NOVEL ONLINE FREE Ch61 - Punishment for the Villain
Chapter 61: Punishment for the Villain
As night approached, deep within the Racheli forest, a young man sat leaning against a large tree, breathing heavily. His face, framed by neatly trimmed dark green hair, was hidden by the deep shadows of his dark robe’s hood.
He pulled one knee up to his chest, resting his head upon it, and tilted slightly to examine his palm, scorched by heat. The stinging, burning pain was strangely pleasant. Why did he find this pain appealing? He pondered, a smirk playing on his lips. A flash of vibrant red crossed his mind.
He’d made many fascinating discoveries today. He’d also found a subject that would fully satisfy his thirst for knowledge. He closed his jet-black eyes, reflecting on the productive time he’d spent.
This peculiar young man was none other than Ivan, the sorcerer who had spread curses throughout the Racheli region. After teleporting a short distance from the Maiden’s Mistletoe clearing, he had ventured deeper into the forest, wary of pursuers.
He would have liked to eavesdrop on Lena and the others in the clearing using the green magic “Wind,” but he’d conserved his magic power during his escape. Now, settled, he tried again, but the distance was too great to pick up the desired sounds. Ivan pressed his forehead against his knee in disappointment, blinking a few times.
They were probably explaining the events he’d been wondering about, he thought, gazing enviously in their direction. Well, he could always just kidnap the [Crimson Queen] later and force her to talk, he concluded, nodding to himself. Having traveled alone for so long, Ivan had a habit of talking to himself and making unnecessary gestures. He was, as always, driven by his thirst for knowledge and utterly selfish. No surprises there.
He removed his glove and examined his palm again. Though not blackened, the skin was red and slightly puckered from the heat. His fingertips were even redder. Ivan began to sink back into his enjoyable swamp of contemplation.
After resting for a while, an unfortunate hawk monster, mistaking the seated human for prey, swooped down. It was rare for a monster to mistake such a dangerous-looking individual for prey, but it seemed he’d encountered a particularly dim-witted one. Ivan, sensing the hawk’s hostility, rose smoothly to his feet and swung his magic rod.
▽ Hawk Monster’s Slider Attack!
▽ Ivan’s Rod Swing!
A dull thud echoed as the hawk monster was swatted down. Instant kill. Ivan’s strike, amplified by his extraordinary physical abilities, was pure brute force. Annoyed at being interrupted, he’d shown no mercy, crushing the hawk’s head. The blood-splattered, high-grade magic tool looked rather pathetic.
Yakitori, he thought, deciding on his dinner menu, and quickly began butchering the hawk. He seemed to have rested longer than intended, as night was approaching. He hadn’t noticed, lost in thought with his eyes closed. He tossed the sturdy wings aside; materials from such a low-level monster were worthless to him. He expertly carved the meaty torso, skinning and draining the blood with practiced ease. Utilizing small travel magic tools, he produced neat chunks of meat, like something you’d see at a butcher shop. He washed the blood away with water from a water-producing magic tool and erased the grease with the green magic [Clean].
By the time he finished, it was quite dark. Deciding against lighting a fire in these conditions, he postponed grilling the meat. Though hungry, he created a simple dark barrier and, shrouded in darkness, fell asleep.
The next morning, Ivan started a fire and grilled the fresh hawk meat. He drizzled the golden-brown, glistening pieces with blueberry sauce. He took out a plate and fork, ready to eat. The steam and rich aroma tantalized his nostrils, whetting his appetite. He’d spared no expense, using a high-end, store-bought blueberry sauce. On a whim, he added a pinch of white pepper… It seemed to have turned out perfectly. He nodded in satisfaction.
Ivan held some interest in cooking, appreciating how different combinations could create various flavors. His stock of seasonings was well-stocked. He opened his mouth wide and brought the hawk skewered on his fork to his lips—just then, a small bell began ringing from his pocket, diverting his attention. What terrible timing! He frowned and sighed, pulling a pink card from his robe’s inner pocket. He glanced at the name written on it… and decided to prioritize his meal.
He bit into the meat, the hot juices filling his mouth. The savory monster meat paired perfectly with the sweet and sour blueberry sauce, the pepper adding a pleasant kick. He mentally praised his seasoning skills. He devoured the grilled hawk, a rather large portion for one person.
After his leisurely meal, he cleaned his plate and finally reached for the card. He also pulled out his guild card and noticed a message displayed in red. He was about to ponder it when the persistent ringing of the bell forced him to prioritize that instead. He channeled a small amount of magic power into the card.
