The Necromancer Who Was Despised

“…Uscatia, what brings you here, as the leader of the Guardians?”

“Long time no see, Bert, Preté, and Yeriya.”

“I haven’t received an answer yet.”

“Don’t pretend to be innocent. The war has already ended, hasn’t it?”

“The faces of your fallen comrades are still etched in my eyes. What’s the point of saying that?”

“If we’re going to argue like that, my colleagues also died at your hands.”

Uscatia and the two Dark Elf elders exchanged a cold gaze.

“You were the ones who launched a surprise attack.”

“We did declare war.”

“Is shouting into the void considered a declaration of war?”

“The price for that was paid on the united front. In reality, one of those prices was the tearing apart of the Guardians. I said I was the leader of the Guardians, but to be exact, I’m the Guardian of the World Tree.”

“Just a title, then. Does anyone not know that the Guardian of the united front, the Guardian of the alliance, is your puppet force?”

They hurled sharp words at each other.

It wasn’t strange for Elves and Dark Elves, who had experienced real war, to still be active in their old age.

In other words, Uscatia, who appeared to be a woman in her early to mid-20s, was actually much older than she seemed.

‘It’s not strange, but.’

Long-lived beings aged slowly.

“Let’s stop this meaningless argument. I didn’t come here to see the Dark Elves.”

“That’s right. Or should I say, that’s how it should be. If you have any dignity, that is.”

“I didn’t come here to fight.”

Uscatia firmly cut off the two elders’ words.

“The person I need to see is Do In-ha.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

It was hard to guess.

If they were Dark Elves, it would be understandable, but they had no connection with the Elves.

At most, they had a connection with the Governor, Adias?

‘As a Dragonian, I have no relation with the Elves, but.’

“There’s something I want to ask, and if possible, I’d like to invite you.”

“…An invitation?”

“Yes. Although you’re busy now, I’d like to invite you to the Elf forest someday….”

“Didn’t you say you didn’t come here to fight?”

At that moment, Yeriya, who had been quiet, spoke up.

◈ Development

Uscatia tilted her head at Yeriya’s words.

“That’s right. I didn’t come here to fight, but to have a conversation.”

“At least to us, it feels like you’ve come to pick a fight, and I’m not mistaken, am I?”

“Yes. You seem quite sensitive.”

“Then let me ask you one thing. You already know that I was recruited by this person, right?”

It was because of Uskatiya in front of me. She called me a bit more respectfully.

“Yes. I was really surprised. Someone who jumped out of the alliance suddenly became a human’s subordinate… Ah, if that was unpleasant, I apologize.”

Although she apologized with her mouth, Uskatiya’s expression didn’t change at all.

It wasn’t that she was ridiculing me, but rather, she seemed completely unemotional. It was as if she didn’t care. The elders seemed even more displeased.

From my perspective as a third party, it seemed like they were treating it as nothing.

“Is that correct?”

However, Yeriya, the person involved, didn’t show any particular change.

“It’s okay, continue talking.”

“Thank you for understanding. Anyway, when I heard that you were recruited by a human and became active, I was really surprised. I knew that the Riyeia family had a half-elf girl in the middle and had a connection with Lord Doeinha, but I didn’t think it would lead to you, Yeriya-nim, who was missing.”

Uskatiya turned her head to look at me and continued speaking.

“In fact, Lord Doeinha formed a very close relationship with the alliance through the Dark Elf. Although he had many connections before, he had never formed a deep relationship with another race like this. So, our elf side acknowledged that Lord Doeinha was extraordinary and decided to form a friendly relationship with him at the racial level.”

“So, you’re inviting me?”

“Yes. I know you’re busy right now, so I can’t force you, but I made a promise to meet you beforehand. As you know, our clan holds a very important position within the alliance. You won’t lose anything by accepting the invitation.”

Uskatiya said it would be a good thing for me.

“Through the Dark Elf, you formed a personal and close connection with the alliance, but the power gap is huge. As an elf, you might not feel lacking in many ways.”

“In many ways…”

“I mean, do you need to find an elf to form a closer connection with the alliance?”

Then, Yeriya intervened again.

“Did I forget to mention that this person has a connection with Adias-nim too? If you’re going to look for someone, do you need to find the Dragonian’s nest instead of the elf forest?”

That was a reasonable statement.

It was true that the elf clan had a high position within the alliance, but it couldn’t be compared to the Dragonian.

Honestly, I didn’t know which side was stronger in terms of military power.

However, in terms of influence, representation, and position, there was no race that could surpass the Dragonian, who had led the alliance from the beginning.

Even if it was the Dark Elf in its prime, it would be the same.

“Yes. No matter how excellent our clan is, we can’t say we’re above the Dragonians when we think about their achievements. But do you know? The two governors have already vacated their seats.”

The two governors.

I heard one of them was an elf.

“…The Neutral Zone.”

“Yes. It’s a very intense place, so we had to send our main forces once we discovered what they were doing. The governors are directly commanding the army, considering the importance of war.”

Even many of the elder council members had been secretly mobilized.

“Can you say that much?”

“Are you someone who would carelessly talk about it anywhere?”

I didn’t have anywhere to talk about it anyway, since I was focused on exploring trade routes.

“Let’s just believe it.”

After all, it didn’t make sense for a black magician to join the Holy Empire.

‘Ah, did I say the black star had joined?’

In the end, we were caught.

“…If the Council of Elders moves to this extent, it seems that the Alliance considers the current situation a serious crisis.”

“That’s right.”

Uscatia nodded in agreement with Bert’s words.

The Council of Elders they were talking about was not a family-based elder, but a political organization officially recognized by the Inter-Species Alliance, where only Dragoinians could enter under normal circumstances.

“It’s said that most of them have experience as regents.”

In fact, it was said to be Dragoinian’s greatest strength.

If they moved to this extent, it seemed that the Empire’s movements were not ordinary.

“Even if you go to find Dragoinian in this situation, it’s uncertain whether you’ll be welcomed. On the other hand, we elves are always ready to welcome you whenever you come.”

“Why are you doing this? Do you think elves are worth this much to me…?”

“There is.”

Uscatia replied firmly, as if there was no need to say more.

“You’re the owner of the trade route and have the current regent’s attention, so it seems like you’re belittling yourself too much.”

The owner of the trade route.

The subtle nuance in those words made the expressions of my companions, including me, stiffen.

“…You’re a merchant.”

The dark elf, who was on the same boat as me, also completely changed sides due to Tinos’ influence.

“Ah, I’ve heard news about the orcs. So, they finally went over to that side? Well, I’ve heard that there are orcs under Doenih’s command, and especially those guys had to change their tribe’s name, so… I understand.”

Frete muttered, seemingly disgusted by their brazen attitude.

“Brazen guy…”.

“What can you do? The name of the guardian in the Alliance can’t be used carelessly.”

Most of the orcs who defected were from the Hwangto tribe, and some were from other tribes.

Even so, the fact that they all defected suggested that life on this side wasn’t that great.

“It seems that not all of them are like that, looking at those who remain.”

Fortunately, the elves seemed to be taking it easy, looking at the orcs’ behavior.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

We had to bring their remaining families over, but it didn’t seem like we’d be hindered.

By the way, I had been cautious…

“It was interesting. You’re thinking of making the Monster Forest and trade route your territory… The scale is huge, and it’s true that the situation can’t be blocked. The problem is how you’ll compensate for that much magic… I’ve heard you have a special artifact.”

“…….”

It seemed like they thought the artifact that had corrupted the Cup of Plenty was an artifact, but I didn’t intend to explain it in detail.

“Maybe the information hasn’t been fully leaked.”

Perhaps they were just bluffing.

It was hard to be certain.

“If you had such an artifact, it would be easy to draw in the dark elves. So, I’ll ask… Are you planning to use that artifact to rebuild the Catacombs?”

A deep smile spread across Uscatia’s face.

That smile was eerily unsettling.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. This is just speculation. If not, I wouldn’t know why the dark elves would cooperate with Doenih to the extent of mobilizing the Council of Elders. If Yeriya-nim were to rejoin the family, it might be different, but it doesn’t seem like that would happen absolutely….”

“Yes, that’s right.”

At that moment, Yeriya opened her mouth.

“That rumor was true. I thought your response was too harsh, but I figured you were just being yourselves, and it would blow over…”

“What are you talking about, Shinji?”

“The World Tree is undergoing a generation change. The rumors about it withering away are true.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“The World Tree… seems to be using even magic as an energy source.”

“……”

Uskatia’s expression suddenly froze.

Yeriya’s face contorted in horror at that expression.

“So, it was all because of that… The Catacombs weren’t completely destroyed, were they? Are they still being used as the World Tree’s nutrients? Or is it all coming to an end? The World Tree is ridiculously greedy.”

“Yeriya Rieia, shut up. If you insult the World Tree, no matter who you are…”

“That’s the grave of our ancestors. You’re using that as the World Tree’s nutrients? And you’re even trying to take away the hope we’ve found? Can you still call yourselves the guardians of the alliance?”

“I don’t see any reason to listen to your baseless nonsense anymore.”

“Of course, it’s just speculation. I thought it was strange from the moment you, who can’t even leave the forest, started moving. No matter how valuable the trade route is, it’s ridiculous for the alliance leader to move personally. You’re too proud for someone in such a high position…”

“Last warning. If you spout more nonsense without evidence…”

“Am I just talking nonsense without any evidence?”

Yeriya glared at Uskatia and said,

“Dragonian.”

“……”

“They would know, wouldn’t they? Yeah, their attitude was strange too. Compared to the World Tree, the Catacombs were a significant power for the alliance, and it’s understandable that they wouldn’t want to lose both… I can understand, but I can’t accept it.”

“That’s nonsense.”

“The elder will confirm it.”

“But the elder isn’t currently in the alliance. It’s not easy to meet with the elder…”

“There is.”

Yeriya cut off Uskatia’s words and opened her mouth.

“You told me, didn’t you?”

“What…?”

“The trade route.”

“……”

“Someone with this has value worth inviting… I wonder if that’s only true for the elves.”

Compared to the elves, the dark elves may seem insignificant, but they were once a powerful and ancient race that had a presence within the alliance. They had connections with the elder, and it was possible to meet with them.

It wouldn’t be difficult to meet someone who possessed the trade route and had a deep relationship with the dark elves, especially if they were connected to the 6 Kingdoms Alliance.

I also have a connection with the Dragonian’s elder. They were someone who would be curious about me.

Anger flashed across Uskatia’s face.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to resolve my doubts so easily. Thanks for coming.”

It may have seemed easy, but it was only possible because several difficult conditions were met.

Normally, it would be impossible to meet with the elves and dark elves, especially those of a certain status, and discuss uncomfortable topics.

And the elves were being greedy, revealing their true intentions.

‘If it’s an artifact that can turn the entire Monster Forest into a magic circle and rebuild the Catacombs…’

Assuming Yerie’s speculation is true, it’s inevitable that we’ll have to investigate. After all, the World Tree seems to require an enormous amount of energy during its growth process.

Of course, it’s still just Yerie’s speculation. But it’s worth verifying.

“…Lord Doynha. I’d like to hear your response.”

In the end, Uskatia, who had realized that she had suffered losses through her actions, turned her target towards me.