Chapter 158 - 53: [Divergent Paths of the Two Systems]

Chapter 158: Chapter 53: [Divergent Paths of the Two Systems]

"Anyway, I have a proposal for this visit. Perhaps you might be interested." Lahador shifted his nether copper rear, sitting up straight as his demeanor grew serious.

"Please, go ahead," Samael replied.

"Your Space Sub-Human followers... are they planning to build an underground colony in the Heart of the Remains?" Lahador asked.

"That has nothing to do with you."

"Don’t be so hostile, Xiaosa!" Lahador laughed awkwardly. "I arrived earlier than you, so I’m practically the big brother here. I can take you under my wing—perhaps you want to protect your Space Sub-Human colony from the disruption of those adventurers?"

"What do you want?" Samael leaned back against the Sword Tomb Throne, his expression unreadable.

TAP TAP. Lahador’s nether copper fingertips gently drummed against the Collins-style Helmet that served as the armrest of his seat. Amidst the faint RUSTLE of his Chain Armor, his gaunt frame slowly leaned forward.

"I can station my Reaper Undead around your territory—around the Rusted Copper Forest and the High Grass Plain—to assist you in guarding this Underground City," he said softly.

This unexpected request caught Samael off guard. He rolled his neck back and forth, turning his helmet as he tried to figure out if he had misheard.

"Please say that again," he said. "I might not have heard you clearly."

"I said, I wish to station my Undead around your territory, around your Underground City, to assist you in guarding it," Lahador repeated.

"Are you trying to use this as an opportunity to surround me?" Samael asked.

"No! Why would you think that? I’m doing this for you, my dear good brother Samael! Didn’t I tell you right when we met that I can watch your back?" Lahador grew agitated, acting as though Samael had deeply wronged him. He blathered on, desperately trying to prove just how much he cared. "I arrived at the Hai Xin Plain before you; I can be your big brother!"

"No, thank you. I didn’t arrive any later than the rest of you did," Samael said instinctively.

"Oh? So you actually arrived three or four months ago as well?" Lahador asked. "If you weren’t in the Heart of the Remains before this, where were you hiding?"

Samael shook his head.

"I won’t agree to your request. It makes no sense for me. Furthermore, I don’t need your assistance in defending the Underground City—in fact, right now, you are the most dangerous potential enemy my Underground City faces."

"How could you say that!" Lahador cried out exaggeratedly. He grabbed the two wing-shaped ornaments on his helmet, putting on a theatrical display of breaking down in absolute heartbreak.

"My goodness. If you used this acting talent to entertain people rather than deceive them, you might be a much easier guy to get along with," Samael calmly observed Lahador’s dramatic fit. "When it comes to these theatrical antics, you and I do have some things in common. It’s just that I prefer to use such methods to liven up the atmosphere and boost morale, not to trick others."

"So, there’s no room for discussion, then?" Lahador dropped his act, his voice returning to its hollow, steady tone.

"I know you harbor ill intentions," Samael replied in the same hollow, steady tone.

A dead silence fell over them. Buzzing echoes softly reverberated within the helmets of the two Monarchs as they gazed at each other from across the border of their territories.

"Very well, then. Good luck to you, Samael." Lahador stood up. The two Corpse Demons that had formed the Scythe-Winged Flesh Seat detached from each other, morphing back into their original states to stand in attendance by his side.

"We will meet again very soon," he chuckled softly, turning to leave.

The Chain Armor Corpse Demons swarmed around the Monarch in his Heroic Spirit Winged Helmet. Dragging heavy scythes and spike-covered Morning Star Hammers, they held their bell-adorned staves high as they turned to depart.

RING RING. The chiming of the bells, accompanied by the slithering of python-like bodies and the CLICK CLACK of arthropod limbs, gradually faded away. However, it was soon drowned out by the loud, penetrating beat of a Nether Bronze Snare Drum.

Samael sat on the Nether Bronze Sword Tomb Throne, silently watching Lahador’s figure disappear into the hazy mist.

The wind had picked up over the past few days, scattering much of the mist. He could faintly see a massive lake within Lahador’s territory. Grotesque shadows swam in its depths, while peculiar, unidentified figures roamed along its shores.

On the Lake Heart Island stood a small, dark fortress built from Molten Stone. Its pitch-black windows and doorways resembled the gaping maw of a giant beast. That was likely Lahador’s "tomb."

"Perhaps I should find some time to visit my other neighbors," he thought. "Maybe I should build a ’tomb’ of my own as well. After all, the ecological operation of the Underground City relies mostly on Magical Beasts and Demonized Plants; the labor of the Undead isn’t very useful here. In the complex Insect Maze, the Undead might even wander out of my jurisdiction and cause unexpected damage.

"Restricting the Undead to the vicinity of a surface ’tomb’ would make them much easier to manage.

"Besides, since everyone has moved into the underground Insect Paths, the surface is completely empty. Adding an extra building there could serve as a landmark for my territory, warning other ambitious Ghost Knights to put away their dangerous thoughts and refrain from making rash moves against the Underground City."

According to Lahador, the Hai Xin Plain was currently suffering from a shortage of corpses, leaving everyone drooling for more. The Exiles in the Underground City might be their primary target—even Lahador’s desire to station his Undead around the Underground City was likely driven by his designs on those very Exiles.

"Samael?" A hand pressed against his shoulder armor.

He slowly turned his head on the heavy Nether Bronze Sword Tomb Throne. Surrounded by Corpse Knights, he met the gray eyes of Talia, who stood beside him.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

"Ah, yes," Samael replied, still deep in thought. "It’s fine. The other Ghost Knights haven’t been here for long either, so their forces aren’t that formidable. I can handle it."

"You’re becoming more and more like a Necromancer Monarch," Talia said.

"Hmm? Am I?" Samael tilted his helmet up. "I want to eat pancakes today. Is the demonized fire in the Molten Stone kiln still burning? I need to borrow a light."