Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Testing

“No need to worry,” Midi cut in abruptly. “Controlling automatons this size requires too many holy beetles. Even the famous Hand of Nightmare would struggle with these massive creatures.”

The words steadied troop morale while stating a plain truth.

Though Necromancers excelled at commanding armies, controlling Undead giant puppets demanded extraordinary resources—their colossal frames required a massive number of holy beetles and drained a lot of mental energy. Processed automatons might’ve been manageable, but these dozen puppets were freshly captured by Wiseman, their control costing significant magic. Leaving them here was clearly meant to intimidate Midi and fish for openings—but Midi wouldn’t expose any flaw.

Unfazed by the exposure, Wiseman replied airily, “Sharp eyes. I’m just expanding my forces here, not seeking battle yet. How about we both back off?”

It was rare for the Hand of Nightmare to retreat instead of attacking, but Sky City’s environment explained this. Every powerful faction entering the Sea of Three Towers faced the same issue: manpower shortages. Pure magic granted practitioners great power but rejected over seventy percent of candidates. Even the Hawk Brigade—a team of high-level adventurers—saw only forty percent endure its baptism.

The Delos Empire fared worse. Their regular troops relied on equipment, discipline, formations, and numbers, not individual strength. Pure magic would eliminate eighty-five percent of their low-level soldiers. No matter how strong the Empire or how terrifying Wiseman’s Undead spells were, securing a foothold here took time.

Accepting Wiseman’s offer would avoid a pointless fight. Midi’s unprepared forces faced an opponent who’d already claimed Undead giant puppets. Yet Midi refused to yield—this could be a test. Complying would hand control to the Hand of Nightmare.

With a cold smirk, Midi retorted, “Waiting until your Undead army’s ready? I’d rather crush these fresh puppets now. They’re targets to kill anyway—slaughtering them twice works fine.”

“Oh?” Wiseman narrowed his eyes. “I thought you came for the Gilded Valley. So it’s the Elemental Giants you want?”

Midi’s heart tightened. The Hand of Nightmare *was* probing his motives. Wiseman must’ve tracked his army’s movements to arrive so swiftly and ambush the Elemental Giants.

A direct assault would make the Empire suspect the valley’s value, triggering a resource war. Extracting Aether Stones then? Impossible. Even if successful, Wiseman would notice and deduce Midi’s plans.

Midi scoffed, “Why play dumb? Belmar will claim the Gilded Valley’s resources—and every other vital site. Try stopping me.”

“I will,” Wiseman said solemnly.

“Escape the valley first.” Midi’s gaze hardened. At his signal, Elven archers loosed arrows from high points while the Dragonkin army split into four columns, adopting a hollow formation against oversized foes.

“Let’s try,” Wiseman chuckled, raising his staff. The Undead puppets shrieked, turned, and fled.

Midi couldn’t pursue. The Gilded Valley’s terrain hindered chase, and Wiseman fled single-mindedly.

He ignored all losses and commanded the Undead giants to flee with massive strides. Each step covered dozens of meters – how could the Dragonkin and Elves with their "shorter legs" ever catch up? Even Midi, constantly using "Demon Shadow Flash," could barely stop one Undead giant.

When Wiseman finally escaped through Gilded Valley’s narrow exit, he left three Undead giants blocking the path. Though newly created, clumsy and weak, these hulks made excellent meat shields. The Undead’s natural immortality and regeneration reached extremes in giants. The Dragonkin army only had Elemental Arrows, lacking Fire/Explosive/Corrupt Bone Arrows, leaving them struggling against these walking fortresses.

Midi’s Explosive Flame Wave Sword eventually destroyed the three giants, but Wiseman had long vanished. The Necromancer drove his Undead herd away like sheep, laughing wildly. Hotheaded Tanius felt exhausted watching, while Sigmund and Lilian – who knew the "Hand of Nightmare’s" terror – quietly relaxed.

But Midi knew the true battle was just starting.

Returning to Lightning Fire Wing tribe, he overhauled strategy. His original plan – seize all Aether Stone sites, protect rift supply lines, mass-produce two-seater Skyships – was too straightforward. Now that the Delos Empire adapted to Sea of Three Towers and Wiseman targeted him, deception became essential.

Midi ordered attacks on all mineral-rich zones. This hid their true goal – making the Empire think Belmar wanted ore, not Aether Stones. If the Empire noticed Sky City’s unique resource, they’d quickly deduce Midi’s Skyship plan. His early advantage came from reincarnation knowledge – Skyships weren’t hard to invent, having appeared within a year of Sky City’s emergence in his past life. The Empire had clever minds too.

Occupying Aether Stone sites now fell to elite teams. Fortunately, Wiseman’s Hundred Demons Night Parade wasn’t invincible. Tanius and Sigmund’s squad exceeded expectations – though most forces feigned attacks elsewhere, Aether Stone production kept rising. Deep Rock Island’s Skyship development accelerated too.

With stability restored, Midi focused on deciphering enemy plans. Building an Undead army? He studied scout reports.

While Midi seized mines, Wiseman worked tirelessly. Supported by Empire’s Alchemist Guild, he led high-level Necromancers in snowballing conquests. Backed by Hundred Demons Night Parade, non-Flame Elemental Giants fell easily. They roared helplessly as holy beetles invaded their bodies, devoured souls, turned them into mindless puppets.

The Empire’s Undead giant army swelled rapidly. Not content with giants, Wiseman invaded Humanoid territories, converting agile creatures too. Left unchecked, Midi calculated only two factions would remain after Skyship production: Belmar’s living and Delos’ dead.

Turn Sea of Three Towers into death’s realm with Necromancers? Use Undead to conquer Sky City? Was this Wiseman’s plan?

Outwardly yes – yet Midi’s instincts screamed something was wrong.