Chapter 115

Chapter 115

Episode 115: Black Street Necromancers, to put it simply, were mages who deeply explored the concept of life. Life, beginning with birth and ending with death, was the subject of study for the Necromancer school. “Magic doesn’t originate from one single place. It’s when mysticisms passed down from all over the world are organized according to logic that they finally develop into magic. Even outside of the Magic Society, magic has been developing in its own way through transmissions in various parts of the world.” The Necromancer school, too, could be said to be a school with a long tradition that had developed in such a way. “If we were to trace its roots, the Necromancer school began in Isop, beyond the southern desert region. Its origin lies in the gathering of various tribes who exchanged knowledge and studied magic for a common goal.” Similar to the Mesheen Great Forest, the southern desert region also had a vast wilderness where monsters were summoned, allowing various tribes to survive in the harsh environment. Isop was a past nation that existed there. Like the Magic Society of the Kilkard Kingdom, there was a gathering of those who studied magic, and the Necromancer school was also a member of it. As an aside, the reason the school was named Necromancer was said to be because it initially started with necromancy and spiritism. “Their ultimate goal in gathering was, needless to say, immortality. It was a long-cherished desire for everyone. However, from a certain point on, some of them thought they couldn’t cling to an impossible goal and began to pursue their own desired research.” “In the process of many factions emerging and disappearing, the Necromancer school was divided into five branches: Evocation, which dealt with the mind and thoughts; Bokor, which dealt with the undead; Chimerion, which studied the flesh; Vitae, which explored life; and Orcus, which delved into curses and death.” Listening to the old man’s words, I blankly nodded. …Why are there so many? Actually, because it was a ruined school, I imagined a cozy, small-sized company with a family-like atmosphere, but in reality, it was a solid mid-sized company. To be precise, wouldn’t it be more accurate to say it was a large corporation that went bankrupt? “After the five branches were established, the Necromancers began to develop magic in their respective fields, just like the current Magic Society.” “Traditionally, the head of the Necromancer school was a Vitae. It was an expression of respect for their unwavering pursuit of immortality. And Arsha was the last leader of the Necromancers.” Arsha was Mien’s last name. The old man’s words had two meanings: that Mien was the head of the Necromancers, and that her father was the last leader of the fallen Necromancer school. Or perhaps both. “…” He seemed like he would continue explaining for a while, but the old man stopped talking for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. “Well, that’s all in the past. We used to be a well-known school in the southern desert region, but now we’re scattered.” His face held a wistful expression. I had thought he was a cold and ruthless character when he subdued Caldin, but the appearances he had shown since leaving the stage were not like that. He seemed somewhat lacking and empty. Unlike his skill in instantly subduing Caldin, he had an atmosphere of being troubled. Drawn to that atmosphere, I asked him a question. “…How long ago was that?” It wasn’t so much that I was curious, but rather that I wanted to continue the conversation. After all, he was a fellow student of my teacher, Mien, and someone I had a connection with. Unlike the men I had casually passed by in this world, our relationship wasn’t formed out of desire. That alone was enough reason for me to feel favorable towards the old man. “Let’s see, when was that…” When I asked, the old man frowned as if trying to recall, then nodded and answered. “The school was dissolved… I was around thirty, and Mien was twenty-four… so it was 43 years ago from now. It’s been a long time.” 43 years ago. Then it would be fair to consider it a thing of the past… Wait, what? “…Excuse me?” “Well, it must have been around that time. There was a bit of an unsavory incident after we moved to the kingdom.” No, that’s not the problem. I was momentarily flustered and couldn’t speak. I could speak if I really wanted to, but I felt like I would be spouting nonsense if I opened my mouth without organizing my thoughts. “…” “Is there a problem?” In the end, I cooled my head for a while, organized my thoughts, and chose a question. “Um… then does that mean Mien-sensei is, no, is 67 years old?” “Of course…” When I asked, the old man nodded as if wondering why I was asking such a thing, then finally seemed to notice something and made a serious expression. “…By any chance, did that girl not tell you her age?” It was obvious who ‘that girl’ referred to. “Yes. She didn’t.” When I nodded, the old man was silent for a moment. It was fleeting, but there was definitely embarrassment in his eyes. “…Forget what I just said.” I nodded again at the old man’s words. However, burying something in your memory and erasing it from your memory are clearly different things. How could I forget that? She looks like she’s in her 20s, but she’s 67 years old? That’s beyond the level of being able to excuse it as being young-looking…? // Anyway, the conversation continued even after the minor slip of the tongue. And I accepted the old man’s advice and decided to forget about it. If Mien mentions her age next time, I’ll make a face as if I’m really surprised. …But what’s curious is still curious, so I couldn’t help but ask about Mien’s transcendent youth. To that question, the old man answered