“
A slightly irritated, middle-aged man’s voice came from the card.
‘…It’s been a while, Ivan Kordaniya.
That’s a rather curt greeting, isn’t it?
…Well, I suppose such bluntness suits my current mood. Hahaha.’
“If you have nothing to say, I’ll hang up.”
‘Wait… You’re so impatient! I wouldn’t contact you through a card if I didn’t have a reason… Have a little patience. I apologize for ringing the bell for so long. Were you busy?’
“No. I was enjoying my meal.”
‘Take back my apology.
You’re always like this!
…Well, whatever. It’s true, we don’t have time for idle chatter.’
The man seemed rather emotionally unstable. Likely due to Ivan’s unintentional provocation.
This pink magic card was a high-end item, costing 4,000 ril. Though single-use, the
The card in Ivan’s hand bore the name “Morec Bradford.” He’d met this eccentric defrocked monk during a previous job change. Though both were eccentrics, they didn’t seem to get along. However, defrocked monks not affiliated with underworld powers were rare, so Ivan had exchanged bell cards with him in anticipation of future job changes. Getting involved with a monk affiliated with the underworld risked exposing Ivan’s extraordinary status to their organization, potentially leading to unwanted recruitment attempts. Ivan preferred to avoid such complications.
Morec, keen to avoid wasting precious call time, quickly stated his business.
‘Actually, I’ve been appointed High Priest of a certain kingdom.
Their leader is looking for someone skilled in the dark arts.
A “Necromancer”… I believe that was one of your aptitude classes.
Are you interested in changing jobs?
You must be getting tired of your current profession by now.’
[Necromancer]… A rare dark class capable of manipulating corpses and imbuing them with various additional effects. Exceptionally talented Necromancers could even revive the souls of the recently deceased.
Ivan periodically changed jobs to satisfy his intellectual curiosity about different professions.
“Hmm. Is that all?
…Indeed, I no longer have any attachment to the sorcerer class. I’ve tried all the basic curse skills, and acquiring further skills would require years of experience. So, I’m done.
I was thinking about changing jobs anyway.”
“Oh, is that so!?”
A cheerful voice came from the card. But Ivan quickly added a caveat. When dealing with underworld figures, clarifying vague information was crucial to avoid unfavorable contracts.
“If you want me, I expect full honesty. Which kingdom are you serving? Why do they want a Necromancer? Will I be serving this kingdom as well? If so, what are the restrictions? You haven’t provided sufficient information.”
‘Of course, I was just about to explain.
Is anyone else around?’
“No. I’m alone deep in the forest.”
‘Why are you in such a place… never mind.
Let me explain everything in order.’
Morec, seemingly in a better mood, spoke brightly in a slightly higher tone. Ivan, perched on a rock and casually scanning for monsters, listened intently.
‘First of all, I’m now serving the Kingdom of Galarjulere. There was a major government reshuffle recently, remember? I was appointed High Priest during that time. It’s Queen Sheratonica of Galarjulere who desires a Necromancer.’
“Hmm. A Queen.”
Ivan blinked. A very trendy topic indeed.
‘She’s a very beautiful woman, you know? She possesses such dazzling beauty! The most magnificent queen in the world! …But I suppose you’re a man after all. I didn’t expect you to react to that.’
“Why the sarcastic tone?
I don’t care about other people’s appearances.
I’m simply interested in the fact that she’s a queen.”
‘The struggles of a high-ranking official are real… Sigh. You prefer women with queenly qualities? How utterly irrelevant…’
“It’s a long story.”
‘I don’t want to hear it.
Anyway… I digress. The reason Queen Sheratonica desires a Necromancer is…’
Morec hesitated for a moment. It seemed information about Lena had not reached Galarjulere this time. He sighed and continued in a subdued tone.
‘…To become more beautiful!
She wants to make a contract with a Necromancer to “revive the deceased Sheratonica and modify her appearance as desired.” …The ideas these young people come up with these days… Sheratonica-sama is already incredibly beautiful!
…Sigh.
Actually, due to excessive use of potent and expensive beauty products, the queen’s usually smooth, white skin is red and swollen. She’s been receiving expensive healing treatments, but she’s dissatisfied with the slight blemishes and recurring swelling. To address this dissatisfaction, she desires a Necromancer. A talented one, capable of reviving souls. I’m sure you’d make an exceptionally skilled Necromancer.
Um… she also mentioned wanting a slightly higher nose and longer eyelashes? In short, she wants you to manage her beauty.’
