Multiverse: Dimension Hopping Mage

Chapter 37: Battle at the Quarry (Part 2)

"Rumble, rumble, rumble—!"

The azure sword energy soared forward like an eagle spreading its wings, engulfing everything in its path in a violent storm. The skeletal soldiers had no time to raise their swords before the green eagle swooped overhead. The ensuing whirlwind swept them up like driftwood, hurling them backward until they shattered against the stalactite-covered walls.

"Let's go!"

"Yes…"

Alex sighed as he followed the spirited Stone into the depths of the tunnel. To be honest, he envied Stone's swordsmanship.

The grand knight's abilities were indeed remarkable, especially his AOE attacks, which were simply masterful.

Although Alex had learned Arthas's Royal Cross Sword technique, which was equally powerful, he always felt a bit awkward using it.

For some reason, this feeling had intensified after his grueling training in the free world of Dark Souls. Alex initially thought his discomfort stemmed from unfamiliarity with the sword itself, but after enduring the relentless training of Dark Souls, the awkwardness only grew stronger.

Watching Stone fight only highlighted this disparity. Stone's Storm Sword technique was fluid and graceful, almost like a dance. In contrast, Alex felt his own Royal Cross Sword technique was stiff and awkward, as if the gears weren't properly lubricated—functional, but not smooth.

He needed to discuss this with Stone after the battle.

Now wasn't the time to address it, so Alex stayed silent, following Stone closely. Miss M didn't accompany them, as it was safer for her to stay above, especially since Connie needed care. Alex had no fondness for the crazy girl, so he left her to Miss M.

What really worried Alex was Stone's straightforward approach—charging in and slashing everything in sight. Alex hadn't even had a chance to act; Stone had already dismantled most of the approaching skeletons.

Alex could only shrug helplessly, understanding Stone's need to vent. Clearly, Stone knew Malt and his team were likely on a one-way trip. Alex didn't know the specifics of Stone and Malt's relationship, but it was clear they were close. Stone wouldn't have come looking for them otherwise. Watching his comrades head into a deadly trap undoubtedly upset Stone.

As a seasoned grand knight, Stone wasn't about to do something foolish like "we all die together." He channeled his frustration into smashing undead soldiers.

Thus, Alex wisely refrained from bringing up his swordsmanship issues. Stone, even with a better disposition, wouldn't have the patience for it now. Alex knew from their time together that Stone's temper wasn't exactly the best.

The undead stood no chance against Stone. The skeletal soldiers were shattered before they could show their strength. After several failed attempts, they stopped coming—either scared off by Stone or because the lich had lost interest.

If it was the latter, that wasn't a good sign.

Stone and Alex quickened their pace. The quarry, though abandoned, had sturdy tunnels, so they didn't worry about sudden collapses. But the deeper they went, the darker their expressions became, not just because the air grew heavier with death but also because the lich remained eerily silent.

This plan wasn't going as smoothly as they hoped.

"There, look!"

As the two turned a corner in the tunnel, they immediately saw a large chamber not far ahead. The moment Stone saw the scene inside, his face darkened. Even Alex frowned deeply.

In the center of the chamber lay over a dozen bodies clad in temple knight armor. However, their appearances were ghastly—their muscles seemed to have completely melted away, leaving only skin draped over bones. They looked horrifying. Beneath them, the blood flowed so vividly that it was almost blinding.

Alex couldn't fathom what they had gone through, but their expressions in death indicated immense suffering.

"You bastard!!"

Stone roared at the lich floating in the center of the chamber. He raised his greatsword and slashed forward with all his might.

An enormous azure eagle, even larger than before, materialized from the air currents, its wings spreading wide as it charged at the lich with a piercing cry. The figure floating in the air merely tilted its head and raised a staff, resembling a withered branch, pointing it at the oncoming eagle.

In the next moment, Alex saw a black beam shoot from the staff, striking the storm eagle. To his astonishment, the storm eagle, made entirely of astral energy and wind elements, began to struggle and scream as if it were a living creature.

It flapped its wings weakly before crashing to the ground and disintegrating into dust. Stone himself was affected; when the beam struck the eagle, he felt a cold hand grasp his heart.

Fortunately, his robust physique withstood the attack. Otherwise, he would have collapsed alongside the eagle. Even so, Stone's face contorted with pain as he gritted his teeth, resisting the deathly energy invading his body.

What terrified Stone more was the lich's ability to destroy his storm sword technique so effortlessly. This indicated that the lich's mastery of power was far superior to his own, allowing it to exhibit overwhelming dominance.

"This is the power of the Death Domain... You're the Bone Duke Frank of the Council of Ten Thousand Deaths? It's really you?!"

What the hell!

Hearing Stone's exclamation, Alex was equally shocked. During his time with the temple and Stone, Alex had learned about their enemies. The temple had three major foes: the Church of Doom, to which Alex's original body belonged, the Council of Ten Thousand Deaths, and the Twilight Legion. The Twilight Legion aimed to destroy all symbols of order and civilization, while the Council of Ten Thousand Deaths believed that the essence of all life was death. They saw death as the ultimate theme of the world, transcending both chaos and order.

In simple terms, if the Twilight Legion and the Church of Doom could find a common goal to ally, the Council of Ten Thousand Deaths was the enemy of everyone. They didn't care if you were aligned with order or chaos; they just wanted to introduce you to the "truth of death," which neither knights nor cultists were eager to experience.

Moreover, the Council's teachings were deeply hated. They proclaimed that the Goddess of Order would fall and that the twilight of chaos was imminent, thus offending both sides equally.

Worse still, the Council consisted entirely of undead creatures. All the undead across the continent gathered here, including liches, bone dragons, and death emissaries. This overwhelming strength was why both order and chaos were wary of attacking the Council—it was simply too powerful, and a misstep could lead to their own destruction.

Additionally, the Council was notorious for its "persuasive education." Many heroic figures had attempted to eradicate these undead fanatics, only to disappear and later reappear as undead slaves.

The Bone Duke Frank was one of the five high-ranking members of the Council, overseeing the Death Domain, second only to the Council leader. Stone had anticipated a tough battle, but he hadn't expected such a formidable opponent.

This is bad!

Alex frowned at the floating lich. He realized that Stone's original plan was now useless.

(End of Chapter)

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