The Necromancer Who Was Despised

“This is ridiculous! Who would allow such a thing!”

At that moment, Kyalla, unable to hold back, shouted out, and Athorac, taken aback, drew his sword and blocked Prina’s path.

“…I thought it was possible that we had a special relationship, but it seems that’s the case. I apologize, but considering the position of Lord Doinha and my own, I need to be the first wife externally. I promise to show sufficient respect, so please don’t refuse.”

“What nonsense… Inha, you too, say something!”

Following Kyalla, Artina also couldn’t hide her agitation.

Anelis was momentarily surprised, but her calm demeanor quickly returned. Tia, like the two before her, was in a state of agitation.

However, thanks to her experience dealing with merchants, her expression quickly recovered. The only thing she couldn’t hide was her trembling hand.

Seeing the agitation of our group, I quickly regained my composure.

At the same time, I immediately understood why Prina brought up this topic.

“It’s certainly effective.”

A marriage alliance.

Forming an alliance through marriage is a common practice among noble families.

However, that’s something that happens between noble families, and I didn’t expect it to happen with me, a commoner, and a black mage at that.

“The Prina family only has one heir. With Prina currently being the lord, marrying the previous lord… would at least guarantee an alliance until Prina’s death.”

Even if we maintained a good relationship afterward, the non-interference agreement would continue to be upheld, and the permanent alliance would also be maintained even after Prina’s death.

Prina is not an ordinary lord.

With the support of the royal family and my own, as well as the favorable timing, she would become a lord who revives the fallen Rinetta family.

Even if she gave birth to a child, it would be clear that the child wouldn’t have succession rights, making it seem like she’s leaving her family and marrying me, but her achievements wouldn’t disappear.

Forming a marriage relationship with a lord who has achieved such feats would mean that I’m essentially putting my name on the Rinetta family’s ledger, and this kind of relationship would indeed lead to a permanent alliance.

“…It’s better than relying on the royal family’s guarantee or the family’s name, which would put the family at risk.”

If I relied on the royal family’s guarantee or the family’s name, I might be forced to die together with them in the worst-case scenario. But if I formed a marriage alliance, I could find a way to save the family even in the worst-case scenario.

By the way, the worst-case scenario referred to situations where I became a public enemy on the continent or earned the royal family’s hatred.

“Instead, Prina usually wouldn’t be safe.”

The plan was to minimize the burden on the family and maintain a permanent alliance, no matter what the future held.

At the same time, if I didn’t make a mistake, the alliance would be maintained, and I would be sacrificing myself, making it a delicate situation.

When I remained silent, Artina asked, “You, are you…?”

“Of course, it would be mutually beneficial. The lord would protect the family, and I would gain a reliable hostage and proof of the alliance. Plus, with the duke’s family as in-laws, I wouldn’t be disregarded anywhere.”

“It’s just a superficial arrangement. We don’t need to act like a real couple. Think simply. This is a transaction, not a marriage.”

And for now, it was just an engagement. Since her younger brother would inherit the territory after coming of age, there were about nine years left.

“If you want, I can help you form a better relationship with the duke’s family. Even if you’re stuck in a room for life, I’ll take responsibility.”

This was a preemptive move to prevent further demands.

“I’m not sure. I’ve never met the lord’s younger brother, but logically, I wouldn’t like someone who treats their sister like that.”

Prina’s loyal knight, Athorac, was also watching with a sharp gaze, making it likely that if I made a wrong move in the future, not only Prina’s brother but also Athorac, who had a high reputation in the territory, would become my enemy.

“From the start, it’s impossible to like someone who treats their sister like that… who would sacrifice so much for themselves and their territory.”

It

Personally, I think it’s a decent deal, but the opposition from my colleagues is quite severe.

Especially since Kyra has sufficient grounds to strongly oppose this matter.

“It wasn’t a casual relationship, after all.”

Even when I hesitated to answer, Prina nodded her head calmly.

“Whenever you’re ready.”

My colleagues seemed to relax a bit at my response, and even Atroc’s expression changed to one of relief.

“A noble’s power is indeed fearsome.”

Who would have thought that they would sacrifice themselves for their family… When they first said they’d marry me, I thought they were out of their minds.

“Or are they really crazy?”

I never thought I’d see someone who would offer themselves as a hostage to the Dark Mage, of all people.

It’s not like Atina or Kyra, who are bound by special ties.

It’s literally a gamble with their life as part of the deal.

Objectively speaking, it does seem crazy.

“Nobility isn’t something anyone can do.”

“Ah, and by the way, I mentioned Colmail earlier. He’s a capable person. Thanks for the recommendation.”

The recommendation itself was an old story, but it seems they’ve been keeping an eye on him for a while.

“I’m glad I could help. Since he’s connected to the royal family, you can trust him.”

“They said he’s a useful person on the royal side as well. It’s just that they hired too many mercenaries in a short period, so… I heard they’re facing a labor shortage.”

That’s true. Especially since I had connections with the Juterus Viscountcy before I left, and I even cleaned up the people connected to them, which led to a significant labor shortage.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“…Since we paid them, it’s not our problem anymore.”

Indeed, money is the most important thing for mercenaries. Thanks to my support and the royal family’s consistent support, the Lintea territory could promise sufficient compensation to the mercenaries, and as a result, the number of mercenaries in the Lintea territory has increased significantly compared to the past.

It’s almost as if they brought over most of the mercenaries from Dollemere.

“Of course, they still belong to Dollemere.”

“Does the Mercenary Guild plan to establish a proper branch?”

“No, it seems they don’t have plans for that yet. Instead, they’re saying they want to bring in a temple.”

“…A temple, you say?”

“Yes. The Earth Mother Church and the Church of Light, or rather, the Goddess Church, want to establish a presence in our territory, and negotiations are currently underway.”

It’s unlikely that the Lintea territory, which receives support from the royal family, would accept the Goddess Church.

It’s more likely that they’ll politely decline and instead accept the Earth Mother Church.

The Lintea family’s power is still insufficient to openly reject the Goddess Church.

But I couldn’t help but show a bad expression.

No matter how revived the religion may be, as a Dark Mage, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

There’s no religion that treats Dark Mages kindly, after all.

There’s only a slight difference, but the result is the same – rejection.

“And there’s one thing I’d like to ask about that matter.”

“What is it?”

“Have you ever had any bad experiences with the Goddess Church?”

At her question, I shook my head briefly and answered.

“There’s nothing in particular.”

“Hmm… then, I think we need to be careful.”

Prina, as if she herself found it hard to understand, shook her head and opened her mouth.

“They said they want to build a temple on the Desert Shield’s side.”

“The Desert Shield’s side… are you kidding me?”

“It seems like you, Do In-ha, have caught the eye of the Goddess’s followers.”

It seemed like they were going to evaluate me.

Even going so far as to set up a separate temple just to see me…

‘How annoying.’

Slowly, the Goddess’s followers began to take notice of me.

＜ Episode 155 ﹥ Movement

There was no significant story after the temple discussion.

Prina informed me that she couldn’t stay on the Desert Shield for an extended period due to the temple construction.

“We’ll send a separate mercenary or staff member, an administrator, to take care of this place.”

I immediately responded to Prina’s words.

“If there’s anything that requires cooperation, it’s fine to discuss it with Tia here. She usually handles external affairs.”

“I heard she’s also the one who negotiated with the royal merchants. You seem to trust her a lot.”

“I’ve always tried to make up for my shortcomings, and she’s never disappointed me, so I can trust her.”

“I see. I’ll make sure to mention it to the person who will be sent separately. As for the engagement…”

“I’ll respond soon.”

“That’s good. Even if you refuse, it’s not a problem. There are other alternatives, anyway.”

It seemed like they wouldn’t guarantee my family name or the royal family’s backing, no matter what. Even now, they were revealing their intentions.

In other words, Prina was saying that the current proposal was the best, and if I refused, I would have to accept a lower-level negotiation.

“Ah, and please keep this confidential, especially if you’re planning to refuse. If my marriage path is blocked…”

“Don’t worry about that. Our words are heavy.”

“I believe you. Alright.”

With that, Prina left the room.

After she left, my companions, especially Kayla and Atina, surrounded me as if encircling me.

“Do In-ha, be honest. Are you really planning to marry her?”

Her… even though I had shown her at least minimal courtesy, now that the engagement was out, she was suddenly ‘her’.

“I think it’s not a bad deal.”

“What about our teacher? What will our teacher do? You’re not…?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’ve never underestimated Kayla.”

While Atina was interrogating me, Kayla was silently staring at me.

“Teacher, you should say something too! In reality, you’re more…,”

Kayla cut off Atina with one sentence and looked at me.

“To be honest, when you didn’t immediately refuse at first, I was a bit, no, very disappointed.”

I understand. Or rather, if I hadn’t felt disappointed, I might have become even more ambiguous.

As I said before, I didn’t take my relationship with Kayla lightly. But it was too good an opportunity to refuse outright, so I knew it was a cruel thing to do to Kayla, and instead of refusing, I left room for consideration.

“But logically, I can understand.”

Atina gasped at Kayla’s words.

“Noble families’ strategic marriages or alliances were stories I often heard when I was active as a knight in the past. Whenever I heard that a young master from one family and a young lady from another were engaged or married, the nobles would all calculate the benefits and losses.

It’s a common thing. It’s not only common in the history of our world but also in modern times.

As someone who has experienced life as a quasi-noble, Kailla was more calculating in her perspective, just like Artina.

However, Artina seemed unable to accept it.

“What are you talking about! It’s like you’re permitting Inha to marry that woman…!”

“Artina, calm down, I told you.”

“But!”

“You have no right to intervene in this conversation. You’re just a member of the lord’s entourage, not a lover or family member.”

“If you had acted earlier, it might have been different, but it’s too late now.”

I didn’t react to Kailla and Artina’s conversation.

“…That’s right. You’re right. It’s the truth.”

“…Sister?”

“Let’s go, Tia. Anelis. You come too.”

“…Yes, Artina-nim.”

“I’ll go first.”

I didn’t stop Artina.

Only Kailla and I were left in the room, and Kailla continued speaking.

“To be honest, I don’t intend to oppose the engagement or marriage.”

“I’ll be frank. From the moment I got close to the lord, I never thought I could monopolize him alone. As you know, Artina was with the lord before me, and I knew about that child too. So, even if one more person joins, it’s not a good feeling, but I can tolerate it.”

Kailla’s words weren’t strange. That’s just how the world is. If you have the ability, you can have multiple partners, and no one would care.

Gender didn’t matter either.

If you have the power or ability, whether you’re a man or a woman, no one would say anything, even if you have a hundred partners.

“In fact, my reaction earlier… was because the lord is a dark mage, and I let my guard down. It was an unexpected blow, and that’s why I reacted strongly.”

Even I, the person involved, was shocked, so I could understand why Kailla was shocked too.

“There’s just one thing I can never compromise on.”

“What’s that?”

“Lord, Lady Prina said she would be the first. Internally, it may not matter, but externally, it’s unavoidable. Please understand.”

That’s right. She did say that. It’s true that her becoming the second or third would be unacceptable in terms of social status and position.

To be honest, even if I were already married, I would have to formally divorce and accept Lady Prina in a situation like this.

It’s not that Lady Prina is making an unreasonable demand.

“I will never accept that.”

“……Isn’t that essentially rejecting her?”

Kailla shook her head at my words.

“No. As I said, I don’t oppose it. Yes, just accept that condition.”

Her words felt inconsistent. So, I had to ask Kailla directly what she was thinking.

“As Lady Prina said, it’s just an engagement for now. The official marriage will be in 9 years.”

“You….”

“I’ll show you my growth during that time. I’ll surpass the wall and become a master… and then, we’ll see.”

“When that happens, we’ll see if Lady Prina can still claim to be the lord’s first in front of me.”

Kailla’s face was mixed with strong humiliation and anger as she spoke.

Kyleara seems to think that I took her place because of my own inadequacy.