The Necromancer Who Was Despised

“But that would consume a corresponding amount of contribution.”

That’s why it’s not an easily obtainable status.

Moreover, I’m a black magician.

To be honest, if I hadn’t become a 5th-class magician, I wouldn’t have been able to obtain the guild’s guarantee.

“I think Otrio, as the head of a branch, can give a recommendation.”

“That’s true.”

“If you can supply the corpse of a high-ranking monster at cost, the Magic Tower would also acknowledge your high contribution.”

“That’s also true.”

Selling the research journal would also be included in the contribution.

“…It’s not easy to maintain the position of a junior member as an individual. Why would you go to such great lengths to obtain junior member status while incurring a significant financial loss?”

“You don’t need a huge budget. What I want is an artifact production request and a magician’s employment.”

It was a one-time request, not a long-term employment.

Moreover, it didn’t require a high-level magician.

To some extent, it could be seen as a substitute for identification.

Getting a junior member qualification just for this might seem like an overspending.

However, that’s not the case.

Unless you’re a junior member or a noble, it’s almost impossible to employ a magician from the Magic Tower, and artifact production requests require a waiting period of at least a year.

“If it can be solved with money, then let’s do it.”

It’s not that I don’t know the value of money and spend it recklessly.

Rather, I’m buying something that can’t be bought with money – time.

“Hmm, if that’s the reason, then it’s necessary.”

Otriocka nodded in agreement, as if convinced.

“After all, from the Magic Tower’s perspective, even if they’re a dark magician, there’s no need to look down on their rising star. Plus, the party members’ abilities are outstanding….”

They had already shown their favor to the Magic Tower….

“Good. Dojin-ha, I’ll recommend you as a junior member of the Magic Tower.”

It’s not really a recommendation, just a formality.

I had contributed to the Magic Tower, had ability, and had the guarantee of the mercenary guild.

With the guild leader’s recommendation added on top of that?

“It’s like a free pass, whether you’re a dark magician or not.”

If the royal family catches wind of it and lends a hand, that’s it.

“There’s one condition.”

Otriocka said at that moment.

“Let’s sell some gold and jewels.”

I didn’t ask how they knew.

If I checked the research journal, I would’ve already known that there was gold and jewels in that dungeon.

“…Some of it will be used for the request, so it’s difficult to sell everything.”

“Even a part of it is fine.”

“…Let’s sell 5 jewels and all the gold.”

Jewels are hard to obtain, despite being easy to find.

Since some nobles and the royal family monopolized the jewel mines, it was difficult to obtain them unless you had connections with the Magic Tower. If not, you’d have to pay a hefty price to buy them.

Therefore, from the Magic Tower’s perspective, where they’re always short on money, jewels were a burdensome item.

“I don’t think there are many here in this branch.”

I sold 5 jewels, gold, and the Basilisk’s corpse, receiving a check worth 300 gold and 100 gold in cash.

“It’s a check from Tynailo Trading Company.”

“I suppose it’s trustworthy.”

After all, it’s a trading company directly operated by the Duke’s family, with their family name at stake. The credibility was guaranteed.

“I didn’t think the Magic Tower branch had this much money… Otriocka’s words weren’t just boasts, it seems.”

Or maybe they had a lot of personal wealth.

Thinking back to how they paid the troll’s price without hesitation….

“It’s not like there aren’t any rich people among magicians.”

There was a clear existence of a mage who earned a lot by spending a lot.

“It’ll take about a month or two to handle the junior member case.”

It was unavoidable due to the distance from the main tower.

After our transaction was over, Kyra approached me, handed me a pouch, and said,

“There was also a request related to searching for Basilisk, and the payment for that has been made.”

It wasn’t a huge amount of money.

The situation was uncertain, and there was no one who had accepted the request.

“Proving that it doesn’t exist is difficult, after all.”

So, it was a neglected request.

“I’ve solved two neglected requests unintentionally.”

From the mercenary guild’s perspective, it was a situation that couldn’t be helped but be grateful for.

It was as if we had successfully debuted with a guarantee.

“There was a message saying to come back in two days. It seems to be related to that request.”

It seemed like the first request was being prepared.

Our reputation spread quickly.

From the moment we registered at the mercenary guild, our reputation had spread rapidly throughout the Dorirem territory.

With three expert-level, young, and powerful warriors, including a 4-class black mage, it was natural that we became a hot topic.

We even caught a troll and formed a good relationship with the main tower, and people were saying that we had a good personality, which earned us high praise in the village of Nolmerei and drew even more attention.

Then, suddenly, we received a high-paying request and collaborated with other mercenaries, and it was announced that the black mage had risen to 5th class, earning the mercenary guild’s guarantee.

At this point, the mercenaries started to feel suspicious and began to protest.

Various conspiracy theories emerged, with the most popular one being that the Dorirem mercenary branch had colluded with other high-ranking noble families to openly support us.

In the process, the Kereo party was sacrificed.

Especially, the mercenaries who had worked with the Kereo party on requests were saying that they would never abandon their comrades and run away, and that the black mage had played a dirty trick.

