**Chapter Seventeen: Resolve**
The atmosphere was charged with an overwhelming intensity as Lord’s presence loomed, a force so dark and potent that even the undead recoiled. Ruu, the slave bound to his will, wore a face twisted in anxiety, more so than ever before, as she assisted in the grim experiments dictated by Lord.
Meanwhile, my actions remained unchanged. I did not engage in combat training; I simply followed Lord’s orders, gathering the essence of death.
The second package I received from Haiku contained the same sinister black fangs as before. What on earth was their purpose? I had no knowledge of it, but I had done everything within my power. Now, all that remained was to leave my fate to chance.
The necromancer and the Order of the Final Knights. Lord and Senri. Which side would ultimately prevail?
Regardless of how things unfolded, the situation was bound to change. I could feel the tension gnawing at my mind. Would I be able to survive this hellish ordeal, this situation with such low odds of victory?
After the hunt, Lord unusually summoned me, his voice grave.
“End. We shall conduct the ritual. Once completed— you will become the strongest. The strongest— the King of the Dead.”
“The strongest… what do you mean?”
My question stemmed from the depths of my being. What did it mean to be the strongest? Would performing this ritual truly grant me power greater than that of a First-Class Knight, who possessed unfathomable, superhuman strength? Would I be able to overwhelm Senri and those knights of the apocalypse? Would I be able to live peacefully, free from the shackles of others?
However, Lord did not answer my inquiry. With a gleam of cruel delight in his eyes, he spoke as if to himself, not seeking my understanding.
“However, for that, you must undergo a mutation into a ‘Dark Stalker.’ No, it is essential. You are undoubtedly the finest specimen among the undead I have handled thus far, but as a Shiki… you are far too weak. Originally, I intended to wait for you to mutate into a ‘Lower Vampire’ and assess your potential before proceeding, but with the First-Class Knights closing in, I cannot afford to wait. It is fortunate that you are the last undead I have, End.”
‘A Lower Vampire.’
As one progresses through the ranks of mutation, the energy required becomes immense, making further mutations increasingly difficult. For me, who had yet to become a ‘Dark Stalker,’ such a transformation still felt far off.
According to Lord, my mutation speed was abnormal. If we assume his words to be true and that he had long desired to create this King of the Dead, it was indeed a long and arduous path ahead.
Perhaps he had not slept much, as his voice carried a hint of feverish urgency.
“Your soul continues to descend into darkness. Understand, ‘Dark Stalker’… there is still time. My ‘Exorcist’s Labyrinth’ will not be so easily breached. End, kill! Kill with all your might! Gather death with fervor! Feast upon the corpses and taint the souls!”
“…Ah, of course.”
My emotions remained steady, and I replied in a calm manner. In my heart, Horos Carmen was an absolute enemy. It was well known that the rituals conducted by necromancers seldom led to anything good.
“Damn it, time is of the essence… they will come when the undead are weakest— during the day. Do not let your guard down.”
“I do not need to be told.”
“Very well. End, return to the sanctum!”
Even at such a moment, Lord did not neglect to give orders.
With a mix of admiration and resignation, I obeyed and returned to the sanctum. Ruu, who had been assisting Lord in the laboratory, glanced my way, but we did not hold eye contact for long before she turned away. Our transaction had already concluded.
I still had a trump card left. Though I had used it once, eight or nine times out of ten, Lord had not noticed.
The familiar owl familiar was watching me intently. Lord had said there was still time, that we had a little longer. But that was a mistake.
There was no time left. For Lord and for us, time was running out. I had already made my resolve. My opponent would also come prepared. The only one unready was Lord.
—
Two days later, at an unusual hour, Lord arrived, flanked by countless Skeleton Knights, his expression one of palpable fury. It was roughly the time I had anticipated. Without needing to hear his voice, I understood what had transpired as Lord spoke in a voice laced with unfathomable anger.
“The Order of the Final Knights has arrived. Too soon… Damn it! The ‘Exorcist’s Labyrinth’ is not functioning. Has Haiku betrayed us? No, that is the only conclusion I can draw; after all, they are merchants! Did they sell me out for gold!?”
“…”
Ruu was bound by orders. I, as her overseer, was present. Even Lord seemed to have no suspicion of such a slave. His eyes shone with fierce determination.
“Fortunately, it seems there are no First-Class Knights among them. We have no choice but to repel them. Even if we wanted to set up a barrier for time, we lack the luxury. The ritual is incomplete. They are— right at our doorstep. Ah, very well. Let these hypocrites who seek to thwart my long-held ambition witness the secrets of my necromancy!”