Chapter 140 – Fields of Corpses and the Soldiers’ Trial
The first explosion sounded like thunder cracking through the gray clouds.
The black earth split open. Purple mist burst in all directions. Dead grass and shards of bone scattered through the air as the horde of zombies, led by the Third Zombie King’s elite forces, began to advance. Their formation was precise an open fanged curve aiming to envelop Sylvia’s army from both sides.
High in the sky, Sylvia observed with sharp eyes. She sat atop her zombie dragon gliding slowly, surrounded by swirling deep purple fog like a ghostly curtain. Her gaze swept across the battlefield, not a single detail escaping her. Yet she remained still, unmoving, even as the ground below began to tremble from thousands of pounding feet.
"This battle is not mine," she murmured. "They must learn. And prove they’re worthy to be part of my army."
On the ground, Zark moved first.
The zombie man in a butler’s suit stamped the ground, then shot forward like a black spear. With a clenched fist, he slammed the earth, triggering a circular magic blast that struck the oncoming wave. Dozens of enemy zombies were flung back, some shattered instantly.
"Split formation left and right!" he bellowed. "Spears and shields up front! Mages in the middle! Special units flank wide!"
The orders were executed flawlessly.
Though outnumbered, Sylvia’s army moved with incredible discipline. Composed of Rank 2 and 3 zombies and humans of the same level their spear-line lowered their weapons in unison, forming a deadly wall that impaled any zombie who charged too fast. Behind them, zombie mages chanted in unison, their hand gestures synchronized.
"Sacred Domain!" Sofia whispered.
A circle of light appeared beneath her feet, spreading into a ten-meter wide holy field. Warm light radiated outward, healing minor wounds and amplifying all allied attacks within.