Chapter 174: The Reward

Although the team returned a few days later than expected, the residents of Orgrimmar were very pleased to see them back intact.

However, Ram and Harold’s expressions seemed somewhat uneasy.

“We just received news that Alvin died last night,” Ram spoke softly. “He died of extreme weakness.”

“I know,” Wu Qingsong said.

“Indeed…” Ram sighed slightly.

“Alvin started to suspect us, and this was the most prudent action,” Wu Qingsong said. “Previously, we had no better option, but now, with Marquis Osaga personally confirming our non-involvement with the insectoid swarm and our lack of means and opportunity to deal with him, eliminating him completely at this time won’t make anyone suspect us.”

Ram nodded. Although there were risks, Alvin’s condition had worsened several days earlier and he was not in Orgrimmar at the time. Furthermore, Wu Qingsong was actively fighting against the swarm, so under normal circumstances, no one would suspect them.

However, Marquis Osaga was still an elf. f he brought in a more powerful mage who discovered any clues…

“We must take this risk,” Wu Qingsong said. “For now, let’s put all our covert activities on hold until this blows over.”

Ram agreed with a nod, and Wu Qingsong then turned to Harold, asking, “Have you noticed any spies around?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Good. We must intensify our patrols. If anyone with an unclear identity is spotted lurking around Orgrimmar, deal with them first, ask questions later.”

After a brief conversation with Ram and Harold, Wu Qingsong took advantage of the cover of night to enter the mine. The undead creatures, still following his commands, were dormant in a secluded tunnel. If not for the soul fire burning within their bodies, one might not even realize they were animate.

Wu Qingsong roused one of the undead and had it stand in front of him.

This operation had yielded almost nothing for Orgrimmar, apart from clearing their names. It was uncertain whether Marquis Osaga’s promised reward would materialize, and relocating the entire Thirteenth Mercenary Group to Norwei seemed an even more unfavorable outcome.

Although Marquis Osaga would likely provide a better territory, operating under an elf who operated differently from his peers and who often took actions within his own lands would be significantly more complicated. Under his management, which would not be as laissez-faire as in the marquisate of Riniconia, the things Wu Qingsong was doing now would be much more likely to come to light.

For someone like him, a rebel, earning the favor of a shrewd elven noble was certainly not a welcome development.

However, for Wu Qingsong personally, his encounter with the True Red Demon Lord opened a new doorway. He not only strengthened his mental power by devouring soul fragments but more importantly, he seemed to have discovered a method to separate soul fragments, which was mentioned but not elaborated on in the “Book of the Dead.”

Standing in front of the zombie, he extended a hand toward it, recalling and mimicking the True Red Demon Lord’s method, and continued trying. After an indeterminate amount of time, a small soul fragment finally separated from his soul fire.

Intense pain struck again, but having endured the corruption of the True Red Demon Lord, such agony was almost negligible to him now.

He carefully maneuvered the fragment, guiding it toward the zombie, and cautiously integrated it into the soul fire within the zombie’s body. Having mastered the art of devouring soul fragments, this task was no longer a challenge for him. Soon after, he distinctly felt the zombie undergo further transformations.

It was akin to a naive child suddenly maturing.

While its memory remained blank, more of its instincts from its previous life became clearer, and it even gained the ability to think simply. Most importantly, he could clearly feel that he was able to command its movements more freely, with almost no delay.

He controlled the zombie to run toward the distant mine and soon discovered, to his delight, that he could still control its movements with his now-enhanced mental power, even when it was out of his sight. He could sense the environment and react through its body as if it were right before him, with no discernible difference.

At least within the distance of the entire mine, this connection was unaffected by any rock walls or distances, functioning as naturally as his own limbs.

Wu Qingsong swiftly performed the same modifications to all the zombies, then had the skeletons follow them into a long-abandoned mine tunnel. They dismantled the supports to temporarily seal it off.

In the future, he could completely control a force of undead remotely to undertake tasks that the Thirteenth Mercenary Group couldn’t, or that were inconvenient for them to handle.

The stalled research into necromancy might also now be able to restart.

***

The news of Alvin’s death finally reached Marquis Osaga. He left a force behind to continue clearing the insect moss, searching for scattered spiderpeople and remnants of the potential Norwei rebels, while he himself returned with a few people.

Wu Qingsong reached Esora as soon as he received the news. The entire city was somber as if enveloped by frost.

“You’ve really put me in a tight spot,” the city’s lord, Baines, cursed through gritted teeth upon seeing Wu Qingsong.

He couldn’t understand why Alvin, who appeared to be recovering, suddenly fell ill again and rapidly weakened, dying just a few hours later without giving them time to even call back the priests.

If it hadn’t been for Wu Qingsong’s suggestion, Alvin would have stayed in Orgrimmar, where even if he died, his responsibility would have been far less.

Wu Qingsong ignored these remarks and focused all his attention on Marquis Osaga.

Marquis Osaga’s face showed almost no emotion, but the middle-aged beastwoman by his side appeared deeply distressed, nearly fainting, which made Wu Qingsong realize that she might be Alvin’s mother.

‘I’m sorry’, he silently thought. ‘But if Alvin wasn’t a threat to me and the safety of those around me, I would never have taken such drastic measures. Will they suspect me again?’

He awaited the outcome.

Fortunately, perhaps disgusted by the disgraceful attempts of Baines and others to absolve themselves of responsibility, Marquis Osaga, after summoning the doctors and Alvin’s guards for a detailed interrogation, left with Alvin’s coffin. He did not meet with anyone else or speak further.

Everyone anxiously awaited Marquis Osaga’s fury, but a month passed, then three, and his forces stationed north of Esola, after clearing the fungal moss, returned directly to Norwei without so much as acknowledging Esola.

News reached them that Alvin had been posthumously made a baronet and buried beneath Osaga Castle, yet no retribution from Marquis Osaga ensued.

Had the matter simply passed?

In Esola, Alvin’s death became a taboo subject. No one dared mention it. However, everyone marveled at Marquis Osaga’s magnanimity and their own luck. 

Had it been any other noble, wiping out everyone involved in the incident wouldn’t have been beyond belief.

No one mentioned the slaves Alvin had promised, which turned out to be a relief for Wu Qingsong.

Unexpectedly, four months after the incident, just as they cautiously began manufacturing soap and seeds again and resumed smuggling, a group of soldiers from the Marquisate of Riniconia arrived with a document for him.

Recommended by Marquis Osaga, Marquis Riniconia decided to grant him a noble title. However, since the Marquis was permanently stationed in the capital, it was impractical for him to return just for the conferment of such a minor title. Therefore, Wu Qingsong must immediately travel to the capital to meet the Marquis, swear allegiance, and complete the investiture ceremony to officially become his vassal.

“Congratulations, my lord!” the soldiers offered their compliments. 

Ram quickly handed them a reward, ensuring they departed satisfied.

Baines and others soon heard the news and came to offer their congratulations, but their expressions bore more jealousy than joy.

Although serving as the city lord, Baines was merely a steward under Marquis Riniconia. From now on, Wu Qingsong would no longer be under his jurisdiction, and he would have to address Wu Qingsong as “My Lord.”

Once the investiture ceremony was completed, Wu Qingsong would become the highest-ranking individual in the Esola Hills region.