****(POV)

"My lord, please reconsider! I beg of you!"

My guards are all freaking out. As they should in fact. We are about to reach Eaglevein. How likely are we to have to fight the necromancer?

Well, I just hope that the end will be swift if we are to die.

I don't actually have to broker a deal with him. I just need to make it look like I did. I'm sure no one will dare to enter the city. Not anyone that values life at least.

My entourage is seriously considering what went wrong to arrive at this single moment in their life. I'm betting they are thinking soul oath right now haha. Perhaps even meeting me altogether.

"Alright men, I'll be going alone from now on. You guys wait for me outside."

I can hear their relieved sighs. They thought I was going to force them to die. It would have the opposite effect. With them with me, it would be harder to fake.

Me and my mistress, now my personal bodyguard enter.

The city is eerily quiet.

There will definitely be tons of undead. We need to be careful not to draw their attention.

We head toward the side of the city. This way we will likely not encounter anything. Then we will wait a bit there. Just long enough for the rumor to start that we came.

Of course, it will be a flimsy one. That won't fool anyone. We just need to plant that seed of doubt.

That is when she points toward the front. What the hell?! Is that a bone dragon?!

Yes, there is a coiled bone dragon near the wall. Usually, we both would have started running away. Not in this case.

The scene that appears before us is surreal.

The dragon is unmoving. It seems to be protecting something, or someone while growling at a man.

A man that is so out of place. One that is just sitting there. In his hand is a brush. He is drawing the dragon?! Wait, the dragon is actually posing?!

Wait! This can only mean one thing!

He is the necromancer?! He looks relatively young. His eyes are glowing, he has the demeanor of an expert.

I mean who else would keep his calm in front of such a monster?! Only him!

He doesn't look evil one bit. Appearances can be deceiving. Either that or he came here for revenge.

There are always sects angering others by doing things like killing families or stealing fiancés. He could be part of a somewhat righteous faction.

I know for a fact that it is not the power that is evil, but the way it is used.

It is clearly possible that he tried to attack one sect only for all of them to band against him. The righteous factions love to do that. They ignore the crimes one of their own committed, focusing on the important stuff like killing and looting.

I was just planning to fake it, but I'll try.

I make sure to be the most polite possible.

"Hello, Sir! It is a pleasure to meet you!"

"Oh? What are you doing here? You know this place is infested by the undead, right?"

"Ah, yes Sir. But I mean no disrespect by coming here! I am simply visiting humbly!"

"I see, you are free to visit if you want. I won't try and stop you. You may want to stay away from the bone dragon, however. It bites."

There is no way I'd voluntarily go near one! Wait, was that a joke?!

"Very funny, Sir!"

He disregards me. He seems focused on his artwork.

"Sir, if I may ask. Is it fine if we live near this city?"

"I mean, wherever you live is none of my business."

Oh my god! Did he just give us permission?! This is huge! Now we won't have to fear randomly getting attacked!

He seems totally indifferent to us. This is the best. It would have been suspicious otherwise. He is clearly a very powerful man.

I can't help but look at this work. It is amazing!

"Wow! Sir, you are so talented!"

"I've been doing it for a long time is all."

I wonder if he is perhaps older than he looks. He probably is since he is such a formidable necromancer. The most powerful mages can easily live 300-700 years.

I guess one would pick up various skills in the process. How enviable.

But then I don't have the right to be jealous. I should have trained more my physical prowess. While warriors do not live as long, it is still better than nothing. This is what I get for being lazy all this time.

Well, in the war to come many strong beings will die. I will go for strength in number. The main issue will be people gunning for my head.

I'll have to set up decoys. This is the only way I can see us developing as a faction in the long run.

Someone is sending experts? Let them tire themselves on millions of men first.

The necromancer finally puts down his brush. Finally, he rises up and starts walking outside.

Wait, is he going to head outside?! I need to get his favor at all costs.

"Sir, it would our honor to host your esteemed self in our town."

He looks at me raising his brow. The silence is killing me! Finally, he opens his mouth.

"Are the food and drinks included?"

" Of course, Sir!"

What?!....

"Oh, then lead the way!"

He is smiling happily. Meanwhile, I have to control myself not to erupt in laughter. Are you kidding me?! Did I just manage to get an extremely powerful backing just like that?!

This is amazing! Ah, wait!

"Sir, what about the dragon?"

"What about it?"

"Ah, it's nothing, Sir!"

I'm not gonna try and put my nose into his business. I won't spoil everything to satisfy my curiosity. He must be confident if he is leaving his strongest weapon behind.

Quite possibly he was just playing around in this place.

For all I know, he is a rank 5 Arch-Wizard hahahahaha.

I cannot wait!

We head back with the guards. They are flabbergasted. Their mouths open extremely wide and not closing at all during the journey.

Before long we are back in the city. I see many with travel bags. They were ready to run. But now they will be glad that they are still here.

This is the start of a new age for us.

"Right this way, Sir!"

They see me being extremely respectful. They instantly understand what is going on.

Amidst the cheers and people's adoration, we head toward my office.

This is awesome!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA