Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 841: Entering the Ruin [1]

Never would Michael have expected that after more than half a year since his awakening, he would finally encounter another awakener.

Well, he still did not know this.

Subconsciously, to a certain extent, Michael’s mind had grown comfortable. He was used to seeing himself as the only awakener he knew of in the past months so no immediate suspicion of someone’s identity would shift in that direction for him.

That was usually how it was for other awakeners as well. It was not common for one to reveal their identity in the early stages of their exploration, especially with the warnings they had received before awakening, even if those warnings were limited. Usually, after settling down for a period of time in their new identity, it became incredibly harder for them to expose themselves as otherworlders, even to their fellow kind.

Michael just happened to suffer a case of being known in the outside world by someone who coincidentally belonged to his generation too.

Fortunately, this person had no intention of exposing Michael’s existence.

Not everyone was like Princess Priscilla, who already had some understanding of otherworlders.

But that did not mean awakeners could afford to be any less cautious.

Even if their Path became harder to progress similar to other power systems, awakeners still possessed an undeniable edge.

Because of that, no one could say what would happen if someone with ill intent learned of their identity.

Would they be studied?

Controlled?

Eliminated before they could grow?

Or worse, used?

The possibilities were endless, and none of them were comforting.

That was why most awakeners preferred not to expose themselves even if they were enemies.

After ignoring the prince and his attendant, Michael withdrew his gaze first. He did not care enough to continue the silent exchange.

"They should be heading to their faction zone by now," he said calmly. "We should do the same."

No one disagreed.

Arianne guided her Flame Lion forward at once. Renn and Uga followed without comment, and Michael walked beside them in quiet ease. Several other young nobles from the Lionheart Kingdom naturally gathered along the same path, forming a loose procession toward their designated encampment.

It did not take long for them to arrive.

Banners bearing the Lionheart crest fluttered above a reinforced perimeter. Guards stood stationed at each boundary point, their armor reflecting the green light spilling from the distant portal.

Michael’s gaze swept the area once.

And then he saw a face he particularly did not find pleasing.

Not hated.

But far from welcome.

The Tenth Prince.

The prince noticed him almost at the same time.

Unlike Michael, whose expression remained flat and unreadable, the Tenth Prince’s face visibly soured the moment their eyes met.

It was not hatred.

Not quite.

It was something more instinctive.

Michael was one of the few people the prince had encountered who made him feel an irrational urge to punch them on sight.

He did not even fully understand why. Maybe it was because Michael was the first person who had insulted him in front of so many influential people. Even his brothers did not do that, nor had they tried it with him.

Or perhaps it was Michael’s calmness toward him, as if his title as a prince of the kingdom held no importance whatsoever.

Whatever the reason, irritation stirred whenever he saw him.

Unfortunately, the prince was not foolish.

He knew very well there was a strong possibility that Michael’s guardians, beings whose ranks were not weaker than his imperial aunt, were present somewhere nearby.

And so he ignored him.

He turned his head away as if Michael was no more significant than passing scenery. He knew he could do nothing, so why bother frustrating himself?

Michael also looked away, unbothered.

For a few seconds, silence settled between the four of them as they moved deeper into the Lionheart encampment.

Then Renn spoke.

"It seems you’ve left quite an impression," he said lightly from beside Michael.

Michael glanced at him once. "On who?"

Renn’s lips curved faintly. "The prince."

"My teacher is one of the kingdom’s pillars," he said. "Yet in the prince’s eyes, that only earns me a brief acknowledgment."

His tone remained even.

"But you..."

"You make him reveal emotion."

Michael’s expression did not change.

Arianne’s mouth twitched. Neither commented.

Uga tilted his head. "Emotion bad?"

They collectively ignored the big guy as Michael shook his head faintly.

"I didn’t do anything."

"That might be the problem," Renn replied.

Arianne looked away to hide the faint curve threatening her lips.

Michael ignored them both.

"We should look for where to stay," he said instead, shifting topics with deliberate indifference.

His gaze swept across the encampment.

Several tents had already been claimed, but many remained empty and unused. Likely reserved for participants who were just arriving, since Michael could see the nobles they came with going to claim one for themselves.

"There," Michael said, nodding toward a cluster slightly to the right of the main command pavilion. "Less traffic."

Renn followed his line of sight and nodded.

Arianne guided her Flame Lion in that direction without hesitation.

Uga walked casually beside them, glancing around like a child exploring new territory.

Upon reaching their location, the four individually chose their tents after agreeing to gather three hours later if there was no call for assembly.

However, the group was only able to rest for about two hours before they were called to gather alongside the other nobles.

Including their group of four, a quick count showed that fifteen nobles were to enter the portal from the Lionheart Kingdom.

The number was bigger than Michael had expected, making him wonder what cost had been paid.

In any case, it was not his concern. Though he had gotten here by condition, it did not change the fact that he did not belong to the wishes of others, and he had obtained this opportunity for free.

Hopefully, the notion that free things were the worst did not apply to this ruin.