The pact of subjugation with the Undead King. A Necromancer’s greatest desire.
Simply put, if the summoner can prove their strength or intelligence, they can achieve subjugation.
The problem lies in how to prove it. For intelligence, perhaps passing university entrance exams would suffice. That’s not for me. For strength, I’ll use my cheat-like speed and a Sword to mow them down.
But what about the Undead King, who is immune to physical attacks?
“When making a pact, besides the caster, one other person can enter the magic circle. Originally, I was supposed to be the one to enter, but Rufina did it alone.”
What foolishness. With the strongest Necromancer by her side, her chances of success would have been much higher. Was she too eager, or did she not want to rely on her parents…
“And so, she failed… I used half my life to pull Rufina out of the magic circle, and almost all of my remaining life to send the Undead Queen back to the underworld.”
Marquis Rutland doesn’t seem to be undead either. In the first place, are the undead truly immortal?
“The Undead Queen is…”
“That depends on one’s gender. If you are male, you can summon and subjugate a king. If the woman, like Rufina, can summon a queen. By the way, I have subjugated the Undead King.”
“Then what about Rufina’s injuries?”
“She is suffering from the Queen’s curse. At best, she has three days left.”
…My thoughts ceased. Rufina will die in three days. That cute and wicked Rufina will be gone. Unthinkable.
“How can she be healed?”
“There is a way. An extremely simple method. Either kill the Undead Queen or subjugate her. Rufina will be saved by the Queen’s purifying magic.”
What the heck, don’t surprise me like that. If all it takes is killing her, it’s a simple matter. After all, the world’s strongest Necromancer has the Undead King by his side.
“Marquis Rutland, you will do it, right?”
“That’s impossible. When I broke the magic circle, I also broke the pact. Therefore, I cannot enter the magic circle. Originally, I wanted to have Rufina appoint a proxy and transfer my power to them, but you lot defeated the undead I had prepared, so I’m in a bit of a predicament.”
Is it my fault! Did I, by blindly rushing in, ruin Marquis Rutland’s plan?
“Don’t worry about it. It’s my fault for only being able to prepare that much. That alone wouldn’t have been enough to defeat the Undead Queen.”
“What exactly should I do…”
After a moment of silence, Marquis Rutland began to speak.
“Would you try it? With your extraordinary abilities and the Black Sword you possess, perhaps something can be done.”
“Me!? If I can do it, I’ll gladly accept!”
“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, we will use the magic circle to summon the Undead Queen. Rest at this mansion until then.”
“Yes, thank you. …And, will this Black Sword be useful?”
“Of course. Were you using it without knowing its significance? I would say it’s a renowned Magic Sword.”
So it was a Magic Sword. I thought it was just a well-sharpened item I got for free. Did Alana have good judgment after all? After our conversation, we were led to Rufina’s room.
“Is the discussion over?”
“Yes. Tomorrow, we will summon the Undead Queen and kill her.”
“That’s a sudden and strange story. Rufina is asleep and moaning. What happened?”
I told Pushirira and Sophia, who had been with Rufina, everything as it was. That Rufina fought the Undead Queen alone, and that we had defeated the undead Marquis Rutland had prepared.
“I understand. And can you win? Your opponent is the Undead Queen, right? Someone even the world’s strongest Necromancer needed help to defeat.”
“…I will defeat her.”
“Can you really do it!? Don’t get ahead of yourself!”
“This Black Sword is said to be a Magic Sword. Apparently, it’s effective against the Undead Queen. …I will definitely defeat her.”
“That’s not enough! That’s not enough!”
Pushirira threw the chair she was sitting on against the wall and stormed out of the room.
“Pushirira isn’t angry. She’s just worried. She’s not good with these kinds of situations.”
“Sophia, are you against it?”
“I’m not against it. I’m not against it, but…”
Alana and Orietta likely feel the same way. If the Undead Queen isn’t defeated, Rufina will die. To defeat the Undead Queen, the help of the world’s strongest Necromancer is needed.
Rufina herself probably can’t fight. I will have to face the Undead Queen alone. Anyone would imagine defeat.
The Black Sword is effective against the Undead Queen. Even as a Magic Sword, it’s still a physical attack. How many times do I need to kill her? How many times must I strike a killing blow? Do I possess a cheat ability for speed that reaches that level?
The more I think about it, the more anxious I become. There is no option to run. I cannot abandon Rufina and flee.
Incense was burning in the room. A pleasant, expensive scent, I presume. Occasionally, a faint smell of decay wafted through, like a stitch in the sweet fragrance. Rufina’s body…
Her white, cold skin. The well-formed, cute Chest. Though hidden beneath bandages now, I cannot leave Rufina like this.
“Cap…tain…”
Suddenly, Rufina’s voice made everyone’s eyes turn to the Bed. Without sitting up, she merely stared at the ceiling.
“Did I wake you? Please sleep a little longer.”
“…I heard the conversation. You’ll do it tomorrow, won’t you?”
“I will. I’ll ask Rufina to hold on a little longer tomorrow.”
“…You can stop. The opponent is the Undead Queen. This is a seed I sowed myself. I was prepared for this outcome.”
“Show me that resolve tomorrow. Whether she’s the Undead Queen or not, I’ll show her what happens when someone lays a hand on another person’s woman.”
“You don’t understand! If you fought my father, you would understand. My father cannot die. That is because he has become one with the Undead King. It’s the same for the Undead Queen. She cannot die by the Captain’s Sword!”
Rufina spoke with some agitation, then coughed, and Sophia gently rubbed her back with concern.
“I have killed Vincent Rutland once. It’s not that she cannot be killed. Tomorrow will be the same. Leave it to me.”
Rufina said nothing and turned away, falling back asleep. For now, rest well.
Later that night, we were assigned rooms, and Sophia stayed in Rufina’s room to help in any way she could. Then, without knocking, into my room walked Pushirira, naked… and fully equipped.
“Get out…”
I silently grabbed the Black Sword and followed Pushirira. We arrived in a spacious area that seemed to be a garden, where Pushirira drew the Buster Sword from its sheath.
I understand, Pushirira. She must be thinking about tomorrow. If I fight tomorrow, I might die. If I can’t fight, Rufina will die. She put it on the scales.
She probably wants to injure me so I can’t fight. That would be abandoning Rufina. She would be betraying me by trying to save me. Even if she is trying to keep me alive.
“Pushirira, it’s not necessary. Tomorrow, we will win, and it will be over…”
“Don’t speak! …This is all I could think of.”
Clumsy, just utterly clumsy Pushirira. I will answer with my sword, at the very least.
I drew the Black Sword.
I thought it was just a cheap, surplus item…
I raised the Black Sword.
How many times have we sparred like this, Pushirira…
I cut Pushirira.
Could Pushirira see my form?
The Black Sword, after passing Pushirira, was brought back just before striking her Head. Pushirira must have thought her head was about to be severed.
“Make sure you come back alive…”
I sheathed the Black Sword in silence.
