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The border between the Western Alliance and the Broken Rock Empire, the Wind Song Hills.

In the concealed underground ruins, the air was filled with a damp and decaying smell, along with a faint hint of blood.

The light from the torches on the walls was dim, casting flickering shadows that illuminated the spacious underground hall.

The ruins looked terrifying, with silver gleaming bones scattered everywhere, along with some rusty iron tools.

At the center of the hall, an altar made of piled bones emitted a ghostly red glow.

On the altar lay a circle of three men and four women, naked, with twisted runes drawn in fresh blood on them.

Wisps of mist floated and twisted above the corpses, like souls in agony struggling towards the skull at the center of the altar.

It seemed some mysterious ritual was underway.

On the walls hung tattered tapestries depicting the entwining of skulls and snakes, the edges moth-eaten beyond repair.

At the deepest center of the hall, a half-destroyed statue overlooked everything.

The statue's face was indistinct, with two blood-tear-like dark red gemstones embedded in its eye sockets.

In front of the statue, a tall woman in a black robe bowed her head with eyes closed, as if in devout prayer.

The next moment, a red light shot from the statue's eyes, straight onto the skull on the altar.

"Hoo—"

A burst of crimson flame suddenly appeared within the skull, and the ash-gray bones began to transform, gradually taking on a metallic luster under the scorching fire.

A streak of silver like mercury flowed atop the skull, slowly covering cracks, filling every gap.

As if polished by a craftsman's hand, it emitted a cold, silvery glow.

The previously hollow eye sockets now shone with a bright red light, full of eerie beauty.

At the same time, the seven corpses around the altar rapidly aged and decayed, as if subjected to a time-accelerating spell, turning into withered mummies in an instant.

"It succeeded."

The tall woman raised her head, a faint smile appearing on her decayed face, grotesque and terrifying.

She briskly walked to the altar, extending her hand, and the skull eerily floated up, landing in her palm.

"Crimson Soul Fire, a silver-level skeleton."

The woman gestured beside her, and a headless skeleton flew to her front.

Then, the woman placed the skull onto the skeleton.

"Crack—crack—"

The sound of bones clashing rang out, the whole skeleton twisting its body as if human.

The woman took a round ball on a chain from her sleeve—a vintage portable magic energy timer.

Glancing at the numbers on it, the woman nodded in satisfaction,

"Three hours, seven corpses, the ceremony exceeded an Intermediate Knight's silver skeleton."

"Not bad."

The woman pointed at the ruins nearby, "Go, pick yourself a handy weapon."

The skeleton nodded and walked to the side.

Just as the skeleton was picking out a weapon, a man in a grey robe entered the hall.

The man greeted respectfully and carefully reported, "Honored Soul Messenger, Lady Lomisa, our pawn in the Northern Wasteland has been broken."

"Hmm?"

Lomisa seemed surprised, her eyes glowing red, "Osca, is the information confirmed?"

The man called Osca nodded.

"Confirmed, Lady Lomisa."

Osca explained, "The soul mark he used to trade necromancy knowledge is completely shattered, not a trace remains."

"What a worthless fool."

Valen let out a soft laugh, the sharp sound exceptionally grating in the underground space.

"He couldn't even survive in that barren land, how ridiculous."

"Is there anything formidable in the Northern Wasteland of the Broken Rock Empire?"

Lomisa pressed, "Isn't there hardly anyone there? And he died?"

"We haven't received specific information about any powerful beings in the Northern Wasteland yet."

Osca thought for a moment and nodded slightly, "Those lowly alien race creatures indeed have no capability."

"No matter, we never placed hope on those alien races anyway."

Lomisa let out another soft laugh, instructing, "Our focus must remain on the battlefield; our Lord needs more souls."

"But..."

Osca appeared somewhat troubled, bowing his head to cautiously report:

"The front line's advancement is too difficult; the Broken Rock Empire has begun its counterattack, and the presence of the Dawn Society on the battlefield is evident... the dukes and kings in the Alliance have started to complain."

"The Dawn Society?"

Lomisa ignored the grievances of dukes and kings, asking Osca, "Aren't those fools who only study supposed to keep out of noble affairs?"

"Word from our informants suggests that the Broken Rock Empire has a deal with the Dawn Society, involving them."

Osca's expression darkened, "The specifics of the agreement are unknown to our people..."

"Then hurry up and investigate, find a way to destroy the deal!"

Lomisa's eyes widened, her voice suddenly sharp, "The Dawn Society will affect our plans!"

"Assassination, poison, framing, use every possible means!"

"No one can impede our Lord's descent!"

"Yes, Lady Lomisa."

Osca swiftly bowed to assure, then carefully asked: "And what about those nobles in the Western Alliance? They're saying the civilian casualties are too high and are unwilling to allocate more troops..."

"Those greedy swine care nothing for civilians."

Lomisa snorted coldly, "They only want more profits."

With that, she pulled out a long-necked glass bottle from her bosom, filled with a dark green liquid,

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