Chapter 652
“Huum, hm~ hum hum.”
A night lit by moonlight.
Neftis looked in good spirits. With light, lively steps, she strode energetically down the forest path.
“Lady Neftis.”
Simon, following behind, scratched his head.
“Isn’t this the Forbidden Forest?”
“That’s right!”
“Can the Chancellor really bring a student to a place like this?”
“How funny! Simon, don’t you come here all the time yourself?”
Simon smoothed it over with a smile, and she looked forward again, walking along with quick little steps.
“How’s school life these days?”
“Each day is joyful and fulfilling.”
She burst out laughing.
“Wow~ liar! You’re only saying that ‘cause you’re in front of the Chancellor, right?”
“It’s the truth.”
It was heartfelt sincerity, but Neftis arched her brows as if she didn’t believe it at all.
“Guess life’s still worth living! I should tell Jane to give you more assignments!”
“Y-yes, Lady Neftis!”
As Simon grew flustered, Neftis laughed like a child and spun in circles. Simon worried she might trip, and sure enough—she bumped her forehead into a tree and bounced back.
Thud!
But the moment she fell, she jumped back up and laughed again, beaming.
“How’s our Loraine doing with you?”
“Great! Of course! Since we’re in the same team, I get a lot of help from her.”
“She doesn’t resent me for sealing her power?”
The breeze stirred Neftis’ bangs. Simon smiled gently.
“Loraine has a very deep heart. She probably understands your intentions better than anyone.”
Neftis nodded, then skipped ahead again.
Simon chatted with her about various things he hadn’t spoken of in a long while.
About what happened with Ever Kire.
About meeting his future self at the Ivory Tower, and how the artifact Neftis gave him had been helpful.
And about being recognized by Aron and beginning his true studies on Bone Dragon.
“I won’t disappoint you.”
Simon clenched his fist.
“The Chaos Dullahan was just the beginning! I’ll complete the Bone Dragon within my second year, no matter what!”
“Hehe, that’s something to look forward to!”
After some idle chatter, Neftis finally broached the subject.
“This whole Legion Commander affair must be causing a stir, huh?”
The Legion Commander affair.
It was the greatest issue Simon faced right now.
“There’s no helping it. It’s all something I have to take responsibility for.”
Neftis stopped walking, and Simon stopped behind her.
Before long, the ruins of Feer appeared ahead. It was the place where Simon’s Ancient Undeads resided.
“Why are we here…?”
“I want to speak directly with the ones concerned, openly, about the direction of the 7th Legion.”
She pointed toward the ruins.
“Shall we go in?”
Simon broke the barrier of the ruins, and with Neftis, descended the stone staircase.
The place was so dark it was hard to see where the steps were, but Simon was used to it by now.
“Careful, Lady Neftis.”
“Mhm~”
Then, Neftis suddenly stopped, sweeping her finger through the air. A fine line was drawn across her index finger, and blood trickled out.
“Oh my.”
She laughed softly.
“Seems your subordinates aren’t willing to allow me in.”
Srrrk—
Srrrrrrrk—
Dark blue light rippled through the empty air, revealing hidden webs that closed in around Neftis.
‘Erze’s web?’
[Unauthorized intruder. Leave this place.]
Flutter!
Flap flap!
From the darkness came the beating of wings, and then something black darted out.
Kiiiieeeeek!
The shriek of a monstrous bird echoed.
It was Akemius, general of the Skullwing unit.
“Wait, Akemius!”
[Hooh—]
Suddenly the ceiling shone with dazzling golden light.
Perched atop her staff, a woman of living sand chuckled with interest.
[That little girl… is she the famed Witch of Death?]
Herseba, general of the Mummy unit.
Swish—
A strand of web quivered, and upon it lightly stepped a crimson-eyed woman.
[After exposing the Legion’s existence to the world, how shameless you must be to crawl here, child.]
It was Erzebet, general of the Spider unit.
“Everyone, calm down!”
Simon stepped forward.
“Lady Neftis is here because she wants to talk with us!”
[The Legion’s affairs are decided by the Legion!]
Whooosh!
