Chapter 49

　　Simon and Ellen walked along the forest path, making small talk. He learned that during her time at Efnel, she had focused solely on the raw firepower of Divinity. However, her ability to handle anything else was severely lacking, and most critically, she was expelled because she couldn’t use even the most common healing magic—a fatal flaw for a priest. When he asked why she was so desperate for money, it turned out she had lost her parents and was raising her younger siblings alone. He was beginning to see a whole new side of her.

　　"U-Um… Sir Simon."

　　Simon smiled gently. "Just call me Simon."

　　"Ah, yes! Simon." Ellen felt an unexplainable fondness for the boy. At Efnel, she had been taught that necromancers were all hideous, vile monsters. But this boy was different. He was just a person, and a kind-hearted one at that.

　　"So, what is it?"

　　"Hehe. Well, we’ve gotten a bit closer, and we’ve formed an alliance, and it’s not like I have the power to do anything to you two." She glanced around nervously and tentatively held out her bound arms. "So now… could you please untie this?"

　　Instead of answering, Simon simply maintained his gentle smile. A bead of sweat trickled down her face.

　　Ah, so it’s a no.

　　[Bwahaha! She’s finally lost her mind!] Pier glared from within his helmet. [See, boy? If you’re too nice to a prisoner, they quickly forget their place! If we just chop off a few fingers, she’ll become much more compli—]

　　"Aaaah! I-I-I’m sorry! I don’t know what came over me!" she yelped, quickly prostrating herself on the ground.

　　"As long as you understand, Ellen," Simon said, stopping her. "Pier, that’s enough."

　　Pier lowered his greatsword, and Ellen blushed. He seemed endlessly kind, yet there was a firm, decisive core to his personality.

　　Soon, they arrived at the fief’s castle. As planned, Ellen hid inside Pier’s robe while Simon and Pier approached the main gate.

　　"Halt! Who goes there?" a guard shouted, raising his spear.

　　Simon held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I’ve come on a request from the lord. I’d like to see him in person immediately."

　　"…What?"

　　"Have you lost your mind? The lord, in the middle of the night?"

　　"Yes," Simon confirmed. "It’s urgent. I must see him right now."

　　The guards let out disbelieving laughs.

　　"I swear, we see all kinds of lunatics."

　　"You think the lord is someone you can just meet because you want to? Piss off while we’re asking nicely."

　　"No, this one’s suspicious. Let’s just tie him to a post until sunrise."

　　One guard nodded and reached for the rope at his waist. Simon’s smile never wavered.

　　"You’ll regret this."

　　"You arrogant little brat… Who are you? State your identity."

　　"I’m from Kizen."

　　The two guards froze.

　　"Bwahahahaha! Fuck! This guy’s a real fucking lunatic!"

　　"If you’re from Kizen, then I’m Nephthys, you crazy bastard!"

　　The guards moved to restrain Simon, who obediently held out his arms as if to welcome the ropes.

　　"What’s all this commotion?"

　　Just then, the guard captain emerged from a side door. The guards snapped to attention.

　　"A-A suspicious man was demanding to see the lord, sir. We were about to arrest him."

　　"A suspicious man?"

　　"Yes, he claimed to be from Kizen…"

　　At those words, the captain’s face went pale.

　　Ki…zen?

　　The lord, desperate to cover up the mysterious disappearances before an important ceremony, had secretly sent a request to Kizen. Only his most trusted aides knew. But after three months with no response, the lord had given up hope.

　　…But they actually came?

　　The captain scrutinized Simon—his intelligent eyes, his relaxed demeanor, the tall, armored man serving as his guard.

　　It’s him.

　　Goosebumps erupted across his skin. This boy was really from Kizen.

　　"…On the ground."

　　"S-Sir?"

　　"I said get your heads on the ground, you bastards!" the captain roared.

　　The guards immediately dropped their weapons, pressed their foreheads to the dirt, and clasped their hands behind their backs. As Simon scratched his head at the sudden shift, the captain approached with his sword drawn.

　　What’s this? Pier’s hand went to the hilt of his greatsword, but Simon held up an arm to stop him.

　　The captain stood before Simon, plunged his sword into the ground, and knelt on one knee.

　　"The failure to train my subordinates is entirely my fault," he declared. "I offer my life in apology." He then bowed his head, offering his neck.

　　Ugh, this is too much, Simon thought with an inward sigh. Even for Kizen, this was excessive. He was just a first-year student whose place at the academy was tenuous at best. If he got expelled, he’d be a commoner again. He was in no position to decide matters of life and death.

　　"Enough. Please rise," Simon said.

　　The captain rose, his expression stiff.

　　"It was my fault for causing a disturbance so late. Your men were only doing their duty, so please don’t scold them. You two can get up as well."

　　The guards, sweating profusely, scrambled to their feet and stood at perfect attention.

　　Simon turned back to the captain. "May I see the lord? I have something urgent to discuss regarding the request."

　　"Yes, of course. I’ll escort you this way."

　　[Hehehehe!]

　　As Simon followed the captain, Pier shot a taunting sneer at the guards, who didn’t dare lift their heads.

　　…Does this make any sense? one thought.

　　Why would someone from Kizen come to a backwater place like this? the other wondered.

　　With dawn approaching, the lord’s castle was in an uproar. Simon was shown into a spacious reception room where he was immediately treated like royalty. Warm bread, fine food, tea, and wine were brought out. Maids even came with buckets of water to wash his feet, but an uncomfortable Simon quickly declined.

　　A short while later, a short, pot-bellied man appeared, a broad smile on his swollen, sleep-creased face.

