Necromancer Of The Black Bible (27)

The carriage moved at a leisurely pace.

The scenery outside the window felt strangely new.

Even though I was passing through a neighborhood where I had spent quite a long time in my previous life.

‘How dazzling.’

The blue sky, the sunlight reflecting on the stream, and the nameless wildflowers dancing in the breeze.

Every scene that entered my sight dazzled me.

The intensity forced me to close my eyes.

Then Equinox’s voice came.

[The light of such a clear day is too strong for us.]

[You mean we’re weak to light?]

[Not exactly. The light feels so strong because your senses have grown more sensitive. Without protection, constant exposure will damage and dull them. So from now on, you must shield yourself like this.]

Equinox raised energy and obscured my vision with a thin black veil.

It made things much easier to see.

When the veil extended to shroud my whole body, the stinging sensations vanished too.

Then Equinox drew my gaze toward one side, where shadows lay.

A deep shadow stretched beneath a great broad tree.

As I looked at it, he continued speaking.

[Light always carries the counterpart of darkness. The stronger the light, the deeper the shadows. Harnessing that deep darkness is the root of our power.]

Light and darkness.

I had heard my master speak of their meaning to black mages in my previous life.

But Equinox’s explanation today struck deeper.

Most of all, because I could feel it firsthand.

‘When I lived as a black mage, it wasn’t like this.’

My senses hadn’t been this sharp, and I’d never felt light as this intense.

Of course, even back then, I preferred cloudy days over sunny ones, and darkness over light.

‘But now I must grow used to light.’

This carriage was heading for the Kallios Theocracy, the nation that worshipped the God of Light.

To infiltrate it successfully, I couldn’t show such discomfort.

‘That aside, this carriage really is comfortable.’

The cushions were soft, and the backrest comfortable.

The horses moved at a steady, even pace, as if escorting a noble guest.

Perhaps for that reason, even Sanchez—who had been peppering me with endless trivial questions—dozed off.

A small snore came peacefully from him.

Meanwhile, William sat beside me with an indifferent expression, staring blankly.

I asked him with the Voice of the Soul.

[How are you feeling now?]

[Comfortable.]

[Why don’t you get some sleep?]

William turned his head toward me and asked back:

[And you, Master—do you feel sleepy?]

I had to pause to consider what that question even meant.

Sleepy?

I thought it was obvious—until I realized something.

‘I haven’t slept at all since then.’

To be precise, ever since gaining the necromancer’s Mana Rings, I hadn’t slept.

I hadn’t felt drowsy, so there was no need.

Sensing my surprise, Equinox spoke.

[Sleep is a domain of darkness. And you are its ruler. Sleep will never rule over you again.]

I understood immediately.

Everything I had experienced so far confirmed his words.

‘Whatever darkness governs has no hold on me.’

Once again, I realized the power of a necromancer.

Looking at William, who still waited for my reply, I answered:

[I asked something foolish.]

William turned his gaze back to the front.

His eyes seemed to sink into a strange depth.

This continent has six nations, including the Kallios Theocracy.

One of them, the Valkyr Empire, was founded by uniting all six long ago.

In my past life, my master and I mainly operated in the Duchy of Tarnia in the northwest.

There were many ancient ruins there, and many groups studying them.

For my master, who sought the roots of necromancy, it was the perfect place.

In fact, it was in one of Tarnia’s ruins that my master obtained a copy of Equinox.

Of course, it was later destroyed by an imperial invasion, but until then, Tarnia was such a haven for black magicians it was called their sanctuary.

Though who knows how it seemed to ordinary people.

As I recalled these things, Nocturne, who had been silent until now, spoke.

Tarnia was a good land even for ordinary people. Compared to that, those who live in the Kallios Theocracy aren’t so happy. There are too many prohibitions, so little freedom.

True.

Freedom is one of the basic conditions for happiness.

Even with great power, without freedom, one falls into despair easily.

‘My master was like that too.’

If he hadn’t longed for freedom, he would never have sought necromancy’s secrets.

Then I too wouldn’t have been able to return through time like this.

I may have come back 30 years, but instead of familiarity, I find mostly new things.

Necromancy is new, and so is this world.

The more I learn of the world, the more it feels like an endless treasure trove of discoveries.

At this thought, Equinox added:

[I can’t help but agree. Even after more than 3,000 years, new things still appear in this world. Heh heh heh.]

I can’t even imagine what living 3,000 years would be like.

Then what of William, a figure from a thousand years ago?

