[Chapter 28 part 3] Soul – The Field of Graves

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…

“Let’s retreat.” He said. Rose nodded. If a fifth one drew a weapon, it’d be catastrophic. It’s passed midday.

Withdrawing was an arduous and demoralizing process. Fortunately, axe wielder’s strength wasn’t on par with the others, which allowed them to get by. The death user and his bodyguards trailed behind, cheering on.

They’d about reached the exit when the skeletons ceased their assault, throwing everybody off. It must be the death user, Soul understood. The middle-aged man was staring behind them, appearing baffled. What now?

They turned to see Patrick walking onto the island. Dawn followed with an iron grip on his shoulders, wearing her scarf as a blindfold. This strange sight had caused the pause.

“We’re there, you can uncover your eyes.” Patrick said.

“You sure? I swear if there’s nothing under us——”

“Please let me go. There are undead all around.”

Hesitantly, Dawn took a peek, then smiled, “It’s beautiful.” Is she reacting to the tomb ivy or the solid ground?

“Better late than never,” Rose sighed.

Passing Patrick, Dawn cracked her knuckles, “I was worried you might finish without me. That would’ve been heart-breaking. I have a LOT of built-up stress.”

Dashing to their nearest foe, she ripped off its arm slammed her fist into its chest, crushing and scattering bones.

The battle resumed, but the tide had turned. Leaving two to Dawn, Soul face off against the claymore user again, backed by Rose and Light. Their assistance let him cut the undead down, and Rose bathed it in flames while it reconstructed itself. Meanwhile, Wise got revenge on the spear wielder. Silver and Kate were dismembering their blinded foe so Free could impale it.

The undead resisted valiantly but soon crumbled. Relieved and upbeat, everyone gathered to watch Dawn bully her opponents.

She’s using her bare hands, Soul noted. Dawn was just as capable of creating ice weapons but had deliberately chosen a less effective approach. I’d pity them if they weren’t malevolence incarnate.

“Should we help?” Free eventually asked.

“No, let her work off some steam.” Rose said.

A few minutes later, Dawn was satisfied, and the two were staked. They faced the death user and remaining skeletons, but Dawn stopped them, “Let me.”

She formed a familiar magic circle. What is she doing? Dawn released the spell, and an enormous block of ice crushed the undead flat. That was a neat trick. He’d remember.

Alone, the death user glowered wordlessly. He understands running is useless. Soul froze his legs to be safe.

“Great job!” Patrick reappeared out of hiding. He did well getting Dawn here. “Completing an A rank quest at such a young age… I’m jealous. All that’s left is finishing this man. I’ll vouch for you so you can claim the reward.”

“Reward?” Soul repeated. Everyone tensed at the word.

“There’s an open bounty on death users.” Kate explained quietly. “Ten thousand gold.”

Soul stomach turned. This isn’t right. The man had yet to kill. While he’d attempted to murder them, they’d ignored his warning. His incompetence had also allowed them to survive. If he’d released them all at once…

“I want to question him first.” Rose stalled. “We should discover where he came from and what he was doing.”

“Makes sense,” Patrick agreed.

Rose approached the trapped man, “Why were you gathering undead?”

“I needed them.” He snarled. “And you destroyed them. Curse you. Curse you. Curse you. Die in agony.”

“Why’d you need them?”

“I have nothing more to say. Kill me.” This wasn’t going well. He’s too far gone…

“Wait a minute.” Wise said. He walked forwards and thrust the Necronomicon into the man’s chest, holding it there. The death user struggled in indignation. Then the resistance ebbed, and his eyes widened. Gradually, hostility faded from his features.

“This is the first time I’ve thought clearly in days…” He spoke softly. “What is this book?”

“That’s not important.” Wise said. “Please tell us your story.”

“My name is Alan Stern. I come from Marillin.”

He proceeded to spill his tale. His settlement, deep in the Twisted Lands, had been overrun by outlaws. He’d come to the Field of Graves to raise a force to take it back.

“Couldn’t you have reported to the Guild?” Kate asked. “I’m sure some adventurers would’ve jumped at the chance for a heroic rescue mission.”

“Marillin is too small. It’s not on any maps. I feared, without proof, the guild would hesitate to post a quest.”

“Besides the problem isn’t simply driving off them, it’s insuring everyone safety once they’re gone. The area around Merillin is deadly, and all those who could fight were killed when the bandits came. If they’re chased away, the village ——my family—— will be left at the mercy of the monsters with nowhere to escape. Do you know adventurers willing to live in the middle of nowhere? Merillin’s natural resources have just been plundered. There’s no compensation.”

“That’s why I needed the undead. They could keep Merillin safe. With five or six more weapon wielders, I might‘ve even escorted everyone back to civilization…”

“That’s no excuse for conjuring undead.” Patrick said. “Even if the odds were small, you should’ve kept——”

“There was no time.” Alan exclaimed poignantly. “Valuable herbs grow near Merillin. The outlaws found out and came to collect them. Once they’re done, they’ll leave. Everyone will die.”

They were silent. The situation is clear. Faced with an impossible crisis, this man had turned to the unthinkable.

“Listen,” Patrick spoke solemnly. “I realize you’re young and don’t want blood on your hands. If it’d make it easier, I’ll do the deed myself. You can still take the credit.”

“Can’t we lock him up somewhere?” Free asked.

“A Death user will be executed wherever you bring him. And if we leave him here, he’ll raise the dead again.”

“He’s right.” Alan acknowledged “I may be rational now, but the corruption isn’t gone, just held at bay.”

What to do? Soul couldn’t refute Patrick’s argument, yet he rejected it with his very being. If we claim Alan’s life, how will we protest when someone comes for ours? They couldn’t execute him. Yet letting him go isn’t viable either. Patrick would report Alan. Others would be sent, and they’d wind up in trouble. We can’t afford the attention! Then there was Merillin. What of the people there? Without Alan as a guide, they’d never be found. Can we just leave them to die?

“Hold on.” Wise removed his headband. What’re you doing? Soul moved to stop him, but Wise held up a hand. He stood frozen as his brother’s expression contorted in pain. Before he resolved himself to act, Wise replaced the headband himself. “Please lock him in an ice coffin.”

Dawn did as requested. Watching, Patrick objected, “We can’t leave a death user alive so close to Forstrand. I won’t be a party to this.”

“It’s alright. Astra Skyfall, the new guildmaster, will want to talk to this man. She’ll come tonight. Afterwards, she’ll visit Forstrand to let you know the situation has been dealt with.”

“How do you know this?” Patrick asked, uncertain.

“Allow me to step in.” Rose said. “You may have noticed our backgrounds aren’t ordinary. We’re too strong for our age. There’s an explanation for this. Now, what I am about to tell you is absolutely confidential. Can I have your word you’ll keep it to yourself?”

Patrick was taken in by the air of mystery, “You can, as long as remaining silent doesn’t break Guild law or endanger Forstrand.”

Rose nodded. “Wise here is Nero Ebonwood’s chosen successor. That book, the Necronomicon, is a legendary artifact created by the Black Citadel’s leader himself.”

Patrick’s mouth dropped. Rose would make a good necromancer. Nothing was technically a lie. Deceiving with the truth, Simon would approve.

“Like Nero, Wise possesses an incredible talent. You witnessed his foresight yourself earlier. I don’t know why Astra will want to talk to this man, but if Wise says so, it must be true. So can you keep quiet about Alan and let the guildmaster handle the matter?”

After contemplation, Patrick conceded. “Alright, I’ll trust his prediction. However, if Astra Skyfall hasn’t shown up by tomorrow, I’ll report to the Guild.”

“Fair enough,” Rose agreed.

At this conclusion, Wise collapsed. Dawn stared at her unconscious brother, then at the frozen death user. “That decides it. Soul, cast ice coffin on me too.”

“What?” he said.

“I’m not going through… that again.” She gestured towards the island’s edge. “So freeze me and carry me back. I’ll owe you a favor.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

Seconds later, his confident sister was sealed in ice. “I’ll tie her to your back.” Free said, extending roots. Soon he wore a cold, heavy backpack. Free packaged Wise onto herself.

Patrick waited without comment. After leading Dawn here, he’s probably relieved.

Soul brooded as they made their way back. It worked out because we were saved by Wise and Astra, but what about next time? How can I be a hero if I stand paralyzed before tough decisions? I must try harder.