Chapter 24
Title: Genius Necromancer Wears Priest's uniform
{ Mission }
Loichen, a mid-sized city in the southwestern Empire.
Carry out the request of the Ruos family.
The reward is five woven articles, personally crafted by an artisan using thread bestowed by the family, tailored to the client's request.
An escort Mission for a merchant caravan.
Round-trip from the city to the port.
May the Goddess's blessing be with you.
Lapierre.
‘The Ruos family.’
It was a family that had produced artisans of woven articles since ancient times.
What were woven articles?
The term referred not only to ordinary clothes and luxurious garments, but also to artifacts woven from thread, like robes and belts.
‘In my past life, I used a robe that came from there once.’
That was before he had obtained the legendary artifacts.
Briefly recalling the soft texture and its quite useful performance, Berk nodded.
‘First of all, the reward is perfect for my current situation in many ways. It’s about time I got myself some decent artifacts.’
Many things determine the outcome of a battle.
Real combat experience, innate senses, instinctive split-second judgments.
There were many other factors, but ‘good artifacts’ were certainly important.
For instance, the legendary artifacts had played a large part in Berk’s ascent to the rank of Necromancer King in his past life.
Of course, he had no intention of relying solely on artifacts.
But it was also foolish not to use a tool as important as an artifact.
Meanwhile, the performance of an artifact varied wildly depending on who used it and how.
To use an artifact properly required commensurate mana and knowledge, and above all, proficiency.
The interesting thing was that the higher an artifact’s potential, the trickier it was to use, demanding high proficiency and mana.
If used incorrectly, the artifact could go berserk, instantly turning the user into a mummy or causing them to explode.
In that respect, Berk was more prepared than anyone to use artifacts well.
He already possessed the vast experience and knowledge he had acquired as the Necromancer King.
Of course, he still had a long way to go in developing his mana, but he had already obtained his first ring, which was more complete than in his past life.
So, while he couldn't use the highest-grade artifacts right away, he was more than ready to use some pretty decent ones better than anyone else.
Berk read the note in his hand again.
The reward is five woven articles, personally crafted by an artisan using thread bestowed by the family, tailored to the client's request.
With five pieces, he could get a robe, a belt, a pair of gloves, and a woven bracelet all from this one Mission.
Since they were woven by the Ruos family themselves, the performance and quality would be nothing to scoff at.
‘Decision made. Now, let’s see the Mission details.’
An escort Mission for a merchant caravan.
Round-trip from the city to the port.
‘An escort Mission…’
On the surface, it seemed like a very easy Mission.
But the instincts of the Necromancer King, who had undertaken many missions in his past life, were telling him otherwise.
‘There’s something else to this Mission. Some other complicated circumstance not written here.’
A simple escort Mission could have been handled sufficiently by commissioning a small-scale Union.
‘And yet, a request came all the way to a place like the Holy Union.’
He couldn't know the detailed circumstances.
But one thing was certain.
The Ruos family had so far been unable to solve the simple problem of a merchant caravan escort.
‘It seems there’s some other problem involved.’
What that was, the detailed circumstances were, he would only find out by going to the scene.
Even for someone like Berk, it was impossible to know everything that couldn't be seen or touched.
‘Hmm.’
Strong enemies didn't matter.
But he detested troublesome matters.
Berk had a feeling that this Mission would involve a complex and massive hassle.
When his thoughts reached that point, Berk asked himself.
Is this Mission truly worth taking?
The deliberation didn’t last long.
‘It is.’
No.
‘If it isn’t, I’ll have to make it so.’
Slowly recalling some pieces of information related to the Ruos family, Berk grinned.
Among the bits of information from his past life’s memories,
one story that was closer to a ‘legend’ than a simple tale came to mind.
‘Good.’
And so, Berk made his decision.
‘My next mission paper is decided.’
…or so he thought.
Suddenly recalling a sentence from the legend of the Ruos family, Berk narrowed his eyes.
