This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Raven Pavilion Demon Domain and Tomb Domain

Applying oil is a laborious and delicate task.

It can't be delegated; the necromancer must do it themselves.

Currently, five bodies lay side by side, covered in thick blankets.

The previously prepared dark god oil was placed in a small bucket nearby.

Next to it were three types of brushes.

Matthew picked up the largest brush, swirled it in the bucket to blend the oil and negative energy residue thoroughly, then carried it to the first body.

From top to bottom.

He diligently brushed it three times.

Then the second, the third... until the fifth.

"Renaismae, turn over."

Brushing from the bucket, Matthew directed the zombie Miss to help with the bodies.

Renaismae drooled as she turned the body over.

Matthew proceeded with the same technique, vigorously brushing the backs of the five bodies.

The dark greenish-black god oil seeped into the surface, softening the bodies' clothing and skin, occasionally emitting sizzling sounds as death essence leaked out from beneath the skin.

The Black Knight no longer reeked as before.

After the layer of dark god oil, the bodies emitted a faint floral scent.

First, he used the large brush on both sides.

Then, taking out a medium-sized brush, he applied the oil meticulously.

This step was the most exhausting.

He had to cover every inch of the body, even the mouth and anus, with the oil.

The significance of the dark god oil to the Black Knight was immense.

It also affected the success rate of the third step, the "Reverse Shackles" ritual.

Matthew couldn't afford to be lax.

Even with Renaismae and Aebing's help, he was sweating profusely after the second round.

By the final round, as he used a small brush to touch up the bodies, his arms felt foreign to him.

"Done!"

An hour later.

Rubbing his sore hands, Matthew ordered Renaismae and Aebing to hang all five bodies upside down.

This was also part of the ritual.

After the god oil dried, it would better retain the death essence soaked in during the first step.

This also preserved the remnants of spirituality within the bodies.

Hanging there, resembling meat in a shop, the future Black Knights gave Matthew a sense of satisfaction.

"After three days, they'll be lowered for another oiling. After twenty-one days, we can start the 'Reverse Shackles.'"

"Make a few more Black Knights, and I might become a barbecue master," Matthew chuckled at himself.

Then, he began preparing the incantations needed for the Reverse Shackles ritual.

Though somewhat complex, it wasn't challenging for Matthew. He had detailed materials exchanged from the Alliance and guidance from various experts, quickly grasping the core of the ritual.

"So, in the process of reversing, the most crucial thing for a necromancer is to 'awaken' rather than 'command.'"

"The residual spirituality must gather freely until it reaches a critical mass capable of igniting the soul fire. Only then can we enter the 'acknowledgment' phase. Giving commands to the Black Knight at this stage prevents it from resisting and lowering its quality..."

Matthew enthusiastically researched in the adjacent small study.

At this moment, a commotion outside the graveyard interrupted.

Setting aside his documents, Matthew hurried outside and witnessed a group of spirits gathered on the outskirts, gazing longingly at the undead creatures within the graveyard.

Inside, several zombies and more skeletal soldiers were gesturing and conversing.

Matthew approached calmly.

Sensing the arrival of the graveyard's master, the spirits parted, creating a passage.

"Respected Master of the Graveyard, great necromancer, we are the undead from Zandalar."

"Our graveyard was destroyed by the dragon calamity, and to escape the evil red dragon, we had to come to the surface. But the surface ultimately doesn't provide a haven for us and our kind."

"Wandering and driven away everywhere, in despair, we felt the calling of this place."

"I am their representative; you may call me Ali."

"Dare I ask, can my people and I serve you?"

A spirit emitting white light humbly inquired.

Matthew noticed about thirty spirits behind Ali, in poor condition, on the verge of dispersing.

Except for Ali, whose form was solid, radiating a faint golden light. As an elite template, he seemed capable of enduring even if his kin perished.

Hearing Ali's story, Matthew queried:

"Was it your group causing trouble at the South Trading Post in Rolling Stone Town?"

Ali appeared ashamed:

"Yes, the situation was dire. Many of us were in a dangerous state, about to dissipate without absorbing human energy."

"In desperation, we resorted to this. But I assure you, Zandalar's spirits have principles. We only frightened them to absorb a small amount of their energy—just enough to sustain ourselves."

"After that, we haven't troubled any human settlements."

Matthew refrained from questioning the truth of his words.

He inquired:

"If you wish to join my graveyard, you must become undead obedient to my command. My orders are everything."

"Without my command, you can only move within the graveyard; you'll lose your freedom."

"Can you comply?"

Ali wore a rueful expression:

"We understand what it means for the undead to join a necromancer."

Matthew calmly stated:

"I need a clear answer."

Ali hesitated briefly; an unusual expression flashed across his eyes. Then, he gritted his teeth:

"We're willing!"

"Good, from now on, you and your people are my undead. Welcome to Matthew's graveyard."

Matthew opened his arms to the spirits in a friendly gesture.

The temporary passage widened entirely.

The spirits eagerly flew into the graveyard, relishing the long-lost negative energy.

Matthew didn't linger with the spirits.

Using the ritual space's power, he incorporated the spirits as part of the ritual space. In name, these spirits were residents of the graveyard, summoned by Matthew, enabling him to command them and saving his summoning quota.

That's the benefit of establishing a graveyard.

After the spirits stabilized, Matthew led them to the Spirit Zone for settlement. Before the Zandalar spirits arrived, a group of loyal ghost wolves had already settled there, loyal watchdogs.

With the wolves' surveillance, Matthew believed the spirits couldn't stir up much trouble, even if they harbored ill intentions.

...

"Tip: A group of wandering spirits above the wilderness was attracted by the ritual space - the graveyard and negative energy markers. They yearned to enter the graveyard to live there and are willing to serve the graveyard's master."

"You've settled this group of spirits."

"Your ritual space (graveyard) has collected three types of basic undead: skeletal soldiers, zombies, and spirits. It meets the quantity requirement for an upgrade. You can enhance your graveyard's strategic level by constructing additional undead buildings. Moreover, different undead buildings will provide various functions."

"Current graveyard strategic level: LV1."

"List of constructible additional buildings—"

"1. Well of Bones (Enhances skeletal soldiers' strength and has a chance to convert skeletal soldiers into elite professions)"

"2. Coffin of Annihilation (Enhances Silvermoon zombies' strength and has a chance to convert Silvermoon zombies into elite professions)"

"3. Malevolent

Wind Path (Enhances spirits' strength, same as above)"

...

Matthew wasn't surprised by this prompt.

He knew graveyards had this concept of strategic levels. Not only graveyards but larger ritual spaces also possessed this feature.

Improving the strategic level meant enhancing various aspects of the ritual space, mainly accomplished by spending money to construct functional buildings.

The current Lord of White Rock City, the rumors go, has a super-large graveyard, housing tens of thousands of skeletal soldiers alone.

These soldiers weren't created out of thin air but converted through various buildings empowered by the ritual space.

But Matthew currently had no plans to construct additional buildings.

One reason was the cost of summoning. Another was that he felt the time wasn't right yet.

"Though if I have spare time, building one or two structures wouldn't hurt."

He couldn't rely on undead wandering around the graveyard all day to level themselves up.

Speaking of which, the skeletal soldiers...

Aebing had the 'Fellowship Training' ability, yet under his training, the soldiers didn't seem to improve their skills. The hip twisting frequency had increased, though.

Recently, as Matthew passed through the graveyard, he noticed a rapid surge in the number of skeletal soldiers exhibiting a swaggering gait.

This deeply concerned him about the graveyard's future atmosphere.

...

After settling the spirits and scheduling the construction of additional buildings, Matthew proceeded to the stone quarry to continue making tombstones.

Sinwak worked diligently.

Matthew hadn't been around for a few days, and the place was now brimming with stone.

He instructed Renaismae and several other zombies to carry the tombstones, swiftly inscribing negative energy runes on them.

Soon after...

"A tombstone was just heated out of the oven.

Compared to oil painting,

Making tombstones was indeed much easier.

Matthew occasionally took breaks.

Most of the time, he battled with his pen.

Time passed little by little.

More and more tombstones appeared on the nearby open space.

And during this process,

Matthew entered a mysterious state.

Gradually, he felt his pen becoming lighter and lighter.

Suddenly,

Matthew jolted awake, only to find himself in a pitch-black space.

"Is this a... coffin?"

As a necromancer, Matthew was extremely familiar with coffins, and he turned around in shock.

The next moment,

He saw a pair of ghostly eyes staring at him.

Matthew was startled.

His consciousness abruptly flew out of the coffin.

He looked around, still dazed.

But apart from endless darkness, there was nothing else here.

Matthew felt around and discovered the space was extremely narrow. Besides a coffin placed in the center, there were only cold stone walls around!

"This is a tomb chamber."

Matthew felt a bit nervous.

He glanced down at the coffin, somehow able to see inside—

The person in the coffin turned to him, gazing eerily.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

Then, simultaneously and astonished, they asked:

"Can you see me?"

The person in the coffin wore luxurious clothes, his body resembling a zombie but different.

He retained a lot of moisture, closer to a living person, but Matthew could confirm he was a corpse.

Looking at the figure, for some reason, Matthew felt a bit frightened!

Dazed, he asked:

"Why are you here?"

The dead man exclaimed:

"This is my coffin and tomb. Shouldn't I be asking why you barged into my coffin?"

Asked this way,

Matthew started to clear his head a bit.

He looked around, murmuring:

"Yeah, why am I here? Wasn't I making tombstones?"

The dead man looked at him sympathetically and said:

"You're probably dead too."

Matthew immediately retorted:

"I'm definitely not dead!"

The dead man comforted him:

"Real dead people never believe they're dead either. I was the same. Relax, dead people have it much easier than the living. Look at me, sleeping in this coffin every day, so comfortable. Where else can you find such a good life? As a dead person, all we need to do is lie down every day. Just don't let those cursed necromancers drag you up."

"By the way, young man, what do you do?"

Matthew honestly replied:

"I'm a necromancer."

The dead man fell silent.

Matthew sensed the trembling inside the coffin.

"Can you let me go?"

The dead man asked.

Matthew shook his head:

"I didn't plan on harming you."

The dead man asked again:

"Can you spare my coffin?"

Matthew puzzled:

"Why ask that?"

The dead man explained:

"As far as I know, necromancers are usually broke. Passing by tombs, they often strip everything, even if they can't raise the body, they'll take coffin planks. Am I mistaken?"

Matthew sighed:

"I am indeed not wealthy."

"But rest assured, I won't take your things."

The dead man chuckled:

"That's good. This coffin of mine is quite precious. I've been lying here for who knows how many years, it's quite cozy. Where else can you find such good days?"

"Oh, is the world better now?"

Matthew pondered:

"Whether it's good or not probably depends on your definition. Which era are you from?"

The dead man gleefully said:

"I can't quite pinpoint the era. When I was alive, the glory of the gods bathed the entire Aendore.

Despite the widespread sacrifice and exploitation everywhere, the gods claimed it was an era of divine grace.

They said so, so it must be, even though they didn't care.

Speaking of which, do you know how cruel sacrifices were?

They would throw living people into water, into fire, or lay them on chopping boards to disembowel them.

This was never something humans should do.

But in our era, almost every god incited their followers to do so.

What's more disgusting is that they pretended to be righteous, claiming these sacrifices had nothing to do with them, stating they were actions initiated voluntarily by the believers.

In my time, being alive wasn't easy.

Luckily, I died early and enjoyed peace."

Matthew glanced around, curious:

"From the tomb and coffin, it's clear you were either rich or noble in life. Even if the gods were cruel, sacrifice shouldn't have concerned you much, right?"

The dead man calmly stated:

"I was sacrificed."

"I lived in an area devoted to the god of death.

The person chosen for the sacrifice was the lord's son. Since the lord didn't want his son to die, they pulled me in as a replacement.

But they didn't know this act angered the god of death.

On the day of the sacrifice,

They first threw me into the river, only to find I could walk on the water's surface.

So they tied me up and tried to roast me, but the flames couldn't harm me.

Seeing this, they hastily claimed I was a devil and finally put me on the chopping block.

Yet I couldn't die.

At that moment, the god of death was coldly laughing beside those devout, ridiculous followers.

I knew it wouldn't end well.

So, I pleaded with the god of death for a long time.

Finally, He agreed to let me die.

The lord and other believers, seeing me finally dead, calmly dressed my body again, placed it in this coffin, and sent it to the god of death's church.

After that, I don't know what happened.

When I lay in the church,

All I heard was the tolling bell and the cawing of crows.

Soon after,

The god of death appeared before me.

He asked if I, being pulled in as a replacement for someone else's sacrifice, hated the lord's family.

My answer was, I did, but only a little.

The god of death was puzzled.

I told him the lord's family had been good to me. They gave me work, food to eat. When my parents died, they even lent us money for their burial.

My health wasn't great, and my work was average, but the lord never dismissed me. The lord's son also took good care of me.

If it were in other lands or in the wilderness, I'd probably have died ten thousand times.

So, I volunteered to be a substitute.

The god of death was choked up hearing this.

Seemingly dissatisfied with the result, in a fit of anger, he locked me here, claiming to punish my blasphemy.

Since then, I haven't seen the god of death.

Perhaps, he forgot about me.

What a pity.

If I could see him again, I'd surely thank him.

He gave me a peaceful space to lie down for so long.

Lying down is really comfortable!"

The dead man's tone was filled with optimism.

After listening, Matthew felt the absurdity yet truth in his words.

"How is the world for the living now? Are there still sacrifices?"

The dead man inquired with concern.

Matthew shook his head:

"The gods have been banished,

and human mages reign supreme. There are few sacrifices in the world now, and most people have a chance to eat their fill."

The dead man joyfully said:

"That's a good world! Human mages became the rulers? It must be a fair and beautiful world."

"That's great. How about you pull me up then? I'd like to see the current world."

Just as Matthew was about to say something,

He felt a strong force pulling him backward.

It felt familiar.

In that moment,

He suddenly understood why he was here.

So, Matthew hastily asked:

"Where is this? I mean the specific location and coordinates!"

The dead man replied:

"This is the Raven's Perch Domain of the Underworld. I'm part of the Great Tomb Group. What's wrong?"

Matthew felt the force growing stronger.

Struggling, he managed to ask:

"What's your name?"

The dead man replied:

"Eurolin. I'm Eurolin. And you? Necromancer."

As he finished speaking,

Matthew's figure disappeared into the tomb.

"Alright then.

I'll take another nap."

Eurolin muttered to himself.

The tomb chamber fell silent once more.

...

"Note: You've entered the death subdomain 'Tomb.'

Your domain 'Tomb' resonates with 'Undead.'

Your domain ability 'Undying Body' extends by thirty seconds.

As a reward for exploring the domain, you'll gain one of the following abilities:

1. Ring of Death (Release a negative energy ring centered around you. Enemies hit by the ring will experience mental slowness and an urge to fall into eternal sleep.)

2. Grave Guardians (Summon a team of grave guardians to protect your graveyard or tomb.)

3. Archaeologist (Gain vast knowledge of tombs and randomly acquire coordinates of three major tombs.)"

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