The Necromancer Who Was Despised

When my companions showed respect for my decision, Colmail’s expression brightened slightly as he spoke.

“What’s going on?”

“We’ll take in Annelise, but we can’t keep her for too long. You know that, right?”

Colmail nodded in agreement, as if he had expected me to say that.

“That’s right. For now, we’ll secretly contact Annelise’s family through the royal family. Her exact fate will be decided then.”

It seemed they wouldn’t give up on her, and if not, the guild would take care of Annelise. ‘I’d rather just hand her over from the start.’

But that wasn’t an option. If the guild took in Annelise, who was known as a traitor, we’d have to punish her properly, considering the mercenaries’ gaze.

So, it was safer to protect her for a certain period on our side before handing her over to the guild.

Of course, it was just a rumor, and Annelise wouldn’t actually become a slave.

“The price of betrayal is something we’ll take care of.”

If the connection with the interspecies union was weak, we could have the royal family directly take care of Annelise or have a noble family under their command protect her, but that was even more impossible.

“The Holy Empire would inevitably clash with us.”

The longer we supported Annelise, the higher the risk of getting involved.

The 6 Kingdoms Union wasn’t weak, but there was no need to openly confront the Holy Empire.

In reality, the Holy Empire was stronger than the 6 Kingdoms Union.

The 6 Kingdoms Union couldn’t exert much influence over the Holy Empire, but the Holy Empire, as a religious power, had temples of the Goddess Church built all over the 6 Kingdoms Union.

We couldn’t help but be indirectly influenced.

The Holy Empire’s actual power was greater, too.

That’s why we had to take on this troublesome and complicated form.

Luckily, we’d gained unexpected benefits by taking advantage of this gap, so from my perspective, it wasn’t bad at all.

“Can’t we just handle Annelise and get some benefits out of it?”

Overall, it was a benefit. That was enough.

“It might take some time, but it won’t be that long.”

Considering the distance with the interspecies union and the Holy Empire, we couldn’t have an easy conversation, so it would take at least a few months.

“At least it won’t take years, so that’s fine.”

“Up to 1 year. Anything longer would be difficult.”

“Alright.”

With my permission, Colmail smiled, looking relieved.

I glanced sideways at Annelise, who was bound beside Colmail.

Her fate was being decided by our conversation, but Annelise couldn’t do anything about it.

Suddenly, I wondered and asked Colmail.

“Did Annelise know she was receiving this kind of protection?”

“She found out this time. To be exact, she didn’t know.”

She only knew that the interspecies union’s family had helped her gain human status for the first time.

It was only natural, but the royal family didn’t want to reveal their connection to the interspecies union.

So, Annelise herself didn’t know that the royal family was keeping an eye on her.

“Originally, we considered keeping it hidden, but the situation was difficult, so we had to explain it to her.”

Betrayal was a serious crime, after all.

“If you’re going to act recklessly, relying on the alliance of different species or the royal family’s gaze, then you’ll be left to die just like that.”

“I understand. If it reaches that point, even the Dark Elf family won’t be able to say anything.”

You’re the one who committed a great sin and created this mess, and now you’re trying to get out of it?

The Dark Elf’s situation isn’t good either, and they’re worried about Anelis, who’s only half-breed.

“Maybe our connection with them will be cut off.”

Then it’s obvious who the royal family’s anger will be directed towards.

Anelis slightly trembled, understanding the situation.

Given the circumstances, it’s not like Anelis has any grudge against us or anything. Honestly, it’s a miracle they’re even alive.

“As for the family that’s backing us, they’re far away, and it’s hard for us to even take care of ourselves. Honestly, just being alive is a blessing.”

I think they’ll understand the main issue.

“Good. Then let’s stop this uncomfortable topic here. I’ll announce that Anelis has become Lord Inha’s slave starting today.”

Colmail said he would expedite the guarantee as quickly as possible.

Although the mercenary guild is closely related to the territory, the guarantee is under the full authority of the guild master, so it’s not difficult.

I received Anelis and told Colmail,

“The royal family’s support, by the way.”

“Ah, yes. Do you have any requests?”

It’s not easy to be excessive, but there was something suitable.

“I’ll release Baldur.”

Colmail’s gaze turned to Baldur at my words.

Baldur had a shocked expression, seemingly unaware that I would say such a thing here.

“You said expert, right? That means it’s a magical inscription.”

“Um, Lord Otroika can do it too, but this side has a separate expert.”

Originally, magical processing is involved in slave inscriptions, making it extremely difficult to release them.

So, if you want to release them properly, you need to find a skilled magician.

And the more skilled they are, the more expensive it is.

The more expensive, the safer and more certain it is.

It’s not like I didn’t think about spending around 100 gold coins.

I was planning to save up and go to a bigger magic tower, but if this opportunity arises, it’s better to take it.

“In fact, the royal family can’t do much for us.”

It’s not like I can demand too much, and the support they can offer isn’t particularly necessary for me. So, I might as well take advantage of this.

“If it’s someone sent by the royal family, it’ll be certain.”

“Then I’ll fully recommend it. From the royal family’s perspective, it’s not an excessive request. Hmm, you’ve made a big decision.”

