The Necromancer Who Was Despised - The Necromancer Who Was Despised chapter 290

However, he said that it wouldn’t be an overwhelming amount, considering that even the empire would find it difficult, and that it was a secret that hadn’t been leaked to other countries.

If it were easy to create such a powerful artifact, they would have already conquered the continent, and the scale of research would be limited since it was thoroughly hidden.

Even the empire, a large organization, couldn’t help but be known to other countries.

“Achieving such a result and calling it insurance…”.

“That means they had confidence in their original plan. And it’s true that their side is more certain.”

If I hadn’t been there, the Daechi Mogyo would have eventually revived, and if that had happened, the six kingdoms would have had to fight against the empire with internal enemies.

Moreover, the empire had originally taken control of the neutral zone.

The war with the Allied Species Union was also at an advantageous point…

“It’s certain that our side is more reliable.”

It might have taken some time, but we could have eventually swallowed up the entire continent.

Of course, they didn’t know about the black star of the Daesu Forest or the red ogres, so it’s unclear whether the empire’s intentions would have been fulfilled in the end.

“Does that mean that even the insurance was prepared because of me?”

The original plan had been ruined, so they were using insurance and trying to come up with a different strategy.

“If it becomes like this…”.

“We can’t give them an opening.”

“Right.”

Tinus also agreed with my opinion.

We had slowly been applying pressure, and it seemed that they had prepared a very deadly countermeasure, one that they themselves didn’t know about, but was very critical from our perspective.

However, there was no immediate way to deal with it.

If we occupied Malicos or Maladin, we could immediately attack the empire’s homeland.

These two kingdoms were, in a broad sense, countries bordering the empire to the south, and by occupying them, we could put pressure on the empire.

However, attacking the empire from the south was too reckless.

I clearly had overwhelming military power, but that didn’t mean I could take on the empire alone.

The empire had an unimaginable level of firepower, with a stronghold that covered their entire territory. We might have had an initial advantage, but it wouldn’t last forever.

The combined forces of the six kingdoms, including the Ashulin Kingdom, still existed, but their military power was unreliable.

Moreover, we had to stabilize two kingdoms we had already occupied, and it was impossible to drag them into the war.

If we didn’t stabilize them and forced them to fight, it would render the occupation of the two kingdoms meaningless.

“It’s going to be tough to supply them, anyway.”

I had my own kingdom, with a vast territory and remaining rebels. Stabilizing the occupied territories meant eliminating those rebels as well.

Without this process, the war itself would be difficult to execute.

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Furthermore, by now, the treasuries of the six kingdoms were almost empty.

They were exhausted.

Given the situation, it was better to stabilize the two kingdoms and defend our borders.

At most, we could assign some elite soldiers to help.

“It’s possible to stabilize them even if we take some out.”

Do we really need to use elite soldiers to deal with the remaining rebels?

It would be better to use them against the empire.

I didn’t know if the other side would easily agree, but if we made a strong request, they would have no choice.

The empire was extremely dangerous, as seen from the fact that they could summon angels.

Now was our chance, and we couldn’t deny it.

“Let’s take the Malicos Kingdom’s assault team and join the interspecies alliance.”

My companions nodded in agreement.

That was the most certain course of action.

Unlike the six kingdoms, the interspecies alliance had demonstrated sufficient military power and determination, and they would definitely listen to us.

Especially in terms of military power, they had shown an unmatched level of strength, having destroyed the empire’s main force and the Malicos Kingdom.

Of course, the six kingdoms had once been defeated by the empire’s main force and had lost morale, but it was undeniable that they were no match.

If we were to join the interspecies alliance, led by Regent Adias, we would have completely occupied the neutral zone by now.

We would have stabilized the occupied territories, which was a significant advantage.

“Of course, the empire would have thoroughly defended themselves.”

Initially, the neutral zone was just a front line. The interspecies alliance was also aware of this, so they would have prepared for the future.

The battle itself was worth trying.

“It’s much better than climbing up from the south.”

From the empire’s perspective, joining the western front, which was the interspecies alliance’s line of defense, was the best choice.

Luckily, the neutral zone wasn’t too far from here.