From the shadows, a tall, cloak-fluttering skeleton dropped down with a thud.
It was Feer, the master of the 7th Legion.
[An outsider cannot be brought into the heart of these ruins. If you have something to say, say it here, woman.]
“Well, can’t be helped then~”
Neftis shrugged her shoulders and continued.
“I understand the 7th Legion looks down on me. But right now, we must unite for a single purpose.”
[Krrh! I already told you—the Legion’s affairs are ours to decide. We want nothing to do with your Dark Alliance!]
“That’s not it.”
Neftis sat herself on the stone steps, twirling her fingers.
“For Simon’s growth… and his safety.”
Before Simon and the Ancient Undeads of the Legion, Neftis laid out her plan. All the undeads sat in the shadows, eyes glowing silently, listening.
“I’m sorry for exposing your existence without permission. But because of it, public opinion has shifted. Now it’s fifty-fifty.”
She curled her small hands into fists and clapped them together.
“Half still believe the 7th Legion is a wicked force that must be destroyed. But the other half believe you should be forgiven and accepted as an ally. However—”
Neftis turned to Simon.
“You’re not ready yet to reveal your identity as Legion Commander. Most of all, you lack the power to defend yourself.”
“Lady Neftis! I…!”
Simon believed he’d grown strong enough, but Neftis only smiled sweetly.
“A Legion Commander, freed from the limit of ‘numbers’ and commanding infinite troops, is both the idol of necromancers and their greatest target. Every necromancer dreams of being one. If necessary—”
She clenched her fists together again.
“By force.”
“......”
“The title of Legion Commander only has meaning when you can openly declare who you are and yet remain so untouchable that no necromancer would dare encroach upon you.”
Now, six formidable commanders sat firmly upon their thrones, stabilizing the balance. But decades ago, the fight for Legion Commander had been a bloodbath. At times, the position changed hands once a month.
And there even existed secret ways to secure the title of Legion Commander without receiving the Master’s recognition.
“That’s why the 7th Legion’s existence is such a big issue. The identity of the new Legion Commander has been revealed—and if people think you’re a beatable opponent? They’ll come for your life countless times. Simon, you don’t yet understand just how far necromancers will go, or how relentless they can be, in pursuit of their own power and growth.”
At last, Simon nodded.
“What should I do, then?”
“You’ve grown as a necromancer during your time at the school. Now, it’s time to start progressing as a Legion Commander too.”
She smiled faintly.
“And surely, the best one to teach a Legion Commander… is another Legion Commander, don’t you think?”
“......!”
At that, Feer shook his head firmly.
[That is far too dangerous. Legion Commanders are each other’s natural enemies. If they meet, only a storm of blood follows!]
Legion Commanders constantly targeted each other’s Ancient Undeads, making camaraderie nearly impossible. The number of Legion Commanders dwindling from dozens down to just seven had much to do with these internecine wars.
[This one agrees as well. There is also the precedent of Magnus targeting Young Master.]
Akemius, who cared deeply about Simon’s safety, cast his vote against the idea too.
Then Neftis gave a meaningful little smile.
“What about the Grand Duke?”
At that single phrase, the expressions of both undeads shifted oddly.
Erzebet, lounging on her web, spoke.
[Can you truly draw his cooperation?]
“That depends on Simon. In the Grand Duke’s northern fief, cut off from the continent, you’d be free to move the Legion and train even amidst the noise. Don’t you think it’s the perfect place?”
Simon had no idea what they were talking about.
“Wait! Who is this ‘Grand Duke’, exactly?”
* * *
In this continent, when people spoke of “the Northern Grand Duke”, it meant only one man.
Jin Arskalt.
At the very northern edge of the Kingdom of Carlos, he stood, holding the line at the Frost Field, where ancient beings beyond humanity’s reach still roamed. His fief bordered that cursed frontier, and he alone blocked it.
The Grand Duke was not only the hero of Carlos but the hero of all humankind. One of the Seven Legion Commanders, he commanded a vast undead army that sealed off the Frost Field.
It was thanks to the Grand Duke that the southern lands of Carlos enjoyed fertile soil and warm climate. He bore the burden so they could live in peace.
