NEC Chapter 128: Be Sensible, These Are Lord Chen's Soul Contract Chains

The strength displayed by the armored warrior was somewhat beyond normal parameters, causing everyone from the front lines to the rear camp to fall into a brief state of speechlessness.

Everyone just watched this guy drag the magnetic combat vehicle like a rabbit dragging a fallen mammoth, like an ordinary person pulling an overturned armored car, with some apparent effort, swaying unsteadily, step by step, pursuing forward.

Those footprints were pressed quite deep.

However, although everyone was somewhat dazed in this situation and stopped their intercepting actions, trying to pursue Simple Bull while carrying this vehicle was still rather underestimating centaurs.

After hearing Kaga's command, little Ma Baoguo darted out without looking back, grabbed the half-dead Simple Bull from the ground and ran.

Even as exclamations came from behind, he never hesitated for a moment, nor did he look back at the commotion.

To go from Kaga's annoying rival to his most trusted partner, this was a stubborn little fellow.

The little centaur just ran without looking back, dragging Simple Bull all the way out of Blood Fortress.

Leaving behind a shocking trail of blood.

Only after Simple Bull was dragged out of Blood Fortress's range did the mysterious armored warrior stop, letting out several unclear roars toward the direction the "enemy" had fled.

It seemed joyful, yet also tinged with some sadness.

Then he slowly turned around, dragging that giant "trophy," and stepped heavily back the way he came.

Wait, you should return our vehicle...

Whether he returned it or not no longer mattered. To reduce weight, the vehicle's driver cabin was semi-open, and the control room operator had already been thrown off during the bumping. Now no one could get up to cut the power switch.

Everyone could only watch helplessly as this guy treated the "magnetic combat vehicle" like an accessory, producing harsh metallic scraping sounds all the way as he dragged it back to the lord's mansion.

Apparently also feeling the "burden" behind him was too awkward, the armored warrior clumsily swayed his body left and right several times in front of the lord's mansion's remaining half portico, trying to shake it off.

Unable to achieve the desired effect, he ultimately ignored it and walked into his lord's mansion.

Boom! Crash!

The house that still had some half-walls and broken pillars was now completely leveled.

Wherever the large vehicle passed, walls collapsed and houses fell, with dust rising everywhere.

The armored warrior struggled to move to the steps where he once sat, trying to sit down as he had countless days and nights before. However, the steel mountain on his back ruthlessly prevented this.

Once, twice... he tried forcefully, both the armor and combat vehicle continuously producing unbearable friction sounds.

Finally, he gave up.

The armored warrior maintained a strange posture, legs rigidly standing, body leaning slightly forward, as if using all his strength to resist the enormous dragging force behind him, then solidified again into a silent metal statue.

A heavy and long sigh seemed to echo in the air.

Outside the fortress, Simple Bull was dragged into the temporary field hospital.

The Vast Sea forces, strictly following East Xia combat regulations, had set up a simple frontline field hospital on the first day of camp establishment. Several Night’s Edge mercenary group warriors injured in the first day's pioneering operations all received excellent care here, which was one of the reasons the mercenary group was particularly devoted to this lord.

The medic held a bilingual Resting Moon and East Xia text version of the "Field First Aid Manual," loudly issuing commands.

"Cut open his outer clothing, stop the bleeding first, stop the bleeding!"

"Watch his heartbeat, blood pressure, measure them! Check his pupils!"

"Healing spells, continue casting healing, don't stop!"

"Prepare adrenaline! Quick!"

After a chaotic scramble, with herbs, healing magic, tourniquets, injections and a whole bunch of miscellaneous treatments working together, Simple Bull's bleeding was finally stopped. It looked like he wouldn't die anytime soon.

One could only say this guy's life shouldn't end yet.

Although he wasn't wearing metal armor, Simple Bull was still covered in a large anti-stab vest. The high-toughness fiber material greatly blocked the armored warrior's already dulled sword, preventing the swordsman from cleaving Simple Bull in half and instead sending him flying from the slashing force.

Of course, they also had to thank the centaurs and human warriors' desperate physical blocking, as well as the "magnetic combat vehicle's" sacrifice.

Otherwise, given the opponent's speed and strength, Liu Zaiyue could never have escaped.

The assault team vanguard, having come to their senses, had all withdrawn from the inner city and formed a combat defensive formation just outside the wall boundary, somewhat bewildered and at a loss.

"What kind of monster is this exactly?"

"Lord, I have some guesses!"

Doyle was granted permission and brought before the video communicator at the advance base, his expression grave. "This, this is very likely an earthbound undead that has evolved into a complete greater undead!"

Chen Mo frowned. "Withdraw first, explain slowly!"

At the hastily convened military meeting, Doyle carefully explained his guesses to Chen Mo.

So-called earthbound undead were a type of native undead creature.

"Undead creatures, according to summoner classifications, have three types: native to this realm, necromantic resurrection, and underworld secondary."

"Netherworld secondary undead creatures are the most numerous, all pure undead creatures born in other dimensions, under the jurisdiction of underworld lords, and sometimes respond to necromancer summons to come fight in the Starry Continent."

"Your skeletons are this type."

"Necromantic resurrection refers to undead liches or human death mages using spells to raise creatures whose soul fires haven't completely dispersed after death, becoming resurrected undead."

"This type is strictly prohibited by various nations on the Starry Continent, so resurrected undead are rarely seen, though some countries or nobles secretly raise some."

"Native undead creatures of this realm are those that, in certain special environments on the Starry Continent, due to magical corruption, can move independently again after death, without underworld lord control and not bound by death mages or liches. We necromancers call this type native to this realm."

"Native undead that can only move within the area where they were born and cannot leave are called earthbound undead."

No matter which aspect one looked at, this armored warrior in Blood Fortress perfectly fit the above characteristics.

Doyle's explanation was very detailed. To become native to this realm, an earthbound undead, required multiple complex factors mixing together, truly heaven-made.

According to Doyle's speculation, this earthbound undead must originally have been a core general defending Razor Fortress, possibly even the last city lord himself.

To serve as leader of such an important stronghold, his rank in life must have been very high.

It was precisely because of his powerful strength, unwillingness at the fortress's fall, chaotic spiritual energy currents after the local magical protection arrays were destroyed, perhaps combined with this place being a magical battlefield of blood and fire for hundreds of years, that ultimately created such a powerful earthbound undead.

"Usually we necromancers believe that among native undead creatures, those that can wander around may have varying abilities, but those restricted to one area and unable to move must be extremely powerful!"

"Earthbound undead rank quite high in the undead creature hierarchy, above cursed corpse shamans and death knights, slightly below greater liches and bone dragons."

"Regional restrictions are both shackles and enhancements for earthbound undead."

Chen Mo stopped writing, heavily dotting his notebook several times with his pen tip, asking several consecutive questions.

"Does this thing have intelligence? Can it be communicated with?"

"What methods are there to deal with earthbound... this earthbound undead?"

Doyle rubbed his somewhat messy hair. "Lord, earthbound undead do have intelligence, but not the kind we usually understand, the kind that can think and communicate."

"The birth of earthbound undead must involve a very strong desire or resentment, which is why they're bound to this land."

"They will always act around this goal, completely ignoring other matters."

"Unless you can help the earthbound undead fulfill their wishes..."

"Or fight them directly. Earthbound undead are still undead creatures and can be fought. However, I feel this one in the city may already have sixth-tier or even seventh-tier strength. My Dark Knights facing him would probably be a one-slash matter... it won't be easy to fight."

Kaga stood up. "I have an idea."

"This guy only attacks Simple Bull and ignores us. We can approach and attack with various weapons. If we attack enough, we'll eventually defeat him!"

Doyle smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Just because he doesn't actively attack you doesn't mean he won't fight back. Your previous shooting probably wasn't considered a threat. If the earthbound undead feels threatened, the entire area becomes the enemy's graveyard!"

"Then let's go big!" Kaga continued strategizing. "Plant enough high explosives around him and blow him up hard. I don't believe he can withstand it!"

Chen Mo waved his hand, stopping Kaga's words. "Wait, Captain Doyle, I have a question. Why does this earthbound undead only attack Simple Bull, ignoring other members of our team, not even attacking the centaurs?"

"The lord doesn't know!"

"Earthbound undead inherit memories from life. At Razor Fortress back then, orcs were the greatest enemy. To resist orcs, those participating in fortress defense included not only humans but also elves, dwarves, and half-orcs living in this region..."

"Moreover, because Razor Fortress was besieged for too long, well, those with weak will had long since fled or surrendered!"

"Those who could stay by this general's side and persist to the final moment must have been the strongest and most resolute warriors."

"So, probably in this earthbound undead general's eyes, except for orcs, everyone else are comrades-in-arms."

