The following morning was a bit chaotic. Berg had been feeling guilty for having wakened and disturbed his resting commander, but the Disciples and the new thegn thought they had no right to discuss the upcoming campaign without me.

I had hardly had time to wash my face when the guests began to arrive at my house. Not taking Berg into the account, first to arrive was Kazimir, who gave me the riches found in Al-Harum’s treasury and asked what to do with the rest of the trophies.

Maids had laid out the table for breakfast beforehand. Shawn had promoted the most attractive and, even more importantly, the most skillful village girls to this honorary position. The girls, who had climbed the career ladder, were now helping the most important persons of my barony with their household work on a full-time basis.

“Well, let’s drink to the beginning of a new, wonderful day!” Horn toasted as soon as we took our places at the table.

Horn, the Highest Wight

Level 142

HP: 1,002/13,110

Horn didn’t seem to have changed at all. He was the same cheerful and loud man, who was ready to attack his enemy at any moment, get smashed, or hug a woman he fancied. The only difference was the blue skin and the bright blue eyes.

As far as I knew, three persons immediately asked Kane to bring Horn back to life: Noriduel, Tilda, and the Old Man. Berg told me in secret that the necromancer didn’t want to do it at first, but then suddenly agreed. I wondered why he had a sudden change of heart. After some thinking, I came to the conclusion that the Old Man probably made him understand the importance of this task and that having one more Highest Wight would help Kane develop his skills further. Horn’s high level would only be a benefit. Where else would Kane be able to find a level 142 fresh corpse? I wasn’t an expert in necromancy, but I supposed that it was much easier to reanimate a fresh corpse than a half-decayed one.

But why hadn’t Kane made a second Highest Wight already? I had two theories. The first one was that he simply wasn’t strong enough before. He was a much higher level now, and had apparently upgraded his Element — Death. I heard that during the battle he used every chance to “charge” his Altar, using it instead of the Finishing Strike. Also, before the battle had even began, first in the camp and later in Dark, he asked the people to call him whenever a hen or a swine was to be slaughtered. He’d also go to the woods with the hunters from time to time. At first, the villagers were creeped out by him and his requests, but they soon got accustomed to it. Though, they’d still glance at Kane cautiously, as if he was mentally ill.

The second theory had to do with his psyche. First of all, Kane didn’t want one more person in his vicinity, he had enough people around as is. And secondly, he didn’t want to create a Highest Wight of anyone aside his beloved.

But all that was now in the past. Kane had made a step forward.

“Heh, glad to see you safe and sound, Horn!” Tael chuckled, lifting his mug.

Horn frowned and Tilda kissed his cheek. He turned to her and kissed her passionately.

“Ahem,” Kazimir coughed.

“Oh, come on, let them snog a little,” Mara chuckled. “People die all the time, you can’t let death get in the way of fun. You’d go crazy.”

“It’s a matter of politeness,” Berg grunted, agreeing with the former prince.

“Stop grunting already! Let’s drink!” Tael said and clanked his and my mug as hard as he could. The others followed his example and drank.

After that, there were no more distractions. We ate and talked only about the upcoming campaign. Honestly speaking, not much happened during the conversation. We discussed provisions, possible routes, the length of the trip, and so on.

Tilda suddenly smacked her fist on the table. “What about money?” She turned in my direction and rose an eyebrow.

“And here I thought that you wouldn’t get to that,” Tael laughed.

“Me too,” Horn chuckled.

In Al-Harum, we acquired a little under million gold coins as well as some valuables, armor, and weapons. Kazimir assured me that they hadn’t found any valuable artifacts in the city. That was understandable. The citizens of Al-Harum had been preparing themselves and the city for the attack of the Decayed and everything that could’ve been used for enhancing one’s skills had been given to the soldiers. I allowed the Ishirians who had joined us to keep their armor. Having ordered that, I asked the Old Man to watch after the people he had taken under his wing.

“How much do you want?” I inquired calmly.

As a bonus for the previous campaign and as an advance for the upcoming one, I paid Tilda 700,000 gold coins. Of course, all of the agreements were sealed with an Oath Keeper. In the presence of the new thegn and her patron, I gave 300,000 gold coins to Kazimir, who promised to pay the mercenaries either when they take Longera, or if we they manage to get the last Part without fighting. The agreement suggested giving bonuses after the business had been done: “no less than 100,000 gold coins.”

Aside from that, I gave Kazimir 250,000 more gold coins to cover the military expenses such as potions, new artifacts (we weren’t content with what little we had), and salary for the soldiers.

I planned to give the majordomos 50,000 each — we needed money to expand and cultivate the land after all. I turned to the Old Man for advice, and he answered.

Don’t worry, boy. I’m looking after the congregation. You’re doing the right thing getting rid of some of the additional duties. You’ve got enough on your plate, boy. Hurry up, you’ll be leaving in an hour. You and Vella will go west.

He made it clear that he wasn’t going to reveal everything at the moment. I thanked him and returned my attention to the discussion of the upcoming campaign, which was, in all honesty, a bit boring. And not only to me, but also to Mara and Kane, and even Berg. Kazimir, on the other hand, seemed to be in his element, just like Tilda, Horn, and Noriduel.

