However, although the black clouds weren’t created by Lady Cilla, she likely manipulated them, as the surging death aura extended to the end of the black clouds.
The area enveloped by the black cloud is filled with Lady Cilla’s violent, cruel chaos energy.
She is using the spread of the black cloud to create panic and attract the undead to Star Lake Castle, preparing to turn it into a ghostly domain once more.
Frode also noticed Lady Cilla’s aura hidden within the black cloud. He looked to the horizon and murmured, "The vast death energy signifies Lady Cilla’s strength."
"It also signifies her stupidity," Angel added.
Frode nodded in agreement because as the black cloud spread, Frode had already seen several points of light rising from distant Saint Saim City, rapidly flying toward the nearby mountains.
Saint Saim City is the core of the Silver Egret royal family, which possesses the Royal Wizard Group!
Although this wizard group is diverse and weak, mostly composed of first and second-level apprentices, with only one third-level apprentice, Neya; but even if weak, they are still Transcendents. Besides, with backing from Hurricane Tower, their knowledge foundation is absolutely substantial.
Even if they can’t kill the undead, they can certainly suppress and expel them to some extent.
If necessary, they can even seek help from Hurricane Tower.
For this reason, Angel said that although Lady Cilla is strong, she is very foolish. Without Angel, Lady Cilla’s quiet arrival and quiet departure would likely achieve her goal; but now, even without Angel, Lady Cilla would find it difficult to escape.
During their conversation, the chief of the Silver Egret Royal Wizard Group, Neya, had already flown out of Saint Saim City on a flying broomstick.
Neya’s face was pale, her gaze moving from the black clouds overhead to the distant mountains.
To fill the black cloud with such terrifying death energy, there must be a powerful undead interference, and the source of this undead is the distant mountains.
"What place is that over there?" Neya asked a male apprentice with white hair and beard standing behind her, aged and frail.
This old apprentice wore reading glasses with a golden chain and looked like an old scholar. He also sat on a broom, adjusting his glasses, which flashed a reflection as he gazed into the distance.
"That’s Star Lake Castle, the residence of that lady."
The old apprentice didn’t say the name outright, but Neya, once a member of the Silver Egret royal family, understood.
She hadn’t been involved in the past internal royal strife but knew the history and felt some sympathy for those who were killed. But she wouldn’t get involved in mortal struggles, no matter her sympathy.
"The source is actually in Star Lake Castle. Is someone from that family filled with resentment, turning into an undead?"
As Neya speculated, a sudden explosion of sparks came from the distant town.
Neya sensed an anomaly and flew in that direction.
Not long after the spark exploded, a man in Silver Egret Royal Knights attire appeared on a rooftop, looking at the elegantly dressed chief wizard not far away.
"What happened?" Neya didn’t turn back but instead focused on the town.
The flames from the previous explosion had already begun to spread across multiple buildings, with the roaring fire swiftly engulfing an entire area.
Beyond the burning flames, Neya could hear the screams echoing throughout the town.
"Recently, multiple malicious incidents erupted in Yalai Town, the largest being the arson of the art gallery. With so many paintings and the dry air inside, it caught fire quickly," the knight said while kneeling.
Neya squinted, whispering, "Simultaneous malicious incidents..."
The old apprentice standing by commented, "It’s the influence of the massive death energy within the black cloud. The death energy contains negative energy, which, although not directly contacting mortals, can easily evoke the vile desires buried within some extreme humans."
The consequence of evoked desires is the current scene before them.
Yalai Town was just the beginning. In the few minutes Neya stayed there, she received further bad news from other towns.
Not only did problems arise in nearby towns, but Saint Saim City also began to experience turmoil under the black cloud’s influence.
However, being the Royal Capital, Saint Saim City had a substantial military presence and the Royal Knight Academy, where most knights were determined and loyal, ensuring the city was in better shape than other towns. Nonetheless, if the black cloud continued to churn, they wouldn’t hold out for long.
"This undead is too brazen," the old apprentice remarked with some disdain.
"The undead have no sense of daring; it’s merely their instinct. But even so, it’s rare for the undead to make such a bold move. Something might have provoked them," Neya stated. "Regardless, we must head to Star Lake Castle first."
Neya instructed the other members of the wizard group to assist the Royal Knights, while she took the seasoned old apprentice and quickly approached Star Lake Castle.
Soon, Neya saw the abandoned castle hidden within the eerie forest.
Just from afar, Neya’s spiritual sense detected a hint of threat from the castle.
"The undead are inside the castle, and... they are very strong," Neya murmured.
The old apprentice nodded, his voice trembling, "Even before approaching, I feel my heart pounding like a drum; it’s nothing like a newly emerged undead..."
Possibly, it is an ancient one, employing soul tricks known to multiple undead!
Such an undead, even if faced by the entire Royal Wizard Group, couldn’t necessarily be detained.
The old apprentice looked at Neya with some trepidation, "What should we do now?"
Neya’s face was somewhat somber, "We need to assess the situation first. If necessary, I’ll seek help from my teacher."
Neya’s teacher is the White Art Witch, who dotes on her. If she reports this situation, help should arrive... However, Neya preferred not to disturb her teacher unless necessary.
"We’ll head outside the castle." Neya moved her foot, and the broom instantly drew an arc towards Star Lake Castle.
Just as they were about to reach Star Lake Castle, a whisper suddenly reached Neya’s ear.
"That’s Frode’s voice; is he here too?" Neya was startled and redirected her broom to fly toward the hill behind the lake.
On the hill, she saw a small cabin glowing with light and two people standing in front of it.
One was her old friend, the phantom Frode, and the other was a red-haired, golden-eyed man. Neya didn’t recognize him; his demeanor didn’t exude any aura, resembling a mortal. Yet, given Frode’s presence with him at such a death energy-laden place, Neya found it hard to believe he was an ordinary person.
"Frode, why are you here?" Neya landed on the hill, standing close to Frode, puzzled. "You advised me against approaching the castle. What do you know?"