Now that he had concrete requirements, Anbaixiu knew how to weave this soul.
A Death Knight's mobility came entirely from its mount, and summoning mounts varied as well, so Anbaixiu focused on enhancing the soul's capabilities in that regard. Next was the requirement of completing missions autonomously, which meant the undead needed to be adaptable to local conditions and devise the details of its actions on its own.
While undead did not need to worry about rations and supplies, recovery was still an issue. The Death Knight had to possess a way to heal itself, so granting it Dark Healing or a similar spell-like ability was worth considering. Its mana recovery also needed strengthening, which demanded an affinity between the soul and dark magical energy...
Anbaixiu jotted these directions down first, then laid out detailed configurations to ensure nothing went wrong when he wove the soul.
Over a million gold coins in raw materials were at stake; failing would be a ruinous loss.
Anbaixiu carefully wove the iridescent threads into the desired patterns, fusing them piece by piece into the jellyfish-like soul.
Rose of Decay did not wait around, choosing instead to wander through the castle.
The Undead Queen was pondering a thought: could this castle become hers one day as well?
Before meeting Anbaixiu in person, Rose of Decay rarely thought of him. But now that they were back in touch, she was reminded that he had given her his phylactery.
It was about time to bring things out into the open. According to her best friend, letting feelings drag on too long was never good—they tended to fade.
Rose of Decay still had not found that feeling of being in love, yet Anbaixiu had even given her his phylactery. If she refused him, it might turn them into bitter enemies.
She had hundreds of millions in business left to conduct with Anbaixiu. Falling out now would leave her waiting who knew how many years before she could launch a counteroffensive against Ryan.
Thinking about it that way, accepting seemed like the better choice.
Still, should she take the initiative to bring it up herself?
As Rose of Decay pondered whether to consult her best friend—that Bone Dragon Eldest Miss who could still fall in love despite being undead—a woman in a maid's uniform appeared before her as she walked.
Looking at the elegant beauty in front of her, Cardina asked in surprise, "Excuse me, who might you be? Why are you in the castle?"
It was only because Rose of Decay clearly looked like a high noble that Cardina spoke so politely; otherwise, she would have pulled a stern face long ago. So many people had come looking for Isabel lately that she could not turn them all away each day, and she had assumed this woman had sneaked in.
Surely such an elegant lady would not be an uncouth trespasser, though?
Rose of Decay glanced at Cardina and remarked in surprise, "The power of time? Interesting."
Was that fellow so extravagant that he even used temporal power to restore youth to a maid? Did he treat human slaves exceptionally well, or did he simply favor young beauties? It was truly impossible to see through him.
Seeing that Rose of Decay did not answer, Cardina's tone turned stern.
"Ma'am, if you are not an invited guest of the castle's master, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave."
Rose of Decay glanced at Cardina. This attitude was quite novel. According to her usual habits, she would have turned Cardina into an undead and broken her in properly. But since this was Anbaixiu's servant, Rose of Decay was willing to grant a bit more patience.
"No need to be nervous. I am an invited guest of your master. Go attend to your duties."
Cardina frowned. "You are Miss Isabel's guest?"
Rose of Decay looked puzzled. "Isabel? Who is that?"
"You don't even know Miss Isabel? Could it be that you—"
Cardina was about to say more when Isabel came sprinting over as fast as her legs could carry her, dropping into a ninety-degree bow before Rose of Decay.
Keeping her head down, Isabel said respectfully, "Lady Rose, my apologies. Cardina is newly arrived; please forgive her insolence."
"You are Isabel?" Rose of Decay asked.
"Yes, Lady Rose, I am Teacher's student... er, what I mean is..." In her panic, Isabel grew completely flustered.
She recognized Rose of Decay. Anbaixiu had explicitly warned her that this lady was a powerful undead and had to be treated with utmost reverence. Although she did not know just how powerful she was, she was certainly the sort who could crush Isabel like an ant with a flick of her hand. Isabel had been genuinely terrified by Cardina's behavior just now, terrified that the maid's ignorance would offend her.
Rose of Decay glanced at Isabel. Another pretty girl. Could that fellow actually be a philandering scoundrel who fancied everyone?
Whatever, it did not matter. The Underdark had plenty of drow elf beauties—as many as one could ever want.
Rose of Decay could not be bothered to talk to either of them any further. Clicking her high heels, she strolled past without giving them a second glance.
Only when Rose of Decay was completely out of sight did Isabel breathe a sigh of relief. Cardina hurried to ask, "Miss, who was that?"
Isabel replied, "All I know is that she is Lady Rose, a very important guest of Teacher's. You must never, ever make her angry. If she gets angry, Teacher will probably be furious as well."
Isabel knew Rose of Decay was Anbaixiu's vital client; Anbaixiu had specifically emphasized that before, and she understood just how much business mattered to him. It was an untouchable bottom line.
Cardina frowned. "Miss, now that your teacher is back, why have you become an outsider?"
Isabel said regretfully, "I was always an outsider."
She was merely a slave Anbaixiu had picked up; becoming his student was already an extraordinary stroke of fortune, and she dared not harbor any other notions. This castle belonged entirely to Teacher; she was merely lodging here and even had to work to pay rent.
In Cardina's eyes, however, things looked quite different. Isabel's wistful expression made her seem like a poor, abandoned girl. That Lady Rose was probably the master's lover—perhaps even the foremost one.
Cardina had intended to urge Isabel to fight for herself, but after comparing the two women in her mind, the words caught in her throat. Lady Rose was like a noble swan, whereas Isabel was, at best, a slightly charming little sparrow.
Judging by earlier, Lady Rose did not even know who Isabel was. The gap in status between them was simply too vast.
"Don't worry, Miss, I know what to do," Cardina said.
Avoiding trouble for Isabel was her duty as a maid; from now on, she would steer clear of Lady Rose.
As for any other friends of the master who came by, Cardina would not dare ask too many questions either, lest she make things difficult for Isabel.
After this minor interlude, quiet returned to the castle.
Before long, however, a carriage suddenly appeared outside. A jingling sound drifted into the castle—bells hung from the carriage to alert passersby, which also served as an advance signal of an arrival.
Naturally understanding what the bells meant, Cardina hurried to the castle's main entrance.
It was a magnificent black carriage, and the person who stepped down was an alchemist clad in luxurious robes.
As a local, Cardina recognized the attire. It was a robe worn only by prominent figures from the former City of Alchemy, indicating that this dark-skinned, stern-faced man was of noble standing.
Cardina hurried forward to greet him and inquired, "My lord, may I ask who you are?"
Gustavo Fring said coldly, "I am a friend of the castle's master. Tell him that Fring has come to visit."
A few hours earlier, Cardina never would have dared let him straight inside without announcing him first. But hearing that this was another friend of the castle's master, she dared not bar his path and promptly invited Gustavo Fring into the castle.
She originally intended to have the alchemist wait in the small parlor, then report to Isabel so the young lady could decide whether to notify the master.
Yet the moment they stepped through the door, Lady Rose happened to be passing through the first-floor hall.
Rose of Decay and Gustavo Fring caught each other's eye, but neither thought much of the other.
Rose of Decay knew Anbaixiu had broad connections, so an alchemist visiting was perfectly normal. Gustavo Fring, on the other hand, merely noticed that Rose of Decay was strikingly beautiful, wondering why gorgeous women kept flocking around that lich. No matter how pretty someone was, what meaning could it have to a lich?
Cardina dared not let the atmosphere turn awkward and hurriedly said, "Lord Fring, please rest for a moment. I will inform the master right away."
Before she could finish, Rose of Decay spoke up: "You're here to see him? He is busy right now and cannot be disturbed. Please turn back."
Her tone was unmistakably that of the castle's mistress.
Gustavo Fring snorted coldly. "What I have to discuss with him is of the utmost importance. Tell him the name Gustavo Fring, and he will naturally come out to see me."
Rose of Decay refused him coldly once more: "I said he is busy right now. You can come back another day."
Anbaixiu was currently crafting a soul for her and had explicitly instructed that no one disturb him. How could Rose of Decay allow this alchemist to interrupt Anbaixiu's work? What if it resulted in failure?
Gustavo Fring was already convinced that Rose of Decay shared an uncommon relationship with the lich—perhaps she was truly a foolish woman entranced by him. He had no desire to bicker with her.
Come back another day? The election was tomorrow! If he did not win Anbaixiu over today, when would he ever get another chance?
Gustavo Fring spoke with unyielding firmness: "If that fellow learns you turned away my business, he probably won't let you off so easily. Ma'am, I have no desire to argue with you. You don't know him—business means more to him than anything else. So please pass my name along to him. I will wait right here."
Rose of Decay knitted her brows, locking her perception onto the alchemist.
Could this fellow not understand plain speech?!
Chapter 242