The Genesis Of A Necromancer

Chapter 72 - 72: searching for intruders

Zomaza's furious roar reverberated through the dark chamber, shaking its very foundations. The flickering purple flames that illuminated the room cast long, wavering shadows, each seeming to mock the six-horned demon lord's rage. His skeletal throne groaned under the force of his clenched fists pounding the armrests, sending echoes of crackling bone through the air.

"What do you mean you can't fulfill a simple task?!" Zomaza bellowed, his crimson eyes glowing like twin suns of fury. The air grew heavy, suffocating, as a dark aura oozed from his body, corrupting the surrounding space.

Naon, one of Zomaza's trusted servants, lay prostrate before him, his forehead pressed against the icy floor. Blood seeped from a gaping wound that marred half his body, the flesh on his corrupted side rotting like a decayed fruit. Yet even the agony of his injury was nothing compared to the fear tightening his throat.

"I... I am sorry, my lord," Naon stammered, his voice trembling. "It was unexpected. I didn't anticipate that he would unlock the Lord's powers so soon, let alone ally with a divine incarnate."

Zomaza's sharp intake of breath was the only sound that followed, but it was enough to make Naon's remaining skin crawl. The demon lord rose from his throne, his towering form cloaked in shadow. His gaze bore into Naon with the intensity of a predator eyeing prey.

'A divine incarnate,' Zomaza murmured, his tone eerily calm. But the calm was an illusion, like the silence before a storm. His aura flared suddenly, suffusing the chamber with a malevolent purple glow. "Do you have any idea what your failure has cost us? The angels—those sanctimonious light-dwellers—could descend upon this realm at any moment! Do you think I can achieve my immortality while fending off their holy onslaught?"

Naon didn't dare raise his head. His thoughts raced, torn between guilt and resentment. 'Curse that divine incarnate for interfering... and that boy.' The image of Jack flashed through his mind—defiant, his voice steady as he declared, 'I am the Lord of the Dead... your Lord.' Naon shivered. It was a proclamation that had disrupted all their plans, and his failure had earned Zomaza's wrath.

The memory made Naon's blood boil. 'If it weren't for those two fools, none of this would have happened.'

"My lord," Naon began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have dispatched a

The waitress shot a questioning glance at Alisha, who nodded silently, handing over a few more moonlight stones. With a curt nod, the waitress pocketed the payment and walked away.

As they left the restaurant, Gurat continued to chatter, oblivious to Jack's irritation. "We Zhuraks can tell ourselves apart from any demon. In fact, I can tell what kind of demon *you* are!" he said, pointing a stubby finger at Alisha.

"Wait—" Jack started, but Gurat was already leaping at Alisha. His long, slimy tongue darted out, licking her arm in one swift motion.

Alisha froze, her calm demeanor faltering for a split second. Jack gaped in horror, barely resisting the urge to slap the little demon.

Gurat smacked his lips thoughtfully, his expression growing puzzled. "Hmm, you taste... different. Not like any demon I've ever met. Wait a minute... you're not a—"

Jack lunged, clamping a hand over Gurat's mouth. "Shut up," he hissed, glancing around nervously. Several villagers had turned to look in their direction.

Alisha raised a hand, her serene smile disarming the onlookers. "Apologies for the disturbance," she said, her voice melodic and soothing. The tension eased as the villagers returned to their business, some murmuring compliments about the "handsome couple."

Jack's jaw tightened at the comment, but he focused on Gurat, who was still squirming in his grip. 'Listen, you little—'

A loud crash interrupted him. The village gates burst open, and two familiar guards were tossed to the ground like broken toys. Dust filled the air as a trio of horned demons entered, riding massive, snarling boars. The leader's voice rang out, deep and commanding.

"We come under the orders of Lord Zomaza! Surrender the intruders, or face annihilation!"

The murmurs of the crowd turned to hushed panic. Jack felt his pulse quicken as the leader's gaze swept over the gathering.

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