Winterholm was a hilly region which explained the cold and castle black was built atop one of those hills. The cave was a natural tunnel found within the region during the warring era which was later converted to a teleportation sight, which allowed them to move sizable forces without the notice of Knolls and beasts.
The entire castle was surrounded by the pearl smooth wall but unlike the one in the Frostlands and Emberhold, this wall was twice as thick with battlements.
According to Hugo the battlements were armed with twenty heavy cannons armed with enchanted 25 pound artillery shells alongside a few siege mortars.
The wall was also defended by thirty ballistae with special bolt and large repeater crossbow turrets, about fifty of them. I couldn't help but wonder why the walls within the empire weren't armed and manned like this.
From the cave, we passed through the execution grounds which still had fresh blood splattered everywhere and most importantly, the stench of death here was strong.
This place was perpetually dark due to the dark clouds that never leave the skies. It felt like it was evening even though it wasn't even 12 noon yet.
The wails and cries of the dead filled the air, their faces marred with resentment and grim expressions.
"This is cultivation heaven." I mumbled with sparkling eyes.
This is where I belong!
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to inspect and count all the souls trapped within this castle. We had to follow Hugo into the inner keep.
___ Castle Black: Great Hall ___
The great hall table was empty but ten people were already seated and the atmosphere was tense. The four of us stopped at the entrance while Hugo walked ahead and went for the throne chair and took his seat while Leo seemed to frown at this.
This little brat was probably expecting a royal welcome and an offer at the throne chair but no one even recognized his appearance. They didn't even spare them a glance.
I was more interested in the person seated closest to the throne seat. The man was dressed in the Loth Kingdom orange armor and his helmet placed on the table has numerous orange feathers so I suspected he was the Colonel.
His hands were drenched in blood, reminding me of the scene back at the execution grounds.
"Welcome to Castle Black and here my word is law." Hugo began as his gaze shifted to Leo and stayed on him. "Your title in the empire means nothing here. You follow my orders without question. Am I clear?"
There was silence as Klein and Lucy instinctively glanced at Leo, wondering how the spoilt prince would act. He also noticed the eyes on him, it felt Hugo was throwing a direct challenge and he felt inclined to speak back to to this peasant.
However, before he could speak my voice rang over him.
"Yes, Sir!"
Hugo's cold gaze softened as it shifted to me and he nodded.
"Stay in your rooms for now. You will get everything you need there. We will call you out when you are needed." Hugo said and waved.
I could only steal a final glance at the faces on the table before the doors were shut tight with a loud bang.
_______
The rooms in Castle Black were disappointing. All mine had was a single bed and a reading desk but the room space was nearly used up. The bathroom just had a big wooden basin filled with water which I'm supposed to bathe in, as compared to the massive pool bath I enjoyed at home at the academy.
I frowned.
{Why are you pissed, you grew up in a worse home.} Lin noticed my sour mood.
"Back then, I wasn't the next God of death. I deserve better now." I argued.
{You sound like a bitch too…} Lin mumbled, barely audible.
"What did you say?" I asked but there was no response.
Letting out a defeated sigh, I took in the full view of the room again and sighed. This was the only thing about this expedition I hated.
Fortunately, it wasn't enough to ruin my mood. I was currently in a castle beyond the walls of the empire and surrounded by monsters. We are stationed on a hilltop filled with the souls of tens of thousands humans and monsters alike.
Even if I am made to stay here all through the expedition, I am certain these souls would be enough to break into the third stage of the mortal realm and finally become an esteemed mortal.
"Hold on." I said as my smile twisted into an ugly frown.
{What's wrong?} Lin asked.
"If I grow too fast won't they notice?" I asked.
I could understand they couldn't spot the difference between a first stage and second stage mortal realm expert. However, once I entered the third stage, they were bound not to notice a change and they would lead to unnecessary suspicion.
{They will only see what you show. Your cultivation base will be hidden, just as effectively as your death magic has been hidden. This is a benefit you and other hosts enjoy.} Lin explained and my smile returned.
Without hesitation, I sat on my bed in a cross legged position and faced toward the open window. My eyes revealed a dark green hue and a faint and unnoticeable suction force escaped my body slowly pulling the souls toward me.
One after the other they flowed into my body and I channeled that raw power through my meridians to my core, causing my veins to bulge with an eerie green light.
The process required focus and repetition but one could be lost in the process and I am no different.
BOOOM!
The castle shook violently, snapping my consciousness back to reality. My room was dark now and the night sky was clear with a full moon illuminating the night.
I didn't expect this much time to have passed.
'What hit the castle?' I frowned.
Just as I got off the bed, my door swung open but before I could see who was at the door another explosion erupted.
BOOOM!
The room quaked, forcing me to use the reading desk for support.
It was Klien at the door with rare frown on his face and for the first time he spoke;
"We are under attack." Klien said in a croaky voice and left before I could respond.
He didn't sound scared, just anxious.
Without hesitation, I ran out of the room and followed Klien downstairs. The corridors, halls and rooms were empty as we made our way out of the building.
As soon as I ran out of the building I noticed a colossal shadow looming over me. Slowly, I raised my face towards the sky and my eyebrows knitted together while my fist clenched.
Above was a colossal serpent with a mixture of red and golden scales. Its scales were thick and heavy like crystals and around its neck were large purple fins which rattled in the wind while its eyes revealed a threatening glow.
"This thing is taller than the wall?" Klien blurted out in disbelief.
The events of tonight had turned this mute into a talkative.
Hissssssssssssssssssss!
I was going to respond but the serpent beat me to it with a thunderous hiss. Its mouth yanked open and to my surprise, I saw rolling fire and lightning within its bottomless pit, swelling with power with each passing second.
It was planning to attack!