I Became The Academy Necromancer
Chapter 319: Taking The Bones, Cutting The Flesh

The pressure on the Wellington Trading Company continued to pile on for several days, but of course, they weren’t the only ones being targeted.

Since this matter involved drugs, it was only natural that the religious community, who had been the first to seek these items, did not escape my attention either.

After interrogating the two bishops I had captured back in Forsville Village, I learned that the religious community was also connected to the Yellow Flower.

It was quite easy to dig into them.

“Wow, this is the ledger for the stolen goods, huh? You hid it pretty well.”

“H-how did you—!”

Deia was busily rummaging through the church of the goddess of abundance and earth, Demeter.

As if she could see it clearly, she found the ledger easily, donation usage statements, and even the donor lists the bishops had hidden.

“It’s obvious.”

Putting down the stolen goods’ ledger, Deia opened the donation usage statement and began skimming through it.

I wondered if it was even possible to speed-read that quickly.

“The land contract for Forsville Village was also recorded as a donation expense, right? That village, the Yellow Flower cultivation site, had already been turned into a wasteland by our beloved Soul Whisperer.”

“That… that’s…”

“What was the name of the Demeter’s bishop who was arrested there again?”

Deia glanced at me as she asked.

“Bishop Harace.”

“Right, Bishop Harace. He was planning to retire and farm there, right? If that’s true, things would get really bad. Should I cross-check this?”

Deia spoke with a sly smile, but the Demeter’s bishops, who had no response, eventually drew their swords.

“How dare you! How dare you step into a place watched over by the gods! The gods will not let you go unpunished!”

“I see.”

In any era, those who followed gods often received some benefits or privileges.

Especially in times like this, when the divine aura was so powerful, offending a god’s church or its bishops would be seen as a great insult to the gods.

“So what?”

However, Deia completely ignored their cries.

Instead, she pulled out her magic gun and aimed it at them.

“Do you think this is something we can just overlook? Are you out of your mind, trying to distribute drugs through the church? What, do you want me to dig the hole for you before you meet Mage Tribunal Judge Tyren at the execution ground?”

“…”

“You filthy bastards. I don’t even want to imagine what you were planning to do with the drugs.”

The bishops fell silent under Deia’s harsh pressure, their confusion clearly visible in their expressions.

“I’ll seize all the evidence. Even if you run, you’ll be caught quickly, so just sit tight and wait for your arrest.”

Once the investigation was nearly complete and Deia gathered all the evidence, I followed her out.

“Soul Whisperer…!”

The old bishop called out from behind, his voice trembling with emotion, mirroring his thoughts.

“I don’t know what guts you have to disrupt things like this when the royal family hasn’t even given their permission.”

“I came down to the mud myself to catch you filthy ones. I think I at least deserve some gratitude for this.”

“Damn you. Do you really think the citizens of Graypond will continue to support you? The rumors about you, the necromancer who devours the souls of the continent to control them, are already spreading through the streets!”

“…”

“The Goddess Demeter will turn all the dirt you step on into mud. You will die as the food for the worms on the decaying ground!”

Receiving his meaningless curse, I stepped outside.

The followers of Goddess Demeter had gathered at the entrance, glaring at us.

Their eyes trembled with anger, clearly feeling that their god had been insulted.

“Lord Soul Whisperer! How could you do this?”

“Even if the bishops were in the wrong, you shouldn’t treat them like common street thugs! This isn’t right!”

“If they have committed any wrongs, they should be judged in the court, where King Orpheus should pass judgment! What right do you have to do such things?”

Had these followers been given a script in advance? They spoke as smoothly as if they had practiced beforehand.

“Make way.”

I declared bluntly to the followers blocking our path, but they didn’t move and continued yelling at us.

However, my words were not directed at them.

“Uraaaah!”

A passionate battle cry from Findenai came from behind. The crowd had unknowingly split apart like the Red Sea, and at the center of it all was Findenai.

With a fierce and menacing demeanor, Findenai cleared the path, directing her intimidating glare at the followers.

They couldn’t help but be pushed back by her forceful presence and were left speechless as they watched us leave.

Outside the church, an unexpected woman leading a group of knights was waiting for us.

The red-armored knight, Gloria Grace.

