The Bastogne Duchy and Montfort Duchy once organized an alliance army and laid siege here, but upon inspection, it was discovered that this place was really just an abandoned villa. Out of respect for the deceased knightly nobility, the Dukes ordered a return to the original route and instructed the peasants to stay away from here.

Mathew Bade and Kemler had arranged to meet here.

After months of dormant waiting and absorbing the power of dead Black Chalice Knights, Mathew Bade’s skin had become even more pale like paper, and his strength had grown stronger, evidently breaking through some shackles. He wore black cursed armor all over his body, and several black spikes on him emitted a ghostly glow under the faint light. The Duke of Musillon, holding a black sharp blade, was accompanied by more than a dozen followers, his blue eyes constantly darting about, wanting to scrutinize the Undead Grand Mage before him: "Nice to meet you, Lord Kemler. I am somewhat aware of your affairs. From what I know, you are an extraordinary Undead Grand Mage, who once brought endless suffering to this country, so I am here."

Unlike what one might imagine, Heinrich Kemler’s appearance could not be described as gaunt. He indeed had sunken cheeks, a pale complexion, but a tall stature. He wore a black human-skin robe, a pointed Undead Wizard hat on his head, had a long eagle hook nose, long fingers, a white long beard reaching down to his waist, and a scar on his forehead—a scar left by Duke of Winford, Francois. Francois had once sliced off half of Kemler’s head with a sword, and this Undead Grand Mage later barely reattached his head, but the scar left by the Unicorn Sword had tormented him for over a decade until a few months ago when it finally disappeared under the power of the God of Chaos.

Years of wandering had left Kemler’s body and his robe scarred and battered, yet this did not diminish his powerful inner desire to pursue strength and his vow to destroy everything in the Knight Kingdom. Several skulls pulled a piece of human skin across his chest.

That was the face of François’ father, Tankred I. Unlike Francois, the previous Duke of Winford, Tankred I, had suffered a crushing defeat by Kemler’s Ancient Tomb Legion at the Battle of Montfort Bridge. The cruel Undead Grand Mage resurrected this former Duke of Winford as an Undead Knight, then skinned his scalp as a trophy to warn the people of the Knight Kingdom of the consequences of resisting him.

"Your arrival is of little use, young Black Knight." Heinrich Kemler’s voice was sharp and hoarse. He lifted his head, and under the brim of the tattered, moldy wizard hat, all one could see was his wrinkled face and a pair of gloomy eyes: "I know who you are, Akhan’s godson. You are not the Witch Demon King, and you do not have the authority to represent him."

"I do not represent my godfather, but I can represent myself, represent Musillon." Mathew Bade sat behind a rotting black wooden table, staring at Kemler with a slight disdain in his eyes: "And you? Mr. Heinrich Kemler?"

"To negotiate with me, you are not qualified. Your godfather would be more appropriate." Heinrich Kemler’s expression remained impassive, though his eyes shifted as he pondered the necessity of forming an alliance: "But we have no choice, let us talk."

Deep down, the Undead Grand Mage looked down upon Mathew Bade; he was too young and his repeated failures did not go unnoticed by Kemler, who from the bottom of his heart disdained Mathew Bade, the so-called Duke of Musillon was but a gift left by Akhan to his godson.

However, Mathew Bade was not entirely without value to Kemler, for instance, the Black Chalice Knights present, and many secrets buried deep within Brittania. Musillon stood at the mouth of the Grismore River for hundreds of years, never toppling during multiple Knightly Wars, and Kemler could not ascertain how many Undead Armies were still within Musillon, but presumably, there were quite a few. Plus, Mathew Bade had Akhan’s vast forces as a backup.

Mathew Bade himself exuded a latent but formidable aura. Kemler thought that if he could utilize Musillon’s army well, there was indeed a chance to defeat Francois and the garrison of La-Mesnil Abbey.

Once he obtained the Staff of Nagash, Mathew Bade would have no further use; having aligned himself with Chaos, Kemler and Akhan were bound to be in opposing camps. By then, having Guer kill Mathew Bade would suffice.

As long as he was careful not to let Mathew Bade and Akhan discover his allegiance to Chaos, once he obtained the Staff of Nagash and absorbed its power, not even the Witch Demon King Akhan would be his match!

As Kemler weighed the benefits and losses, Mathew Bade also considered his thoughts while looking at him.

The plight he faced had been previously mentioned. Forming an alliance with Kemler was indeed risky and unstable, but overall, Kemler and his Ancient Tomb Legion could greatly relieve Mathew Bade’s military pressure.

Mathew Bade had received teachings from Akhan. The Witch Demon King had many corpse pits within Brittania, with the largest pits being the former strongholds of the Duke of Atuo’s Clan and the Duke of Aquitaine’s Clan.

Only Mathew Bade knew the locations of these two corpse pits.

With Kemler’s Undead Magic, the Undead Grand Mage could awaken two enormous Undead Armies from the pits, significantly replenishing lost troops. Mathew Bade did not have this ability, but Kemler did.

Let Kemler and his Ancient Tomb Legion engage in battle and attrition with the knights of Brittania! Once the timing was right, Mathew Bade would reveal the truth about the Lake Fairy to the knights of Brittania. He would tear off the Lake Fairy’s false mask; the knights believed their goddess was their beacon of hope, but in reality, she exploited their Elf Jade Pool!

Let this Undead Grand Mage’s army wear down the knights; Kemler and his Ancient Tomb Legion would be useful. Mathew Bade chuckled inwardly; he certainly wouldn’t let Kemler acquire the Staff of Nagash, which belonged to his godfather. At the right moment, all he needed to do was deftly withdraw and betray in one strike, wait for Kemler’s entire army to be wiped out, and then mop up the aftermath himself, while also becoming a paragon of the Knightly Path enduring humiliation, a hero saving the Knight Kingdom from peril.

The conspiring hearts of the Undead Generals initiated negotiations and gradually reached a consensus.

"I will tell you the locations of the corpse pits of the Duke of Atuo’s Clan and the Duke of Aquitaine’s Clan. As a condition, you must grant me half control of the resurrected army, including the deceased Duke of Aquitaine, Armand, and the deceased Duke of Atuo, Zilfroy," Mathew Bade whispered.

"Agreed," Kemler readily answered: "My demand is, you and your army must assist me; where to attack, I decide."

"Agreed." Mathew Bade nodded in agreement.

"We will start along the Gray Mountain Range, let the Knight Kingdom feel my vengeance, and you will assist me." Kemler continued with his condition: "Guide me; I need to gather enough souls to strengthen my power, until these sufferers of Chivalry Syndrome are completely crushed, obliterate Francois and his Duchy, complete my revenge, until we can attack the Abbey and seize the Staff of Nagash."

"We need each other; my Blood Knights and Black Chalice Knights will aid you. We share the same goal." Mathew Bade thought to himself, you won’t live to see the day when the goal is achieved.

The Duke of Musillon smiled broadly and extended his hand.

"Yes, we need each other, and by then, your wishes will also be fulfilled." Kemler thought, once I have the Staff of Nagash, Guer will have you and your Black Chalice Knights all eradicated together; I will present your head to Khorne, the plague-ridden Musillon to Nurgle, the grand betrayal performance to Slaanesh, and the plan of your demise to Tzeentch.

The godson of the Witch Demon King Akhan, the Evil God will surely be satisfied.

The Undead Grand Mage also revealed a smile and extended his hand.

The dry wizard hand clasped Mathew Bade’s young, pale hand.

"Then, the alliance is formed."

"The alliance is formed."