"Two hundred people... not that many..."
Zhang Xiaoman stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.
This number was much less than he initially imagined. If he were to lead a large population like Yohad or Regina, he surely wouldnât want to.
After all, he still had many other things to do, and he simply didnât have time to waste on such trivial matters.
But if itâs only over two hundred people...
Zhang Xiaoman squinted his eyes.
That might be worth considering.
This number isnât large, at most itâs just considered a large armed force; many large mercenary groups in Tarata exceed this number.
Moreover, those two hundred undead are all high-level undead, meaning at least their strength has reached the seventh tier of high-level Professionals.
Even because of Evil Spirit Magic and their innate racial traits, these undead are much stronger than mercenaries of the same level.
At this moment, the scales in Zhang Xiaomanâs heart had already tilted slightly, but he still needed to ask a few more questions.
"Hillna, what do you expect me to do as your king?"
Faced with such a straightforward question, Hillna slightly breathed a sigh of reliefâif she still had breath.
Compared to roundabout approaches and subtle hints, she preferred this direct style.
Slowly raising her hand, this Undead Princess removed the black cloth that had always covered her cheeks, revealing her face for the first time.
This was a pale and bloodless face, her eyes were icy blue, with shimmering micro-light enhancing her mysterious aura.
An egg-shaped face, cherry lips, and a petite nose, this Undead Princess bore a face similar to Ifeiâs Eastern features, unexpectedly sweet and cute in appearance.
If it werenât for that cold aura of death permeating her, ruining this beauty, based on Zhang Xiaomanâs aesthetics, the appearance of this Undead Princess would score at least ninety-five points or above.
He knew that the reason this "girl" who lived for hundreds of years appeared this way was because she was likely under twenty at the time she transformed into an undead, and naturally stopped aging after becoming one.
However, aging stopped, yet common drawbacks of undead creatures remain.
For instance, on Hillnaâs cheeks, cracks scattered across her right face due to prolonged lack of undead magic repair.
Even high-level undead are not eternally undying.
Their bodies gradually decay, but at a speed far slower than ordinary low-level undead creatures.
Unlike low-level undead, high-level undead can rely on undead magic to repair themselves.
Just like repairing machinery, achieving a false state of immortality.
This is why the Undead Clan would rather stay in the Abyss as neighbors to demons, than return to the surface in the burning sun.
The cold aura inside the Abyss greatly slows their decay rate, extending their lifespan when devoid of undead magic.
All creatures have the instinct and desire to survive, even these already dead undead are the same.
When given a choice, they naturally donât wish to truly die.
"I only hope that you can lead us to survive."
Hillna pointed at the cracks on her face, saying:
"My clansmen and I are succumbing to decay, many wounded individuals cannot be repaired, and have completely left us. Although we have become undead, we still do not wish to vanish."
Her tone was icy, but Zhang Xiaoman heard a strong yearning for survival within it.
He slowly raised his hand, gently brushing past the Undead Princessâs cheek.
A surge of icy blue light flowed from his fingertips, entering her pale skin.
In the next moment, Hillnaâs previously cracked face suddenly began to heal, the Yin Negative structure power of undead magic not only harms the living, but also repairs these undead bodies.
Hillnaâs spirit uplifted, her blue eyes seemed to shine a bit brighter.
She hadnât felt this long-lost relaxation in a very long time.
Her body, which had started to decay, received undead magicâs replenishment like dry wood meeting spring, restoring her spirit and senses to their former keenness.
Zhang Xiaoman withdrew his hand, seeing her restored state, internally confirming his guess that undead magic indeed has a repairing effect on them.
After a momentâs contemplation, Zhang Xiaoman stood up from his seat, looking seriously into her eyes, and asked:
"Hillna, I can accept your request, but from now on you must follow my arrangements, and I wonât offer you rebirth, Iâll just ensure you wonât perish; even with such conditions, will you persist?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Hillna straightforwardly kneeled on one knee.
"Great Undead Monarch, henceforth, you will be our clanâs supreme king, your will is our pursuit."
This Undead Princessâs resolute act of allegiance made Zhang Xiaoman slightly impressed, inwardly noting that this woman indeed justified living for centuries, possessing a decisiveness many lack.
"Alright, donât call me the Undead Monarch anymore, after all, Iâm still alive... you should call me Ji Xing instead. As for matters involving the Undead Clan, Iâll make arrangements after I go to the Wailing Abyss. For now, youâd better go back and rest, prepare for tomorrowâs battle."
Hillna re-covered her cheeks with the black cloth, performing a princessâs courtly etiquette, and said:
"Master, we undead have no need for rest, but if itâs your command, I will now meditate to quickly restore mana."
Zhang Xiaoman opened his mouth, and soon didnât bother with her address, simply waving his hand to signal her to leave.
Hillna walked out of the room unhurriedly, gently closing the door, her every move quiet and graceful, worthy of her status as an Undead Princess.
After she left, Zhang Xiaoman looking at the closed door, couldnât help but feel somewhat melancholy.
He had unknowingly become the so-called "Undead Monarch," a title that sounded like a major villain, which he wouldâve absolutely disliked in the past.
But now, he had founded the entire Star Alliance and spanned worlds as the Master of the Stars.
Heâd seen big and small events, indifferent to judgments of good or evil, and the details of such titles.
Being an Undead Monarch, so what. As long as they can offer assistance to his plans and contribute valuable strength, he doesnât mind admitting them into his faction.
After all, two hundred high-level enforcers, even though they only possess low-level Elemental Power, in the future with his undead magic repairs, it wouldnât be difficult to help them grasp real undead magic constructed by dark spiritual power like Elcurus.
By then, on his side, he would have two hundred or so subordinates who are at least High-level Awakeners, a force exceeding the current average level of Awakeners in the Star Alliance.
As for concerns about loyalty, Zhang Xiaoman wasnât worried.
Once they accept his power, they will be subject to his control, undead magic is not like kind and benevolent Light Magic.
Zhang Xiaoman may not be able to completely control them like he does Elcurus, but if he wished to end their lives, it would be very easy.
Sorting his thoughts and slightly planning for future development, Zhang Xiaoman seized the early night and peacefully drifted into sleep.
PS: Happy holidays everyone!