Conquering the Patriarch 1
The continent's one and only necromancer house, Gamigin. Violet, the patriarch's sole beloved daughter who had spent her entire life within Gamigin, was venturing outside for the first time in years today. All because of her father's order to pick out some sturdy orphans.
"Hoo…."
At first, even walking felt like a chore. But as she wandered the village and started seeing average folk, her mood lifted in no time.
Still, it's nice to see normal faces after so long.
The distorted proportions and dirty bodies didn't matter. At least half their heads weren't melted, or they didn't have extra eyes sprouting everywhere.
Ah. Eyes are supposed to be just two, right…?
She had spent most of her life in Gamigin. The faces she'd seen her whole life numbered only a few: figuratively rotten ones, literally rotting ones, and otherwise fully decomposed skeletons. Occasionally, the standout necromancers—well, others called them attractive, sure…
"Oh, Violet! I prepared this spine just for you—"
"Put it on the floor and get lost."
But they weren't her type, at least. If you liked muscles that much, go date an ogre. Better to raise a small, cute puppy instead.
And so, when Violet thought that way…
"Keh, cough!"
Her meeting with Nael was extremely violent.
Saliva flooded her mouth in an instant, choking her breath.
"H-huh…."
Lush silver-white hair. Beneath it, sparkling bright eyes. Glossy youthful skin—it was like cuteness itself sculpted into human form.
How… how does a body like that even exist…?
Violet bowed her head. Her purple hair cascaded down, blocking her view. In the hazy darkness and her dazed mind, one sentence surfaced.
[Exceptional necromancers all possess beautiful appearances.]
"Hold on."
Violet raised her hand. This kid had talent. He had to. She'd make it so even if he didn't. Even if his talent was utterly hopeless, she had to claim his corpse at minimum.
"That kid with the mask, too. Gamigin will take him."
The words burst out unbidden. After that, everything happened in a flash.
"Uh… Nael! Come on out!"
"Congrats, Nael!"
The flustered host. Victoria's piercing glare. A stage she didn't remember descending, a path to the exit she couldn't recall. When she came to her senses, she was already back at the carriage, gripping the kid's hand tight.
"…What?"
Violet lifted their clasped hands. Her first impulse buy in life.
2.
"Ha. I must be crazy, totally crazy…."
Inside the carriage crowded with huddled orphans. Violet, who had just dragged me over so roughly, now sat far away as if nothing happened, letting out a sigh.
I had a pretty good guess.
She's under Charm.
Her pupils had seemed unfocused for some reason.
Charm. In reality, it was a minor status effect that boosted affinity and trade success rates.
It wasn't supposed to be this hypnosis-app level.
Power of Charm 20? Or did Violet have a trait like [Lover]? Who knows. Maybe I just hit her exact type.
Point was, I'd gained a temporary edge.
Smoothly—I slid over on my butt.
"…!"
She glanced at me, startled, then pretended not to notice. I straight-up tapped her shoulder.
"Sis. Got a favor to ask."
"…What."
Too dicey to face me head-on while the Charm lingered. Her solution was simple.
She slapped a hand over her eyes.
"Spit it out. Keep the mask on."
Head turned firmly away, her resolve not to look at me clear as day. But through the gaps in her straight fingers, her trembling pupils and flushed cheeks peeked.
Looks like a video thumbnail.
Teasing more to see her react would be fun, but this was far enough.
Push too hard, and who knows what happens.
Pranks like this only worked because Violet's Wisdom was high. Mental resistance scaled with Wisdom, and she had Appraisal, so hers was top-tier.
Light teasing won't faze her.
Yet her fingertips still trembled. If the Charm target were average…
"……."
I glanced at River for no reason.
"Huh? Why're you looking at me?"
River pointed at herself, head tilted in question. That tiny frame packed Health and Strength surpassing most adult men. If low-resistance River fell to Charm at once, I couldn't handle the aftermath.
Straight to bad end.
"River, let's read a book together."
"Suddenly? Books are boring!"
"Wisdom builds up the more you got."
As I pondered buying her a mental resistance artifact…
"So, what's the favor?"
Violet spoke to me. Still avoiding my gaze, but her palm was down.
I relaxed and got to the point. As pitifully as possible.
"Sooo, there's this rabbit beastkin mage friend named Leverat, already hit 2nd Tier, super close friend…."
Violet pressed her forehead with the back of her hand, incredulous.
"Ha. This the orphanage strategy these days? Beastkin and mage? What, bundling defective goods?"
"……."
"Must've lived spoiled your whole life, but that only flies when you're little—from now on—"
"……."
"Argh, don't look at me like that!"
Couldn't hold out long, huh. I smiled behind my mask.
Can't get used to easy wins like this.
First time Dungeon & Fantasy went to plan.
"What's her name?"
"Leverat!"
