Fang Zheng didn't pay any attention to Connie. He knew she was more severely injured than he was, and Mart and his Templars weren't skilled at healing. In fact, the cleric responsible for healing had died in the previous ambush, which was why Mart's group had been fighting so hard ever since. If Fang Zheng hadn't healed them later, they likely wouldn't have regained their fighting strength by now.
Although Connie was a trouble, Fang Zheng and Shi Dong had still successfully completed half the mission and had found the Templars lingering here. According to the plan, they only needed to bring the Templars back to resolve the trouble. However, it seemed neither Mart nor Shi Dong intended to leave.
Mart knew the Lich's sinister plan, while Shi Dong wasn't entirely sure what had happened here. However, he sensed something was off—Shi Dong, along with Connie and Miss M, discovered the presence of Undead Creatures here. They even saw the Undead Creatures dragging the Templars into the quarry. To find out what these Undead Creatures were up to and to rescue his comrades, Shi Dong ventured in alone. He had sent Connie back to leave a message for Miss M to prevent her from worrying, but unexpectedly ran into Fang Zheng. And then... well, what could he say?
"We don't have much time to waste. The Lich must have sensed something is happening up above."
Shi Dong spoke while glaring at Connie and Fang Zheng. Under his gaze, Connie lowered her head in silence while Fang Zheng shrugged, indicating it wasn't his problem. Seeing their reactions, Shi Dong rolled his eyes in exasperation and turned back to Mart.
"What do you think, Mart?"
At Shi Dong's question, Mart thought for a moment before raising his head to look at Shi Dong again.
"Are you sure my comrades are still alive?"
"At least they were alive when they were taken inside. Now... I can't guarantee."
Mart was silent for even longer this time. Eventually, he looked at the others and seemed to make up his mind.
"Shi Dong, I need your help with something."
"I want you to help distract the Lich, then...we will find an opportunity to rush in and see if we can rescue our comrades. If possible, we might even destroy their dark ritual..."
Mart turned to glance at Connie.
"Please take care of this girl too. She's severely injured, and taking her with us would be a burden. It's better to leave her here. If we don't make it back, take her back to the Sanctuary."
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Hearing this, Shi Dong was stunned, and even Fang Zheng widened his eyes at Mart. He wasn't stupid; he understood what Mart meant. If an ordinary person heard Mart's request, they might think it was unreasonable, but on closer inspection, it was actually a burden only Shi Dong and Fang Zheng could bear easily!
Mart only asked them to act as bait to attract the Lich's attention. Honestly, it wasn't difficult and not too dangerous. Mart's group, on the other hand, had to venture deep into the trap. Shi Dong and Fang Zheng just had to distract the boss, but Mart's group had to infiltrate the core area. While Mart claimed they were rescuing comrades, Shi Dong and Fang Zheng weren't so naive. The core zone was surely perilous, and Mart's team was likely marching towards a deathly mission.
Fang Zheng frowned but stayed silent next to Shi Dong. To be honest, he respected Mart and his team's dedication to their title of Templar. He didn't want to see them go to their deaths, but Mart's mind was apparently made up, and Shi Dong had no intention of stopping him, so Fang Zheng kept his thoughts to himself.
Finally, Shi Dong sighed deeply.
"Mart, come back alive. I'm still waiting for you to buy me a drink."
"Don't worry; I won't die that easily."
With that, Mart smiled and waved at Fang Zheng and Miss M before turning and leading his companions away. Watching Mart's departing figure, Fang Zheng felt speechless... The flag on your back is three meters high, Grand Knight Mart. How am I supposed to save you? And Shi Dong, you're just as bad, setting flags so readily. Can't you cut your comrades some slack? Haven't you heard of leaving some room for reconciliation? With flags set , how could they not perish?
"Alright, let's move."
Unaware of Fang Zheng's inner grumbling, Shi Dong simply watched Mart's silhouette disappear before turning to Fang Zheng.
"You know our mission is to attract the Lich's attention. Luckily, you and that girl's fight must have already alerted it. Now we need to draw the Lich out so it gets distracted."
Fang Zheng was surprised by Shi Dong's command and stared at his mentor in bewilderment. Despite spending so much time with Shi Dong, Fang Zheng understood him quite well. Shi Dong was more of a frontline warrior than a strategist. Hence, Fang Zheng felt a bad premonition upon hearing Shi Dong's command.
In response to Fang Zheng's question, Shi Dong clenched his fists, revealing a bright smile.
"We're charging in head-on!!"
For the first time, Fang Zheng wondered if he should find a new mentor... Maybe Mart was a good alternative?
Meanwhile, in the depths of the dark, obscure quarry, a different scene unfolded.
In a huge underground cavern, eerie blue flames flickered. In the center, a blood-painted magic array glowed faintly. Above it hovered a Lich, draped in a black robe. It lifted its head, its hollow eye sockets flashing with a crimson glow. It then turned to the skeleton soldiers beside it and issued a low command.
"Go and see what's happening outside."
At the Lich's command, the fully armed skeleton soldiers bowed respectfully and marched out. In life, they were brave warriors, but now they were undead slaves, their souls unable to rest and forced to serve the dark and deathly force.
Indeed, darkness and death were the true essence of this world.
Contemplating this, the crimson flame in the Lich's eyes flickered. It then issued another command.
"Bring up the sacrifice."
Soon, two tall Necromancer Golems dragged a Templar forward. The young Templar, severely injured, glared weakly but fiercely at the Lich, his eyes burning with intense anger.
"You accursed undead creature, your schemes will fail. Everything you've done will be met with proper judgment!"
At the Templar's words, the Lich snorted. It raised a hand and pointed at the young Templar. A pitch-black beam shot from its fingertip, striking the Templar's chest.
Upon being hit, the young Templar turned pale, letting out a pained scream. His body trembled uncontrollably, and soon, blood poured from his eyes, nose, and mouth like a waterfall. He seemed to suffer immense pain, attempting to scream but repeatedly choking on his gushing blood.
The young Templar's eyes widened in desperation. He clawed at his throat like a drowning man struggling for breath, but nothing helped. The blood suffocating him came from within.
Finally, his body convulsed violently, his hands flailing as if gone mad. He opened his mouth but made no sound as blood mixed with bubbles spurted out, streaming down his body. Eventually, he fell silent, becoming a lifeless corpse.
He had drowned in his own blood!
Though the young Templar died, blood continued to flow from his body. Gradually, his body withered like a deflating balloon, turning into a mere skeleton. The blood, influenced by some mysterious force, formed a large crimson array. Once complete, a spectral figure emerged, struggling vainly to escape. But it was abruptly pulled back like a leashed dog, disappearing into the array.
Soon, a stone coffin at the array's center shook violently, then went still.
"Still not enough..."
Watching the array, the Lich snorted coldly and issued another command.