For all he knew, Lith had only a shot at getting his hands on the forbidden knowledge Kaduria held . Before sending Redan on his way, Lith used Life Vision to scout the path ahead . The castle was almost empty .
Aside from the eight clerics whose energy signature Solus was able to recognize, there were only a few people moving through the hallways . In other circumstances, Lith would have considered it a good sign, but after knowing Redan, he felt on the edge .
'If Redan is one of the 'sane' Kadurians, I can't imagine the rest . Those people might ignore him or kill him just for laughs . Without him, my plan will fail . I need to make sure he gets to the target in one piece, but how?
'I can't send Solus because the Black Star is aware of our existence . I can't give Redan magical items because they would raise a huge red flag above his head . I hate gambling, luck has never been on my side . ' He thought .
'Don't forget the clock is ticking . We have yet to kill anyone during this light phase . ' Solus pointed out .
Lith took out from his pocket dimension two small carcasses . They belonged to a rat and a snake . Both were in perfect condition, Lith had killed them without leaving any injury on their bodies .
"Weird choice for a snack, but to each his own, I guess . " Redan shrugged . Even the sudden appearance of the carcasses left him unfazed .
"They are not meant to be eaten . Do you know Necromancy?"
"Yes, it's forbidden magic . Using it is a crime . The clerics say raising the dead is a sin and that Necromancy is taught by the demons to their followers to spread death and plague . "
"It's no wonder Kaduria fell . Mixing science and superstition it's a recipe for a disaster . " Lith sighed while snapping his fingers . A black fog came out from his eyes and mouth, seeping into the carcasses' .
Instead of the red light of undeath, their eyes were blue . It was the sign that Lith's mind was controlling them . Redan watched the creatures quivering to life and whistled in surprise .
"This is the best day of my life . First the flight and now I get to witness demonic arts . I'm starting to believe you about the possibility to be freed from this nightmare . " He said with a big smile on his face .
"If you didn't believe me, then why are you helping me?" The Lith-rat asked .
"Why not? Even if you are lying, what do I have to lose? Nothing I do matters anymore . Good and bad have lost any significance centuries ago . I chose to follow you because even if just for one day, you're giving me a purpose .
Today my actions mean something . I couldn't ask for more . "
"Thanks . " The Lith-snake replied . "There are no demonic arts, though . Just magic . "
"You're no fun, Linjos . Your mouse doesn't squeak between words and your snake doesn't hiss on the s . The lack of clichés is ruining my childhood horror stories . "
Lith's undead squinted their eyes in annoyance .
"How can you be so laid back? This is no game . We have only one shot and if we fail, there are no second chances . "
"That's what makes this so exciting . " Redan shrugged . "Let's move . I can't wait to have more fun . "
'I'll accompany Redan as long as I can . You keep an eye on my body . Remember, no killing is allowed . Feel free to use all the mana you need, my treat . ' Lith told Solus before leaving the room .
In its true magic version, Necromancy had a few more tricks up its sleeve compared to its fake counterpart . The undead entered Redan's shadow while enveloping themselves in a layer of darkness magic that made them almost invisible .
Only their blue eyes were faintly noticeable .
Redan moved with a quick pace through the castle, taking shortcuts and secret passages that allowed him to avoid most of the people wandering around . He still met a few with no hostile intentions .
The moment they turned their backs to him, Redan slit their throats and resumed walking before the corpses had the time to disappear .
"Just to be safe . " He replied to the four eyes he could sense staring at his back .
"They could have changed their minds or we could have met them on our way back . As you said, we have only one shot at this . "
'Heck, I'm going to miss this guy . ' Lith thought .
On their way to the stairs leading to the main temple, the trio met a soldier . He was a middle aged man with finely trimmed mustaches . He wore a light armor consisting of a chest, arms, and legs protectors .
The moment he saw Redan, he unsheathed the short sword he carried on his side .
"Redan, you blasphemer! Are you here to sh*t on the altar again? Or maybe are you planning to defile the holy scriptures?" Rage was visible on the soldier's face .
"F*cking zealot, I'm here to do both . I want to see if your precious High Sun will strike me down this time or if he'll do nothing . Because, you know, he doesn't exist . "
Redan's words struck a nerve . Even after centuries of agony, the soldier still clung to his faith . He was way more experienced than Redan, so his eyes were fixated on the enemy's shoulders, to predict his movements .
'I have the training and range advantage . ' He thought . 'I'll make him squeal like the pig he is . '
"I'll punish you in his stead, you heretic!" The soldier charged forward, annoyed by Redan's unusual relaxed look . Suddenly, he tripped on something . He tried to roll to quickly recover from the fall, but his legs were pulled down with enough strength to make him fall face first onto the ground .
Redan wasted no time, stomping the soldier's neck with his heel and killing him on the spot .
"Thanks . " He said to the two creatures still holding the disappearing corpse . "Nindro usually beats me nine times out of ten . He is a stupid zealot, but I learned a lot from dying at his hands . "
"I can't risk entering the Black Star's line of sight . " Lith said while watching at the stairs with Life Vision . The good news was that there was no one but Meru in the room . Redan had a clear path, at least for a few minutes .
"You are on your own . "
"I'll be quick then . " Redan tensed up for the first time in decades . Death would mean ruining the adventure of a lifetime .
The moment he entered the room, the high cleric turned around .
"Are you here for the temple or for me?" His voice held no fear . Meru had been chased, tortured, and killed so many times he had lost count . Pain was an old friend, nothing scared him anymore .
"I'm here to pray . I just wanted to… Praise the High Sun! It's a miracle!" Redan said while pointing his finger to the ceiling .
The high cleric looked up believing his prayers had finally been answered . The pommel of Redan's knife struck the back of Meru's head, making him faint on the spot .
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