Chapter 20: Skeleton Soldiers

The cohort marched through the forest, up to the north. The forest grew thicker and thicker as they continued to march through, eventually to the point that they could only walk one at a time. Each soldier followed the Atlas without a fault in their steps.

"Eldest Brother, why do we march north?" The skeleton behind Atlas asked.

"To grow our forces." Atlas responded.

The group eventually stopped at a large wooden wall that stretched as far as they could see in the dense forest. The wall seemed to be well tended and protecting something important. Atlas approached the wall as the cohort remained in the dense bushes.

"HEY! You fella, this is the property of Dothran Gang, What is your business with us?!" A man standing on the top of the walls asked.

"You block our path." Atlas spoke.

"Well if you want to pass, leave all of your belongings here, rich fella." The guard spoke.

"How many are here?" Atlas asked.

"Can't tell you-"

THUMP

Atlas shot the guard in the head before he could finish his sentence, dropping him 3 metres to the ground below.

"Martial art: guard break!"

Atlas charged at a segment of the wall, pointing his blade right at the wood. At impact, he ripped through the wood, creating a large hole that could fit 3 people.

"KILL THEM ALL." Atlas shouted to his soldiers.

Immediately a battle started in the encampment, quickly ending because of the low combat capabilities of the inhabitants. The skeletons emerged from the encampment with not so much as a scratch on anyone one of them.

"Bring the corpses."

After an hour of gathering human corpses, the skeletons had finally amassed a pile of 125 whole bodies. Atlas inspected all of the fresh corpses to make sure they were suitable for the plan, concluding that they would suffice. He then gathered his warriors around the pile of corpses to announce some instructions.

"Brothers! Cast create low tier undead on 5 corpses of your choosing." Atlas spoke.

The skeletons did just as Atlas told them, pointing the hands at the corpses they desired, and casting the spell in complete unison.

"CREATE LOW TIER UNDEAD!"

The pile of corpses began to melt as the corpses were rid of their flesh. Eventually a black aura would sweep into each one of the skeletal corpses, causing them to shake and stand up upright. This process took roughly over a minute to complete, resulting in creating a force of 125 skeleton warriors of 15th level.

"The 25 brothers that were with me since yesterday may now be given the title of 'Senior Brother', you will be in command of 5 junior brothers at any given time. Remember well, we are all brothers, so remember to address each other as so."

"YES, ELDEST BROTHER!" The army responded.

The army left the encampment without time to rest, heading for the cave that Atlas had been assigned to cleanse. Atlas remember well the grace of Lord Ainz, and the debt that he owed Narberal Gamma. He wishes to thank his lord with a flawless completion of this task, and thank Narberal Gamma in any way she desires. Gratitude is one value that the skeleton naturally possessed, a quality that some of the living didn't even have.

Atlas had never commanded a force before, but it felt natural for some odd reason. It felt like everything he did was naturally correct and a wise course of action. Raising an army of 150 soldiers is not easy to do in only 1 day, but to raise that army to such a high quality, it was masterful for him. The senior brothers could raid a village on their own without any support, the junior brothers could probably destroy a bandit party without trouble. The army was the ultimate force to clear out the rural lands of the Re-Estize kingdom. Each village would fall systematically, giving Nazarick a foothold before a war begins. But first, the wild creatures must be cleansed, only those of Nazarick will remain.

The five strongest senior brothers were given a unit colour and name. The 5th strongest was given the name 'Yellow' and received armour of that colour, the 4th strongest was given the name 'Blue' and received and received armor of that colour, the 3rd strongest was named 'Purple' and given the appropriate armour, the 2nd strongest was given the name 'Red' and received the armour of that colour, the strongest was given the name 'Orange' and given the appropriate armour.

Each junior of the respective senior, was given the same colour that their senior had earned, forming a powerful unit. Each of the top 5 units were equipped with the normal gear for a skeleton of that level, but were much more powerful in skill and strength. The skeletons were sentient, but completely loyal to Atlas and Nazarick.

Soon the army had finally reached the cave that Atlas had been assigned to clean. The cave seemed lively even from the outside, with the noise of joyful creatures echoing from the cave entrance. Soon a humanoid figure exited the cave and sat down on a wooden box that was located to the right of the cave entrance. The figure was green and had pointy long ears, the figure also seemed to be quiet short and weak in build. Atlas observed with his superior 'sight', completely concealed by his full green plate armour.

"Goblin."