I shooed away the sad thought that, minus the 100,000 gold coins that were a bonus for the mercenaries, I had hardly 200,000 left. And to think that I had taken almost three million from two different treasuries... War was a really expensive affair. I’d have to ask the majordomos to think of a tax system. If they can’t do it themselves, they can hire an expert, they had the authority to do that. But where would they find such an expert? Hell, Shawn’s witty and Olyest is experienced. I’m sure they’ll find someone.

“Don’t worry, I’ll adjust the route,” Tael assured Kazimir. “Zheng Roundface, one of my Disciples, is in the duke of Oruel’s army. So I’m well informed about where our allies are and what they’re doing.”

I took a closer look at Tael. He looked pretty much the same as when I had met him in the cave.

Tael the Handsome

Level 85

Despite his human appearance and the absence of a divine aura, that was definitely Noriduel sitting with me at the table.

He really could turn into an ordinary man and tweak his level. I wondered could other Gods do that, too. Did this mean that Tael’s body once belonged to someone else, just like my body was once Bon’s? Was Noriduel possessing someone or could he simply change his appearance, switching between being a God and being a human? I wanted to believe that the latter was the case. Otherwise, Ilsa would forever remain a part of Aerida. Not that I cared much about her, but becoming a body donor was an unenviable fate.

I caught myself thinking that my speculations were rather hypocritical. Because that was exactly what had happened to Bon, my current “avatar.” Then again, Bon had managed to reclaim control of his body once… He hadn’t made his presence felt since then. I hoped it wouldn’t happen again.

I also wanted to believe that the Old Man would never make an Avatar out of me. Yes, my strongest skill was called Small Avatar of Darkness, but that was different from being an actual Avatar. The skill just let me borrow my patron’s powers. In Ilsa’s case, being an Avatar was a permanent thing.

My thoughts returned to Noriduel. He was a very strange God. I mean, they were all strange, but the rebellious spirit of the God of Liberty was too strong and there was too much humanity in him. His “hero” wasn’t a high level, and he enjoyed all the joys of human life through him. He could’ve chosen a higher level person, but I supposed that that would’ve cost Noriduel more energy. Not to mention that he’d stand out, which would hinder his freedom of movement, among other things. Right now, he just lived and was satisfied with his life. Before the trip to Al-Harum, other mercenaries, except for some of the Disciples, didn’t have a clue that Tael was their patron. After the campaign, rumors started to spread and Tael had to admit that he was an Avatar. In other words, Noriduel had lied to his Followers.

The Old Man glanced around. “I think there’s nothing else to discuss.”

I nodded. “Looks like it.” The others kept silent.

“Then you’ll excuse me,” Tael said with a slyly smile. “One of your village girls promised to show me something before we set off.” Chuckling smugly, he got up from the table and walked toward the door. “By the way, Ken, about that black Serpent. I’ve sent Gerta, one of the Disciples, to guard the island from that beast. Well, the Serpent has returned with a full belly. Seems that someone’s ship didn’t reach its destination. Anyway, it’ll remain on the island for a couple of weeks. You owe me 5,000 for the information… As a token of good will. Give it to Tilda together with the bonus for the campaign.” He chuckled and went out.

“Look, Kane,” Tilda said when the door closed. “How long until Horn fully recovers? One can’t fight much with 1,000 HP.”

“Yeah, how long until I’m good to go?” Horn inquired.

Kane sighed heavily and answered with some reluctance.

“I’ve told you already. About two weeks.”

“You also said that it might take less. That only time will tell,” Tilda said immediately.

“A week minimum,” the necromancer replied. Tilda wanted to say something, but Mara butted into their conversation.

“Guys, don’t push it. By the time we get to the capital, my brother-in-death will be healed. Until then...” She wagged her finger at Horn. “Don’t you dare risking your ass. Bringing you back isn’t an easy task, and Kane and I have other problems to take care of.”

“I got it, I got it,” Horn grunted, getting up from the table. “Pipe down. And thank you again.” He bowed to Kane. “Okay, let’s prepare the troops,” he said and smacked Tilda’s butt.

Following the couple out with my gaze, the four of us — Berg, Kane, Mara and I — were left alone.

“I hope Horn realizes that he’s not a mercenary anymore,” Mara said thoughtfully, looking at the door.

“He knows,” Berg sighed. “It’s just difficult for people to change their usual way of thinking and get accustomed to a new reality.”

“Be they dead or alive,” I added, bringing down everyone’s mood. I smacked the table with my hand. “Okay, enough of dilly-dallying! Great things are in store for us. Prepare the people for the trip. I’ll talk to the majordomos and be on my way, too.”

Fifteen minutes later, people had gathered to see me off.

“Maybe you should take someone with you, sir Senior Disciple,” Shawn offered again.

“No,” I answered firmly. Since Kazimir and Berg were obviously ready to agree with the majordomo, I had to intervene. “Our patron has ordered me to go alone.”

No one dared to go against the Old Man’s order.

Having held a farewell speech and wished luck to everyone, I led Vella to the western gates of the village.

Go to the “Duchy of Oruel,” boy. I’ll show you the detailed route in a bit.