The mental conversation carried through the Contract quickly ended.
William was deeply reluctant to let it end.
He wanted to hear more of his master's voice.
As for his master's order to expand rapidly in North County contradicting the earlier order to build one or two strongholds and an oceangoing fleet?
His master was never wrong.
So he simply hadn't understood the deeper meaning of his master's previous orders.
And now?
His master was merely kind enough to correct him.
He needed to be grateful.
He needed to work hard to carry it out.
"I've grown complacent.
I thought I'd accomplished something.
But what happened?
My master actually had to remind me."
As he spoke, the Corpse Lich rose from the floor and looked at his subordinates-none of the thirty-two bandit and robber chiefs dared meet his gaze.
Thus, not one of the bandit and robber chiefs noticed the blue-green flames rising in the Corpse Lich's eyes.
Those flames rose from his eyeballs.
Then...
They shot out.
Their targets were those thirty-two bandit and robber chiefs.
Without exception, all thirty-two bandit and robber chiefs were engulfed in blue-green flames.
"Aaaaargh!"
Loud, agonized screams erupted from the bandit and robber chiefs.
Only after ten full minutes did the screams gradually subside.
What followed were thirty-two undead bandit and robber chiefs.
Their former scheming malice was gone.
After becoming undead, the bandit and robber chiefs possessed absolute loyalty.
And that was what William needed.
His original plan had been to slowly "reform" these bandit and robber chiefs over time, thoroughly bringing the internal factions into line, but now time was running out.
He changed his original plan.
He chose the most brutal means to achieve his goal.
As for thoroughly sorting everything out?
That could wait.
"Now, take the grace I've granted