Chapter 112: The House of Flesh (6)
After freeing everyone, Karnak and his group successfully escaped the house of flesh. Though escape made it sound perilous, in reality, there was no danger. The only area that had remained under the witch’s control was the hall. The rest of the domain was already under Karnak’s influence, and the witch was already gone. Thus, they simply walked to the entrance, exited, and sealed the infernal gateway behind them. Once everyone was safely outside, the house of flesh vanished.
"It seems that with the witch’s demise, this place can no longer exist," Serati observed.
In truth, Karnak had been the one to dismiss it, but a different explanation was required. As the gateway to hell closed, the thick fog blanketing the area dissipated. The witch’s forest returned to its ordinary, serene state. Upon their return to Swindler Fortress, Karnak and his party were hailed as heroes.
"Thank you."
"You’ve saved our lives."
No one dared to mock them as mere denizens of the Seven Kingdoms anymore. Even the haughty Leocolt’s demeanor had shifted completely.
"You have saved my life. I will never forget this debt."
Though arrogant, Leocolt was not someone who would dismiss his saviors.
"If ever you need assistance in the empire, do not hesitate to call upon me. I will aid you however I can."
Thus, Karnak had secured a favor from the Brigade of Purification. It was a considerable boon for merely a few days’ delay. But it wasn’t simply because Karnak had saved them that their attitudes toward him changed. The moment they returned to the fortress, Stronoff made an urgent declaration to his peers.
—We must uncover the secrets of his magic!
As a mage himself, Stronoff immediately recognized the value of Karnak’s spells. Magic that could turn a necromancer’s powers against them? Such a feat was unprecedented. Even the Three Archmages had not developed such a technique.