The Necromancer Who Was Despised - The Necromancer Who Was Despised chapter 132
The royal family’s power will grow stronger, and their position within the 6 Kingdom Alliance will rise significantly.
There was no need to create a situation that would make us enemies.
“I don’t want to do any more annoying things.”
I could just take the rewards without having to go through the trouble.
It’s beneficial for me in both the short and long term.
“You’re giving us this much, so even if we ask for more, the royal family won’t think badly of us or our colleagues.”
“I believe you’ll do well even if I don’t ask for anything.”
“…You’re asking for the most difficult thing.”
“Honestly, if you just fulfill my conditions sincerely, that’s enough.”
The reason I didn’t ask for more, excluding our relationship with the royal family, is that, to be honest, the royal family has been relatively fair so far, but with a deal of this scale, I couldn’t predict how it would turn out.
In the past, the high-ranking people I’ve met were all just trying to benefit themselves, so…
“It’s still beneficial for us, and our goals have been aligned so far, so we can give you what you want… but this deal is too big.”
Who knows?
Besides, there’s a possibility that the Spelteran royal family might be hiding something. And even if they’re lacking a bit, it’s still a huge benefit for me right now.
“Alright. I’ll take care of it for now. Ah.”
Griant seemed to have thought of something.
“If there’s something we need from the relic, could you give us priority purchasing rights? Maybe there will be a holy artifact or…”
It’s certain that if a holy artifact comes out, it’ll be hard for me to get it.
From their perspective, wanting the revival of the Daizemo Academy, a holy artifact is essential.
This was something I had to give up on.
“I’ll report this to the king and get a confirmation. And… thank you for making Spelteran our safe haven.”
As a black magician, I didn’t expect to hear such words, so my response was slow.
“…No need to say more.”
It seemed like I was fitting in well with this kingdom.
I didn’t have to worry much about being a black magician.
After that, a busy period began.
Griant neatly wrapped up the conversation with the royal family according to his plan.
Everything I asked for was fulfilled, and I received a response that there would be additional rewards from the royal family depending on the outcome.
At the same time, the king himself sent a separate message, saying he wouldn’t forget this favor.
When I asked if he knew I was a black magician and a necromancer, he said he did, of course.
As expected, or rather, it was a greater success than expected, since the king himself remembered me and sent a separate message.
With the royal family’s position solidified, Griant went to meet the Duke of Dolarem with me and Colmail, just as he had said earlier.
He had received prior notice, and his attitude was extremely cautious.
“This is our first meeting. I am Griang, affiliated with the Royal Information Bureau. I have come on behalf of the royal family.”
Despite not revealing his surname due to his affiliation with the Information Bureau, Griang’s words implied that he had come on behalf of the royal family, which made Doriarem’s attitude even more cautious.
Griang then introduced me.
“You are the one the royal family has been keeping an eye on.”
“I am Do-in-ha, a black magician.”
“…I’ve heard stories about you from Colmail. I didn’t know you were the one the royal family was keeping an eye on. I thought it was strange that Colmail vouched for you so quickly, but now I understand.”
Because of the royal family’s attention, he couldn’t help but be cautious around me.
“Indeed, power is the greatest.”
If he were a high-ranking noble with immense power and authority, he wouldn’t have been so cautious around me, even if the royal family was keeping an eye on him.
Griang seemed to have judged that Doriarem was quite tense, so he didn’t dive into the main topic right away.
Instead, he lightly praised Doriarem’s governance, using the experiences he had gathered during his stay in Doriarem as material, and even complimented him on his reputation in the capital.
“This is excessive praise.”
“However, there is a concerning issue recently.”
Doriarem’s expression, which had momentarily brightened, turned serious again.
It seemed he had realized that the main topic was about to be discussed.
“…I’ve heard the story. It’s about the disturbance caused by the Jutters.”
The source of the information was undoubtedly Colmail. Since he had contacted us beforehand, it would take too long to explain everything from the beginning.
