Chapter 47 Entering the Great Alchemist’s Mausoleum

Chapter 47: 47 Entering the Great Alchemist’s Mausoleum

47

Entering the Great Alchemist’s Mausoleum

The Medusas’ mountains looked different when seen from within their territory.

Yun Che realized this as he advanced along the stone path surrounded by enormous rock formations.

Unlike the wilderness regions he had crossed before, there were clear signs of an organized society here. There were passages carved into the mountainsides, platforms built over the cliffs, and small bridges connecting different parts of the mountains. Above all, there were eyes.

As he walked, more Medusas watched him from every direction. Some carried bows, while others held curved spears.

Warriors patrolled the entrances to the caves, while others transported wooden crates, spiritual herbs, and weapons to defensive positions.

No one was smiling. The atmosphere was one of growing tension, and everyone seemed to be preparing for a decisive battle.

The presence of a necromancer within their territory was obviously not something they could easily accept.

But no one attacked him.

Seraphina walked beside Yun Che, accompanied by Lyria. Her posture was much firmer now that they had returned to the territory of her people.

She stopped before a large entrance carved into the mountain.

"We’ve arrived. This is the place."

Yun Che raised his eyes.

"Is this your political meeting chamber? The place where our agreement will be validated?"

"Exactly."

Seraphina took a deep breath.

"My agreement with you needs to be recognized by my mother and the Council of Elders. I can speak on behalf of the royal family, but I cannot commit our entire people on my own."

Yun Che nodded.

"Then let’s find out how much a princess’s word is worth."

Seraphina gave him a sideways glance.

"You’ll discover that it is worth more than you imagine."

"I’m counting on it."

Lyria remained silent. Her round, light-green eyes observed Yun Che for several seconds. She had noticed something important.

He was not there to beg for a chance to enter the mausoleum. He wanted to negotiate his entry.

And that could be more dangerous than someone who simply demanded rewards.

The Medusas’ political meeting hall was located deep within the mountain and appeared enormous.

Natural stone columns supported the ceiling, while small crystalline formations illuminated the surroundings with a soft green light.

At the center was a circular platform surrounded by stone seats, and at the highest point stood a woman.

She appeared to be a little over forty years old. Her body and figure were breathtaking, everything about her rounded, curvaceous, and well-toned.

Her breasts were beautiful, and her elegant neckline revealed a perfect curve. Her waist and buttocks were equally flawless, while her bright green eyes carried a powerful sensual attraction.

Her long green hair fell down her back, blending with dozens of small snakes that moved slowly.

There was authority in her gaze.

She was the Queen of the Medusas.

Around her stood four elders, each possessing a dreamy beauty and such striking sensuality that any man’s jaw would drop and his blood would rush downward.

Each possessed a heavy spiritual presence, far superior to Yun Che’s.

That was because every one of them stood at the peak of cultivation that the secret realm could support. They had reached the summit of their world, far beyond Yun Che’s realm and level.

When he entered, they all looked at him. One of them immediately frowned.

"So this is the necromancer who brought the princess back?"

Seraphina stepped forward.

"This is Yun Che."

The elder narrowed her eyes.

"I asked whether he was the necromancer."

Yun Che answered before Seraphina could speak.

"Yes, I am," he said confidently.

The hall fell silent. The Queen of the Medusas finally spoke.

"I am Ariselle, Queen of the Medusas. Accept my gratitude for rescuing my foolish daughter."

Yun Che slightly inclined his head.

"Gratitude accepted."

There was no excessive formality, nor any attempt to appear submissive. One of the elders immediately noticed.

"He doesn’t seem impressed."

Another replied:

"Or he’s hiding his fear well."

Yun Che merely listened, showing no reaction to the Medusas’ attempts at intimidation. Then Ariselle raised one hand.

"Enough. That is enough."

The elders fell silent. The queen turned her eyes toward Seraphina.

"Tell us what happened. We want to know everything that occurred before you arrived here."

Seraphina glanced at the necromancer before beginning to speak. She explained how she had been captured, the attack, and how Yun Che had freed her.

She spoke about their journey back and, finally, reached the agreement.

"He would escort us back to our territory and also fight on our behalf when necessary."

The queen’s expression did not change at any point as her daughter recounted everything she had experienced along the way. She knew that her daughter had left several important details vague.

"What did you promise him in exchange for saving you and escorting you back to the territory?"

"Entry into the Great Alchemist’s Mausoleum."

One of the elders slammed her hand against the stone.

"Impossible."

Seraphina did not retreat.

"That is what I promised."

"You promised it."

The elder leaned forward.

"Not the Council. As long as I can remember, any decision concerning the mausoleum must be made unanimously by the council, not by some little girl who has not even grown up yet."

Seraphina remained still.

"If I had not made that promise, perhaps Lyria and I would not be alive to discuss this."

The room fell silent.

The queen watched her daughter. There was pride in her eyes as she saw such determination in the way Seraphina confronted the council, but there was concern as well.

"Continue."

Seraphina took a deep breath.

"He also brought information about our enemies. And his undead managed to eliminate two considerable forces belonging to the Lizardmen and Beastmen."

One of the elders turned toward another.

"How many?"

"Two entire regiments."

"Then we do not know the true extent of his strength."

Yun Che finally spoke.

"You may not know, but my accomplishments are clear and were witnessed by the princess."

Every gaze turned toward him.

"Do not confuse things."

The elder stared at him.

"It is not enough, but very well."

"No?"

Yun Che calmly sat down in a chair that had been prepared for him.

"I’m saying that the agreement does not need to depend on my strength."

The queen narrowed her eyes.

"Explain."

"You are being attacked by two races that want something located within your territory. I want to enter the mausoleum. You want to maintain control over your territory."

Yun Che crossed his arms.

"It’s a simple exchange."

One of the elders let out a short laugh.

"Simple?"

"For me, yes."

She became serious.

"You do not understand our situation."

"I understand enough."

Yun Che pointed toward the walls.

"You are moving warriors to the entrances. You are storing supplies. You are preparing defensive positions."

The elders became motionless.

Yun Che continued:

"That means you are expecting another full-scale attack in other words, a war against two races..."

"...and then any additional force is welcome to you, while any secret that can be recovered from the mausoleum could become a trump card to help you in the war that is approaching."

Queen Ariselle finally smiled. It was a small smile, but no one in the hall failed to notice it.