Morec’s praise of Sheratonica’s beauty was interspersed with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. One could almost hear him scoffing. He sounded utterly exasperated. Why bother with the praise at all?
Sheratonica, it turned out, regularly used magic to detect praise or criticism from her subordinates. Morec constantly praised her to keep her happy. Since repeating the same compliments would displease her, he’d even resorted to reading cheesy romance novels to expand his vocabulary. Incidentally, Sheratonica was not impressed by Morec’s insincere flattery.
“That job description doesn’t appeal to me at all.”
Ivan replied flatly, his expression unchanged. Morec resisted the urge to agree wholeheartedly and continued his persistent recruitment efforts.
‘Now, now, don’t say that.
You’ll have exceptional conditions: you only need to obey the beautiful queen’s orders and are otherwise free to do as you please. You’ll receive a High Priest’s salary. You can hold any position you desire, though it won’t be forced upon you. Luxurious accommodations, food, and clothing provided… It’s an incredibly generous offer! How about it? Sheratonica-sama has no intention of giving you any orders besides managing her beauty. You can simply focus on leveling up as a Necromancer for a while. Another thing that might interest you… Galarjulere is very active in unusual magic experiments. Scholars are deciphering numerous cryptic, legendary theses. Apparently, they had someone who could see traces of other people’s thoughts. You like that sort of thing, don’t you? This information is strictly confidential, but if you join us, Sheratonica-sama will surely grant you special permission to observe the experiments.’
“Hmm…
Not bad. That is quite intriguing.
Are you sure you should be divulging confidential information to me?”
‘If I didn’t, you wouldn’t come.
I’m betting that telling you this will convince you.
…Though, you don’t seem very enthusiastic.’
Morec asked in a subdued voice, and Ivan replied with a smug look.
“I currently have a subject that stimulates my intellectual curiosity even more.
I’m fascinated by the concept of queens.”
‘…Ugh… is that a serious fetish!?
…Well, I’d rather you didn’t act on it, but we do have a queen here. Why don’t you at least meet her?’
“Is she a queen with rare skills that would satisfy my thirst for knowledge?
…Indeed, I suppose I won’t know until I meet her.
Alright. I’ll go.”
‘Thank you! I’ve never been so grateful to you!’
Morec, exhausted from searching for a rare Necromancer and acting as Sheratonica’s beauty consultant due to her constant foul mood, was finally relieved. He would have preferred to avoid associating with Ivan, a “walking natural disaster of a human being,” but at this point, he was just glad to be free of the search. He eagerly began making arrangements.
‘Sheratonica-sama desires your swift arrival. Using [Tri-Warp], when can you arrive in Galarjulere?’
“I nearly depleted my magic power yesterday. Since I lack the reserves, I’ll use a Substitute Doll. Therefore, I can arrive quickly.”
‘…What?’
“A Substitute Doll. I gave you one before, remember?”
‘…Indeed, I do have your Substitute Doll… but… are you really going to use such a valuable item just for travel? Seriously?’
“You said yourself that even high-grade magic tools become junk if used improperly. I needed to leave this place quickly anyway. It’s perfect timing. A fortunate coincidence.”
‘…I see.
Well, I appreciate your prompt arrival, and I won’t dictate how you use your magic tools. I’ll inform Sheratonica-sama that Ivan, the Necromancer candidate, will arrive shortly. Since you can’t be contacted immediately after the call ends, could you please wait 30 minutes before teleporting?’
“Understood.”
‘Thank you.’
…The call ended.
The fibers of the pink First Bell Card began to unravel, dissolving into the air and vanishing with a faint shimmer. It was completely gone within five seconds.
Necromancer, huh, Ivan muttered.
Necromancer was a rare dark class, requiring aptitude in black, green, and yellow magic. Furthermore, a prerequisite was having killed a significant number of fellow beings without hesitation. Individuals with such qualities were rare, and those skilled enough in dark magic to have killed so many seldom sought a class change. Immediately after changing classes, their stats would plummet, increasing the risk of revenge attacks. This was a common issue in the underworld.
It was only due to his exceptional natural abilities that Ivan had survived numerous dark class changes.
He paused his contemplation of class changes and retrieved his guild card. His stats were still ridiculously high… but his Luck stat was displayed in red, indicating an abnormal status.
“Title [Bad Luck] and status ailment [Sentence of Fate]…”
The red text at the edge of the card displayed terms Ivan had never seen before. Likely some trickery from yesterday’s battle, he thought, chuckling. Ivan, overwhelmingly powerful, had a perverse enjoyment of handicaps. It seemed this status ailment was the reason for his recent streak of bad luck.
