Chapter 172: The Youngest Prince of the Zombie Race

The two gatekeepers moved at the same time.

Clang!

Their spears crossed in front of the enormous doors.

"Stop."

The man frowned.

"This is urgent."

One of the gatekeepers replied calmly.

"The Supreme Marshal is currently discussing military matters with Marshal Varek."

"This cannot wait."

The man stepped closer, his expression becoming serious.

"It concerns a human bearing the title Heavenly Dragon."

The atmosphere instantly changed.

For the first time since he arrived, both gatekeepers reacted.

One of them narrowed his eyes slightly.

Before either of them could respond, a deep voice came from beyond the doors.

"Come in."

The gatekeepers immediately lowered their spears, then stepped aside and bowed slightly.

The massive doors began opening.

The man released a short breath before walking inside.

The doors closed again behind him.

The hall beyond was enormous, with polished dark stone covering the floor and reflecting the faint light coming from the walls.

At the far end, a broad staircase led toward an elevated platform where a throne overlooked the entire hall.

A middle-aged man sat leisurely upon it, dressed in simple dark clothing that seemed almost out of place within such a grand setting.

Short black-gray hair framed a stern face, while an immense pressure lingered around him despite his completely restrained aura.

This was one of the highest military authorities of the Zombie Race.

Supreme Marshal Kael Vorath.

An old man stood beside the throne.

He wore a long gray combat robe, with a sword hanging quietly at his waist.

His white hair had been tied behind his head, while his half-closed eyes made him appear almost bored with everything happening around him.

The man who had just entered knew how deceptive that appearance was.

Marshal Varek was one of the strongest sword users serving the Zombie Race military.

He walked toward the center of the hall.

Before he could kneel or begin explaining why he had interrupted them, the Supreme Marshal spoke first.

"Tell me everything about Heavenly Dragon."

The man stopped.

He had expected to explain the urgency of his visit before anything else.

Apparently, that would not be necessary.

"Supreme Marshal."

He lowered his head respectfully.

"We received an unauthorized emergency communication from Central Command of Invasion Corridor 73-A."

The Supreme Marshal’s gaze sharpened slightly.

The man immediately continued.

"That Corridor is currently being attacked by several human forces participating in the defense of their world."

He hesitated for only a moment before continuing.

"Two Spatial Anchor Gates have already been destroyed."

Marshal Varek finally opened his eyes completely.

The Supreme Marshal’s expression remained calm.

"Continue."

"The Southern Spatial Anchor was destroyed by a human force led by an individual bearing the title Heavenly Dragon."

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly changed as the pressure coming from the throne became noticeably heavier.

The man’s body instinctively stiffened.

It lasted only briefly before disappearing again.

He continued.

"The Western Anchor fell shortly afterward to another human known as Heavenly Demon."

The Supreme Marshal appeared uninterested in the second name.

"This Heavenly Dragon."

His voice became colder.

"Are you certain it is truly him?"

"Yes, Supreme Marshal."

The man answered without hesitation.

"I personally questioned the commander responsible for Invasion Corridor 73-A."

"The World Announcement inside the Corridor directly identified Heavenly Dragon as the individual responsible for destroying the Southern Spatial Anchor Gate. There was no uncertainty in the report."

Silence settled over the hall.

The Supreme Marshal leaned back against the throne.

His fingers tapped once against the armrest.

Heavenly Dragon.

That title had already spread throughout the upper ranks of the Zombie Race because not long ago, a Universe Announcement had carried that title across countless worlds.

Ever since then, powerful factions had begun searching for anything connected to Heavenly Dragon.

The Zombie Race was naturally among them.

Yet none of them had expected one of their own invasion fronts to encounter him so quickly.

Marshal Varek looked toward the throne.

"So he belongs to the world connected to Corridor 73-A."

"Apparently."

The Supreme Marshal’s eyes became colder.

"Interesting."

The officer standing below them remained silent.

The Supreme Marshal stopped tapping the armrest as he glanced at the old man.

"Varek."

The old man beside him immediately responded.

"Yes, sir."

"Gather the strongest 3rd Echelons currently available."

Marshal Varek’s expression changed faintly.

"How many?"

"As many as we can deploy without weakening the other priority fronts."

The old man nodded.

"I’ll arrange it."

"Do it quickly."

The Supreme Marshal’s voice hardened.

"Treat this as a highest-level military mission."

Marshal Varek immediately understood the meaning of it.

He placed one hand on the sword at his waist.

"Capture?"

The Supreme Marshal became silent for a moment, his gaze lowered toward the officer.

"How strong is the Heavenly Dragon?"

"According to the report, he is still 1st Echelon."

The old man’s eyes narrowed.

The Supreme Marshal’s fingers stopped moving.

"A 1st Echelon destroyed the Southern Anchor?"

"The report indicates that he also killed the 3rd Echelon commander stationed there."

This time, even Marshal Varek’s expression changed.

"Are you sure?"

"The exact battle wasn’t witnessed by Central Command."

The officer chose his words carefully.

"However, the commander stationed at the Southern Anchor died before the Gate was destroyed and the Heavenly Dragon’s force suffered no casualties."

Supreme Marshal Kael stared ahead for several seconds, then his lips moved slightly turning into a faint smile.

"So the Universe Announcement wasn’t exaggerated."

The Supreme Marshal looked toward Marshal Varek again.

"Send our strongest 3rd Echelons."

The old man immediately understood as the forces entering an incomplete Invasion Corridor were still restricted by the stability of the connection.

Sending stronger beings recklessly could damage the Corridor before the World Gate Core completed its purpose.

But if Heavenly Dragon could already kill ordinary 3rd Echelons while remaining at the 1st Echelon...

Then ordinary reinforcements would simply die.

Marshal Varek nodded slowly.

"I know several suitable candidates."

He turned slightly, preparing to leave.

"Wait."

The Supreme Marshal stopped him.

Marshal Varek looked back.

The Supreme Marshal remained silent for a moment, then he gave another order.

"Call the Youngest Prince."

For the first time since the officer entered the hall, genuine surprise appeared on his face.

Even Marshal Varek paused.

"The Youngest Prince?"

"Yes."

The Supreme Marshal’s gaze became unreadable.

"Tell him we’ve found Heavenly Dragon."