Witch Troupe and the Undead

It wasn't forcibly locked inside by magic, which means that even if his soul and body are torn to pieces, as long as they can be pieced back together and his body regains its vitality, his soul's vitality will also be restored.

"What is that?" Livia also fell silent, finally shaking her head. "Roche is Roche, not a Soul-Binding Corpse." It sounded like a little girl's defiant tantrum, but combined with the Sunlight Spear that could raze an entire village to the ground, her words were extremely convincing.

"You've mistaken me for a Soul-Binding Corpse, which means... you've seen a Soul-Binding Corpse recently?" Roach grabbed Livia's shoulder, gesturing for her to step back, then walked towards the elf, crouching down to look at the elf bound on all fours by light locks and vine chains. "Where did you see the Soul-Binding Corpse?"

"..."

"That means it's not too far from here. I remember I checked the surrounding geography data, and it's either Shanmu Village or Shiqiao Town. Hmm, it seems to be Shanmu Village."

Why not Stonebridge Town? Because Stonebridge Town is still in human hands, serving as a bridgehead for the counterattack. The newly arrived knights are stationed there. If this elf sees the Soul-Binding Corpse there, it means that the human knights have been wiped out.

Aside from the gilded knights in the capital, Imperial Knights meet strict standards. Even the nobles in the capital must meet the basic strength requirements for knights, which are the two fundamental abilities common to all melee-type professions in this world: [Extraordinary Martial Arts] and [Extraordinary Physique]. In addition, knights of noble birth also possess the special ability of [Bloodline Burst].

Extraordinary martial arts techniques are those whose effects exceed those of normal combat methods. They are developed by consuming one's own life essence or mental essence in combination with combat skills. For example, the rapid movement technique [Shadow Step] can make people break through the normal visual observation ability, and the [Phantom Body] can create a phantom that is as solid as a physical object.

And those knights basically all know how to use the [Heavy Strike], including the gilded thing from the royal capital. In an instant, they unleash an explosive force beyond reason, and the heavy blow they wield is enough to split even a steel-clad chariot in two.

An extraordinary physique comes from the enhancement of one's physical body by one's spiritual and life essence. The two complement each other. Without a corresponding extraordinary physique, one cannot use extraordinary martial arts techniques. The process of training extraordinary martial arts techniques is the process of acquiring an extraordinary physique.

Extraordinary physique is divided into four types: [physique], [strength], [agility], and [dexterity]. According to the degree of enhancement, it is divided into levels I to IV. Currently, the limit that humans can reach in their lifetime is level IV. Even a level I extraordinary physique can support a full set of steel armor weighing seventy or eighty kilograms. A level II extraordinary physique can sprint on foot while wearing such a full set of steel armor.

Of course, the nobles in the capital city generally only possess the level of [Severe Strike] and [Superhuman Physique I], at most with some family-inherited superhuman martial arts and possible bloodline power. They are completely different from the knights that Gavins brought to fight against muscular monsters like orcs who are over three meters tall on average at the border.

A knightly order capable of wiping out an entire human race without leaving a single survivor—the scale and level of undead power of that kind was enough to form the same kind of canopy as before. Therefore, the only place the elves could gather intelligence was Yamaki Village.

"..." The elf looked at Roach with some surprise, not expecting that this monster would have such insight and keen thinking.

"Let him go, throw this guy over to Karius." Roach shook his head. He wasn't the type to hold grudges, and besides, this guy had indeed brought some important information. Judging from his expression, he probably didn't intend to tell them this information.

"Hmm~" The Light Lock and the Sun Spear disappeared together. "I advise you not to have any bad intentions." Roach grinned and took out a Rubik's Cube-like object, hanging it around the elf's neck. "This thing, with just a thought, can blow you into fireworks, and I won't die. You don't even have the option of killing me quickly."

"But what I'm curious about is that all Elf Rangers have at least Extraordinary Physique II or higher on average, and those who are more diligent might even reach Extraordinary III or IV. How come your reaction wasn't as fast as mine?"

“He’s injured,” the fairy landed on Roch’s shoulder, pointing at the wounds on the elf’s body. “They were caused by the undead, and he was able to get here entirely by sheer willpower.”

The power of an extraordinary physique comes from the spiritual source, which is the power of will, belief, faith, and emotions, as well as the power of the life source. Therefore, when one is seriously injured and contaminated by the magic of death, and when both the life and spiritual sources decline, one's extraordinary physique will naturally be greatly affected.

"That's just how inconvenient melee classes are."

"Haven't you seen those combat swordsmen from the Kingdom of Rada?"

"What's that?" *Snap* The fairy snapped her fingers. "I'm not telling you! Ah, don't grab my wings!!!"

"No arguing," Livia said seriously, stopping the two who had started making a ruckus again. Roach and the fairy quieted down, a scene that made the elven ranger look thoughtful.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Intelligence Unacceptable

The Abyss Fortress, the fortress used by the Kingdom of Rada to monitor the Black Abyss Cemetery, is now burning. Only the inner castle remains in the midst of fierce fighting. Twisted spirit blades sweep across, instantly extinguishing the flames in the eyes of the skeletons and zombies before them like a gust of cold wind.

The hissing light blades extended from the short staff shaped like a sword hilt in the palm of the hand. This was the exclusive staff and weapon of the swordsman or magic knight. It was shaped like a sword hilt, and the handguard was structured like the Eye of Arcane Arts. As long as the corresponding arcane power was injected, the corresponding blade would extend out.

Unlike the occultists on the Empire's side, they not only study magic but also martial arts. However, because they need to focus on martial arts, they can only specialize in a few areas of magic and cannot be generalists like the occultists on the Empire.

"Clap~ Clap~ Clap~" The monotonous sound of clapping echoed in the dilapidated audience hall. "The new toy of the Rada Council, not bad at all..." With a flick of his toe, he kicked up a magical spear unique to the kingdom and held it in his palm. This weapon was developed by magical craftsmen and the kingdom's alchemists, and it was a weapon that imitated sword magic.

Unlike the Empire's massive human wave tactics, the Kingdom can only employ an elite force strategy, using a mixed force of elite troops from various races. When facing the undead, their smaller numbers, higher individual combat strength, and superior equipment allow them to hold out for longer.

The spearhead is a structure consisting of two overlapping hollow triangles, one large and one small. Numerous runes are engraved on the edge, and these blood-soaked runes, infused with the magic of death, quickly light up and transform into deep purple blades of light that spit outwards.

“Not bad…” The spear twirled lightly in his palm, then he held it in reverse grip. The gray-haired Soul-Binding Corpse stretched out his hand towards the fortress lord and his last guard. “Come on, let me see how much you guys have improved over the years!”

"Who exactly are you!" Lord Sekert gripped the magic sword staff tightly with both hands. The dense power of the death source made the spirit blade in his hands extremely volatile. The soul-bound corpse in front of him had a face commonly seen on Rada warriors and wore armor made of bones and metal, but the soul inside this body was something else entirely.

"Ah, my name is Elvis."

"Avis!?" Lord Sekert's breath hitched slightly. This was the name of a sword saint who had disappeared decades ago. He led his men to explore the lower levels of the Black Abyss Tomb and then vanished. As a result, the Black Abyss Tomb was rated as a "dangerous" area.

Sword Saint is one of the titles awarded to martial arts masters. It does not refer to the ability to use a sword, but rather to a martial arts master who is proficient in various martial arts techniques and is versatile.

"You... you were actually turned into an undead by those damned things!!!" the city lord gritted his teeth and said. This sword saint had always had a good reputation. He was best known for his short spear and greatsword skills and had taught many warriors of the kingdom. But such a respected master was turned into a sinister and evil soul-binding corpse by those undead. It was simply... blasphemy!

"No, you misunderstand." Sword Saint Elvis stepped over the corpses of the guards on the ground, his steps slow and steady, the long spear he held upside down leaving a trail of purplish-black ghostly fire on the ground.

"I did it voluntarily..." The Sword Saint seemed quite willing to talk to the other party for a while longer, because it would take time to completely wipe out the resistance forces in the inner city. Moreover, he could see that Lord Sekert was taking the opportunity to recover his strength and regroup his will, based on hatred and killing intent, and the spirit giant blade in his hand was stained with a layer of crimson.

However, as a martial artist, he didn't mind such things. It was not something to be proud of for his opponent to be exhausted by a bunch of cannon fodder.

"voluntary......"

"Ah, you're not even 40 yet, you wouldn't understand. The human body and lifespan are only so long. Even if I spend my whole life pursuing the true meaning of martial arts, I can only reach this level. As I get older, my senses are declining and becoming less sharp, and my physique is constantly aging and degenerating. Of course, my extraordinary physique gives me a lifespan no less than that of an elf."

The swordsman kicked away the bones on the ground one by one, creating a suitable arena for the duel.

"But for me, that kind of longevity is nothing more than watching the fruits of my life's pursuit being erased by time, and every wasted day being exchanged for burning everything I once had."

A superhuman physique grants a considerably long lifespan, but this lifespan itself consumes the superhuman physique. As age increases, this superhuman physique weakens, and ultimately, when it completely disappears, that's when a combatant dies of old age. Of course, the vast majority of combatants don't live to see that point and will face various trials of death.

"Can you understand that kind of despair? It's like sinking into a bottomless abyss, like a futile punishment that turns all your efforts in the first half of your life into nothingness, turning into every day you don't want to die. Every morning, when you open your eyes, you feel your strength and physique weakening little by little, little by little. In your lucidity, you calculate your lifespan and how many chips you still have."

Lord Sekert adjusted his breathing. Every martial artist knew this. Therefore, for a martial artist, dying in a sickbed was a disgrace. That is to say, usually, before such a time came, they would choose to challenge their limits and the impossible with their most vigorous and powerful bodies.

The Sword Saint entered the lower levels of the Black Abyss Cemetery with this very purpose in mind.

"I've tried training, honing my skills, ascetic practices, and even potions and alchemy, but they can only slow down the rate of decline. Ultimately, as time goes by, the rate and extent of your aging will increase far beyond the rate at which you can gain physical strength through training."

"So what's the way to stop all of this?"

"Is that your choice, Master Elvis?" The city lord adjusted his breathing, and the crimson blade in his hand became completely steady.

"Yes, becoming an immortal soul, the body is just a tool that can be replaced at will. I can endlessly and without decline pursue the limits of martial arts. Don't you think that's great?"

"..." The city lord raised his sharp blade, without arguing or speaking. He needed to conserve every bit of energy now, as his opponent was an undead who would never tire, while he was a living person.

"You can be considered half a martial artist, so let's do it the way martial artists do..." The Sword Saint brandished his spear tip. "Kill me, and prove you're right. Or be killed by me!"

"Good!" Before the city lord's voice had even faded from the air, he vanished from his spot as a [Spirit Avatar]. He traversed space rapidly through the shadow realm of the spiritual world, appearing near the Sword Saint in an almost instantaneous manner, his spirit light blade swung fiercely around his waist.

"Good!" "Bang!" The deep purple spear blade collided with the crimson sword blade, scattering light rain. Just as the city lord increased his strength, letting the sword blade, imbued with the fire of hatred, cut into the blade of death, the opposing force suddenly surged forth, causing him to involuntarily lean forward slightly. Before he could regain his balance, the spear shaft, like a venomous snake, lunged from the shadows.

"Bang!" The city lord shook his head; he had almost been knocked unconscious on the spot.

“Youth is indeed an advantage…” Sword Saint Elvis sighed. “However, youth also has its weaknesses. You lack experience. Perhaps it is because of your position as city lord that you have not personally fought anyone for a long time. Be careful, young man.”

"Hmm..." The city lord readjusted his stance, holding the light blade level with his shoulder. "Standard stance, not bad... I didn't learn any of those fancy tricks." The sword saint nodded slightly.

"The so-called standard stances are the result of countless battles and summaries by our predecessors. You lament their rigidity, but they are the best things. It's just that you don't have the ability to utilize them." The sword saint suddenly thrust out his spear, and the phantom-like spear blade instantly pierced through the city lord's figure. However, it was just a magical illusion.

"Tsk~ Mystic spells are a bit too cheap." He was used to this kind of thing. He had killed more than one or two mystic mages with his sword. He just hadn't seen a sword mage, a profession that arose because of the existence of a special "magic sword staff".

"Clang!" "The attack intent is too obvious..."

"Bang!" "Transforming into a spirit and charging forward, attempting to directly attack my soul? Not a bad idea."

"Snap!" "Too slow!"

"Is this all you have?" The Sword Saint looked at the city lord, who was covered in wounds and whose sword was about to give way.

"What a disappointment, is this all there is?"

"No, it's just that you probably wouldn't even look at the rest. Although I haven't received your instruction, the sword manual you left in the kingdom is still basic training material for swordsmen. Using those petty tricks would be too disrespectful to you." The city lord shook his head, looked at the guards around him who had regained some energy, and they nodded to each other.

"So, what other tricks do you have?" The Sword Saint looked at the City Lord curiously, who forcefully plunged the hilt of his sword into his chest. His guards did the same in unison, and one after another, the magic swords and staffs fell to the ground with a crisp sound. Life, indomitable will, and the power of the soul converged into a dazzling blade of light. "Magnificent!"

As the blade of light landed, the entire castle was filled with dazzling brilliance, and countless undead cannon fodder were annihilated the moment they touched it. When the light dissipated, a deep sword mark was left on the ground, revealing the structure of the castle's lower levels. The Sword Saint shook his hand, and the magic spear in his hand had become a pile of scrap metal, with a deep sword mark remaining on his chest armor.

The Sword Saint touched his wound, put his finger in his mouth, and said, "Not bad, for now, I'll consider you... to have graduated."

The Abyss Fortress has completely fallen, becoming a paradise and stronghold for the undead, just like the Deathwhisper Fortress. Large amounts of smoky gray crystals were sent to the surface, turning into huge ritual sites, which were connected to many smaller ritual nodes around the Abyss Fortress, forming an even larger ritual site.

Hearth City, Castle.

“Master Roach, thank you so much this time. Also, regarding the Ranger's matter... please allow me to convey his apologies to you.”

"An apology is meaningless unless the person apologizes willingly," Roach said noncommittally.

“You’re right,” Karius sighed. The elf had fainted after giving the information, leaving him to deal with this mess.

After returning to the inn, Roach grabbed the little guy's shoulders and stared at him intently. The little guy looked puzzled, his large, watery eyes blinking gently, reflecting Roach's image like fine jade.

"Please teach me that move!" Roach was referring to the technique that gathers sunlight into a lightning spear. This made the little witch show a troubled expression for the first time. That move was not a secret ritual spell, but was released by her own ability, while Roach did not have such an ability.

So Livia began to think about whether there was a similar alternative, and Roach also noticed that the little guy's eyes had become vacant, as if there was a loading icon spinning on his forehead.

After at least 15 minutes of searching, the witch finally came up with an idea. She patted the chair, signaling Roach to sit down, then spread out a sheet of white paper. A quill automatically jumped into her hand, and a large number of words automatically twisted and emerged from under the pen, transforming into an extremely complex esoteric structure.

After a full day of learning, Roach, Titania, Leslie, and the newly joined Vivi all proved one thing: the four of them combined understood no more than three words in the course, which greatly distressed Livia.

To prove that it wasn't a problem with his intelligence, Roach copied down the contents of the teaching scroll and then went to other mages and alchemists in the Mystic Tower. In the end, the manuscript was sold for hundreds of gold coins, but no one came forward to say that they understood it.

"Then can we skip the theoretical explanation and start directly from the step-by-step breakdown? We don't need to understand it, we just need to know how to do it," Roach suggested a new idea. A few days later, the little witch finished writing a new teaching material. This time it was much simpler. Roach said he understood the first half, while Vivi said she understood the second half. When the two were put together, neither of them could match up.

"Damn!" Seeing that it was about to turn into a battle of Huashan sword qi, Luo Qi suggested that we combine this half with our other knowledge to make something usable.

"One of you understood the first half, and the other understood the second half, but you can't match them up. Doesn't that mean neither of you really understood?"

So the fairy who spoke the truth was stuffed into a jar. The witch released her out of pity, and the fairy immediately brandished her little fists, shouting, "Take this fairy punch!" Phosphorescent light gathered behind her into a giant fist that smashed into Roach's face.

"Are you a body double?"

"Hmph, now you know how powerful I am!"

"Smack!" It was slammed back into the jar.

"No fighting in class!" The little witch stopped the two guys who were about to start fighting again. Faced with the witch's threat, the fairy decided to temporarily give up her plan to beat up the guy.

In the days that followed, no matter how the human knights prepared for battle, it had nothing to do with Roche and his companions, who were holed up in the inn. In any case, the little witch was only interested in going to the Deathwhisper Fortress and would just follow the main group.

Of course, even in this purely touristy accompanying mode, the city lord still paid for it. Yes, not only did Roach and his companions not have to pay the city lord, but the city lord also had to pay them.

After a long period of effort, Roach and Vivi both created the corresponding props, but...

Vivi's prop is a talisman-like object that can release a small golden lightning spear when held in the palm of her hand. However, it needs to be charged, and each charge can only be used once. It is completely different from the Sun Spear summoned by the Little Witch. In fact, the Little Witch has to do the charging herself.

"That's all I'm capable of!" Vivi declared confidently. She was just an apprentice, and that was all she could do. Making a talisman that could contain the power of the little witch was already her limit. At least this thing didn't explode.

Luo Qi is even more impressive. He created a talisman that only requires filling with essence to release the Sun Spear. However, the more essence he fills, the higher the probability of using it, but also the more likely the Sun Spear will explode in his hand. Without the Little Witch watching over him, he doesn't dare to use it. After all, if he were blown to ashes, whether he could be resurrected would be a real question mark.

"..." Faced with the answers handed in by the two apprentices, Livia showed a look of pity, and patted Roach and Vivi's heads hard with both hands. Her expression and posture were just like the expression she would give to her Golden Retriever and Border Collie at home when they were being clever, saying, "As dogs, you have done very well!"

“Bound Soul Corpse…” After reading the letter delivered by Raven, Captain Gavins threw it into the brazier and burned it to ashes. “Captain, everyone was assembled, why did you suddenly stop?”

"We've discovered a Soul-Binding Corpse." Gavins's words silenced the young adjutant. Soul-Binding Corpses were extremely difficult undead monsters to deal with, but also extremely easy, depending on what kind of soul was inside.

The way psychics deceive those who have lost loved ones is by turning them into soul-binding corpses, sacrificing innocent people, and stuffing the souls of the dead into them. This is the most common and frequently committed method by psychics within the empire.

The soul that was stuffed in might be that of the dead, or, if it hadn't completely dissipated, it might be a wandering ghost they somehow acquired.

In the process of clearing out these cult-like psychics and the series of tragedies they caused, one will encounter various soul-bound corpses. Some are extremely difficult to deal with, for example, those filled with the souls of unknown ancient warriors or powerful nobles, while others are filled with the souls of delicate young girls and children in an attempt to resurrect daughters, wives, or other relatives.

Aside from the undead's inherent abilities and characteristics, and their terrifying malice towards the living, they are actually quite easy to deal with. However, Gavins didn't think that the Soulbound Corpses he encountered on the battlefield were like that, which would make them extremely difficult to deal with.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Livia's Little Secret~

"Livia, what is that Soul-Binding Corpse that the elf mentioned?" Roach asked in a nonchalant tone. If it were any other instructor, they would already be considering expelling him or preventing him from graduating. But Livia just paused for a moment, then puffed out her chest slightly, looking somewhat proud.

A book with a black cover and silver-rimmed edges leaped out from the pile of luggage, quickly bounding across the thick fur carpet, and finally tumbled onto the round table in the room, landing between the teapot and the snacks.

The pages flipped rapidly across Roach's face, stopping at the description page of the Soul-Binding Corpse. After quickly reading the brief narration, Roach realized why Niel Riley hadn't allowed Livia to use her ability to put the soul back into the dead body.

Because it's exactly the same as the method of making a Soul-Binding Corpse, it's highly likely that Livia will be considered a psychic and be hunted down and hunted by various countries. Although Livia's magical abilities are so strong that it's almost as if God is feeding her, she will still get tired, and her combat ability is very poor. If she is frightened or ambushed, she will definitely not be able to recover.

"So, what are the weaknesses of a Soul-Binding Corpse?"

"Huh?" Livia tilted her head, looking utterly confused, as if to say, "Bound Soul Corpses need weaknesses? Aren't they everywhere?"

With the intention of answering Luo Qi's questions, the little girl patted the seat seriously to signal Luo Qi to sit down, summoned a large piece of white paper, and quickly sketched a Q-version image on it with a quill pen. It was a detailed breakdown diagram of the Soul-Binding Corpse.

The soul is represented by a ball of flame, which is divided into two parts, one large and one small. The larger part is stuffed into a humanoid figure, whose face has the following markings: xx indicates that it is a corpse. Then the corpse is resurrected and becomes the shape of oo.

Next, destroy the corpse, and the large soul orb will be summoned back by the psychic through the soul-binding medium. Therefore, you only need to destroy the soul along with the body, or destroy the soul-binding medium.

If the Soul-Binding Corpse is a demonic creature formed in the Black Abyss Graveyard, then all you need to do is destroy the physical body, and the ghost inside that occupies the body will be exposed. Then you can just destroy the ghost.

"I understand." Although Roach felt his intelligence was insulted by this drawing, he had to admit that the little witch was very talented in teaching drawing, perhaps she learned it from Neel Riley back then?

As Roach pondered, he felt a soft little hand stroking his head, and smelled the sweet, rose-like scent unique to witches. "Um, I understand, I was just thinking about how to simultaneously destroy both the soul and the body..."

Then he saw the little witch roll up her sleeves, revealing her slender, fair arms, and make a strong gesture, "Miracles happen with brute force?"

"Yes!" He nodded vigorously.

"Oh, that makes things easier. All we need is a bomb with enough explosive power to shatter the soul along with the body." Roach instantly found a solution. After all, no one had more experience than him when it came to the soul being blown up along with the body, because he had used this method to earn himself a record of being a "mocking the dead."

"..." Livia was stunned, her ahoge (cowlick) drooped down, and her mouth was slightly open. She meant that she should just grab the flying soul and refine it in an instant. Anyway, it wouldn't be much harder for her than crushing a berry.