It wasn’t bad to have a connection to the queen in this way, he thought with a satisfied expression, tapping the red entries on his guild card. Their effects were displayed.
[Bad Luck]… Regardless of your Luck stat, you attract misfortune. Each instance of bad luck strengthens your spirit.
[Sentence of Fate]… Punishment befalls those who disrespect the Crimson Queen. You fools!
Fate seemed to be enjoying itself.
Ivan began pondering these effects while he waited. To spoil the surprise, the [Bad Luck] title had been forcibly applied by Luca using his magic eye. He’d used the added effect [Trade]. Previously, he could only exchange skills with the other party’s consent, but due to his growth and the [Dexterous and Wealthy] title, he could now forcibly trade titles that the other party deemed unnecessary or that wouldn’t negatively affect him. The fact that it was the [Bad Luck] title meant Ivan had received something far worse than being robbed by a skill. It was a detrimental title, benefiting him only by making him mentally tougher.
Furthermore, while titles usually required activation, Luca had applied it in an “activated state,” making the bad luck permanent. The [Talk of the Town: Handsome] title he’d received in return could be toggled on and off, so even that was a stroke of bad luck for Ivan. It had been a gamble whether a title could be applied in an activated state, but this time, Luca had won. He’d dispelled his facial illusion during the fight because he’d thought the [Trade] effect might not work if his magic eye was disguised.
What was the punishment of [Sentence of Fate]? Ivan wondered. He then noticed a “more details” icon at the end of the description. He tapped it with his reddened fingertip.
▽ Nibble
This text appeared. He tilted his head… and then, sensing a chillingly murderous intent, he grabbed his backpack and scrambled away, hiding behind a large rock. His heart pounded, and goosebumps rose on his skin.
…The tree he’d been sitting on moments before was crushed by a heat ray fired from above. Dragon breath! But it was likely a test, not a serious attack, Ivan surmised. Looking up at the sky, now much clearer with the trees gone, he saw a massive dragon hovering above. The attack was too weak for a dragon of that size, he thought. It had likely used just enough breath to kill a single human. Meaning, the target was Ivan himself. Ivan’s eyes narrowed.
—THUD!
With an earth-shattering impact, the enormous Phantom Black Dragon, its body alone measuring 12 meters long, landed, crushing the surrounding trees. Its huge wings created a gust of wind, scattering nearby monsters. Ivan’s hood was blown back, revealing his unusual dark green hair, which fluttered in the violent wind.
The dragon’s golden eyes glinted, locking onto the tiny sorcerer hidden behind the rock. Enraged, a vivid red hue mixed with the gold of its [Dragon Eye]. Noticing the fury, Ivan wondered why this dragon was specifically targeting him.
“…The parent of the Phantom Black Dragon I captured yesterday, I presume! …That explains it. It was unusually weak and small for a dragon, only useful as a distraction. So this is the size of an adult Phantom Black Dragon. Hmm.”
His long musing was clearly audible to the dragon’s sharp ears. Remembering its offspring, likely killed mercilessly for a trivial reason, the dragon roared in rage, its hatred intensifying.
“GYYAAAAAARRRGH!!!”
“…Don’t yell so loud, it hurts my ears.
It’s the natural order for the weak to be toyed with by the strong, isn’t it?
Why are you so angry over the death of a single offspring?”
The natural instigator remained unfazed. Because he was, indeed, a natural. However, he wasn’t as calm as he appeared; cold sweat trickled down his back.
The dragon glared at Ivan again. It would be a waste to kill him with a single breath attack. It had to make him suffer! It charged, its powerful legs and massive claws propelling its huge body. Phantom Black Dragons were adept at running. It gathered wind around itself, accelerating rapidly!
The deafening roar shook the very ground. Ivan, faced with the rapidly closing distance, responded in kind. Though in a dire situation, a twisted smile played on his lips. He rapidly chanted, creating a robust dark barrier.
“”Thou shalt not enter the realm of darkness…
I am the manipulator of boundaries.
I am the one who separates the present world and the phantom world.
The present world is paradise and hell.
The phantom world is nothingness and eternity.
Do you despair of the present world and beseech the darkness?
I am the bridge.
Your pleas have yet to reach me…””
He poured all his remaining magic power into the barrier. He had an escape plan.
▽ Dragon’s Headbutt!
▽ VS
▽ Ivan’s [Shadow Hole]!
