855 The Lich's Invitation [Filler Chapter]

[Leonel, Isolde, Roz, Avaris, Lethargia]

Atop a forlorn hill in what was once an idyllic valley, Ven Faust Manor lies in a state of suspended decay.

Its paint was peeling, wood rotten, metal rusted, and windows faded, but the mansion was far from abandoned.

Here Niccoli Ven Faust "lives" with the undead abominations fashioned from the remains of his former family.

Its haunted corridors were stalked by vengeful ghosts of ages past. Coupled with the now undead members of the Ven Faust line, Niccoli had fashioned a necromantic effigy of day-today life, with zombie servants, family "dinners," spectral dance parties, and other activities that would seem wholesome in almost any other context.

While the manor may appear ancient and decrepit, this was merely an aesthetic choice by Niccoli as a final act of spite against his hated family.

Hidden away behind magically locked doors were hidden chambers containing countless books of magic, strange artifacts of arcane power, and innumerable other curios fit only for Niccoli's twisted amusements.

Inside, the butler led Leonel and the others to the study. Along the way, spectral souls passed Leonel and the others, and every time Leonel felt like his soul wanted to escape his body. Going into the Netherworld was definitely a very bad idea.

"I will inform Master Niccoli that you have come to visit Lord Avaris. If you will excuse me . . . ," the butler said and went away.

Leonel and the others sat on the couch, unable to resist roaming their eyes around the eerie interior of the room.

09:23

"This place gives me the creeps," Leonel admitted, shivering and holding himself in his hands.

"No kidding," Roz seconded.

"Oh, snacks." Isolde picked up the tea and biscuits on the table but found out that they were some body parts and weird objects mixed in with the food, and she wordlessly put them back.

"Are they edible?" Leonel asked curiously and picked up the food.

"Don't . . ." Before Isolde's warning could fully come out of her mouth, Leonel already had a first view of the snacks contents and he choked down his puke to the side.

"What the hell?!" Leone shot to his feet, his eyes watery. "I thought this game was supposed to be kid-friendly!"

Isolde and Avaris laughed while Roz sighed and shook his head in resignation.

"I'm glad that you're having fun in my house," said a voice.

Everyone went quiet, their attention shifting to the newcomer.

Clad in a jacket and noble finery, the seemingly youthful figure of Niccoli, the lich child, emerged from the shadows.

He carried himself with the recognizable arrogance of a young teenager. However, his appearance was a twisted mockery of youthful vigor.

Niccoli's body was skeletal, wrapped in an ethereal skin that bore the visage of a handsome human male. Spectral echoes of fair auburn hair, a pleasant smile, and shy eyes lingered, all that remained of Niccoli's humanity.

When he spoke, his voice retained its youthful tones and pitch, though the words always seemed to come from far away, struggling to be heard by living ears.

If it were not for his radical magical power, Niccoli would unassumingly appear to be a minor, albeit disturbing, undead.

The air around the lich child rippled with malevolent magic. His eyes sparked with emerald arcane fire, and foul necromantic strands of energy seeped from his hands, coiling through the air in search of the living.

Despite such ominous signs, it was difficult to accept that this mere boy was one of the most fearsome liches to ever exist, his talent and evil eclipsing all others who had chosen to walk this dark path.

"Uhm . . . are you Niccoli?" Leonel squeaked.

Both Avaris and Niccoli narrowed their eyes at Leonel.

"Sorry, my companions are new to the Netherworld," explained Avaris.

Niccoli finally laughed. "Is that so? No wonder they don't know me. It's fine. I'll let it slide since you're new here. Although . . . I didn't catch your name."

Avaris then began to introduce Leonel and the others.

"Ah, I see. Adventurers," Niccoli nodded in understanding. "We don't have many of your kind down here, so it's actually my first time meeting adventurers."

Leonel forced a smile, about to speak when Avaris elbowed him.

"Anyway, Master Niccoli, we're here because of a very important matter."

Niccoli tilted his head to the side and smiled creepily, which almost caused Leone to pee himself.

"Oh? What important matter is it that you wish to discuss, Lord Avaris?"

"As you might know, Lord Azazel is back," Avaris started. "With his return, the elders aren't happy about it and wish to start a war with us. As one of the powerful noble houses, we ask that you lend us your strength to subdue the elders and bring Lord Azazel back to the throne."

There was a lingering silence in the room, one which was tense and suffocating.

Finally, Niccoli rose to his feet. "This is so sudden. Will you allow me time to think about it?"

Avaris's face relaxed a little. "Of course. Then we will leave you alone and come back . . ."

"What's the rush?" Niccoli interjected. "Why don't you stay first for dinner? My family would love to see you again, Lord Avaris."

"Family?" Leonel whispered to Isolde. "Like his dead family?"

Avaris whacked Leonel's head to shut him up.

"We'll be honored to dine with you, Master Niccoli," Avaris replied smoothly.

Leonel suddenly thought of those body parts before and opened his mouth to retort when Avaris stomped on his foot.

"Splendid," Niccoli clapped his hands cheerfully. "Stay here for a moment while I get everything ready. I will have my butler pick you up as soon as dinner is prepared."

"T-there won't be any weird stuff in it, right?" Leonel finally managed to say.

Both Avaris and Niccoli looked at him before exchanging a glance.

Avaris forced a laugh. "Sorry, adventurers from the surface have strange palates. They like mortal food."

"Mortal?" Niccoli paused, then a wide grin spread across his face, almost slicing his head in half. "I'll see to it that you will have mortal food."

Then he was gone, and everyone could finally release their breath. The tension in the room eased slightly.