Violet, fanning herself, stuck her head out the carriage. After a brief exchange, a soldier brought Leverat over.
"This the one?"
"Yes."
"Good. Let's go."
Violet scooted far away again. I turned to Leverat, full of confidence.
"I said I'd take responsibility, right?"
"Yeah! I trusted you, Nael!"
River, even more pumped than me, hands on hips.
"……."
Leverat should've protested noisily right then, but she looked off. Hunched shoulders, wildly tousled red hair. Worst, her usually perky rabbit ears drooped limply…
Damn it.
My soft heart's the problem. I patted her shoulder.
"Thanks…."
Leverat murmured softly, mustering courage. Violet kept peeking from afar, River innocently oblivious.
Bump, bump—the whole ride, no one met my eyes.
3.
Thud!—
"We here?"
I turned from the window. Tapped sleeping River's shoulder.
"River. We're there."
"Uwooo…."
Leverat stretched her tail sleepily. Then a cold voice rang out.
"Everyone off."
The wheels were huge—the carriage sat high.
"Let's go!"
Kids near the door jumped down first. My turn quick. I eyed the sandy ground and leaped.
Splash!—
And with Health stats true to form, I sprained my ankle pathetically.
Ow ow….
I knelt, clutching it. Body this frail? Gotta pump Health first.
"Nael! What happened?!"
"Nothing. Just some sand."
I massaged it into casually brushing off my shoe. Pain eased; River bounced beside me…
"Nael! Check that out!"
"What?"
I looked up—and gasped.
"…!"
Gamigin Estate sprawled before us.
"…Whoa."
Black walls filled my view, stretching endlessly to the horizon. Buildings packed between like a whole town. Smooth spires stabbed the sky from spots, flawless. Purple flames drifted, illuminating. Low blue mist, massive gates agape. Visual overload no text game could match slammed my brain.
"My god…."
Leverat whispered in awe.
Built a city inside the castle. Gamigin drip, maxed.
"Alright! Everyone this way!"
A knight in deep helmet led off the sturdy ones like Brad and Luis.
"Nael, follow!"
"Wait."
I stayed put. Blind obedience wasn't my plan.
"What're you doing? Move it!"
The knight stormed over, bellowing, grabbing my sleeve roughly—
"Hold up."
Violet appeared, snatching his arm. He looked flustered.
"Me and this kid go to the main hall."
"But, milady…."
"Father's orders."
Mention of Gamigin's patriarch paled him.
"R-right."
He bowed and led the rest away.
"Follow."
Violet beckoned coldly and walked ahead. River, Leverat, and I trailed.
"Nael. Where we headed?"
"Way better than those guys."
I pointed at the now-distant orphanage group.
"……."
Leverat frowned, dissatisfied. Sorry, but I wasn't sure either. What I knew: I'd met the 'to her liking' condition at graduation. And it'd lead to a special mentor based on fulfillment.
Hope for highest Tier possible.
Even a 3rd or 4th Tier necromancer would be jackpot, but…
"Stick right behind me. Unless you wanna vanish."
"Yes!"
"Y-yes…."
Bonus if it's the leather-skirt backview ahead. She's a 6th Tier necromancer who shrugged off Charm 20. With Appraisal too.
Come to think, masked she kinda looks like that delinquent sis I crushed on in middle school….
As I mechanically marched, lost in dumb thoughts—
Whoosh!—
Violet spun. Her eyes seemed to flash red for a sec.
"Kids?"
"Yes?"
My heart dropped. No way Appraisal had mind-reading too? Hand to my mask nape, ready to yank for Charm—
"Time for a rundown on our house."
She turned and resumed walking. I sighed inwardly.
"Gamigin specializes in necromancy. Of course, we train knights and mages to pro level too."
Leverat's ears twitched.
"You're Gamigin now. No discrimination for orphans."
One reason I picked Gamigin. Orphans could aim for patriarch with enough skill.
Though they get flak for no roots….
Fine by me, rootless orphan isekai'd here.
"No other big rules. Petty ones aplenty—you'll learn by body."
Violet stopped. A vast plaza opened behind her.
"Oh…."
Among multi-story stone buildings, black-uniformed necromancers bustled. Every one a character, just like the game.
"Nael! That sister's got no arms!"
"I see."
"Nael! That uncle's bald!"
"Uh…."
Bit rude—I covered River's mouth.
"Gawk later. We head there now."
Violet smirked, pointing. Our eyes followed.
Plaza corner: tallest spire, oozing ominous vibe.
Looks legit.
Crumble-worrying black bricks. Dusty windows hoarding ages. Necromancer aura maxed—pray for skilled mentor—
"Lady Violet."
Leverat raised her hand, staring.
"A question."
"Hm?"
"What's that tower? For mental prep…."
Perfect, I wondered too.
"Oh. Forgot to say?"
Violet chuckled softly.
"We're going to see my father. The patriarch."