CRASH!! The dragon’s head slammed into the barrier, the impact shaking the black wall violently. However, the chant’s effect held strong, the barrier remaining uncracked. The dragon, which had intended to break Ivan’s bones and make him suffer with a non-lethal tackle, exhaled in frustration. Glaring hatefully at the one who had killed its child, it launched another, merciless charge! Three times, four times, five times… It slammed its sturdy body against the barrier with deafening roars.
The magic power maintaining the barrier was steadily depleting… Ivan, realizing he was running out of time, began activating the contract magic for his Substitute Doll. He planned to escape to Galarjulere.
The dragon, noticing the glint of triumph in the sorcerer’s eyes as he calmly looked up, opened its jaws wide, intending to swallow him and the barrier whole. Rows of sharp teeth and a crimson tongue were visible. Ivan was about to make his escape…
His palm, reddened by the queen’s wrath, began to tingle with a sweet heat. And then, Ivan was seized by a surprising urge.
“…If I were pierced by those fangs…”
It would surely hurt immensely.
Would it… feel good?
SNAP!
The dragon’s powerful jaws swallowed Ivan and the barrier whole. And he vanished from the Racheli forest.
In a room within the Galarjulere Royal Palace, Morec sighed lightly after ending his call with Ivan. A sigh of relief. Though conversing with the perpetually self-absorbed Ivan was an ordeal, he felt lighter now that one problem was solved.
He confirmed the pink card’s disappearance and looked at the other bell card he had with Ivan’s name on it. He opened his specialized magic card case and placed Ivan’s card in the section reserved for important individuals. The cards within fanned out and hovered in the air, arranged like a magician’s deck. After confirming the order of the names, Morec said, “Good. Close,” and stored all the cards in the case. With the word “Close,” the cards flew back into the case. Morec seemed to have a meticulous, organized personality.
Ivan would likely become his colleague in Galarjulere. The thought made him frown slightly.
(That man, despite his immense power, acts so selfishly and without regard for others, often causing significant damage… I hope that doesn’t happen this time. I’d rather not be caught up in his messes. Sheratonica-sama is incredibly troublesome when she’s in a bad mood… I hope I can use my skills as a con man to keep her happy. Ivan is at least good-looking, so if they were to fall for each other, it would solve everything… No, that will never happen. I shudder to think what kind of monster couple they’d be… How terrifying!)
He shuddered, imagining the disastrous possibilities. It’s a bit chilly today, he thought, trying to distract himself, staring blankly at the door. He needed to report his recruitment success to the queen.
Morec visited Sheratonica and informed her that Ivan would arrive in Galarjulere in about 20 minutes.
Sheratonica, the current queen of Galarjulere, sat before a large vanity. She rose gracefully and revealed herself from behind the lace curtains. She was genuinely beautiful, not sarcastically. Just incredibly troublesome.
Despite being only 16, she possessed a voluptuous figure that exuded feminine charm, flawless white skin, and honey-blonde curls. Her most striking feature was her rare purple eyes. The luxurious blue dress suited her perfectly; she was a gorgeous beauty. No, “stunning” would be a more accurate description. She was tall for a woman, and her heels made her appear even more mature. A thin veil, like a dancer’s, covered the lower half of her face, concealing the skin blemishes she was so self-conscious about.
Sheratonica smiled, her purple eyes curving into crescents. Her voice, still girlish and sweet, held the unmistakable authority of royalty.
“Thank you for your hard work, Morec Bradford.
Finding a Necromancer took quite some time, but I’m glad you succeeded. Good job.
I shall reward you more generously than those other incompetent officials. You may take one magic tool of your choosing from the royal treasury for personal use. If the Minister of the Treasury objects, tell him I gave you permission.”
The quintessential spoiled, self-absorbed queen.
“Wow! Really?
Sheratonica-sama, you are the kindest! Beautiful, kind, and talented in magic… How many gifts has heaven bestowed upon you? You are surely the most beloved person in the world!”
“…Your compliments are somewhat clumsy. And the effort is far too obvious… the phrasing is strange in places… Strive to express your feelings more naturally.”
“I’ve lived a lonely life, devoid of female companionship… Haha. I aspire to eloquently express Sheratonica-sama’s beauty. I shall endeavor to improve.”
“Yes.”
No, it’s not “yes”! Morec screamed internally, maintaining his dubious smile. It was remarkable how he assumed everyone naturally found Sheratonica beautiful. She was indeed beautiful, but her behavior ruined it all. It was rare to find someone so haughty solely due to their appearance.