　　"Well, well, it is an honor to meet such a distinguished guest! I am the lord of Arnish, Count Raymond!"

　　"Simon Polentia, a first-year student at Kizen."

　　They shook hands and sat.

　　"You must be exhausted from your long journey! Did you come all this way for my request?"

　　"I did."

　　"Haha! How can I ever repay this kindness! You must be tired. Please, forget about work and rest. We will do our utmost to serve you during your stay!"

　　"There wasn’t much travel to be tired from," Simon said, leaning back into his chair. "I came via a teleportation circle."

　　"Aah…! I-I see! Kizen truly is on another level! Haha! Here, have a drink! A first-rate vintage from the grapes of this land!"

　　Raymond uncorked a bottle, and the potent smell of liquor filled the air. He poured a glass and gestured. "Here, here."

　　"Thank you."

　　Raymond neatly downed his glass. Not wanting to be rude, Simon only pretended to take a sip. A moment later, maids brought out a lavish feast, including a whole roasted pig.

　　"I’ve already eaten," Simon said, declining. "More importantly, I’d like to discuss the request."

　　"Ah, the request! That’s important, of course, but it’s late. Isn’t it more important to rest? Life at Kizen isn’t like a normal school, is it? It’s a battlefield! Hahaha!"

　　Raymond clapped, and a side door opened. Simon was appalled. A crowd of women in scantily-clad outfits swarmed around him.

　　"Now, take your time and choose a girl you like. Hahaha!"

　　There was nowhere to look. As Simon blushed and stared at his knees, Raymond gave a triumphant smile.

　　He may be from Kizen, but he’s still a cub whose fangs haven’t grown in. He might be easier to win over than I thought.

　　At Raymond’s signal, women draped themselves over Simon’s shoulders and arms while two others knelt to fill golden goblets at his side.

　　"…My lord."

　　"Hahaha! Yes, which one has caught your eye?"

　　"I’m still a minor," Simon said, his voice firm despite his obvious embarrassment. "And this is a bit uncomfortable for me. I have an important matter to discuss with you one-on-one. Would you please have these people leave?"

　　Meeting Simon’s direct gaze, Raymond gulped. The little brat was surprisingly assertive. There was something about him that made one flinch.

　　"W-Well, if you insist, I suppose it can’t be helped."

　　Raymond reluctantly dismissed the women. They left with disappointed pouts, throwing flirtatious glances at Simon on their way out. He could never get used to this kind of adult culture.

　　"Now, it’s gotten quite late," Raymond tried again. "If you wish to speak about the request, we can continue tomorrow…"

　　"No," Simon cut him off. "We need to do it right now."

　　Raymond forced a smile. Since his guest was playing hardball, he could no longer afford to be gentle. This was his last move. "Come in."

　　At his signal, another door opened. A butler in formal attire bowed deeply and placed a box before Simon. It contained the 50 Gold request fee, along with an assortment of jewels.

　　"The payment for the request. I apologize for the delay, but the case has been resolved. Please rest at the castle, then collect your payment and return to your school."

　　"That’s a little different from what I’ve learned," Simon said gently. "I bought information from the Thieves’ Guild. I understand another incident occurred just this morning."

　　Raymond ground his teeth. Those damn bastards! Useless as always!

　　"I can’t accept payment without completing the request. I’d rather not deal with an audit from Kizen later."

　　"Hahaha! I can take care of that so there won’t be any problems…!"

　　"Tell me about the request."

　　"Just," Raymond’s expression turned ice-cold, "stay put when I tell you to."

　　"You’re just a first-year. You think because you’re from Kizen you can mess with me, a count and a lord? Back off while I’m being nice. I’m offering you the payment, so why are you being so difficult?"

　　So he finally shows his true colors, Simon thought with a grin. "First persuasion, now threats. You’re playing rough, my lord."

　　"You seem a bit agitated. I’ll come back early tomorrow morning. We can talk then." Simon slowly rose, the corners of his mouth lifting. Now, take the bait.

　　And just as he predicted, Raymond slammed his hand on the armrest. "I! Told you! To stay! Here!"

　　Doors flew open, and more than ten armed soldiers stormed into the room. Instantly surrounded, Simon showed no hint of concern.

　　"So it comes down to force," he mused, pulling an imaginary lever with a leisurely gesture. "Then I suppose I must respond in kind."

　　A Subspace portal ripped open on the floor, and from it leaped skeletons, blue flames swirling in their empty eye sockets.

　　"U-Undead!"

　　"It’s undead!"

　　In an instant, more than ten Legionized skeletons faced the guards, their bones clattering ominously. The guards’ expressions hardened. Every citizen of the continent harbored a deep-seated fear of necromancers and their creations—a terror instilled through education, history, and indoctrination that was not easily shaken.

　　H-How many of them are there? one soldier thought, his hands trembling.

　　Raymond’s pupils quaked. He’d heard a necromancer’s power was measured by the number of their summons. A first-year who could control a whole squad? He was no ordinary student. No, his claim of being a first-year must have been a lie.

　　Bwahahahahahahaha!

　　Pier threw off his helmet, revealing a skull with the same swirling blue fire in its eyes.

　　"Ugh!"

　　"H-He wasn’t human?"

　　[Good! Very good!] Pier’s jaw opened monstrously wide. [Looks like our family will grow quite a bit today!]

　　Fear spread like a plague, and the soldiers’ legs began to tremble.

　　"Now," Simon said, walking forward with slow, deliberate steps. The terrified Raymond unconsciously backed away as Simon took his seat on the lord’s throne, a faint smile playing on his lips.

　　"Shall we continue?"

　　The dead howled, craving blood.

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