The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 173

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 173
“Extraordinary measures, you say…?”
“We increase the number of Lich Dragons. We have the enslaved dragons we brought with us, do we not?”
The assembly nodded in agreement.
Every single dragon present concurred.
Only Carbollearos rolled his eyes in confusion, struggling to grasp the situation.
Carvilrud continued.
“We transform the enslaved dragons we brought into Lich Dragons to increase our numbers. Then we deploy that force to oversee the Forerunners.”
“You’re suggesting we use them as overseers to supervise the Forerunners?”
“Precisely. We can provide support from their side when necessary.”
The assembly began nodding, finding the proposal reasonable.
“So we fill the ranks and assign them as supervisors…”
“It seems like a sound idea.”
“I concur as well.”
“Besides, we lack the manpower to do it ourselves.”
“We cannot possibly involve ourselves in the task of monitoring mere humans.”
Consensus had been reached.
They would accelerate preparations for the Heavenly Demon War by overseeing the Forerunners.
Yet the most critical problem remained unresolved.
“But how exactly do we transform the slaves into Lich Dragons?”
“Indeed. Doesn’t one require their own will to become a Lich Dragon?”
“Isn’t that precisely why we’ve been unable to subjugate the dragons in Weltergarden?”
‘Weltergarden?’
Zeke’s ears perked up at the mention of a place he’d heard before.
‘Weltergarden… isn’t that the place where dragons might exist?’
The Lich Dragon’s statement had just confirmed that rumor as fact.
They continued their conversation.
“The dragons in Weltergarden are currently being worked on by other Lich Dragons. They’ll have no choice but to submit eventually.”
“That’s their concern, so we needn’t worry about it. But how do we transform our enslaved dragons into Lich Dragons?”
“We simply break their will here and now.”
The dragons who grasped the meaning of those words grinned wickedly.
Originally, only the Demon Faction had known the method to become a Lich Dragon.
Now, after the Demon Faction had taught the Lich Dragons the method,
they could increase their numbers if they wished.
All they had to do was transform the enslaved dragons they possessed into Lich Dragons.
But it was not as simple as it sounded.
‘A Lich Dragon cannot be forced into existence. One must possess the will to do so.’
Without the willingness to surrender one’s soul, becoming a Lich Dragon was absolutely impossible.
That was why they had failed to subjugate the enslaved dragons.
However, they possessed a solution to even that problem.
‘They’re planning to torture me. Right here, right now.’
Zeke McLafflin, having read their thoughts, glanced toward one side of the chamber.
He’d been sensing a presence beyond that wall since earlier.
‘Twenty presences, at least. Could they all be…?’
Carvilrud, the moderator, raised his hand and spoke.
“Those who brought slave dragons, please raise your hands.”
Twenty dragons raised their hands.
“First, I must hear the masters’ opinions. Do you all consent to converting these slave dragons into Lich Dragons?”
“I consent.”
“The greater good comes first.”
“Slave dragons are expendable anyway—with or without them, it makes no difference.”
Once converted to Lich Dragons, they could no longer be enslaved.
They would gain immortal bodies.
Yet there was no need to fear rebellion.
A Lich Dragon consumed by demonic energy became something altogether different.
They retained no memories of their former lives before becoming Lich, so there was no reason for them to betray.
“All twenty of you have unanimously consented. Thank you sincerely. Now we shall begin the process of transforming the slaves into Lich Dragons. Masters, please bring your slaves forward.”
Creak.
Creak.
Twenty dragons rose from their seats and moved into the darkness.
It was the very place where Zeke McLafflin had sensed the presence.
Soon, the Lich Dragons returned, leading the slave dragons with them.
The slave dragons, polymorphed into human form, appeared ragged and worn, bound by dog leashes.
‘Those leashes are clearly made of Arcnium.’
Polymorph was a spell that completely altered one’s physical structure, much like Azrahil’s aspect transformation.
Once an Arcnium leash was fastened in that state, polymorph could no longer be used, and magical power became severely restricted.
Unable to return to their dragon forms, even their draconic speech was limited.
They became nothing more than ordinary humans.
Which is why they had no choice but to be dragged along like beasts.
‘I wonder if Carbollearos can endure this. It must be difficult to watch.’
Zeke McLafflin turned his gaze.
His eyes carried a hint of concern.
As expected, Carbollearos’s eyes were wide open in shock.
He seemed indifferent to the stares of those around him.
‘If you react like that, what will happen? Control your expression, Carbollearos.’