And that was where Simon was supposed to go.
‘...Me? There?’
Simon sat in the student council room, flipping through a book.
“Comprehensive Geography and History of the Continent.”
It was a library book describing various regions of the continent, and Simon’s eyes lingered on the place he was bound for.
‘Frost Field, and northern Carlos…’
The area was practically cut off from the rest of the continent. Information was slow to travel, and it was said the cultural gap with the south was over a hundred years wide.
The brutal cold rendered most communication crystals useless, and the culture was harsh, rough, and barbaric.
Simon skimmed the book.
‘Even if it’s monster-infested and isolated, it’s still inhabited. Wouldn’t using the Legion risk being exposed?’
Why, then, was Neftis so confident?
While Simon pondered this, lost in his book, the student council room door banged open and Maelyn came rushing in.
“Guys! A new announcement!”
Simon quickly shut the book. Kamibarez and Dick looked up from their work, and Malcolm, who was visiting for tea, stood as well.
“A new announcement? What is it?”
“The candidates for the special classes have been chosen!”
This news tied directly into Simon’s impending Legion Commander training in the north. Being in the student council meant hearing things earlier than the other students.
“Wow, already? To hold special classes this early.”
Dick muttered as he scanned the document.
The special class was a long-standing Keyzen system, separate from the general curriculum of textbooks. It provided hands-on, intensive training in each necromancer student’s specialty. The period lasted two weeks.
Normally it was reserved for third-years, or, in rare cases, second-years only in their second semester. Second-years were expected to focus on coursework and absorbing new knowledge.
In truth, Neftis had forced the issue this time, pulling strings to ensure Simon received Legion Commander training.
“There are ten total candidates, and the dispatch locations are undisclosed. Malcolm, your name’s on here too.”
“I see.”
Malcolm was a textbook example. He was a necromancer completely specialized in doppelganger magic, able to resolve all combat through it. But since Keyzen didn’t teach doppelganger magic formally, the special class allowed him to develop it further.
“Kami! You’re on the list too!”
“Ah.”
Kamibarez could certainly grow stronger just from her Haematology classes at school, but it was clear she would use the special class to learn to control Ursula’s blood more deeply.
Among the Top 10, the Queen Bee Meridiana and the swordmage Jule were also chosen. Each of them had their own distinctive qualities.
“Even Simon’s name is here.”
Dick let out a gasp. Maelyn, peeking beside him, turned to Simon.
“Simon’s unexpected. Aren’t you already the best example of growing strong through Summonology? Why would you need special classes too?”
As the members’ gazes focused on him, Simon hurried to answer.
“Probably to study specialized summoned-undead control methods.”
Overlord, Royal Guard, Chaos Reaper, and now the Chaos Dullahan.
Simon’s primary undead had indeed strayed a bit from the official curriculum. His answer seemed convincing enough, and the others nodded.
‘...Got through that one.’
At any rate, the special classes would begin within the week.
He would need to stay low-profile, avoiding reporters, and prepare thoroughly.
‘The Legion Commander, and Duke of Northern Carlos…’
Simon gazed out the window.
‘Just what kind of person will he be?’
* * *
That evening.
The Forbidden Forest.
[So. You specifically summoned me out here.]
Feer stood with arms crossed, his dark-blue cloak billowing. Before him, Neftis’ silver hair fluttered in the wind.
[Do you have more to say beyond yesterday’s discussion?]
“Mm. You know I do.”
She grinned playfully.
“Remember when I went north with Richard, long ago?”
[...I do.]
For a while, neither spoke. The wind whipped harder, tossing cloak and hair.
[Too soon.]
Breaking the silence, Feer spoke first.
[Revealing the 7th Legion’s existence… and insisting on training the boy as a Legion Commander when he should be devoted to his necromancer studies.]
“....”
[Why? What’s the reason?]
She tilted her head.
“Because there isn’t much time left.”
[Woman.]
Feer’s eyes flared.
[During the Ever Kire incident, I know you left your seat. Something must have happened while you were gone.]
Neftis only chuckled softly.
“Who knows?”
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters