Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 220 Secret Report: Temporary Departure from Molten City
No sooner had [Night Whisper] left than [Rotten Bag] instructed his trusted confidant to take a secret document and leave the "Witch's Ring".

He had already made up his mind.

[Rotten Sac] Greedy, but by no means stupid. On the contrary, he is far more astute in the ways of the world than most of his contemporaries in the Land of Exile who only know how to manipulate bones and curse.

He saw the farce at the council meeting clearly. Many mages in the "Witch's Ring" were already harboring their own ulterior motives. As for the flawed investigation results of that assassination, well, probably very few people would believe it.

But most people would choose wise silence and continue to eke out a living in the shadow of the "gravedigger".

This is the harsh reality!

But [Rotten Sac] was different. What he was thinking hard about was how to find his own opportunity in this matter and bite off the fattest piece of meat.

"Fools, you're all fools! I don't want to die with you!"

He muttered under his breath, it was unclear whether he was talking about "the gravedigger," "night talk," or both.

Indeed, the "gravekeeper" is power-hungry and autocratic, blocking everyone's path to wealth for his own selfish reasons; [Night Talk] is still indignant, hesitant, and even carries a trace of idealistic pain regarding the truth of the assassination incident;

The dim-witted [Red Eye] has become a scapegoat for some mastermind; while the remaining mages are still in a daze, hoping for a cooperation that may never be achieved!
Only the clever [Rotten Sac] made arrangements long ago.

He hadn't been idle at all during this time. After Ye Yu finished calculating the accounts for the first cooperation plan for him, he looked at the substantial profits and immediately took action.

Using his old acquaintances and connections, Fei Yu went north and contacted some big shots in the northern mercenary circle to learn more about the situation in that vast desert.

The feedback he received was fragmented, but it was enough to help him develop a clear understanding.

This lord was not the foolish, rich, and arrogant young playboy he had initially imagined; rather, he was unfathomable.

As a pioneering lord, he established himself in the chaotic and treacherous northern lands where various races were deeply entrenched, while simultaneously maintaining good relations with orcs, humans, elves, and half-orcs.

There were even rumors that the Divine Kingdom, as an enemy of Emerald, was actually protecting Emerald's subordinate territory.

Although rumors may not be accurate, [Rotten Sac] knows that they are usually not completely unfounded.

How could such a lord be a simple character?
The assassination attempt further confirmed his judgment.

Chen Mo's astonishing protective measures and his incredibly young personal bodyguard, a high-level greatsword master whose exact assessment has yet to be determined, turned what was clearly a meticulously planned ambush by the higher-ups of the "Witch's Ring" into a suicide trap!

All these conflicting pieces of information combined shattered the last vestiges of [Rotten Sac]'s hesitation.

He made up his mind that he had to find a way to befriend this lord and get on his good side.

What a load of bull! What a bunch of "councilors"! They're nothing compared to real power!
Indeed, no one expected that the person who knew Chen Mo best and had the most accurate understanding of him in the entire "Witch's Ring" was actually this greedy fat man.

So, while [Night Whisper] was still racking his brains over how to give Chen Mo a "fair" explanation and sorting out the seemingly true investigation materials, [Rotten Bag] had already quietly sent a humbly worded secret letter to Chen Mo's temporary residence through his confidant.

In the letter, he used the most humble and earnest words to express his "shock" and "indignation" at the assassination attempt, his "heartfelt joy" at the fact that his distinguished guest was able to escape unharmed, and he pointed out very subtly that there were other hidden reasons behind the incident, and that there were undercurrents beneath the surface.

Finally, he cautiously suggested that if the adults were willing to give him the opportunity, he hoped to explain the ins and outs, the causes and consequences, to the adults in person.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Upon receiving the secret message from [Rotten Sac], Chen Mo read it carefully twice, a playful expression appearing on his face.

Doyle, standing nearby, frowned slightly and offered a timely reminder: "My lord, when I've dealt with the mages of the 'Eternal Sleep Hut' quite a bit, they've mentioned the members of the various councils. [Rotten Sac] has a terrible reputation in the Exiles, known for his insatiable greed. His sudden show of kindness is probably a trap."

Chen Mo smiled and lightly flicked the smooth letter paper with his finger: "Greed? Greed is a good thing. Undisguised greed is a kind of contract. It means that his stance can be measured by price, and his 'truth' can be bought with gold coins."

"I actually prefer dealing with people like [Rotten Sac], because I'm rich!"

"Let's meet him and hear what he has to say."

Not long after the assassination attempt, under the watchful eyes of many, both overt and covert, this "forgetful" young master once again swaggered out with his swordswoman maid, a sight too intimidating to behold.

This time, their itinerary included visiting the unique industry of the Exile – the "Sewing Workshop" – and carefully browsing through several shops.

To prevent a recurrence of assassinations like the one at the market, all the shops closed their doors to customers while the young master was in attendance, treating it as a major crisis, and no outsiders were allowed to enter.

Under this cover, in one of the skeleton repair workshops, Chen Mo met [Rotten Sac] who was waiting alone there.

The monk had clearly dressed up carefully, wearing a simple monk's robe. The tight fabric accentuated his bulky figure. As soon as Chen Mo and the other person entered, he immediately sprang up from his chair as if he had a spring attached to him. His agility and obesity created a comical contrast.

[Fu Nang] had a smile that was almost fawning on his face. He bowed deeply and greeted them, "It is an honor to have such a distinguished guest! Please, have a seat!"

"The lord is exceptionally handsome and admirable, and the lady's swordsmanship is superb and her demeanor is unparalleled. Here is a small token of our appreciation!"

The gifts prepared by [Rotten Sac] were indeed quite thoughtful: several crystals containing pure dark energy, a bottle of solution that can strengthen bones, and a box of "ghost moss" that comes from deep in the valley, has a strange taste but is said to be able to refresh the mind.

Its main features are exquisite craftsmanship and local specialties, but the prices are not expensive!
After presenting the gift, he first condemned "Red Eyes'" insane behavior with great sorrow, and then changed the subject, intentionally or unintentionally revealing the internal strife within the council.

From his words, Chen Mo learned about the origin and lineage of the "tomb keeper." The information he had previously received was too one-sided, and he had always thought that the "tomb keeper" meant the same thing as his family's chief executive.

"Ah, to be honest, my lord!"

[Rotten Sac] lowered his voice, his face filled with helplessness and indignation: "We can all see that the plan you proposed is a genuine attempt to help those slave laborers and also to find a good path for the Land of Exile. You don't know how excited everyone was the day the news came out!"

He pointed to the sky: "But...the one up there...sigh..."

The mage, 【腐囊】, handled the situation very well. He didn't mention anyone specifically, nor did he make any concrete accusations. However, Chen Mo still managed to piece together an image of a ruler who was "hereditary," "darkly autocratic," "seeking immortality," and "corrupt and decadent" from the other party's words.

Thank you for your honesty!

From the moment he entered the room, Chen Mo didn't eat a single snack or drink a drop of tea. For the most part, he simply watched the performance of [Rotten Sac] with his deep gaze, nodding occasionally but hardly uttering a word.

Seeing that [Rotten Sac] had entered a stage of stammering and making small talk, Chen Mo finally spoke up.

"Actually, I don't care at all about the internal systems of your Exile, how you manage, or who's in power. My principle is simple: if we can cooperate, we will; if not, there are plenty of professionals in the North willing to serve me!"

"If it weren't for the fact that I myself am a necromancer, and I had a tough journey to get where I am, I would know how difficult it is for low-level necromancers, and I just wanted to do my part to help them out!"

"Otherwise, how could I possibly offer such generous terms?"

[Rotten Sac] nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's the point."

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Excellency is merciful, you are absolutely right!" Then, Chen Mo changed the subject.

"However, there is one thing I must figure out."

"Who is it that launched such a despicable attack on me, intending to kill me and my companions?"

[Rotten Sac] swallowed hard, subconsciously glancing at the tightly closed doors and windows, the empty room, and then at the young lord opposite him who had a smile on his face but cold eyes.

And the little girl who had already squinted her eyes and was gently shaking her fingers.

"My lord, please listen to me..."

A dozen minutes later, Chen Mo and Liu Shuang left the skeleton repair shop.

A faint smile graced the lord's face, and at his feet appeared a lively little creature—a skeletal dog no bigger than a palm, with crystal-clear bones.

This is a specialty of the Skeleton Restoration Center under the name of [Rotten Sac]. This little skeleton dog seems to have retained a trace of its former spirit, happily circling around Chen Mo's ankle, its upper and lower jaws opening and closing, making a slight "click" sound, eerie yet playful.

Back at his residence, Chen Mo began making arrangements overnight.

Another day later, after much deliberation, [Night Whisper] finally arrived with the council's "official explanation."

His face was weary, and his eyes held a deep sense of powerlessness. He presented the results of the investigation into the entire matter: the head of the [Red-Eyed] mage, compensation of magical materials and gold coins, and the "gravekeeper's" special permission for Chen Mo to recruit twenty mages and forty undead creatures.

Chen Mo glanced at the distorted face and wide-open eyes of the head, then calmly walked to the window and looked out at the perpetually gray sky of the Valley of Exile.

“【Night Whisper】Master, I am very disappointed.”

"An organization that once claimed to uphold the last lineage of the Summoning School and rescue fallen necromancers has actually turned into this."

“As I walked through the valley, I saw the dark and sunless cages, the despair of those shack monks. They did not die outside, but could only slowly rot in the valley. The place of exile had become a huge tomb.”

"In the past, you buried those low-level mages; now you're trying to bury friends like me. In the future, you'll be the ones who bury yourselves."

Chen Mo's tone carried a hint of sarcasm: "You're trying to fool me, but it doesn't matter anymore. My patience has run out, and I've decided to leave!"

“Back then, the great sages created this dwelling place for the dead. I believe that those who truly desecrate this tradition will surely be punished by the sages!”

The young lord gently lifted the box containing the head of [Red Eyes] with his mage's hand and casually tossed it aside. The wooden box opened, and the head of [Red Eyes] rolled on the ground, attracting the attention of the miniature skeleton hound.

The little guy rushed over with his short legs and started playing with the "toy ball" that was bigger than himself.

Ye Yu opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn't say anything. She just sighed deeply, bowed, and left dejectedly.

Lord Chen Mo then packed his bags and left the misty valley with all sorts of items he had purchased from the Land of Exile.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The "Molten City" of the Silver Duchy is where the old dwarf Master Norton Ironbrows once lived in seclusion, and it is also a renowned city of artisans.

Because of its proximity to iron ore deposits and its excellent geothermal resources, this place attracted a large number of dwarf artisans to settle here.

From a distance, the Molten City is deeply embedded in the bosom of a massive mountain range called "Fire Mountain." The entire city is less a construction project than a carving out of the depths of solid rock.

"Mountain of Blazing Flames" is an active volcano! In other words, the City of Molten Fire is a city embedded in an active volcano.

Steam and a faint smell of sulfur swirled around the city walls. Looking into the distance, Chen Mo once again felt the immense power of the universe, belonging to the magical realm, emanating from the Starry World.

Of course, I also got to experience once again the unique charm of the Silver Kingdom's "unbelievable extravagance" and "curiosity."

Above the entire city, three giant magic arrays swirl. One is a wind-type deflection array. If the "Mount Blaze" erupts, the wind array will be activated and form a super hurricane running from east to west over the entire city. It will sweep all the materials spewed from the mountain's belly—magma, debris, volcanic ash, or anything else—around the city, preventing a single pebble from falling on the city of molten lava.

At the entrance to the city, six 15-meter-high reliefs and two magic stone slabs repeatedly depict the spectacular moment in history when this magic circle was activated.

The second one is a force field array, which is equivalent to a super-large-scale mage's hand. Once activated, it will form a solid, arched air wall above the city.

In theory, before the spirit crystals in the magic circle are exhausted, any volcanic ejecta that splashes out will be ruthlessly intercepted outside the city.

The first two magic arrays have historical records of use, but the third magic array is quite mysterious. Not only has it never been used, but even its existence is a topic of endless debate.

According to old man Norton, if a continuous, prolonged, and incessant volcanic eruption were to occur, the wind magic array and the defensive magic array would eventually be exhausted. In such a dangerous situation, the "Molten City" could still retreat tactically.

Yes, literally, the entire city ran away.

After hearing the story of this city from Norton, Chen Mo decided that he had to visit it during his trip to the Silver Duchy, no matter what.

Norton Ironbrow's only child left here, let's call him Little Norton, was waiting at the door early to welcome his father's new lord.

This was a middle-aged dwarf with a generous and honest personality, just like his father. He answered every question along the way and was always willing to share his knowledge. Under his guidance, Chen Mo was able to get a glimpse of the "City of Molten Fire".

Stepping through the city gate, a breathtaking view unfolds. The city's main structure doesn't spread outwards from the center, but rather spirals deep into the earth, resembling an upside-down conch shell embedded in the rock.

Following the main road on the outskirts of the city, the road spirals downwards and soon enters the mountainous part of the city, where there is a mountain tunnel that is at least 20 meters wide.

Rooms and workshops, as well as magnificent buildings and rock carvings, have been carved into the rock walls on both sides. It seems that the city's administrators have to carve a sculpture on every inch of empty space to satisfy their obsessive-compulsive habit.

What amazed Chen Mo the most was the city's unique "bloodline"—the crimson lava river.

In the trenches on both sides of the road, flowing water was clearly molten lava. Guided by some force, this lava flowed upstream from the depths of the earth, like the crimson veins of the city, slowly flowing in the ditches.

The lava river not only illuminated the sunless mountainside, but also brought scorching flames and surging heat from the depths of the earth to thousands of forges and workshops.

Chen Mo filmed frantically, not wanting to miss any corner.

A rhythmic roar echoed perpetually in the air: the deafening crash of a giant steam hammer striking a red-hot anvil, the dense clanging of hammers large and small striking simultaneously, the hissing of the rotating grinding wheel, and the hissing sound of red-hot metal being released into the cooling pool...

And there were the city guards in their magnificent armor, wielding long halberds; the dwarven artisans, bare-chested, their bronze skin glistening with sweat; the air thick with the pungent smells of metal, lava, grease, and spirits; and the gentle breezes that swept across the main thoroughfare, circulating the air throughout the city…

This is an alternative, wild, industrial beauty that Chen Mo felt his eyes couldn't take it all in.

In the magnificent city lord's mansion nestled deep within the mountain, Chen Mo received a warm welcome from the city lord of Molten City, a local nobleman named Baroque.

(End of this chapter)