120. Tracking the Necromancer (3)
The report began with the circumstances that led to the discovery of the chimera beast.
Bandits had raided a small village, and a child who had miraculously survived hitched a ride on a passing merchant's carriage to Fernin, where he explained the situation to the guards.
Following the guards' report, a request for bandit suppression reached Artia. After grasping the full context, Riod led three Artia knights and kingdom soldiers to eliminate the bandits.
But what they encountered en route wasn't bandits—it was a grotesque chimera formed by fusing humans and beasts. Sensing the overwhelming difference in power, the Artia knights decided to retreat with their wounded and returned to Fernin.
After reporting the failed bandit suppression to Riod, he recognized the gravity of the situation and personally requested cooperation letters from the adventurer's guild and the Vesta Temple. He then led a subjugation expedition against the beasts, successfully eliminating the humanoid chimera beasts and uncovering information about the "necromancer" and "alchemist" behind them and the bandits. With that, the report concluded.
"A necromancer…."
One noble murmured, swallowing hard after hearing Riod's account.
"Is it really a necromancer? Not some legend from books—the kind that actually revives the dead…."
"'Revives' isn't the right word. Those things… they weren't alive in any sense of the term."
"Ugh… The real danger is their power. If they routed Artia knights and kingdom soldiers in one clash, that's no force to ignore. This time, it was Marquis Olivion's expedition that made suppression possible, but he can't lead every operation."
"And that's not all. The worst part is we can't pinpoint their location. What the hell? Spatial teleportation magic? Does that mean the enemy's also a high- or top-tier digit mage?"
"We're considering the possibility of some undisclosed magic too. Hidden experts aren't exactly common."
For instance, beyond standard spatial teleportation like that of high-digit mages such as Iliana, there were abilities like Elvin's black magic "Shadow Movement."
The principles, structures, and purposes differed entirely, yet they could produce similar results depending on the intent.
It was akin to paths and processes varying wildly but converging on a single goal.
Riod glanced fleetingly at Eunhyeon but quickly turned his head forward to continue.
"Without knowing the limits or conditions of their spatial movement ability, no provincial territory can be considered safe. We need to immediately assess damage within territories and surrounding villages."
"Hmm…."
Since they were raiding villages one by one, using human corpses to bolster their forces, this incident posed an unpredictable risk with potentially massive casualties.
"But how the hell do we even… find them?"
How could anyone counter such a cunning tactic that concealed their position via spatial movement?
As a heavy atmosphere settled over the court assembly, the conference room doors opened, revealing a woman.
With her beautiful long black hair cascading freely and a wide-brimmed witch's hat tilted jauntily, her black stockings accentuated her stunning legs, while her form-fitting witch's attire clung seductively, captivating every noble's gaze.
"Wha—wh-whoa…?"
"She's here."
The witch, her sharp eyes narrowing in a slight frown, shot a stunned, gaping Eunhyeon a glare before turning to Riod.
"I'll handle it."
"Illyana?"
It was Eunhyeon who responded to her words.
Snapping out of it, he glared at the nobles ogling Illyana's ample chest and stocking-clad thighs, then rushed to her side. Summoning her favorite robe design from thin air, he draped it over her.
"Wha—?"
A few nobles gawked at the casual display of conjuring an item from nothingness, but Eunhyeon paid it no mind.
"People are staring. Why'd you come dressed like that?"
"Hmph, so now you care? You never even glanced before."
"No, I mean…."
Having seen Eunhyeon's irritation at other men eyeing her figure, Illyana smirked, clearly pleased.
"How'd you know to come here?"
"Terezia told me. Said there'd be a meeting today."
"Even so, this isn't a place you can just waltz into alone…."
"Riod already informed the court. Cleared it for me to come solo."
"……."
Eunhyeon whipped his head to glare at Riod.
"Hmph."
As Eunhyeon stood speechless at Riod's dismissive snort, Illyana grabbed his chin and turned his face to her.
"So that's where my prospective husband vanished to, huh? Off on some very important business?"
"Ah, well, that is…."
He couldn't possibly admit he was avoiding home out of fear of her wrath. As Eunhyeon floundered, others chimed in.
"Husband?"
"The Black Witch is getting married?"
"To that criminal?"
The nobles had known they were lovers, but news of marriage was a bombshell. The room erupted at Illyana's declaration.
"Silence!"
Queen Regent Dianne's roar filled the chamber, quelling the chaos instantly.
"Black Witch. This is where the kingdom's elders convene. I won't tolerate personal matters disrupting the proceedings."
"Oh, sorry. My husband's been gone so long I was dying to see him, so I had to track him down. But I'm not here just for that."
Her tone dripped with irreverence—no respect or deference whatsoever—yet no noble dared call her out. Even Dianne, enduring the rudeness, merely frowned without rebuke.
"Sounds like you've got a nasty problem on your hands. I'm here to inform the kingdom that I'll fully cooperate with Riod on this incident."
"What…?!"
"…Why? Why so suddenly?"
"Huh? No reason."
In truth, Illyana was bursting with desire to wrap this up quickly and spend time with Eunhyeon, but she couldn't say that outright.
"……."
Dianne's eyebrow twitched as she glared at Illyana's flippant response, but Illyana, oblivious, fixated on Eunhyeon.
"You eating properly? You look so gaunt."
"Hey… who's your kid?"
Eunhyeon shot Illyana a pointed look amid the queen's piercing stare, but she remained clueless.
'This oblivious, self-centered woman who can't read the room….'
Illyana would probably snap back if she heard that, demanding who lacked awareness.
Finally giving up, Eunhyeon grabbed her hand and dragged her to stand behind Riod with him. As they returned to their original spots, Elenoa, positioned behind Abros, stole a cautious glance at Eunhyeon.
"Are you… getting married?"
"Yes. Soon, I think. Date's not set yet."
"I see…."
Elenoa nodded faintly and looked away.
"Hmm?"
Illyana, holding Eunhyeon's hand beside him, caught their exchange and Elenoa's expression, her face twisting oddly. Eunhyeon asked,
"What?"
"Nothing. Just that my weird premonitions are never wrong."
The court assembly wrapped up swiftly once Illyana declared her support.
Territorial nobles would dispatch people to check their lands for damage.
Military Minister Armitas prepared troop deployments for potential humanoid chimera warfare.
Finance Minister Bernard budgeted relief supplies for affected areas.
Each took measures against the worst-case scenario.
Riod, Illyana, Eunhyeon, and Elenoa formed a party. They'd comb the villages around Bram—where the incident started—using Illyana's teleports to hunt down and eliminate the necromancer the brute-force way.
With Illyana's overpowered magic added, solutions came almost too easily, leaving everyone a bit deflated.
"The demon crisis last time seems to have instilled some urgency, at least."
"This is a black mage issue, not demons."
"Even idiots could tell this is graver than before."
"Still, it's a good process."
Eunhyeon and Riod nodded at Abros's words.
Potential victims were tragic, but facing an unbeatable or elusive foe without infighting over power and profit was a relief.
"More surprising news, though. You're getting married?"
"…Yes."
"Hm. Intriguing."
"No ceremony or date set yet. Circumstances and all."
"Invite me when you do. Public relations aside, I'll show up to celebrate."
"Thank you. But really, are you sure? Dealing with this necromancer is extremely dangerous. I figured you'd refuse."
"She insists she can't forgive what that necromancer did. Like her mother, once she sets her mind, she doesn't bend. And ability-wise, thanks to you, she's no slouch."
"Well