It was fine to reveal it, and Colmail had already informed Doriarem about the necessary parts.
“We are taking measures against it. The Perseus Mercenary Group has been disbanded, and the Moses Company is under full arrest. We plan to identify and execute all mercenaries who were involved with Perseus.”
It didn’t matter if the mercenaries moved to another branch of the mercenary guild.
However, if they were absorbed into another guild branch and threatened the existing guild branch and its territory, the situation would be different.
The ruler of the territory was the lord, and I naturally had the authority to do so.
“A wise decision.”
Griang smiled, seemingly pleased with his measures.
“But do you plan to stop here?”
The disturbance caused by the Jutters was ongoing, and there were many obstacles to taking direct revenge.
Doriarem’s expansion had raised the alertness of neighboring lords, and as a result, Doriarem was somewhat isolated.
Moreover, this incident was close to being a problem between mercenary guild branches. If they used this as an excuse to blame Jutters, the neighboring territories would unite to suppress Doriarem’s ambitions.
Doriarem was well aware of this reality, but he couldn’t just let it go, which was why he wanted to severely punish Perseus and Moses.
Griang, as a member of the Royal Information Bureau, was unlikely to be unaware of this fact, which made Doriarem’s expression even more complex.
“I would like to make Jutters pay a hundredfold, but reality is not so kind.”
“Doriarem has not yet made contact with any high-ranking noble families, correct?”
Griang’s sudden words made Doriarem hesitate before nodding.
“That’s correct. At least, not yet.”
It seemed there were some nobles who had approached him.
“So, what do you say? This is an opportunity to take the royal family’s hand.”
Doriarem replied with a slightly trembling voice.
“…Our Doriarem family has always served the royal family since the first generation.”
“Your heart, is it still unwavering, sir?”
A faint, uncontrollable joy appeared on the face of Doriarem, the lord.
Although it was just a minor position, the fact that they had grasped the royal family’s line was enough to bring happiness.
Moreover, it wasn’t as if they had obtained it through another noble family, but rather through the royal family’s information department, which made it even more gratifying.
“The unwavering loyalty of the Doriarem family will surely bring joy to His Majesty.”
“This is unparalleled honor.”
It wasn’t often that he extended his hand, but once he did, it was impossible to refuse.
The royal faction wasn’t a minority, and in fact, it was the most powerful force.
As such, incorporating them wasn’t particularly difficult.
“The only thing needed is to prove that loyalty.”
It was only natural. Why would the royal family support a mere lord without any reason?
Even if the Doriarem family was superior to an ordinary lord, there were many high-ranking nobles who wanted to get closer to the royal family.
So, the lord, who had been overjoyed, soon returned to his calm demeanor, realizing that it was only natural.
“What does the royal family want from our family?”
“I think a slightly longer story is needed to explain that.”
As he showed an enthusiastic attitude, Griant began to tell the detailed story.
During the process, the stories of me and Anelis were mentioned, and the lord’s expression changed to one of considerable surprise, as if he didn’t expect the connection to the interspecies alliance.
And when the stories of the Earth Church and the Goddess Church came out, his expression completely froze.
“The royal family has come to the conclusion that the Jutes side has formed an alliance with the Goddess Church.”
It seemed like he had investigated separately after hearing my words.
However, it was too risky to publicly point fingers.
So, just as the other side had used Jutes, it seemed like they would use Doriarem to keep them in check.
“…It means to show that even if you hold the Goddess Church’s hand, you can’t do as you please.”
“If that’s all, there would be no reason to incorporate the Doriarem family. We have more than that; we plan to choose this Doriarem territory as one of the places where the Earth Church will take root early on.”
The risk was enormous.
This was a proposal that couldn’t even be mentioned in high-ranking noble families.
The risk was too great.
It was a statement that could be made to a family like Doriarem, which had many things to lose.
“…I’m not sure if we can handle it.”
“You will have the royal family’s full support. Although it’s limited to providing a slight justification in public, we will provide the best support in secret. It will start with Doriarem, but later, several families will join as well.”
Griant’s proposal didn’t end there.
“If everything goes successfully, His Majesty may even formally invite the lord to the capital.”
At those words, the lord’s expression became even more solemn.
In fact, the answer was already decided.
Now that they had said they would be loyal to the royal family and that their heart wouldn’t change, it would be impossible to refuse the royal family’s proposal, which would benefit the 6-kingdom alliance…
‘The royal family would be disappointed, and the lord’s family would lose its honor.’
As a noble who had to prioritize honor above their life, it was impossible to utter a refusal in this situation.
“Reason and full support. I believe it. I accept your proposal.”
It was hard to think that Doriarem, known for his grand ambitions, would let this opportunity slip away.
“That’s a wise decision.”
“It’s only my gratitude towards the Emperor that I want to express. To be the vanguard of such a noble task is an honor.”
Vanguard.
Many nobles fall or rise greatly during times of war and chaos.
That’s why being the “vanguard,” one of the most honorable positions in war, is reserved for the chosen ones.
“Well, high-ranking nobles usually avoid this position.”
Instead, they become commanders and take credit for the victory.
“The vanguard” is a position that those on the brink of downfall or rising powers covet, and it’s used to make a big leap.
“It’s like being a face of the organization.”
After finishing the meeting, a small incident occurred.
I think I showed my greed, or he tried to pull me into his family.
He asked if I wanted to become his family’s official dark mage, saying that he would grant me the authority to appoint dark mages in the future.
It seemed like he was trying to win me over, as if he had heard something about me from Colmail, a person of interest to the royal family.
However, this was his misconception that led to a mistake.
Although the royal family takes notice of me, I am a dark mage.
So, I thought the royal family wouldn’t officially employ me, and he seemed to be trying to take advantage of that.
Perhaps he also thought that the royal family saw me as a chess piece and that his actions would be beneficial to them.
That’s why he spoke so boldly in a public setting.
It’s not an unusual thought. It’s a normal thought for people in this world. After all, there’s an image associated with being a dark mage.
However, he had received a significant amount of information about this incident, but it was unclear how much of a central role I played.
It seemed like he only knew that I had coincidentally intervened and influenced the outcome, and the royal family was still unsure how to deal with me.
This was the result of one of my conditions being met: “You will conceal and protect our identities regarding this matter.”
So, it was a bit pitiful for him to be blamed.
“That person already has a designated position.”
I was about to respond when Gririan intervened.
“So, I’d like to withdraw that proposal.”
I didn’t expect Gririan to directly intervene and block the proposal, and Doirem’s expression turned to one of surprise.
However, the response was quick.
“…I see. I apologize for the mistake.”
His gaze towards me changed again.
It seemed like he realized that the royal family valued me more than he thought.
“As an apology, I’d like to formally invite you in the future. Will you accept?”
I knew that this invitation was difficult to achieve, so I readily accepted.
“Thank you for understanding the royal family’s position.”
“No, it was my mistake. I just hope the royal family won’t be displeased.”
With that, our meeting ended, and the situation in the territory changed.
The Doirem mercenary branch publicly announced the betrayal of the Perseus mercenary unit and the Moses commerce guild, and began a large-scale investigation targeting mercenaries.
The mercenaries seemed unhappy with the branch’s actions, but they couldn’t oppose it.
Of course, we weren’t on the list of suspects, so we could move freely.
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However, there was no time to rest.
Surprisingly, many mercenaries were undergoing multiple investigations, and requests were pouring in. Given the nature of the Doirem branch, which usually received many requests, we had to handle a significant number of high-priority requests.
Colmail’s desperate request was hard to refuse, especially since we were in the same boat.
This tight schedule was finally coming to an end thanks to Griang, but a new specified request had arrived.
Colmail was disappointed, but my party welcomed the new request with open arms.
“I thought I was going to die from exhaustion.”
“…I understand this time. We didn’t even have time to take a proper break. You guys did great.”