simply. “…We’ve been researching immortality for hundreds of years, it would be ridiculous if we didn’t have any results. It’s not like she can live forever. It’s just that her aging is slow, and her lifespan is a bit longer.” …They couldn’t do that on Earth. But the environment is different here, so I guess it could be possible. If you think about it that way, there’s no internet here either, and they can’t make airplanes. Still, if you can live for over 200 years, you’ve achieved eternal youth, if not immortality. Earth hasn’t even achieved that yet, so wouldn’t you say that’s pretty amazing? The old man introduced himself as Quirzev. The moment I heard that name, I thought of Caldin. Surely one of the Caldin Family members mentioned that name. I also vaguely remembered hearing about the Pex, the human modification brothel, and the four black coffins in the underground plaza. “If you’re Quirzev, aren’t you the one famous for human modification?”Hoping he might have a special item, I subtly asked about human modification, but the old man didn’t seem to like it very much.” “That’s not related to me. I did research it a lot ten years ago, but I’ve completely stopped now. Those grotesque things there are my disciple’s work. Anyway, he’s also a Quirzev.” Ah, so Quirzev is a family name, not a given name. If that’s the case, then the person who’s good at human modification is my senior in terms of relationship. When I thought of that, I wanted to meet him sometime. Judging by the fact that he has a bizarre fetish for human modification brothels, he must be a huge pervert. Then maybe we’d get along well. …It’s not just because I want the windfall, it’d just be nice to get along with my senior, right? “…..” Even though we had only had one conversation, Quirzev took on a strange attitude again before long. He looked at me intently with a pondering gaze. It was the kind of gaze I had felt countless times on the way to the workshop. “Um, Quirzev-nim?” “Just call me Sabak. Don’t use awkward honorifics.” “Yes, Sabak-nim.” “Is there something you’re curious about?” Of course there is. Quirzev had been staring at me with a strange gaze since earlier, and I had no idea why. It wasn’t the kind of lustful gaze or emotion that men usually have. Rather, it was a gaze that seemed to be contemplating my treatment. “…Um, thank you for saving me.” Even though I was planning to get out on my own, it was definitely something to be thankful for that he spent 200,000 Lads to get me out. But Quirzev’s reaction to my gratitude was quite bizarre. He tilted his head as if wondering what I was talking about. “What are you talking about?” …Could it be that he’s forgotten that he even spent money to buy me? That can’t be true, he’s probably just pretending not to know because he doesn’t want to show off. “Um… for saving me, even spending 200,000 Lads.” When I added a more specific explanation and expressed my gratitude, he suddenly made a shocked expression. “…What?” “Yes?” Why is his reaction like this? I was starting to wonder if mages inevitably go crazy after living for a long time, as if my conversation with him was somehow off. But whether I felt something was strange or not, Quirzev seemed to be thinking something on his own, then slapped his knee and shouted. “…Yes, that’s right!” “Yes, that’s right.” …I don’t know what’s going on anymore, so I’ll just nod quietly. As I thought that and nodded, he put his hand on my shoulder and continued speaking with an excited expression. “Yes, I spent ‘only’ 200,000 Lads to get you out of that pathetic place. Why did I forget that?” No, did you really forget? It’s not that he’s generous, but he might have a problem with his memory. If you can forget that you scattered 200 million on the street, that’s a pretty amazing ability in its own way. “Now, let’s get this straight. I spent a huge sum of 200,000 Lads on you, and you have an obligation to repay me. Is that right?” You said it was only 200,000 Lads earlier. Although what he said was a bit strange. …Still, I could roughly guess why he was doing this. Looking at Quirzev, whose face even seemed to be brightening now, I sighed inwardly. I didn’t know why this human was acting like this, but now I think I know. “…Do you perhaps have something you want to ask of me?” Judging from his bizarre behavior up until now and his current attitude, he definitely had something he wanted to ask me or make me do. But it must be something burdensome, so he hadn’t been able to bring himself to say it. “Ahem, ahem… you noticed?” It’s not a matter of noticing or not, he was making it so obvious that it would be stranger if I didn’t know. I nodded at his question and answered. “Yes, I noticed. And if there’s something you want to ask, tell me. I’ll listen to you as long as it’s not impossible or too absurd.” It’s a favor worth a whopping 200,000 Lads. From my point of view, it’s a debt I unfairly owe, but if you think about it that way, Quirzev is in the same boat. It would be different if he was a complete stranger. But since we’re said to be fellow students, I should repay him from a moral standpoint. “…Are you sure it’s okay?” “It was okay until just now, but you’re making me feel a little uneasy by asking that. What’s going on that you’re hesitating so much?” “Ahem.” At my question, Quirzev cleared his throat once and looked up at the ceiling for a moment. Just as I was starting to get bored with his obviously hesitant attitude, he looked at me again.

His eyes held a serious look, as if he had made up his mind about something. He looked at me like that, and then opened his mouth. “To put it simply, I need your child.” …Excuse me? ———= Author’s Note ———= Umm…. well…. I have corrected the typo in chapter 114. Thank you for pointing out the typo.