Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

"Well, well, well, if it isn't you, you imbecile." Zarvox ceased his attack, his gaze filled with disdain as he looked upon Torin. He had long known that Torin hadn't left the Eldoria continent.

"Zarvox, what brings you here?" Torin inquired calmly, his voice devoid of any emotion.

"Hahahaha!" Zarvox burst into laughter.

"Torin, are you really that dense?"

"Step aside now, and for old times' sake, I'll spare you. But if you dare to obstruct me, I won't hesitate to end you right here!"

In an instant, Zarvox unleashed his Emperor level aura. The sheer force of it instantly annihilated the Death Spirit Clone, leaving only Torin, standing unflinchingly before him.

The moment Zarvox laid eyes on Torin, he detected the unhealable wounds that marred its form.

Had Torin been unscathed, Zarvox might have faced some difficulty. But now, if not for the level cap limitations of his Ghoul form, he could have slain Torin on the spot and summoned him back as a Ghoul.

"Zarvox, remember your race! The undead blood that flows through your veins, it was bestowed upon you by the lord!"

Torin drew its staff, slamming it against the ground with force. Another surge of Emperor level aura clashed against Zarvox's, the two forces ultimately neutralizing each other.

"So you've chosen to pledge allegiance to this new lord of yours?"

Zarvox, cunning and treacherous, feigned amicable persuasion, but before he could finish his sentence, he launched a swift attack.

Torin, however, was prepared. He knew this former comrade all too well, intimately familiar with his personality and character.

Gripping his twisted, deadwood staff, Torin effortlessly blocked Zarvox's sharp claws.

Zarvox immediately unleashed a cloud of green poison gas. The surrounding trees withered instantly, their life force flowing into him.

Blocking the attack, Torin swiftly retreated, taking to the sky. As he did so, several enormous magic circles materialized, enveloping the entire forest.

Countless bones and pools of blood seemed to come alive at Torin's command, all converging upon Zarvox.

But these attacks proved futile. A green solution oozed from Zarvox's body, seemingly capable of corroding anything it touched. It coated him entirely, forming an impenetrable armor.

The surrounding trees were torn to shreds by their immense power, creating a large clearing. The epicenter of their battle became an absolute domain.

The other Ghouls retreated, distancing themselves from their king's battlefield.

A Death Spirit Clone re-formed, observing the battle from the periphery. It feared that Torin might be outmatched, which would plunge the undead empire into its greatest crisis yet.

Boom!

Another terrifying surge of aura erupted, expanding their domain of combat. The sheer force of it rippled through the depths of the magic circle.

The Death Spirit Clone, unable to escape, was caught in the crossfire once more.

When it reappeared, both Torin and Zarvox had vanished from the sky.

It exchanged glances with the remaining Ghouls, utterly helpless.

The undead's main force was currently engaged with the Beastman Empire, leaving no spare forces to deal with these few Ghouls.

Conversely, they didn't dare to venture deeper into the Dark Forest.

Death Spirit's possession enhancement had its limitations. It wasn't that it didn't want to help Torin; it was simply incapable.

Most of its power was deployed against the Beastman Empire. Furthermore, Torin hadn't fully submitted to Alex, preventing Death Spirit from possessing it.

Therefore, it was utterly powerless to intervene in this battle between two Emperor level undead.

Torin and Zarvox had entered a realm of their own to continue their fight. Although the space within this realm existed on a different plane, their power was so immense that even without seeing their forms, one could witness the terrifying aftershocks that periodically erupted in the sky.

Even within the depths of the undead Imperial Capital, the tremors from the clash of these two powerhouses could be felt.

Meanwhile, in the Starfallen Empire, within the city of Hurricane.

Inside the palace, the president frowned slightly as she examined the letter in her hand.

"The undead empire... it has indeed resurfaced on the Eldoria continent..."

The letter from the Beastman Empire had reached the Mage Guild branch in Hurricane City and had landed in the president's hands.

"President, the undead empire is in the north. Based on the timeline, their strength shouldn't be a match for the Beastman Empire. And the Beastmen have always been wary of us, so why would they willingly share this information with us?"

A King level magus beside her posed the question. He was the president's confidant, and he couldn't help but feel puzzled upon seeing the news.

"It's just a clever little ploy by those demihumans, thinking they're so smart."

The president's voice was laced with a hint of annoyance, her tone casual. However, her confidant could sense the growing irritation within her.

Dealing with the Angel race was already troublesome enough, and now the undead race had emerged in the north. These were all areas under the jurisdiction of Hurricane City.

"The undead's expansion is too rapid. We can't afford to ignore it. It'll become a major problem for the Starfallen Empire if we do. Inform Vice President Fenquinal in Glory City and have him deal with this undead empire."

The president ultimately decided to dispatch the guild branch's vice president to handle the undead. As president, she had more pressing matters to attend to.

"President, Vice President Eldrin has arrived."

A mage entered abruptly, delivering the news. Upon hearing this, a glint of interest flickered in the president's eyes.

"There's no need. I bring word from the president."

The voice preceded the person. Eldrin, clad in a luxurious black mage robe, strode into the president's chambers.

The president he referred to was, of course, the president of the headquarters, the true authority of the Mage Guild.

"Eldrin, what brings you here?"

The president rose to her feet. Following her subtle cue, the surrounding mages discreetly took their leave.

Only the two of them remained in the room, the atmosphere somewhat delicate. Eldrin, however, maintained a strictly professional demeanor, seemingly oblivious to the subtle tension. "The president has decreed that we are not to interfere in the affairs of the undead race."

The president froze, immediately unsealing Eldrin's decree to verify its authenticity. It was indeed true.

"Why? Isn't the president concerned that the undead race might become the next Angel race?"

"Rest assured, even if the undead race were to perish and rise again, they would never side with him."

Eldrin's confident reply, far from alleviating her confusion, only deepened it.

Why wouldn't the undead race?

"But what if the undead race..."

Before the president could finish her sentence, Eldrin cut her off.

"Time is of the essence. We can't afford to be distracted by such trivial matters. The era crisis is upon us. If the undead race manages to survive this crisis, then what does it matter if we grant them a place on this continent?"