My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World (Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World) - Chapter 724

Chapter 724: Allies [1]
“Your Excellency,” the silver-haired elder said.

The title was deliberate. It acknowledged not only his status as a representative of a realm capable of producing someone of his level, but also his standing as a Rank Four existence. Around the hall, several of the other elders mirrored the gesture in silence.

“You speak the truth.”

Her gaze swept across the circle before returning to him.

“We have reached the same conclusion,” she continued. “This is not a matter that concerns a single race unless that race is prepared to bear a potentially crippling loss.”

This was the truth. In the early levels of Hell, there were multiple races that could afford to send a Rank Four or several peak Rank Threes to confront the Demon Lord. However, as long as the battle did not take place in the deeper floors, any fight to the death would result in severe losses.

The higher one stood at Rank Four, the more suppression they faced. This fact was often misunderstood. Suppression did not mean weakness. It meant compression.

If Rank Three spanned levels one through five, and Rank Four spanned six through ten, then any Rank Four entering the early floors would be forcibly pressed down to the upper limit of Rank Three. Even so, their foundation would still make them stronger than a true peak Rank Three. They would effectively operate at a strength between five point one and five point five.

Then there were half-step Rank Fours, beings who stood between five point seven and five point nine.

As long as the universe had not acknowledged their breakthrough, even if they could display abilities resembling Rank Four capabilities, they would not be suppressed.

Reaching such a state was rare. Most Rank Threes progressed cleanly from five to six if their growth was stable. Half-step beings were often geniuses with extreme compression of the higher realm who, for various reasons, could not ascend yet. In other cases, their prior foundation was so strong that they could exert greater power while remaining at a lower rank.

This was why none of the knowledgeable elders found it strange that a Rank Four had come to them seeking assistance.

“The Demon Lord of the Thirteenth Floor is no longer what it was in its previous incarnations,” the elder said. “It has crossed a threshold.”

“At that level,” she continued calmly, “even a peak Rank Three is insufficient.”

She glanced briefly toward the old man.

“Only those who stand at Rank Four, or those directly supported by such beings, can confront it without courting annihilation. I assume that is why you came here. You intend to participate, correct?”

“Yes,” the old man said simply. “I will be joining.”

“Then we will join as well,” the silver-haired elder replied without hesitation.

Her words were immediately echoed.

“If Your Excellency is willing to step onto the field, the Amazari will not remain observers.”

Her expression softened slightly.

“Unfortunately,” she continued, “there is a limit to what we can provide.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“We have no immediate means of contacting a Rank Four from our side.”

Varun’s brow creased faintly.

The elder noticed at once.

“Such beings are rarely idle,” she explained. “And even if one were present within Hell, the chances of them being close enough to contact in time are slim.”

She exhaled slowly.

“With Your Excellency participating, and with our combined support, we believe the Demon Lord can be halted before it reaches the higher floors.”

She paused.

“But we must act quickly.”

Her eyes swept the room.

“If it ascends further, we may be forced to temporarily withdraw from Hell and abandon our foundations.”

The old man listened in silence.

Outwardly, his expression remained calm. Inwardly, he rolled his eyes.

He saw through it immediately.

None of what was said was false, but it was polished.

Everyone here wanted the Demon Lord gone, but no one wanted to be the one paying the full price.

He could not blame them.

Still, he had no intention of fighting a risky, thankless battle on behalf of multiple races while they watched from a safe distance and later praised his sacrifice, assuming they even praised it at all. There was also the risk that an enemy of the Federation would take advantage of the situation to strike him down.

He was not afraid of the Demon Lord.

That had never been the issue.

What he wanted was assurance.

The old man leaned back slightly in his chair and spoke again.

“Very well,” he said evenly. “Then tell me this.”

His gaze settled on the silver-haired elder.

“What exactly will the Amazari contribute?”

The elder met his eyes without hesitation.

“Myself,” she said.

For a brief moment, even the other elders turned to look at her.

The old man blinked once.

“…Alone?” he asked.

The elder laughed.

She rose slowly from her seat.

Up close, the years showed in her silver hair and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes. Yet the moment she stood, her presence changed.

Her aura did not expand explosively. Instead, it grew dense, grounded, and heavy, like an ancient tree driving its roots deeper into the earth.

She flexed one hand casually.

“I may be an old woman,” she said with a smile, “but I can still punch like a young girl.”

A few of the Amazari elders allowed themselves faint smiles.

Michael felt it then.

This old woman was at the absolute peak of Rank Three.

The old man studied her for a long moment.

Then he nodded.

“That is acceptable,” he said.

The silver-haired elder inclined her head in return.

“Good. Then we are agreed.”

Then one of the other Amazari elders spoke, her voice firm but respectful.

“Elder, take care of yourself.”

Another added quietly, “Return safely.”

The silver-haired elder smiled faintly.

“I have survived worse places than Hell,” she said. “And worse enemies.”

Her gaze shifted to the old man.

“Thank you, Your Excellency,” she said sincerely.

Several of the elders inclined their heads in agreement.

The old man rose from his seat, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve.

“There is no need for thanks,” he said calmly. “We are all trying to avoid a disaster.”

He turned slightly, already preparing to leave.

“We should move now,” he continued. “There are other races to speak with, and time is not on our side.”

At that, the silver-haired elder’s smile deepened, a sharp glint flashing briefly in her eyes.

“Lead the way, Your Excellency,” she said.