Chapter 416 - 359: The Envoy of Necromancer Modi Caesar

「Three days later」

The afternoon peace of Black Stone Territory was shattered by an unwelcome visitor.

On the flagstone road leading to Black Stone Castle, the Knights instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons, their expressions guarded.

The man was alone, draped in a large black cloak with the hood pulled down low, shrouding his entire face in shadow.

He moved without a sound, as if he weren’t treading on solid flagstones, but on empty air.

Wherever he passed, the very air seemed to grow heavy and cold, and even the drone of the summer cicadas fell silent.

This was a manifestation of Domain Level power!

Ed strode forward to meet him, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Halt?"

A dry, hoarse voice drifted from beneath the cloak.

"I am an envoy of the Necromancer Modi Caesar, here to see Count Raylo."

A Necromancer.

That title made the surrounding Knights’ faces pale.

「In the reception hall.」

As Ed led the envoy inside, Moonlight, who had been resting, snapped its pale-gold eyes open. A low, threatening growl rumbled in its throat, and the fur along its back bristled slightly.

Raylo stroked Moonlight’s head.

"Sit."

Raylo’s voice was calm.

The envoy forwent any pleasantries and sat in the chair opposite, his posture remaining rigid from start to finish.

From the shadow of his hood, the bloodless lower half of his face and his ashen lips were visible.

"Lord Earl, I come on the order of the great Undead Monarch, Modi Caesar."

A hint of amusement colored Raylo’s tone.

"I thought your kind was more accustomed to delivering greetings with plagues and armies of bone."

"The great Modi Caesar has foreseen that a catastrophe, one great enough to sweep across this land, is brewing in the heart of the Jade Swamp. The energies of life are gathering there in excess. Soon, the balance will be broken."

The envoy’s voice was utterly flat, like a piece of rotted wood that could not resonate.

"Oh?"

Raylo arched an eyebrow.

"So, Necromancers are moonlighting as Saviors now?"

Ed, standing beside him, barely suppressed a laugh.

The envoy remained impassive to Raylo’s mockery.

"We and Black Stone Territory share a common enemy, Lord Earl. The Nine-headed Demon Serpent’s existence threatens all creatures in this land."

"The dead and the living alike."

"You’re right about one thing. The Nine-headed Demon Serpent is certainly my enemy."

Raylo leaned forward slightly.

"But why should I believe the ’prophecy’ of a Necromancer?"

Their verbal sparring echoed through the quiet reception hall.

The envoy fell silent for a moment, as if gauging Raylo’s bottom line.

"Very well, Lord Earl. Let us be more frank."

The envoy finally changed his tune.

"Deep within the Jade Swamp, there is something our master requires. But the power of the Nine-headed Demon Serpent exceeded our expectations. And you, Count Raylo... as far as I know, your army has defeated the forces of the Jade Swamp multiple times."

This was far more believable than the high-and-mighty excuse he’d given earlier.

Raylo smiled and leaned back against his chair.

"So, your master needs my help with something?"

"Cooperation, not a favor,"

the envoy corrected.

"Black Stone Territory is also under threat from the swamp, so our interests do not conflict. We could even become temporary allies."

"Allies?"

"Let’s hear it. What kind of partnership do you have in mind?"

"Black Stone Territory has repeatedly crushed the legions of the Jade Swamp, pushing the battle lines to the swamp’s edge. We hope you will mobilize the power of your territory to build a sufficiently Solid Bone Fortress for us on the border between the swamp and Black Stone Territory."

’Raylo sneered inwardly. This Necromancer must think of me as just another trading partner, like that greedy Black Dragon, the Black King.’

He was about to refuse, but the envoy threw out a bargaining chip that made it impossible for him to immediately say no.

"As payment,"

the envoy said.

"My master is willing to provide ten vials of Sky Knight’s Breakthrough Potion and thirty vials of Earth Knight’s Breakthrough Potion."

As his words faded, silence descended upon the room.

Even Ed’s breathing grew ragged.

Ten vials of Sky Knight’s Breakthrough Potion!

Thirty vials of Earth Knight’s Breakthrough Potion!

’So this was what one could expect from a Catastrophe Level being who had lived for countless ages?’

He was offering strategic resources that would make anyone’s heart pound with greed, handing them out as if they were being sold wholesale.

Either the man was insane, or his scheme was so grand that these precious potions meant nothing in his eyes.

Innumerable thoughts flashed through Raylo’s mind in an instant.

’Working with a Necromancer was undoubtedly like asking a tiger for its hide, and it would do no favors for his reputation. If word of this got out, those fanatics from the Light Holy See would likely be at his door in an instant.’

But... the temptation was simply too great.

At that moment, Raylo’s resolve wavered. The refusal on the tip of his tongue could no longer be spoken.

’Sure enough, between men and Giant Dragons, it was impossible to prove which was the greedier species.’

’Principles were important, but in the face of survival, one sometimes had to learn to be flexible.’

"How can you guarantee the quality of the potions?"

Raylo’s voice had returned to its calm state, but only he knew that his heart was beating several ticks faster than normal.

The envoy produced an exquisite black wooden box from beneath his cloak and pushed it to the center of the table.

"Here is one vial of the Sky Knight’s Breakthrough Potion. You can have the Mages in your territory inspect it."

’They had thought of everything, leaving almost no room to bargain.’

"Can you tell me your master’s purpose in building the Bone Fortress?"

Raylo posed his question.

"As far as I know, your master’s territory is to the east of the Jade Swamp, while my Black Stone Territory is to its south. Nearly the entire expanse of the Jade Swamp lies between us."