Chapter 33: The Iron Mine
The Iron Mine.
Dust and bone fragments floated in the air here.
Five hundred Skeleton Soldiers had been transferred from Iron Fortress.
They were executing a magnificent project on the mountain—building a gigantic fortress wall encircling the entire mine.
Their construction method could be called a perfect replica of the spirit of the Valley Base.
Efficient, sturdy.
And treating their own bones as expendable.
At a corner of the wall, a Skeleton Soldier was hugging a rock bigger than itself, trying to jam it into a gap in the battlement.
It measured twice, but the position was always slightly off. The Soul Fire in its skull flickered irritably.
The next second, it stepped back a few paces, assumed a charging posture, and slammed its bald skull viciously against the side of the giant rock!
CLANG!
A loud, muffled sound like metal striking metal.
The giant rock was embedded perfectly into the predetermined position, seamless and flawless.
And the Skeleton Soldier's upper body frame shattered into a pile of parts under the massive recoil.
A passing Skeleton Soldier, seemingly in the role of a Safety Officer, stopped.
It looked down at the pile of bones on the ground, then looked up at the seamless rock.
It took out a bone slab from its chest and scratched a few marks on it with a finger bone, as if taking notes.
Then, it nodded at the pile of bones, as if saying:
"Good job. Pay attention next time."
And continued its patrol.
The bone fragments on the ground didn't lie there for long.
They squirmed on their own, clicking and clacking as they reassembled.
A few seconds later, that Skeleton Soldier stood up again. It shook its slightly crooked neck.
The Soul Fire in its eyes showed no ripple as it turned and walked toward the next pile of building materials.
On the other side of the construction site, arguing voices arose.
"My turn! I've been waiting for this crane forever!"
"What's the rush! Once I place this rock, it's your turn!"
Two Skeleton Soldiers were arguing over the usage rights of a crude crane.
One of them clearly lacked patience. It reached out directly and yanked two ribs out of its companion's chest—schwing, schwing.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
Ignoring its companion's protest, it jammed the two ribs—still carrying the other's aura—into a crack in the rock wall.
Then, stepping on its companion's bare ribcage, it climbed up using both hands and feet.
"My bones! Remember to give them back when you're done!"
The dismantled skeleton shouted from below.
"Got it! They grow back anyway! Stop nagging!"
The skeleton above shouted back without turning its head.
This kind of construction scene, which would drive any normal person insane at a glance, was just daily life here.
Relying on their immortal and indestructible nature, they developed ten thousand construction methods that would make any architect resign on the spot.
Compared to this frantically noisy construction site, the atmosphere on a small hill nearby was dead silent.
Five of the Seven Great Generals were killing time, so bored their bones itched, each in their own way.
Splat!
A soft popping sound.
A Tier 1 Magic Wolf, blind enough to try approaching the hill...
Its head exploded out of thin air three meters away from Wrath, splashing red and white matter everywhere.
Wrath shook off the unknown liquid on his hand, his irritable Soul Fire burning violently.
"So f*cking boring!"
He growled low.
"Just because that vampire Greed has a brain slightly better than ours, he sends all of us to this godforsaken place to be overseers?"
He kicked the ground, stomping a small pit into the hard rock surface.
"You can choose not to listen to his orders."
On a smooth giant rock, Pride was using a piece of unknown beast skin to methodically wipe a rib he had just detached from himself.
He didn't even look up, his tone flat.
"We are all Seven Generals, equal in rank. He has no authority over you."
Wrath's volume rose an octave.
"If not for the Lord's order to fully cooperate with his plan..."
"I'd be the first to strip off that flashy noble suit of his and wipe my ass with it!"
He grew angrier as he spoke, pacing back and forth.
"For a lousy job like building a wall, wouldn't sending my Centurions be enough?!"
"Which one of them can't do it? Do we five Generals need to stare blankly at the scenery here?"
"Save it."
Pride chuckled lightly, finally raising his head.
"Aren't your Centurions playing with mud over there right now?"
"Besides, if you were to replace Greed, do you think you have the brain to sit in that position for more than three minutes?"
"You're looking for a fight on purpose, aren't you?!"
Wrath spun around abruptly, crimson Soul Fire locking onto Pride. The surrounding air temperature rose by several degrees.
"Say one more word, and believe it or not, I'll scatter your ashes right now!"
"Oh?"
Pride stood up slowly, unhurriedly pressing the polished rib back into his chest.
"I'd actually like to see how you plan to scatter me, the unique First Skeleton personally created by the Lord."
He deliberately emphasized the words "First Skeleton," the boastful implication self-evident.
The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.
Just as a battle between Tier 4 powerhouses was about to wipe this mine off the map...
A lazy voice came from a pile of rubble nearby.
"What are you arguing about..."
Sloth rolled over, shielding his eyes from the glaring sunlight with his arm, mumbling indistinctly.
"Isn't this nice... relaxing, no one managing us... and we can sunbathe..."
Wrath and Pride looked at him simultaneously, then at each other, and each snorted cold.
Tacitly, they withdrew the terrifying aura radiating from their bodies.
"If not for the fear of accidentally destroying this mine while fighting and delaying the Lord's plan..."
Pride sat back down and pulled out another bone to wipe.
Wrath said no more, just smashing his fist heavily onto the rock beside him, leaving a spiderweb-like crater.
They could find each other eyesores, argue every day, but they would absolutely never truly fight among themselves.
Because in the deepest part of their souls, there was an unshakeable absolute law—any action that might harm the Ruler's interests must be prohibited.
Even the lowest-level Novice Skeleton was family to be protected in their hearts.
Unless that family member disrespected the Ruler.
Just then, heavy footsteps approached from afar.
Gluttony walked out of the woods carrying two giant wild boars the size of small elephants.
THUD!
He threw the prey casually onto the ground, shaking the earth.
"General Lust has already returned to the Valley Base. When can we go back?"
He asked in a muffled voice.
"I still prefer staying by the Lord's side. Feels like the air there smells better than the meat here."
As soon as he said this, the Generals who were still being awkward with each other turned to look at him in unison.
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
In the corner, Envy, who had been crossing his arms, suddenly threw out a retort.
"You say it like anyone doesn't want to go back."
This time, no one refuted him.
Even Pride stopped wiping his bone.
Yeah, who didn't want to stay by the Ruler's side?
That was home.
Pride stood up silently, walked to the corpses of the Magic Wolf and two wild boars, and extended his bony hand.
Black death energy surged.
The flesh on the corpses withered and peeled away at a speed visible to the naked eye, turning into flying ash, revealing three complete white skeletons.
The next second, two points of crimson Soul Fire ignited in the eye sockets of the skeletons.
The newborn Skeleton Soldiers stood up. They looked blankly at their own bony hands.
Then looked at the several big shots before them radiating terrifying auras.
"Go. Join the construction team."
Pride ordered casually.
The three newborn Skeleton Soldiers paused for a moment, then strode forward, clack-clack-clacking toward the distant construction site.
Consciously joining that temporary infrastructure brigade composed of over five hundred of their kind.
Over five hundred skeletons, tirelessly, in a nearly insane manner, built the first line of defense for their Ruler's assets.
Meanwhile.
On the road from Iron Fortress Territory to the Iron Mine.
The Adjutant of the Arcane Legion, that newly promoted Tier 4 Skeleton Archmage, was leading a hundred-strong Arcane unit in dull and heavy roadwork.
Their task was to transform this rugged dirt path to the mine into a flat stone road capable of letting large transport convoys pass unimpeded.
This should have been a familiar job.
But today, the situation was a bit different.
Since General Lust remained at the Valley Base, the task of maintaining the road's Illusion Barrier fell onto him, the only Tier 4 Archmage on the field.
"Firepower Obstacle Clearance Team, parabolic coverage, execute!"
"Terrain Shaping Team, watch the energy output smoothness! Raise roadbed by three meters, begin compaction!"
"Road Hardening Team, follow up! No gaps allowed!"
Countless commands were issued simultaneously from his consciousness through the soul network.
This was a terrifying multitasking operation.
He had to serve as the Commander-in-Chief, coordinating the assembly line work of three hundred-man teams.
And simultaneously act as the energy core, maintaining that massive Illusion Barrier.
The high-intensity mana consumption caused the Soul Fire in his skull to flicker unsteadily.
But he had no complaints, dared not relax even a bit.
To share the burden and solve problems for that Supreme Ruler was the sole meaning imprinted in the deepest part of every undead's soul after creation.
This was their highest glory.
He absolutely... could not screw this up.
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you