Death King Karnak

Chapter 46. 12. The Open Door to the End (2)

It was impossible to recount a story that spanned over a hundred years. So, Karnak briefly summarized the tale of his past life for Serati.

He told her about being born as an illegitimate child of a fallen family and learning necromancy.

The time when he tried to seize control of the family but was exposed as a necromancer and ended up on the run.

How he wandered the world, growing stronger, and eventually, because of the anger he provoked in people, became a public enemy of the continent.

In the end, he abandoned his humanity, became Astra Shunaph, and succeeded in conquering the world, all while devising a plan to regain his lost body.

“That’s why I came back to this era, or something like that.”

Finishing his rough explanation, Karnak gave her a look.

“Well, has that satisfied your curiosity?”

Serati’s face was blank, as if she were in a daze.

“My goodness…”

But even in her shock, she began to show signs of understanding.

“I see. That’s why…”

Karnak was rather taken aback.

“Huh? You actually believe me?”

“Why would you lie?”

“It’s not that, but even I think it’s a hard story to believe.”

“Honestly, after seeing what you’ve shown, it’s impossible not to believe.”

The abilities they had demonstrated were already beyond belief. A story this outlandish almost made more sense.

At the same time, another question arose in her mind.

“Does that mean Lord Karnak was originally an immortal being?”

“Yes.”

“You had no death, no disease, no pain?”

“Right.”

“And you even possessed the power to control everything in existence?”

“Depending on the scope of ‘everything in existence,’ but yes, I could more or less control the world as I pleased.”

“But…”

Serati asked again, as if she still couldn’t comprehend.

“You gave all that up to become human again?”

Hadn’t he transcended the limitations of a mere human and reached the realm of a god? And yet, he abandoned it all just because he couldn’t feel human sensations?

“Wouldn’t it have been easier to create a separate body that could feel sensations?”

“I tried. It didn’t work.”

“Then what about possessing another human’s body…?”

“Tried that too. Didn’t work.”

“Then what about sharing the sensations with another human…?”

“Of course, I tried that as well. Didn’t work either.”

He had tried every conceivable method over the span of decades. After failing and failing, this was the only path left.

“But Serati, you seem to know quite a bit about these methods. Most good people wouldn’t normally think of such things.”

“I, well, I read a similar book once…”

This was one of the reasons why Serati was able to easily accept Karnak’s explanation.

Her hobby of devouring various adventure stories whenever she had time made tales of past lives and time travel somewhat plausible to her.

Still, Serati was confused.

What if someone told her that instead of becoming undead, she could transcend even the Four Great Martial Kings and become the ultimate martial artist?

‘I think I’d accept it…’

To reach such heights, Karnak must have possessed extraordinary effort, determination, and an unwavering will. That’s how he would have gained immortality.

But after finally reaching his goal, he gave it up just because it wasn’t what he had imagined?

If he were that kind of person, would he even have made it to such a supreme level in the first place?

Karnak let out a deep sigh.

“Yeah, I figured you’d think that way.”

Back then, he had been sincere.

He had considered this flesh nothing more than a cumbersome obstacle on his path to the ultimate level he dreamed of.

He believed that abandoning everything in pursuit of one absolute truth, one ultimate goal, was more than worth it.

“You really can’t understand it until you’ve experienced it yourself.”

“I was thrilled when I first became a Death Knight. All the inconveniences of being human just vanished.”

Karnak and Varos both chuckled.

Neither showed any regret for what they had given up.

Serati cautiously continued her questioning.

“But… don’t you feel it was a waste?”

Didn’t he regret losing everything he had built over a lifetime? Didn’t it bother him to be overpowered by those who were once weaker than him? Hadn’t he even fled from someone like Shutraff?

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Karnak smirked.

“If I could, I wouldn’t have given up either. But since I had to choose one, there was no other option.”

Did he miss his past power?

To be honest, sometimes he did.

Was he dissatisfied with his current weakened state?

Of course, he was. Naturally, there were grievances.

But even so, he never wanted to return to being Astra Shunaph.

“I was the king of hell. No matter how much of a king I was, the fact remained that I was living in hell.”

Of course, becoming human didn’t mean living in paradise.

Isn’t it often said that this world is hell itself?

To some extent, Karnak agreed with that.

“If hell had levels, human life would be somewhere in the middle.”

His life as Astra Shunaph had been in the lowest level of hell.

“I’d rather live comfortably in the middle level of hell than reign as a king in its deepest layer, making the world bow beneath me.”

He gave a calm smile.

“You can trust my words since I’ve lived through both.”

Serati nodded in understanding.

“I see…”

Now, she understood why necromancy was the most forbidden of forbidden arts. If that was the conclusion reached by someone who had achieved the ultimate level of necromancy…

“Is it better to choose death than to become an undead…?”

Karnak raised an eyebrow.

“What are you talking about? If you’re about to die, you should become an undead.”

“What? But just now, you said…”

“That’s why you should avoid necromancy if possible. But if you’re on the verge of death, why would you give up on life? You should do whatever it takes to survive.”

“Wouldn’t that make your return meaningless?”

“That’s why I’d have to find a way to return to being Astra Shunaph.”

And then, he would go back in time again to regain his human sensations!

“Isn’t that more logical?”

Beside him, Varos chimed in.

“Wouldn’t that take too long? You’d have to kill half the continent’s population to become the King of the Dead again.”

“I’ve done it before. It won’t take as many years as it did last time.”

“True. I’m convinced.”

Serati shivered at the calm conversation between the two. Now she understood their behavior.

‘Ah, so they’re originally that kind of people.’

Their way of thinking was completely different from that of ordinary people.

She suddenly steeled her resolve.

“Lord Karnak.”

“What?”

“I am now your knight. So, I will dedicate my life to protecting you.”

But it wasn’t for Karnak’s sake. It was for humanity and the world.

She couldn’t predict what this dangerous man would do if his life were threatened!

Karnak tilted his head at Serati’s sudden change in attitude.

“…?”

In any case, there was no reason to refuse her offer to protect him.

“Well, uh, thanks.”

With the conversation wrapped up, the group resumed their journey.

As they walked along the main road, Serati found herself pondering something as she watched Karnak’s back.

‘Then, what will that man do when he’s about to die of old age?’

***

Five days after leaving Trist City, Karnak’s group arrived at the Zestrad Barony.

“I’m here, old man Tafel!”

Having received prior notice of their arrival, the mansion’s servants had come out to greet them. The elderly butler, Tafel, welcomed Karnak with a bright smile.

“Welcome, my lord.”

He had already heard the rumors.

He knew what Karnak and Varos had accomplished in Derat City.

When Tafel first heard that the young master, who was supposed to be studying magic in the capital, had unexpectedly settled in Derat City for several months, he had been quite worried.

It was said that seeing the world and broadening one’s knowledge was the privilege of youth, but that didn’t mean neglecting one’s duties and simply idling away the time. At one point, he even spent quite a bit of time pondering how to scold him.

But what had happened?

The reputation of Karnak and Varos, who had made a significant impact in Derat City, had somehow spread all the way to the northernmost Zestrad Barony!

Having dealt with numerous necromancers and saved the kingdom’s citizens, their deeds were truly honorable. The prestige of the Zestrad family had also been greatly elevated.

Tafel was just about to shower Karnak with praise, his heart full of joy.

‘Hmm?’

Standing behind Karnak was a woman he had never seen before.

She had lush red hair, a strikingly refreshing appearance, and was brimming with vitality—truly a beautiful woman.

To those who had only ever lived in the countryside, she was an astonishing beauty, unlike any they had ever seen.

‘…Could it be?’

A slight sense of unease crept up on Tafel, but he remained calm as he addressed Karnak.

“My lord, I see you have a guest. It would have been nice if you had informed me beforehand.”

“Oh, right?”

Karnak suddenly remembered and gestured toward her.

“Let me introduce you. This is Serati Allen.”

If a young man went on a journey and returned with a beautiful woman, the reason was usually obvious.

The gathered servants and maids of the mansion began to whisper among themselves.

‘Oh my!’

‘Could it be?’

‘Is she the future Baroness?’

Tafel felt a bit flustered.

As a lord of a region, one couldn’t just marry anyone on a whim. There had to be a certain level of social standing involved.

However, the surname Allen didn’t ring any bells for him. In fact, it was such a common name that it likely meant she was a commoner, not a noble.

‘Hmm, how should I address this?’

But then Karnak’s next words were rather unexpected.

“She is to be the new knight of the Zestrad Barony. The formal appointment will be arranged later, so make the necessary preparations.”

“…What?”

Tafel blinked in surprise.

A knight? Not a potential wife?

‘But why would he make such a woman a knight of our barony?’

There was no doubt that she was an extraordinary beauty. Her figure was also slender and lovely.

But those were the virtues of a beauty, not the qualities of a knight.

To make a living by the sword, one needed sturdy muscles, a large build, and a strong appearance, right?

Like Sir Varos, who was standing right beside them.

“My lord, even though our barony is on the frontier, we can’t just make anyone a knight…”

Not only Tafel, but others were also taken aback, glancing back and forth between Karnak and Serati.

Seeing their reactions, Varos chuckled.

“Just as Sir Serati predicted.”

“I’ve experienced this many times,” Serati responded without batting an eye.

It was the mediocre ones who got angry when underestimated; true strength was indifferent. After all, a true warrior could prove themselves on the spot.

Actions speak louder than words, so Serati drew her sword.

Her sword-drawing motion was so refined that it earned some level of approval from the onlookers.

‘Her sword-drawing is impressive.’

‘Well, if a woman is going to wield a sword, she’d need to be that good.’

‘But I heard that elegant swordsmanship is of little use against monsters.’

*Woooong!*

A red light enveloped the blade, and simultaneously, a terrifying aura pressed down on the shoulders of those gathered.

“Gasp!”

“Eek!”

The servants and maids recoiled in shock. Even Tafel’s eyes trembled violently.

Even a layperson could recognize what the light before them signified.

“A…a sword aura? Could she really be an aura user?”

Neither Sir Varos, recognized as the strongest in Zestrad, nor Sir Randolph, the mightiest knight of Deventor, had reached that level.

This was the realm of a superhuman, far beyond the reach of all the knights of the barony combined.

Karnak asked nonchalantly.

“Do you still doubt her abilities?”

There was no room for doubt.

Tafel’s tone simply shifted slightly.

“No, but why would someone of her caliber become a knight in our barony?”