Intermission

The Elder Lich would eventually become a Night Lich, a more potent being, after amassing even more magical power. Many people were relieved that only a small number of such beings were ever documented in history. For the simple reason, that Night Liches possessed incredible strength. As a result, they had access to multiple spells from the 6th-tier, which is typically considered to be beyond the capabilities of mortal beings.

With that much power, they could compete with the older high dragons. They also possessed many special abilities, had many undead followers, were highly intelligent, and lived in impenetrable fortresses. With all of their accolades, they appear to be rulers of nations, existences worthy of the title Lords of the Undead. Indeed, the well-known Three Night Liches—

• The Draconic Night Lich “Q’fantera=Argolos.”
• The Night Lich Titan “Hueon.”
• And a Night Lich (likely) known as ゛Fear," a Lord of the Shadows.

Famously ruled over domains the size of small kingdoms and were feared figures in the countries around them. As a result, Night Liches were regarded as mythical beings and were discussed in hushed tones of fear and awe. To the people affected, they were the same as natural disasters. Banejieri Anschass, one of these fearsome Night Liches who moved behind the world’s veil and was known as The Abyss, came out of a large room while bowing.

With six arms and two heads, this night lich was a fearsome being that humans could never hope to defeat. He was skilled not only in arcane spells but also in spells from other systems. As previously stated, if he decided to act openly, the Three Night Liches would have to become Four. He was an ancient undead who was the organization’s founder and a member of its innermost core. The group was known as the "Corpus of the Abyss.”

The original goal of this gathering, formed by undead magic casters, was to cooperate among themselves so that their interests did not clash. Having said that, it was unavoidable for immortal beings like magic casters who had spent an eternity researching magic to clash with beings similar to themselves. The undead tended to have other desires in place of the three basic desires that were missing. It usually manifested as a desire for knowledge in undead magic casters.

As a result, when there was a conflict involving a piece of knowledge, they were prone to not holding back, resulting in fights to the death. If all three of the fundamental desires of the living were concentrated into one, someone with that singular desire would find it extremely difficult to restrain themselves. Many undead had died as a result of this, though the living would sometimes seize the opportunity to eliminate both combatants. This resulted in an increasing number of undead realizing that it was better to share rather than try to monopolize knowledge or magic at the expense of their lives.

They should bargain amongst themselves if it was not possible. As a result, they compiled a list of names. That was the "Graniezzo Inscription" tablet in later times, a stone tablet that contained the names of many magical beings despite the fact that the tablet itself was not magical in any way. At first, it only contained the names of four Night Liches and three Elder Liches, and the organization’s only obligation was that the other members band together to thrash any member who broke the rules.

The organization and its rules evolved into a comprehensive system after 200 years. The organization’s undead membership grew by seven in the inner circle and forty-eight in the outer circle. This was a large organization of 55 people, with the undead of the inner circle capable of reaching difficulty levels of 150. However, only a few people were aware of this gathering.

This organization’s undead was generally divided into two types. One group gained power among the living and used it to achieve their goals. The other group did not interact with the living world and worked in silence, out of sight of the rest of the world. Because the former were far outnumbered by the latter, this organization never took open action in the world of the living.

If someone increased their power among the living, such as the former group, it also meant they had more enemies. Because the undead was considered the enemy of all living things, these particular types were often eliminated by the living, who had even set aside their national allegiances for that purpose. As a result, the former group’s numbers decreased. Of course, the undead could amass power among the living while remaining anonymous, but such gifted undead was rare.

As a result, Corpus of the Abyss remained a shadowy organization, only mentioned in rumors. Those three powerful night liches mentioned above were not invited to join because their presence would make them stand out too much. He came to a wide corridor by the side of a room illuminated by a small light after leaving the room where (that One) sat. It was the meeting place for those who were waiting to meet (that One).

(That One) would never make something like this—it was not kind enough for such gestures—so Banejieri and others petitioned for it and were granted permission to make one themselves. Someone in the room called out to Banejieri.

“So you’ve come back. My turn should come up next.”

• “The Abyss.”
• “The Saintess of White.”
• “The Death Rider.”
• “The King of Decay.”
• “Crimson-Eyed Duke.”
• “Wise Wolf.”
• “The Elder of the Hosts.”
• “The Eaten.”
• “The Yellow Revenant.”

They had all gathered here earlier and had been summoned in turn. There was now only one left. “The Saintess of White.” Rocker Grazn. An undead with white wax skin wore a white veil and dressed in white. A completely white appearance from head to toe. She had reached the 8th-tier of magic and was now aiming for the Ninth. Banejieri couldn’t help but notice that she was the superior researcher. She was also the current leader of the organization’s favorite. No—

(—(that One) dislikes everyone. (that One) only finds everyone unpleasant but tolerates her so that (that One) can use her.)

