The Necromancer Who Was Despised

chapter 34



“Yeah. Okay. I’ll go with you.”

“…I’ll ask Master and Tia if they want to go!”

Athena’s voice was clearly filled with anticipation and joy.

‘Why is she reacting so much more than I expected?’

I guess it’s because she’s a refugee, so she’s looking forward to the safety zone inside the territory.

‘Even so, it’s not a great territory, and it’s just a development zone in a development territory…’

Considering that she followed me before, it’s not like she’s never been there, but I don’t know why she’s so excited.

‘No, it’s a little different. There’s a difference between sneaking in and having a house there.’

I guess that’s probably a normal reaction.

At the same time, my reaction is also normal.

‘No, why would I be happy when it’s going to fail anyway?’

The information gap had led to a difference in reaction.

I had no intention of stopping here, so even if Yeong-ji didn’t forget me, she wouldn’t have been as delighted as I was that my own house had been built in a remote pioneer territory.

She would have treated it like a free inn.

Anyway, Athena came to me with Tia and Kayla.

“Let’s go all together. Let’s go quickly.”

Unlike Kayla, who had visited once before, Tia followed Athena with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

“What’s wrong, Tia? Why are you so pale?”

Athena asked Tia on the way to the pioneer territory.

“… It’ll be known soon that I’m of slave descent, right?”

“Why are you of slave descent? You’re my sister.”

“But… it’s true that I was once a slave.”

‘She was worried about that?’

“… I won’t be going outside much anyway, but I’m still worried. I don’t want to cause trouble for my sisters or In-ha.”

Kayla had the power, so no one would say anything about her slave status, but Tia was powerless.

Athena told Tia that she wouldn’t stand by if anyone ignored her, and that she was worrying unnecessarily, but it didn’t seem to comfort her.

That’s why I interjected.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that.”

I said it as nonchalantly as I could.

“It may sound like I’m bragging, but I’m called an honorary warrior, so I’m respected in my own way. Hmm… yes. I’ll introduce you to people I’m familiar with this time. If I introduce you myself, they won’t be able to say anything.”

Bedwig, the owner of the carpentry shop where I ordered the furniture, Angolf, who runs a pub and inn, and the low-ranking mercenaries I bought alcohol and food from a while ago.

They were all people who had some influence in the pioneer territory.

Furthermore, with me, who had dealings with Kuman and a relationship with the lord, behind them, no one would openly ignore or discriminate against Tia if they were familiar with them and I protected them.

‘Of course, there will be those who think that way in their hearts.’

Tia’s concern was legitimate, to be honest.

Discrimination against someone of slave descent was common in this hierarchical society.

Relieved by my words, Tia’s expression improved.

“… Tsk. I guess you’re more benevolent than me.”

“Don’t say something obvious. I admit that you’re my real sister and that you’re a source of strength for Tia, but honestly, I find the master more trustworthy.”

“Even Master…”

Athena’s shoulders slumped at the cowardly fact.

“No, no, sister. I trust you too.”

“…Thank you. I’ll work hard, Tia.”

As the sisters deepened their bond, we soon came within sight of the pioneer territory.

I gave the sisters a heads-up.

“In the pioneer territory, I’m not In-ha, but Jimnis. Don’t make a mistake in front of others.”

“Yes.”

Kayla always called me master, so I didn’t have to warn her.

As we approached the entrance to the pioneer territory, a guard greeted me.

“Lord Jimnis, is it? The people next to you are…”

“New colleagues.”

“Ah, that famous… Um… You must be easy to recognize because of your striking features. I’ll certainly inform the patrol corps.”

“Please do.”

“Ahahaha. Not at all. It’s only right. You may enter. Have a good day, Jimnis-nim.”

“Thank you for your assistance.”

The sisters looked at me in surprise as I conversed amiably with the guard, who even offered us convenience.

“It’s definitely different. When I was in the wildfire village, I heard that the guards were all so strict that they wouldn’t let just anyone into the village.”

‘Well, that’s because most wildfire villagers have shady pasts.’

They’re just being cautious to prevent any harm to the village.

It’s a headache if they cause trouble after entering the village.

As someone who contributes to the territory and provides assistance, I naturally received different treatment.

I led the group to the carpentry workshop and greeted Bedwig.

“Ah, your timing is perfect. Everything you ordered is complete.”

“You’ve worked hard. Let me see… I’m glad I entrusted you with this. Every time I see it, I realize how great your craftsmanship is. Here’s the remaining payment.”

“Your words are too kind. Thank you. I’ve received it. The ladies beside you are…”

“My companions. You’ve heard about them, haven’t you?”

“Ah, so this lady is… I see. I’m the carpenter, Bedwig. As you can see, I run this carpentry workshop. I greet the companions of Jimnis-nim.”

The sisters looked flustered at his overly polite demeanor but soon greeted him back.

“Oh, no. It’s us who should be greeting you.”

“Yes, it’s us who should be greeting you.”

“This furniture is for these ladies, I presume?”

“We’ll be seeing a lot of it in the future. Please feel free to visit us anytime if you need anything.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

Perhaps it was because Bedwig had welcomed them so well, but the sisters’ faces bloomed with smiles once more.

After borrowing a cart to transport the furniture home, I gave them a tour of the house, and the sisters chatted about how they would decorate their rooms.

“It’s still smaller than a house outside.”

“It can’t be helped. But it’s closer to the center than the outskirts, so it’s safer.”

“I think so too. I especially like that it has a fence. It’s a shame that it’s low though.”