Her face did not have her usual friendly expression; it was stern and emotionless, and she looked ready to draw her sword at any moment, indicating she had come on official business.

“Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi.”

“…”

“His Majesty has summoned you. Please follow me.”

It seemed the time had finally come.

As if I had been waiting for this moment, I nodded and then turned toward Findenai and Deia.

“Deia, hand over all the material you collected to the Knights Order.”

“Got it.”

“Findenai, stay with Deia.”

“Tch, call me if it gets dangerous.”

After giving them their tasks, I followed Gloria, the head of the knights, toward the royal palace.

During our journey, she didn’t utter a single word.

***

“Your Majesty, do you truly think this is the right thing to do?”

“Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi has crossed the line! You already know this, don’t you?”

“Even the Jerman Kingdom is marching over with their troops. The Duchy of Valestan, where the civil war has just ended, and even the Han Empire, all see this as an opportunity! This is not going to be a simple matter!”

Sitting on the throne, King Orpheus Luden Griffin was listening to the complaints of his vassals as always.

They were raising their voices, believing they were giving sound advice, but from Orpheus’ perspective, it was far from pleasant.

There was a saying that went, bitter medicine was good for the body—was that the reason for this?

Orpheus himself was not sure.

“I have already summoned the Soul Whisperer. Since Gloria, the Knight Commander, has gone to pick him up, you may leave now.”

“Your Majesty!”

When Orpheus stated that he wished to speak to him alone, the vassals reacted excessively, expressing their sorrow and concerns.

Everyone in the royal court knew how much Orpheus cherished the Soul Whisperer, so it was only natural that they could not allow the two of them to speak in private.

“Go.”

Resting his chin on his hand, Orpheus shut his eyes, and acted as though there was no need for further conversation.

In the end, the vassals had no choice but to leave.

About 30 minutes later, Gloria, the Knight Commander, brought the Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi before Orpheus.

“Only the Knight Commander should remain outside.”

“…Understood.”

Since Deus was brought in as a criminal, Gloria hesitated for a moment before withdrawing at Orpheus’s command.

This was her form of showing consideration for him as the Soul Whisperer.

“Now, Deus.”

King Orpheus gazed at the standing Deus with a serious expression,

However, his expression quickly softened.

“Do you understand why you were brought here?”

“It must be because I challenged Your Majesty’s authority.”

Orpheus scratched his chin as Deus answered flatly.

“That’s not a crime you should admit so easily. It could be considered treason.”

As Orpheus stated, what Deus had done was not something that could just be brushed aside.

He had acted recklessly, knowingly trampling on the king’s authority to do as he pleased.

Even if it was the right thing to do, Deus did not have the right to do so.

“I turned a blind eye when you punished and burned down the Fosville village without a trial, based solely on your judgment.”

“…”

“And you even interfered with the Wellington Trading Company contracted by the royal family? That brought disgrace to the royal family, but since you provided evidence of their involvement in drug trafficking, well… I’ve tried to overlook it.”

“…”

“But you went beyond that, going as far as to meddle with the religious community. You’ve completely wrecked it, haven’t you? You entered the sacred place with filthy feet and purged all the filth I failed to remove.”

“…”

“And without saying a word to me at that.”

A coldness appeared in King Orpheus’ eyes.

“Did you believe I would have stopped you if you said something?”

He was genuinely angry.

“I was glad just to have you back. Truly. That was enough for me. But can you hear the voices of the citizens shouting outside?”

“Yes, I heard it on my way here.”

A protest was unfolding outside the royal palace, accusing Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi of using the souls of the dead as tools for his own selfish desires.

It was due to the actions he had taken back at the Wellington Trading Company.

“Some say the reason you saved the continent was actually to make the souls your own.”

Because, at the end of the day, he was a necromancer. A necromancer, who under the pretext of saving the continent, absorbed the souls to control them, they said.

“There’s even talk of the… ‘return’ of Heralhazard because you keep carrying that ominous staff around.”

King Orpheus gestured to the staff in Deus’ hand and let out a sigh.

“You know, right? I’m on your side. People say you’ve become corrupted by millions of souls, that you’re intoxicated with power, but that’s only because they don’t know you.”