In the past, we would have had to go through the Monster’s Forest to reach the neutral zone, passing through Supeltran or Ashulin, but now we could reach it through Malatin.

Although the territory wasn’t vast, Malatin was one of the countries adjacent to the neutral zone.

Excluding the interspecies alliance and the Holy Empire, Malatin was the only neighboring kingdom, and naturally, its national power was no match for the interspecies alliance. In the end, the empire was in charge of managing it.

But I could handle that much on my own.

The empire was also aware of this, and if they knew that the support troops they had sent to Malatin had been defeated, they would likely withdraw their forces.

If the information was delayed or they didn’t withdraw…

“We’d be dead.”

There’s no reason to watch over them, not even one.

“No way. If they can maintain that level, they’re practically elites, aren’t they?”

The Empire’s elites had been greatly reduced due to the annihilation of the main force and the loss of the neutral zone.

Especially since the main force was almost entirely composed of elites, the Empire’s military scale was not large compared to its overall size.

In this world, it’s not uncommon for one person to take on ten, so it’s not surprising that a small number can overpower a larger one.

“It’s just hard to cultivate such individuals.”

Especially as the scale grows, supply becomes difficult, and their goals require a longer expedition distance, so it’s not unusual to send elites as the main force.

But that main force was annihilated.

The same applies to the neutral zone. The interspecies alliance is comprised of species with superior physical abilities compared to humans.

Therefore, the Empire had no choice but to send elites to the neutral zone as well, and since they were annihilated, the Empire suffered immense damage.

Given this situation, it’s only natural to take out insurance and seek help from the 2 kingdoms.

In reality, except for the crown, necklace, and sacred artifacts that can summon angels, the support troops were barely adequate.

According to the information Kaila obtained while taking revenge, the Achinid soldiers who came to support Malicros were the ones who managed the fishing village.

Those who came to support Maradin were almost the same, and although the priests were somewhat useful, they were brought along to be used after the 2 kingdoms’ territories were restored.

From the Empire’s perspective, where elites are scarce, even the troops guarding the neutral zone adjacent to Maradin are precious.

It was a pity to let them go.

“If we think ahead and secure the path… it’s not bad.”

We can send someone separately to Malicros.

The best option is…

“How about Atina?”

She’s the fastest. She can accurately convey my intentions and…

She’s often played the role of a messenger, so…

Moreover, as a Master, she can go alone without worrying.

Tinu agreed with my thoughts, and Atina frowned.

“Alone?”

“Please do it for me.”

“Ah, I don’t want to be separated…,” but she knew that moving alone was the most efficient, so she reluctantly accepted.

Her expression suggested she would return as soon as possible.

“When she returns… it won’t be as I wish.”

Since she’s not moving alone, there are limits.

She chose to depart immediately, saying she would return in a day.

After a brief farewell, she kissed my cheek and rode the ghost horse, heading towards Malicros.

“What about Ashulin’s side?”

“I’ll let them know. We’ll have to start reoccupying again.”

But if we do that, the news will reach the Empire faster.

I didn’t intend to allow that.

So I chose to advance towards the neutral zone first.

And that was the correct choice.

When we arrived at the neutral zone, the Imperial Army was preparing to retreat.

“Und, undead! Necromancer! The Demon King has appeared!”

Demon King.

It seemed that the Imperial side had been calling me that.

As the one who had killed the real Demon King and sent him back to the Demon Realm, it was a title that felt somewhat awkward.

“‘You’re going to destroy the 2nd Kingdom as well…’.”

It seemed that, in their eyes, I was just like the real Demon King.

It was possible that the Imperial side had given me that name simply to make me more detested and feared.

However, because they were in the midst of retreating, the Imperial defense was not very solid.

Even if they had been fully prepared to fight, they wouldn’t have been able to stop me in such a chaotic situation.

Still, the elite troops chose to fight to the end, but the outcome didn’t change.

The castle walls collapsed, and the path to the neutral zone was opened. Naturally, there were no survivors.

It seemed that the joint forces of the Elf and Dragonian, who had been waiting beyond the castle walls, had been waiting for us.

◈ Empire

The number of Elves and Dragonians wasn’t that great.

