Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 503: Creature of the Undead World

The skeletal dragon’s thunderous roar compelled the two Rank Two plant giants to suppress it with greater force.

Perhaps due to its recent awakening, the dragon’s power had yet to fully return. Alternatively, it might have been weakened by some other factors.

As the skeletal dragon attempted to lift its head, the relentless pressure from the two plant creatures forced it back down.

Amidst the struggle, rotting soil scattered around. A frail skeleton, clinging to one of the skeletal dragon's spiked bones, crumbled under the intense force.

Pinned down by the plant giants, the skeletal dragon finally began to slowly assess the situation around it.

Whether due to its prolonged slumber or a slow return to awareness, the skeletal dragon struggled initially to understand its predicament.

It was only when the branches of the giant plant creatures thickened and their root systems beneath the soil became more complex that the dragon experienced a sudden moment of clarity and noticed the three mages standing before it.

More specifically, it saw Sein, enveloped in searing verdant flames—the source of its recent agony.

“Mages from the Magus World?!” The silver-white soul flame flickered in the dragon’s immense skull.

After a brief silence, the skeletal dragon, with the voice of a beleaguered soul, expressed its grief and indignation.

“Nine thousand years ago, Peano tricked me into becoming his mount for three thousand years! And now, you little mages from the Magus World are here to torment me again. I want to return to the Undead World!”

Its roar reverberated through the graveyard as it began to thrash and flail wildly, like a child throwing a tantrum.

The advancing undead horde began to subside as a circle of silver ripples emanated from the dragon.

Even the few ferocious Rank One undead creatures quieted and disengaged from combat with Sein and the others.

***

“That means... you’re a creature from the Undead World?” Sein asked, holding his Verdant Flame Heart Rod as he faced the skeletal dragon in the graveyard.

“Do you even have to ask? Where else would you find such a cool-looking skeletal dragon?” the skeletal dragon retorted, exhaling white deathly mist from its nostrils.

Indeed, judging by its visage alone, the skeletal dragon could be considered somewhat cool-looking.

However, the formidable creature was currently being heavily suppressed by two Rank Two plant creatures, rendering it nearly immobile.

Sein nodded thoughtfully to the skeletal dragon’s response, though it gave him a bit of a headache.

The Undead World was a prominent member of the Magus Alliance—a major world populated by overlords.

In the hierarchy of the Magus Alliance, the Undead World ranked alongside the Titan World and Elven World.

Due to the nature of undead creatures, when the Magus Civilization Army engaged in wars with foreign powers, over seventy percent of the legions of undead summoned originated from the Undead World and its vassal planes

Essentially, this special world contributed greatly to the Magus World and its undead inhabitants were also extremely loyal.

At least, all of the necromancers in the Magus World, along with more than two-thirds of the umbramancers and summoners, held the Undead World in high regard.

Sein’s headache stemmed from realizing that, as a creature of the Undead World, the skeletal dragon was technically his ally.

Rather than Sein’s aggressiveness, it was the friendly relationship between the Undead World and the Magus World that quickly subdued the skeletal dragon.

More precisely, the relationship between the two worlds was akin to vassalage.

The Undead World had always been a staunch supporter of the Magus Civilization.

The withdrawal of the undead horde around them but also the disengagement of the few Rank One undead creatures from combat were likely influenced by the skeletal dragon.

Nevertheless, Sein remained wary, not fully trusting the skeletal dragon while the two giant plant creatures continued suppressing it.

Creak! Creak!

The sounds of tree branches grinding against bone never stopped for even a moment.

The skeletal dragon’s bones proved tougher than anticipated, matching the formidable resilience of the plant creatures.

Considering the dense, flourishing root systems, these plant creatures, cultivated by Lorianne, were among the top-tier in physical combat.

Despite the intense pressure applied by the plant creatures, the skeletal dragon showed no signs of strain.

Instead, it was Sein’s verdant flames that caused it pain when they burned the dragon’s eye socket.

Perhaps the skeletal dragon’s true strength was greater than it appeared.

“You said you were taken in by a powerful individual named Peano from the Magus World nine thousand years ago. Does that mean you’ve lived for at least ten thousand years?” Sein asked, observing the dragon’s skull pinned to the ground.

“I wasn’t taken in; I was tricked by him!” the skeletal dragon corrected Sein with a hint of irritation.

“Listen up now, little fellow. Our relationship was equal, and he still owes me a great deal!” the skeletal dragon asserted. It attempted to raise its head to emphasize its point, only to be quickly pressed down again by the two giant plant creatures.

Undead creatures typically had significantly longer lifespans than those of flesh and blood.

For instance, the lowest level skeleton soldiers could easily live two to three hundred years, provided the soul flame within their skulls remained ignited.

However, Rank One creatures from some planes might not even reach three hundred years, with two hundred often being the upper limit.

It was no surprise that in the Astral Realm, many beings from various world civilizations often chose to transform themselves into undead creatures in pursuit of longevity.

Many mages, facing the end of their natural lifespans, opt to transfer their souls into a phylactery, becoming liches.

In fact, most of the powerful necromancers in the Magus World were liches.

As a result, they typically enjoy longer lifespans compared to most spellcasters.

However, not every mage was willing to take this path.

While becoming a lich offered many advantages, it also came with a significant vulnerability—the phylactery.

This single weak point was enough to deter many mages in their quest for perfection.

The fact that the skeletal dragon before Sein had lived for over ten thousand years indicated that it was no ordinary Rank Two creature.

Although undead creatures were known for their longevity, it was highly unusual for a Rank Two to survive over ten thousand years.

This skeletal dragon was likely a Rank Three being, but for some reason, it currently appeared to be only Rank Two.