Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 842: Entering the Ruin [2]

The gathering took place within the central assembly tent of the Lionheart encampment.

Michael stood among the group with Arianne, Renn, and Uga nearby.

Around them were other young elites of the kingdom.

The prince.

The academy geniuses.

Several noble heirs.

Favored disciples.

Every single one carried status, power, or both.

At the front stood the one addressing them.

An elderly mage.

Robes of deep blue layered with silver inscriptions marked his seniority within the kingdom’s magical order.

Yet despite his rank, he did not dare speak arrogantly.

His posture was straight, but his tone remained cautious.

Everyone present stood above him in either status, talent, or backing.

Was it the favored daughter of Duke Evermoon?

Was it the famed trio spoken of throughout the capital, Sir Mic, Sir Renn, and the beast man Uga?

Or was it the prince himself?

Or the academy’s most celebrated geniuses?

Any one of them could not be treated lightly.

So the old mage chose his words carefully.

"The last of the factions granted access to the ruin have arrived," he said, voice steady but respectful. "Which means the time for exploration has finally come."

Murmurs stirred lightly across the gathering.

Anticipation.

Excitement.

Wariness.

"The ruin itself carries a restriction," the mage continued. "One you are all already aware of."

His gaze swept across the young nobles.

"Only those below the age of thirty may enter."

No one reacted strongly.

They already knew.

"But this restriction also confirms something else," he added.

"A high probability that this ruin is an inheritance-type ruin."

That drew sharper focus. Though they had already been briefed back home about the possibility, it did not make the news any less exciting.

Inheritance ruins were vastly different from natural ruin spaces.

They were built with intention.

Left behind with purpose.

It could be power techniques, treasures, or legacies meant for successors.

"Unfortunately," the old mage continued, voice lowering slightly, "due to the method used to forcefully open the ruin space..."

His expression grew more solemn.

"This is not a ruin that can be entered repeatedly."

The atmosphere shifted.

More serious now.

"This expedition may be your only opportunity to enter before access is lost permanently."

Several nobles straightened subconsciously.

"The spatial structure has already destabilized due to external interference during the forced breach. Maintaining the gate requires continuous effort from multiple kingdoms."

He paused briefly before concluding.

"With the combined efforts of all allied factions, it is estimated the ruin can be stabilized for three days."

Three days.

Not long.

"You are to ensure you exit before this time limit regardless of circumstance."

His gaze hardened slightly.

Silence settled across the gathering.

The weight of finality hung heavier than the earlier pressure from the imperial ship.

The mage inclined his head slightly in respect.

"Prepare yourselves accordingly. Once entry begins, extraction will be your own responsibility."

Michael listened silently.

He had already begun adjusting his plans before the mage even finished speaking.

Beside him, Renn exhaled quietly.

Uga cracked his knuckles with visible anticipation. He was not really bothered about treasures. He just hoped it would be fun.

After his awakening, thanks to his last battle with Michael, he had not been able to go all out or test his limits again.

The elderly mage waited until the murmurs faded.

Then he lifted his voice again, careful and measured, as if every word had to be placed properly.

"As previously discussed," he said, "for the sake of your safety, you will enter in groups of five."

His gaze swept the gathering.

"Three groups. Five people each."

No one looked shocked.

If anything, most of them looked like they had expected this structure from the beginning.

The mage continued.

"The ruin space is unstable. If something goes wrong inside, scattered individuals will likely face difficulty. Groups allow support, recovery, and coordinated retreat."

He paused, then spoke the next part with even more caution.

"Group One will be led by Sir Mic."

Several eyes shifted subtly.

"Alongside him will be the Tenth Prince leading Group Two, and Senior Disciple Kaelen Voss of the Royal Academy leading Group Three."

Kaelen Voss.

A name that carried weight among the young generation.

Michael did not react outwardly. He did not even know this Kaelen.

The Tenth Prince, however, narrowed his eyes slightly, then quickly smoothed his expression back into a neutral mask.

The mage lowered his gaze to the list again.

"And Lady Arianne Evermoon will be assigned to Group One as well."

Arianne did not move.

She simply stepped a fraction closer to Michael’s side.

Michael was not surprised.

If anything, he felt it was inevitable.

The Duke’s hand was all over this.

The mage continued calling names.

"Sir Renn Noah will be assigned to Group Two, under the prince’s faction."

Renn’s expression remained calm.

Michael was not surprised by that either.

As the disciple of an imperial pillar, Renn was now linked to the royal family whether he liked it or not.

Politics did not care about personal preference.

Renn did not make a sound.

But his eyes flicked briefly toward Michael, then returned forward.

Then the mage called the next name.

"Sir Uga will be assigned to Group Three."

The moment those words left the mage’s mouth, Uga’s head snapped up.

His eyes widened.

Then narrowed.

"What?"

His voice was not loud, but it carried.

A few nobles stiffened.

Some looked annoyed.

Others looked uncomfortable.

Uga took one step forward, aura swelling instinctively, raw and heavy.

"I go with pretty boy."

Michael’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Renn’s brows drew together.

They both took half a step forward at the same time.

"Uga," Renn said quietly, warning in his tone.

But Uga did not care about warning tones.

His gaze locked on the mage.

"No. I go with him."

The mage’s face tightened from fear.

He was not a fool.

Uga was a monster in human skin.

Even if the man behaved like a simple-minded child at times, his strength was not simple.

Before the situation could worsen, Michael spoke.

"Uga."

Uga’s head turned immediately.

Michael held his gaze.

"You’ll be fine."

Uga frowned.

Michael’s eyes did not change.

"We will meet inside."

Renn added quietly, "You can still fight him after. If you behave."

Uga hesitated.

The anger on his face twisted into something confused, then reluctant.

He scratched his cheek hard, like he was trying to scratch away the irritation.

"...After," he muttered again.

Then he stepped back.

The tension eased, but not completely.

Michael and Renn exchanged a brief look.

Neither of them liked this.

Uga was strong.

Placed among nobles who might view him as a weapon, he could easily become a tool.

Or worse, become a target for manipulation.

Michael’s gaze drifted toward the nobles assigned to Uga’s group.

Most of them quickly looked away.

Some looked uneasy.

One or two looked calculating.

Michael’s expression remained flat.

But a cold thought settled behind his eyes.

I can only hope they are not foolish.

And I can only hope Uga is wise enough to navigate the situation.

The mage cleared his throat softly, regaining control as he mentioned more names.

"The groups are set," he said. "You will enter in order. Each group will be given a short window before the next follows."

His gaze hardened slightly.

"Remember. Three days. Do not lose track of time. If the ruin begins to collapse, you leave immediately."

He lowered his head in respect once more.

"Prepare yourselves."