Chapter 356: Skeleton Mage
Baron Orlan stared intently at the Skeleton Mage standing behind the undead, his eyes filled with rage. After all, it was this mage who had caused the massive losses in Stone Wheel Town.
“Sir Owen, can you handle this Skeleton Mage alone?” Baron Orlan’s tone was much more polite, having sensed that Owen was no ordinary person. However, the situation was urgent, and he didn’t have time for excessive courtesies, so he asked directly.
“No problem.” Owen nodded. Although he couldn’t fully utilize his strength due to the unfamiliarity with the new, complex, and ever-changing rules, the diverse sources of his power meant he could always find a suitable solution, hence his confident answer.
“In that case, I’ll take care of the Stitched Monster.” Baron Orlan took a deep breath as he saw the figure dragging a giant guillotine emerge from the black smoke.
To maintain his persona, Owen began casting spells. He started with the “Armor Protection” spell, followed by the classic “Disarming Charm.”
The Skeleton Mage had been a proper mage in life, and even after being transformed into an undead, he still retained considerable instincts. He started with “Mage Armor,” followed by “Corrosive Orb,” a similar approach to Owen’s.
The two sides exchanged spells, entering a probing phase. Meanwhile, Baron Orlan engaged in a fierce melee battle with the Stitched Monster. After all, melee professions never played around.
Stitched Monsters were the backbone of the undead forces. Although stitched together from corpses and severed limbs, all the materials had been thoroughly soaked in the power of death, making them not only incredibly tough but also granting them immense strength after being stitched together. The 20-pound guillotine felt weightless in its hands, swung with ferocious power, like a twig in the hands of a child. Despite the lack of technique, it possessed undeniable destructive power.
Facing the brute force of the Stitched Monster, Baron Orlan was forced to rely on his shield to deflect its attacks, not daring to take them head-on. Even so, his fine shield began to deform under the continuous onslaught. As he staggered, his limited counterattacks failed to inflict significant damage. After all, mere fatal wounds meant nothing to the undead, especially to a Stitched Monster made of dismembered body parts.
Seeing Baron Orlan’s predicament, Owen shook his head and reluctantly stepped up his game.
The spells from the Hogwarts series were essentially a blend of magic and mental power used to distort reality, resulting in many spells with illogical effects. For example, there were spatial spells, repair spells, cleaning spells, and even time-manipulating artifacts.
Because of their low destructive power but high versatility, Owen had never abandoned his research in this area. Coupled with the growth of his telekinetic and psychic abilities, and most importantly, the reality-distorting power bestowed upon him by the Domain, he could be considered a reality warper to a certain extent. So, once he got serious, any spell or magic could be conjured at will, without even lifting a finger.
Of course, such a display was somewhat outrageous. Additionally, he had only just begun to master this ability. Therefore, Owen still treated it as a supplementary power, lowering the learning curve, enhancing his skills’ potency, and achieving a synergistic effect.
The originally invisible “Armor Protection” spell not only became visible but also took on a metallic texture. The “Disarming Charm,” typically lacking in offensive power, now possessed the might of a laser gun. Despite the Skeleton Mage’s various countermeasures, he was ultimately reduced to dust.
With the Skeleton Mage dealt with, Owen then used the “Reverse Golden Bell” spell on the Stitched Monster, securing victory for Baron Orlan.
Without the Skeleton Mage, the undead inevitably fell into chaos. Baron Orlan pressed his advantage, leading his soldiers to eliminate all the undead and burning down the village, marking the end of the battle.
Since Owen had contributed the most, he received half of the 300 gold coins. The rest was divided among the others, with the warriors and foot knights who served as the main force receiving the largest share, followed by the rangers, and then the thief, who received the least. Moreover, Baron Orlan confiscated most of the thief’s share as punishment for his previous theft. This time, his participation was considered a redemption, and the confiscated money was treated as a fine.
“Respected spellcaster, are you by any chance in need of a loyal servant?” The thief, after pocketing his measly three gold coins, approached Owen, bowed theatrically, and said.
“Indeed, and you seem like a perfect fit.” Owen said with a smile. This made the thief uneasy. He knew he wasn’t a good person, so the question was, why would someone knowing this still want to keep him around? What was the purpose?
“Well, if I find anyone suitable, I’ll be sure to recommend them to you.” The thief finished his sentence and bolted.
Owen just chuckled at this and declined Baron Orlan’s offer to join his service.
After the Baron departed, Owen returned to the now ruined undead village and stood before a well.
With a simple gesture, the well’s opening, along with the surrounding earth, was separated from the ground and levitated motionlessly in the air, demonstrating the strength of Owen’s telekinetic abilities.
Tossing the well’s opening aside, Owen looked down and, as expected, discovered a hidden chamber.
Too lazy to descend, he used a combination of Transfiguration and telekinesis to tear open the earth, revealing a skeleton. Despite being just bones, its expression of helplessness and fear was evident.
“Your puppetry skills are impressive, and your spellcasting is quite standard, but unfortunately for you, you ran into me.” Owen said, squinting at the skeleton.
The previous Skeleton Mage had been a hapless old wizard who had been transformed. The true Skeleton Mage had never shown himself, hiding in the chamber beneath the well to conduct his research. Unfortunately for him, he had encountered Owen, rendering all his efforts useless.
“Mogg, a member of the Imperial Capital Mage Corps, greets you.” Skeleton Mage Mogg maintained his decorum despite facing his enemy.
“I believe the Imperial Capital has fallen.” Owen recalled his first visit to the Imperial Capital as if it were yesterday, and now it was gone. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.
“Yes, it has become a paradise of death for the Demon’s Head, the Flesh and Blood Church, and the Church of Calamity.” Skeleton Mage Mogg said after a moment of silence, his tone laced with complexity.
“So you’ve fallen as well.” Owen said, looking at the village, now reduced to rubble.
“Yes, I have fallen.” Skeleton Mage Mogg said as he placed his research manuscripts and journal into a chest. He looked up at Owen.
“Kill me, take my research. Knowledge is innocent.” Skeleton Mage Mogg didn’t care about his impending death, only lamenting that his research was incomplete.
“You’re overthinking it. While I’m not evil, I’m no champion of justice either. So, work for me.” Owen said calmly.
If this had been right after his transmigration, Owen might have killed him. But now, he didn’t really care about the crimes the Skeleton Mage had committed.
Even if he had wiped out an entire village and killed many passing travelers, what did that have to do with him?
This world had no real law, nor clear distinctions between good and evil. Wars between nobles and lords often lasted for centuries, and various organizations constantly fought amongst themselves. Countless innocent lives had been lost, and he couldn’t possibly pity them all.
Compared to good and evil, Owen was more concerned with whether someone was useful to him. Useful, they stayed; useless, they died. It was that simple.
Skeleton Mage Mogg agreed. Donning a robe to shield himself from the sunlight, he followed Owen on his journey.