Was this really the same audience room where the king received his guests? If there were a bottle of alcohol, it would feel like a street stall.

And so, Deus changed the subject.

“What is the response from the Jerman Kingdom?”

“…Why bring up Jerman all of a sudden?”

The king flinched. It felt as though a part he had wanted to keep concealed had been exposed.

Naturally, Deus did not react to this and did not back down either.

“And what about the Han Empire and the Duchy of Valestan? The Clark Republic may be an ally, but they won’t just let this go.”

“…”

With his lips sealed tight, Orpheus wore an expression that showed he did not want to answer.

“You’re indeed siblings.”

Deus smiled faintly as he caught a glimpse of Eleanor in his expression, but he quickly suppressed it.

“Your Majesty, if someone with the power to destroy the continent were to exist in another country, would you remain passive?”

As always.

As always, Deus struck at the heart of the matter.

Without any embellishment or evasion, his words always came like sharp needles.

“…I wouldn’t.”

Logically speaking, if there was a man holding the switch to a bomb that could obliterate the entire continent, which nation would just let him be?

“Your Majesty, the number of souls within me are very much capable of destroying the continent.”

“…”

“Furthermore, Your Majesty, having such a dangerous person by your side leaves the other nations with only two options: bow to you or rebel.”

And Deus predicted.

If fate were to intervene, there was a high possibility that the other nations would move, stating that they could not allow Deus Verdi to remain at large.

There was no way they would allow someone who could destroy the continent at any moment to remain unchecked.

“It is truly laughable. The Griffin Kingdom has become an enemy of the continent simply by having someone like me.”

“Deus.”

Orpheus rose from the throne and hurried toward Deus.

He felt If he didn’t hold onto him now, Deus would drift far away, beyond his reach.

He looked like a fleeting memory, something beautiful that could only be recalled, like petals scattered by the wind.

“Your Majesty, it might be a bit early, but the time is perfectly ripe now.”

“Deus. Stay calm. This king… no, I mean, I will not let you go.”

“I am always calm.”

“Damn it!”

Orpheus let out a furious cry as faint tears welled up in his eyes.

It was a sight that a ruler should never have shown.

“Yes! You’re always calm! You always find the best way! Do you think I don’t understand what this means? If I cast you out, the Griffin Kingdom will be free from the arrows of the various nations, but…!”

Orpheus’ words faltered. It was only now that he finally understood the true reason behind Deus Verdi’s extreme actions.

With trembling hands, he barely managed to grab hold of Deus’ shoulder.

“So that’s it?”

Deus didn’t answer.

“Is that really your plan? To make it easier for me to cast you out?”

Because that was the answer.

“You disgraced the royal family, burned down a village, destroyed the Wellington Trading Company, pulled out the roots of the untouchable religious institutions…”

And…

“You used the souls of the dead for personal gain?”

“Your Majesty.”

Just like when he entered the room, Deus’ expression remained unchanged.

“Do you believe my actions were wicked?”

Orpheus found himself unable to answer.

He bit his lip hard, feeling like he might burst into tears like a child.

“Do you think I sacrificed myself for the sake of the kingdom?”

Deus slowly shook his head.

“Such noble positions do not suit me.”

“B-but…”

“Orpheus.”

Deus’ usually stoic expression slowly turned soft.

He wasn’t here as the Soul Whisperer; he was simply looking at Orpheus as a man called Deus Verdi.

“This is my struggle to survive, and it’s also a gift of gratitude for calling me your friend.”

“Aah…”

Orpheus placed his hands on Deus’ shoulders. He didn’t want to lose him, so his hands tightened, but his head was bowed low, tears streaming down.

However, this moment couldn’t last forever.

“You must be aware of the strategy of ‘giving flesh and taking bones.’”

Deus carefully removed his hands and spoke.

“I’ve already cut away those who defiled the Griffin Kingdom. I have shattered the places of the gods that the royal power couldn’t reach and overturned the carriages of foolish men trying to distribute drugs.”

Slowly.

“I have taken the enemy’s bones.”

Very slowly, Deus Verdi placed his hand over his chest.

It was likely his final farewell as he bowed his head with the utmost respect.

“Now, you can cut the flesh.”

It was time for the Soul Whisperer to step down.

***

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