Ark Undead

This old man...

Kos dared not bring it up again, but he still didn't understand why no one needed to die and therefore no other, more robust armor, when that was clearly part of strength.

A dozen minutes later, the vehicle drove into a garden and parked in a parking lot near the garden.

Fran got out and, with great effort, managed to open the deformed car door.

With steel-plated footplates treading on the soft earth, the undead stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the ancient garden.

Even under the night sky, the Undead could still clearly see the somewhat messy garden and the unkempt vines. The exterior walls of the building were already somewhat blackened, a mark left by time.

“They’re already waiting for us, old man.”

Koss got out of the car and whispered to the Undead.

"I'll handle the rest for you in a bit. You can speak or not. But during the interview, you'll have to say something. Just do what you like."

After saying all that, Koss still felt it wasn't enough, so he gave the Undead one more piece of advice.

"Anyway... just don't do anything."

The immortal didn't speak, but silently walked forward towards the gate.

Koss reluctantly followed, and Fran quickened his pace to keep up with the Undead.

The main door of the house was opened, and standing at the door was a Kuranta man wearing a black coat. After seeing the Undead, he put on a smile and took two steps forward.

"Welcome to the Linguang family mansion, Mr. Undead."

As he spoke, the man extended his right hand.

The Undead looked down at the man's outstretched hand, then glanced at Kos standing beside him, somewhat puzzled.

Koss nodded to him, indicating that this was the person who had invited him today, Mr. Marner.

The Undead turned his gaze back to Marna, extended his right hand, and shook hands with Marna.

This was also a form of etiquette he had learned before, a way to show friendliness to others.

But where did I learn that again?

The immortal fell into thought.

"I became interested in Mr. Undying after his debut match two weeks ago. His recent winning streak has only further proven his extraordinary talent."

Marner's smile was somewhat stiff, but the enthusiasm in his words masked it well.

"In short, come in first, dinner is ready for you."

With that, Marner turned and walked into the main hall.

The Undead followed behind Marna.

He always felt that the person in front of him was different from his outward enthusiasm.

It seems that this man named Marna doesn't like her.

This is the intuition of an immortal.

Regardless, the Undead, Kos, and Fran had already arrived at the banquet hall.

Fran pulled out a seat for the Undead, who then sat down. Kos and Fran followed suit, sitting down alongside the Undead.

Marna nodded to the maid beside her, indicating that the food could be served.

The maids carried the dishes and placed them on the table in front of the four people.

This officially signifies the start of the dinner.

Marna scooped up a spoonful of soup in front of her, blew on it, and put it in her mouth.

Koss and Fran, like Marna, began to enjoy the food.

But the Undead only glanced at the soup bowl in front of him, remaining silent and making no move.

Marna noticed the undead's unusual behavior, and he couldn't help but look up at the undead and ask.

"Mr. Undying, are you not interested in the dishes I prepared?"

The Undead shook his head, his helmet concealing his appearance and expression, and spoke.

"I don't need to eat."

Marna glanced at Kos and Fran beside her with a puzzled look.

Koss had no choice but to explain for Marner.

"In order to maintain his figure and improve his health, the Knight's diet is strictly planned according to the nutritionist's plan."

Koss was clearly lying through his teeth; he himself had never seen the Undead eat. If it weren't for the occasional pizza box he'd find in the trash cans in front of Undead houses, he'd start to wonder if the Undead ever ate.

"I see. Then I was indeed overthinking it."

Marna waved his hand, and the maids around him came up again, clearing away the dishes for the undead, but serving him a glass of wine instead.

The Undead looked at the cup of wine, but he still didn't make a move, and he didn't even take off his helmet.

Marner frowned.

Koss saw Marner's expression and inwardly groaned.

This old man really doesn't give anyone a second glance.

Fortunately, Marner didn't ask any more questions, saving Kos a lot of trouble.

The dinner began with this surprising silence.

27. "The guests and hosts all had a pleasant time."

"Mr. Undead seems to have only made his mark in Kazimierz two weeks ago. I remember my first battle was against a knight wielding a greatsword. Mr. Undead should remember that, right?"

Marna wiped her mouth with the napkin that was next to her and took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Ah."

The immortal nodded.

"Before this, there was no one like you in Kazimierz. Given the strength you displayed in this battle, you shouldn't be so unknown."

Marna continued speaking, following her own words.

"What did the Undead do before? Were you from the Kazimierz people? Or did your ancestors leave Kazimierz and now want to return to restore the glory of your clan?"

Marna looked at the Undead with a sincere gaze, as if the two were simply having a conversation.

When Kos heard Marner's question, he felt somewhat relieved.

As early as the beginning of last year, there were already rumors that infected individuals would be allowed to participate in this year's Kazimierz Knights Major. This attracted more knights from other countries who wanted to earn honor and money in Kazimierz.

Knights like the Undead, whom we'd never heard of before, suddenly appeared in large numbers in the latter half of last year and at the beginning of this year.

Marner's words were merely a catalyst within the industry; he was guiding the Undead to follow his line of reasoning.

Hopefully, the answer the Undead will give him will be something that sounds ordinary, but upon closer inspection, it has a touch of legend and can be linked to Casimir.

Unfortunately.

"No."

The Undead shook his head, then added another sentence.

"In the past, there was nothing to talk about."

Marna's smile froze.

Koss couldn't help but cough twice; he had genuinely choked on his food.

Although he had anticipated the undead's nature, it was still quite... shocking when the undead actually revealed this side of themselves to others.

Yes, that makes sense. It's something he would say.

"Although there's not much to say, there must be something that led you to participate in the Knights' Tournament in Kazimierz, right?"

Marner persisted, even though he had been very polite. After all, it was a banquet that cost a million, and he didn't want that million to go to waste.

"In Kazimierz, the Knights' Tournament represents...honor, wealth, and status. What brings Mr. Undead to the Knights' Tournament?"

He has made it very clear and given enough hints.

He only wanted to get even a single word from this knight codenamed Undead.

Money, honor, titles, status.

Anything is fine, as long as he can give me an answer that isn't too outrageous!

Then, the Undead spoke.

"Firewood."

The Undead thought for a moment and seemed to find the item rather ordinary. So he added a prefix before "firewood".

"The best firewood."

Marna's smile was barely holding back.

He had considered many answers, and he could accept even the most outrageous ones.

But to my utter surprise, the knight in front of me gave me this answer!

Marner took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger.

Kos, who was eating, almost burst out laughing, even though he knew the Undead would say that.

However, for the sake of this banquet with its clearly marked price, and for the company's interests, Kos wiped his mouth and prepared to explain the meaning of that sentence to the Undead.

“Mr. Marner, the Knight’s words may be somewhat misunderstood, but I want to say that his meaning is definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface.”

Koss coughed twice, preparing to begin his explanation.

"Mr. Undead has a peculiar hobby: he likes to collect high-quality wood."

"High-quality timber?"

Marner nodded, signaling Kos to continue.

"I'm curious, could you elaborate?"