This Lich is a Better Landlord Chapter 63

In an open clearing, three hundred mortals who had eaten their fill and rested well for a few days were loudly reciting the sacrificial prayer praising the Lord of Dawn.

When they recited "Willing to sacrifice everything to purify evil," faint Holy Light emanated from their bodies, then condensed into many humanoid shapes composed entirely of light.

Some of these human shapes were exceptionally dazzling and lifelike, while others were dim.

But without exception, they had all mastered the power of the Holy Light, and it only took three days.

However, after condensing the Holy Light, many people's hair began to turn white, and several wrinkles appeared on their faces.

Starlight looked at the scene before him and felt quite satisfied.

This was the use of three hundred mortals. Paying the price of their lifespan to summon [Celestial Guardians], quickly turning from frail mortals into powerful warriors.

It was impossible for mortals to become qualified warriors in just a few days unless a huge price was paid.

Starlight brought a magical item called the [Circlet of Faith] from the Ryan Empire. It could condense the power of faith to open a passage to the celestial plane and borrow the power of the Holy Light. It was an imitation of the true artifact, the [Crown of Lathander].

These three hundred people did not disappoint Starlight. After hearing the teachings of the Lord of Dawn, they all became believers of this deity. Perhaps their faith was not devout enough, but the Lord of Dawn would never deceive you; the response of the Holy Light power was the best proof.

If faith wasn't devout enough and training time was insufficient, no problem. As long as one was willing, life could be used as the price to summon the power of the Holy Light to cast divine spells.

Summoning [Celestial Guardians]—this was Starlight's suggestion to them.

Approximately ten years of lifespan could control these [Celestial Guardians] to fight for twenty minutes.

Each [Celestial Guardian] was an elite warrior seasoned in battle, composed entirely of Holy Light energy. They could be immune to most low-level magic, had no vital parts, were fearless of death, and more importantly, could restrain the vast majority of the undead.

Starlight did not hide the side effects of this practice at all.

To activate this imitation artifact, the sacrificer must be completely voluntary. Using spells to brainwash or using forceful methods to compel the other party to dedicate themselves was useless.

The Lord of Dawn refused living human sacrifice but did not refuse self-sacrifice.

These mortals knew the consequences very well, but it was just ten years of lifespan. If a person was well-fed and clothed, they could live to at least sixty. But as a serf, or a commoner under the rule of these lords, the average lifespan was only thirty years.

Using a lifespan that didn't belong to them in the first place to exchange for a brighter future—what was wrong with that?

This was also why Starlight only wanted young and strong men. Those who were too old simply didn't have the lifespan to sacrifice; they would die directly during practice.

"Open your consciousness and merge with the will of the [Celestial Guardian]. You can master skills tempered by thousands of trials in a short time. Remember, every second is bought with your life. Any laziness or delay is consuming your life and reducing your chances of survival. If you want to live, if you want to become a true human again, then give me your all."

Starlight guided these mortals very seriously on how to control the projection of the [Celestial Guardian], not wasting a single second.

These hundreds of blurry figures began to perform various tactical movements under Starlight's command. In less than a minute, those sluggish movements became fluid. They had thoroughly mastered the method of controlling the [Celestial Guardian] projections.

Finally, under Starlight's order, these [Celestial Guardians] completely merged together, turning into a giant of light ten meters tall.

A giant sword of platinum color waved, and holy light surged forward like a cannon blast, cutting a crack a hundred meters long in the ground.

Although it only had the power for one strike, this giant of light should be enough to deal with those annoying low-level undead. Things like skeletons and zombies were nothing but cannon fodder no matter how many came.

If that Lich was a bit weaker, the giant of light could even directly split open the castle gates, allowing Starlight and the others to enter.

The only pity was that the two adventurers who investigated the castle had never returned. It seemed they had met with disaster.

"Tomorrow at noon, we will begin the attack on that undead's castle. Success or failure depends on this one move. Rest assured, I will charge with you when the time comes."

Starlight told everyone to go back and rest. When all these mortals had left, a Paladin beside him walked up to Starlight and said, "Captain, that kid named Geronimo has very good talent. Should we send him back separately?"

The meaning of these words was not to let Geronimo participate in the battle but to send him directly back to Ryan for training. It wouldn't take long to make him a qualified Paladin, without needing to rely on self-mutilation to use the power of the Holy Light.

Starlight knew his companion wasn't mistaken. Geronimo's talent was indeed very good. His control over the Holy Light was much stronger than ordinary people, the consumption was smaller, and the [Celestial Guardian] condensed was also more powerful.

But Starlight shook his head and said, "No need. With the strength of one less person, their chance of survival decreases by a fraction. I promised to let them risk their lives for the future. I cannot exempt Geronimo from this test just because he has better talent. Humans should bathe in the Holy Light fairly. However, if this kid can really survive, I will personally train him to become a member of the Knights of Judgment."

"Alright, we should also rest well. The first attack begins tomorrow at noon. I hope to resolve this Lich with one charge."

Starlight brought everyone back to the City of Alchemy, let the others go to rest, and he went to The Slag and Ember bar again.

Tomorrow was his first time crusading against a Legendary Undead. Although this young Paladin had thought of every possible way to ensure victory, he was still a bit nervous with the great battle imminent.

Starlight needed a drink, and incidentally, to ask around for news at the bar. Maybe there would be some good gains.

Strolling down Southern Cross Avenue again, there seemed to be more pedestrians on the road this time, only many were non-human races. The looks they cast at Starlight, this Paladin, were not very friendly.

Starlight had long been accustomed to this, ignoring these hostile gazes and walking into the bar.

There were indeed more customers tonight, sparsely filling the bar halfway, but the bar was still very quiet, as if everyone had heavy hearts.

Starlight didn't think there was anything wrong. In the City of Alchemy these past few days, he had seen too many people with heavy hearts. After all, the economic environment wasn't good, so naturally, everyone's expressions weren't great.

Walking to the bar counter, Starlight said to the orc bartender, "The usual, two glasses of rum."

Starlight had come almost every day these past few days and was already quite familiar with this orc bartender. Although he still didn't like the other's race, Starlight was already able to speak without discrimination in his tone, which was very rare.

The orc bartender also poured him a glass of rum as usual, then asked, "Alone again today? Why not bring more people to support the business? I heard you bought hundreds of slaves."

Starlight laughed. "Your broken bar is too much of a ripoff. I can afford to drink alone, but if three hundred people drink, I'd have to pawn the armor on my body."

The orc bartender wiped the wine bottles clean one by one, placing the bottles on the counter without any trace of anger, and responded casually, "Then you should also bring your Paladin companions. Drinking alone every time... being the boss, you're too stingy."

After speaking, the orc bartender refilled Starlight's glass.

"They're not free today, but maybe tomorrow we'll come for a good drink." Starlight finished the rum again, then said, "Is there some discount today? Why are there so many people?"

The orc bartender sighed and did not answer Starlight's question. Instead, he said to him, "Being the boss, you still shouldn't be too stingy. Otherwise, if you really encounter an accident, no one can save you."

Starlight just felt something was wrong when suddenly he felt a wave of dizziness... Not good, those two glasses of wine just now were poisoned!