Chapter 952: The Highlord’s Willpower
However, Lin Li frowned again, and asked, “What about the Osric here?”
Not anyone could become Osric! The real Osric was the only High Elf who did not have the royal bloodline, but had obtained the title of a highlord by relying on his incredible talent that was almost comparable to the Immortal King’s.
Lin Li did not believe that the Osric of this world was simply a clone of the real Osric. Even if he was, he would have to reach high standards in every aspect. If the phony Osric was exposed easily, the other High Elves of this world would not let him off, not to mention Lin Li and the others.
“The High Elves here all think that the Osric here is the real one, especially the ones in Osric’s Magic Legion who have joined at the end of the Dark Age. They believe that Osric’s death back then was just an illusion, and that in reality, he had entered his last refuge to take on the mission of guiding the High Elves to their revival,” Ujfalusi said in a strange tone. It was rather difficult to verify the authenticity of the truth. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that they had only seen Osric’s perfect body back in Osric’s mausoleum. That seemed to be insufficient to prove that Osric was really dead.
“It’s funny, isn’t it?” Initially, Lin Li was certain that the Osric outside was real and the Osric inside was the double. However, after hearing the sudden piece of news, Lin Li was rather confused all of a sudden.
After all, it seemed that no one knew whether Osric was alive or not. Even Angelano who had been guarding Osric’s mausoleum for more than 1,300 years did not have a clear answer, let alone Connoris who had been sealed in the hammer. Besides, from all kinds of information, all they could find out was that Osric had moved into the mausoleum he created for himself at the end when he became weaker.
Could it be that Osric is still alive!? However, what’s with that Ghost outside!? Lin Li turned to look at Connoris who was beside him, and then unnaturally said, “Connoris, what do you think of this problem? Did Osric mention anything else when he talked about this world back then?”
“The real Osric is indeed dead, his physical condition was so bad at the time that it could not be salvaged. He couldn’t have hidden that from me. However, according to my understanding, the Osric in this world is not entirely just a substitute,” said Connoris, who was not shocked by that news. Besides, he seemed to have known more about Osric too.
“What do you mean?” Lin Li had a hunch about what Connoris meant, but he was in disbelief. Hence, he asked, “Could it be that the Osric here is just a projected avatar? If that’s the case, how could he have enough power to suppress the other High Elves!?”
Powerful existences all had the ability to create projected avatars, like the Lord of Darkness in the Abyss, which was the Dragon of Destruction Azardas’ projected avatar, as well as Elemental Dragon projected avatar with Xiao Hua, which belonged to the Emerald Dragon. Connoris, who had once been one of the ancient demon deities, had also created countless projected avatars that seemed to have spread across Anril to almost every corner of the world.
However, such projected avatars were different from the Immortal King’s creation, the Ashen Warlock. Every projected avatar would have to consume the power of the original body. It was just like pouring water from a bucket to cups. The more cups of water, the less water there would be left in the bucket. The more projected avatars, the more powerful the projected avatars, and the less power there would be left in the main body.
Connoris had created countless projected avatars. As a result, the main body’s power fell from that of a Sanctuary-realm ancient demon deity to the Legendary-level Demon Lord of the first several floors of the Abyss. Hence, even a powerful existence that was close to a god would be extremely careful and conscientious when creating a projected avatar as they did not want to waste a single morsel of power.
Besides, in the creation of a projected avatar, one could not split their power into two. Other than the power consumed during the process, the projected avatar could have at most 10% of the power of the main body. Although Osric was powerful, the projected avatar would not be able to subdue the High Elves there even if they only had 10% of Osric’s power.
“It’s not a double. Osric once mentioned that creating a double is a power that even he cannot possess and a level that he will never be able to reach in this life. However, he did not feel dejected because of that. Instead, he seemed rather smug about it,” Connoris said slowly while recalling his memories.
“Smug? Was he smug because he had found a good teacher?” Lin Li couldn’t help but interject with a frown. Although he asked that question, he knew that given Osric’s character, he probably would not be smug about the Immortal King. The things that Osric had done in the Immortal King’s laboratory were not respectful to the Immortal King at all.
“No, he was just proud about having schemed against a supreme powerhouse like the Immortal King,” Connoris said as he looked at Alanna City in the distance. Before Lin Li asked, he continued, “Although he admitted that he would never reach the level of the Immortal King with his talent and wits, and could never create an ultimate Magical Domain, he had successfully integrated a part of his consciousness into this world, and he would definitely master this power one day!”
“This… is hard to say. Osric here…” Despite having already predicted it beforehand, Connoris’ news gave Lin Li a great shock. If it were really like what Connoris said, the situation of the expedition would probably be much more troublesome than he had expected.
Osric’s consciousness had descended in this world during the Dark Age, and it had been at least 1,300 years since then. With Osric’s wit and the fact that he had gained a large portion of the Immortal King’s inheritance, he was probably not far from controlling this world.
That was definitely troublesome. Previously, Lin Li had some confidence in leaving this world because he thought that the Immortal King was no longer around. After all, no matter how strong the Magical Domain might be, it would truly be useless without a master. Even if they could not find any loopholes at the moment, they would at least not be in great danger in this world.
