Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

Chapter 536 Absolute Command

Devouring the finest flesh and blood, corrupt monsters known as the Sons of Lyle appeared on this land, like parasitic flowers taking root in the stems of life. These monsters unfurled their wrinkled, fleshy petals, spewing an unbearable stench into the air, malicious sludge dripping down the petals to reveal a dense array of howling missiles within. Four Sons of Lyle emitted roars that sounded like a mixture of weeping and barking, as if celebrating their birth.

“So beautiful…” Mr. Scarlet stood to the side, rubbing his chin as he admired the life-poison composed of this group of deformed freaks.

This thing, which goes far beyond aesthetics, even the members of the Necromancer Figure Company couldn't hide their true feelings and agree with it.

"The Plague Doctor is indeed utterly rotten." If the derivative creation is so bizarre, its creator must be no better.

"Completely mutated flesh and blood, oh, not mutated, but the flesh of an evil god returning to its source. Extremely corruptible, highly regenerative, its attack methods include shadow erosion, mental oppression, magical decay, and assimilation... even its appearance can cause a mental shock." Mr. Crimson clapped his hands.

"If the Plague Doctor's graduation project on flesh and blood consecration were to use this creation as the answer, it would be absolutely perfect. Although relying on innate talent is somewhat of a shortcut, the flesh and blood of the evil god is such an outstanding existence. What a pity..."

Was Mr. Crimson using a strategy of praising before criticizing? The Necromancer Figure Club was starting to wonder what he would say next. They had heard so much praise from professors and mentors for Lyle that they were curious to see what dissenting opinions Mr. Crimson would have.

"What a pity, Mr. Crimson?"

"It's a pity that the Plague Doctor's graduation project was completed a long time ago. An apprentice can't have two graduation theses recorded in the teaching records. I would love to include this perfect work in his student file, but the Plague Doctor's other achievement is obviously more outstanding. If I change it at will, I'll probably get myself into trouble."

The graduation project requirement for Advanced Conjuration of Flesh and Blood is to develop experimental results that meet the requirements for inscription on the Bloodhound Tree's memory stone. In other words, the flesh and blood data of the Sons of Lyle is qualified to become part of the Andrei Conjuration knowledge passed down within the Bloodhound Tree. What Crimson mentioned, more suitable as a graduation thesis, could only be that experimental project aimed at changing the lich state by initiating the Andrei academic gathering: Flesh and Blood Disguise.

After all, it was a genuine academic research result, and its impact on the Andrei people was far more profound than that of any single creation.

The doctor had the fewest attendance records, but he had already met the graduation requirements.

The four liches exclaimed in unison at someone who was not present, their movements perfectly synchronized as they looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, gazing at the cloud ring left by the Genesis Beam that pierced through the clouds.

Rumble rumble rumble...

The scorching heat slapped a foul stench against their backs, and the black smoke almost turned the place into night.

The soul fire burned within the skull, and the liches, completely unaffected by the missile exhaust, collectively turned their heads back, while the SS, having activated night vision mode, frantically waved their hands.

"I didn't do it, I didn't touch anything."

Just now, all the flesh-and-blood missiles loaded in the Son of Lyle took off, sending filthy smoke and dust from the ground into the clouds.

No explanation needed.

"I really didn't fire it!"

“I know, no explanation needed.” Scarlet stared at the still pristine mechanical nest. “It’s remote-controlled, and Mr. Plague Doctor can’t wait.” The liches were completely oblivious to their inefficiency problem. If Lyle really entrusted the launch mission to them, then Mechanized Lyle would definitely be doomed.

"How are you going to solve the guidance problem? Those are dozens of large missiles launched at full power; even the best beast tamers couldn't control a raging horde." SS observed the trails left in the air, dynamically monitoring the missiles' trajectories. They shattered like flowers, and probably less than a tenth of them would actually reach the Mechanical Nest. "Lyle is too hasty."

"The Plague Doctor is not a beast tamer. The flesh and blood of the evil god have an instinct to return to their original body. They are not a herd of beasts fleeing in terror, but offspring returning to their mother in response to a call."

A black rain of missiles fell from the clouds, their screaming warheads hurtling straight toward the dazzling pyramid and the raised, withered hand.

The Ominous Giant's frozen smile looked eerie in Dorothy's vision. Behind Lyle, a rain of howling flesh and blood missiles formed a filthy and evil canopy.

As if aided by the power of an evil god, the solidified metal layer on the Omen Giant's exterior began to flow, and tentacles regrowed from the cracks.

"Dorothy, a machine, does it feel fear?"

Amidst the intermittent sounds, Lyle saw the coldness in Dorothy's eyes melting, transforming into an emotion he often glimpsed.

Having received a satisfactory answer, the ominous giant lightly swung his large hand down.

