Chapter 49
Simon and Ellen walked along the forest path, chatting about this and that.
During this time, Simon was able to learn various things about Ellen.
Back when she attended Efnelle, she was the type who went all-in solely on the ‘firepower’ of holiness. But her ability to respond to anything outside of firepower was seriously lacking, and most of all, she couldn't use even the most basic recovery magic, which led to her expulsion. That was a pretty serious disqualification for a priest.
When Simon asked why she was working so desperately to earn money, it turned out she had lost her parents and was raising her younger siblings on her own. Simon got to see a new side of Ellen.
“U-Um, Sir Simon.”
Simon smiled gently.
“Just call me Simon.”
“Ah, yes! Simon.”
Ellen was feeling an inexplicable fondness toward this boy.
Back at Efnelle, she had learned that necromancers were all horrific, grotesque monsters.
But this boy was different. In truth, necromancers were still human, and he had a warm heart.
“But, um, so…”
“Hehe. We’ve gotten a bit closer now, and we’ve formed an alliance, and it’s not like I’m strong enough to do anything to you two…”
She glanced up cautiously and subtly extended her hands, which were tied with rope.
“So, could you… maybe untie these now?”
Simon didn’t answer, still smiling as gently as ever. Sweat beaded on Ellen’s forehead.
‘Ah, so that’s a no.’
[Khuhuhu! You’ve finally lost it, huh!]
From within the helmet, Feer glared with wide eyes.
[See what I mean, boy? Treating a prisoner kindly only makes them forget their place and act up! Just chop off a couple fingers and she’ll quiet down in no time—]
“Eek! I-I’m sorry! I don’t know what I was thinking!”
She quickly flattened herself to the ground, and Simon stopped her.
“It’s fine, Ellen. Feer, that’s enough.”
Feer lowered the greatsword, and Ellen blushed. He really did seem endlessly kind, but also had a firm and clear side to him.
Before long, they arrived at the manor.
As planned, Ellen hid under Feer’s robe, and Simon and Feer approached the castle gate.
“Halt! Who goes there?!”
The guards stationed at the gate raised their voices, spears at the ready. Simon raised both arms and spoke.
“We’ve come on the lord’s request. I’d like to speak with him directly, right away.”
“…What?”
“Did you get shot in the head with an arrow? At this hour, with the lord?”
Simon nodded.
“Yep. It’s urgent, so I must meet him immediately.”
The guards scoffed in disbelief.
“I swear, we get all kinds of lunatic bastards.”
“You think the lord’s someone you can just walk up and talk to? Get lost before we make you.”
“Nah, this bastard’s suspicious. Just tie him to a post until sunrise.”
One of the guards nodded and pulled a rope from his waist. Still smiling, Simon said,
“You’ll regret this.”
“Cocky little brat… Who the hell are you? State your identity.”
“I’m from Keyzen.”
Freeze.
The two guards stiffened.
“Puhahahaha! Bullshit! This bastard’s a real nutcase!”
“If you’re from Keyzen, then I’m Neftis, you lunatic!”
They started moving in to restrain Simon. He calmly extended his arms as if to say, “Go ahead, tie me.”
“What’s the commotion?”
Just then, the head guard appeared from a side door. The soldiers jumped and saluted.
“S-Sir! We were just about to apprehend this suspicious individual who demanded to see the lord!”
“Suspicious individual?”
“Yes sir, he just claimed to be from Keyzen, out of nowhere…”
The head guard’s face turned pale.
‘K-Keyzen…?’
The mysterious disappearances happening in the territory.
With an important event coming up, the lord wanted to hide any disturbances and had secretly requested Keyzen for assistance. Only the lord’s closest aides knew about it.
But after three months with no response, the lord had given up hope in Keyzen.
‘…And now someone actually came?’
The head guard carefully examined Simon.
Sharp eyes, composed demeanor, and a tall armored man accompanying him as a bodyguard.
‘It’s real.’
A chill ran through his whole body.
This boy really was from Keyzen.
“…Bow.”
“Eh? What?”
