Chapter Fifty-Four: The Cemetery Battle

  Can't help but say, Rode's tone is really big, and it suddenly made Sana and others stunned on the spot. They originally thought that both parties were just cooperating with each other, but this sentence came out - this is equivalent to letting us be his subordinates.

  As for Rode's words, others' reactions were also different.

  Old Walker folded his arms across his chest, chuckling to himself as he watched the commotion. Along the way, he had already gained a considerable understanding of this young man's strength and command ability. In his opinion, this kid was well-versed and experienced, with commendable command and adaptability skills. It was just that his mouth was too sharp, leaving no room for rebuttal or opportunity to speak. Rode's words made it clear that he didn't believe in the abilities of Shana and the others, thinking they were too weak, and would rather take charge himself to feel more at ease.

  Although this is also not wrong in essence, but this slap is really... That's a loud one.

  Compared to Old Wark watching the show on the side, Marlin was a face of reasonableness. She didn't understand the ways between mercenaries, but in her opinion, the four of them could walk here unscathed under Rode's command, and the other side had so many people yet were still in such disarray. It was only natural that they would listen to Rode's orders, wasn't it? As for the other side having more people? Ha! Mages never believed that strength came from numbers...

  It was Lisha who felt a bit awkward, as among these people, only she and the other party were friends, and now they had to suddenly change from friends to subordinates. Rode's words were also quite impolite and didn't give them any face, which made Lisha unsure of what to say. However, the girl wasn't stupid, she was very clear that at this time it was better not to speak up.

  As a mercenary captain who had been through many things, Shana quickly reacted and stared at Rode in front of her, but didn't know how to speak.

  To be honest, Shana didn't want to agree to this condition. After all, both sides belonged to different factions, and in such a situation, it was very likely that their own people would be pushed forward as human shields. However, Rode's attitude was so resolute, making it clear that there was no room for maneuvering. If they didn't agree, the road ahead would probably be very difficult to walk.

  Just then, as Shana was thinking, a voice suddenly sounded from beside her.

  "Hum, what makes you think we should listen to your orders! Eldest sister, don't listen to him, there are more of us than them, it's they who need our help instead!"

  A young mercenary wearing leather armor and holding a pair of swords jumped out, looking at Rode with an unpleasant expression, then opened his mouth to speak.

  "Banny, no one wants to hear you speak here!"

  At the young mercenary's complaints, Shana only felt a headache coming on. She waved her hand to signal him to withdraw, but it was clear that the young mercenary named Barney had no intention of backing down.

  "But elder sister, this guy is really too much...... He's clearly trying to get us to go to our deaths and then take advantage of the situation himself! This kind of despicable person, we..."

  "Despicable person?"

  Roderick had not yet lost his temper, but Marlene could not help speaking up.

  "So this is how mercenaries treat their lifesavers? If it weren't for us, you'd all be dead in this godforsaken place by now."

  "Even without you, we can still survive!"

  Barnaby retorted, his teeth clenched, but Marlene merely snorted and raised her chin, refusing to look at him. To her, as a noble, speaking with someone of lower status was already a favor, and since the other party was so ungrateful, she didn't need to lower herself to waste time on this kind of person.

  It was clear that Marlene's dismissive attitude infuriated the young mercenary, who spat and was about to say something else when Shana finally lost her temper.

  "Shut up, Barney! If you say one more word, you're out of here!"

  "Big sister..."

  Looking at the angry Shana, Barney felt extremely wronged. What's so special about nobles? We've worked hard to get here, and now these despicable guys think they can just pat us on the back and use us as meat shields? Is that how it works?! Mercenaries like us have dignity too, how can we let them push us around! Maybe my sister is afraid of these nobles, but I'm not! Even if they have power and money, I'll fight against them to the end! Absolutely no compromise!

  "I am willing to comply with your request, sir."

  Shana had also come to a realization, after all, no matter what, it was indeed very tricky for her and the others to deal with these undead creatures. Originally, Shana herself had been at a loss as to how to deal with that damned lich wizard, but this young man seemed to be very confident. So, letting him handle it wasn't a problem either.

  "I want to make sure everyone fully obeys my orders."

  After getting Shana's guarantee, Rude opened his mouth again, looking at the mercenary standing behind Shana with a tone as calm and unquestionable as ever.

  "On the premise that you listen to my orders, I will guarantee your life safety as much as possible. However, if someone is unwilling to listen to my orders...... then your lives and deaths have nothing to do with me."