I looked at William. His sunken eyes were fixed on Sanchez, who dozed across from him.

[William, you said you were one of the Twelve Heroes a thousand years ago, right? That you split the relics that sealed the Demon King and founded nations—was the Kallios Theocracy one of those?]

[No. The Theocracy already existed in my time. If it still exists now, then as far as I know, its history exceeds 3,000 years.]

Equinox also claimed to have lived more than 3,000 years. Could this be connected?

Surprisingly, Equinox stayed silent.

In truth, within a few decades the Theocracy will prosper even further.

Its leader is the Pope, a woman.

The new Pope will ascend, marry the Emperor, and the following year convert him.

Thus, the Valkyr Empire becomes the Lumina Empire, and begins conquering surrounding nations.

It was easy to guess the Pope was behind it.

Because those wars were called the “Holy Crusade of Light.”

In my past life, my master and I were hunted as part of that “Holy Crusade.”

Its ideology was to expel all heretics and build a new order around the God of Light.

Remembering those days, my anger stirred for the first time in a long while.

‘When I reach the Theocracy… should I kill the Pope first?’

My urge was to snap her neck on the spot.

But Equinox, who had been quietly watching my thoughts, restrained me.

[The Theocracy may be small, but it cannot be dismissed. Its Pope too wields formidable power. You may hold potential far beyond her, but for now you cannot defeat her. You must grow stronger first. The path will be harsh, but not dull. It will be a journey you are destined to win.]

Equinox’s words calmed my seething anger.

At the same time, my mind grew clear and cold.

My purpose in going to the Theocracy is solely to meet my master.

To protect him in his time of happiness—that is my goal.

I spoke to Sanchez, dozing in front of me.

“Sanchez.”

I had spoken softly, yet he awoke with a start.

“Y-yes, Father Raiernov! Is something the matter?”

“No, nothing. Just—what is today’s date?”

“Ah! One moment, let me check…”

Sanchez pulled a notebook from his chest and opened it.

“It is the fourth day of the Month of Fire. Meaning it’s been over six months since you left the Theocracy.”

“I see.”

I thought to ask the year as well, but decided not to.

Judging from the constellations and the sun’s path, less than a year had passed since my regression.

‘So it must be Imperial Year 1021, fourth day of the Month of Fire.’

But whether my master’s misfortune—the Great Witch Hunt—had begun yet, I did not know.

‘I’ll know when I reach the Theocracy.’

I sank into thought about what to do afterward.

With eyes closed, I could focus more deeply.

From Hainche Village, one normally reached the Theocracy in three or four days on swift horses.

But now it is different.

A carriage carrying a distinguished guest could not go so fast.

Mobin, the apprentice investigator driving the carriage, looked at the scenery and judged their pace and distance left.

‘It’s been ten days, and we’ve only reached Shadowpeak. That means at least five more days to reach the Theocracy.’

Far too slow, slower than expected.

Had it not been for the carriage, they would already have arrived long ago.

‘Still, serving Father Raiernov—how could I complain? When would I ever see a living legend again?’

Raiernov was a highly recognized priest even in the Theocracy.

He was close to the High Priest and among the top ranks of authority.

Whenever promotions or reassignments arose, Raiernov was everyone’s concern.

Because rumor said that dining with him guaranteed a good post or a promotion.

‘This time, I’ll impress him and ask for help in the autumn promotions.’

If Mobin were promoted that fall, he’d be the youngest full investigator in the corps.

Thinking of his peers’ faces made Mobin’s smile spread wider.

Then, realizing himself, he quickly erased the grin.

‘No. To rejoice at rising above others… that goes against doctrine. Control yourself.’

So Mobin drove the carriage, repeating a cycle of smiling and regaining composure.

The horses kept a steady gait up a gentle hill.

As the warm sunlight lulled his eyes to close—

He saw something in the distance.

“Hm? What’s that?”

Mobin rubbed his eyes and looked ahead.

On the forest road ahead, three luxurious carriages stood, surrounded by a throng of people.

‘What’s this?’

Mobin instinctively used his ability.

The power of Hearing, to capture distant sounds.

Suddenly, countless sounds poured into his ears.

Mobin frowned and focused.

‘Just endure a bit longer—until I catch the sound I want.’

As he concentrated, a voice emerged from the noise.

“I said pay the toll! Can’t you hear me?”

The moment he caught those words, Mobin halted the carriage.

For what lay ahead was a scene of bandits attacking carriages.