Though I reproached him silently, fortunately no dragon was paying attention to Carbollearos.
All eyes in the chamber were fixed on the twenty slave dragons crawling forward like beasts.
Then a message appeared before Zeke McLafflin’s eyes.
[Information Gathering on Dragons Complete!]
[Sudden Quest Cleared!]
[Reward: Level 6 Skill Proficiency increased by 20,000.]
[Proficiency remaining until 9-Star Achievement: 23,827/300,000]
‘The information-gathering quest is complete. So what now? Should I cause a scene?’
The situation seemed to be unfolding in an unsettling direction.
Carbollearos’s trembling shoulders made it all the more apparent.
‘What is he thinking?’
Without hesitation, I peered into his mind.
―So many of my kin reduced to slavery….
The raw sight of his brethren dragged away in chains had clearly shaken him deeply.
Unlike him, the Lich Dragons exchanged snickering laughter among themselves.
“How do you like mine, eh?”
“Hmm, quite serviceable in appearance. Should be excellent for night duties.”
“Why is that slave of yours so gaunt?”
“No worries. Looks can deceive—the strength is remarkable. Marvelous for labor.”
“My slave is rather dim-witted, I’m afraid. Can’t follow a single instruction properly.”
The sight of the masters appraising each other’s slaves was more than enough to ignite Carbollearos’s fury.
His cheeks quivered with barely contained rage.
‘No, Carbollearos. No matter how infuriated you are, you must hold back now. The next Quest hasn’t appeared yet.’
I heard every turbulent thought racing through his mind, which only deepened my anxiety.
I feared he might ruin everything.
Then the moderator Carvilrud clapped his hands to draw everyone’s attention.
“Now then, if I may have your focus. Especially you slaves—I have something to say to you.”
At the mention of having something to say, the slaves lifted their heads with grim expressions.
Their eyes held not a glimmer of curiosity or hope.
Over the centuries, they had learned all too well that these wicked Lich Dragons had no intention of ever freeing them.
Yet what followed was entirely unexpected.
“Slavery is arduous, is it not? If you accept our proposal, we shall extract you from this hellish abyss. This is your chance to end your bondage.”
He was speaking of liberation from their chains.
But most did not believe it.
The Lich Dragons who had enslaved them for centuries would free them simply for accepting one proposal?
Given all they had endured, suspicion remained etched in their eyes.
Yet in a few of the slaves’ gazes, a glimmer of hope did kindle.
“You… you really mean you’ll free us?”
“Indeed. If you but hear our proposal.”
“What… what is this proposal…?”
At that, the moderator smiled broadly.
“Become a Lich Dragon.”
“…!!!”
“That is… that’s….”
“If you willingly undergo Lichification and join our ranks, you shall be liberated from slavery.”
“….”
“….”
The enslaved dragons offered no response.
Becoming a Lich Dragon meant selling one’s very soul to a demon.
In exchange for eternal life, one had to surrender their sense of self and dignity.
The enslaved dragons here understood all too well that such a transformation was no different from death itself.
“So? Will you willingly become a Lich Dragon?”
There was no way they would want to.
Who would welcome becoming one of those wretches they so despised—their own kin corrupted?
All remained silent in evasion, but one courageous dragon spoke his will with unwavering conviction.
“I refuse.”
“You refuse?”
“Refusing to become a Lich Dragon is our last shred of pride. I would rather die than accept such a proposal.”
“Ha! Look at this one!”
“Such audacity—it pierces the heavens.”
“A slave daring to speak!”
“Hmm….”
Sighs and pointing fingers erupted from all corners.
Carvilrud, who had been stroking his chin, turned to address the slave.
“You there, the slave who just spoke. What is your name?”
“Cardiplian.”
“I see. Cardi. I said it was a proposal earlier, but I was merely being genteel. The truth is….”
Carvilrud approached Cardiplian and extended his hand.
Crack!
“It was a threat. You have no choice in the matter.”
“Gack, gack…!”
Cardiplian, seized by the throat, gasped desperately for breath.
The crushing grip threatened to tear his windpipe asunder.
Only when Cardiplian teetered on the brink of suffocation did Carvilrud release him.
“Gasp, gasp, gasp….”
“I’ll give you another chance. Tell me, Cardiplian—will you become a Lich Dragon obediently?”
“I, I absolutely… cannot….”
Crack!
“Aaaahhhhh!”
Carvilrud’s foot came down upon Cardiplian’s knee.
With a sickening crunch, the joint shattered.
“Ahhhhhhh! Ahhhhh!”
“How pathetic—a dragon of the heavens screaming like this. Truly, what a fleeting existence. But it need not be this way. If you become one of us, that suffering could ease. What say you, Cardi?”
“Ahhh, ahhh….”
Cardiplian remained lost in unbearable agony, his mind consumed by pain.
“Tsk, tsk. This is pathetic. Do I need to break every last joint in their bodies before they come to their senses?”
Carvilrud turned his gaze away, his expression one of utter disdain.
The other enslaved dragons who met his eyes flinched in terror.
“Did you all see that? This is what happens when they refuse to become Lich Dragons. What will you do?”
“….”
“Still silent as mutes, I see. Then there’s no choice. Everyone?”
Carvilrud’s gaze shifted toward the Lich Dragons, their masters.
“Beat these slaves until they feel like answering.”
As if they’d been waiting for those very words, the Lich Dragons bared their fangs in cruel laughter.
“Hehehehe, understood.”
“Indeed. Hehehehe.”
Dozens of dragons raised their fists.
What followed was a one-sided beating.
Crack!
Thud!
“Gack!”
“Aaaaah!”
The enslaved dragons, bound by collars that prevented them from casting magic, couldn’t even attempt to fight back.
The gap in power between them and the Lich Dragons, who wielded mana freely, was as vast as heaven and earth.
They could only endure the blows helplessly.
Thud! Thud!
Crack!
“Hahahaha! This is exhilarating!”
“Oops, this bastard’s jaw came loose!”
“Get up! I haven’t relieved nearly enough stress yet, you wretch!”
The Lich Dragons laughed gleefully as they pummeled their slaves with abandon.
Some even asked their neighbors to join in the beating.
Yet even as they were beaten like dogs, not a single slave opened their mouth.
Not one among the twenty dragons.
“Speak! Say you’ll become a Lich Dragon!”
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Crack!
“Aaaaaaaah!”
As the Lich Dragon stomped down, the slave’s arm shattered.
Undeterred, the Lich Dragon continued the assault, but finally lost control and began gathering mana.
Whirrrrr!
“Hey, you there! You mustn’t kill them!”
At the moderator’s intervention, the dragon caught himself and withdrew his mana.
“These creatures will soon become our precious assets—our own kin. They may be defiant now, but in time they will submit. Until then, refrain from killing them and enjoy yourselves at your leisure.”
“Hmm, I suppose you’re right. Very well.”
The true dragon resumed his kicks.
The enslaved dragons were beaten mercilessly, over and over again.
Carbollearos could not tolerate the sight.
“This… this…”
But I had to restrain myself.
Rage boiled within me, yet if I stepped forward, my identity would be exposed.
I had to wait—there might be more information to glean from this.
Besides, Zeke McLafflin showed no sign of intervening either.
‘I alone cannot stop this many. But how can I simply watch my own kind suffer like this?’
As Carbollearos seethed with fury, trapped between inaction and desperation, something unexpected happened.
Abruptly, as if by some miracle, the dragons ceased their assault.
There was another reason.
“Gentlemen. Did you not sense a pure draconic aura just now?”
“I felt it too.”
“You as well?”
An unfamiliar presence had been detected.
A pure draconic aura—something that should never exist in this place saturated with murky demonic energy.
Even amidst the frenzy of their beating, the Lich Dragons had caught it.
After all, their sensitivity to draconic power remained keen, for they were dragons at heart.
“It came from that direction.”
One dragon pointed a clawed finger.
The finger aimed directly at Carbollearos.
“From Carrocksina.”
‘Ah…’
As all eyes turned toward me, I froze in panic.
In my unguarded excitement, I had inadvertently released my draconic power.
Though I hastily suppressed the aura, I could not escape the suspicious gazes of the other dragons.
Nor could I escape Kardeipor’s stare beside me.
“Carrocksina. Did you release that draconic power?”
“What? That’s… not possible.”
“Forgive my rudeness, but would you release some demonic energy for us? Your aura feels weaker than the other dragons.”
“…”
The Lich Dragons fixed their piercing gazes upon me in unison.
As if demanding I release my demonic energy at once.
Yet I could only remain silent.
I possessed no demonic energy to release.
“What are you doing? Release your demonic energy now.”
“…”
An impossible situation.
In that moment, trapped between two impossible choices, something shifted.
A soft rustling sound.
Zeke McLafflin suddenly materialized from the void.
The moment had arrived.
The Main Quest I had been awaiting finally surfaced in my mind.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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