novelraw Chapter 163: Ophelia and Drakina’s Return
Chapter 163: Ophelia and Drakina’s Return
As Ophelia and Drakina made their way back to Zovania, the towering citadel cast an imposing shadow over the land.
The grand hall, where Zorvax awaited, was bathed in a dim, eerie light that accentuated the throne’s imposing design. Zorvax, seated in his throne, exuded a sense of power and control, his gaze piercing as he observed his generals’ approach.
Upon their entry, Zorvax’s voice filled the hall, resonating with authority, "Have you successfully bolstered our ranks with capable soldiers and sergeants?"
Ophelia, with a graceful stride, stepped forward confidently. Her posture was upright, her expression one of pride and accomplishment. "Indeed, my lord," she began, her voice clear and assertive.
"I have added seventy more wolf zombie soldiers to our ranks." She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "This brings the total count under my command to one sergeant and a hundred soldiers."
As Zorvax’s gaze lingered on Drakina, his interest was evident in the subtle lift of his eyebrows. "And you, Drakina? What have you brought to strengthen our ranks?" His voice was steady, carrying the weight of expectation.
Drakina, ever the embodiment of stoicism, replied with her usual brevity, "One sergeant and a hundred soldiers." Her voice, though devoid of emotion, carried a hint of accomplishment, a rare display of satisfaction for the typically impassive Drakina.
"Bring them in. I wish to see these new warriors for myself," Zorvax commanded, his voice echoing authoritatively in the expansive hall.
Drakina turned her gaze towards Grymlok, her eyes conveying the unspoken order. With a firm nod, Grymlok understood and exited the room to gather his troops.
As Drakina dispatched Grymlok to assemble his troops, Zorvax leaned back in his throne, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. His eyes were sharp, reflecting a mind at work, calculating the potential of each new addition to their ranks.
The hall fell into hushed anticipation as Grymlok returned, the sound of disciplined footsteps heralding the arrival of the Lizardman Zombie soldiers.
They entered in a tight formation, their movements synchronized, exuding a sense of unyielding strength and unity. The air was heavy with the aura of undeath, a testament to their new existence as part of Zorvax’s undead army.
Zorvax’s gaze swept over the troops, his expression one of calculated interest. "Impressive," he remarked, his voice low yet carrying across the hall. "These soldiers will indeed strengthen our forces."
Ophelia, standing beside Zorvax, watched the scene unfold with keen interest. Her eyes roamed over the lizardmen, noting their zombie-like features, their scales now a dull, dark hue, hinting at their newfound resilience and strength.
Drakina stood silently, observing her new army with an unreadable gaze. There was a subtle air of approval about her, a silent acknowledgement of Grymlok’s leadership and the capability of her troops.
"Let’s see what we have here," Zorvax murmured as he scrolled through the data displayed by the system. The details of Grymlok and his soldiers appeared before him:
---
[Name: Grymlok]
[Position: Sergeant]
[Race: Draconian Zombie]
[Tier: 3]
[Abilities:]
[1. Zombie Body]
[2. Dark Flame Breath]
[3. Berserker]
---
[Race: Lizardman Zombie]
[Tier: 2]
[Abilities:]
[1. Zombie Body]
[2. Berserker]
---
Zorvax leaned back in his throne, a thoughtful expression on his face as he considered the information on the status screen. The strength of Drakina’s new sergeant and soldiers was evident, but something else caught his attention.
"Why have we not summoned more sergeants?" he inquired, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of curiosity. His eyes moved from the screen to Ophelia and Drakina.
Ophelia stepped forward, her posture relaxed yet confident. "We’ve been selective, Zorvax. We’re aiming for high-quality corpses for sergeants. It’s not that we haven’t encountered any, but they’re rare," she explained, her voice steady and clear.
Zorvax’s nod was slow and contemplative, his eyes reflecting a glint of approval. "Yes, quality over quantity. A formidable sergeant leads to a stronger army," he said, his voice resonating with a deep understanding of their strategic approach.
Ophelia’s eyes brightened as she received Zorvax’s affirmation. "Exactly. We’re focusing on gathering the strongest, the ones who can truly make a difference in battle," she added, her voice imbued with a sense of purpose.
Drakina, standing slightly to the side, maintained her usual silence. Her stoic expression didn’t waver, but her attentive posture indicated her keen interest in the conversation. She understood the importance of their mission - to build an army formidable enough to stand against any challenge.
Zorvax, seated regally on his throne, leaned forward with a commanding presence. "Let’s take a moment to discuss something other than our army expansion. What plans do you both have in mind next?"
Ophelia opened her mouth to speak, but Drakina, usually silent, stepped forward first. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, yet there was a hint of decisiveness in her posture. "I plan to explore the Death Land with Grymlok," she stated in a voice devoid of emotion yet firm.
Zorvax’s eyebrow arched inquisitively. "Interesting. And what exactly do you hope to achieve with this exploration?"
Drakina maintained her unflappable demeanor. "Training," she said succinctly. "I intend to refine the combat skills of my forces, acquaint them with their capabilities, and familiarize them with the terrain."
Zorvax reclined thoughtfully in his throne, steepling his fingers. "But they’re zombies," he mused, a slight tone of skepticism in his voice. "Their physical capabilities are fixed, are they not?"
Drakina nodded, acknowledging his point. "That’s true. However, it’s about more than raw strength. It’s about tactical control, precision, and maximizing their potential. Plus, patrolling the Death Land could yield additional zombie points."
A look of realization dawned on Zorvax’s face. "Ah, I see. Accumulating more zombie points is indeed a strategic endeavor. You have my permission to proceed," he said, nodding in approval.
Turning his attention to Ophelia, he asked, "And what about you, Ophelia? Do you have any particular plans?"
Ophelia stood straight, her eyes reflecting the same determination as Drakina. "I will join Drakina on her mission. It’s vital that we coordinate and strengthen our forces synergistically. The extra zombie points we collect will be beneficial for all of us."
Zorvax’s lips curled into a pleased smile. "Excellent decision. Your collaborative efforts will undoubtedly enhance our capabilities. Continue with your training and exploration. Remember, every zombie point we acquire is a step towards increasing our dominion."
As Drakina and Ophelia left to carry out their mission, Zorvax’s gaze lingered on the empty hall, his mind already racing with ideas. He began pondering enhancements for Zovania Citadel — planning to fortify it further, making it an impregnable stronghold.
Once the training was complete, Zorvax mused, they would be ready for more ambitious endeavors. The idea of attacking the nearest human town surfaced in his thoughts, a strategic move to expand their territory and influence.
Left alone, Zorvax stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow across the hall. He walked towards the citadel’s ramparts, his steps echoing, as he surveyed the vast expanse of their domain. His eyes glinted with a mix of ambition and anticipation for what the future held for them.