It’s indeed difficult to find an expert-level slave. Expert themselves are not that common.

It’s not like they’re not rare even among mercenaries.

“You’ve achieved a great feat.”

Colmail didn’t ask any further questions.

“I understand. It won’t be difficult.”

After the conversation ended, we were led to a separate prepared place, and only then could we finally have dinner.

Anelis was also released from her restraints and allowed to eat, but since the curse wasn’t lifted, she could only remain silent.

The conversation continued even during dinner.

I asked him about the influential people or groups in the city, and he seemed to think it wasn’t particularly important information, so he kindly answered my questions.

“There’s nothing that’s changed much.”

I reconfirmed the information I knew, and I also got some new information that I didn’t know before.

Since I had lived at the bottom of the social ladder for a while, there were parts I didn’t know, but through this conversation, I was able to fill in the gaps of information about the powers within the guild.

After the meal was over, Colmail spoke to me.

“Feel free to contact me if you need any help.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“I should be the one saying that. Once again, welcome to the Doritem Guild branch.”

With that, my meeting with the branch manager came to a good end, and we returned to the inn.

“…It’s become a burden.”

Athena said, sounding annoyed, as she glanced at Anelis.

“It won’t be for long. They didn’t say that, did they?”

“But it’s a fact that we can’t properly activate because of this, right?”

I chimed in on Athena and Kaila’s conversation.

“It seems like they’re thinking about it too….”

It didn’t matter.

“There won’t be any problems with our activities even if they’re there.”

“…How?”

“Because we’ve become 5-class now.”

And if we receive credit guarantees this time, we’ll have less need to be aggressive in our activities.

“We don’t need to take on many requests. We can just take what we want.”

Even if our story gets out during that process, it won’t matter.

“The Doritem Guild branch will unconditionally support us, after all.”

Even radical people can hesitate once in a while.

“There’s also the royal family’s gaze on us.”

It’s not like we’re being watched, but rather, they’re keeping an eye on us for the sake of our connection with the interspecies union. On the other hand, it’s also like they’re protecting us.

“We should use whatever we can use.”

It’s not like Athena is stupid and can’t think of this.

“I’m a bit weird, I guess.”

I can feel like I’m being watched, but I recognize it as protection, and I’m not uncomfortable about being with someone who’s close to being an enemy.

I precisely fix my recognition to think that way.

It’s not like I can trust people who are untrustworthy, who have betrayed me before. But if necessary, I’ll do it.

At least Kaila and Valdor are better.

Kaila was a knight from a commoner background and had also been active in the underground world.

Valdor was a slave, a trusted slave, and there was a high chance of psychological conflict with other slaves.

Especially since he had played a role in educating those who were forcibly brought in….

“Athena lacks experience in this regard, compared to them.”

Honestly, I don’t know what her past was like during her days as a mercenary.

However, looking at her current attitude, it was clear that she lacked experience to some extent.

“Even if Anelis works with us, there’s no particular harm. There’s no need to worry, and if the undead protect her, that’s enough. Let’s think of it as having one more person to handle miscellaneous tasks and ignore her.”

Whatever she saw, whatever she thought, it didn’t matter.

She was a non-existent person. Anelis was going to become a completely non-existent person within us.

Disdain.

It might not have mattered in the short term.

But if it continued…

“It usually gets ruined.”

Her self-esteem would be shattered. And as a slave on the surface, she couldn’t even escape, and her own mistakes would bind her, making it impossible for her to resist properly.

There was nothing she could do except blame herself.

So, she might as well be dead while still alive.

“I’ll have to release the curse, though.”

Other mercenaries might not care, but at least the royal family would show her off as a display, so to speak.

Of course, there was no intention of giving her a proper weapon.

Especially not a bow. There was no reason to give her a bow, which was her specialty, to shoot the backs of our three vanguard members.

“Let’s release the curse for now.”

At my words, Anelis’s expression brightened.

She seemed quite relieved.

It wasn’t difficult for me to release the curse, especially since I was skilled in magic.

As I released the curse, Anelis opened her mouth.

“Ah, ah…”

Her voice trembled, and she briefly showed a joyful expression before bowing her head towards me.

A sudden apology.

I didn’t react particularly.

“I’m sorry for running away. And thank you for saving me.”

Her attitude was much different from before.

But the reactions of our party, including me, were cold.

“You know you did wrong. How does it feel to betray your former comrades like that?”

A mercenary who had lost trust, a comrade who had betrayed others – she would know how heavy that was, being a mercenary herself.

So Anelis couldn’t say anything.

“Don’t think we’ll trust you. Just stay quiet and do as you’re told. And then leave.”

Anelis remained silent, her head bowed.

Kaila and Valdor didn’t say anything either, but the atmosphere wasn’t welcoming.

“This is a bit of a headache.”

The atmosphere within our party, which should have been united, was slightly ruined because of Anelis.

But it was too late to abandon her now.

There was something to be gained in return, so it was tolerable.

“I’ll adapt slowly.”

It wouldn’t take long for us to stop paying attention to her.

There was no consideration for Anelis in this.

“Provide a separate room. However, surveillance will be present.”