Chapter 110.1

Our fading presence even became evident in combat.

“In the Demon Realm? Why? Are you after some kind of monster byproduct?”

“No, not really. I thought we might be of help.”

“Of course, having necromancers on board would be helpful. The problem is…”

“The problem is?”

“We don’t have the funds to hire you. We’re just going to patrol the outskirts of the Demon Realm.”

“That’s fine by us.”

“No, it’s not fine by us.”

“What’s the issue?”

“The cost of hiring one necromancer could pay for ten Northern warriors.”

“We’ll fight for you at a special discount.”

“Even discounted, it’s still a strain on the budget.”

“…”

No matter how specialized we were in combat, we couldn’t compare to the Northern warriors—natural human weapons.

Northern warriors weren’t as expensive or scarce as necromancers, and they were faster.

Before we could even chant a spell we’d memorized, an axe hurled by a warrior would already be embedded between the enemy’s brows.

“Why not research ways to set up barriers or wards around the Demon Realm instead?”

The Northerners often made such suggestions to us, who were aimlessly wandering about without work.

“That’s not possible.”

“You managed to construct the Great Wall in the Extreme North so quickly. Why can’t you do the same around the Demon Realm and the Great Forest?”

“There are remnants of Golden Age wards still lingering in the Demon Realm. No one knows what might happen if we recklessly erect large structures or barriers there.”

If even the witches had given up on the task, there was no way we could succeed.

“True. If a monster wave were to erupt in the Demon Realm, it’d be disastrous.”

“That’s why Rune Renslet stationed us in Haven.”

“Well, anyway, our mercenary group is off to the Demon Realm. Competition’s been heating up lately because of Imperial adventurers.”

“Good luck.”

“And good luck to you, necromancer.”

The North was still a land filled with savagery and bitter cold.

But with the Great Wall erected in the Extreme North and the mutant monsters driven into the Demon Realm, stability began to take root in the North.

It no longer required our abilities as desperately as it once did.

“Hey there, necromancers~! We’re back!”

“You’re earlier than expected.”

The Northern adventurers and warriors who had ventured into the Demon Realm returned to Haven a while later, bearing some intriguing news.

“We have urgent news to report.”

“What is it?”

“It seems the Imperial adventurers have discovered something incredible in the depths of the Demon Realm.”

“Did they uncover Golden Age ruins?”

“They did! And not just ordinary ruins. A dungeon! It appears to be a dungeon created by a mage from the Golden Age.”

“!!”

“But do you know what’s even better? Those Imperial fools are still in the Demon Realm. Their pace is slow due to some injuries.”

“Which means…?”

“The Empire doesn’t know about it yet. And for the record, we’re the only ones aware of this.”

“I see…”

To prove our value, we gave it everything we had.

Flash!

We did it our way.

“Guh…! What is this…?”

“Nothing personal. Regrettable, really.”

“You filthy necromancers…!”

“Grrgh!”

“Arghhh!”

Our mission to manage the Demon Realm—entrusted to me and the Devil’s Den—was carried out with utmost diligence.

“So now, the only ones aware of the dungeon are the Imperials trapped in the Demon Realm?”

“Exactly. I’ve already deployed my apprentices to monitor the entrance.”

“Everyone is to mobilize to the Demon Realm. Prepare the highest-ranking dark spirits as well.”

“Should we request assistance from the main Renslet castle?”

“No.”

“…? Does that mean…?”

“We need to secure a little insurance of our own.”

“Understood.”

Any incidental profits gained in the process would be ours entirely.

Time flowed on precariously, like walking a tightrope.

“It’s been a while, Rune Renslet.”

“Isaac, how have you been?”

“It’s so peaceful now that there’s hardly anything to do.”

“Wonderful news. To think I’d hear such words in this accursed land.”

“Of course, there are still beasts and monsters lurking between villages…”

“Our warriors alone can handle that. Or should I say knights now?”

“Northern knights, huh? Should we also change their weapons and armor to match the Imperial style?”

“Hahaha! In this land, wearing full metal armor would have you frozen stiff. You’d have to wear it over fur pelts at least. As for weapons, they should start getting used to swords, though.” Ṝ𝘼𐌽ÔʙÈś

“Will they use Imperial steel?”

“Why bother? We’ve got Northern Cold Iron.”

The Rune Renslet I saw after such a long time was not dressed in his usual fur garments or the Northern Cold Iron armor that seemed like a second skin to him.

Instead, he wore a tunic made from Eastern silk and Rian fabric—gifts brought by the Imperial princess as part of her wedding dowry.

Still, his axe and dagger hung at his waist, a constant reminder of his roots.

“Ah! Did you see the highway on your way here?”

“I did.”

“What do you think? The road the witches built with elemental magic?”

Even in our first conversation after a long time, talk of the witches was unavoidable.

“…Thanks to it, I was able to reach Renslet Castle quickly and easily.”

I nodded calmly, keeping my thoughts to myself.

“Right? I’m planning to establish a patrol of knights and cavalry to guard the highway soon.”

“We can help with that.”

“Oh, come now, why would I need necromancers for something like that? You and your people should stay in Haven, conduct your research, and occasionally manage the Demon Realm.”

“…”@@novelbin@@

“Don’t rush, Isaac. We still haven’t captured the White Serpent Jörmungandr. You and your comrades are my secret weapon for that day. So, keep honing your skills and wait patiently.”

“…Understood.”

Rune Renslet still trusted me and the Devil’s Den, regarding us as an important force.

Yet, we lived every day consumed by unease and impatience.

One day, the Grand Duchess of the Renslet Ducal House summoned me.

“I heard you were looking for me, Your Grace.”

“Yes, I was.”

The first Grand Duchess of the Renslet Ducal House was not Rune Renslet’s beloved witch, Isabelle.

Instead, it was Princess Beatrice of the Empire, one of the many daughters of the Emperor. Though I couldn’t recall exactly, I believed she was somewhere between the 21st and 25th princess.

While she was an Imperial princess, her mother had been a lowly maid. Essentially, she was sent to the North almost as if sold off in marriage.

Still, despite how dismissive the Empire was of the North, sending what was essentially a bastard child to marry a Sword Master and a Grand Duke was telling. It showed just how deeply the Empire scorned the North, both then and now.

“I’ve heard that necromancers excel in curses and poison.”

“Yes, we specialize in curses, poison, necromancy, and chimeras.”

“Good… Very good.”

Beatrice, though a bastard and sent to the North as if she were a bargaining chip, was a woman with ambition.

She had fiercely adapted to the North’s harsh cold.

“Yesterday, I discovered that I’m with child. I haven’t told His Grace yet.”

“…?! My sincerest congratulations, Your Grace!”

“Thank you. I expected necromancers to be grim and eerie, but you seem nothing of the sort.”

The Grand Duchess caressed her lower abdomen with a blissful smile, looking like she had not a care in the world.

“…”

For a moment, I was captivated by her beauty.

Beatrice’s golden hair and crimson eyes marked her unmistakably as royalty. Her face and figure mirrored her mother, a maid whose beauty had once stirred the Emperor’s desires.

Thanks to this, Rune Renslet showed her a fair amount of affection—though not as much as he did for Isabelle.

“Congratulations on your pregnancy. I’d like to offer you a gift in celebration.”

“Instead of a gift, I have a request for you.”

“…? Please, tell me.”