…To obtain it, one must offer a sacrifice.
‘Hmm. A sacrifice.’
Berk counted on his fingers.
‘Hmm. I’ll need one more.’
Berk pondered for a moment.
Then, as if a good idea had struck him, he grinned.
He then folded down one more finger.
‘He said with his own mouth that he could pull his own weight. He’ll be the perfect sacrifice. Alright, decision made.’
At the same time, Gale, who was training alone under the moonlight in the training hall, suddenly felt an eerie chill on the back of his neck.
‘Was it just my imagination?’
Gale did not know.
That the warning from his senses, which he dismissed so lightly that day, was the prelude to all the tragedies that would unfold.
‘…It must be my imagination. I should just focus on training!’
Anyway, back at the main cathedral.
Berk crumpled the note in his hand.
Then he turned to leave.
‘Ah, right.’
Berk, who had been striding briskly toward the exit, came to an abrupt halt.
‘I haven’t gotten permission yet.’
Once again, he strode briskly back, stuck the note back in a random spot, and left the hall.
In the past, he would have just ignored the rules and torn the note off, Berk thought.
‘Well, it’s not like the Elder won’t grant my request.’
Suddenly, Berk realized.
That there was now someone who listened to his requests.
And that he was expecting that person to grant his request.
Feeling a strange emotion, Berk felt an itch and scratched his hip.
‘Ah, whatever. He has to grant it because I did a good job.’
Berk gave a pointless shrug and closed the door.
Kung
The lights went out, and the hall was once again plunged into darkness.
Countless notes were left in silence.
But that didn't mean that the events beyond those notes had also stopped.
The affairs of the world continued to flow.
Dammit all, some of them rolled on by sucking the lifeblood of the innocent.
Among them were cases where hundreds and thousands of people died because of the foolish greed of a single person.
A desolate silence, rather than a peaceful one, was left deep within the cathedral.
***
A week passed since then.
During that time, Berk diligently visited The Drowned Duck.
At night, of course, in secret.
“Yes, I understand! I’ll get the ingredients you mentioned and start brewing the liquor!”
“I said it’s tea, not liquor.”
“Ah… yes!”
No matter how he thought about it, it seemed like following the boy’s request would result in liquor, not tea, but the owner didn't argue.
In any case, by frequenting The Drowned Duck, Berk was able to properly soothe his weary mind and body.
“Kuhh. There’s really nothing like tea!”
Downing the cup in his hand as if it were a glass of liquor, Berk thought.
‘I’ll be running again soon, so a short break can’t be bad.’
For some reason, the shop seemed to have more customers.
From time to time, talk of the ‘unknown hero who taught the adventurer gang a lesson’ would arise among the patrons.
“They said he was a legendary hero who fought a bloody battle with a dragon in the icy northern mountains!”
“I heard he’s wandering around this area now!”
“He must be a master who has reached the pinnacle of martial arts! He took down all those ruffians by himself, didn’t he?!”
Berk simply thought, ‘The owner did a good job making up a story as I asked,’ and focused on his tea.
“They say he cut off the scoundrel’s limbs with just a glare?!”
“He flew through the sky on his own two feet, they said!”
“Ooh, the art of land-shrinking!”
“Kyah!”
“…”
Listening closely, it seemed some really strange stories were mixed in, but it wasn't enough to interfere with the taste of his tea, so he quickly stopped paying attention.
Meanwhile, he diligently skipped his classes at the cathedral.
He would occasionally run into the Elders in the hallways, and each time, they would glare at Berk with eyes more fiery than ever before.
‘What are you looking at?’
Each time, Berk would glare back defiantly before slipping out of the building to take a nap.
Whenever he skipped class like this, Berk would go to a certain tree planted in a corner of the trainee area.
It was a tree he had discovered by chance.
It was thicker than the other trees and perfect for lying on, which Berk quite liked.
