[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-408":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ember Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1161927,1504,"Chapter 408: Undead Scourge","ember-dragon-chapter-408",408,"\u003Cp>Chapter 408: Undead Scourge\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As fate would have it, the more you dread something, the more likely it is to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Cassius’s command echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Orest, convert all the green-footed drake serpents here into undead skeletons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lich remained silent for a moment before hesitantly muttering, \"Master, but the cost of this is enormous, I—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the [Bone Staff of Myrkul] granted him the power to cast the ninth-tier spell [Undead Scourge], the transformation of undead still required the caster’s energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Converting creatures as large as green-footed drake serpents would be an overwhelming consumption of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were over a hundred such skeletons here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Converting all of them would create a fearsome skeletal army, but it would cost him nearly one-third of the soul energy he had accumulated over centuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse yet, normally, the feedback from the souls of the transformed undead would strengthen the necromancer who summoned them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this case, the undead summoned by the lich would be under Cassius’s command, while Orest would be reduced to a mere tool—a pitiful sacrifice—without any control or benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no ’but.’\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you saying you want to defy my orders?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius looked down at the lich, his unseen draconic might descending upon him, the threat clearly visible in those pale-gold eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to them, Hart drew his longsword and placed it against the lich’s neck. \"Lich! Are you trying to disobey His Majesty’s command?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hurry up and begin the transformation for His Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, a newly risen ghoul king wouldn’t be worth the lich’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, under the overwhelming pressure of the red dragon, Orest trembled uncontrollably. The scene of Cassius splitting the earth flashed through his mind, making him shudder with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to convince himself: \"It’s just a bit of soul energy... Maybe serving this red dragon will bring me greater power in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hart shouted again, \"Hurry up! Or do you want to keep His Majesty waiting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Orest bowed his head and rasped, \"Of—of course not, Master. I was merely thinking of how to produce the most perfect undead skeletons... to meet your high expectations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius smirked. \"Good. Then get started.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a necessary sacrifice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A bit of soul energy is nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lich muttered reassurances to himself while raising the [Bone Staff of Myrkul] with a tragic expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This staff, originally intended to trigger an undead plague and fulfill Myrkul’s soul-harvesting mission, was now being used to create Cassius’s undead army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a mournful face, Orest chanted, \"Ancient bones long buried, I summon you to return...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Undead Scourge]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bone staff glowed with spectral light, releasing an immense wave of necromantic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crack, crack—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint noise arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skeletons of the green-footed drake serpents on the ground began to tremble. The scattered bones slowly assembled, as deathly mist swirled around them, linking the pieces together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shhhh, shhhh—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of bone scraping against bone and stone echoed throughout the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skeletal drake serpents, once fully formed, began slithering across the ground and walls as if alive. Their many bony legs shuffled quickly beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, over a hundred green-footed drake serpent skeletons were reanimated. These towering undead creatures, each over ten meters long, slithered awkwardly across the ground, occasionally entangling with each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am your master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roar—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Cassius’s will descended, the skeletal drake serpents bowed their heads and let out guttural roars, creating a magnificent display of submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the intelligent ghoul king, the skeletal drake serpents were mindless servants driven purely by basic instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These creatures, once created by giants to combat dragons, had now become weapons under a red dragon’s command—a fitting irony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master... the transformation is complete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orest’s voice was weak, and the ghostly fire in his eye sockets dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the process of creating these skeletal creatures had drained him of significant soul energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My soul!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orest silently lamented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve done well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk, it’s a pity that the legendary storm giant was reduced to dust; otherwise, I would’ve had him working for me as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius sighed regretfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Randerta had stored all his power within the [Eye of the Storm King], and once the artifact was taken, his body had crumbled to dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically, this had saved the storm giant elder from being resurrected as a laborer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orest shivered at Cassius’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resurrecting a legendary storm giant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew how much of his soul energy that would’ve cost? Thankfully, the giant had left no corpse behind!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lich breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius gazed at the skeletal drake serpents, clearly pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These skeletal creatures were not only formidable in combat but also ideal for mining, transporting supplies, and other heavy labor—key to his conquest of the Underdark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These undead couldn’t operate in daylight, but in the Underdark, there was no such concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marquis Hart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius waved his claw, drawing a bone whip from one of the drake serpent’s tail tips and tossing it to the ghoul king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I grant you command over these skeletal drake serpents. They will be your undead army for conquering the Underdark.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lately... those drow have been causing trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for Your Majesty’s blessing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hart immediately knelt, gratefully accepting the whip, his pale face filled with excitement and ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a ghoul king, Hart harbored a deep-seated hatred for the living and an insatiable thirst for slaughter—war was the perfect outlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go. I’ve already made all the arrangements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius opened a portal leading to Lackman Castle and the Twilight Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The portal would take them to Dragonshadow City, a former stronghold of Mortifel that Cassius had seized. The city was still in ruins, with only a small contingent of imperial forces stationed there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with Hart, several generals from the Imperial Military Department had been dispatched, including numerous players who had already drawn up detailed plans for the campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Underdark lacked centralized nations, consisting mainly of city-states, clans, and villages with complex and interwoven factions, making it ripe for imperial expansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empire didn’t aim to completely conquer this chaotic domain but intended to establish strongholds and secure a reliable base underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will show the mongrels of the Underdark the might of the empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the bone whip in hand, Hart led the skeletal drake serpents into the portal, his long-stilled heart surging with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being resurrected had been an unexpected blessing, but commanding a powerful army and waging war? That was a dream come true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s planning to conquer the Underdark?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a golden opportunity! There will be countless wandering souls on the battlefield—I can replenish the soul energy I’ve lost!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orest thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached Cassius, his decayed face wearing a flattering smile. \"Master, I can accompany Marquis Hart to the Underdark. My necromantic abilities will surely be valuable to the empire’s conquest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Orest, this is only the first batch of undead you’re creating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, sending you to the Underdark would be a waste of your talents—I have other plans for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lich’s smile froze, and his skeletal hand holding the bone staff trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things were turning out worse than he had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what did \"first batch\" mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he expected to create even more undead creatures he couldn’t control?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though liches lacked most living emotions, for the first time, the ghostly fire in Orest’s hollow eyes flickered with something akin to exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>",1238,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.951Z","2026-06-03T12:47:07.061Z",1,"novelbin.me","0720a2fd5f0790638057b1953d8116e213f1fc39e76612028e2952cb013ba75e","ember-dragon-chapter-304","ember-dragon-chapter-303",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]