Chapter 228
Chapter 228. Careless Words and Actions
“Calm down, Alexander.”
At Antendeixis’s words, I snapped back to reality.
That was close. Enma’s tone, which seemed to trample over Claire’s personality, painted the world in red before my eyes… I massaged my temples theatrically, trying to hide my expression while enduring a headache.
No, I knew Enma could swap bodies at will, but… can he possess a higher undead with proper self-awareness too?
“Is that really possible?”
I somehow managed to regain my composure and asked.
“Yeah… Claire is an undead I created.”
…
Calm down. I’m exceedingly composed; this guy is just stating the facts…
And thinking clearly brings about a basic question.
“Going is fine, but what about coming back?”
“Well, of course… what should we do?”
As he began to answer, Enma froze and looked at Claire as if seeking help.
“What do you expect me to do…?”
Claire wore an exasperated expression.
“Hmmm. Maybe I’ll just casually procure some local skeleton horses.”
“Are you really going to go that far?”
Now it was my turn to be dumbfounded at Enma’s unwavering determination.
“First of all, those local horses must have their own uses. Can you really just butt in like that?”
“Hmm… then maybe I should send one additional horse in advance?”
“Abuse of power much?”
I couldn’t help but retort, but wait, if it’s one horse—
“Are you going to possess the skeleton horse?”
In the Demon Lord Kingdom, a carriage usually requires at least two horses.
If he can possess Claire, there shouldn’t be any reason why he can’t do the same with a skeleton horse. After all, it’s also an undead created by Enma.
“Seems like I might.”
“What about during the day…?”
It would take several days to dash from Evaroti to the Demon Lord Castle without a break, and during the day, moving around would be almost impossible. Ultimately, we’d end up wasting several days away from the Demon Lord Castle.
I hoped Enma would just give up.
“N-no, perhaps this won’t work after all, ahaha…”
Enma laughed while playfully scratching her head. Alright, alright, this should avoid the situation of Enma wearing Claire’s form and teaming up with Leila—
—But thinking more calmly…
What’s the deal with physical distance for a spiritual entity?
“… You know, when you get turned to ash by sunlight, you immediately switch to another body.”
I voiced my doubts as my thoughts drifted.
“That’s not just simple astral projection. You’re not turning into a spirit or anything.”
If a body turns to ash, and the spiritual body is exposed to sunlight, even Enma shouldn’t escape unscathed.
“How do you manage that?”
“… I go through the spirit world and hop into a backup body.”
Oh. So while it looks like he’s calmly giggling and being burned, he actually opens a portal to the spirit world instantly, retreating before the ghost is exposed to sunlight?
That’s kind of risky…
“Huh… speaking of which, the spirit world has vague distances and time, right?”
Right, even high-ranking undead kings separated by some distance can use a technique called “spirit world communication” to pass on messages…
… I never had any doubts until now.
For instance, Faravgi, who was killed in a ruin two days away from the Demon Lord Castle, could be summoned to my room in an instant.
That’s right, even those who died in Evaroti could be summoned right here to the Demon Lord Castle, as long as I have their remains or artifacts.
Which means…
If Enma, who maintains consciousness in the spirit world, has a base in the real world and wields advanced necromancy…
—He could totally ignore the distances in the physical world and move instantly… right?
Wait, even if that’s not the case, if there are two high-level necromancers, they could use a sufficiently strong soul as a messenger to exchange information instantly…
But… if that’s possible, then flying dragons or Izanis tribe couriers would pale in comparison to such speedy communication…
“…”
Enma still wore a smile.
Ah, but I get it.
He’s not laughing at all.
He’s been keeping that card hidden. Since I’m always lecturing him, he must have let it slip out of pure carelessness.
If a high-speed communication network, a superior version of spirit world communication, is possible!
This research-minded necromancer must have made it happen!
Enma accidentally hinted at it.
And I, by chance, realized…
“…”
A silence fell over the lab.
The air turned quite cold and damp.
… Damn it. I shouldn’t have thought that learning necromancy wouldn’t affect my consciousness anymore! Antendeixis is watching over me! So, with Sophia buried in bureaucratic work related to the autonomous district, she stopped tagging along for protection!
I should have brought her with me.
Even a person like that could buy me some time—
I looked casual while my tension peaked. How many seconds would it take to sprint from this lab to the exit? Could I shake off the heavily armored undead knights, Enma, and Claire?
And with Claire here…
My hand nearly reached for Adamas at my side, but I held it back with all my might.
Fortunately, my beloved sword is always ready for action, but other than that, I’m just in my regular clothes with no serious gear…!
“Ah, man.”
Enma raised her voice.
“Did you figure it all out just from that…?”
She sounded somewhat disappointed.
—With that doll-like smile still plastered on her face.
