”Sir, what did the man want? Should we prepare for battle?”
”There’s a Macabre Invisible Deer in the forest, and they can’t get lumber because of it.” Jack replied with the militia members rolling their eyes.
”Pfft— That’s it?! We’ve known about that for days already!”
”Greedy idiots, they just have to stay out of the forest and wait. Isn’t it easy?!”
”We’ll be the ones risking our lives out there! There’s no way we’ll rush into this and die pointlessly!”
They all unconsciously grimaced as they recalled their losses against the Macabre rat army. There was no way that they would be that careless again!
”Now, now. Don’t be too angry. They don’t mean any harm. They’re simply worried about making a living.” Jack remarked as they whispered about him being a Saint.
If only they knew…
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
It was a dark yet pleasant evening. Nothing seemed to threaten the peace of Sprigfield, and everyone was cutting loose except the farmers and loggers.
The Drunken Sailor was full of people enjoying themselves, their cups swaying along with the rhythm of the music.
♪♪ Knock Knock on the Tavern’s Door! ♪♪
”We love you, Hana! You’re the best!” Many shouted encouragements to the lead singer/dancer bunny girl. Apparently, she was something called an Idol, whatever that was.
The atmosphere was electric, the spectators making the entire tavern tremble as they jumped in excitement. But, the situation was far different in the VIP section in the back.
A knight drank alone in silence, pondering about his rising fame. Without intending to, he now somehow had many identities:
1. Jack the Player
2. The Big Boss of the Tavern
3. The leader of the new militia brigade.
4. The Demon King, hated by rival factions and WC.
There were plenty of rumors about him, but gossip was so unreliable that not many knew that all those identities belonged to him. If he made an effort, tricking the NPCs shouldn’t be too hard…
— Clang! —
A door in the back suddenly opened as a man was let inside by the Tavern Owner. A nervous and slightly suspicious lumberjack entered the room.
As he glanced at the knight, he couldn’t help but feel that his outfit was strange. His entire body was covered in heavy-looking plate armor, his face hidden by a helmet.
”You came, take a seat. Gilbert, right?” Jack welcomed him, the man complying. Gilbert frowned at the wine bottle on the table, perplexed.
”Sir, why the secrecy? Can’t the militia just—”
— Slam!—
”Do you understand how dangerous a Necromancer really is?! What if he goes into hiding and comes back with an army? Will you take responsibility?!” The knight thundered.
”Ah?!”
”If we screw this up, Sprigfield could very well be destroyed! Do you understand?!”
”I-I do, Sir…”
”Sigh— It’s fine. I can’t blame you for your ignorance. Now, the most important here is information. I need to know everything about this Necromancer!”
”I understand! Here’s what happened….” The more he talked, the more Jack realized how much of a threat he was.
1. The man had seen his face in detail through his scouting spell.
2. He had once seen the one the Braves called The Demon King from afar.
3. He couldn’t be 100% sure, but the two seemed awfully similar. The Demon King was the Necromancer.
”I see. We’ll have to apprehend him, but it won’t be that easy. We’ll have to secure magical tools to prevent illusions and the likes first. We don’t want him changing his face.”
”Ah, he’d do that?!”
”Don’t underestimate a mage’s resourcefulness. Now, on the militia side, it will look like we’ve dismissed the complaint while I work in the shadows. Have you told anyone about our meeting? ”
”No, Sir! I haven’t!”
”Good, this is good. We don’t want to spook him. Here, let’s toast to the prosperity of Sprigfield and to a successful hunt!” Jack handed the man a drink.
”Thank you, Sir, but I don’t drink.” He refused, already getting up and ready to leave.
”Wait, one last thing. Your life might be in danger as we speak. I think you should stay here for the night while I complete the last preparations.”
”Danger? But he doesn’t know—”
”Some Necromancers have automatic defenses in place. People spying on them are automatically cursed, and it can lead to death in the worst-case scenario.”
”I feel fine and—”
”Of course, you feel fine! When we lost brothers to the Macabres, they too felt fine right before dying! I’m not saying this for your sake either. This kind of thing can spread too.”
”W-what, it can?!” The man started shaking.
”Yes, is there anyone you’ve been in contact with often during the previous days?” Jack solemnly asked.
”Y-yes, my daughter! What should I do?!” He turned livid.
”Take a deep breath. Everything will be fine. There’s a crude but effective method to get rid of the curse.” Jack reassured.
”What is it?!”
”Can you hear? This place overflows with life and positivity. Staying here for a little while will work wonders. Do you understand why I asked to meet here, now?”
”Yes, Sir! I thought we’d need a priest….” The man remarked, still shaken.
”Don’t underestimate the intuition of a mage. The enemy is probably watching the chapels already. You’ll get rid of one curse only to receive a few more.”
”I see!”
”Now, where is this daughter of yours? I’ll personally see to her safety and bring her here!” Jack assured as the man quickly shared the info.
Jack nodded, downing his wine cup and waving goodbye.
”I’ll be back soon. Before I come back, make sure you calm down. Right now, fear is plastered on your face. You don’t want your daughter to see you like this, do you?”
On that note, he left. The man remained alone in the silent room.
He could finally understand what Joe had meant. This man really was a hero, one that was as righteous as wise. The Necromancer wouldn’t stand a chance!
He probably knew from the start that he’d need wine to calm down, right? While smiling, he downed his cup. He instantly felt a cold in his stomach that calmed him immediately.
But then the cold turned from a chill to a blizzard. What?! He felt all heat leave his body until there was none left. It calmed him so well, that it sent him straight to the afterlife.
Even as he died, he still trusted the man…