If There Is a Next Life, May We Serve You

Who are you?

The pirates stared at Russell in bewilderment. Dressed in a black robe, Russell had delicate skin and looked nothing like one of their own.

"Hehehe..."

Russell chuckled sinisterly, his face shrouded in black mist, his red eyes suddenly gleaming. Before the pirates could react, Adamantium Blade was in hand, its sword energy sweeping across, decapitating more than ten people in succession.

"There's a ghost!"

"Run! There's a ghost at the port!!!"

"Jump into the river quickly and swim to the boat..."

Thousands of pirates screamed and yelled. Russell's appearance, coupled with the bizarre scene earlier, made them scream instantly.

The next second, the sound of battle horns suddenly rang out in the harbor, and one by one, shadowy figures emerged from the mist. Then, the pirates collapsed as countless eerie green lights suddenly illuminated the tranquil harbor.

The ambush appeared, and the green undead materialized from the void. Some even rode warhorses, surging in from all directions like a tidal wave.

"Mmm mmm mmm————"

The piercing screams sent chills down the pirates' spines, made their hair stand on end, and even caused them to stop breathing.

Countless spirits roared and howled, their howls filling the sky and stirring up the wind and clouds. Blades and spears, gleaming with cold light, were raised high, and a chilling aura swept across the harbor and its shores.

The undead have no physical form, and if the pirates mustered any courage, they would find that they were just for show. However, the group of pirates who resolutely charged into the face of an army of 20,000 were definitely not included. They chose to retreat without hesitation.

Moreover, Russell's previous experience of impersonating a ghost to kill people left a very deep impression.

The pirates screamed as they leaped into the icy river, only to be quickly surrounded by a tidal wave of undead. Thousands crammed into the narrow waterway, they were all excellent swimmers, but unable to maneuver, and one by one they sank to the bottom.

Russell stood on the riverbank, making a grasping motion in the air above the water. The turbulent surface of the water instantly exploded, and a powerful suction force was generated in the violently churning center.

The tide surged, forming Great Maelstrom, and the rolling waves carried the pirates to the bottom of the water.

Moments later, the waves calmed down, but no pirate's body could be seen on the surface of the water.

Aragorn arrived at the riverbank and nodded slightly to Russell. The elite Corsairs of Umbar force had been wiped out; it was time to return to the capital.

Without Aragorn needing to say anything, Russell understood immediately and with a wave of his hand, he towed 50 sailboats to the harbor.

Beside him, Dunedain Warrior Herubal stared in disbelief, saying, "I didn't see wrong, did I? Russell has become so powerful. Back then, he was as weak as a girl, and he would fall over with a push."

Upon hearing this, Legolas and Gimli took off running, rushing onto the pirate ship like rabbits.

Herubal wasn't stupid. Seeing this scene, he immediately understood what was going on. Remembering how the two of them had pretended to have amnesia by hitting the wall during the day, his face turned pale instantly.

"No... no, I saved Russell's life, and he's not petty... Aragorn, Aragorn, where are you? Come and save me!"

On the pirate ship!

The Undead Leader stood beside Aragorn with a fawning smile, his posture extremely humble and subservient. "King of Gondor, my lord, we have fulfilled our oath. Look at this... curse, shouldn't we... do that...?"

As he spoke, the Undead Leader chuckled twice, and on the river, 20,000 undead joined in the chuckle. They were all honest and simple, so much so that Russell wanted to bully them.

But Aragorn was different. He stared directly into the eyes of the Undead Leader, his sharp gaze forcing the other to lower his head deeply.

"My master, this was all the subordinates' idea. I'll go back and reprimand them immediately. Actually, I still want to continue fighting for you... really!"

"No need, I consider you to have fulfilled your vows." Aragorn shook his head slightly.

"Real!?"

The Undead Leader raised his head in surprise, confirming that Aragorn's words were true, and knelt down on both knees. "Holy one of the Western royal families, King of Gondor, your mercy will surely resound throughout Middle-earth. If there is Afterlife, I swear I will serve you with the body of a living being."

Go, rest in peace!

Splash!

As the power of the curse binding them vanished, the 20,000 Army of the Dead knelt on the water's surface and began to sing war songs.

The song floated along the harbor, and a gentle breeze blew, causing green lights to dance in the air.

"Great King of Gondor, if there is Afterlife, I would serve you..."

"If there is Afterlife, I would serve you..."

"I am willing to serve you..."

The gray mist dissipated, and moonlight spilled onto the river. Thirty Dunedain Warrior knelt down behind Aragorn, and even Legolas and Gimli bowed slightly.

Russell didn't bend over, but he was still blinded by Aragorn's overwhelming Overlord Aura.

"Aragorn, someone wants to see you," Herubal said, rising to his feet.

"Who?"

"The slaves on the ship, captured by pirates, are willing to become your swords and blades, and journey together to the capital, Minas Tirith..."

Aragorn smirked as he found reinforcements from the south, holding the Holy Sword above his head. "Raise the flag so that everyone can see it."

"Set sail, I believe victory lies ahead!"

"Oh oh oh————"

The Dunedain Warrior, the freed slaves, and the soldiers conscripted from the port town—all joined in the shouting.

After shouting, the group was dumbfounded. They didn't have enough manpower; there were less than 500 people in total, and even fewer who knew how to drive boats. They couldn't operate these sailboats.

Aragorn: "..."

Victory is just ahead, but the first step still needs careful consideration!

"The king's fleet will surely ride the winds and waves; how can a few small ripples stop the king of Gondor from surveying his lands..."

Russell strode to the bow, raised his hand and pushed forward. Instantly, thousands of tons of water surged, and 50 sailboats shot out like arrows.

"Oh oh oh————"

The soldiers stood on the ship's side, raised their weapons, and shouted.

"Russell, I..."

Aragorn approached Russell, his face flushed with excitement, and was about to say something when Russell interrupted him.

"Aragorn, no need for thanks, we're all friends here. Remember to ask Arwen to introduce me to a few female elves, but don't get too emotionally involved."

"Uh, I didn't mean to say thank you..."

Aragorn blinked, looking embarrassed. "You're going the wrong way. The capital is on that side."

"Hahaha, I actually drove it the wrong way..." Dunedain Warrior Herubal laughed like a fool. Noticing Russell's gaze, he immediately shut up. "I was wrong, big brother, I got too carried away!"

Russell's face was as red as a jujube, and his eyebrows were like those of a man lying in a ditch, but he was much more mature than before. He coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness. "I'm not petty, what are you afraid of! Besides, I deliberately drove in reverse to practice, it's not like I really didn't know the direction."

"Ah! Ah, that's true..."

Fifty sailing ships braved the wind and waves, heading straight for the royal capital Minas Tirith. At each coastal town they reached, the ships would dock.

The White Tree Banner fluttered in the wind, Aragorn stood at the bow of the ship, Holy Sword in hand, as a steady Gondor of Gondorians took up their weapons and boarded the ship.