Terrified, frantic screams accompanied by the explosion of missiles echoed throughout the entire mechanical city.

Ominous flames burned through the city, and the ominous giant rose again, looking down upon Dorothy as the city teetered on the brink of collapse between the dim sky and the burning earth.

"Do you like it? The rain of fear that we have bestowed upon you."

“Lyle…this isn’t the first time the Mechanical City has faced an evil god…” Dorothy rose from her throne. The pyramid was collapsing, but countless cables surged from within, wrapping around Dorothy and gathering energy and matter together.

"Fear will not defeat me again!"

"Anti-Corruption Armor."

A thick layer of metal armor assembled around Dorothy, enveloping her in a sphere, with electric currents engraving runes on its surface, carrying an ancient magical aura.

"Dragon language runes..."

Dorothy, the Goddess of Machines, used her remaining power to create an enchanted suit of armor for herself, its runes entirely designed to resist the dragon-language sealing runes of the Sleeper Triton. Worse still, the defense effective against the evil god Triton was equally effective against Lyle's corruption.

"Destroy this city as you please. Once Genesis Star is fully charged, the light that purifies the world will still be able to destroy your corruption. Lyle, this is your last stand."

This is Dorothy's last trump card: a suit of armor capable of withstanding the corruption of the evil god.

The Genesis Beam nearly killed Lyle, then entered its charging phase. Lyle used Plan B to unleash an aerial bombardment of demonic flesh, intended to completely corrupt the entire mechanical city. However, Dorothy was now invincible, rendering her attacks completely ineffective. While the flesh-and-blood barrage continued, the Genesis Beam's charging also continued.

Dorothy is invincible, and Lyle will be finished if he takes another beam of light.

As she said, what follows is the final struggle.

"A last-ditch effort? Fine, Dorothy, then I'll show you my final trump card."

Dorothy gave a disdainful snort.

"Trump card? There's no way to remove my armor; all struggles are futile..."

"My trump card is... the hostages."

The ominous giant Lyle grabbed a tiny humanoid object from the mud beneath his feet. The black mud corroded and peeled away his metal shell, and the metal skeleton looked as if it would break and fall apart at any moment. His original Greek-style robe had turned into poisonous mud covering his desiccated body. It was the high priest of the Cult of Machines, Mr. Delusion, whom Lyle had hidden away from the beginning.

The ominous giant wielded its mechanical miniature like a toy in the very center of a rain of missiles.

"Dorothy, you can continue to hide behind your armor. Your Willim will be reduced to a twisted mess of flesh under my bombardment."

Lyle felt a chill creep down his spine; the pair of cold eyes behind the armor were now filled with murderous intent.

“No, you won’t do that, Willem is your friend!” Dorothy said through gritted teeth, trying to convince herself.

"You're right, so I'll make my friend even more 'perfect.' How many eyeballs do you think will grow on his face?"

This was a last resort. Mechanical lifeforms were tools created by humans to carry out orders; orders were their reason for existence. Lyle wasn't sure if Dorothy from the future could defy this rule. But having exhausted all other options, this despicable path was all that remained.

To gamble on value.

Lyle raised his chip high.

"Farewell, delusion."

Lyle raised his delusions and placed them on the trajectory of an impending flesh-and-blood missile.

"Get out of my way!!!"

A burst of intense light erupted from the spherical Dragon Language Armor, and flying fragments tore the body of the Ominous Giant apart.

Fragments flew as the enraged angel spread her wings.

The next moment, Mr. Delusional, who was about to be swallowed by the black mud, appeared under the mechanical wings. He was held in Dorothy's arms, and the corrupting curse on his body bound the two together. The mechanical goddess Dorothy was being corrupted by the power of the evil god.

The firelight illuminated Dorothy's perfect face, her gaze meeting the mechanical eyes that seemed to be flashing with delusion, her face showing resentment at being tricked.

"I'm sorry, Dorothy."

“…Never mind.” Dorothy relaxed her brows and cradled the boxy head that was flashing with delusions. “Goodnight, Willim…remember to think of me.”

The flesh-and-blood missiles exploded on the wings, before the twisted, filthy black spray could engulf everything...

Two faces were pressed tightly together in the firelight.

Chapter 537 File Update

Mr. Cabbage is an older light bat loyal to Andre Academy. The passage of time has robbed this man of his youthful passion for his repetitive lighting work. He's no longer obsessed with life sciences to improve himself, nor does he have any desire to find fresh ingredients to satisfy his appetite. His daily work is repetitive and monotonous; sleeping has become his only habit. For such a lazy bat to survive at Andre, Mr. Cabbage naturally has his advantages. His light is incredibly bright, almost igniting all the gold and jewels in the room, like a small sun set in a jeweled lamp base. And, of course, the Dean is also somewhat annoyed by the incessant chatter of the younger generation.

