The Necromancer Who Was Despised

That’s what was passed down through the stories.

After the battle, chaos descended upon the grand forest.

“The territories that existed until then were almost completely reset, and the predators that had been suppressed by the giants and dragons began to reveal themselves.”

In that situation, orcs were the weak ones.

“There was one place that even those predators couldn’t approach, however – the area around the dead dragons and giants.”

“…Why?”

“I don’t know exactly, but it’s said to be dangerous. The auras of the giants and dragons clashed, and even going near that area would drive you mad.”

However, orcs had no choice.

The surviving orcs gathered around the dead dragons, one by one.

They avoided the area around the giant, not because they were afraid of the invaders, but because the area around the dragon was slightly less maddening.

“Even so, orcs who went mad continued to appear, and their tribe members would isolate them.”

They couldn’t kill their own kind due to their instinct to protect their tribe.

So they isolated the mad orcs and took care of them, even in difficult times.

As they survived near the dragons, somehow…

“The first orc to awaken from their madness appeared.”

An orc with a small horn growing on their head, who had regained their sanity.

“He claimed to have heard the dragon’s voice.”

The surrounding orcs still thought he was mad and kept him isolated, but soon his horn began to grow, and he started using magic.

“The situation changed. He saved the orcs who had gone mad. Although the time it took varied, after their horns started growing, they all regained their sanity. However, there was no one else who claimed to have heard the dragon’s voice.”

Only the first horned orc heard that voice.

The first horned orc didn’t stop there.

He began to turn his sane tribe members into horned orcs, and to survive, the orc tribe gradually became horned orcs.

The children born between horned orcs were also horned orcs, and as they learned magic one by one, the horned orcs grew stronger.

“In that process, we realized that our orc instincts had decreased significantly.”

Even now, horned orcs cherish their tribe members, but it’s not due to their instincts like in the past.

“We realized that conflicts within the orc tribe had decreased, and that we weren’t the only ones who had become horned orcs.”

So the horned orcs gathered.

They said they would inherit the dragon’s will and respect each other, forming a massive power in the grand forest.

“In that process, we succeeded in defeating the ogres who had tormented us endlessly.”

And that became the starting point.

“Some of the fleeing ogres… settled down next to the giant’s corpse.”

◈ Evolution

“The first ancestors didn’t notice that the ogres had settled around the giant’s corpse.”

It’s said that the ancestors didn’t know whether the ogres knew the secret of the dragon-like creatures or if it was just a coincidence.

“Later, when the ancestors found out, they hastily chased the ogres, but… they couldn’t do anything to them.”

“Did the dragon-like creatures defeat the ogres?”

“That’s right. But they couldn’t approach the giant’s corpse.”

“Why?”

“Because they would go mad or die.”

“What?”

“Our ancestors overcame their madness and, under the influence of the dragon, were reborn as a new species. However, they were vulnerable to the giants’ power.”

To be precise, the dragons were fine, but the dragon-like creatures, who had only partially inherited their power, couldn’t even approach the giant’s corpse.

“It’s because they lacked power.”

Tinus’s words didn’t elicit a response from Rithild.

“So, the reason we lost to the red ogres is…”

“No, that’s not it. We don’t know if the ogres went through the same process as us, but they were reborn as a new species, and when we fought them, they didn’t receive a significant influence. They were just stronger than us.”

“That’s just how it was.”

It means that the dragon-like creatures or the red ogres didn’t fully inherit the power of the dragons and giants.

As a result, they didn’t have a significant negative impact on each other.

“We obtained a new power, magic, and even the Shadowless magic, but we couldn’t defeat the red ogres.”

The red ogres, claiming to be the descendants of the giants, possessed powerful physical abilities and strong magic resistance.

In reality, they were natural enemies.

“The ogres had strong bodies from birth. With their further enhanced bodies and powerful magic resistance, we couldn’t defeat them.”

It’s fortunate that the balance was maintained for a while, thanks to the overwhelming number of dragon-like creatures.

“Even the strongest body will eventually collapse. However, we still couldn’t defeat the red ogres.”

The two species fought for a long time.

And in the end, the dragon-like creatures were defeated.

“They ran away. It seemed like they had no intention of sparing us, who had opposed them for so long.”

The orcs, who had obtained new power and become dragon-like creatures, succeeded in driving out the ogres, but similarly, the ogres, who had obtained new power, became red ogres and returned as predators.

It’s fortunate that the dragon-like creatures could withstand the war for a long time, thanks to their early acquisition of new power and their strong reproductive abilities compared to the ogres.

In the end, they were defeated.

“That’s right. So, it’s said that they inherited the dragon’s bloodline.”

Tinus let out a sigh.

“…Did the dragon-like creature who claimed to have heard the dragon’s voice not appear after the first generation?”

“That’s right. The dragon’s body slowly dispersed over time, and the remaining body parts became treasures for each tribe. Occasionally, people who claimed to have heard the voice appeared, but…”

“People who heard the voice appeared?”

Rithild nodded at Tinus’s words.

“That’s right. However, it wasn’t as clear as the first generation, and it was more like a faint dream during a ritual.”

“Is there anyone who heard the voice and is still alive today?”

“…I doubt it.”

Tinus’s face distorted at those words.

However, the treasure known to have the dragon’s soul remains.

Treasure.

Something came to mind late.

“The dragon’s fang…”

“That’s right. It’s said that the dragon’s soul is residing there.”

“Is the dragon’s spirit really residing there?”

“According to the stories passed down, that’s the case.”

Tinus’s face turned serious.

It’s natural, but he had seen the dragon’s fang before.

It’s not strange that he couldn’t see it, since it’s the sword Artina uses.

“I’ve never felt the soul there, though…”

But Tinus seemed to have no intention of letting it go.

“I need to confirm it once and for all.”

Since Artina is not far away, it won’t take long to verify.

“Let’s go.”

“What?”

“It would be good to reveal our identities to Kaeluto as well. I’ll take care of bringing them to our side from the alliance.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. They… can be called the dragon’s descendants, even if they’re lacking. The situation was dire, so our predecessors had no choice but to make their decisions.”

“What about our identities…?”

Rithilde looked puzzled, but Tinus ignored him and continued.

“Even if it’s just a coincidence, it doesn’t matter. They’ve been fighting for a long time, risking their lives as the giants’ descendants. Even if they lost, we can’t ignore their achievements.”

The fact that the red ogre is a giant’s descendant is undeniable.

Thinking about the Twin Head Troll’s sentence and his memories, it’s impossible to deny.

Therefore, Tinus seemed to recognize the orcs as one of the dragon’s descendants, just like they had fought against them and been influenced by the dragons.

“Bring Kaeluto here. I’ll go to Artina.”

Kaeluto might want to go himself, but for now, my influence over them is greater.

It seemed like he was asking me to bring him without any trouble.

His attitude was very serious, so I agreed and told Rithilde to wait for a bit.

Rithilde didn’t refuse, perhaps because of our atmosphere.

But he seemed to want to clear up his curiosity, and I agreed to do so.

From the start, I had planned to reveal our identities to Rithilde. Thanks to his cooperation, I could hear many stories without revealing our identities.

‘But it might have been necessary to hear more detailed stories.’

About the ancient rituals, the past tribal leaders, or other tribes… and also about their magic and the painful memories of their defeat to the red ogre…

In the end, I would have had to reveal our identities to hear more detailed stories.

But Tinus had already recognized the orcs.

It wasn’t difficult to bring Kaeluto.

As the person in charge of the trade route development, he followed me without a word when I said I had something to say.

As I headed to where Rithilde was waiting, Tinus had already returned.

Artina and Kayla were there with him.

“Why is Kayla here?”

“We’ve been training together, haven’t we? You said so, so I followed you.”

Tinus spoke as if it was nothing.

Kaleto had a puzzled expression, unsure why he was here.

“First… I’ll express my gratitude to you, on behalf of Dragon.”

Tinus spoke on behalf of Dragon, and Rithild and Kaleto tilted their heads.

However, they soon understood and exclaimed in surprise.

“What, you mean… you’re Dragon?”

Rithild asked, and Tinus nodded briefly.

“It’s not exactly what you think, but yes, I’m Dragon.”

They must have thought of Polymorph, but…

‘Wait, didn’t I say it was a seal applied using Polymorph?’

But it wasn’t the Polymorph they imagined.

“Then… this familiarity…,”

Kaleto’s confusion prompted Tinus to nod again.

“It’s because the Dragon you follow is my kin.”

“Then… are you the Gold Dragon?”

“That’s correct.”

Kayla and Atina already knew Tinus’ true identity, so they didn’t react much.

Instead, they looked puzzled, wondering why they were here.

“Then, does that mean our tribe, the guardians of the imperial throne, are indeed Dragon’s descendants?”

“I don’t know how it started. I didn’t know about the Orc’s appearance, and I haven’t been revived for long.”

“…Revived?”

“I’m currently an undead. As the commander of Do-inha’s army, I’m cooperating with him.”

The two had extremely puzzled expressions.

No matter how they looked at Tinus, they couldn’t sense any magic. And he called himself an undead Dragon…

It was unimaginable.

“…Is it really true that you’re Dragon?”

In the end, they couldn’t believe it, so Tinus transformed into his dragon form, revealing that he couldn’t return to his dragon form due to the contract with me, his contractor, being incomplete.

“I can, but if I do, the contractor will die.”

So it was impossible.

Although there was insurance, he couldn’t do such a thing just to prove himself.

It was only after I guaranteed Tinus’ true identity that the two began to believe him.

“Tsk. I’m quite pitiful, aren’t I?”

Tinus clicked his tongue, looking pitiful.

But that was it. It was a far cry from the proud Dragon he was known to be.

“Then, if you’ve returned, who… could it be?”

“It’s not Do-inha. I just happened to find him.”

To be exact, he found him again through his memories from the first cycle.

Back then, he was just a corpse being used…

‘It’s amazing how the Dragon’s soul was trapped, and I used it recklessly.’

It seemed as if Tinos had ignored the conversation with the horned ones themselves.

There was a point where one could infer why he did so.

“‘Shupertan killed the Gold Dragon, but at the same time, the Gold Dragon also killed him, so it’s only fair.'”

Considering that there was no rumor about Tinos’s soul, it seemed as if he hadn’t been completely eliminated.

“Or maybe he secretly made a deal and moved to some place.”

But if that were the case, it would mean he had given up his body entirely… which didn’t make sense.

Tinos thought that further proof would be a waste of time and decided to get to the point.