This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 151

Chapter 151: Prince of the Blood Banner

...

In the shadows, the soldiers advanced stealthily.

At the staircase landing, Matthew and his companion quietly ascended.

It was already evening, and the lights on the second-to-last floor were bright enough. Even with their limited view near the staircase, they could discern it was a kitchen.

However, the kitchen was quite messy, littered with garbage and cooking utensils.

Several rats strolled arrogantly through the passageway.

Soon after, an unusual emotion came from the necromantic covenant.

"Master, something seems off," said one of them.

Matthew pondered for a moment. Before he could act, Reiga pulled out a mirror and flashed it toward the staircase.

At a glance, their faces displayed sheer astonishment.

Right in the center of the kitchen stood a huge figure.

It was a two-headed ogre!

This ogre had two heads that looked quite similar, except one had red hair and the other had blue.

At the moment, they were engaged in a heated argument.

The red-haired one roared, "Why do you always step with your right foot first?"

Defiantly, the blue-haired one retorted, "Because I can only control my right foot! You've always been in charge of the left one. If you're slow, can you blame me? Now tell me, why no chili?"

Mockingly, the red-haired one replied, "Because the big shots' rear ends haven't been doing well lately."

"Can't you hear the noises at night? Oh right, you sleep like a log every night, your snoring keeps me awake for days. Even if you hear it, your reaction is as slow as—"

"If your brain were half as bright as mine, we wouldn't be trapped here serving as chefs!" the red-haired ogre scoffed.

Perplexed, the blue-haired ogre asked, "Aren't they capable of magic? Can't they heal a rear end?"

Sarcastically, the red-haired ogre jeered, "I can do magic too, but can't fix your stupidity."

Getting a bit agitated, the blue-haired ogre forcefully nudged the other head, "Hey, Elv, don't speak like that! I'm your elder brother."

Snidely, the red-haired one responded, "Nonsense. I crawled out of mother's womb earlier. You're more like you crawled out of her rear end!"

Angered, the blue-haired ogre trembled, "If you insult me again—"

"Insult you all you want, even if we don't perish, once the big shots are done, I'll demand they separate us, and we go our separate ways!"

Silence lingered in the kitchen for a while.

Then sporadic sounds of cooking emerged.

Reiga adjusted the mirror to capture the ogres' heads again.

Softly, the blue-haired ogre said, "Elv, after we're separated, will you leave me?"

Without hesitation, the red-haired one affirmed, "Don't be foolish, Gzal. How would you survive without me? I promised our mother to take care of you."

Gzal looked touched, "Oh, Elv, you're so kind. When we part, I'll propose to you."

Elv's expression turned stern, "Forget it!"

Gzal shrunk a bit awkwardly.

Elv added tenderly, "Proposing is my romantic gesture. You just wait to marry me, Gzal."

With that said, the two heads affectionately touched each other.

Although not earth-shattering, the scene left Reiga and Matthew gazing at each other by the staircase for quite a while.

Seizing the moment, they discovered more clues.

Besides the trash and utensils, there were two sturdy iron chains in the kitchen. These chains restrained the ogre within the confines of the kitchen, limiting their movement and even making it challenging for them to look up, let alone venture elsewhere.

Matthew speculated there might be other seals on the ogres, as these chains alone wouldn't suffice to contain magical creatures like them.

Meanwhile, they noticed the staircase to the third-to-last floor wasn't far away.

Matthew gestured to Reiga and subtly cast a spell—

"Animal Trickery."

A puff of white smoke arose, revealing a mother hen in the middle of the kitchen. It fluttered on the table briefly before confidently strutting towards a corner.

"Hey! A chicken!" Zeigel was the first to notice, exclaiming, "Elv, you're in luck tonight, watch me catch it!"

The ogre's left hand lunged downward.

The hen flapped its wings, narrowly avoiding the grasp.

"You useless fool! Let me show you!" Elv scolded.

The ogre's right hand joined the chase, but the hen's agility astounded, escaping once again.

Thus, a struggle ensued between them and the chicken.

Seizing the opportunity, Matthew, Renaismae, and the soldiers swiftly crossed the kitchen, reaching the stairs leading upwards.

The ghostly wolves followed closely.

Everything went smoothly until it was Reiga's turn.

He eagerly dashed through the kitchen, reaching the other side of the staircase, only to create a loud bang!

Matthew focused his gaze.

At some point, Reiga had rested his large sword horizontally, and with the narrowness of the staircase, the sword jammed between the walls, making a loud clang.

The sword got stuck momentarily, pulling Reiga back like a slingshot. He swiftly turned around, only to face the dumbfounded gazes of the two-headed ogre.

In a crucial moment, the experience of the seasoned adventurer kicked in.

Reiga casually took two steps forward, casually grabbed a piece of cheese from the table, ignoring the mold, and popped it into his mouth. "Is dinner ready? I'm famished."

The two-headed ogre waved frantically.

Elv fumed, "Get off my turf, you humans!"

Zeigel was equally irritated, "Dinner will be signaled by a bell. Are you starving ghosts? And keep your hands clean; that cheese was meant for Elv! Put it down!"

Reiga complied without fuss, placing the cheese on the cutting board.

"Alright, alright. I hope to hear the bell soon," he said, adjusting his sword to a ninety-degree angle and quickly ascending the stairs.

"These humans have no manners!"

"Ugh, where's my chicken?"

"That scoundrel must've stolen it. I can tell he's a chicken thief!"

The two-headed ogre's grumbles echoed from the kitchen.

In the hallway, Reiga gestured an apology to Matthew.

Matthew waved it off, gesturing for caution, and they continued their ascent.

This stretch of stairs was significantly longer than before.

Surrounded by the dark night sky, the fierce wind made their skin ache.

They were approaching the third-to-last floor.

A voice echoed from above:

"Are Lord Spanther's requested items ready?"

"I'll check on the kitchen situation. That ogre takes forever. I need to report to Lady Kunna and get a new chef."

The voices were nearing each other at the corner.

Reiga tensed, grasping his greatsword, but Matthew brazenly strode forward.

Curious, Reiga followed. Two bodies lay on the ground.

On the platform at the staircase, Abing held the heads of two ratfolk, still warm.

"Dispose of the bodies," Matthew commanded.

Abing obeyed the order.

Meanwhile, Matthew surveyed the surroundings.

This platform seemed familiar from the enemy ritual in the woods.

It was spacious with numerous buildings in the center, railings lining the edges—a place of regular activity.

About two hundred meters ahead, lights shone brightly from a row of houses, figures moving within.

That should be the decayed ones' camp.

And at the camp's side, far in the sky, a thick layer of clouds lingered.

Faint moonlight touched the clouds.

Matthew faintly saw a vast expanse of structures—likely one of the rumored "Ruins in the Sky."

Though within the ruins, it seemed lifeless, devoid of any light. Perhaps the cloud spirits had cleared it out.

"Why could the decay cult locate the abandoned lodge of the cloud spirits?"

Matthew pondered while surveying the surroundings.

He took a few steps forward but suddenly halted.

Alert spells, albeit low-level.

Matthew effortlessly saw through them.

Admittedly, the decay cult was trashy, except for finding a decent camp, displaying an air of squalor.

In truth, most nefarious organizations led mediocre lives.

That's precisely why Matthew dared to take them down alone.

He planned to head toward the fire.

But at that moment, Reiga tapped his shoulder.

"At a critical discovery," Reiga interrupted.

"It's not a time for jests," Matthew cautioned.

Reiga seemed momentarily disheartened.

"Do you recall the ratfolk's conversation? They mentioned someone named Spanther."

"I know. That woman who kidnapped the wild frog person mentioned him too. Seems like a rogue mage in cahoots with the decay cult," Matthew replied.

Reiga insisted, "He's a rogue mage now, but not always."

"Remember when I asked you about casting spells? I read news about a group of mages addicted to casting who stole the 'Velocity Gem' from the Alliance Treasury. Their leader was Spanther!"

Surprise flickered across Matthew's face.

"Really? Your memory's that sharp?"

Reiga looked proudly, "Do you think I, a lord, spend my days just reading papers and drinking coffee?"

"I have a purpose!"

Matthew's expression turned serious, "Did the wanted notice mention his strength?"

Reiga recollected, "Third tier. But they stole more than just the 'Velocity Gem.' The news downplayed it. They definitely took something more critical. The Alliance needed to downplay it to avoid attracting attention to the true treasure, fearing others would covet it."

Matthew was impressed by Reiga's analysis.

He hadn't expected such astuteness.

If Spanther was indeed with the decay cult, tonight's operation would be significantly more challenging.

Before eliminating the decayed ones, Matthew had to deal with that mage!

"Mages won't reside in squalid places like these. They'll be higher up. But if we proceed deeper, we risk discovery," Matthew strategized.

The duo found a concealed spot.

Matthew conveyed his plan.

Reiga pondered, "For this scenario, a feint to draw the decayed ones out, and then securing the passage to the upper level, anticipating Spanther's appearance for a swift strike, is the best strategy."

"However, the challenge lies in their numbers. We'll need ample force."

Reiga's plan was sound.

At least it was better than risking discovery while exploring upwards.

While Abing would disarm traps, facing an Alliance mage, Matthew wasn't confident they could stealthily maneuver like before.

Summoning graveyard minions here would cause too much commotion, potentially interrupting them swiftly.

As Matthew strategized, Reiga began warming up.

"What are you up to?" Matthew questioned.

Reiga shrugged, "Can't just stare at each other forever, can we?"

"Zeller didn't send me for that reason. These decayed ones are after my forest. As a lord, I defend every citizen's property. It's fitting for me to handle them," Reiga explained confidently.

"Plus, I've got to show you youngsters the skills of seasoned adventurers!"

With that, he strode towards the decayed ones, wielding his greatsword.

"You keep watch on the passage. I'll handle all the decayed ones at the camp," Reiga declared authoritatively. "Also, I can't fly. If I get thrown out during the fight, remember to pull me back in."

In an instant, black-green flames engulfed him.

His half-plate armor melded with his skin in the flames.

Creaking sounds echoed—the rapid growth of bones!

In a flash, Reiga's height reached 2.3 meters.

Bloody horns sprouted from his forehead.

Elongated, withered yet translucent wings emerged from his back.

His coccyx grew into an agile tail!

His eyes turned a pure emerald green.

He resembled a terrifying demon!

...

"Hint: Your companion Reiga activated the second form (Blood Banner Prince).

Blood Banner Prince: Reiga reveals his demon form, escalating to Tier 5. His speed and agility surge significantly, gaining control over flames, and a 500% taunting ability boost."

...

"Come, vermin! Tonight, your rest begins here, never to rise again," Reiga disregarded the spell traps at the camp's edge.

A surge of sword energy flipped over the roofs of a dozen decayed treehouses!

"Who goes there?"

Dark figures emerged from the houses, exuding decay and corruption.

At the sight of Reiga, they appeared perplexed.

"Where did you come from, demon? Why attack us?" they questioned, hesitantly.

Reiga swung his sword, "I am your doom."

In an instant, the decayed ones recoiled.

Evading the sword, they transformed—bats, hyenas, giant lizards, even jaguars—surrounding Reiga, launching relentless attacks!

On the other side of the platform, Matthew, wearing an invisibility ring, directed his ghost wolf and Renismae to assist Reiga.

Meanwhile, he and Abing guarded the lower passage.

Soon enough, a frantic bell toll echoed.

Someone dashed down the hallway.

Abing swiftly eliminated them.

...

"Hint: Your summoned entity Abing has slain a decayed one.

Main Quest II (Mainline 1) 'Maintenance is Crucial' has updated with new content.

Eradicate Decay: Decay is nature's greatest enemy. Killing them grants rewards from the natural realm.

For every decayed one slain, you gain 10 Enhancement Experience.

Every 20 Enhancement Experience can strengthen an oak or an oak guardian!"

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