He could tell from his conversations with (that One). (That One) made no attempt to conceal this, even referring to the magic Banejieri and others employ as filthy. So being highly valued was nothing to rejoice about for Grazn. No, (that One) only ever took from them and gave them very little in return.

As a result, no one should be content with being used by (that One). This was especially true for someone like Grazn, who was a gifted researcher. Of course, no one would express their emotions prior to (that One). Unfortunately, even if they all rebelled, there was no chance of victory (that One).

“Oh... you’re up next. Will you talk to me after it’s finished? After all, it’s been a long time.”

“What exactly do you mean...? I see... I get it. I’ve got it. Of course, I’ll gladly accept. Isn’t it the usual spot?”

“Yes. So I’ll go ahead with it.”

Banejieri left her and walked through the darkness for a while, which he could only do because he was undead. That light in the waiting room was also unnecessary. He had no idea who had put it together, but it was most likely just for show. The floor was a single slab of stone that had been magically smoothed, but the ceiling and floors were still rough unhewn stone.

This enormous cave was not natural. Nonetheless, their organization’s leader had spent time and effort excavating it. They only came here every few years or when summoned, but he couldn’t help but sneer whenever he saw the effort that went into digging such a cave. Physical labor was generally despised by Night Liches who were good at magic, but this scorn was more for what this cave represented: the cowardly side of someone who pretended to be so high and mighty before them. Banejieri activated [Teleportation] twice to reach his destination after ensuring that he had enough space between himself and the room. He arrived in front of a castle carved deep into the mountains. Krunui Log Entesh Na, Crimson-Eyed Duke of the Inner Circle, lived there.

Krunui was the one in the inner circle who loved to keep things neat and tidy and surrounded himself with the best things. Of course, the same was true for his place of residence. This castle, built by the labor of various races and paid for with magical knowledge, magical items, and treasures filled with gemstones, was so magnificent that even those with no aesthetic sense could appreciate it. That was why the inner circle met at his house whenever they had something to talk about. When Banejieri arrived at the gate, an undead under Krunui appeared and led him into the castle. After being led to a room, he discovered that everyone from the inner circle had already arrived, with the exception of Grazn.

“—Sorry for the wait.”

“Good job dealing with (that One).”

Krunui, the castle’s lord, was the one who spoke. His most noticeable feature was his extremely pale skin. He was not a natural undead, but rather a former human who transformed himself into one through the use of magic. Perhaps this was why they could see traces of his past self in his obsession with delicate things. While the others wore the same clothes—magic items with vast amounts of magical power—he wore a new spotless outfit every time. Nonetheless, his clothes lacked supernatural power. Clothing was something that other members used to strengthen themselves, but for Krunui, it was something he used to decorate himself with.

“I’d like to wait for Grazn before we begin. You don’t mind, do you?”

While sitting on one of the room’s sofas, Banejieri asked his comrades. Nobody argued. What was about to happen was something they had discussed before, a discussion about preparing for a rebellion against the government (that One). They only accepted (that One) in the first place because (that One) was extremely powerful. (that One) most likely found out about Corpus of the Abyss from an outer circle member.

Then (that One) appeared before them one day and demonstrated its strength. Banejieri and the others knelt to (that One) in the hope that it would act as a deterrent to the world’s strongest beings. They did not do it to grow their organization. However, he was the worst kind of leader. First and foremost, Corpus of the Abyss was not founded to cause havoc in the continent’s heart.

They would be concerned if (that One) thought of them as merely a convenient force to be lent out for some pacts (that One) had. As a result, they decided to create a new deterrent against (that One). Everyone in the inner circle agreed on who got to meet (that One) the most. The greater the number of people involved in the plan, the greater the likelihood of betrayal. If no one betrayed them, it would show their lack of loyalty to them (that One).

And, for the time being, no one had betrayed them. The fact that Banejieri and others were still alive proved this point. If they had been betrayed, everyone here would have been destroyed. (That One) only directed the organization to use Banejieri’s and others’ research to strengthen itself.

(That One) had simply been a parasite feeding on them. Even so, (that One) would never tolerate their covert actions simply because they were useful to them (that One). If it had any doubts about Banejieri and the other conspirators, it would take action to eliminate them. (That One) lacked the leniency and open-mindedness that a ruler should have.

(That One) was overly cautious about everything. As a result, the fact that they were safe indicated that (that One) hadn’t noticed their movements yet. Fortunately, (that One) was incapable of dominating the undead.

[TL’s Note: 欠けている (kaketeiru) can be interpreted as either lacking or not being good at something, or as a complete lack of ability.]

(Don’t think you can keep exploiting us indefinitely!)