Chapter 96: Growth (2)
For vampires with strong bodies, physical strength and 5 senses, climbing a steep cliff is no trouble. Even if it’s mostly uneven, even if it’s slippery, they can climb smoothly by stabbing with their extended claws. Death Knights can fly, but they’re no match for vampires in terms of stealth. Neither darkness, nor cold weather or flames can stop me. Only silver, garlic and flowing water can stop the vampire from advancing.
I carry Senri on my back and climb the cliff. The castle of the Mirage Demon King from a close distance looked ridiculously huge compared to the Lord’s mansion and even compared to Rainel’s castle that was also built on the mountain. Both its height and width were on another level. Rainel’s castle was built on the surface of a mountain but this Demon King’s castle was built on top of a cliff.
I unintentionally opened my eyes wide. The castle walls seem to be made by stacking up stones, but I can’t imagine how much time it would take to finish such a huge structure. Some parts of it have collapsed, but that’s also quaint in a way. There’s no light around and the surroundings look desolate. We heard from the nearest town Dessend that it was used for sightseeing, but it’s probably mostly abandoned.
The negative signs are approaching from all directions. Some of them seem to have already entered the castle, I can feel some of them inside too. I can’t tell exactly how many there are because there are too many presences, but their quantity aside, their quality is definitely not worrying. Both Senri and I can easily massacre them.
Several Skeletons appear, climbing the steep cliff. I immediately use ‘Silhouette’ while carrying Senri on my back and jump onto the stone wall surrounding the castle.
I didn’t make a sound. A pebble rolled down and fell on the ground, but Skeletons don’t seem to have noticed. Their senses aren’t dull, but they can’t be compared to those of a vampire.
I regretfully put Senri down, crouch and inspect the situation below. The Skeletons are entering the castle without discussing it among themselves, only making noisy sounds of the armors grazing against each other. Skeletons that appear from a different direction also enter from the main gate with the same efficient movements. It almost feels like I’m watching a flowing river. Even though, just a moment ago they were observing the situation around――
Senri answered my unspoken question. “They have a commander. They’re probably linked.” “Linked…?”
“Necromancers can make a connection between the undead they’ve created. They can communicate through that.”