Chapter 31: The Return to the National Cemetery

Chapter 31: The Return to the National Cemetery

Marquis Manuel couldn't sit still in his study. Perhaps Saviros knew about his restless state because soon he was knocking on the study door.

"Your Excellency, it's Saviros."

"Come in."

As Saviros, the marquis' butler, entered the room, he was immediately bombarded with questions.

"Did you find it?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. Although it's only one bottle, I succeeded in finding it."

"Oh!"

The marquis, filled with emotion, scanned Saviros but found him empty-handed.

"But why have you come back empty-handed? Didn't you say you found it?"

"Well, you see, although we successfully placed the order, it will take about a week for the actual item to be delivered. They have a backlog of reservations..."

"What? It takes a week?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. I tried to expedite the process, but there were others who had made reservations before us, and they happened to be influential individuals..."

"Hmm. I see. That's regrettable, but it can't be helped."

As the marquis swallowed his disappointment, one of his servants knocked on the door.

"What is it?"

"A guest has arrived. It's Count Langkrat, Lord Langkrat."

"Count Langkrat? I see. Show him to the reception room."

Although the sudden visit from a guest irritated the count, he couldn't ignore Count Langkrat, who had amassed great wealth in this region.

"Saviros, was there any recent arrangement for a visit from Count Langkrat?"

"Not that I know of, Your Excellency."

"How peculiar. In any case, let's go meet him together."

Taking Saviros along, the marquis made his way to the reception room and soon encountered Count Langkrat, who had an impressive appearance.

"Your Excellency Manuel! I apologize for visiting so suddenly."

"No, Count Langkrat. There's no need for such formalities. Please, have a seat."

Marquis Manuel greeted Count Langkrat with a welcoming expression. The count, nodding as if it were natural, took his seat in the place the count had indicated.

"It's been a while since we last met, but you still maintain such a dignified presence. How do you manage to maintain the sturdy appearance of a great commander? Perhaps you have a secret?"

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. I simply eat well and sleep well. But more importantly, Your Excellency seems rejuvenated. How is it that you appear younger as time goes by?"

As the usual pleasantries and compliments were exchanged, and the atmosphere relaxed to a certain extent, the marquis subtly inquired about the purpose of the visit.

"But why have you come to visit today?"

"Oh, please wait a moment. Charlie!"

Count Langkrat called out to a servant waiting outside the room.

Then, the servant entered the reception room, carrying a box.

"Your Excellency, although it is modest, this is a small year-end gift I wanted to present first."

"Really? Haha, I didn't expect this. I graciously accept it."

Saviros stepped forward and received the box on behalf of the count.

The box was not large, and it felt light.

"If it's alright with you, you can check it now."

"Hmm? From the way Count Langkrat speaks, it seems to be quite an impressive item."

After the count mentioned that, he asked Saviros to check the contents.

As Saviros opened the box, his eyes widened in astonishment at what was inside.

"What is it? Why are you reacting like that?"

Count Langkrat cleared his throat and spoke with satisfaction at Saviros' reaction.

"To be honest, I had the opportunity to acquire quite valuable items in large quantities, namely Everlast Potions. Please feel free to use them without any burden."

While listening to Count Langkrat's words, Marquis Manuel checked the contents of the box.

Inside were three potion bottles, each wrapped in exquisite materials.

"This... Could it be?"

"It's Everlast Potion."

Marquis Manuel trembled as he picked up one of the potion bottles.

The potion in his hand emitted a yellow glow.

After staring at the potion for a while as if entranced, Marquis Manuel regained his composure and looked at Count Langkrat.

"I can't believe you're giving me these precious potions. Are you sure it's alright?"

"Of course, Your Excellency. Isn't our relationship at that level?"

"Oh my, thank you."

The Everlast Potion had gained a reputation even before it was available for sale, thanks to a few nobles who had tried it in advance.

It was a stamina-enhancing potion with no side effects and a guaranteed 100% effectiveness.

Soon, the broadcast announcement came, and I stood up from my seat.

Although I should have waited since the revenue from the patent hadn't been settled yet, thanks to William who diligently settled the down payment, I came here as soon as the weekend arrived.

Finally, the time had come to retrieve the signet ring.

'The question is whether the other party will agree to the deal.'

The problem was whether the gravedigger, Fireman, would be favorable towards me when the relationship with the assembly was already strained.

Fortunately, the good thing was that Fireman wasn't affiliated with the assembly, but as a necromancer himself, it wouldn't be easy.

Based on the experience of retrieving Nickel's corpse, it didn't seem like it would be easily recovered.

'I have no regrets about bringing Nickel. In the first place, if Nickel hadn't been there, I would have died in Bororic.'

Now, it was a calculation where I risked my life with the infamous and useless signet ring, so it was a profit no matter how you looked at it.

"Let's get ourselves together. The preparations are done."

I spoke to myself as if I were hypnotizing myself, and I took a carriage towards the national cemetery.

And inside the carriage, I made some preparations in case of unforeseen events.

When I arrived at the entrance of the national cemetery, I gave the same secret password as before.

Then, unlike last time, the gatekeeper added a few words at the end.

"There's a guest inside."

A medium?

If the gatekeeper simply said there's a person, it would mean there's a civilian inside, but if he said there's a guest, it meant someone related to black magic had visited.

'If it's a necromancer visiting the cemetery, who could it be? I wonder.'

Since the number of necromancers was not large, I was curious about their identities.

As I entered further inside, I could see the vast cemetery spread out, and there was no one there.

Instead, I noticed Fireman's cabin far in the corner.

'Are they having a conversation inside?'

Since I didn't know who had visited, I was naturally on edge.

For now, I decided to wait and took a brief look around the cemetery.

Roughly estimating, there were about 3,000 graves.

I carefully examined the names on the graves, wondering if there might be someone like Nickel.

'It's impressive. They manage all this every day.'

Of course, it was an optimal environment for hiding one's identity and practicing necromancy.

But I didn't feel particularly envious of it.

Lately, just by summoning Nickel, my proficiency in necromancy had been growing rapidly.

'I never expected it would turn out like this.'

After Nickel evolved, my proficiency increased much faster when I summoned Nickel compared to before.

It seemed like a positive variable, perhaps because I was dealing with undead creatures that were beyond my level.

While I was checking the names of the graves for a while, I felt someone coming out of the cabin.

Rustle.

"Alright. I'm counting on you for this task."

Fireman, who came out of the cabin, spoke to someone who was about to leave.

And the person who was leaving without saying anything was not a black magician but a mercenary.

How do I know it's a mercenary?

Well, because they are a character who causes significant events in the game.

'Why are you here?'

Bloody Dan.

He was a man with rough, untrimmed silver-gray hair loosely tied back and wearing a mask.

Although he was a mercenary, his main clients were black magicians like us or shady individuals.

He would stop at nothing for money and was a typical villainous character who didn't hesitate to commit cruel acts.

'He's quite skilled as a mercenary, and he has a ruthless personality. He also uses masks to escape well.'

The problem was that he caused major incidents.

Those incidents were related to my life and well-being, so I unknowingly felt conflicted.

'Because of him, a war will break out.'

A war.

Due to an incident where he kidnapped a child using a mask, a war erupted between the Empire and the barbarians.

'Maybe I should...'

"Hmm?"

He must have sensed my gaze and turned to look at me.

Along with him, my dilemma deepened.

...Should I kill him?