So, the first request was important…

“You succeeded magnificently.”

Griant looked at me and said,

“You defeated the orc tribe solo and even defeated Basilisk solo.”

Since we didn’t form an alliance with other parties and only led our own group to complete the request, it was called a solo achievement.

“When the corpse of Basilisk was revealed, those who had been dissatisfied began to be cautious. Especially, the head of the main tower came to purchase it, so it’s even more so.”

It was natural that it would become known, given the number of people who saw it.

“It seems like someone is targeting us, judging from how it’s being spread.”

Griant smiled wryly at my words.

“Yes, that’s right. The Perseus mercenary unit and the Moses trading company have joined forces.”

They were familiar names.

When we first came to the inn, they were the ones who had been provoking us with all sorts of insults.

They were quite radical and seemed to be planning to exact revenge in the future, so I remembered them.

“Perhaps we should be cautious during this designated request.”

Griant seemed to think that they would be targeting us.

“It’s a favor, indeed.”

It could be a favor towards us, or it could be because they were concerned about Anelis, or it could be a favor towards the Lineta Earl’s territory, which would benefit us.

“It doesn’t matter what it is.”

In the end, it was a fact that it would benefit me and my group.

“Thank you for the information.”

So, I expressed my gratitude sincerely.

If we were already expecting danger, it wouldn’t be a threat anymore.

On the contrary, we could even take control of the situation.

“No need to be polite. I’ll tell you about the commission. It’s not that difficult. You just need to bring one item.”

“What item?”

“Yes. We’ve discovered an artifact, and we want to purchase it.”

“An artifact?”

“It’s not something like an artifact. It’s just an old book from ancient times, but it seems valuable to us. We’ve packaged it as a merchant’s commission, but in reality, it’s our own commission.”

An old book from ancient times…

“Any mage with an interest would be eager to get their hands on it.”

It didn’t matter if they weren’t related to magic.

“It’s information from ancient times when magic was developing. Even if it’s not directly related to magic, it’s still interesting.”

It wasn’t strange at all.

“One of the elder members of the Blue Tower was also interested, but they gave up after talking to us. The seller also wanted to sell it to us.”

Even if it was an elder member of the Blue Tower, going against the royal family was too big of a risk. It was a natural choice.

The seller would also feel burdened.

“We decided to commission you, In-ha, because if the royal family sends someone, it’ll take too long. The seller also wants to get a good price, so they want it to happen as quickly as possible.”

“It seems the owner isn’t a powerful force, anyway.”

It wasn’t strange that it was discovered by chance, after all.

The possibility of it being a personal item was low.

If that were the case, they would’ve just taken it.

The possibility of it being owned by a noble was high.

“So, who is the owner?”

“It’s Earl Iclamba.”

I had to desperately hold back my reaction.

“…It’s not that far away.”

“That’s right. If we take a carriage, it’ll only take about two weeks round-trip.”

“There’s a hint here.”

Iclamba Earl’s domain.

It wasn’t strange that an ancient book was discovered there.

“There’s a ruin nearby…”

It was a place I wanted to explore, a place that would be discovered in the future.

“What an interesting place.”

A place that would become famous twice.

A place where the Fire Orb, one of the best artifact materials, would be discovered, making it famous once, and then again a year later when a dimensional rift would appear.

“A place I’ll visit again someday.”

That was the ruin located in that area.

“This is an opportunity I must seize.”

I was lucky.

What I’m aiming for is only the Orb of Injustice.

As for the other secondary items, it’s better to discuss with the royal family and sell them off.

“Ah, didn’t the elder of the Blue Tower also say they were aiming for it?”

I heard that multiple ancient artifacts have been discovered. If we divide and sell them, we can establish a good relationship…

“There’s no need to make enemies unnecessarily.”

It’s better to maintain a good relationship with the royal family.

When I become a senior, I’ll be a high-ranking mage, and my character won’t be ordinary, so giving them one artifact as a gift won’t be bad.

“There’s no need to make enemies unnecessarily.”

Of course, if they approach us first, that’s a different story, but if we’re late to get the information, it’s useless.

“Thanks to Otrioka, we’ve established a good relationship with the Enchant Academy.”

Although Otrioka belongs to a lower branch of the Enchant Academy, if they become an associate member, they’ll be an associate member of the Enchant Academy.

I’ll vouch for Otrioka in the Etimerin Academy.

“But you must be cautious.”

I regained my senses and looked at Griant’s words.

“But you know, to get to the Iclambara Viscounty, you have to go through the Jutus Viscounty.”

“There might be a big commotion. Or, they might even attack Lady Inha deliberately.”

The possibility was clear.

The Jutus Viscounty.

That’s a territory in a competitive relationship with the Doirem Viscounty.

“That’s a good way to put it.”

To be honest, it’s almost an enemy territory.

Request for Escort

“It’s not easy to turn back.”

The distance is too far, and a two-week request has become a long-term request that exceeds a month.

And…