They stepped inside the house, and it was exactly as it appeared from the outside—warm, cozy, and inviting. The soft glow of candlelight flickered across the wooden walls, casting gentle shadows that suited with the quiet ambiance of the home. A subtle scent of aged oak and something faintly sweet lingered in the air, further adding to the comforting atmosphere.
Dylan's small eyes darted around the room, filled with curiosity as he took in every detail, mentally mapping out the ground floor. His gaze lingered on the wooden furniture and the shelves lined with books.
"This place… it's just like my grandparents' house," Dylan murmured, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "For some odd reason, it reminds me of them a lot."
A wave of emotion washed over him as he inhaled the warm, familiar scent that filled the house. It wasn't just the appearance that struck a chord with him—the entire atmosphere, from the crackling fireplace to the well-worn furniture, felt eerily similar to the home of his grandparetns where he had spent countless childhood days on vacations.
The ground floor housed several essential areas—the kitchen, the living room, and a small dining space where meals could be shared. However, one thing stood out to Dylan almost immediately.
"What does an undead need a kitchen for?" he wondered, raising an eyebrow as he scanned his surroundings.
It was an odd sight, indeed. A house belonging to a lich should have been cold, dark, and foreboding, yet this place exuded warmth and comfort. The contradiction was almost unsettling.
"But then again," Dylan mused, shaking his head, "this undead has gone out of its way to build a cozy home for itself, so I guess I don't have the right to complain."
The lich, despite having no real need for food or warmth, had still built a functional kitchen and a proper living space. Perhaps it was out of a desire to maintain some semblance of normalcy. After all, a home without these fundamental elements would feel barren and incomplete. But now, with the arrival of a new member, perhaps the kitchen would finally serve a real purpose.
Aside from the usual home necessities, the house was filled with bookshelves overflowing with various texts—grimoires on magic, collections of poetry, ancient stories, and a wide assortment of other literature. The only notable absence was holy scriptures, as they would be harmful to the lich if kept within his domain.
The fireplace in the living room, though rarely needed, stood as a centerpiece, crackling with warmth.
As Dylan continued to take in his surroundings, a voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
"Master, welcome back. How has your subjugation gone?"
A skeletal figure, clad in a tattered but well-maintained servant's uniform, emerged from the shadows. It bowed respectfully before the lich, its bony hands carefully dusting off a nearby bookshelf and the framed pictures adorning the walls.
"I have removed the pests," the lich replied, his tone as indifferent as ever.
"Oh my, it seems you've brought something back with you this time," the servant remarked, its hollow eyes glancing toward the newborn in the lich's arms.
Dylan's attention shifted to the undead figure standing before them. Unlike the skeletal servant, this one was unique—it had the body structure of a humanoid ant, towering at nearly the same height as an very tall human. Its exoskeleton gleamed under the light, and its pincer-like mouth twitched slightly as its antennae moved, sensing its surroundings.
Dylan's eyes widened in surprise. "Ayo, Beru?!" he blurted out, immediately recognizing the resemblance to one of his favorite characters from a manhwa.
"This is the new member of the household, Aeru. I will spare you the details for now, but first, I need to find some clothes for this child."
"As you wish, Master," the lich responded.
With that, he turned and ascended the staircase, heading to the upper floor where his room was. The room was lit by a lamp. The moment he entered, he carefully placed the child onto his bed—a massive, oversized piece of furniture designed to accommodate his tall and broad frame.
Dylan immediately sank into its softness. His eyes widened in disbelief as he ran his hands over the smooth fabric.
"Damn! This is the most comfortable bed I've ever laid on," he muttered, almost melting into its plush embrace.
The lich's room was surprisingly simple in design. Aside from the enormous bed, there was a wooden desk and chair positioned near a window, where he likely spent time reading or writing. A tall bookshelf stood beside it, filled with various tomes and scrolls, ranging from magical studies to historical accounts. An almirah stood in one corner, neatly storing his garments.
Dylan, now somewhat accustomed to the oddities of this house, simply sighed. "At this point, I don't think anything can surprise me anymore."
But just as he said that, he watched in astonishment as the lich strode toward his almirah, opened it, and, without hesitation, tore apart a grand-looking red robe. The luxurious fabric, embroidered with intricate golden patterns, looked expensive—like something a noble or a king might wear. And yet, the lich ripped it apart without a second thought, as if it were nothing more than a disposable rag.
Dylan blinked. "Damn! This hurts my soul, such an expensive looking piece of garment."
Before he could finish his sentence, the lich wrapped the torn robe around him, ensuring he was properly covered.
"This should suffice for now," the lich said, his tone warm as he adjusted the fabric around the child.
However, as he stepped back, he seemed to realize something. "You must be hungry. But there is no food in this house… I shall arrange for some milk."
With that, he called for one of his undead servants—Robart, a human undead who was tending to the yard outside.
"Robart, take care of the child while I am away," the lich instructed.
Robart, ever dutiful, bowed deeply. "You need not worry, Master. I shall ensure the child's safety."
Just as the lich was about to step into a portal, another voice interrupted.
"Master, may I take care of the child instead?" Aeru, the humanoid ant undead, asked.
The lich paused and turned to him. "Your hands might harm the child," he stated plainly.
Aeru's antennae twitched slightly, and he lowered his head in disappointment. "I… I see."
Without further discussion, the lich stepped into the portal, vanishing from sight.
*****
Lmao I wanted to add a lot of details but It's fucking late right now lol.
Anyways important questions should I add system to this novel or not? and also you guys might also have some questions so go ahead and ask.