“Put your damn heads on the ground, you fools!”
The head guard shouted.
The soldiers immediately dropped their weapons and knelt with their foreheads to the ground, hands behind their backs.
As the mood abruptly changed, Simon scratched his temple. The head guard approached, sword in hand.
[What’s this now?]
Feer grabbed his greatsword’s hilt, but Simon raised an arm to stop him. The head guard stood before Simon, stuck his sword into the ground, and knelt on one knee.
“The failure in my men’s discipline is entirely my fault. I offer my life in apology.”
He then presented his neck, as if ready to be executed. The surrounding guards let out cries of panic.
‘…Jeez, this is awkward.’
Simon chuckled bitterly to himself. Even if he was from Keyzen, wasn’t this a bit much?
Besides, he was only a first-year. Who knew when he’d even get to return home? If he got expelled from Keyzen, he’d just go back to being a normal person. He didn’t think he had the authority to arbitrarily decide someone’s life or death.
“Enough. Please stand up.”
The head guard rose with a stiff face.
“The disturbance at this late hour is my fault. The guards were just doing their jobs, so please don’t scold them too harshly. Ah, you two may rise as well.”
The sweating guards sprang up and stood at attention, their discipline sharpened to a razor’s edge.
Simon turned back to the head guard.
“May I see the lord? I have something urgent to discuss regarding the assignment.”
“Of course. Right this way.”
[Hehehehehe!]
Simon followed the head guard, while Feer mockingly sneered at the guards. They didn’t even dare raise their heads.
‘…Is this for real?’
‘Why would someone from Keyzen be in a backwater like this?’
As dawn approached, the manor was in chaos over the sudden visit from a representative of Keyzen.
While Simon waited in a spacious reception room, he was treated with the utmost hospitality. Warm bread and food, tea and wine were served. Even maids brought buckets of water to wash his feet, though Simon declined, feeling it was too much.
A little later—
“My, my, what an honor it is to meet you!”
A middle-aged man with a short stature and a potbelly came in with a broad smile. His face was puffy, likely just woken from sleep.
“I am Count Raymond, Lord of the Arnish Fiefdom!”
“Simon Follentia, first-year student from Keyzen.”
The two shook hands lightly and took their seats.
“You must’ve had a long and arduous journey! You came all this way because of my request?”
“Yes.”
“Hoho! I don’t even know how to repay this kindness… You must be exhausted from your travels! Let’s forget about business for now, please rest and enjoy your stay. I will ensure you are treated with the utmost care!”
“There wasn’t much of a journey.”
Simon leaned deeply against the backrest.
“We came by teleportation circle.”
“Ahh…! I-I see! As expected of Keyzen! Haha! H-Here, have a drink! This is a top-grade vintage made from the grapes of this land!”
Raymond popped open the cork of the wine bottle.
At a glance, the sharp scent of strong alcohol wafted out. After pouring wine into a glass, he extended his palm.
“Go on, go on.”
“Yes.”
Raymond drained his glass in one gulp. Refusing would be rude, so Simon only pretended to touch it to his lips.
Shortly after, the maids came in carrying a grand feast, including a whole roasted pig.
Simon declined, saying he had already eaten dinner, and then spoke.
“More than that, I’d like to discuss the request.”
“Ah, the request! That’s important too, but it’s nighttime, and I think what matters more is getting some rest! Life in Keyzen isn’t like school, it’s the battlefield! Hahaha!”
Raymond clapped his hands, and the side door of the reception room opened.
Simon flinched in shock. Women dressed in revealing outfits, barely covering their essentials, swarmed toward him. About five more stood behind Raymond.
“Now, take your time choosing whichever one you like. Hahaha!”
There was nowhere to rest his eyes.
Simon blushed and stared down at his knees, and Raymond smiled in triumph.
‘So what if he’s from Keyzen, he’s just a young cub whose fangs haven’t grown yet.’
He might be easier to manipulate than expected.
Raymond gave a signal, and the women behind him wrapped themselves around Simon’s shoulders and arms. Two others knelt at his sides and began pouring drinks into golden goblets.
