Lich Attack! Skeletor's Surprise Assault

After the battle temporarily ended, Rod was assigned a private room and got a good night's sleep.

However, he had only rested for a few hours when Arthas sent someone to wake him around noon.

"My apologies for disturbing your rest, Lord Rod, but there is indeed a matter that requires your assistance," Arthas said apologetically.

"It's all right, Your Highness. You fought through the night just like I did, yet it looks like you still haven't rested. I at least got a few hours of sleep. Did something happen? Do you need my help?" Rod asked.

"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Rod! The situation is this: my guards have discovered an undead force attacking nearby villages along the road and turning the local villagers into undead creatures," Arthas said.

Rod nodded at this. This was a minor incident from the human campaign: an undead army was attacking the surrounding villages.

"The one leading them is a lich called Kalis Son of the Ghost. If anyone here can take him down, then aside from me, it would probably be you, Lord Rod," Arthas said.

It seemed that while he had been resting, Arthas had clearly already sent scouts to investigate the enemy's strength.

Kalis Son of the Ghost! This guy was also a lich, though weaker than Kel'Thuzad.

He appeared in the human campaign and was guaranteed to appear before version 1.07. After that, a random lich would appear instead.

Later, this lich named Kalis followed the dreadlord Mal'Ganis to Northrend, where he was eventually killed by the Arthas who landed there.

So this was the one leading the undead army in its attacks on the surrounding villages!

"I roughly understand, Prince Arthas. You want me to eliminate this lich, right?" Rod asked.

To be honest, Rod was a little unsure about facing a lich alone. If he could bring out his undead army and summon Skeletor, then he would have some confidence.

"No, Lord Rod. It is daytime. The undead army should not launch a large-scale attack! I will lead an elite force to deal with this lich. While I am away, I hope you can help guard our base," Arthas said.

Of course, he did not intend to send Rod against the lich. He planned to go himself. But among the high-level combatants in the camp, Rod was the only one he could trust, which was why he had someone wake him up.

"I understand, Prince Arthas. Go without worry. I will remain behind to guard the base," Rod said with a nod.

It was even better if he did not have to fight the lich. Rod did not want to expose his undead army yet.

After reaching an agreement with Rod, Arthas nodded to him and left behind several dozen elite soldiers.

He then led the remaining hundred-odd men out of Hearthglen to attack the undead force that was infecting the surrounding villages.

After taking over Arthas's defensive authority, Rod grew tense as well. He began patrolling the area and arranged shifts for the militia.

An hour after Arthas left, an undead force numbering several hundred entered everyone's sight. Several Abominations led the way, while Gargoyles circled in the sky.

The undead creature at their head floated in midair, radiating a chilling aura. He wore a black mage's robe, revealing a skeletal face and a body that had completely transformed into bone.

The lich stood nearly two and a half meters tall, emanating the aura of death from head to toe. He did not look like someone to mess with.

It seemed that this lich had not gone after Arthas, but had instead chosen to attack him. Or perhaps that undead convoy had merely been bait, and their true target had always been Hearthglen.

"Lord Rod, they're attacking! What should we do?" Arthas's adjutant, Falric, came up and asked.

"Adjutant Falric, you are more skilled than I am at arranging troops for defense. Leave the defensive matters to you! I will handle that lich," Rod said to Falric.

If you really think I'm an easy target, then you're gravely mistaken!

"I understand, Lord Rod. Please be careful." Adjutant Falric nodded at Rod, then immediately jogged away to arrange the militia and Hearthglen's soldiers for defense.

Rod walked to the gates of Hearthglen, took a deep breath, and summoned his hero warhorse.

He directly fired a Frostbolt at the lich before him and made a taunting gesture.

"Let's duel somewhere without anyone around!"

The lich across from him was apparently amused by Rod. He let out a strange chuckle and made an inviting gesture.

Rod and the lich left one after the other. Before leaving, however, Rod cast two defensive spells on the defenders: Shield of Protection and Stone Skin.

They should be able to hold out until I return, right?

One pursued while the other fled, and the two arrived in a forest beside Hearthglen.

"Is this the burial ground you chose, mage?" the lich in front of him asked with a cold snort.

"No, no. To be precise, this is your burial ground, not mine," Rod said.

"I would like to know where you got the confidence to dare fight me—" Before the lich could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a terrifying aura of death coming from behind him.

A death knight clad in black armor and wielding a massive lance had appeared behind him at some unknown point.

This time, Rod had no intention of facing the lich alone. Instead, he had summoned his bodyguard, Skeletor.

That was why he had lured the lich out of the city for a duel: to conceal the truth from others.

For a spellcaster, having a melee fighter get close was the last thing they wanted.

Within a certain range, Rod could choose Skeletor's point of arrival, so having him descend directly behind the lich for a sneak attack was perfect.

Before the fight had even begun, Rod had also instructed Skeletor to cast Haste on him. This was one of Skeletor's innate spells!

"Dammit! You—" The lich had no time to react. He had never expected a terrifying undead knight to suddenly appear behind him.

Skeletor gave him no chance to respond. The lance in his hand pierced straight through the lich's chest. Then he drew the knight's sword from his waist and slashed at the lich's head.

With a sharp crack!

A white skull fell to the ground. Lich Kalis was killed by Rod and Skeletor's surprise assault.

"Master, I can sense that his phylactery is nearby. I will retrieve it. Otherwise, we cannot kill this lich completely."

Add Bookmark

Return to Contents

Report Chapter Error

Share with Friends: