7 Let's do it for now.

"Magic that interferes with the souls of the dead"?　Ilias, how hard did you push the boy?　You poor thing.

Do I look like the kind of man who would do such a thing?

The person at the center of the bandits, let's call him "the mastermind" since he's the one who's in the dark.

The mastermind is threatening the bandits to keep them from revealing information about each other.

The mastermind threatens the bandits to keep them from revealing information about each other, even though they are tortured by knights of varying strength who would slaughter them.

Maja is a priest who heals people's wounds and guides their souls, or so she claims.

So, I visited the church to see if she had any knowledge of the other side of the road, the inhumane magic, the magic that affects people's personalities and souls.

"The bandits are afraid of reprisals after we tell them what we know. But they're not afraid of execution. So I assumed it would be a threat that would work even after death.

Hmm, not all forbidden magic can conjure the souls of the dead.

Is there such a thing? Is there such a thing as dark magic that brings the dead back to life?

Resurrection magic is not dark magic. It's forbidden, though.

...... Sounds like a spell everyone would like.

Don't say that anywhere else. You can't say that anywhere else. In some countries it's a capital offense to want it.

Maja's expression became more stern than I had ever seen before.

Is it really that dangerous?

Yes, because it produced the worst possible outcome.

"Worst possible outcome?

"There have been people brought back to life by resurrection magic in the past. But all of them ended up becoming Demon Lords who do evil to people.

"The Demon Lord ......

I've heard of this in the slime habitat, but I'm not sure if there are any Demon Lords in this world.

The king is the one who builds the country and leads the people. But the Demon Lord is the one who destroys the country and destroys the people.

I get the vibe, but why do the dead rise from the dead to become Demon Lords?

I don't get it. I don't know. I've never used it or had it used on me. But past history has produced many Demon Lords who have taken more lives by messing with reanimation magic. And I've learned my lesson.

It's not that you can't understand the danger of a Demon Lord.

The common image of a Demon Lord is that of an enemy of humanity, an evil master who creates many victims and is defeated by heroes. 　

It is natural to want to forbid the use of a demon lord every time a person is brought back to life.

However, it doesn't make sense that the bandits are afraid of him becoming a demon lord. 　

The bandits are afraid of resurrection magic ......, but that's not true. Maja, do you have any magic that you would rather not be used?

"Well, ...... necromancy, for example.

She said the words with a look of disgust on her face. 　

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

It's the kind of magic that forcibly pulls out the souls of the dead and humiliates them in this life, without fully resurrecting them.

That sounds a lot less difficult than reanimation magic.

Yes, it is. Reanimation magic is one of the spells of the summit that lies beyond that. That's why magic that interferes with the souls connected to that path is forbidden.

I think it's useful as a scare tactic at this point.

In the event that you die and are reanimated to become a demon king, some people will expect you to rise to the top, and above all, the mastermind behind the banditry will not be happy about the birth of a demon king.

But what about necromancy?　I'm sure you've heard of it.

The bandit's words also make sense.

"How have souls summoned by necromancy been used?

"That's what outsiders do. Do you think they treat people's souls like people?　They use them as offerings, they put them back in their rotten bodies and use them like demons, it's terrible.

Do you think the souls that are summoned then have an ego?

...... Boy, that's a terrible question.

Maja's eyes sharpened as if she was assessing us.

She wants to know the magic of her abominable enemy, so I can understand why she would be concerned.

But if she wanted to break the bandits, she couldn't afford to make a mistake with the lure.

I'm asking because I think it's necessary. What I want to know is not how to use necromancy. It's the horror of it.

"...... Once upon a time I defeated an evil sorcerer who used necromancy. He used necromancy to take the souls of the people he killed and merge them into his monster body. We had to exterminate not only the sorcerer, but also the monster he created.

......

"While many were screaming and dying, only one said to me, 'Thank you. "Thank you.

"Thank you.

Now I'm sure of it. The necromancy is the chain that binds the bandits.

It may not be the same thing, but the means are probably similar.

If they were shown the bandits that had become them, they would prefer a quick death to that end.

"Maja, the bandits in this country are mostly from Gane, right?

That's what I've heard.

Can you find out anything about criminals in Gurne who might have been involved in necromancy?

Do you think he's involved with the bandits this time?

I'm going to check with the bandits later, but I'm probably pretty close to being sure.

All right, I'll look into it.

Goodbye.

Now that we have the materials to cut them down, it's time to see if we can use them as weapons.

I bowed to Maja and left the church.

Ilias interrupted the whole time.

Ilias listened to the conversation between him and Maja without interrupting the whole time.

He had only been in this world a short time. He was new to this world, but he had gathered what information he thought he needed and had come to necromancy.

At first I thought he was smart, but he's not.

"Ilias, you need to keep an eye on the boy.

"Oh, yeah.

What you're thinking right now is what I'm thinking.

It's .......

She's used to malice. He has an understanding of the world.

Well, the young man wasn't smart enough to recognize a necromancer so quickly.

He came up with it spontaneously because he had a similar idea.

Ilias had heard that there was no magic in the world he was in, but he did not know what kind of world it was.

In the first place, he doesn't even know what kind of person he is.

When he heard about the forbidden resurrection magic, he casually mentioned that everyone would want it.

When she heard Maja's reluctant words about the end of the necromancer's life, she nodded without changing her face.

"But ......

I know, I know. She's not a bad girl. That's for sure. But he can easily go astray. He's a dangerous boy.

Ilias nodded and followed him.

Ilias nodded and followed him.

After returning to the barracks, he gathered all the bandits he had captured.

"Now, let me introduce myself. I'm your new interrogator.

"Shut up, you son of a b*tc*!　What's the point of having them all lined up!　If you're going to kill me, kill me now!

They won't even let me say my name. It's sad.

But I can't lose.

"Kill, kill, kill, do you really want to fall prey to necromancy?

OK, now the certainty has turned to certainty.

They all gave me a very obvious upset look.

"What--

"Don't worry about it. Let's just keep talking.

The way the bandits looked at me changed.

The hostility is replaced by a hint of anxiety and caution.

You can scare them by bluffing and saying they're all badgers, but since you can't actually use it, it's probably less effective than a mastermind.

Now that I understand your position, I'd like to negotiate a new one.

Negotiations?　You're gonna let me go if I talk?

I can't do that. I wouldn't do that even if I had the authority.

What are you talking about?

I'll change the date of your execution.

"......" what?

Give me the information, and I promise to execute you after you dispose of the terrified necromancer.

What's the point of that?

I can die a human being.

The color of the bandits changed.

Now it's presentation time.

This is a negotiation. Negotiation is only meaningful if it benefits the other party. In this case, it's whether or not you're willing to die as human beings.

I slowly walk up to the bandits and carefully explain.

"Now, let me explain to you what will happen. First of all, if you give us any information, you will of course incur the wrath of the mastermind behind the necromancy. Isn't that obvious?

First, remind them of what they understand.

Make them aware of the most problematic point.

But you're not dead yet. You will be kept alive in a cell behind the castle gates, fed the bare necessities.

And make them understand that there is another ending.

"Through negotiation, the mastermind will be captured, and you will continue to be held until you die, after which you will be executed without incident and your lives will be over.

As he looked at each bandit, he gently reminded them.

"There will be no pointless torture, and you will be able to look back on your life as you die.

"Oh, you can't be sure you can!　And I don't believe in bargaining!

There's no advantage to rushing into an execution when there's a chance that the necromancer will bring you back to life as a monster. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to delay the date if it means more pawns for them.

"Even if that's the case!　If I don't give up the information, I can just die!　There's no way I'm going to be tortured by you guys!　There's no need to take such risks!

"Yes, yes!

The other bandits are eager to deny us. That's a good sign.

So far he's been stubbornly choosing one path and not moving.

But now he's starting to compare the new path he's been shown with the one he's on.

"Take a risk?　That's true, but do you really think there is no danger in your current position?

"What?

Do you really think that we have no other means, no other opportunities, no other coincidences than to get information from you?

Well, I...

The fact is, we found your base by accident. But why do you think we found it?　Did it ever cross your mind that someone screwed up, that someone sold us out?

"......

What would they think if we were lucky enough to get the information through another channel and get to the masterminds?　If we are fortunate enough to get information from another source and close in on the masterminds, what do they think? "Someone must have told them the information.

Once you start comparing the two, the rest is easy.

Reduce the value of the path you've been choosing.

That the path you're choosing now is not as safe as you thought, that a little accident can end badly.

"You can either trust the thing you're afraid of out in the open, or you can get rid of it faster. That's the choice.

The bandits look at each other.

They're wavering. We just have to finish it.

"I'm going to make you a proposal like that, and I'd like you to be brave enough to make it tomorrow if you feel like it. I'll arrange for you to think it over today. That's all.

After that, the seven bandits were moved to different locations as requested by the knights beforehand.

After they had settled down, they let out a big breath.

Well, I'm tired!　It's so hard to give a presentation while people keep staring at me!

When I look back, I see that Ilias and Grandpa Kara are still there, with indescribable expressions on their faces.

"Huh, there's a way to corner them like that. Boy, you're going to be a nasty merchant in the future.

"I don't want to be hated. I don't want to live a life of resentment. I just want to be safe.

But why did you split it up again?

To avoid being insured, I guess. The safest thing to do in that situation would be for all of us to come together and tell a lie. That way, it won't be a betrayal and we can postpone the execution and avoid interrogation. If we can detect a lie, it will take time to get another dictation if we expose it.

"I see, but will he give up the information?

No, he won't.

Well, then...

I have a favor to ask you, Grandfather Kara. It's a little bit of a bad idea. I'm sorry. ......

Hmm, you want to tell me?

Whisper in his ear.

Oh, come on, let me hear it!

I give the final touches to Mr. Iliad and Grandpa Kara by ear.

Mr. Cara groans blindly, and Mr. Ilias looks at me as if to say, "What kind of man are you?

"What a guy.

I'm told.

"A good scoundrel.

"It's just the idea of a bad boy. But this is a job only for knights, Grandfather Kara.

You can't turn your back on it. Very well. I'll be your accomplice.

"Mmm, but ...... for the good of the people, I have no choice.

There are many ways to get concessions from the other side in negotiations, but if you want to be on equal footing, the first thing you should do is make the other side understand the benefits.

People are more willing to accept new things when they understand the concrete benefits.

Next, you should explain the disadvantages as well. If you fail to do so, you will give the other person a sense of distrust.

If the loss is something that can be understood with a little thought, it is better to tell them about it first, so that they can understand your sincerity.

And don't forget the last push.