Level Up Legacy

Chapter 1456: The Sovereign of Death - Part 9

Inside the Death Palace's infinite corridors, a tall armored man was walking. He had pale skin, red eyes, and a missing half of his head. His armor radiated a ghastly aura that made the plants in the palace wither, but they too would recover just like the rest of the undead.

The man's unhurried pace led him to a large set of doors, which he pushed without hesitation. It led him to a large hall with a throne in the far distance, but unlike normal courtrooms, the throne was not facing the audience, but a large fireplace.

"Your loyal servant is here, my lord," the man said as he abandoned all his domineering pride and knelt on the ground. "I pray the heavens and earth fear you as always."

"Rise, Severis," a voice, deep and hoarse, echoed from the throne. The blue flames flickered, letting the throne cast a giant shadow that encompassed the hall, a symbol of all those present being in the shadow of the sovereign.

"Thank you, my lord," Severis said as he rose from the ground, his armor's pieces clanking against one another. "May I ask about what I have been summoned to do? Your wishes are my commands, my lord."

"A man is coming in an hour," the Sovereign of Death said, his voice bouncing off the walls and clutching Severis like a fist. "He is stronger than you are."

"A man stronger than me?" Severis asked, his half-face enough to convey his surprise. "But I am your greatest soldier, my lord. How can that be?"

"That man's strength is unquestionable," the Sovereign said, "but I need you to challenge him — let him reveal his strength. I want to witness the power that is only unique to him."

"And if I kill him in the process?" Severis asked. His voice shook slightly, revealing his disregard regarding the man's strength. "I don't like to hold back, my lord."

"I'm asking you to do the opposite," the Sovereign said. "I'm asking you… not to die."

"Die?" Severis asked, as the word was foreign to him. If there was one thing that their army didn't fear, it would be death. "How is it possible to kill what's already dead?"

"Life, death, and everything in between are irrelevant to this man," the Sovereign said, as the flames rose harder. "He is the beginning and the end. He is the sword that creates and annihilates."

"I can't say I understand," Severis said as he bowed his head. "Who is this man, my lord? What is his purpose? How am I supposed to stop him?"

"You will learn all of that when you face him," the Sovereign said. "But fear not, my dear, for this man is not here to disrupt, but to heal the wounds of this realm."

Severis was once again confused, but the flames in the fireplace extinguished, letting darkness reclaim the courtroom. The throne was now empty, and Severis could no longer inquire about the man in question.

He turned around and left the courtroom. The long corridor no longer seemed enough for him to gather his thoughts before reaching the group awaiting his lord's orders, relayed by his First General, Severis.

Four humanoid undead monsters rose from their chairs as soon as Severis walked into the room, and their heads hung low until Severis sat in his chair at the head of the table. He gestured for them to sit, and they did not hesitate.

"Is there something wrong, sir?" asked a small boy, no older than eight, who resembled a human child. The only anomaly about him was his red eyes, white skin, and two large blood wings.

Severis was still unable to explain the situation to the group.

"It's the first time that the Sovereign summoned us all," a hollow armor of a knight added, bigger than the rest, but headless. "It must be a grave matter."

"Can it be related to the threat we received a year ago?" a woman asked, in her thirties, with beautiful black hair with a white streak. She had two heads, and the other was of an identical face with white hair and a black streak.

"It has to be," a skeleton said, wearing violet robes with violet flames in his eye sockets. Lights danced around his fingers. "I can feel it… a great battle is coming."

"His orders do not address the threat that we are about to face," Severis said, interrupting the group. No one said a thing as they all turned to look at him. "This matter seems… more important."

"More important than the fate of this realm?" the woman with white hair asked.

"I have to agree with Velthera," the lich said. "I believe that whatever matter arises is less important than the battle to come. My astral magic can feel their presence approaching us."

"You've always been the coward of the group, Vorathis," said the sentient armor with a hard laugh. "If Sir Severis says that it's more important, then we just have to accept it."

"That's right," the child-like fiend said. "When did we ever question our First General?"

"I understand your concerns or questions," Severis said with a deadpan expression. "But our lord's orders are absolute. The current matter takes priority over all of us. We will await further orders regarding the incoming threat, Vorathis."

"Like Nyxiel said," the lich added. "It's not the time to start asking questions. My army and I will do as you command, Sir Severis."

"What is expected of us?" asked the woman with black hair.

"Everyone will remain in their own towers. The keys to reach the central towers will remain in your possession."

"We are expecting visitors?" Vorathis asked.

"My lord has warned me of a man," Severis said. "Stronger than any of us, but not as threatening as the threat we are facing. It seems that my lord wishes… to make him join us."

"Join us? The Five Generals never had a sixth!" the armor said as he slammed the table.

"Remember your place, Calveran," Severis said with displeasure. "The Sovereign of Death didn't mention adding him to our group. Instead… he talked about him as an equal."