Kaga, who had been eager to try, immediately deflated.

The lord's own values could greatly influence his subordinates. Even originally bad characters would at least follow the lord's morals and values on the surface, let alone little centaurs like this who were somewhat naive and had their values essentially shaped by the lord.

Needless to say, facing such a "human hero" character, the lord had definitely softened.

Having softened, they could only try the gentle approach first.

For the entire next day, the Vast Sea assault team tried various forms of communication.

The black mist raised by this earthbound undead armored warrior had manifested many more ruin guards through iron and blood, but embarrassingly, these guardians were all stuck to the magnetic combat vehicle's magnetic disc.

So this armored warrior was now not only carrying the huge magnetic combat vehicle but also the hundred or so ruin guards on the vehicle.

One person carrying an entire fortress on his back!

The assault team cautiously approached, first clearing up the building debris around the area that had been crushed beyond recognition by the combat vehicle, then began various earnest persuasions and heartfelt conversations.

"General, this vehicle, this vehicle belongs to us. Could you... return it to us?"

"Big brother, uncle, grandpa? Aren't you tired carrying this? Take a rest?"

"How about I turn off the power and remove this burden from your back?"

"These noisy guardians are too bothersome. I'll remove them, you don't mind, right?"

"Don't you have anything to say to us? Our lord is here. Do you have any wishes?"

"Big brother, I'm turning off the power, I'm really turning it off. Be careful!"

As the vehicle power was cut, the magnetic combat vehicle that had been lifted high crashed down heavily, raising a large cloud of dust.

The earthbound undead felt relieved, twisted his body, and finally managed to sit on the steps, slightly lowering his head, seemingly returning to his original appearance.

Kaga looked behind him for a long time, unable to figure out what material this armor was made of, how it could pull such a heavy combat vehicle without falling off his body...

Rather too fantastical.

Slanted radiance fell on the earthbound undead, with countless dust particles dancing around him in the light beam. The atmospheric tone shifted from horror-comedy back to peaceful tranquility.

As the magnetic combat vehicle was dragged away, everyone carefully cleaned every space at the scene according to the lord's requirements.

More traces left from war were discovered.

Magic letters from the Emerald Duchy with stern wording demanding to "hold position and await reinforcement."

Draft rescue letters written with every word dripping blood but never able to be sent.

A fortress defense diary half-burned by flames, with desperate writing on the remaining yellowed pages: "...supplies exhausted, reinforcements cut off, only twenty-two warriors remain. Tomorrow, perhaps the... final battle..."

Ten minutes later, a fallen stone tablet was discovered in the main hall of the lord's mansion.

The camera clearly projected the image onto the large screen at the distant perimeter.

[By the Ancestor God of Beast Souls, in the 127th year of White Deer, the Clawsplit tribe chief broke the human Razor Fortress and destroyed the city here, announcing to all directions!]

[Any who dare establish a city here again will face the great orc tribes' hundred hammers and thousand axes, torn to pieces!]

"The year the beast tribes completely captured White Deer Plains and gained full control of Flag Mountain's north, to celebrate victory, they called that year White Deer Year One!"

Geddy continued serving as the city lord's commentator, quietly providing supplementary information.

The camera shifted slightly. Beside these two lines of finely carved characters full of triumphant swagger, there was a row of crooked small characters that seemed written with some sharp implement.

"Rebuild Razor Fortress, return north to White Deer Plains!"

The experienced necromancer Doyle seemed to understand something. He quietly requested instructions from Chen Mo, then ordered the centaurs on site to slightly grind away part of these characters, making some words appear blurred, then brought the stone tablet before the earthbound undead warrior.

Indeed, the armored warrior moved.

He extended his broken gauntlet and traced over the ground-away characters again.

Stone chips flew, the characters clear as ever.

"Lord, this is the earthbound undead's obsession."

Chen Mo sighed deeply and asked, "Must his wishes... these two wishes be fulfilled to collect the relic core?"

"Well, not necessarily. Promises work too!"

"Necromancers control underworld secondary undead through underworld lord authorization contracts, while controlling native undead can establish soul contract chains."

"In the process of establishing soul contract chains, if the main mage promises to fulfill the earthbound undead's obsession, there's a certain probability of gaining the earthbound undead's recognition and becoming the necromancer's soul-contracted creature."

"This way, both the relic core and earthbound undead can be taken away."

Chen Mo looked puzzled. "That simple? What if you deceive... deceive the undead?"

"Not so easy to deceive!"

Doyle smiled bitterly. "First, you need the foundation to make the earthbound undead believe in you, your status, strength, actions. A random child couldn't convince them no matter what they said."

"Second, during the necromancer's soul contract chain casting, the undead creature can sense the thoughts you actively transmit, just like, like when you command your skeleton warriors without speaking, it's a kind of sensing."

"That means you must sincerely believe you will help fulfill their wishes and convey this intention. Only then might they accept your soul contract chains."

"Finally, if the necromancer betrays the promise in the future, the earthbound undead will devour their master."

"Their soul power will backlash along the soul contract chains, burning and annihilating with the mage's mental power until one side burns out and completely perishes. This is a contract staked on souls!"

Chen Mo was moved, very moved!

Rebuilding the fortress, I think that's no problem. Reclaiming White Deer Plains, if there's an opportunity, how could I not want it?

This is expanding territory!

Chen Mo slightly controlled his emotions. There were several more important questions to ask.

"Do soul contract chain agreements have time limits?"

"Undead creatures have sufficiently long lifespans, so they don't care much about this point. However, the shorter the promised time, the higher the possibility of acceptance."

"Then, do soul contract chains have tier and mental power magic limitations?"

"Well, almost none. This is a kind of agreement, like, like if both parties agree, even a fishman could ride on a dragon's back..."

Chen Mo excitedly clapped his hands. "Old Doyle, having an experienced master like you really helps me tremendously!"

"So what are we waiting for? Quickly, tell me how to establish these soul contract chains!"

Half an hour later, surrounded by stars and layers of guards, Chen Mo cautiously approached the armored warrior and extended his carefully woven soul contract chains.

The other party neither attacked him nor acknowledged him.

That indifference and... faint disdain was like,

What are you doing here with this level of skill, kid, go play somewhere else, I'm busy!

"Forget it, what's meant to be will be, what's not meant to be shouldn't be forced!"

"Old Doyle, you establish the soul contract. You're already fourth-tier, the success rate should be much higher."

Doyle almost knelt down. "Lord, even fourth-tier isn't enough! The key is, the key is, I don't believe I can rebuild Razor Fortress and reclaim White Deer Plains!"

"Soul contracts... can't be deceived!"

Chen Mo encouraged him, "It's fine, I've got your back. Relax, don't you believe in me?"

Doyle was almost in tears.

"Lord, I believe in you, but, I really don't believe in myself..."

"How about, you wait a bit, wait until your tier is higher, then try again?"

Things had reached another deadlock.

Just leaving like this made Chen Mo somewhat unwilling, but if soul contract chains couldn't be established, should they really use violent means to forcibly eliminate this earthbound undead?

Just as Lord Chen was deeply troubled, news came from outside that Simple Bull had awakened.

This guy had strong enough vitality. Under circumstances where Chen Mo hadn't left a single Everchant Essence and had sent them all back home, he managed to survive this shocking severe injury through his own physical strength and miscellaneous treatments.

After accepting the lord's concern and condolences, the grateful Simple Bull, upon learning of the lord's predicament, offered a self-sacrificing solution.

"Lord, that guy hates orcs so much. How about you kill me in front of him? Maybe that could move him."

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Chen Mo stood on his toes, reaching up to pat the half-reclining Simple Bull's head.

"Regardless of whether this method would definitely work, even if it did, I couldn't trade your life for it!"

"You're my personal guard captain, a brother-in-arms! How could you be the same as those damn orc brats?!"

Before he finished speaking, Chen Mo suddenly stopped!

Eh?

Those orc brats!

Speaking of which...

Didn't I just kill quite a few orcs recently?

Chen Mo jumped up on the spot, slapping the still somewhat confused Liu Zaiyue on the head. "Simple Bull, you're truly my lucky star!"

"Kaga, Kaga, quickly take people and dig up those orcs we killed a few days ago!"

Half an hour later, the silent Blood Fortress was once again filled with clamor.

Lord Chen strode confidently in the front, followed by his guard warriors dragging hundreds of tattered orc and dire wolf corpses, forming neat long lines as they marched in magnificently.

From afar, that armored warrior whose true face had never been seen stood up, seeming somewhat bewildered, with a hint of suspicious uncertainty.

"Hey you!"

"Brought you gifts, big gifts!"

"Hurry up, don't be ungrateful. My sincerity is already here. If you don't agree, I'll really take action!"

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