Chapter 4013

The mage tower allowed the Dead King to keep the Steps open for as long as he wished, while Salanoth, the Ring of Space, expanded them wide enough for dozens of human-sized Upyrs to pass through every second.

Night had long since memorized the dimensional coordinates that formed the fastest route her army could take to the Kingdom. Before long, the swarm of Upyrs came into view of Garlen’s shores, flying high above the coastal guard posts, far enough to go unnoticed.

“You know what to do and where to go,” Orpal said as he split his forces into smaller groups. “Rule number one: don’t get killed. Rule number two: don’t get caught. Everything else is none of my business.”

Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers away, Salaark purged one outlaw tribe after another, hunting down the Upyrs hiding among them after sifting through their memories for anything Orpal had said or done in their presence.

Once she was finished, Salaark allowed the peaceful tribes to remain in their oases without demanding restitution for the magical resources they had mined. The Overlord explained the situation to the innocent members and forced the Upyrs to expose their corruption before executing them.

The criminal outlaw tribes, however, received very different treatment.

Salaark expelled them from her oases and reclaimed everything they had stolen from her and the other free tribes. She also freed all the slaves, Warping them to her palace, where they would remain until they decided whether to join her country or return to a free life.