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The ghost and former lich Alberich moved alongside Crim and her army, gliding just above the ground, wanting to speak with them about something.

“So…what is it then?”

Crim was still intimidated by him, holding tightly onto Freya’s robes as she asked. At least Freya seemed happy about that, smiling contentedly, but that wasn’t important.

“…What I want to tell you involves none other than the king of the undead within the citadel… and the misfortunes that befell us, which led to the undead taking control of everything.”

With that preamble, he began telling his story.

◇◇◇

Everything had started a little over a hundred years ago.

At the time, Margrave Garland had been appointed by the empire to govern and safeguard Galardia Bridge, while a foreign force from another continent attempted to invade the empire through the southwest.

The citadel had boasted impregnable defenses for generations, and the knights and soldiers stationed there were among the strongest… But the invaders were relentless, launching attacks without pause, gradually wearing down the defenders and causing casualties to rise.

Margrave Garland III was a courageous leader, always fighting at the frontlines with his men. But he also had a kind heart, and watching his soldiers suffer took a heavy toll on his mind.

…And then, someone appeared with a way to resolve that. An alchemist who had served the Garland family for generations.

He presented a certain powder, which he claimed to be a new drug he had developed. Given the alchemist’s long and loyal service, the margrave trusted him and tested the drug himself. It worked flawlessly, like a miraculous remedy.

Just one dose was enough to close wounds before one’s eyes, completely restore stamina, and grant a surge of strength, allowing someone to fight like a one-man army without rest.

It was a godsend for the knights at the frontlines. Thanks to it, they managed to repel the invaders and even chase them back to their shores.

At first, the margrave had been wary of how effective it was… but in time, he grew addicted and began distributing it to his men.

For a few months, things continued smoothly. But then disturbing rumors began spreading through Garland’s territory.

It started with a corpse found mutilated, as though savaged by wild beasts, found within the supposedly impenetrable citadel.

Then, each night brought more reports of dead bodies walking about.

That was when Alberich the Spellmaster and his men went to plead with their lord, Margrave Garland III, asking him to investigate. But the margrave refused for some unknown reason.

By then, his appearance had begun to change. His face was pale, his cheeks sunken, and his eyes appeared vacant.

Strangely, his combat prowess had not diminished. In fact, he fought even more fiercely than before. Unfortunately, no one seemed too concerned by that.

Over time, the knights began to change in the same way. To Alberich and his men, it became clear that the powder was the cause. Then again, they had also taken the drug, perhaps not to the same extent, but they too knew the revitalizing effects it offered.

…No, that’s impossible.
…There’s no way we’ve been affected too, right?

They began to doubt themselves, but convinced themselves they were still sane. That denial left them unprepared when disaster struck.

The beginning of the end came when Margrave Garland III suddenly died of a heart attack. A large procession was held to mourn and honor the fallen leader… when his coffin suddenly burst open, and someone stood from within.

But it wasn’t him anymore. What rose from the coffin was a monstrous being, like a savage demon, who attacked anything living with mindless bloodlust.

Those who had taken the drug and were killed by him turned into undead just like him. Like ripples spreading across a calm lake, the entire citadel fell into undead hands in a single day.

Alberich had not been spared. He suffered severe wounds and, as he fell, fading into unconsciousness, he looked up—and saw him.

“Ahahahah! Bear witness! Your noble ruler, loyal subject of the empire, has become the king of the undead! And all of you will follow soon!”

A man stood atop a high platform, safe from harm, laughing as he watched the carnage unfold. It was the alchemist, the one who had created the cursed drug.

Alberich could only glare at him, barely clinging to life. The alchemist met his gaze with a twisted smile of amusement.

And so… Lake Galardia and its surroundings became a land haunted by the undead. Even the invaders from the other continent avoided the area afterward. More than a hundred years later, only the silence of the dead remained.

◇◇◇

“…Even I became undead… but my soul has been freed, thanks to you destroying my body as a lich… allowing me to finally seek peace for my regrets.”

His tale ended just as Crim’s group reached the area before the massive gates where the teleporter stood. Crim was holding her head, like she was fighting off a headache, and it took a great effort to speak.

“I… how do I… I mean, I’m really sorry… I lost myself back then.”

Hearing that story had reminded her of how she had acted during their last visit, and now she just wanted to curl into a ball and disappear.

“There’s no need to apologize. I believe we’ll be able to move on thanks to you. Everyone you’ve slain so far was grateful to no longer be bound to those undying bodies.”

Crim let out a deep sigh at how calmly Alberich responded.

“Anyway… what be these regrets thou dost wish to lay to rest?”

“Right. What me and everyone here want, what we long for…is to see our beloved lord freed from his curse. As a final act of loyalty. And to see the one who caused all of this, who made our knights and people suffer, brought to justice.”

Alberich’s voice burned with conviction as he replied to Crim’s question.

“So our main target will be King of the Undead Garland III, to cleanse his soul… and then…”
“The alchemist who created this curse. He’s likely still watching from somewhere. That demon…”

Alberich turned his gaze to the towering gates before them, his voice now steeped in hatred.

“…No, more than that. The Devil Bifrons. He has to die.”

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