Chapter 50: 42. That’s all.
Translator: 549690339
Time reverted to three minutes ago, when Noland Lee had just been escorted into the sea of Skeleton soldiers by Sergeant Piggs.
Noland Lee had been seized by the arm by Piggs.
This bugger was filled with a mix of fat and flab all over his body, and the strength in his palm was quite astonishing, equally matched with Scarred Sin Soldier whom Noland Lee had killed twice before.
Noland Lee couldn’t break free from Piggs’ grasp and could only watch helplessly as the Skeleton Soldiers surrounded the two of them.
The Skeleton Soldiers wielding Bone Swords simply surrounded them but made no move to attack.
Noland Lee knew that the effect of his Grudge Mark had taken hold.
He was empty-handed and hadn’t thrown a punch, so naturally, he hadn’t displayed any attacks.
With the Grudge Mark in effect, the Skeleton Soldiers treated him as one of their own.
It was only because the Biochemical Bait on him attracted the Skeleton Soldiers’ attention that they surrounded him.
But why wasn’t Sergeant Piggs also attacked by the Skeleton Soldiers?
Noland Lee suddenly looked towards Piggs alongside him, his gaze drawn to the amulet in his hand.
This amulet was made of Stone Material, with intricate Undead Runes on its grey surface.
The Undead Runes emitted a chilly grey glow, blending perfectly with the illumination environment of the third underground level, hardly noticeable.
It was this barely noticeable glow that pacified the surrounding Skeleton Soldiers, protecting Sergeant Piggs.
At that moment, a burst of inspiration flashed through Noland Lee’s mind.
Innumerable flashes symbolizing insight raced through him, making him shiver slightly, with goosebumps rising on his skin.
Division Intelligence Unit Two opposes Intelligence Department 4’s research into Undead Runes, taking a firm stance against it.
Yet a Division Intelligence Unit Two investigator had a protective amulet inscribed with Undead Runes.
Judging from Piggs’ relaxed demeanor and proficient movements, it wasn’t his first time using this amulet.
He was very familiar with the Undead Army and the Undead Runes, comfortably using death-related items that the Empire deemed forbidden.
So, there was only one truth.
“Piggs, you’re actually a spy from the Death Notice Guild!” Noland Lee stared at the smug Piggs.
“Hehe, yes, you’re pretty sharp, figuring out my identity so quickly. It saves me the trouble of having to explain everything to you.”
Piggs who had his right hand clasping Noland Lee’s arm, stepped forward to face him, his face full of cunning smiles:
“Sin Soldier No.888, let’s get properly acquainted. I am a mid-level spy for the Death Notice Guild, codename ‘Fatty’, your future contact.”
“Future contact? What do you mean?” Noland Lee pursed his lips, a wary look in his eyes.
“Have you seen the amulet in my hand?”
Waving the amulet, Piggs strolled over in front of a Skeleton Soldier’s face and said leisurely:
“This is a gift from the Death Herald Guild. It allows me to roam freely among the Army of the Lost without worrying about being attacked. Anyone who has physical contact with me can enjoy this honor. But take note, it only applies to those who are in direct contact with me.”
Piggs looked at Noland Lee, saying indifferently:
“The moment I let go of your hand, you will lose the protection of the Death
Notification Amulet. The Skeleton Warriors will tear you apart, and the Big Skeleton will obliterate you with its Bone Hammer. Now, the choice is in your hands, Sin Soldier No. 888.”
Piggs blew on the amulet in his hand, letting the pendant swing gently along its cord, entirely the picture of being in control:
“Do you want to survive, enjoy my protection, and continue to rise in Intelligence Department 4, or would you prefer to die valiantly here, becoming a hapless spirit under the hand of the Skeleton Soldiers?”
Piggs took out the gun issued on his waist and fired a few symbolic shots, creating the illusion that they were battling the Skeleton Warriors.
“I don’t understand, what value does a plain Sin Soldier like me hold for you…”
Noland Lee appeared tempted, but with just the right amount of doubt etched onto his face.
“Sin Soldier No.888, you are vital.”
Piggs holstered his gun after shooting the empty magazine, reloading with one hand while he spoke:
“In Intelligence Department 4, there exists a deeply concealed Undead Rune research team, so secretive that even Division Intelligence Unit Two does not know which specific members are in the team or how far their research has progressed. Out of all the lower-ranking military officers and soldiers, you, Mars, Alvin Stafford, and Lieutenant Grett are the only ones who might have been able to come into contact with this research team. Out of these four people, only you meet the recruitment standards of the Death Herald Guild.”
Noland Lee felt slightly moved, and the face of Marsha Murphy flashed in his mind.
“As long as you survive, you will definitely have the opportunity to meet all the members of this team and keep supplying us with information. When the time is ripe, you must cooperate with us to eliminate all members of this team and completely disrupt Intelligence wepartment 4’s researcn Into tne unaeaa
Runes.”
Zeal and cruelty rose on Piggs’ face:
“Only we, the Death Herald Guild, have the qualification to study Undead Runes. Only we are the true Death Messengers. Anyone who dares to bypass the Death Herald Guild and secretly studies Undead Runes, touching the mysteries of death, will be crushed by us. The same goes for the Undead Rune team of Intelligence Department 4.”
Piggs looked around, then spread the hand holding the gun towards Noland
Lee:
“So do you understand now, Sin Soldier No. 888? You are important, you can help us eliminate the enemies within the Empire and solidify the Death Herald Guild’s position as the precursor in death guidance.”
Piggs paused and shrugged slightly:
“But, do not overestimate your own importance. Even without you, the Death Herald Guild can thwart Intelligence Department 4’s plans. We have always preferred to make preparations on both hands.”
“I can pay you some remuneration in advance, Sin Soldier No. 888. This remuneration is a critical piece of information, enough to make you see the reality, to let you know how powerful our Death Herald Guild is.”
Piggs pointed with the muzzle of his gun to the fire in the distance, which was the jet of flame shot by Lieutenant Grett:
“This troublesome Imperial Warrant Officer will die today, right here in Tomb No. 1079. The one who will kill him is a Death Notice assassin currently undergoing an Undead transformation ceremony at the top of the tower.”
“Alvin’s army will face a crushing defeat as a result and will flee from Tomb No.
1079 in panic. You will be one of the survivors.”
“I will use my identity from Division Intelligence Unit Two for a secret interrogation on you. But in reality, I’ll bring you anything you want, fine wine, cigarettes, women, and so on. Anything you want, you will receive during each secret interrogation session, as long as you sincerely cooperate with our tasks.”
Piggs gave a mysterious smile:
“Even, if you wish, the Death Herald Guild can mediate between you and Siton Industries, to resolve the misunderstanding.”
“Your debt will be written off. You will be rid of the Sin Soldier status, return to the world of civilized people, and resume the work of a teaching assistant.”
“And all you would need to do is to ‘stumble upon’ ancient relics that could prove the legitimacy of the Death Herald Guild during archaeological activities in the academy… You should understand what I mean, the voice of the academic world is also crucial.”
Sergeant Piggs casually took a pocket watch out of his inside pocket:
“..Oh, it’s been two and a half minutes already. The last time I diverted the undead for the soldiers, it took two minutes. This time, I broke my personal record. That’s not a good thing.”
Sergeant Piggs put away the pocket watch and waved the amulet in front of Noland Lee:
“So, tell me the answer, Sin Soldier No. 888. Do you want to submit to the Death Herald Guild and enjoy wealth and power, or follow the bullshit Empire and bury yourself in fake glory?”
Noland Lee took a deep breath and gave a slight smile:
“You dragged me into the pile of the undead, threatened me with life and death, showed me the power of the Death Herald Guild, and finally promised me rewards. You deterred me with might, enlightened me with reason, and moved me with benefits. Your procedures are pretty standard, Sergeant Piggs. It seems unnecessary for me to refuse.”
