A powerful force flowed through Novos's body. Plague modified Scourge was different from the previous Plague; in addition to turning him into an immortal Lich, it also allowed him to fuse with various powers.
The power of the Loa and Dragons that originally existed within the body changed, transforming entirely into pure spiritual power.
His body has changed; the physical body has lost its dominant role in life and has become merely a vessel for the spirit, transforming into a more purely spiritual being.
In a sense, it is already an immortal Lich, but it is not a complete life form after all, for example, it cannot reproduce.
Novos's eyes shone with a blood-red light. Aside from lacking a deeper understanding of the soul, Novos's state was somewhat similar to Bwonsamdi's. He remarked with a sigh:
"This is the power of the Lich. I feel the wonderful sensation of controlling everything, Prophet Saronite. You know, this feeling has an indescribable wonder. I can better touch the existence of all things in the world, analyze their structure and principles, including you."
Saronya, now just a skeleton, felt fear and screamed, trying to escape.
The Lich Novos raised his staff, and a dark light enveloped Saronya, with countless black rays coiling around Saronya's skeleton like snakes.
"Relax, Prophet. You are a Loa, after all. Isn't it your duty to protect Drak'Tharon Keep?" Novos's voice gradually became sinister and terrifying.
Saronya trembled with fear and asked nervously, "Novos, what are you going to do?"
Novos pondered for a moment, a sinister smile creeping across his lips:
"Saronya, you told me before that when you possess the power of Loa, you must feed on souls to maintain your strength, unable to escape the tragic Destiny of the Loa. But after becoming Lich, I discovered that I no longer need to absorb souls, so this problem has been solved."
Saronya felt a chill run down its spine; Novos's overwhelming power terrified it.
Novos's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light; Saronya's fear only fueled his excitement, for this was one of the sources of the Lich's dark power.
"Saronya, in order to prevent the remaining Loa power within you from dissipating, and to prevent the souls of Trolls from becoming pitiful food, I will transform you into Undead creature."
"Damn it, what are you doing? This is blasphemy against the gods!" Saronya's voice trembled as he sensed Novos's determination, and he screamed in threat:
"You will be punished; there is never a good end to killing Loa."
"A meaningless threat."
Novos paid no heed, and murmured, "For countless years, you, as Loa, have only borne a few offspring and watched them reach the end of their lives. What difference is there between you and the Undead? Come, become my servant, Prophet Saronite."
An even denser dark light descended from the sky. After Novos became Lich, he was no stranger to Undead creatures. The Power of the Dead altered Saronya's body, and the light on Saronya's bones gradually receded, until the Loa finally disappeared completely.
A powerful Undead creature was born, and in order to completely control the Prophet Saronite, Novos added the command of obedience to its memories.
The Undead Saronya uttered a hoarse, troubled voice. "At your service, my master."
Novos felt gratified, and countless plans began to form in his mind. Since he could absorb the power of the Prophet Saronite, then the other Loa of the Zul'Drak Empire would be no problem either.
He needs to carefully select his collaborators, empowering those Priests who are truly idealistic and willing to Consecration to the Drakkari Trolls, and then transforming them all into Liches.
Of course, this requires more Plague Potion.
The Zul'Drak Empire will become a Lich- controlled realm, where Troll souls will no longer be food for the Loa, and it will no longer be Loa breeding ground.
However, when the Prophet Saronite fell from his divine position and became Undead creature, Novos sensed something was amiss, as if some dark force was entangled in his soul.
Novos carefully examined himself and found nothing unusual, but he couldn't help feeling uneasy.
The Orcs army withdrew, but Vol'jin did not rush to retreat, waiting for panic to break out at Drak'Tharon Keep. In fact, after the death of the fake Warlord Himbo, the garrison had already begun to stir.
The only force maintaining the morale of the fortress's defenders is the strongest Loa in the Zul'Drak Empire, the Prophet Saronite. If the Loa encounters any problems, the defenders will immediately collapse.
Vol'jin waited patiently for Novos's success, but as night fell, there was still no movement from within the fortress.
"Have I been tricked? Is Novos just stalling for time?"
Vol'jin stroked his fangs, his eyes darting around, and raised his binoculars to gaze at Drak'Tharon Keep.
The Prophet Saronite did not appear, nor did a new overseer step forward to take charge of the defenses. The city walls were littered with corpses, and the guards, like frightened birds, wandered about in a state of anxiety.
"What the hell is Novos up to?" Vol'jin didn't dare to probe too easily and hurriedly contacted the scouts inside the fortress, but unfortunately, the scouts didn't provide any valuable information.
At night, the entire Orcs army retreated to their camp.
Inside the Orcs' large tent, Vol'jin, Eitrigg, and Tirion Fordring discussed the war situation, though Tirion Fordring lay on the table; he was a participant in the meeting and also a provider of food.
Vol'jin looked puzzled. "The latest intelligence indicates that after returning to the lair, Prophet Saronite and Chief Priest Novos have not shown up or made any noise. Prophet Saronite's other Priests are gathered at the lair entrance, wondering what has happened."
Eitrigg chewed on his meat and said in a muffled voice, "The lives of the Prophet Saronite are intertwined with those of the Priests. Since the Priests are unharmed, Saronya should be safe as well."
Vol'jin's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Damn it, it seems I've been tricked. Novos deceived us; he never intended to ambush Saronya, he was just stalling for time."
Eitrigg pondered for a long time, then said, "That shouldn't be the case. We showed Novos his tragic Destiny after death; he has no reason not to hate Saronya."
With the situation unclear and information insufficient, a general's wisdom and decisiveness are most evident, especially at such critical moments. Vol'jin pondered deeply and concluded that the situation was not optimistic; a decision had to be made.
Tirion Fordring winced in pain, letting out a groan as Eitrigg smacked him hard on the head, nearly knocking Tirion Fordring unconscious. Suddenly, he roared, "I know what happened!"
"You?"
Vol'jin and Eitrigg both revealed mocking smiles. Although aided by the Holy Light, Tirion Fordring's strength was insufficient. Without joining the Battlefield, what information could he possibly obtain?
Tirion Fordring hurriedly replied, "Blessed by the Holy Light, you probably don't know, but Paladins have the ability to sense the Undead. Shortly after Prophet Saronite returned to his lair, I sensed a powerful Undead appearing inside Drak'Tharon Keep, followed by a weaker Undead."
"Undead, the Scourge?"
Vol'jin's knife fell to the ground. If the Scourge were to get involved in the Drak'Tharon Keep, things would become even more complicated.