Fantasy Lord: I Have a Moving Castle

Chapter 79: Chapter 32 Bronze-level, “Undead Overture

Chapter 79: Chapter 32 Bronze-level, “Undead Overture

In the garden, Char watched the scene with a smile.

“Then, Freyja, I’ll leave the Frost Crystal White Deer and the Night Helmeted Owl in your care.”

“Thunder Night Dragon, release the Night Helmeted Owl.”

After all the fuss and deciding not to kill it, the Thunder Night Dragon felt a slight displeasure. Shaking its head like a horse, it snorted, and blue-purple sparks sputtered from its mouth, only to cover its own face in soot.

Nevertheless, albeit a bit grumpy, the Thunder Night Dragon obediently released its claws, and the Night Helmeted Owl, sensing the situation, refrained from launching a suicidal attack—revenge would have to wait for a more opportune moment.

Now with the Thunder Night Dragon, the Clover Mantis, and the Floral Blue Leopard all watching closely, even the Frost Crystal White Deer, with its lack of spine, wouldn’t pass up the chance to show off.

Freyja stepped forward, making soothing gestures with her hands as she carefully approached.

Fortunately, after two days of healing by the Clover Mantis, and with two days’ rest, coupled with Freyja’s own healing abilities, her abdominal wounds had greatly improved.

Otherwise, with this half-squatting, cautious approach, it wouldn’t be long before her wounds would split open again.

The Floral Blue Leopard became alert at her side, ready to pounce at the first sign of any untoward movement from the Night Helmeted Owl.

Finally, Freyja placed her palm on the head of the Night Helmeted Owl.

Then, Freyja’s expression turned solemn. Muttering under her breath, she uttered words Char couldn’t understand, clearly different from the Elf Language she had used before.

It was like some ancient and mysterious spell.

A little bit of white light appeared, forming the shape of a white deer.

Seeing the appearance of this white deer apparition, the Frost Crystal White Deer looked on curiously for a few moments, then arrogantly lifted its antlers with an air of “you’re not as pretty as me.”

The white deer shadow flickered and then entered the head of the Night Helmeted Owl.

“Is it over? Is the taming successful?”

Watching Freyja rise to her feet, Char was quite surprised.

Freyja smiled, “It’s not that simple, this is just establishing a shallow spirit connection between the Night Helmeted Owl and me. It reduces the owl’s hostility towards me and increases its affinity. More importantly, I can immediately sense any malice it might show.”

“As for the taming, that will take more time and effort, and whether it will be successful is unknown. Even the most skilled Beast Taming Master wouldn’t dare guarantee they can tame a certain Demon Beast.”

“Alright, I’ll leave the taming of the Night Helmeted Owls to you.”

Char was very pleased, as Freyja’s assistance was even greater than he had anticipated, and many things no longer required his direct involvement.

Indeed, there was strength in numbers.

Afterward, Char returned to the carriage. When the mission was settled, thirty strands of dazzling Praying Power appeared out of nowhere, and the splendid golden light faded.

Inside the Prayer House, not only did thirty strands of Praying Power appear, but also a pale bone flute with dark gleams flowing over it from time to time.

The Bone Flute was short and had only a few holes carved into it.

[Undead Bone Flute (Bronze)]

[Attributes]: Strength +1, Constitution +1, Intelligence +4, Perception +4

[Skills]: Undead Overture (3rd Circle)

[Introduction]: Fashioned from the finger bone of a powerful Undead, when played, it can control the Undead.

It was Bronze-level equipment!

Char was surprised and delighted.

The task hadn’t been difficult or dangerous, just somewhat cumbersome, and he was already pleasantly surprised by the reward of thirty strands of Praying Power. He hadn’t expected an additional piece of Bronze-level equipment.

He had thought the Undead Bone Flute would be at best a Black Iron piece of equipment, or even a plain one.

But then he reckoned it made sense.

The only reason he’d completed the mission with such ease was his good fortune in encountering Freyja, who was, at the time, critically injured and near death.

Had he not met Freyja, or had he not saved her life, things wouldn’t have been so simple.

He probably would have had to fight his way to Fallen Leaf Town, slowly clearing out the creatures, before he could uncover the truth of what happened there.

The difficulty would have been much greater.

Char then focused on the “Undead Overture” skill, a 3rd Circle skill, which was higher than the two skills that came with the Fierce Feather Bow—”Fierce Feathered Arrow” and “Fire Bird Power” were both 2nd Circle skills.

The Undead Bone Flute had the power to awaken bones and control the Undead. When its bearer was in a place with few bones, the Bone Flute’s utility was minimal.

However, when the bearer of the Undead Bone Flute was in the Bone Burying Land or even in the Land of Undead, its significance was much greater.

Once the Undead Overture was played, within a one-kilometer radius, bones—of course, they had to be relatively intact bones, not shattered fragments—could be turned into Undead.

The undead transformed from their previous forms have levels based on their strength before death; the stronger they were in life, the higher the level they will have as undead.