However, judging from the signs I sensed from afar, it was clear that they had also been planning to attack this place.

It was a story that would have ended with this place being destroyed anyway, even if I hadn’t been involved.

I just happened to be a bit faster.

It seemed that they had been worried that I would attack this place first and interfere with their plans, so they didn’t send their main forces.

And that thinking was correct.

The Dragonian and Elf, who introduced themselves as members of the Council of Elders and the Union’s guardians, said that they had deliberately kept their main forces at a distance so that we wouldn’t pay attention to them, and had been waiting alone to make contact with us.

“I am Aounteld, a member of the Council of Elders. It’s an infinite honor to meet the Dragon’s contractor.”

“I am Uroiuse, a member of the Union’s guardians.”

The aged Dragonian with a gentle expression and polite demeanor, and the pure-blood Elf with an awkward and stiff posture.

Although we had met different members of the World Tree’s guardians before, our encounter with the Elves themselves hadn’t been very pleasant, so it wasn’t exactly a warm reunion.

“Ah, the Union’s guardians are heavily influenced by the World Tree’s guardians, aren’t they?”

Then I should be even more cautious.

Aounteld, who had noticed my gaze, glanced at Uroiuse, and I saw Uroiuse flinch slightly.

Aounteld looked at me with an apologetic expression.

“I’ve heard that you don’t get along with the Elves, but it seems to be even more severe than I expected. If you’re uncomfortable, I apologize.”

“…No, it’s fine. I didn’t have any direct conflicts with the Elves.”

When I thought back to my encounter with Uscati, there was a bit of awkwardness, but I hadn’t directly clashed with them.

At least, I hadn’t directly killed anyone.

However, what I had heard and experienced so far had a significant impact.

“I appreciate your understanding. The Elves are a considerable force within the Union…”.

Even if they didn’t get along with me, it wouldn’t be easy to defeat them.

Unless Tinos directly spoke out, it would be difficult.

No, to be honest, even if Tinos spoke out, it seemed like they would try to persuade me.

It was inevitable. Even though the empire had suffered significant losses, it was not a group to be underestimated. In such a situation, it would be foolish to provoke El’f, a powerful force.

‘Initially, it’s unlikely that Tinus would make such demands.’

El’f had committed atrocities against Dark El’f, and Tinus, who had formed a closer relationship with Dark El’f than El’f, had an essential goal of protecting the continent.

Currently, the power of El’f was necessary to defeat the empire, which posed the greatest threat to the continent. Moreover, they had acknowledged the past achievements of Orc, and it was impossible to ignore El’f’s contributions to blocking the empire’s ambitions.

Although El’f had committed wrongdoings, it was impossible to completely eliminate them, considering their achievements.

‘Really, it’s impossible unless they commit a huge betrayal.’

Therefore, it was unavoidable to tolerate them, even if it was uncomfortable.

However, the Dragonians must have known my thoughts.

“We have prepared a separate meeting. Currently, we have confirmed that the fundamental reason for the poor relationship between the contractor and the El’f tribe is due to El’f’s past mistakes.”

That was the biggest obstacle.

I had Dark El’f who were victims of El’f’s actions under my command, making it difficult to form a good relationship with El’f.

El’f was also aware of this fact, and even though they had been abandoned in the past, they knew it was impossible to abandon themselves completely.

However, the situation had changed slightly.

Tinus had received recognition from the Dragonians.

It was strange that Tinus, a dragon, had received recognition from the Dragonians, but that was the current situation.

It was impossible for the El’f, who held a significant position within the alliance, to be unaware of this situation, and it seemed to have shaken their confidence.

No matter how great the El’f’s position was within the alliance, it was still below that of the Dragonians.

The Dragonians were the main founders of the alliance and held a position equivalent to a royal family.

Even if the El’f were the next most powerful tribe after the Dragonians, they couldn’t directly oppose them, and they had even gained an advantageous position in the war against the empire.

Currently, the El’f might be necessary. But what about after the war?

The El’f weren’t receiving any direct disadvantages because their power was necessary for the war.

In other words, they couldn’t escape from the war, and in such a situation, if they prioritized preserving their power, they would be the first to face backlash, no matter how necessary they were.