Bayou possessed mid-tier alchemical magic.

Yet this magic leaned toward supportive and functional applications, rendering it nearly useless in combat.

She descended to the ground, closely inspecting the alchemists and the skeletons, and soon discerned the underlying issues.

So this was it.

The craftsmanship was remarkably rudimentary, which explained the numerous flaws and the undead they had conjured.

Bayou also noticed a concealed array at the edge of Blonders's castle.

She picked up an enchanted stone from the ground, observing it closely.

With a flicker of deep green light, she returned the re-empowered stone to the magical array beneath her feet.

The array rewo itself, and in an instant, the cracks in the protective shield vanished.

Blunder and the surrounding black alchemists were astounded.

It would take them at least half an hour, even when working together, to accomplish such a feat.

Yet, she had completed it in an instant.

Such a level of alchemical magic could only be achieved by someone of mid-tier skill.

Blonder could scarcely believe that the opponent possessed such advanced alchemical prowess.

In her presence, his own abilities seemed laughably inadequate.

Enough.

I shall forgive you and grant you an opportunity to pledge your loyalty by you proclaimed to the group of skeletons.

During the moment she spent examining the array, over a thousand undead had dwindled to half their number.

Upon hearing Bayou's words, they ceased their self-destructive actions, kneeling motionless upon the ground.

Ignoring them, Bayou ventured into the castle, which was of a lower grade than she had anticipated, merely level four.

Coupled with the traces of the surrounding arrays, she began to understand.

The Lord had previously concealed himself using alchemical magic, and since by use, undead were unfamiliar with such magic, combined with her own lack of prior visitation.

He had managed to remain hidden until now.

The lord's upgrade of the castle had expanded its boundaries, inadvertently triggering the array, which resulted in its rupture and the subsequent discovery by the undead.

Bayou's first priority was to inspect the warehouse.

Upon entering, she found only a few items necessary for alchemy, some remains and a meager supply of food, with magical crystal cores being exceedingly scarce.

There were, however, some quantities of wood and stone.

Wait, how could there be iron ingots? Bayou, accustomed to upgrading castles, had a rough estimate of iron ingots, and this quantity appeared to be nearly 10,000.

She immediately began to tally the stone and wood.

Perfect.

These resources were just sufficient for upgrading a castle from level four to a town.

After constructing the teleportation gate, not a single resource would remain.

The evidence was irrefutable.

He could not have amassed such a bounty of supplies without assistance from other lords.

Do not feain ignorance any longer.

Make him speak even if it requires force.

I by you shall ascertain the resilience of his spirit.

Before Brand could finish his statement, he was interrupted by the destroyer.

The queen, in her fury, damed that he must first endure a beating before anything else could be discussed.

Outside the castle, Bran's anguished cries echoed.

Every time he attempted to speak, the destroyer would land a blow to his abdomen, leaving him gasping in pain and unable to articulate a word.

The surrounding alchemists trembled in fear.

It was sheer brutality, far too severe.

This castle was not only small, but also exceedingly impoverished.

The total resources of the fortress pad in comparison to what other lords possessed for upgrading their towns.

Bayou found little of interest and approached the castle entrance.

Upon seeing Bayou emerge, the destroyer finally seized his assault.

Seizing the opportunity, Brand with tears and snot flowing, hastily exclaimed, "I will speak.

I will speak.

Please, no more beating.

" At his advanced age, such tears were unseammly.

Soon, Bran divulged everything to Bayou.

His only intention had been to persuade the lords of the Alliance to relocate, having undertaken no other actions.

He was even unaware if Bayou was indeed the so-called undead lord until Bayou's confession today confirmed it.

As for intelligence, he possessed none.

Due to Bayou's influence, he had scarcely left the castle.

At this juncture, he had no reason to deceive Bayou further.

The resources have been provided by a lord known as the one who shatters illusions.

But after granting him the resources, this lord had not immediately sought to approach by you's expression darkened.

The information leak was not his doing, but rather the work of another.

Coupled with the actions of the one who shatters illusions, it seemed brand was merely a contingency plan, indicating they had already identified a lord who could relocate.

Who could it be? Was there yet another lord in the vicinity? Bayou felt the unsettling sensation of being watched.

A disconcerting feeling indeed.

While they might not know the exact location of Bayou<unk>'s town, they surely had a general idea of his whereabouts.

Could it truly be the Elemental Alliance? Among them, Lia must be aware that Bayou's castle lies just beyond the Snow Mountains.

Yet, they had no reason to know the specifics of Bayou's strength.

It made no sense.

Once this matter concludes, I shall purge all surrounding lords.

Bayou ascended into the air and returned to the castle.

Bran rejoiced, believing he had been spared.

But just as he began to feel relief, the destroyers seized him, swiftly snapping his neck, leaving him lifeless.

For adversaries, the queen had not decreed mercy, and thus death was the only alternative.

The remaining alchemists met the same fate at the hands of the destroyer.

While the 500 skeletons and the destroyer accompanied by a host of gargoyless returned to Bayou's castle detected black alchemist soldier camp absorbable.

Shall I absorb it immediately? What is happening? Bayou was perplexed but understood that it could only bring benefits.

Thus he resolved to absorb it.

He gazed at the soldier camp and indeed a transformation occurred unlocking special fixed unit black alchemist.

Note, each day the Lord will summon 10 units of this type alongside other units without occupying other summoning slots.

Yet, they cannot be summoned through other means, unlocking special fixed units akin to acolytes.

One unexpected bone, Bayou turned her gaze toward the barracks where 10 black alchemists emerged.

Like the acolytes, they were once human, having sacrificed their souls to join the ranks of the undead.

Similarly, they were not frontline combatants, but serve more auxiliary roles, equivalent exchange, an immutable principle of alchemy.

These black alchemists could craft dark artifacts, enchant equipment, and more.

Once their numbers grew, they could fully arm by us undead legion, transforming mere cannon fodder into elite cannon fodder.

Bayou then observed the undead creations the destroyers had retrieved, crafted by these very alchemists.

She did not know the upper limits of these undead.

But without exception, they were all of common rank, incapable of leveling up, not even in the presence of Jon.

Compared to true skeletal undead, they bore many flaws.

In essence, they were mere defective imitations.

Yet by you refused to concede defeat.

She directed them into the Blackwater altar, and indeed a transformation occurred.

The level restrictions binding them dissolved, rendering them indistinguishable from ordinary skeleton soldiers.

It seemed the Blackwater altar possessed the ability to mend incomplete undead.

At least bringing you back wasn't he in vain.

Chapter 197 conversation by you was preparing to contact the elemental alliance, wishing to engage in a face-to-face dialogue to gauge their intentions.

If they were aware of her royal status and harbored ill intentions, they would undoubtedly hesitate to meet.

Conversely, if they were oblivious, how could five commanders fear her alone? As long as they maintain neutrality, Bayou could afford to let them be.

However, should they ally with the other lords? They would be the first to face her reckoning.

Bayou had only cold Jia as a friend who had previously assisted her with supplies, and she considered her demeanor towards them quite amicable.

As neighbors, there was no compelling reason for them to be adversarial.