However, there is a limitation, with the highest Challenge Level being only 1. If the bones belong to a creature of great power, the “Undead Overture” will not be able to awaken them.

Additionally, there is a cap on the number of undead that can be raised, with a maximum of one hundred skeletons allowed.

Having one hundred undead with Challenge Levels ranging from 0 to 1 is already a considerable fighting force, unless they are up against a Demon Beast as powerful as the Thunder Night Dragon. Otherwise, even creatures like the Clover Mantis would be in some danger.

This is only if the Undead Bone Flute is sounded in the Bone Burying Land. If it were used in the Land of Undead, the effect of “Undead Overture” would be even more astonishing, instantly controlling all undead within a radius of one kilometer.

Though the number remains restricted to one hundred, the level limitation has increased; even undead with a Challenge Level of 2 would fall under immediate control.

This effect is astounding and will boost Char’s strength far beyond that of the Fierce Feather Bow.

In his fight against the undead, the system has rewarded him with such an item, which truly shows consideration.

At the moment, Char’s only worry is whether he can equip the Undead Bone Flute at all.

After all, his race and the Natural Seal on his body clash with the attributes of the Undead Bone Flute.

Char picked up the Bone Flute from the Wish Stone Plate, and as soon as he held it, a cold power seeped into him through his palm. Instinctively, he shivered, and he faintly sensed an indelible, mild odor of decay.

The ethereal voice of the system prompt echoed in his mind, and soon Char understood the situation.

The good news is, he can equip the Undead Bone Flute.

The bad news is, it’s indeed incompatible with his attributes.

If he forced himself to equip it, he could still gain Intelligence and Perception, but he would be unable to increase his Strength and Constitution. Instead, each of those attributes would be deducted by one point. And this was only the result of equipping it briefly; wearing it for a prolonged period would cause irreparable negative effects both physically and mentally.

In addition, the effects of “Undead Overture” would be reduced.

The level cap remained the same, but the quantity had been halved, leaving only fifty.

Even so, Char was satisfied.

Upon sounding the flute, he could turn enemies into allies, turning fifty undead ranging from Challenge Levels 0 to 2 into his own forces. This power was already very strong, roughly equivalent to that of a Clover Mantis.

The only trouble was that the item was difficult for him to carry.

As long as he carried it on his person, whether in his hand or inside a leather bag, that persistent cold power would continue to affect his body and mind.

But he soon thought of a solution.

After calling the Thunder Night Dragon over, Char asked it to try taking the Undead Bone Flute into its mouth but not to swallow it.

He remembered that the Thunder Night Dragon had the Ghost Attribute before it was recruited, and although it was no longer apparent, it didn’t mean that the Death Power within it had vanished.

Leaving the Undead Bone Flute in the care of the Thunder Night Dragon might not have a negative impact on it.

“How is it? Do you feel uncomfortable?” Char asked with concern, watching as the Thunder Night Dragon rolled its tongue and wrapped the Undead Bone Flute in its mouth.

If the Thunder Night Dragon couldn’t resist the negative effects of the Undead Bone Flute, Char would have to abandon the idea of carrying it with him.

After all, the Undead Bone Flute is not as important as the Thunder Night Dragon, is it?

Not just the Thunder Night Dragon, but in Char’s heart, each Magic Pet, as well as Betty and Auson, were more important than the Undead Bone Flute, and by a great deal.

The Thunder Night Dragon first widened its eyes, looking at Char with confusion, then shook its head quickly. To show that it was indeed not feeling any discomfort, it leaped about energetically, startling the Wind Winged Horse nearby into making several panicked neighs.

Char laughed and affectionately stroked the Thunder Night Dragon’s head. He then opened its character panel to check for any irregularities. Only when he was sure there were none did he instruct, “Then, you’ll be in charge of looking after the Undead Bone Flute from now on. Remember, don’t swallow it by accident.”

The Thunder Night Dragon nodded happily and jumped about a few more times.

…

Not far away, Freyja, who was gathering herbs in the garden, watched this cheerful and harmonious scene, a smile involuntarily spreading across her face.

Only after a good while did she lower her head and continue picking herbs.

Kedel was a powerful Natural Prophet indeed; the garden was filled with a variety of Magic Plants of different purposes.

Even though some precious and delicate plants had died from years of neglect, the remaining Magic Plants were of such high rank and variety that it amazed Freyja.

For any Transcendent committed to the paths of nature and plants, aiming for accomplishment in the fields of Magic Plant Science, Magic Potion Alchemy, and Herbalism, this garden was a treasure trove that could save them decades of collection, cultivation, and accumulation.

Freyja was currently picking herbs that would aid in healing her injuries—she had inquired beforehand and received Char’s permission to do so.

She had been severely injured by the Shark Lizard Beast, nearly fatally so; thus, despite the excellent healing abilities of the Clover Mantis, she could not recover from her injuries right away.

To accelerate the healing process, she also needed to use herbs, utilizing the power of the plants to hasten the closure of her wounds and the regeneration of her internal organs.

Yes, her internals had been partially damaged by the wounds that day.