LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 75
Chapter 75. Invitation to the Abyss
Well, it’s Zilbagias, the Demon Lord’s Prince, being invited by the Undead King, my arch-nemesis, to engage in “necromancy.”
Necromancy.
It goes without saying that it’s considered a forbidden dark art in many parts of the Alliance. After all, one needs to possess a rare dark attribute magic that humans generally don’t have to use it, and resurrecting the dead for servitude is something avoided for cultural, religious, and ethical reasons.
However—since the Holy Church often deals with undead, research on it has secretly progressed. Apparently, they’ve been helping to protect those unfairly discriminated against due to their inherent dark powers by allowing them to assist in research.
As a result, it seems they were able to use basic techniques like communicating with dead souls and reading the thoughts of victims at accident scenes. Of course, since the protection of the practitioner’s psyche was the top priority, they couldn’t do anything too complicated…
In any case, I was on the front lines, so I had no connection to those sorts of matters.
But, I see. Right now, I’m one of the dark ones.
Such measures might be available to me…
“Hey, what do you think? I believe you could become a fantastic necromancer!”
“…What makes you think that?”
“Well, your magic is strong.”
Enma’s response was direct. Because my magic is strong, I could become a great mage. Well, it makes sense, but… there should be more, you know…
“Besides, you’re not a mixed attribute; you’re a pure dark attribute, right? That’s ideal for a mage. If there’s a mix of magic from other attributes, the accuracy of the spells drops significantly.”
Enma pointed out that I was the only prince with pure dark attributes.
…True, my siblings are typically of mixed attributes or single attributes that aren’t dark. Even Demon Lord was probably a combination of fire and darkness.
“However, necromancy is considered a secret art… Even if it’s a ritual blessing, is it really okay to just teach it like that?”
As I returned the question, I caught sight of Sophia’s sparkling eyes.
Whoa… she looks super eager to learn…
“Of course! If it’s you, then definitely.”
Enma’s eyes sparkled just as much as Sophia’s. Those eyes were like glass marbles.
“Hmm…”
I pretended to ponder while diverting my gaze. Although I was trying to act all mysterious, my heart was already deciding. If we’re discussing whether necromancy would be useful or not—then for me, it could be extraordinarily beneficial.
The reason I didn’t quickly reply was simply that I couldn’t decipher what Enma was thinking, which felt eerie, and there was also Leila’s scrutinizing gaze.
The maid in her draconic form truly felt ill-suited as a servant. If she displayed such a worried expression while her master was discussing intricate matters…
…But, it looks like I have no choice but to accept this, Antendeixis.
I muttered internally, but no response came. Naturally, Antendeixis was probably sprawled out, sleeping in my room with his belly up.
Before I knew it, having him inside me had become commonplace. And now, I felt alone. Filled with an inexplicable sense of insecurity about that, while also feeling pitiful about myself, I continued the conversation.
“Seems like a rather generous offer… What exactly is your goal?”
“Ahaha! The moment you said ‘generous,’ I knew my judgment was right.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
I truly didn’t understand what he was trying to say; as I tilted my head, Enma chuckled with a lighthearted laugh.
“See, if it were other demon folks, they’d say things like ‘The pride of a warrior is sullied!’ or ‘I refuse such dubious arts, even for a price!’ And if it were worse, they’d be like ‘Go bother someone else, you half-dead!’ or ‘Stay away, or the stench of death will rub off on you!’ They wouldn’t even entertain the discussion.”
Grinning, Enma peered into my face.
“But you said, ‘That’s generous.’ That means you’ve recognized the value of necromancy. Above all, I am delighted and honored by that…”
Somehow… I felt an unsettling chill.
Like I was caught in invisible spider silk…
“Setting aside the morality of necromancy itself,”
I cautiously opened my mouth.
“Whatever it is, if it’s a body of knowledge cultivated over many years, the accumulation of effort and knowledge deserves due respect. In that sense, ‘generous,’ it is.”
“In that case, let me respond with this: ‘I’m very generous.'”
Enma grinned broadly, but suddenly lost his smile.
“Surprisingly, I didn’t expect you to value necromancy this much.”
With a doll-like expression, he quietly gazed at the garden.
“Being too generous makes it seem suspicious. So, I’ll speak plainly. This represents the united will of the sentient undead in the Demon Lord Kingdom.”
Enma’s serious tone made me instinctively straighten up. I didn’t know why, but this impromptu ritual blessing was taking a troublesome turn.
“…I have humbly been granted the rank of count by His Majesty, the Demon Lord, and in the Demon Lord Kingdom, the undead are not exterminated or persecuted; they are guaranteed a certain status. However, this is by no means treating them as ‘citizens’ of the Demon Lord Kingdom, but rather as tools of war against the Alliance.”
So they are aware of their position— I blinked in surprise.
A quick glance revealed Sophia wearing a complicated expression, seemingly saying, “They understand their own situation well…”
“Well, I mean, it’s already a good enough deal since they don’t chase us with fire like those guys from the Holy Church. I do realize I’m being greedy here?”
With an exaggerated sigh, Enma sighed as if it were unnecessary.
“…But you see, we undead don’t want to fight. We are pacifists.”
…What?!
I did a double take at Enma’s face. You, the great sinner wanted by the Holy Church for a century, are saying that!?
“See, you do that face right away.”
Enma pouted, clearly displeased.
“And your attitude is emblematic of what we undead fear. We’re really about peace, you know? I’ve told you about my dreams and ideals before, right?”
“…A paradise solely for the undead, if I recall.”
“Indeed. It’s true I’ve said that humans would be better off as undead, but the ultimate goal is paradise. To live peacefully and comfortably together.”
—Just that “everyone” doesn’t include the living.
“To obtain that paradise, and to secure the position of undead in the Demon Lord Kingdom, we have no choice but to fight. But if I have to choose between being granted a paradise for just me and my kin right now, or obtaining it ourselves after pointless struggles with the Alliance, I would undoubtedly choose the former. If it could be gotten without fighting, that’s the best…”
Enma spoke eloquently, but he didn’t sound like the undead anymore; he looked weary.
“However, in reality, we have to take action. We must demonstrate our value. That’s the only reason His Majesty, the Demon Lord, accepted the undead. But this so-called ‘value’ is quite a problematic thing.”
Enma shrugged his shoulders.
“The more we showcase our usefulness as weapons, the more we’re seen as a threat. We undead increasingly are viewed only in terms of our utility as weapons. Isn’t that a contradiction? The harder we try, the further away we drift from that ideal of living peacefully together.”
Enma turned to face me.
“We sentient undead are deeply concerned about this vicious cycle. As long as we can show our utility as weapons, it’s somewhat acceptable. But in the not-so-distant future, when the Alliance falls and the war is over—will there be a place for us in the Demon Lord Kingdom?”
His doll-like eyes bore into me.
“When we’re no longer needed, will we be cast aside? Just like goblins or ogres?”
The garden suddenly felt eerily silent.
I struggled to respond. —The concerns of these so-called “sentient undead” were indeed spot-on. I understood that their worries were valid.
“Undead, like skeleton horses, are quite useful for land transportation. Even after the war, I don’t think they would outright banish undead.”
“That may apply to lower-tier undead like skeletons. But what about those like me who are sentient? I might be alright. As a craftsman of lower-tier undead, my existence might be permitted. But what about those who have abilities like mine, but aren’t low-risk enough?”
That’s the greatest issue, Enma continued.
“When commanded by His Majesty, we have no means to resist.”
“…But there’s something like a regular meeting, right? A conference with the Demon Lord Kingdom’s high-ranking officials. You must have a connection with my father.”
“True, there are occasions to talk, but His Majesty is the ruler and is not my ally.”
Enma’s intentions started to slowly become clear to me.
“…You want to improve the status of the undead in the Demon Lord Kingdom. You want to make me your ally for that.”
I was the only prince with pure dark attributes. Bringing up the prince thing was, in fact, about that.
“At this point, I don’t wish for that yet.”
However, Enma shook his head.
“I’m not so forward or optimistic as to desire that here and now. However, I would be delighted if you ever become that, and I’m willing to spare no effort for that.”
With a powerless smile, Enma stared at me.
“Hey, Zil, what do you think separates the undead from the living?”
“…Whether they are alive or dead?”
“Half correct. More precisely, it’s about whether they understand death. The wall that separates us is the wall of misunderstanding.”
I fell silent. I understood death—
“And misunderstanding breeds discord and conflict. Because we don’t understand, we are afraid. Because we don’t understand, we dislike, hence—we exclude. I want to avoid such a tragic future. If this continues, that day will surely come…”
Enma gently reached out and placed his hand over mine.
“I want you to understand us well. Yes, the undead do indeed have impulses to attack the living. However, sentient undead can manage that urge with reason. Unlike savage magical beasts, we can communicate. We are entities capable of dialogue. We can surely become good neighbors.”
The cool sensation on my hand seemed to tremble slightly.
“And if we could get closer to one another, and someday hold hands—there is no greater joy than that. So… I want you to learn necromancy.”
Those were words of utmost sincerity.
Enma… I understood your ideals well.
Misunderstanding is what breeds conflict. That’s why you want to bring in a prince of the demon race with no prejudice against you as an ally for understanding.
That reasoning must be correct.
Yet, the choice of person is utterly wrong.
Of all people, it had to be me.
But— that was okay.
“…I understand.”
I returned Enma’s hand grip. The hand of humanity’s arch-nemesis, the great sinner.
“At this stage, I can’t say anything yet. But to find out that answer—teach me necromancy.”
For now, I will take your hand.
Even if my answer was one I had already fully anticipated!
“…Of course! Thank you, Zil!”
With that bright smile, Enma boldly hugged me. A refreshing citrus scent that masked the stench of death.
Looking over, Sophia looked extremely happy— well, of course, as she could gain knowledge of necromancy through me— while Leila wore a serious expression, as if acknowledging that the undead had their own circumstances.
I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy towards her innocence and a sense of guilt. How did such a good girl grow up surrounded by such terrible beings…?
“So, when should I learn?”
“I’ll adjust to your schedule. Right now is fine, or even tomorrow or the day after. Time is finite for you, but I have unlimited time.”
Enma waved his hand, saying any time is good.
“I see, then I’ll try to fit it in sometime. …That said, necromancy, huh? I never imagined this.”
I needed to ensure that my wry smile didn’t turn into a genuinely bitter one.
That I would… engage in necromancy…
“Is it what I think? Something like, ‘Dead souls of the underworld, rise again!’ or something like that?”
To dispel the dark thoughts, I jokingly asked.
“Oh, you believe in that, huh? The land of the dead where souls can rest in peace?”
Enma wore a smile that sent a chill down my spine.
“Such a thing never existed. There is no underworld.”