Sheratonica was abnormally fixated on beauty. It was part of her nature, but her upbringing in a dysfunctional environment likely played a role. Having killed her mother, she was unconsciously mimicking her mannerisms. Normally, Sheratonica was reasonably thoughtful and carried herself with queenly dignity. …But when it came to beauty, she became utterly foolish, Morec thought, sighing inwardly. Sheratonica gave instructions to her attendant, who then left the room. She brushed past Morec, saying,
“Shall we go?”
“…Where to?”
“The Necromancer candidate, Ivan, will be coming here, won’t he?
I want to make a good first impression as a magnificent queen.
Gather all the high-ranking officials and ceremonial knights in the main hall and have them kneel before me. That way, the power dynamic will be clear at a glance. Don’t you agree?”
“As expected of Sheratonica-sama!”
“…I hate the way you talk.”
What did she want him to do? Just say whatever, Morec thought, his eyes glazed over with a forced smile. Incidentally, Morec was reasonably good-looking and had experience with women. His self-deprecating act was purely for flattery.
Before leaving the room, he had to say one more thing. He stopped Sheratonica.
“I must reiterate, Sheratonica-sama, Ivan Kordaniya is extremely difficult to handle. He’s like a walking, talking wide-area explosion spell who often brings misfortune to those around him. Please be extremely careful in your dealings with him. …I pray you won’t regret taking him in.”
“I know!
I’ll handle him. You needn’t lecture me repeatedly. It’s putting me in a bad mood when I’m about to become even more beautiful. Morec, my decision to welcome the Necromancer is final. Obey me without question.”
“…My apologies.”
Morec bit his tongue and fell silent. It had been a final warning out of concern for the precarious Sheratonica, but it had fallen on deaf ears. Whatever happens, happens, he thought resignedly, following the blue-clad queen.
The reason Morec Bradford endured such mental strain to remain in Galarjulere? He believed that serving this kingdom as a defrocked monk would provide him with ample opportunity to observe the suffering of others. However, he wanted to avoid any personal repercussions, so he’d rather not have dealt with Ivan. But it seemed too late for that now. Morec hated happy people. He envied and even resented them. He didn’t care who it was, as long as he could see someone more unfortunate than himself; it had become his reason for living. The story of how he came to think this way will be told later.
At the queen’s whim, almost all the retainers were gathered in the main hall. It couldn’t accommodate everyone, so the lower-ranking officials were excluded. The lower nobles, relieved, watched the higher nobles with envy—a rare sight. Had Ivan been present, he would have declared, “Hmm. How intriguing.”
Sheratonica sat on an ornate throne on the dais. The retainers were lined up according to rank, ready to bow. Morec stood a step ahead of them. And between Morec and the steps to the throne, a creepy, bandaged doll sat alone.
It was Ivan’s Substitute Doll. The reason Ivan had entrusted the contracted doll to Morec was the same as this time: for convenient teleportation whenever he felt like changing jobs. It seemed destined to be used solely for transportation. Morec had reluctantly accepted the magic tool on the condition that he could keep it if Ivan died and the contract was terminated.
It had been almost 30 minutes since the bell card call. The efficiency of Galarjulere’s communication and command structure was impressive. Though it was a dictatorship.
A dark mist began emanating from the Substitute Doll’s split mouth, gradually forming a magic circle in the air. A hexagram and magic letters within a circle. The dark magic power infused within began to glow blackly.
Sheratonica rose from her throne, intending to offer a somewhat friendly greeting. Smiling brightly, she looked down at the magic circle, anticipating Ivan’s arrival.
Morec frowned. Something seemed off about the amount of mist, the size of the magic circle…
The unusually large magic circle was finally complete, and a black light filled the hall. The Substitute Doll crumbled into dust. The retainers leaned forward eagerly, wanting a good look at the chosen Necromancer… Then, they froze, their knees trembling involuntarily, sensing a powerful, primal aura.
Sheratonica and Morec stared, mouths agape. Everyone in the hall trembled in fear as a roar shook the palace.
“GYYYAAAAAARRRGH!!!”
A massive body covered in jet-black scales. Thick, powerful legs ending in sharp claws, and golden eyes radiating a terrifying light. Several nobles fainted instantly, their gazes meeting the dragon’s.
“Haaaaaaaaaaah!?”
Some screamed, and everyone else scattered like spiders, fleeing for their lives. They ignored those who had fallen; noblewomen hiked up their elegant dresses, their faces contorted in terror as they ran. A dragon! A rare Phantom Black Dragon, typically found only deep within the Racheli forest in the Anes Kingdom. Why was it here?!