He would climb it with a few thick books and study the priest's Magic Circles, increasing the completeness of his magic.
The rest of his time was invested solely in refining his mana.
Then, one day.
He was about to skip class as usual.
“Berk.”
Berk glanced behind him.
A familiar elderly priest stood there, dressed in his usual worn-out clothes.
It was Elder Rubus.
“Do you have a moment?”
“Yes.”
Berk let out a long yawn.
“A moment.”
***
The Elder’s audience chamber.
“It seems I’m being summoned here often.”
“Hoho. Is that so?”
Rubus poured some tea.
“You mentioned before that the tea tasted weak, so I brewed it to be a bit stronger.”
Berk looked at the black tea leaves floating in plain water and muttered.
“It’s not strong, it’s poison…”
“Hmm?”
“It’s nothing.”
Berk asked.
“Anyway, why did you call for me again?”
Rubus smiled benevolently.
“You made a request, did you not? I called you today to speak of that.”
“Hmm.”
Recalling his demand to be allowed to go on missions for active priests, Berk nodded.
“So, what did you decide?”
“There was even talk of officially promoting you to a priest of Sephiroth.”
Berk tilted his head.
‘Why?’
He couldn't understand these people.
These were the same Elders who had been glaring daggers at him just this morning.
Recalling their gazes, Berk scowled.
‘There’s someone among those bastards who’s defending me?’
Something felt off.
Berk’s question remained unresolved as the conversation continued.
“However…”
Rubus trailed off.
“I’m sorry. Berk, you are still a trainee.”
“Yes. Well, it doesn’t matter.”
Contrary to Rubus’s expectation, Berk spoke nonchalantly.
“I suppose it’s because this is a Union matter.”
It was true.
Rubus had submitted a proposal to the Union for Berk’s special registration, but due to Trinity’s opposition, he had unfortunately not received a favorable response.
Rubus thought to himself.
‘He truly is a special child. To receive such treatment after such a brilliant achievement would surely be a great disappointment… yet his heart remains as calm as ever.’
In truth, Berk had endured countless instances of persecution and injustice in his past life that couldn't even compare to this.
So, something of this level no longer fazed him.
And above all,
“Well, what I wanted from the start had nothing to do with being a trainee or a formal priest. I told you, didn't I? I just need to be able to go on Missions freely.”
At Berk’s words, Rubus smiled kindly.
“You’re right.”
Rubus took out a piece of paper and showed it to him.
It looked like some sort of certificate.
“What’s written here is permission for trainee Berk to embark on official Missionary Tasks. Without any restrictions, just as you asked.”
Rubus lightly flicked his mana-infused finger.
With that, his seal was engraved upon the document in light.
“By my authority, Elder Rubus.”
Rubus gave a quiet wink.
Berk nodded.
“Thank you.”
This was the moment he had achieved everything he had aimed for in his first Mission.
The completion of his first ring and the investigation of the monster.
And finally…
‘The preparation to go out into the wider world.’
Berk smiled in satisfaction.
Now, it was time to set out on a new Mission.
“Oh. The results of this Mission will, of course, be reflected in your trainee evaluation.”
Rubus said in a very serious tone.
“And now, among all the trainees of Sephiroth, you have the highest score.”
Rubus smiled gently.
“Even though you skip all your classes and exams.”
“Well, I guess that’s how it turned out.”
Since he didn’t care about scores, Berk gave a noncommittal reply.
“Then, I’ll be on my way.”
Berk gave a slight nod and turned to leave.
Suddenly, Rubus spoke.
“I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“Trainee Berk, about your next plan.”
“Hmm. Let’s see. I’ll have to go on a Mission first.”
Berk shrugged.
‘Someday, once I gain enough power, I will lay waste to the Necromancer Union and reclaim the stolen artifact.’
And obtain omnipotence, to grasp what the legends call ‘Truth.’
‘I will.’
Berk didn’t bother to elaborate.
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