  Saying that, Rode looked at the young mercenary standing beside the red-haired female swordsman, stubbornly raising his head and staring at him.

  "If anyone is unwilling to follow my orders, let them speak now. I don't want any trouble in the battle."

  "Hmmph!"

  Feeling Lord's gaze, Barney grunted but didn't stand up. In his view, this cunning noble was obviously trying to stir up trouble between himself and others, and he absolutely wouldn't let him manipulate him. Moreover, he wouldn't leave, in case this young noble wanted to play some trick, he could stop him at the first time.

  No matter what you want to do, I won't let you succeed!

  The young man clenched his fists and made a silent vow in his heart.

  With Shana and others joining in, everyone's progress speeded up a lot, and soon they reached the underground tomb at the very bottom.

  "Rumble, rumble, rumble!!!"

  Under the flying violent burst of chain lightning, undead creatures were blown into the sky one after another, and then fell to the ground in a scattered and broken manner, no longer posing any threat.

  Their strength is indeed very strong.

  Looking at Marlene, who was holding the staff and moving with ease, and Rod, who was calmly giving orders in front of her, Shana couldn't help but think that if she had any doubts about whether Rod and the others were lying to her at first, she didn't have them now. Marlene's powerful magical skills and Rod's command were just right, and the undead creatures that had given Shana and the others a hard time were being cut down like straw in front of them.

  This young man is indeed very powerful.

  Shana couldn't help but shift her gaze to Rude, who was standing at the front with a black hound by his side. Although she had also been present at the mercenary evaluation that day, it wasn't until they had made physical contact that she realized just how powerful his skills were.

  "That's about it."

  Unlike Shana, Rod didn't let his guard down and after annihilating another wave of undead, he vigilantly gazed around while taking out a ring from his pocket and putting it on his finger. On top of the ring was inlaid the Soul Binding Stone that Rod had obtained previously in the old mansion. After getting this stone, Rod cut it into three equal parts and inlaid them onto silver rings he bought, although Rod's alchemy level wasn't high, but this degree of inlaying craftsmanship was still manageable for him.

  The size of the Soul Binding Stone is directly proportional to the level of the soul it can bind. A stone that's too small won't be able to bind a powerful soul, while one that's too large would be wasteful. This size is just right. And Rode taking out the Soul Binding Stone at this time clearly has only one target in mind.

  "Whoosh!!!"

  Just as the dust was settling and everything was about to return to silence, several black shadows suddenly shot out of the dusty ground and attacked everyone.

  If it were to be exchanged before, then perhaps anyone would feel astonished and shaken by this sudden attack, but this time, under Rod's prepared circumstances, the opponent's surprise attack did not achieve any effect. Accompanied by Marlin's loud chanting, the rotating storm turned into a barrier, dispersing the black shadow.

  It wasn't until then that everyone saw clearly, it was a sharp thorn made up of white bones.

  "Hehehehe......"

  At the same time, a cold and piercing voice came from all directions, carrying the chill and evil of dead objects.

  "I really didn't think you'd be able to make it here..."

  "It's the Undead Mage!"

  Shana let out a low growl, then raised the long sword in her hand. In an instant, red flames erupted from the sword, enveloping it. This was the Flame Blade, a fire-attribute magical weapon that the leader of the female mercenary band had obtained a long time ago. Although its level was only rare, for this small mercenary band, it was already their most powerful killing tool.

  "Listen to my command, don't forget what I said before."

  Compared to Shana, who was like a great enemy, Rode seemed much calmer. He grasped the Star Crest and narrowed his eyes to carefully observe their surroundings. Unbeknownst to them, the darkness had grown even thicker, like an invisible, heavy curtain that enveloped everyone. In this situation, danger could come from all directions, making it difficult to defend against.

  Only Rode knew that danger came from one place alone.

  He raised his long sword.

  The next moment, everyone only saw the long sword in Roderick's hand drawing a bright line in the darkness, and plunged into the deep darkness.

  At the same time, the thick darkness suddenly collapsed, and a black-robed undead wizard hastily retreated from it, holding a staff made of white bones and human skulls, looking at Rode standing not far in front of him with surprise and uncertainty.

  How did this young man see through his own dark magic?

  But before the Lich could come up with an answer, Rody had already raised his long sword and launched another attack on him.

  "Act according to plan!"