As the sisters and Kayla chatted, I suggested we go to the tavern for dinner, where I would also introduce them to Angolf.

The tavern also served as an inn, so the food was decent, and it was practically run as a restaurant during the day, so there was no need to worry.

Angolf welcomed us just as warmly as Bedwig had and greeted the sisters as well.

Coincidentally, it was his day off, so we were able to meet Disan and Danian, who were already drinking in the middle of the day.

“Hey, look at you… Surrounded by beautiful ladies.”

“If it’s Jimnis-nim, he deserves it!”

‘Of all people…’

Disan was fine, but Danian tended to flatter excessively, which made me a little uncomfortable in front of the sisters.

Fortunately, since they had only just met the sisters, none of the vulgar jokes typical of mercenaries had slipped out yet.

‘Maybe he’s being mindful of Kayla.’

Even though she was currently a slave, she had once been a knight, so he might be being cautious just in case.

It was just speculation, but it was a reasonable assumption, given my knowledge of how lower-ranking mercenaries thought back in my old country.

“I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other now that you’re living in the territory. Especially if you’re working with Jimnis-nim, so please take care of us.”

“Me too, I guess.”

The sisters greeted Disan warmly, but they were a bit awkward with Danian.

It seemed like Danian’s gaze and glare made them uncomfortable.

‘Disan… is quite quiet.’

It was the first time I had seen Disan since that day, but he was still unresponsive.

‘It won’t be a problem.’

That’s good enough.

I could be sure after seeing him in person.

Since we had come first, Disan and Danian got up from their seats when our food came out, greeted us, and went outside.

Then Artrina muttered,

“That Danian guy… “is a bit off.”

“… Creepy.”

“He was glaring excessively. It would be good to get used to it. There are a lot of guys like that among mercenaries.”

Kayla said that it was because Nana and Kayla were there that it ended like this, and that he would have pestered us if we hadn’t been there.

“Danian, in particular, is a bit bad. He used to send me subtle signals in the past.”

“… To Master?”

Artrina’s eyes narrowed slightly at Kayla’s words. Danian’s image was plummeting.

After finishing our meal, I asked the party,

“I’m thinking of going to Kuman’s mansion, but what are you going to do? Are you coming with me this time?”

At my words, the three women all closed their mouths.

“If Master wishes, it doesn’t matter.”

“I’m a bit hesitant, but I’ll go if Tia goes.”

Our gazes turned to Tia, and Tia asked me when she saw that all eyes were on her,

“Will it be helpful if I go?”

“It can’t hurt, right? The influence of all the people I’ve met so far combined can’t even compare to the tip of Kuman’s toes. Still, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. You saw their reactions. Was there anything to worry about?”

Tia shook her head at my question.

If I treated them well, they treated me well, and there wasn’t a single rude person.

Even after rumors about my colleagues had already spread and they knew their identities, it was still the same.

“Then… “I don’t really want to go.”

Tia cautiously expressed her refusal.

“Okay. Then Kayla, stay home with Artrina.”

“Yes. I’ll go first. Oh, can I buy some cold dinner in advance?”

“I’ll make sure it’s done.”

I handed the money to Artrina, and Artrina smiled and thanked me.

So I parted ways with the party and headed to Kuman’s mansion, handing over the list I had written to Albert and ordering a few more sets of clothes for myself and the women.

I had ordered more clothes because I figured I would need a few extra sets of clothes if I was going to be staying inside the Reclamation.

‘If my appearance is neat, I’ll be ignored less.’

Since all three of them were women, I thought they might be interested in clothes.

Unfortunately, clothing stores are rare. In the first place, commoners in this world usually make their own clothes rather than buy them.

Therefore, the only way to buy clothes in this remote area was to ask a good housewife for help and order them separately, or to ask Kuman to get them from a large estate.

If I think about finding cotton, it’s better to ask Kuman.

As a result of ordering the necessary items, as expected, all the gold I had was used up.

Furthermore, since most of the items had to be bought from the Siglen County, I couldn’t receive the items right away.

“It’s another bulk order.”

“Ahahaha. I don’t know when I’ll get another request, you see. There was also a request from the lord this time. Still, thanks to that, I’m almost out of money.”

When I lightly joked if there were no capture requests, Alber said something unexpected.

“Hmm, I might have a request for Jimnis-nim.”

“Oh, a request from Kuman-nim. It’s been a while.”

To be honest, I didn’t really want to accept it. After all, I was already overflowing with things to do.

I didn’t expect such a response to a light joke.

I was thinking that I would have to politely decline depending on the content, but unexpectedly, instead of giving a definite answer, Alber showed a slightly troubled expression.

“…Could it be a request from the lord?”

If that’s the case, it’ll be difficult to refuse.

“No. Hmm… It’s not an official request yet, so I’m careful to say this, but…”

Alber caught his breath for a moment and then said who the client was.

“It’s… Banis Ovalan-nim.”

‘Banis Ovalan?’

Banis Ovalan. He was the son of Baron Ovalan and the successor of this territory.

Another request

“What kind of request did he make…”

“Well, I don’t know exactly. It seems to be a request that needs to be done in secret, so only Kuman-nim knows the exact details.”

“Hmm…”

‘A request that even the content is a secret?’

A request that no one but the person involved can know.

It’s not that there aren’t any. It’s a request that occasionally comes to the mercenary guild, but unless you’re very trustworthy, you’ll never get a request like this.

‘Alber is highly trusted by Kuman. But even he doesn’t know the content at all… But even though it’s such a request, the client isn’t the lord, but his successor?’

There’s definitely something going on.

“But why is such a task coming to me?”


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