Mr. Cabbage rolled over inside his silk lampshade, glanced down at the scene in the dean's office, and then closed his heavy eyelids. The dean's office today was still a replica of yesterday's.

"It's this unchanging environment that disrupted my sense of time, which is why I completely missed my mating season." The lonely Mr. Cabbage smacked his lips, complained weakly for a few moments, and then fell asleep again amidst the rhythmic sound of writing.

The greedy hand was doing its paid work on the dean's desk, a few drops of golden olive oil seeping from its mummy bandages. The entire arm bore the marks of care, with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds held between its five fingers. Even in this state, its thumb and forefinger still held a quill pen, writing on brick-like text.

The handwriting was surprisingly neat, even though the Salvation Society's files weren't meant for anyone to see. As long as the greedy hand could write down the information he dictated as a mummy curse and inscribe it in the file, the magnanimous Dean decided to turn a blind eye to the oil stains on the pages.

"Update the file of the Salvation Society member [Plague Doctor]".

"The danger level has been changed from [City-State Destroyer] to [Nation Destroyer] because the original supervisory body was a supervisory group composed of multiple organization members. The [Plague Doctor] supervisor remains unchanged."

"With the tacit approval of several high-ranking members, including the [Archives], the nascent evil god known as the [Plague Doctor] has entered maturity. Its normal form is human, while its evil god form is a twenty-meter-tall black giant, possessing abilities including, but not limited to, mental pollution, fear transmission, and assimilation. Its level of acceptance of external things has shifted from acceptance to hostility; it can still engage in rational communication, provided the individual's strength surpasses that of the nascent being. Small cults adhering to its leadership are already causing unrest within the City of Wanderings, and a small number of fanatical followers have appeared in the Black Abyss. Perhaps it can split the [Punishment Angel]'s faith in Hell… or consolidate it. The current situation is acceptable."

"Added the [God of Machines] event. In this event, the [Plague Doctor] individual's demonization intensified again, with the malignant spread covering the crimson flesh and blood weaving, reaching the highest level. Moreover, this ability was also mutated in the Mechanical City, gaining the ability to reshape the flesh of the Abyss Demons and twist mechanical materials, named [Creator]. It is difficult to assess the danger of this power, but there is no doubt that it is a new possibility for the Andrei Lich and even all races. The Dragon Priest group, including the [Archives], has already shown a certain degree of desire for it."

"In summary, the member [Plague Doctor] remains a relatively safe member of the Andrei group, and he possesses a quality that can keep our people 'calm.' In any case, the Andrei forces led by Seremo Andrei will be inclined to befriend him."

"After all, I have more than one or two World Destroyers around me."

The Dean finished revising the Salvation Society members' files with a distinctively personal, shameless tone, as if saying, "The more debts I have, the more burdened I am." He closed the book, his greedy hand leaping into his pile of gold coins. The Dean tossed the files into thin air and turned his gaze to the waiting group.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Scarlet."

“It’s alright, Dean.” Mr. Scarlet smiled, turned to face the Dean, and took a small step to the left.

The dean pulled his hand down over the wide brim of his hat to cover his face and sighed.

"If you don't want me to beat you up, put back the collectibles you stole from me."

Mr. Scarlet continued to smile, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Dean.”

The brim of the wide wizard's hat curled up again, revealing the headmaster's pair of eyes that gleamed with an eerie light.

"Do I have to repeat myself, Mr. Crimson? Please put the Cyclops Eye Amber you are holding back. Don't steal from an enchanter, and certainly don't steal from my collection."

Mr. Scarlet gave an apologetic smile and placed the amber, the size of an ostrich egg, back on its original display shelf. The yellowish-brown amber had a five-petaled pupil in its center, with what appeared to be a flawed crack spreading outwards from the center. The owner of this eyeball had indeed had his eye pierced in his lifetime.

"I'm just a little curious. I've heard that a Cyclops's gaze can weaken living beings. May I borrow it to study it, Dean?"

"That's because they have a region in their cerebral cortex with nerves that resemble curse spells, giving them an extra innate magical organ; their eyeballs are merely the transmitters. I won't lend it to you because you'll never return it intact."

Having grasped the basic principles, Scarlet's interest in the eyeball diminished considerably, and she returned to her reporting work.

"...At this point, the Mechanical City has lost its threat thanks to the intervention of the Plague Doctor. I witnessed it with my own eyes."

The dean opened his mouth, then closed it again a second later. Without his beard to obscure it, these micro-expressions were clearly visible in his scarlet face.

"So, Mr. Delusional and God of Machines from the Literature Club have turned into rotten flesh, right..."

"No, they are still alive."

"Huh? Didn't you say the crisis was over?"

“Their loss of threat does not mean they have withered away.” Scarlet continued to explain, as the Dean looked on with surprise, as if to say, “This is not the usual operation of the Andrei Lich.”