’t thought of this option because of the rules governing the Perennial Vastness , but that had completely changed now that he and Kruta’s confidentiality seals only affected the details of the realm itself .
Pretty famous? That’s the understatement of the century , - Kruta guffawed . - Those lunat— -
Stop , - Zac said with a wave of his hand . - I don’t want to know . -
Ah? - Kruta said , looking at Zac with confusion . - Then why did you bring it up? -
Zac knew he wasn’t being rational , but he really didn’t want to know the details of Iz’s background . Her identity was no doubt terrifying , her unfathomable strength alone was proof of that . Still , Zac felt something would change with their relationship once he learned the specifics of her family . He wanted to hold onto the simple friendship he’d formed with Iz for as long as possible , even if he was sticking his head in the sand .
It’s complicated , - Zac said . - Suffice to say , I’m friends with Iz Tayn . She’s part of the younger generation of that faction . -
Kruta’s expression told him that the clarification was entirely superfluous and that he absolutely knew who Iz was , but Zac powered on .
If you can contact Iz and mention my name , they might help ferry you over to the frontier . They might not , though , or demand something in return . I don’t know . I don’t think Iz would mind , but I haven’t really dealt with anyone else in her family . -
You’re friends with Iz Tayn? - Kruta said , looking at Zac like he’d suddenly grown three heads and six arms . - And you’re not messing with me? Is this some test to have those lun—ahem . To have the esteemed Tayns test my Fate? -
Do I look that bored? - Zac said . - Didn’t you just say you’d die a thousand deaths in pursuit of greatness? -
Not much greatness in getting your whole tribe turned into ash , - Kruta muttered , but he took a steadying breath . - Fine! I’ll have my elder convey the message when I return . I’ll mention your name front , back , and center . If it fails , I’ll just see you inside the trial . -
Sure , - Zac smiled .
I guess we’re done here? - Kruta said . - I can’t believe that bastard extracted all the spirituality from the puppets . Not even the champions are worth their weight as scrap now . -
I know , - Zac said , his intestines twisting at the loss . Then he remembered Sendor’s words and looked at Kruta hopefully . - Do you know how to open Valsa’s Spatial Ring without triggering any seals or traps? -
Kruta answered with a resounding laugh , dashing that idea .
Never mind , - Zac sighed . - Well , there’s at least some good stuff in the castle . -
Kruta nodded , but Zac had one more thing to do before returning . He swept through the battlefield , looting the fallen warriors . He didn’t expect a bunch of deathsworn to carry any wealth worth mentioning , he was more interested in their bodies . Six were damaged to the point he couldn’t motivate the expenditure of Creation Energy , but the others would become the next generation of Einherjar’s elites .
There was a whisper of caution in the back of his head , of the danger of using bodies with such a troublesome providence . But he’d already made the decision . He needed citizens and believed in Sendor’s ability to thoroughly erase any Karmic Threads upon exiting the Cosmic Gallery . If anything , his confidence only increased after seeing Sendor toy with the Planur Supremacy .
What? - Zac said when seeing Kruta’s odd look .
It’s easy to forget you’re also a Draugr when you walk around in your human form , - Kruta said as Zac stowed the final body into his Corpse Sack . - Doesn’t it feel weird , raising your enemies to fight for you? -
Not really , - Zac said after some thought . - I guess it would have been awkward if they retained their memories . The Revenants who awaken don’t mind either . After all , my conflict with these people allowed them to be born . Besides , aren’t you kind of the same , summoning the ghost of your ancestor to help you out? -
That’s different! - Kruta rejected , but his brows slowly scrunched together in thought . - That’s . . . Huh . . . Am I actually a Necromancer? -
I have some Lich techniques if you want them , - Zac laughed , and they set course for Saeward’s Castle . - Let’s see if there are any goodies left . -
62
PARTNERSHIP
Zac and Kruta were exhausted despite Sendor healing their wounds , but the thought of loot brought a spring in their step . It took them thirty minutes to break the arrays , then they carefully harvested the Conflict-attuned flowers and herbs in the garden , not even sparing the Spiritual Soil . It wasn’t every day you found D-grade War-attuned soil , at least not soil that wasn’t sullied by blood and resentment .
Next , they turned to Saeward himself . They hadn’t dared pilfer his remains right away , afraid lingering Tribulation Lightning or remnants of Saeward’s consciousness hid within the puppet . Unfortunately , the metals that were once supposed to hold the consciousness of a Monarch had been reduced to nothing but scorched refuse that crumbled from the slightest amount of exerted pressure .
Zac even doubted the material had ever been as good as whatever Saeward used in his original attempt . Seeing as Sendor had meddled with the power of the Tribulation Lightning , he’d most likely brought the puppet itself down to a reasonable level for the scenario . Still , they managed to gather three fist-sized clumps of mostly unscathed metal Zac estimated to be at Early D-grade , bordering Supreme-quality .
It looked as fragile as paper when faced with Heaven’s wrath , yet Zac wasn’t able to twist it at all when straining . Better yet , it contained a strong attunement to the Dao of Conflict , and there was even a hint of the punishing aura of the Tribulation Lightning locked within .
I want this , ’ Alea’s voice echoed in his mind .