Rebirth of the Undead King: Book 2

by Ink Bamboo

  Magnus smiled, happy to be acknowledged by Erin. Before anyone realized it, he extended his hand, stealing an apple from the paladin sitting across from him. Taking a bite, he flashed a mocking smile to the man. His exhaustion made him too lazy to stand up and get some food of his own.

  The initiate paladin’s cheek twitched, but he soon regained control over his expression. It wasn’t worth fighting over food, much less a single apple. Much to his chagrin, however, the rest of his comrades turned to look at him with looks of mockery and derision.

  “Half of your party should return tomorrow,” Magnus instructed, taking a bite of the stolen apple before continuing. “You should report the situation to the cardinal, everything is proceeding as expected. The troops should make their way and wait at the border.”

  One of the initiate paladins nodded his head, finishing what he had on his mouth before answering. “I think the cardinal will be pleased,” he said. “We originally expected the rebels to hesitate some more before taking us up on our offer.”

  “So did I,” said Magnus, finishing the apple in his hands. “The rebels’ greed must be worse than we imagine.”

  The rest of his party nodded at this statement while Erin kept her focus away of the discussion. The topic might have been sensitive but they were casual about it. Magnus had been careful enough to cast a spell blocking others from peeking into their conversation, which they tacitly accepted.

  “I prepared this letter for the cardinal,” said Magnus. “It’s for his eyes only. I expect you to deliver it to him along with your report.”

  “Of course,” said one of the initiate paladins, extending his hand to receive the letter. “We wouldn’t dare to spy on a message addressed to his holiness.”

  Magnus snorted lightly before robbing another paladin of his apple. He knew members of the church were considerably more sly than they let others know. Their current plan was the perfect illustration of that belief.

  “I would like to offer our thanks,” said one of the initiate paladins. “Thanks to this mission’s success, we might get a chance to advance to our full fledged rank.”

  Magnus smiled with the side of his mouth. He didn’t care for the men before him nor their authority within the church. All he cared for was paving the way for Erin to succeed her own mission.

  Nonetheless, it was in his best interest to maintain the charade. “It’s no problem,” he said. “I’m just fulfilling the conditions of my oath.”

  The initiate paladins nodded as if it was only natural to receive that answer. They were partially aware of Magnus’s purpose for serving the church, as well as the limitations behind his actions.

  “However, your mission is far from over,” Magnus reminded them. “We still need to ensure the rebels and Nyx’s army erode each other sufficiently. Only then will we be able to bring this situation to your desired result.”

  To be fair, Magnus didn’t care for whatever damages the church might take from joining the fray. However, the old mage did worry about the risks his granddaughter would be taking. He wouldn’t permit the situation to evolve into one where Erin might be placed into danger.

  “Fair enough,” answered the initiate paladin he had last spoken to. His expression, however, revealed his nonchalant attitude. It was clear that he didn’t consider either Nyx nor the rebels to be worthy opponents.

  Magnus turned to look at Erin, his heart pained by the amount of politics and struggles she would have to live through. “Child,” he said, drawing her attention away from the book she was reading. “Is there something that has been worrying your mind as of late?”

  Erin considered Magnus’s question for a moment before nodding her head. Her answer surprised Magnus who had expected her to dismiss his question as usual.

  “Yes,” said Erin. “I feel we’re being watched constantly.” Her tone was calm, betraying the significance of her words.

  One of the initiate paladins interjected. “My lady, that is most normal in our situation. The folks of this camp see us as both a potential blessing and a dangerous ally. It is possible that their leadership has sent people to keep an eye on us. In fact, we’ve already identified many doing just that. They’re nothing you should worry about.”

  Erin nodded, uninterested by her subordinate’s answer. She had only been answering Magnus’s query.

  On the other hand, Magnus felt strangely interested in Erin’s answer. It was rare for her to point something like that out. Perhaps there was something else they were missing?

  He couldn’t help but scan around with his mana, carefully noting the faces of those looking their way. Despite finding nothing, his instincts told him that there was something else hidden in plain sight.

  I must be growing old, he thought. I’m no longer as sharp as I was on my youth.

  Magnus took a glance at Erin’s face. Her expression was still caught in a frown as she contemplated whether her own worries were significant or not. He couldn’t help but feel his heart soften when he saw the rare fluctuation of emotions in his granddaughter’s visage.

  I guess making some preparations is in order, thought Magnus. What age took in sharpness, it returned in wisdom. Old men like him were still full of tricks. Alas, his trick would have to wait until after his next meeting. Richard was waiting for him.

  ✽✽✽

  Magnus bid farewell to his party, leaving a few instructions behind. After patting Erin’s head one too many times, he made his way to the center of the rebels’ camp.

  He was greeted inside by a couple of familiar faces. Jan, the tactician, and Richard, the rebels’ leader, were both sitting down with frowns on their faces. Both were busy looking at a map, moving small wooden pieces from side to side.

  After a few seconds of staring at them, Magnus finally received Jan’s attention.

  “Oh, sir Magnus, please take a seat.” The old strategist’s face carried no hints of guilt, as if making him wait was part of a complex strategy to undermine his authority.

  Richard displayed the same expression as Jan. He nodded his head in fake apology, “We’re sorry for the wait, Magnus.”

  Magnus moved his head from right to left, placing his discontent to the back of his mind. The vivid image of his recent divinations was enough to offer him comfort. He felt at ease. With a rising hope for Erin’s situation, there were few things that could sour his mood.

  “Magnus,” said Jan, breaking away the mage’s line of thought. “There are some strategic matters we must discuss with you.”

  Magnus rested his hand on the table. His eyes seemed to carry little interest over their request. “What may that be?” he asked.

  Richard looked at him grimly, ignoring the obvious contempt on the mage’s face. “A traitor in your ranks.”

  Magnus’s expression froze. Did I hear that correctly? It took him a second before he could process what Richard had spoken. “Would you mind repeating that?”

  “A traitor,” stated Richard. “Someone who has leaked our attack plans.”

  Magnus’s eyebrows tightened, his expression darkening as he faced Richard. “Do explain.”

  “A few of our spies brought us an interesting report this morning,” said Richard. “Nyx’s military is already aware that we are planning a full out attack. Their troops are assembling, forcefully recruiting mercenaries and hunters, making preparations to move northwards. It seems like they want to battle us on neutral ground in order to avoid damages to the land.”

  “Ridiculous,” said Magnus, indignation filling his face. Ironically, he knew they were right. Eroding their military strength was part of the church’s plan. However, he couldn’t let that truth come to the surface.

  “Your troops could be just as guilty of spreading that information,” said Magnus. “Do you really think there are absolutely no traitors amongst your ranks? Just think about it. You have spies, what makes you think the kingdom doesn’t have a few of their own?.”

  “Impossible,” replied Jan, a smirk of criticis
m on his face. “We have closed the flow of people from our camp and accounted for each of them during these days. We also instructed our watchtowers to monitor the sky and shoot down any birds they see. The only unsupervised party in the whole camp is yours.”

  Magnus knew that last part was a lie. He alone had detected over ten spies in the past week following his team, many of which failed to take the most basic steps to hide their presence. However, it was important to follow into their charade, lest their ‘alliance’ fell through because of such a thing.

  “It doesn’t make sense for my party to disseminate this information,” said Magnus, a look of mockery on his face. “We benefit in no way if the news of our alliance were to be spread.”

  Richard and Jan looked at each other, a knowing look in their face. They knew that it was perfectly plausible for the information leak to come from their side. They had issues with traitors before. After all, aside from the commoners who made up the lower ranks, the rebels were mostly comprised of people fighting for their own benefits. They were rebels, not revolutionaries.

  “Perhaps,” said Jan. “However, as you may understand, this makes us doubt the sincerity of your alliance.”

  Richard nodded, continuing with Jan’s idea as he locked his fingers. “Indeed. Given this situation, we have a few requests to make of you.”

  So that was it, thought Magnus. People in power are all the same, no matter where they come from.

  Jan faced Magnus, a smile tugging at the side of his lips. “We know you planned to lend us the divine weapon only during the course of the battle. Seeing the state of things, however, we think it would be in both of our best interests if you handed it over in goodwill.”

  “Indeed,” said Richard. “We’ve also noticed your condition isn’t the best lately. Perhaps you’re not suited to guard such a valuable object until the start of the war.”

  Weakness, huh? My state might not be the best at the moment, but I’d like to see you try to steal this under my nose. If you’re crazy enough to court death, I guess I can give you a chance.

  A smile crept up the mage’s face as he opened a spatial tear, taking out the rosewood box containing the dark gem. “Is this what you want?” he asked. “Then take it.”

  Magnus had no qualms throwing the box towards Richard and Jan. Without their knowledge, a small imprint had already been recorded on the surface of the object inside. They wouldn’t be able to hide the dark marble from him even if they later decided to go back on their words.

  Jan’s eyes seemed to shine like a pair of stars. His hands swiftly grabbed the rosewood box, storing it away within his robes before Magnus could take it back.

  “I’m glad you have accepted our offer,” he said, a smug grin of satisfaction stretching from ear to ear. “I guess everything was a misunderstanding.”

  Richard nodded, a soft smile returning to his expression. “Yes, forgive us for doubting your friendship. Our alliance with the church means a lot to us.”

  For a moment, Richard felt his political shrewdness was enough to guarantee him any victory. The illusion of power had blinded him to Magnus’s indifference to the situation.

  Magnus, on the other hand, didn’t offer them a response. He stood up, leaving through the same door he had entered earlier, but not without offering them a final warning.

  “Just know that no one you care about should use that weapon. Restrict its use to those you find disposable. The rest you should be able to figure out on your own.”

  Magnus felt no more hesitation after offering Jan and Richard a clue to their own survival. Unlike him, the rebels had no one well versed in the arcane. Those they sent to use the marble would end up paying a great price to make use of its power.

  Richard’s greed would be the demise of the rebels. His nature would push them to their doom. Even without the church’s intervention, their future was already written in stone.