However, there was now another Osric in this world, who was still part of the consciousness of the real Osric. After all these years, he had probably become a semi-owner of this world, right? Perhaps Osric still could not compare to the Immortal King, but that did not mean that Osric who had half of a home field advantage would be easy to deal with.
Lin Li still had no clue about how he could leave this world, and now he even learned that there was another big enemy here. He was at a loss as to how to deal with such a big problem. Although Lin Li had already stepped into the Sanctuary-realm, and had seven pieces of the debris of the stars, external factors could barely affect realms. More importantly, in this world, the control crystal that Lin Li used to control the Sky Castle had already lost its effect. That meant that escaping would be impossible.
At this moment, Archbishop Martin and Donald, who had made arrangements for their respective teams, once again went to Lin Li’s side. Faced with this familiar yet unfamiliar world, they did not have many ideas.
“Since there are humans and other races in this world as well, should we try to contact them? They might have some underground rebellion forces. Since the ancestors of the Rotterdam had led the various races to overthrow the High Elves back then in Anril, we can do it again in this world as well.” Prince Kanber suddenly developed an idea, and wanted to replicate the events that happened at the end of the Dark Age, bringing about another war of resistance in this world.
Although Kanber had once again credited the overthrow of the High Elves to the ancestors of the Rotterdam Kingdom, the people around him were already familiar with the way the people of the Rotterdam Kingdom behaved, so they could not be bothered to argue with him.
However, that undeniably seemed to be a feasible option. No matter what, the humans and other enslaved races in this world had also lived there for thousands of years. They ought to have some talents. Hence, Kanber’s words did not make the others feel disgusted. Instead, Archbishop Martin and the others were tempted.
“Master Felic, what do you think of this solution? Even if we can’t find a way to leave at the moment, it would be a good thing if we can liberate the humans and other enslaved races in this world.” Archbishop Martin asked Lin Li for his opinion. If possible, he would want to spread the doctrine of Holy Light here.
However, Lin Li merely shook his head a little, and said to Ujfalusi, “Tell them about the situation that you’ve understood.”
“According to the memories in the soul of that High Elf, some of the humans and other races that were enslaved by the High Elves had indeed formed rebellion forces. However, since the remaining High Elves entered this world at the end of the Dark Age, they imposed stricter rules on the humans and other races. Not only did they strictly forbid the spread of magical knowledge, but they also implemented a policy of purging those who were likely to enter the Legendary-realm. So, we’d better not count on the people here,” Ujfalusi said calmly in a monotonous tone, explaining the situation of the humans and the High Elves in this world.
Upon hearing his words, everyone understood that the lesson learned in Anril had caused the High Elves of this world to take a harsher approach in ruling over the humans and other races. Under such an oppressive rule, even if an individual like Geresco appeared amongst them, they would probably be killed by the High Elves before they could even grow.
Kanber glared at Ujfalusi who had opposed his idea before turning around, and confidently saying to the rest, “So what? They’re just the High Elves who survived. The Immortal King won’t be guarding them anymore, and they don’t have the Sky Castle or the Tree of Eternity. I believe that with our power, it will be easy to get rid of them. Maybe we can be sent out when we exterminate all the High Elves in this world.”
Of course, everyone knew that exterminating all of the High Elves and being sent out of this world was just nonsense. However, they had no choice but to admit that a battle with the High Elves would be inevitable. Even if they did not provoke the High Elves, the High Elves would eventually discover them.
“A fight is definitely inevitable, but we have to carefully plan and figure out the strength of the High Elves in this world.” Archbishop Martin was rather conscientious. After all, the High Elves in this world had developed for 1,000 years more than the High Elves of Anril. No one knew how much their strength had developed. Although, like what Kanber said, the High Elves did not have any Sky Castle, and were nowhere near as strong as they had been in Anril, the expedition was also no match for the rebellion forces of that era. There were no Sanctuary powerhouses who were at the peak of the Sanctuary-realm like Geresco and the three arbitrators to support them, either.
Kanber seemed somewhat contemptuous towards Archbishop Martin’s conscientiousness. He frowned, and said, “Archbishop Martin, you’re being too careful. They’re just some High Elves who survived.”
“Well, then the Rotterdam Kingdom’s team will fight at the frontline while we go attack Alanna City.” Prince Jeremiah was already displeased with the bizarre sense of superiority that the people of the Rotterdam Kingdom had. Hearing what Kanber had said about Archbishop Martin, he naturally retorted in a hostile manner. His ancestor merely got a High Elven noble title through his wife. Now that the High Elves’ Dynasty is over, what’s there to be proud of?
What was the difference between fighting in the front and being cannon fodder? Although Kanber was proud and arrogant, he was not as silly as to be cannon fodder. Hence, he was rendered speechless by Jeremiah’s words.
“Ujfalusi, tell us about the state of the High Elves’ strength now.” Lin Li ignored their argument, and instead got Ujfalusi to tell Archbishop Martin and Donald about the situation.
Capturing a High Elf shortly after coming to this world was considered to be a relatively fortunate thing for the expedition. At least, they would not have to go around exploring and inspecting. After all, no one knew what kind of danger was hidden in this world, even though it was created based on Anril.
Ujfalusi had been sorting the information and memories that he had received from that High Elf’s soul. He was almost done now. Hence, after hearing Lin Li’s instructions, Ujfalusi immediately regurgitated all the information in detail without needing to think.