Hero's Coffin Chapter 91

Chapter 91

A disgusted expression formed involuntarily. She still hadn't given up? However, at his revulsion, Beatrice shook her head. As if knowing all his concerns, she spoke wearing an exceptionally gentle smile.

"I absolutely won't cast mental magic on you. I'm just curious about your ability and want to observe you up close. Especially since those who use such fascinating abilities can't even display half their original capacity when their minds are damaged."

"..."

"Even if you avoid execution by cooperating with the hero, the views toward necromancers still won't be kind. You remember the hostility the mercenaries showed in this subjugation, right? So how about coming to my castle and living comfortably? No one would dare throw stones at the First Imperial Princess's castle."

Though there was a very frightening expression in the middle, he was surprised to hear about the stoning in the holy city that he had been worried about come from Beatrice's mouth. Was it obvious even to the imperial princess that he wouldn't be able to live comfortably in the future?

He was a little tempted. If Beatrice really didn't do anything strange, would the imperial palace be better? Though he had never been there, surely an imperial palace would be very spacious and comfortable. There wouldn't be any shortage of food and it wouldn't be cold. Rather than living while being conscious of others outside, should he keep the imperial palace route open as insurance?

Noticing his wavering, Beatrice smiled brightly and reached out her hand.

"I'll get you a more splendid collar too..."

"No, I don't want it, don't."

He struck away her hand as it was about to touch his neck. Just when he thought she was making strangely good offers, it wasn't that at all. Would decorating a collar make it not a collar? Moreover, a ♡♥collar♥♡ looked more dangerous than just a regular collar.

"Heek."

Beside him, Noi flinched in surprise. His face even turned pale, belatedly realizing that the owner of the hand he had struck away was none other than the empire's first imperial heir. Had he made a mistake?

Ahahahah! But then Beatrice burst into loud laughter, bending at the waist, and his worry instantly cooled. He had thought this since their first meeting, but she was really a strange person. She laughed so hard tears formed at the corners of her eyes, then suddenly grabbed his face.

His face was painfully pulled by that rough touch.

"Ah, it was amusing from when you called me 'you' yesterday. Does one need to ignore even an imperial princess to boldly use necromancy in the Holy Empire?"

"Ugh."

"It's a shame I won't be able to see this face for a while..."

"That's enough, Beatrice."

Just then, Haren's voice fell calmly. At his call stopping Beatrice's actions, not just her but all the companions looked at him. Since it was the first time today that the commander who had been maintaining silence except when talking to the lord earlier had opened his mouth.

Beatrice seemed quite surprised as she didn't catch his words telling her to call him 'Biche' as usual, and taking advantage of her loosened grip, he quickly withdrew his head. The tips of their noses had almost touched.

In fact, he was also dazed as he hadn't expected Haren to stop Beatrice now. As soon as he unconsciously looked at Haren, their eyes met.

"..."

Ice-blue eyes full of uncomfortable energy without a trace of smile. Though he reflexively smiled when making eye contact with other companions, he didn't even do that with him. Startled by the emotions shown by someone skilled at hiding expressions, he avoided his gaze.

Though he had never been someone who gave him positive smiles originally, this was the first time he had so openly shown such discomfort. Even though his face had been coldly sunken in the morning, it hadn't been this unpleasant. His heart sank.

Beatrice shrugged her shoulders.

"Hmm, well, it seems I couldn't forcibly confine you anyway. I could tell from watching this subjugation. How you've been able to evade all pursuit until now. Since you managed to subjugate even that powerful Death Knight with three horns that Noi mentioned..."

She said he would have no problem even if pursued since he could use abilities of that level even with a weakened body. Though it was regrettable that her tone seemed very disappointed, Mela, who had apparently wanted to talk about yesterday's achievements, slipped in a comment.

"To think you could resolve the Death Knight like that..."

"That's right, it was really amazing. Using necromancy to subjugate it by exploiting the fact that demons are soul forms! When you subdued the leader, all its subordinate evil spirits came to follow you too. Even though it was temporary, it was so fascinating."

Even Noi spoke while nodding his head vigorously. He seemed to have wanted to express gratitude to him since yesterday. Even Kalterik cleared his throat and added.

"Ahem, I thought you were just a weak guy who kept collapsing until now, but you really surprised me this time. Thanks to you, we safely rescued those who had fallen into the swamp..."

Though the prefix wasn't welcome at all, and his voice became almost inaudibly quiet like a mosquito towards the end, the intention was roughly conveyed.

This was the first time his companions had acknowledged his efforts like this while traveling together. Since using necromancy itself was an act of deceiving God in the Holy Empire, and his ability would be even more detestable to them who belonged to the Order.

Though he had felt their sharp hostility gradually decreasing as they went through major battles, perhaps the space of the battlefield built some kind of inevitable bond. Maybe this time they viewed him more favorably especially because he had helped their respected commander.

Feeling awkward for no reason, he blurted out words similar to what he had said to Kalterik before.

"...I don't particularly need your acknowledgment."

"This guy always has to, even when given kind words!"

As expected, Kalterik burst out with a "Wak!", instantly dispersing the atmosphere that had almost become ticklish. He deliberately turned his head away more indifferently.

Actually, he too found it fascinating that he had managed to subjugate the Death Knight this time. Originally, he could only use skills after following the action keys provided by the status window and mastering them, after which he could use them without the status window, but this time he had used a new skill from the start without any help. He even had confidence bordering on recklessness that he could control the demon's subordinate evil spirits.

Since the basics of necromancy was subjugating souls, it was like being surprised that he could do basic arithmetic while solving calculus...

He looked down at his palm with a strange feeling. Though it was a really random impression, his body seemed to have gotten a bit better. He had always felt a floating sensation as if detached from his physical body, but now the connection felt more stable. Was it because he had become familiar with this body's abilities?

Just then, mercenaries flocked to their table.

"Your skill in dealing with demons was quite something..."

"Where did you train? Do you have some special training method?"

"And where did you buy your weapons? Actually, I felt you weren't ordinary from the first time I saw you!"

When conversation started flowing at the table that had been frozen with sub-zero atmosphere until just tens of minutes ago, the mercenaries seized this opportunity to approach. They were ones who had wanted to speak all this time but had held back out of consideration.

And their interest was an especially welcome kind for Kalterik, who had been pursuing a concept of hidden strength. His face instantly brightened and he even let out a hearty laugh.

"Haha, I start my training every morning by moving rocks!"

Though that answer drew looks saying 'Still faithful to the setting, this friend', some still marveled, perhaps thinking his words weren't just empty boasts since they had really dealt with the incubus. In fact, he really was a bear who trained like that. The holy knights hadn't neglected their training even while traveling.

And two people approached him too.

"Saiph! You collapsed yesterday, are you feeling better?"

"Watch what you say, Jade! He just exhausted himself trying to control dangerous power!"

It was Jade and Serena. Though hearing Serena's fiction still made him want to distance himself, he welcomed them and stood up from his seat. It had been uncomfortable being at this table anyway, so he wanted to use conversation with them as an excuse to slip away.

It was just because the previous warm atmosphere had become awkward, and to get away from the obsessive imprisonment route that kept trying to open right beside him. It absolutely wasn't because of Haren.

He headed for a corner of the banquet hall while making unnecessary explanations inwardly. Jade covered his mouth with both hands as if moved by the welcome from him who had ignored him until yesterday. Though it pricked his conscience a bit that Jade believed he just hadn't seen his greeting then, he calmly nodded.