“…My lord.”
“Hahaha! Yes? Which one catches your eye?”
“I’m still a minor, and I’m a bit uncomfortable with this kind of setting.”
He looked embarrassed, but the strength and conviction in his voice were unmistakable.
“I have something important to discuss with you, one-on-one. Could you ask the others to leave?”
Raymond locked eyes with Simon and swallowed hard.
For such a small kid, he had a surprising force about him. Something that made others freeze up.
“…I-I suppose if that’s what you want, I can’t refuse.”
Reluctantly, Raymond dismissed the women. They left with disappointed expressions, throwing glances and winks at Simon as they walked away.
Simon was thinking how he could never get used to this kind of adult culture.
“Well, it’s getting late. If it’s about the request, perhaps we can talk again tomorrow…”
“No, it needs to be discussed right now.”
“…”
Raymond forced a smile.
Since the other side was being firm, it looked like things couldn’t be smoothed over anymore.
Time for his final move.
“Bring it in.”
At Raymond’s signal, another door opened. A butler in formal uniform bowed deeply and placed a box in front of Simon.
Inside were fifty gold coins for the request, along with various gemstones.
“This is the payment. I apologize for not saying it sooner, but the case has already been resolved. Please, enjoy your stay in the manor and return to school after collecting your payment.”
“What I found seems to tell a different story.”
Simon replied gently.
“I purchased information from the Thieves’ Guild. I heard another incident occurred just this morning.”
Raymond ground his teeth.
‘…Those damned bastards! Useless as always!’
“I can’t accept payment for an unfinished request. I’d rather not deal with the hassle of an audit from Keyzen later.”
“Hahaha! I’ll make sure there’s no trouble on my end…!”
“Tell me about the request.”
“Just shut it.”
Raymond’s face turned cold.
“If I say stay put, then stay put.”
“…”
“No matter how great Keyzen is, you’re still just a first-year brat. You think you can push around me, a Count and a Lord? I’m even offering to pay you, so why are you being so damn picky?”
So he finally showed his true colors.
Simon smirked.
“First a bribe, now threats. You're really turning up the heat, Lord Raymond.”
“…”
“You seem overly agitated. I’ll return early in the morning, let’s talk again then.”
Simon slowly stood from his seat, lips curling upward.
‘Come on, take the bait.’
And just as Simon expected, Raymond slammed the armrest.
“I said! Stay! Right there!”
Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
Doors burst open all around as more than ten armed soldiers stormed into the room.
In an instant, Simon was surrounded, but there wasn’t a trace of fear on his face.
“So it comes down to brute force.”
Simon casually reached out and pulled an imaginary lever.
“Then I can’t just sit still either.”
Fwoooosh!
The floor of the manor split open as a subspace portal ripped through reality, and skeletons with blue flames whirling in their eye sockets burst forth.
“U-U-Undead!”
“They’re undead!”
Over ten skeletons moved in unison, rattling and clanking as they faced off against the guards.
The guards' expressions froze.
Anyone from the continent harbored a deep-rooted fear of undead and necromancers. That fear, nurtured through education, history, and indoctrination, was not easily cast aside.
‘H-How many are there?’
Raymond’s pupils were also trembling.
He had heard that a necromancer’s power was measured by the number of summons they could control.
And this one could command a small unit's worth, while claiming to be a first-year!
This was no ordinary kid. No, calling himself a first-year must’ve been a lie.
[Kahahahahahaha!]
Feer tore off his helmet and hurled it aside. A skeletal head, with blue flames swirling in its eye sockets, was revealed.
“Ugh!”
“H-He’s not even human?!”
[Excellent! Just perfect! Looks like we’re getting a lot of new family members tonight!]
Creeeaaak!
Feer’s mouth opened wide like a monster’s. Fear spread like a plague, and the soldiers’ legs began to tremble.
“Now then.”
Simon walked forward at a slow pace.
The terrified Raymond instinctively backed away, while Simon took the lord’s seat and sat down with a smile.
“Shall we continue?”
The dead wailed, thirsting for blood.
Superb.