▽ Phantom Black Dragon has appeared!
“What’s going on…!?”
Sheratonica, seeing a live dragon for the first time, turned pale.
The dragon roared once, then closed its jaws, writhing as if in pain. It began thrashing its long tail, smashing priceless works of art against the walls and cracking the marble floor. Galarjulere’s finances were tight. This will deplete the funds for my beauty products! Sheratonica thought, her face contorting.
The unwell dragon, its temper flaring, started attacking everything in sight. Several thick pillars were already broken. This was bad.
“I-I won’t forgive you! [Shadow Bind]!”
Sheratonica, mustering her courage, attempted to restrain the dragon with the dark magic she had used to kill her parents. She had a strong aptitude for black magic and was considered one of the world’s most skilled dark magic users. Powerful dark ropes sprouted from the ground, entangling the dragon and momentarily halting its rampage.
Sheratonica, a vein throbbing in her forehead, shouted at Morec.
“A dragon teleported using the Substitute Doll!? What is the meaning of this!? Explain yourself!”
Morec, safely ensconced within a light barrier, had avoided being swatted by the dragon’s tail. Not all dark practitioners had an aptitude for black magic. The qualities of a fallen individual and magical aptitude were unrelated; Morec, a former priest, specialized in white and light magic.
“I-I don’t know! The Substitute Doll was indeed contracted to Ivan Kordaniya, and I have no idea how a dragon could have teleported!”
“Useless! Morec, you’re docked four months’ pay! You’re responsible for the mess your friend caused! Resolve this situation! I’ll assign you to fundraising duty later!”
“That’s outrageous! …And it’s unfair to call that walking disaster my friend!”
Even as they bickered, the dragon broke free from the [Shadow Bind]. Glaring furiously at Sheratonica, it spread its wings and took to the air. Gathering wind around itself, it flew towards Sheratonica, aiming a headbutt!
“Eek…!”
“Ugh… [Holy Light Barrier]!”
▽ Dragon’s Headbutt!
▽ VS
▽ Morec’s [Holy Light Barrier]!
…Or so it seemed, but the dragon stopped just before its head connected with the barrier. It trembled before Sheratonica, gurgling a few times before its jaws slowly, creakingly began to open. Pried open would be more accurate.
Rows of gruesome fangs were revealed, and Sheratonica shrieked again. Then, she saw a blood-soaked, undead-like young man beyond the teeth, her face turning ashen.
“……Hmph!”
The blood-soaked young man grunted, using his magic rod to pry open the dragon’s upper jaw and leap out. The jaws snapped shut a moment later, but they missed Ivan. He rolled twice on the luxurious carpet, leaving a trail of blood, then sat up. This blood-soaked young man was Ivan.
He swatted away the dragon, which lunged to swallow him again, using only his raw strength and a touch of yellow magic, [Strength Enhancement]. The magic rod, perpetually misused for physical attacks, made a dull thud. It seemed his magic power had recovered slightly while inside the dragon.
▽ Ivan’s Rod Swing!
▽ Hits the Dragon’s Nose!
The dragon, its scales thinner around the nose, yelped and recoiled. Ivan nodded.
“I see. The Phantom Black Dragon’s weak point is its nose.
The scales are smaller there… therefore, less defense. I wonder where its other weak points are. How intriguing.”
“Who are you!?”
“I’m busy thinking. Don’t bother me, you’re annoying.”
“A-annoying…!?”
Ivan, subjected to various misfortunes due to the title effect, had become even more mentally resilient… and even more selfishly oblivious. His inconsiderate remarks had reached a new level.
“Whoa, Sheratonica-sama, that’s him! That’s Ivan Kordaniya! See, I told you he was trouble…”
“This is beyond inconsiderate! He’s clearly insane. There’s no way I could have predicted this… Morec, you’re docked five months’ pay!”
“That’s cruel!”
Morec Bradford, the perpetually scapegoated unfortunate man. Their bickering suggested they might be surprisingly compatible.
Ivan, focused on the dragon, shook his head in annoyance at the commotion.
“…So noisy.”
“You have no right to say that!”
“I hate you, Ivan! How dare you speak to Sheratonica-sama like that!? (If you can’t be polite, just shut up! I’m the one who has to smooth things over later!)”
The clamor of various voices created utter chaos. Deciding that introductions were apparently the only way to quell the uproar, Ivan addressed Sheratonica flatly. He remained rudely turned away, still observing the dragon.
