Summoning Genius of Kizen - Chapter 50 In the end, Lord Raymond dismissed his soldiers and prostrated himself at Simon's feet. His stomach churned at the sight of himself in such a position before a boy young enough to be his son, but there was nothing he could do against the undead legion. "......Even for Kizen, this kind of use of force is problematic." Still, he hadn't completely surrendered. Strength returned to the Lord's eyes. "The Dark Alliance firmly recognizes the autonomy of its member nations and territories. This is an area Kizen cannot interfere with! How do you intend to resolve this if it escalates into a diplomatic issue?" Simon, seated in the Lord's chair, offered a faint smile. "Let's get to the point." He pulled out evidence from his pocket and dropped it onto the floor. The broker's contract, the advance payment given to Ellen, and even the torn remnants of an Efnel uniform. "You were colluding with a Priest from Efnel." Raymond felt the blood in his veins turn icy cold. "And you did this while having commissioned Kizen for help. This could be interpreted as not only treason but also an attempt to instigate a conflict between Necromancers and Priests. Would that be an accurate assessment?" "......Ah, no, that's not it!" Simon's eyes gleamed coldly. "You mentioned that my actions could escalate into a diplomatic issue, but by that logic, your actions could escalate into a continent-wide war. Am I wrong?" Raymond's cold sweat dripped onto the floor. The reason he had tried so desperately to keep Simon at the castle was precisely to prevent a conflict between Kizen and Efnel caused by his double commission. But Kizen had already found out. He agonized. He would die like this. Not just him, but the entire territory would be annihilated. 'I have to do something. At this point, it's do or die......!' Raymond abruptly rose to his feet. "How dare you!" Then he roared. "A mere nobody with not an ounce of power beyond being affiliated with Kizen! How dare you discuss treason with such flimsy evidence!" Simon chuckled. Now he was practically offering his neck. But he didn't feel bad. With all the cards in his hand, watching the opponent's struggles like this was a rather enjoyable pastime. [Kekekeke! Is your true nature finally starting to show, boy?!] '......You're giving me a headache, Pier. Please be quiet.' Simon turned to Pier and nodded. Pier then opened the robe that enveloped his body. "Uh...... uh-oh?" Raymond's pupils began to tremble violently. Something was wrong. This was truly, terribly wrong. What emerged from Pier's robe was Ellen, standing blankly with unfocused eyes, her head tilted, and drool dripping from her mouth. A magic circle was drawn on her forehead. "We captured an Efnel Priest during the mission." Simon spoke as if delivering a death sentence. "She's temporarily unconscious due to a curse. If we send her to Kizen for interrogation, we'll surely hear a lot of interesting things. Don't you think?" Thud. Raymond collapsed to the floor. * * * The situation was resolved for now. Raymond confessed all his sins and pleaded for his territory to be spared, offering his own life in exchange. And one more thing. What was somewhat unexpected was that Raymond was a highly respected figure among his people. He had staked his entire political career on the development of his territory, personally traveling to attract investments from merchant guilds. This year, he had even painstakingly arranged a visit from the Crown Prince. However, the disappearance incidents had become a stumbling block. If this issue became public, there was a risk that all his plans, including the Crown Prince's visit, would be ruined. So, Raymond had joined forces with Erzebet, who ran an information guild, to block all information from leaking outside (it seemed he had no idea at the time that Erzebet was the culprit behind the incidents). And secretly, he had requested help from various mercenary groups, renowned knights, and Kizen. But Kizen had not responded for three months, and a desperate Raymond eventually contacted a Priest through a broker. However, Simon unexpectedly took on a commission that Kizen was about to discard, intervening and thus twisting the situation into this mess. "I have committed a grave sin." Raymond, prostrate on the floor, shed tears. "To be honest, I never trusted the brokers from the start. They said it was an Efnel Priest, but I thought there was no reason for someone of that caliber to go through a broker. I accepted the offer out of desperation, hoping to grasp at any straw, but I truly didn't expect an Efnel Priest to actually come...... My thinking was too naive." Simon, who had been sitting with an air of dignity, flinched. At the same time, Ellen, who was lying on the sofa pretending to be unconscious, also flinched. In truth, the magic circle drawn on her forehead was also fake. "This entire matter was solely my decision! You may take my life as you wish! But please, spare this territory at least......!" Simon, feeling a growing pang of conscience, cleared his throat and spoke. "Alright. I understand the circumstances." "......." Raymond remained motionless, his forehead pressed to the floor. His posture indicated he would accept any punishment. "Lord Raymond. Let's make a deal." "......Yes?" "Although I haven't been here long, I've grown somewhat fond of this territory. It's a strategic stronghold, a frontline close to the Divine Federation. I don't want to see such a crucial strategic point, which would have to supply countless soldiers if an all-out war broke out, turn into a wasteland." Raymond raised his head with a blank expression. "Of course, if things proceed according to procedure, Kizen will annihilate everything connected to this territory." "Ah......" "However, I don't believe you caused this situation with malicious intent. I will cover this up on my end, only enough to prevent harm to the territory." "You, you would truly do that for me?!" "I'll try. But." Simon lowered his voice. "It might cost you a bit." Raymond quickly pressed his forehead to the floor and shouted. "I will pay whatever it takes, even if I have to empty all my assets!" And so, Simon obtained 500 gold, ten times the initial commission of 50 gold. Simon placed the hefty money pouch into his subspace and exited the reception room, receiving the utmost courtesy. [What's this, boy? You acted so viciously, but you settled for less than I expected.] "It's fine. I'm satisfied with extorting this much as compensation for the trouble." Simon shrugged. "Actually, all this money is the precious taxes of the territory's people, isn't it? We're not extorting money from villains, after all." Pier's lips curled upwards. While he shared many similarities with Richard, the former Legion Commander, this boy was fundamentally different from Richard in some way. "You worked hard too, Ellen." Ellen, who had been inside Pier's robe, poked her head out. "Hehe! How was my acting? Good, right?" "Could you wipe the drool from your mouth before you speak?" "Ah, ahh!" Embarrassed, she quickly retreated back into the robe, and Simon chuckled. As they were comfortably leaving the Lord's castle, feeling that one matter had been resolved, the surroundings suddenly became noisy. "Move it, move it!" "Hurry!" Fully armed soldiers were rushing somewhere. "What's going on?" [It seems someone is attacking.] "Let's go." Simon also ran, following the soldiers. "......!" Looking down from the second floor of the castle, he saw countless Corpse Spiders swarming in front of the castle gate. And standing before them was a familiar person. Simon quickly turned and ran down the stairs. [Boy! Go a little slower!] "Kyaaah! It hurts!" Simon ran faster than the two and arrived at the castle gate. Just then, heavily armed soldiers were preparing for battle. "What's happening?" At Simon's question, the Captain of the Guards, wearing a helmet, spotted Simon and quickly saluted. "It's undead! It seems they're trying to attack the Lord's castle. It's dangerous, please get inside......!" "Please open the gate a little. I'll go take a look." "Yes, yes? But that's too dangerous!" Simon grinned and placed a hand on his chest. "I'm still learning, but I am a Necromancer. Handling undead is my job, so please trust me." "Hmm......" Finally, the Captain of the Guards opened the gate slightly. Simon slipped through, followed by Pier and Ellen, who joined him. Simon turned back and nodded, and the Captain of the Guards also nodded with a stern expression, closing the gate. 'I didn't expect her to be so reckless.' Simon slowly walked forward. In front of the spider horde besieging the castle, a woman in a wine-colored dress was visible. The madam of the Thieves' Guild. And also, the former Legion Commander, Erzebet. "What is the meaning of this, Erzebet?" [Simon Pollentia, son of former Legion Commander Richard Pollentia.] She knelt on one knee with a graceful movement. [I, Erzebet, wish to serve you as my master. Therefore, I humbly request the opportunity to join your Legion and undergo your test.] Pier chuckled, crossing his arms. Simon managed his expression and cleared his throat. "Dismiss your subordinates. Let's talk somewhere quiet." * * * Simon decided to part ways with Ellen before heading to his lodging. He personally untied the ropes binding her arms. "It's best for both of us if what happened today isn't known, so please keep it a secret from now on." "......." She stared intently at Simon's face. "Huh? What's wrong?" "Ah, well...... It's just that you're a little different from the rumors I've heard about Necromancers." Pier grinned and raised his greatsword. [If you're talking about turning you into a skeleton to ensure secrecy, I can make that happen right now!] "Hieek!" She gasped in surprise and hid behind Simon's back. Pier burst into laughter, and Erzebet, watching from a distance, bit her lip and glared fiercely at Ellen. "And this." Simon held out a pouch from his subspace. "This is your share of the commission I took earlier." "Ah......!" "Take good care of your siblings." Tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes as she clutched the pouch to her chest. "Truly......! Thank you, thank you so much, Simon! I will never forget this kindness!" "Where did you say you were going?" "To a territory called Loharon in the Divine Federation." "Alright, I hope you return safely to the Divine Federation." "Yes! Thank you! I'll never forget it!" As Simon turned to leave, Ellen shouted loudly. "Will we ever meet again someday?" Simon shrugged. "Who knows. Perhaps next time we meet, it'll be on a battlefield?" "Haha......" Ellen thought he was truly good at drawing a clear line. "If I ever have business in the Divine Federation, I'll ask you to guide me then." "Yes! Of course!" She seemed genuinely moved, waving enthusiastically until Simon and his group were out of sight. [Not only did you spare a Priest, but you even gave her money before sending her off.] "Yes." [What's the reason?] Simon smiled slightly and crossed his arms. "I thought it would be a good idea to build connections with the Priest side, for when I eventually have to carry out a black commission. Also, giving her money makes her a true accomplice, and she'll genuinely trust me." [Kekekeke! Watching your actions, it's impossible to tell if you're good or evil!] "Is that so?" Simon put his hands in his hood pockets and tilted his head back. "Do we really need to categorize everything so strictly into a dichotomy?" [.......] "Half of my blood is Priest blood. I have no intention of hating people from the opposing side just because they're on the opposite side, and there's no reason to. It's the same with letting Ellen go this time, and extorting a bit of money from the territory. There's no need to go to extremes, is there? I just need to secure my own interests in the middle." Pier's lips curved into a deep smile. [Indeed, it seems it will take time to fully understand a human like you!] Simon smiled faintly and turned his head. "Erzebet." [Yes.] "You wouldn't release your spider legion to attack Ellen, whom I safely released, would you?" She flinched inwardly but then bowed her head. [......Of, of course not.] "Good, as long as you understand." Simon began to exchange jokes with Pier again. Erzebet, following behind them, was caught in a strange emotion. Simon's back, which had taken the Holy Spear for her, still lingered vividly in her mind. When Simon had rejected her once, Erzebet had resolved her heart countless times. There was no benefit for her in joining the Legion, only the hassle of being bound by a troublesome contract. But. '......In the end, I'm walking back into hell on my own two feet.' She had never once been able to overcome her own emotions. "Erzebet?" [Ah, yes. I'm coming.] Still. Even if she regretted it, even if she could see the future, even if the end was utterly miserable. She would make the same choice countless times over.
Please login to track progress