“That’s more like it, haha, I knew it would be easier to talk to someone who is educated.”
“However, Pigg, there’s one thing I’m certain of; there aren’t any spies from your guild in the Undead Runes Research Group, right? That’s why you’re pinning the heavy responsibility solely on me, a sin soldier.”
Upon hearing this, Sergeant Piggs narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning cold:
“What are you trying to say? Is the reward I’m offering not enough? I warn you, Sin Soldier No. 888, you are not irreplaceable. Do not try to take advantage of the situation to squeeze more benefits from me. It’s already a huge preferential treatment to be able to deliver cigarettes, alcohol, and women to you, and help you solve your debts.”
“No, no, no, Sergeant Piggs, honorable ‘Fatty’ sir.”
Noland Lee suddenly laughed.
A fit of rage burst from his eyes!
“I reject your proposal, you fat pig! Not for any Empire, nor for any glory, but just for the pride in my heart! Who the fuck do you think you are, daring to shit on my head?!”
Piggs cursed:
“You ungrateful bastard, you’ll become undead fodder here!”
He released the grip on Noland’s shoulder.
But the next second, his eyes widened in surprise. He realized that the surrounding undead didn’t show any desire to attack at all!
All the skeleton soldiers, even the big skeleton, looked at Noland coldly, showing no hostility at all!
It was like Noland was not an enemy, not an ally, not one of them, but just a plain stone in their eyes.
“Impossible… impossible…”
Piggs looked at the amulet in his hand, confirming again and again that there was no physical contact between him and Noland.
Then there could only be one answer…
Pigg’s pupils contracted sharply. He stared at Noland, pointing shakily at him. His voice trembled uncontrollably, as if he had seen something shocking:
“You… you… you…””
Noland gave a cruel laugh, grabbed Piggs’ arm with one hand, and pulled the amulet from his hand with the other: “Goodbye, scum of the Death Herald Guild.”
“Soul Freeze” activated!
In Piggs’ eyes, a huge frost-covered mountain rose behind Noland, overshadowing the sky, pressing down on him. The extreme cold and snow arrived!
Solitude and winter were coming!
The limitless chill froze Piggs’ soul instantly, leaving him unable to control his body!
Noland snatched the amulet from Piggs’ hand and kicked him in the stomach.
Piggs fell directly to the ground, rolled over a few times, and ended up under the big skeleton.
Without the protection of the amulet, Piggs had become a juicy piece of meat in the eyes of the undead.
The skeleton soldiers cracked their arms, aimed their bone swords at Piggs, and swung mercilessly.
The big skeleton raised its bone hammer and forcefully smashed it down like a punishing executioner.
“Schlick!”
Blood and flesh flew about, mud mixed with blood splashed everywhere.
Just at this moment, Noland Lee heard the gunshot from Sergeant Mike Adams and others.
He immediately threw away the amulet in his hand, rolled over, and picked up the rune staff that Piggs had dropped on the ground.
“Fire the bomb! Quick, fire the bomb!”
“Boom! Crack!”
The Bee Syrup Bomb arrived above Noland’s head, exploding upon hitting the
big skeleton.
Black biochemical nectar covered the entire area, quickly dissolving the skeleton soldiers.
Noland wiped off the biochemical nectar on his face, stood up, and looked at the approaching imperial soldiers. He deliberately put on a desperate face and shouted:
“Help- Help-”
Noland was surrounded and escorted away by the members of the Mars Squad.
He looked back towards the entrance of the Underworld Cavern, seeing the image of Private Second Class Corbin solemnly saluting, resolutely pressing the detonator.
Did you see it, Corbin? Piggs is dead.
You don’t have to thank me.
I had suffered a lot before I came here.
I know the desperation of those who are being coerced.
I am not a vendetta-driven knight, nor a compassionate saint, nor a self-sacrificing Saint Mother.
I only hope that good people will meet a good end, and the wicked will face punishment.
Nothing more..
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om