“I’m Ivan Koldania, a Necromancer candidate summoned here by your Majesty. Currently working as a sorcerer. Pleased to meet you. Most of this blood is the dragon’s, a souvenir from when I injured it internally. I’m perfectly fine, by the way. You see, I was inside the dragon when I used my Substitution Doll. I expected only myself to be transferred to the kingdom, but the dragon came along for the ride. This is the first I’ve heard of such a phenomenon. Fascinating.”
“What a nuisance!” thought the victims of this accidental trans-kingdom trip. They were about to voice their complaints about Ivan’s ill-timed teleportation experiment when the dragon stirred, letting out a roar that silenced them and drained the color from their faces.
Both Sheratonica and Morec were better suited to support roles in combat. They had no plan to defeat such a colossal dragon on their own. The newly appointed Knight Commander, a high-ranking noble, excelled at praising Sheratonica but lacked the skill to effectively command the knights. Reinforcements weren’t likely to arrive anytime soon. While Sorcerer Ivan wasn’t a front-line fighter either, he was somehow managing to hold his own through brute force. “It’s so unfair that the world bestows such talent on someone like him,” someone thought resentfully. But even Ivan’s magic was nearly exhausted, and he wouldn’t be of much use soon.
“That dragon is a Phantom Black Dragon. It usually dwells deep within the forest and rarely shows itself, but apparently, killing its offspring attracts the parent. And I was targeted for revenge. Just before it swallowed me whole, along with the barrier, I managed to nick its insides with my fangs… It hurt, but I didn’t feel any pleasure. What a waste of an injury. Disappointing…”
Ivan rambled on, uttering utterly pointless remarks.
“You went out of your way to get injured!? If you have a death wish, go die alone! Don’t drag us into it, you idiot!”
“I had no intention of dying. I just… yearned for the pain. It was a letdown, though. Strange things happen.”
“Your thinking is what’s strange! …The dragon’s recovered. We’re retreating! You lot, be my shields!”
“Wait… Lady Sheratonica!? Calling us shields is a bit harsh!”
“Hmm… So this is the Queen of the Galarajure Kingdom. She lacks presence, doesn’t pique my curiosity… not queen material at all. Utterly unremarkable. And while her appearance is pleasing, her features are… common.”
What Ivan meant, though he didn’t bother to articulate it, was that Sheratonica resembled someone he’d seen by chance somewhere, someone utterly insignificant to him: Luca. His increasingly brazen personality led him to forgo thoughtful word choice. As long as he understood the true meaning, any old words would do.
“…What did you say!?”
Sheratonica’s mood plummeted after her appearance was so casually disparaged. Morec’s stress levels skyrocketed. He could practically feel his hair turning white.
The dragon pursued the fleeing trio, tearing through the Galarajure Royal Palace with body slams and dragon breath. The knights who finally arrived were swiftly scattered by the wind from its wings. With deafening roars that vibrated their eardrums, the dragon relentlessly chased Ivan.
The dragon smashed through the finest marble floors, punched holes in the ceiling, and demolished pillars with its tail. The lavishly decorated palace was reduced to ruins in a matter of hours—a devastation exacerbated by Sheratonica’s decision not to abandon Ivan. “I’ll make even this lunatic acknowledge my beauty!” she’d declared, her vanity fueling the destruction.
After about three hours of relentless pursuit, the dragon finally seemed satisfied after taking a hefty bite out of Ivan’s arm. Its own body, battered from numerous attacks, began to tire. With a final parting blast of breath from a safe altitude, it lifted itself into the air on powerful wings and flew towards the Anes Kingdom. Quite the personality.
When asked if he wanted his arm magically regenerated, Ivan replied, “I imagine it would be excruciatingly painful. By all means, do it,” earning him widespread disapproval. Morec recoiled, muttering, “Are you a true masochist!? You’re disgusting!” But Ivan, with his reinforced (read: self-absorbed) mentality, was entirely unfazed by such mild rebukes.
In exchange for the right to observe magical experiments, Ivan agreed to lend his power to the Galarajure Kingdom—as a Necromancer. Morec Bradford was chosen as the problem child’s guardian. Good luck to him.
The reconstruction of the devastated palace required immense resources and manpower, forcing the Galarajure Kingdom, which had been plotting various misdeeds, to focus its attention elsewhere. For the time being, the new kingdom’s government wouldn’t be causing trouble for its neighbors.
The Red Queen skillfully manipulates fate, leading evil down the path to ruin. Perhaps this, too, was her guidance. Praise be to the Red Destiny.