Necromancer Of The Black Bible (61)

The first place I visited was a general store.

Among them, a small general store located in a secluded corner of the market street.

If my memory is correct, this is the only place in the Theocracy that sells glasses.

Glasses were something Nocturne had told me about before.

‘Two glass lenses joined together to aid vision, he said.’

I had seen Ray from the Black Leaf Merchant Guild wearing them before, but upon coming here, there were more varieties than I expected.

There were perfectly round glass lenses and moderately oval ones too.

There were also those with a wide upper part and a narrow lower part.

However, I couldn’t find anything to block out the sunlight as I wanted.

While looking around, I asked the clerk.

“I heard there’s something with colored lenses.”

“Oh, sunglasses?”

“Sunglasses?”

When I asked, the clerk smiled brightly and answered.

“Yes. On clear days, the light is so intense that it dazzles the eyes, so it’s a popular item.”

The clerk went to the storage room and brought back a heavy-looking box.

When the box was opened, several pairs of tinted glasses were revealed.

Among them was one that perfectly caught my fancy.

A black frame with black lenses.

The frame was sleek, giving it a rather sophisticated look.

As I picked it up, the clerk spoke.

“You have good taste. The frame was finished by a dwarf craftsman, and the lenses were polished by an elf artisan—a top-quality item.”

He sure knows how to flatter.

I had never heard of dwarves or elves dealing with such items in my previous life.

However, Equinox seemed to think differently.

[The frame’s finish is precise and sturdy. Such craftsmanship is not easily replicated by humans. The lenses are unique too. Try reflecting them in the candlelight.]

At his words, I reflected the lenses in the candlelight nearby.

A shimmering iridescent glow wavered subtly, flowing smoothly along the curve of the lenses.

Seeing this, I thought the clerk’s claim about elven craftsmanship might be true, as such smooth lens polishing wasn’t ordinary.

“Try them on.”

At the clerk’s suggestion, I tried on the glasses.

The world darkened momentarily, but only for a moment.

Once I adjusted to the dim vision, it felt more comfortable.

“Wow, you look dapper.”

Natasha clapped her hands and laughed, and the clerk gave a warm smile.

I stood in front of a large mirror nearby and looked at my reflection.

The neat appearance of Raiernov, dressed in fine priestly robes.

It’s a reflection I see every morning in the washbasin, so I’m quite used to it now.

Adding the sleek black sunglasses made me look pretty decent.

‘The beard feels a bit too long.’

Since I hadn’t trimmed it in a while, my beard had become quite bushy.

As I was touching it, Natasha’s voice came from behind.

“Let’s stop by the barber later. Your beard and hair need some grooming.”

I turned to her and said,

“Pick one out for yourself too.”

“Is that okay?”

Natasha asked cautiously, and I nodded with a slight smile.

At that, Natasha quickly picked up a pair of sunglasses.

Sunglasses with fairly large lenses.

They seemed too big when held, but they looked fine once Natasha put them on.

Above all, they nicely covered the scars around her eyes.

“They suit you well.”

“Really?”

Natasha smiled brightly and stepped in front of the mirror.

She wasn’t striking any particular pose, but she somehow drew attention.

The curves of her body visible through her clothes and her bright face with scars concealed.

Perhaps women her age naturally radiate this sort of captivating light, one you can’t easily look away from.

The clerk seemed to feel it too.

“They suit the Young Lady very well too.”

“Young Lady?”

When I asked, the clerk hurriedly apologized.

“Oh, is she not your goddaughter? I’m sorry.”

At that moment, Natasha came over, linked arms with me, and smiled playfully.

“I am his goddaughter. Right, Father?”

I didn’t respond, but Natasha put a finger to her lips and continued.

“I’m Natasha, goddaughter of High Priest Raiernov. Please keep it a secret that we were here, okay?”

“O-of course. But are you really Lord Raiernov?”

The clerk’s eyes widened as he looked at me.

“That’s right.”

“Oh, what a discourtesy.”

The clerk quickly made the sign of the cross on his chest and knelt on one knee.

“I greet the High Priest. Thank you so much for visiting such a humble place.”

“No need for thanks. I just came to buy what I needed.”

“No, sir.”

The clerk continued with a resolute expression.

“My mother, who suffered from paralysis, was healed by you a few days ago. Thanks to you, she’s completely recovered. I always wanted to visit and thank you…”

The clerk was genuinely grateful to me.

Since I began my healing activities, I’ve met people like this often.

Each time, I don’t have much to say, but it doesn’t feel bad.

I looked down at the clerk as usual.

Then the clerk kissed my hand, stood up, and said,

“I’ll give you all the sunglasses for free.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“No, sir.”

The clerk shook his head firmly and said,

“This is something I want to give you. Please, take them.”

It’s a strange feeling.

Did I ever receive such kindness in my previous life?

Most of my memories involve being betrayed despite showing kindness.

‘Why are there so many people here trying to repay kindness?’

Thanks to such people, my room at the monastery was overflowing with various tokens of gratitude.

From expensive silks to rare specialties from across the continent.

They weren’t particularly valuable, but they were items each person cherished and gave to me.

Just accept them. Refusing would only make them sad.

Nocturne’s voice.

It was a reasonable point.

It’s natural that refusing a gift would cause disappointment.

I nodded to the clerk and replied,

“Alright. I’ll gratefully accept these items.”

“I’m the one who’s more grateful.”

Leaving the clerk bowing deeply at a 90-degree angle, I walked out of the general store with Natasha.

Once outside, I could truly feel the power of the sunglasses.

‘My eyes definitely sting less.’

Since becoming a necromancer, my other senses have dulled, but my vision has grown increasingly sharp.

That’s why I often walked with my eyes closed, but now there’s no need for that.

It seemed Natasha felt the same sense of relief.

Unlike when she got off the carriage, frowning and following me, she was now looking around the market with interest.

Watching her, I suddenly recalled what the clerk had said earlier.

They suit the Young Lady very well too.

In the Theocracy, a goddaughter means a daughter bound by the soul.

‘A daughter of the soul…’

If I hadn’t been taken in by my master in my previous life,

and had lived an ordinary life until now, I might have had a daughter her age.

Falling in love, having a child.

Growing old like that.

In my previous life, I envied such a life.

No need to fight magical beasts or live on the run.

‘What about now?’

Since becoming a necromancer, my desires have changed greatly.

Unlike my previous life, where I blindly wanted to become stronger,

my desires now are clear.

For now, surpassing Illinas and becoming strong enough to bring down the Theocracy.

And repaying my master’s kindness.

Focused on these two goals, I hadn’t thought about the souls I’ve taken in, like Natasha, Ceres, or William.

What should I do with them after achieving my goals?

If I gain eternal life, how will I endure that long stretch of time?

As my thoughts reached this point, I shook my head.

‘Don’t look too far ahead. Focus on this moment.’

I’m not safe.

I’m only enjoying luxury thanks to the shell of Raiernov.

My true self is darkness itself.

The only ones who can handle me are those who know my true identity.

I walked through the market with Natasha.

While standing in front of an apothecary, examining the herbs I needed, someone stood beside me.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

A strangely clear voice.

This wasn’t an ordinary human voice.

It was a voice laced with dense magical energy.

‘Could it be a demon?’

I slowly turned my head to look at the other person.

A woman with silver hair braided in two strands.

Her stunningly beautiful appearance was offset by the golden eyes staring at me, which were quite unsettling.

As our eyes met, Nocturne whispered.

Be careful. It’s Pope Lactea.

At that moment, the woman smiled faintly.

“What’s with that? It’s been a while, and you don’t even greet me?”

I hesitated for a moment.

How should I act in this situation to avoid suspicion?

Should I greet her right away?

Or…

“Forget the greetings. Let’s talk.”

Lactea grabbed my sleeve and pulled me into an alley.

I instructed Natasha.

[Don’t follow. I’ll handle this.]

After confirming Natasha’s nod, I followed Lactea.

Deep into the alley, we reached an empty lot with no one around.

Then Lactea turned around and spoke.

“Honestly, I had a lot of doubts before coming to meet you. I had so many questions. How did you heal all those patients in such a short time? And what’s with that look? Sunglasses?”

She was looking directly into my eyes through the sunglasses.

Her gaze seemed to pierce through everything about me, like a Demon King.

A sharp sensation swept over my entire body.

At the same time, I sensed her power.

‘She’s not that strong. Not on the level of Illinas or Dikrea.’

But her power felt much stronger than that of a top-tier demon.

My grip tightened on Nocturne.

What would happen?

At my current level, could I take her down?

But… do I really need to take her down?

I still don’t know her intentions.

‘She thinks I’m Raiernov. If I use this, I might be able to talk…’

At that moment,

Lactea crossed her arms, tapped her chin with one finger, and spoke.

“Hmm. I wasn’t sure earlier, but now I’m certain. You’re not Raiernov.”

At that moment, a bright light burst from Lactea’s hand.

The light enveloped me and Lactea, completely cutting us off from the outside world.

‘Darkness… no, a wall of light?’

It was a peculiar technique.

Her aura was demonic, yet she wielded light.

And this light carried divine power.

I took a step back and summoned the Soul Harvester.

Having arranged the orbs well beforehand, a fierce magical energy surrounded me.

Seeing this, Lactea’s lips twisted.

“Who are you? Who are you to wear Raiernov’s guise and perform miracles?”

I had no intention of answering.

Since my identity was exposed, the enemy wouldn’t let me live.

Whooong-

As I focused my power, the Soul Harvester let out a faint hum.

The opponent’s aura was fierce, but the hum of the Soul Harvester gave me confidence.

‘I’m not being overwhelmed by my power alone.’

In my previous life, I would have been obliterated instantly by such power.

But now, I’m standing my ground.

Thanks to the Orb of Gluttony embedded in the Soul Harvester.

The orb was constantly absorbing the opponent’s energy, supporting my life force.

‘More life force is flowing in than is being drained by the enemy’s energy.’

This isn’t just about holding my ground.

It’s a level at which I can properly fight.

‘No, I can win.’

As I took a step forward, black smoke rose from my heart.

The smoke, spreading like ink in the air, soon formed a familiar shape.

An old man in a tattered black robe.

It was Equinox.

He stood between me and Lactea and spoke.