  Good luck, thought Magnus. You will need it.

  Chapter 15

  Deals.

  Days went by without any eventualities for most of the rebels. Everyone was busy getting ready for war. Cooks prepared the rations, blacksmiths sharpened the weapons, and those commoners who had taken on the role of farmers gave their blessings to the troops. Veterans and rookies alike doubled down in their efforts, honing their skills and mentality for the upcoming battle.

  Amro, however, wasn’t taking part in the preparations.

  He sat in a room surrounded by Arkus, Katherine, and Nolan. Both Richard and Jan were absent. The old strategist was busy coordinating the different parts of the rebel army while Richard took care of ensuring the allegiance of their strongest supporters.

  Amro gazed at Arkus quietly. It had been a few minutes since he had been summoned to the room. As to their intentions, Amro could already guess a few. Zaros hadn’t exactly kept a low profile during his stay with the rebels. Partially ignorant of his own strength, the boy had drawn the attention of one too many individuals.

  Fortunately, it was something Amro was prepared to manage. In fact, he was sure he could use it to his advantage.

  After some time, Richard walked through the door, taking a seat alongside the rest of the group. Seeing his arrival, Arkus unlocked his arms and nodded before finally speaking. “Thank you for coming, boy. It must have been hard waiting, but let me introduce you to our group.”

  “No need for that,” said Amro, interrupting Arkus from delivering his introduction. “Everyone amongst the troops knows who you are.”

  Arkus chuckled at Amro’s attitude; power often came with arrogance to match. He could understand why the young man before him behaved the way he did. Of course, he wasn’t truly aware of Amro’s real power, nor his real age.

  “Very well,” said Arkus, “let us explain why we called.”

  A sardonic smile formed on Nolan face as he interrupted Arkus before he could continue. “We were curious about you for many reasons, boy. You probably know your performance is rather outstanding, don’t you? Perhaps even better than our friend’s here.”

  Arkus snorted, slightly bothered by Nolan taking the flow of the conversation away from him. “Nonsense, during my younger years, I…”

  Before he could continue, however, the bronze giant was interrupted once again, this time by Katherine.

  “There, there, Arkus. Look at the boy, he must be tired of waiting, so let us get to the point,” she said, turning to look back at Amro. “Zaros, we value the role a youth like you can have in the future of the kingdom. Unfortunately, there is a lot we don’t know about you.”

  Arkus’s eye twitched. Being interrupted three times in a row was no pleasant feeling. He prepared to speak once again but Richard beat him to it.

  “Say, boy. There is something bothering us. Where exactly do you come from?”

  “From the villages south of this kingdom,” said Amro, referring to his host’s origin. Neither him nor Zaros had any reason to hide such information. “It was but a small settlement in the middle of the forest of Halt.”

  “Was?” asked Richard, successfully noticing Amro’s choice of words.

  Amro nodded, ready to retell the events of that day. The information would eventually come to light and he could earn the rebels cooperation by appearing to be honest with them.

  “Yes, the settlements were raided and burnt to the ground. None were forgiven. All were equal upon death.”

  Nolan frowned, realizing that was a considerable news his own informants had missed. “Who else knows about this?” he asked. It was strange news of such an event could be hidden from the populace.

  “Perhaps no one,” answered Amro. He had no reason to believe anyone aside from Zaros had survived amongst the forest’s residents.

  Richard massaged his temples with his right hand, a frown forming in his face. “My god forsaken brother,” he muttered. “Does his heart know no mercy?”

  Amro smiled, surprised by Richard’s prompt conclusion. “You’re right,” he said, “it was som
ething planned by the ruler of Nyx. His intentions in doing so escape my understanding, however.”

  Hearing that, Nolan frowned in suspicion. “How do you know he was the perpetrator?”

  A boy as young as Zaros shouldn’t be well versed in politics, even more so if he came from the forest’s settlements. After all, people from the forest could rarely brag about having received any education. Of course, he wasn’t aware he just happened to be speaking with one of the oldest existences in his world.

  “Quite simple,” said Amro. “They revealed it shortly before I killed them.”

  Katherine’s eyes went wide, a hint of pity showing in her gaze as she looked at the boy before her. While far from perfect, she was no devil. She was able to feel empathy towards others despite the sheltered circumstances of her upbringing. Alas, that made it much harder for herself to follow along with the plan the rest of the council was planning on executing.

  Nolan, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised by Amro’s answer. He was part of the criminal world, already used to seeing children sink their hands in blood — some had even done so at his request. Unlike Katherine, it only strengthened his resolve to use the boy before him as a disposable pawn.

  Both of them knew the reason behind summoning the young man before them: they needed people to use the divine weapon. After Magnus’s warnings, Jan and Richard had both experimented with the marble before arriving at several conclusions. Each darker than the one before it.

  As the first of many discoveries, they figured out that using the object required people above rank one. Only those able to channel their mana at will could control its powers. More importantly, however, was the fact that those who used the object would later lose control of themselves, slowly losing their mind. Perhaps only those at the level of Magnus were able to use it with little consequence. Thus, they needed people who were disposable to their cause.