Chapter 361
Simon heard the news that Magnus’ Legion was preparing a vicious plan when he arrived at Pentamonium.
— What about the wine?
— We’re on a mission right now, so forget it, I’ll get straight to the point.
That was yesterday, when Kajan had called him up to the roof of their lodgings under the full moon.
— I have something to report about the mission.
What Kajan told him was rather shocking.
It was about Magnus’ Roke Island Infiltration Incident that had happened a few months ago.
Even though it had been just a clone, the fact that Magnus had entered Roke Island was a huge issue. Without a traitor in their ranks, such an infiltration would have been impossible.
In response, Lady Neftis had formed a special investigation unit, and in the process of questioning the Crow named “Evangelos”, who had been on duty at the time, they discovered suspicion that he was colluding with Magnus.
However, Neftis did not arrest him immediately, instead placing a curse on him so that he would not notice, and decided to wait until they had irrefutable proof.
The curse was set so that whenever Evangelos spoke the name “Magnus”, a signal would be sent to headquarters.
Over time, they found that Evangelos had said “Magnus” several times after being dispatched to Pentamonium.
Two of Neftis’ closest Crows immediately came over and restrained him, placing a mental curse to make him divulge information, but during the process, his brain burned out. Evangelos had been formidable enough to place a death curse upon himself that would trigger whenever certain keywords were spoken.
— Because Evangelos died too early, the only information the Crows managed to obtain was two things.
Kajan held up two fingers toward Simon.
— First, an Ancient Undead of Magnus’ Legion is here in Pentamonium, and second.
That second finger pointed at Simon.
— Tomorrow, they will carry out a plan to capture you.
Evangelos had set everything up to happen right on schedule before he died. Because they didn’t know the specifics of the plan, they couldn’t stop it in advance.
So the Crows passed on what little information they had to Pentamonium, but Pentamonium declared they would not be shaken by such a petty kidnapping attempt, tripled security, and insisted on pressing forward with the academic conference.
— Their target is you, Simon, the Crows have advised that you return to Roke Island immediately, pack your things right now…
— No.
Simon shook his head and met Kajan’s eyes.
— This is both a crisis and an opportunity, I’ll be the bait.
Whether Simon stayed or not, the plan would still be executed in Pentamonium.
And the Ancient Undead tasked with carrying out the kidnapping did not yet know about the death of his collaborator, Evangelos.
Based on these two facts, Simon made a bold decision.
— The idea of luring out the Ancient Undead with yourself as bait is good, but it’s too dangerous.
— Dangerous?
Simon gripped the hem of his uniform.
— Then tell me, has there ever been a time when I was safe? In Roke Island, in Pentamonium, Magnus has always thrown me into danger! If I can’t escape his threat no matter where I go, then I’d rather—
Simon’s eyes shone with resolve.
— Strike back from my side.
In the end, Kajan relayed Simon’s proposal to the Crows via communication, and the Crows accepted it.
— Kajan, let me confirm again, it’s certain the Ancient Undead doesn’t know about Evangelos’ death?
— Yes, I’m sure, the autopsy showed no traces of any other curse.
— Good, then leave it to me and my Legion from here on.
Simon summoned Erzebet from subspace and had her transform into Evangelos.
They decided that “Evangelos” would act as if he were still alive, and wait for the attackers to approach first.
And the very next day, the Ancient Undead known as the “Zombie Butler” began his plan.
The Zombie Butler’s plan far exceeded everyone’s expectations. It was not a simple snatch-and-grab, but tearing a hole in Pentamonium’s barrier and flooding the city with zombies.
Thanks to the Crows’ tip-off, Pentamonium responded quickly and minimized the damage, but the Zombie Butler’s scheme was thorough.
He had multiple plans depending on Simon’s movements, and the main plan revolved around “Sasha”.
When an external attack triggered the alarm, every glass tower in Pentamonium would automatically deploy barriers. At that moment, he would direct zombies into the tower where Sasha was, wrecking the first floor, expecting that Simon would tear the barrier to rescue her.
