Chapter 55
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Necro King Akrosis (2)
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The Ketterunt region, located in the northern part of the Empire.
There existed a secret society of black magicians, hidden from the Empire's persecution.
The name of this secret society was Abyss.
The members of Abyss were all black magicians who had mastered necromantic magic to a high degree.
Black magicians were not typically ones to band together, but Abyss was the exception.
There was only one reason they had formed a society under the name Abyss and united their wills.
They harbored the ambition to one day overthrow the Empire with their black magic.
And Kerrington, the leader of Abyss, was currently gazing at the meeting room with a grave expression.
Five executives of Abyss met Kerrington's eyes.
Each of them was a terrifying black magician, capable of wielding high-level magic.
Yet, all of them now sat in silence, their gazes fixed on one spot.
The cause was an uninvited guest who had joined this meeting.
Though no one present had invited him, the guest acted as if the entire space belonged to him.
Moreover, not a single executive present expressed any complaint toward this intruder.
- You seem to have much on your minds.
From beneath a worn-out hood, a pair of red, glowing eyes looked upon the black magicians.
An immortal, with an emaciated face and a hand of nothing but bone gripping a staff.
The King of Death, who was said to have never answered anyone's summons except for the very first black magician, was present.
The undying Necro King, Akrosis.
He who had transcended the lifespan allotted to living beings was a demon who had existed even before these black magicians were born.
He was also a being who had achieved a level of magic that surpassed the combined might of everyone in this room.
As Akrosiss glowing eyes flared, transmitting his will, Kerrington, who had been facing him, finally broke his silence.
Ruler of Death. With which of us do you intend to make a contract?
For Kerrington, dealing with a demon was by no means a new experience.
Black magicians were more familiar with demons than anyone else on the continent.
Whatever the being before him desired, if they fulfilled his request, he would grant them a fitting reward.
That was the rule of contract that all demons universally accepted.
Of course, if they were to displease the demon, everyone in this room could be annihilated.
As Kerrington asked his question with a tense face, Akrosis slammed his staff into the floor and spoke.
- If you wish, I shall make a contract with all who are present in this room.
Youll make a contract with all of us?
A being like you with this many humans?
At the news that every Abyss executive present would be given a chance, the listening members couldnt hide their astonishment.
Their guest was the Necro King, a being on a completely different level from other demons.
He was a being who could single-handedly raise tens of thousands of the dead and plunge the world into chaos.
And such a being had decided to make a contract with every human here.
For black magicians, there could be no more extraordinary offer.
As the black magicians in the meeting hall brightened at the talk of a contract, Akrosiss eerie voice continued.
- There is no reason I cannot. However, there is one condition.
What is the condition? Do we need to offer souls? I will have humans captured right away.
Kerrington tried to calm his racing heart as he asked Akrosis.
A contract with the Necro King, no less.
For a black magician, it was an honor akin to the highest glory.
It would be stranger if such a contract came with no conditions at all.
He was prepared to pay any price Akrosis demanded.
As a hopeful Kerrington questioned him, Akrosis brought up an unexpected topic to the executives.
- The souls of a few dozen humans are trivial to me.
Then what in the world
- But the great being who looks down upon the earth thinks differently of offerings.
A being who looks down upon the earth Dont tell me you mean an Evil God!
The unexpected mention of an Evil God sent a stir through the Abyss executives.
To suddenly bring up the topic of an Evil God in the middle of contract negotiations.
The situation was turning out to be more serious than expected. Kerrington swallowed hard and looked at him.
- That is what you humans call him. He is one who cherishes even the humans who pray to him.
- And it is all thanks to him that you are able to form a contract with me.
Does that mean
- Offer your prayers to him every day. And periodically, perform the ritual of offering to him.
The condition for the contract presented to them by Necro King Akrosis.
It was to offer prayers to the Evil God every day.
Only those who served the Evil God with a true heart could form a contract with the Necro King.
Upon hearing Akrosiss words, the Abyss executives glanced at one another.
Each seemed to have their own thoughts.
Edella, the only female executive in Abyss, looked to their leader, Kerrington, and asked him.
It sounds like he wants us to become believers.
Edella, its just a matter of having one new god to serve. Where could we find an easier condition?
Well, that may be true, but
This is a chance to contract with the Necro King himself! If I could, I would offer my very soul to him!
At Kerringtons words, Edella, who had worn an anxious expression, reluctantly nodded.
Everyone in the room was well aware of the Necro Kings importance.
After the first black magician disappeared, how many had tried to summon the Necro King?
And now, that very Necro King had suddenly appeared before their eyes.
Even if faith in an Evil God was not without cost, most of the executives seated here were willing to pay the price.
As all the executives, including Edella, nodded their heads, Kerringtons gaze returned to Akrosis.
Then, in a solemn voice, he conveyed their decision to Akrosis.
We have all decided to serve the great being.
- Is there no falsehood in that heart? Do you truly believe in and follow the great being?
Of course!
- A false faith will lead you to ruin.
My heart for the great being is true. As long as you are with us, our hearts will also belong to the great being.
A smile formed on Akrosiss face at Kerringtons words.
Though he possessed no lips to curl upwards, everyone in the room could feel his smile.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Akrosiss staff struck the meeting room floor several times.
As Akrosiss glowing eyes flashed, a chilling voice echoed through the room.
- Then I shall form a contract with you.
- From this day forth, your hearts will cease to beat, and my magic alone shall keep you breathing for all eternity.
No sooner had Akrosiss words, spoken with flashing eyes, ended than every executive in the meeting room collapsed.
Thump.
Kerringtons head slumped, and his neck twitched.
His beating heart had stopped completely, and in its place, the magic of death had begun to take over.
Despite their hearts having stopped, the complexions of the fallen black magicians did not change.
Instead, one by one, they began to regain consciousness and lift their heads.
The black magicians who rose to their feet looked at each other, exchanging glances of astonishment.
The curse of undeath, granting eternal life to the living.
That was the true nature of the curse Necro King Akrosis had bestowed upon them.
Archbishop. That snake on your shoulder, what is?
In a makeshift meeting room set up in a tent, a cult executive looked at Loan and inquired.
Loan had entered the tent prepared for the meeting with an unfamiliar snake.
Draped over Loans shoulder was a sleek, black-scaled snake.
The scales covering the snake were smooth and elegant, but they had an alien texture unlike that of other snakes.
Even at a glance, its appearance was anything but ordinary.
At the question about the snake on his shoulder, Loan smiled as he recalled its identity.
It is a guardian beast, bestowed upon us by the great being.
The cults guardian beast!
This little snake is the cults guardian beast?
At Loan's words, the cult executives asked him in surprise.
The great being himself had sent down a guardian beast for the cult.
For believers who served a god, there could be no greater blessing.
Of course, Loan, who had met the guardian beast, was thinking the same thing.
Slither.
Loan stroked the head of the flicking-tongued snake and introduced the cults guardian beast to the believers.
Everyone, say hello. This childs name is Beta.
Shadow Beast Beta.
That was the identity of the guardian beast sent to the cult.
Outwardly, it appeared to be nothing more than a small snake, but no one who witnessed its true form would dare say so.
The form of a massive serpent, writhing and moving within the dark shadows.
That was the terrifying true form of the Shadow Beast Beta.
As Loan called Betas name, Beta revealed its head from the darkness and flickered its tongue.
Th-thats!
That is the guardian beast granted by the great being!
It looks like a giant snake.
All the believers who witnessed the shadow beast's revealed form were filled with admiration.
The shadow snake that emerged from the darkness possessed a beauty that would leave any beholder in awe.
A great guardian beast, hiding in the dark shadows to protect the cults believers.
There was not a single believer here who could fail to have faith in its magnificent form.
One of the believers, meeting the golden eyes shining from within the shadows, clapped and spoke to Loan.
Truly a majestic form. Its incredible.
I think so as well. Beta, you may go back inside now.
Slither.
At Loans gesture, Beta retracted its head back into the shadows.
Perhaps because everyone present had witnessed the bizarre spectacle Beta had shown.
Everyone seemed to be in higher spirits than before the meeting had begun.
After confirming that Beta had completely disappeared into the shadows, Loan looked around and began the meeting.
Alright. Thats enough of an introduction for Beta. Everyone, give thanks for the grace of the great being who sent us this guardian beast.
Yes, Archbishop.
Now, I will discuss the reason I have called you all here today.
Yes.
Separate from the restoration project the cult is currently undertaking, we will be selecting personnel to move out for the next operation.
They would embark on a new operation with the cults forces.
One of the believers who heard Loans words swallowed hard.
Of all the grand operations the cult had planned, there was only one that required new personnel.
With the operations details flashing in his mind, the believer asked Loan with a tense expression.
Dont tell me that operation is beginning.
Of course. We cannot simply stand by after what weve been through.
It was so bad that the great being himself sent down a guardian beast. These days, I find myself too ashamed to even look up at the sky.
Loans gaze fell upon the members of the cult, whose expressions had turned grim.
The raid on the cults headquarters by Cloud, led by Agent Period.
The incident had caused the cult to suffer immense human losses.
Many of the believers who followed the cult had lost their lives at the hands of Cloud.
Although their master had ultimately stepped in to annihilate their enemies, including Agent, for Loan, the failure to fulfill his duty was a deeply shameful situation.
His claim of being too ashamed to look at the sky was no empty phrase.
That is why I intend to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.
Hah.
The Empire must be made to pay the price, but there is something we must resolve first.
Indeed.
From this moment, we begin one task. The grand operation we have planned the longest and prepared for the most.
The grandest operation that Loan had been preparing for ever since he became Archbishop.
The most troublesome operation, for which they had to keep an Apostle assigned all this time.
Above all, a necessary step the cult had to take in order to actively expand its influence.
Loan spread his arms wide and looked at the believers.
Then, he declared his grand ambition to the executives present in this room.
Our cult will take over the county!
The war of succession for the county, spearheaded by Rex Maier.
It was finally time to bring that long story to a close.