The Zombie Butler knew exactly that Simon was the only one in this place capable of tearing through Pentamonium’s barrier, as he had broken through a Saint’s barrier here before.
And so, in a place sealed off from all external contact by the barrier, Simon and the Zombie Butler met. Soon after, Evangelos brought Sasha in, and the Zombie Butler thought everything was going perfectly according to his script — but.
[From the very start, I—]
At the most critical moment, Evangelos’ face split in half.
[Was never on your side.]
The Evangelos he had trusted implicitly was actually Erzebet in disguise. She had not “kidnapped” Sasha, she had protected her.
It was Neftis’ strategic planning, and Simon’s ingenuity in using it 200% to strike the Zombie Butler from behind, that created this victory.
Then Simon tore one of the Zombie Butler’s Eternal Magic Circles, opening a communication link to his master, Magnus.
And he said,
“Let’s do a prisoner exchange, if you want to save this guy, bring me Akemius.”
A move that could drag the 5th Legion Commander, Magnus, to the negotiating table.
Simon was determined to use this chance to reclaim his father’s undead.
[Krrgh!]
The Zombie Butler, caught in spiderwebs, twisted his body with a resentful face.
[Don’t listen, Commander! If they intend to use me as a bargaining chip, then they absolutely can’t destroy me!]
Then he turned his head.
[Forget me and kill them all!]
— Oooooooh!
— Wuaaaaaargh!
Nearly twenty White Zombies began charging.
Serne and Kajan, along with Prince and Erzebet, closed ranks around Simon, ready for battle.
[Hmph! There sure are a lot of them!]
Prince leapt to the front.
[Of course, I’m a hero, so I’m not scared at all!]
“No need to worry.”
Kajan said in a leisurely tone.
“I’ve called in the best reinforcements.”
ShaaAAAAAAA!
Even before the words had finished.
From the ceiling, torrents of seawater poured down like a waterfall.
The black seawater surged in with the force to flood the entire building, sweeping away the White Zombies in an instant. Like a black hole swallowing light, the White Zombies vanished without a trace.
“The untarnished dream of a boy is more precious than anything!”
And from within that black sea, a man with a giant’s build raised his right arm high.
“Anyone who tries to hinder that dream will never be forgiven! Mm!”
Simon beamed and shouted,
“President Phantasus!”
Keyzen’s student council president, Phantasus, snapped his fingers. The gathered seawater at the center exploded with a pop! and sent the White Zombies flying in all directions.
KWAANG!
THUD!
With overwhelming destructive power, all twenty White Zombies slammed hard into the glass walls and slid down limp. The impact had been so great that their arms, legs, and necks twisted the wrong way.
Phantasus roared with hearty laughter.
[Is that guy even human?]
Prince blurted in mild disbelief. Just then, the captured Zombie Butler showed a faint smile.
[It’s useless.]
Srrrk.
Ssshh.
Even though their bones had been crushed, their flesh smashed to pulp by the impact, the twenty fallen White Zombies were soon staggering back to their feet.
[Do not underestimate them, they will keep moving until their bodies are reduced to powder!]
Erzebet tightened her grip on the Zombie Butler, but he wore a chilling smile.
[Forget me, kill the big one first!!]
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The White Zombies charged at Phantasus, and Simon shouted urgently.
“President Phantasus! Get out of the way!”
“Mmm, it’s fine!”
He stood in place, arms crossed, utterly at ease. The leading White Zombie swung its arm toward the seemingly defenseless Phantasus, but—
Thud!
It never reached him, collapsing headfirst onto the ground before it could touch him.
Thud! Thud!
The same happened to the ones behind. The staggering steps of the approaching undead grew slower and slower until, one by one, they plopped down to the ground.
[No, no!]
Moments later, all twenty White Zombies lay sprawled in a circle around Phantasus, who stood in the middle.
[How is this possible…?! What did you do to my White Ghosts?!]
“Just,”
Phantasus grinned, holding up three fingers.
“put them to sleep!”
Everyone stared at him blankly.
The Zombie Butler, bound in spiderwebs, cried out in disbelief.
[That’s impossible! The undead have no concept of sleep!!]
“That’s true.”
Phantasus stroked his chin.
“In that case, I simply redefine ‘sleep’ for the undead as ‘lying still, ceasing all consciousness and activity’, and then make them do it.”
[!!! What nonsense—!]
“That nonsense,”
Phantasus spread both arms wide.
“is happening right now, isn’t it?”
Only then did the Zombie Butler wear an expression as if struck in the back of the head with a hammer.
A curse user who could casually chew up and rewrite not just the laws of the living, but the very principles of the dead.
This was—
“The strongest necromancer in Keyzen Academy!”
Simon’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
“Hahahahahahahaha!!”
Hearing Phantasus’ booming laughter, Simon suddenly glanced at Kajan in alarm, lowering his voice.
“K-Kajan! Is it okay for President Phantasus to know?”
“Know what?”
“…That I’m a Legion Commander.”
“Don’t worry, the president is one of Neftis’ closest aides, same as me. He’s trustworthy.”
Simon let out a sigh of relief. So that’s why these two, who seemed to have no connection, were so close.
It was then—
—Interesting.
A third voice, belonging to no one present, was heard. Simon’s head snapped around.
Crack! Crrrack!
The Zombie Butler’s forehead split open, and from the gap, a human eye protruded.
The eyeball shifted with a faint squelching sound, scanning the surroundings before fixing squarely on Simon.
—What do you think you’re doing, capturing my subordinate, Simon Follentia?
The voice flowed from the Eternal Magic Circle inscribed on the Zombie Butler’s body.
[C-Commander!]
The Zombie Butler lowered his head in shame. From the magic circle came a low, sinister laugh.
—What is this disgrace, Butler? You’re too soft for your own good, I told you to attack with the intent to annihilate Pentamonium.
[…I have no excuse.]
Simon turned his body, meeting the protruding eye of Magnus head-on.
“No need for more words, I have only one demand.”
Simon’s eyes gleamed.
“The exchange of Akemius for this one.”
—Kuhahahahahaha!
A loud, rumbling laugh burst out. Simon kept silent, patiently waiting for his answer.
—Bold, very bold.
Simon had guessed Magnus’ aim, to acquire more Ancient Undead.
And a man like that wouldn’t simply discard one of his precious Ancient Undead.
Finally, Magnus spoke.
—Name the time and place, brat.
* * *
The situation was quickly contained.
Although the barrier had been breached and outside zombies had entered, Pentamonium’s swift response minimized civilian casualties. It also helped that, true to a necromancer’s event, there were plenty of battle-capable participants.
Most importantly, the Zombie Butler’s goal from the start had not been “massacre”, but to trigger an emergency situation and force the activation of the glass tower barriers.
Unlike the typically thuggish Magnus, the Zombie Butler was the type to care about the Legion’s reputation. While he would carry out the order to kidnap Simon, he wanted to avoid turning the entire Dark Alliance into enemies during an event attended by nobles from across the kingdom.
Even Magnus himself had pointed that out.
—You’re too soft for your own good, I told you to attack with the intent to annihilate Pentamonium.
In the end, the Pentamonium incident was resolved, and the Zombie Butler was in Simon’s custody.
There had been no major loss of life, but the atmosphere was too unsettled to continue the event, so Pentamonium declared the academic conference over and began sending people home.
Simon, too, was set to return to Keyzen, but here, Student Council President Phantasus used his authority to help.
And now—
The prisoner exchange was about to begin.
Fwoooosh—
The location was a deserted plain, not far from Pentamonium.
On the wide grassland, where tufts of grass grew sparsely, Simon stood clad in Feer’s Bone Armor.
Beside him was the Zombie Butler, completely restrained with Erzebet’s spiderwebs and curse talismans.
Without a word, Simon checked the watch on his wrist.
‘Five minutes left.’
The tension had left his lips dry.
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters