Monarch of Death

The reason is so clear that it doesn’t even require contemplation.

They engage in acts that no human should commit. They become stronger by doing these despicable things.

Thus, all necromancers go to great lengths to conceal their identities.

In public, they intentionally use methods that appear to be ordinary magic, while secretly employing their truly evil techniques in the shadows.

But why do they still get caught by priests or sharp-witted individuals?

The answer is simple.

It’s because the very source of necromancy, necromantic power, is such a ‘filthy’ form of magic.

Necromantic power is the result of converting all the world’s negative and malevolent energies—such as the aura of death, resentment, hatred, and fear—into strength.

Any living being instinctively shuns necromancy the moment it is activated.

It’s like how you reflexively frown and cover your nose when you approach a decaying corpse.

But to cleanse the filth of necromantic power?

Even Karnak, the strongest necromancer in human history, couldn’t find a way to do that.

Necromancy fundamentally deals with negative energies, and those very energies are what evoke revulsion.

It’s like trying to say that the smell of rot shouldn’t exist when the very process begins with decay.

Here, Karnak had an idea.

‘Wait a minute, aren’t there foods that are originally made by rotting?’

The technique of fermentation has numerous examples throughout human history. Even the alcohol he loved as a human followed this principle.

‘I can’t cleanse the filth, but maybe I can make it seem less filthy.’

After this realization, he began researching whether necromantic power could be ‘fermented.’

Of course, the idea of rotting food was merely a metaphor; the actual fermentation process couldn’t be applied to necromancy.

But the concept could be borrowed.

‘What if I processed necromantic power, which is based on negative energy, and refined it a second time?’

After decades of research, he finally completed the theoretical framework. And once he returned to a living body, he successfully implemented it.

“I stripped away the negative emotions like resentment and hatred from necromantic power, leaving only the pure essence of darkness and death, and then reprocessed it to convert it into a form closer to natural magic.”

Karnak conjured a few more flames around him.

Once again, the flames exuded no trace of necromancy, only the presence of ordinary magic.

Karnak smiled mischievously as he spoke.

“It’s like mana, but not exactly mana, yet it’s so close to mana that it could be considered a third form of energy,” Varos said, tilting his head in curiosity.

“So, you’re saying you filtered out all the impurities and just left the delicious part, like with good liquor?”

“Well, roughly speaking, yes. It’s not a perfect analogy, though.”

“That explains why you’ve been cooped up in the study all this time. You used to wander around gloomy places like cemeteries and haunted battlefields.”

“Necromancy grows more powerful in places with a thick aura of malice.”

But chaotic magic requires filtering out all those impurities. Only then can the pure essence of death be refined and reprocessed.

“Now I actually have to avoid those places. Going there would just mean more work for me.”

Varos shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s a relief for me. I thought we’d have to start digging up corpses again.”

Did they just dig up corpses? They even went as far as kidnapping innocent people, torturing them, and corrupting their souls to forcibly convert them into power.

“I’m starting to feel like I’m living like a normal person now.”

“Doesn’t it feel like I’ve gotten a lot kinder?”

He wasn’t lying.

Given the extreme atrocities of the past, he was indeed much kinder now.

Karnak smiled contentedly as he extinguished the flames.

“With this, I can pass as a regular magician even in front of priests.”

During the duel trial with Randolph, he had to play the part of a knight because there wasn’t enough time to prepare. But now, he wouldn’t need to take such dangerous measures again.

Suddenly, Varos asked another question.

“But why is it called chaotic magic?”

He had a general understanding after hearing the explanation, but the term “chaotic” didn’t seem to fit at all.

“Wouldn’t ‘fermented magic’ be more accurate?”

“That doesn’t sound cool at all!”

“Is that all there is to it?”

“Don’t underestimate the importance of a name. Just think about the term necromancy.”

In the past, necromancers were also called dark sorcerers or warlocks.

Necromancy involves controlling the power of death, while dark magic deals with the power of darkness.

Strictly speaking, the methods are slightly different, but the source energies for both are nearly the same.

Necromantic power is derived from death and darkness, while dark magic is based on darkness and death—it’s almost the same.

“Whether you add milk to tea or tea to milk, it’s the same thing.”

Because of this, there was hardly a necromancer who wasn’t also a dark sorcerer, and vice versa. Naturally, a necromancer could easily be a dark sorcerer as well.

This perception only changed due to the backlash from magicians.

The terms “Dark Magic” and “Dark Sorcery” carry connotations closely tied to magic. In contrast, “Necromancy” feels like an entirely unrelated, malevolent force.

The magicians were adamant about eradicating the term “dark magic” and spreading the word “necromancy” instead.

Similarly, necromancers themselves never referred to themselves as dark sorcerers.

For necromancers, being perceived as a subset of magicians was a matter of pride.

“Now do you understand the importance of a name?” Karnak asked.

Varos pondered seriously.

‘I don’t understand at all.’

But he didn’t argue further.

Even if he didn’t understand, if it made Karnak happy, that was good enough.

“Well, I’ll be off now. Take care.”

* * *

It had been nearly half a year since Karnak returned to this era, and a year since he became the new lord.

Both Karnak and Varos had been living fulfilling lives each day.

Varos had been relentlessly training daily, walking the path of a knight.

Although his lowly origins had prevented him from being officially knighted yet, the people of the territory had long recognized him.

No matter what others said, Varos was now undeniably the strongest knight in Zestrad.

His growth was so remarkable that he could now easily overpower other knights even if they attacked together. The only reason his fame hadn’t spread was that he hadn’t had the opportunity to prove himself publicly.

Varos himself didn’t care at all.

‘It’s better to stay unknown.’

Having a high reputation meant that one had fought in many battles.

After surviving decades of intense battlefields, and even dying a few times, Varos had no interest in fame.

‘A cold beer after a hard day’s work is far more precious!’

Today, too, he finished a rewarding personal training session, drenched in sweat, and downed a drink.

“Ah! This is the joy of life!”

After emptying his beer mug, Varos left the training grounds of the mansion. He planned to wash off his sweat at the well.

As he passed by, some maids blushed at the sight of his bare upper body.

“Oh, it’s Varos.”

“He’s gotten so handsome lately.”

He was no longer the lanky boy he used to be.

His shoulders were broad, his chest expansive like a field, his back resembled that of an ox, and his arms and legs bulged with well-defined muscles.

Unlike before, he no longer treated his body carelessly just because he was young.

No matter how delicious something was, he ate in moderation, and no matter how tedious it was, he trained consistently, doing his best to keep this ‘living body’ in peak condition.

Varos’s disciplined behavior served as an inspiration to many.

It was admirable to see someone so young and full of vigor restraining his desires and continuously training himself. Of course, his mindset was still closer to that of a middle-aged man.

‘I’d love just one more beer. But I should hold back, right? Health comes first, after all.’

* * *

In the office of the Zestrad mansion, Karnak, as usual, had finished his work early and was now practicing chaotic magic.

He was deeply focused on the mana conversion when a knock came from outside.

“I’ve brought snacks, sir.”

“Come in, Varos.”

Although his position as a knight meant that he could have left such trivial tasks to the maids, Varos still faithfully attended to Karnak.

Why?

As soon as he placed the tray on the table, he swiftly split the stack of snacks in half and set his portion in front of himself.

“Half of this is mine, right?”

Since he couldn’t enjoy the luxury of snacking on the lord’s expensive treats in front of others, he used this as an excuse to share them.

“Sure, eat up.”

The two happily indulged in the snacks, grinning all the while.

“Ah, this is sweet.”

“Mmm, delicious.”

The snacks disappeared in no time. Karnak sighed wistfully as he mumbled.

“Couldn’t we have just a little more? It’s not like we can’t afford it.”

Varos immediately cut him off.

“You’ll gain weight.”

“I’m the type who doesn’t put on weight easily.”

“That’s even worse. It’s the most dangerous when a slender person ends up with a protruding belly, you know?”

Even though they were still young and eating a few more snacks wouldn’t cause any serious harm, anyone who had lived long enough knew better.

It always starts with something small, and before you know it, your body has deteriorated. That’s just how the world works.

“Right, let’s not trust ourselves too much. The last thing you should trust is yourself.”

Karnak reluctantly pushed the plate of snacks away, giving up his lingering attachment.

As Varos tidied up, he asked, “How’s your magic training going?”

“I think I’m ready to present myself as a magician to others.”

Although Karnak had participated in the duel trial as a knight, he couldn’t keep playing that role indefinitely.

So, he made a public declaration.

“The path of a knight doesn’t suit me. From now on, I shall walk the path of a magician!”

Surprisingly, Karnak had more connections than just Delphiad Swordsmanship.

“While training in the mountains to master Delphiad Swordsmanship, I discovered a great legacy. It’s the magic tome of Dallas, the court magician who was renowned 150 years ago!”

“Oh! What a stroke of fortune for you, my lord!”

The members of the Zestrad family didn’t find Karnak’s choice to be particularly strange.

They had all witnessed the duel trial.

Karnak had displayed unwavering mental fortitude, determination, and the dignity befitting a noble. He was truly a lord to be proud of.

But… did that mean he was skilled in combat?

‘Even to the untrained eye, it was a bit…’

‘To be honest, he didn’t seem very talented.’

‘If he could excel as a magician, that would be ideal!’

After all, he had claimed to have obtained the magic tome of a court magician! Maybe the Zestrad family would produce a top-tier magician!

“Doesn’t it make perfect sense? My magical abilities have improved dramatically after obtaining the court magician’s tome,” Karnak said confidently.

Varos raised an eyebrow.

“Well, yes, it does, but…”

A court magician’s tome? Varos knew better than anyone that such a thing didn’t exist.

“Who is Dallas? Was he even a real person?”

“He was truly famous, which is why I used his name.”

Dallas was indeed a renowned magician 150 years ago. His name had been passed down through the generations.

“What if a real descendant of Dallas shows up? The legacy of a court magician could cause some issues.”

“It won’t.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely. Dallas left behind no disciples and didn’t write any tomes. There’s no connection.”

“How can you be so certain?”

Karnak had a very solid reason for his confidence.

“Because he told me himself. You’re familiar with him too, Varos.”

“Eh?”

“Remember the Archlich I sent to manage the southern region of Necropia?”

Varos racked his brain for a moment before his eyes widened.

“Governor Dempis?”

“Yep. That guy’s human name was Dallas.”

“But you said he was a magician from 150 years ago? How was he hanging out with us? The timeline doesn’t match.”

“Do you remember the ruins we excavated in the Baracanth Mountains?”

“Yes.”

“We found the remains of a magician there, processed them, and summoned his soul to create an Archlich. That was him.”

“Ah…”

Karnak had truly learned the unique magic of a real magician (though, to be exact, he had forcibly extracted it through mind control) and adapted it into chaotic magic.

“This is more than enough to justify posing as a magician, hehehe.”

Of course, this alone wouldn’t allow him to reclaim the immense powers he had as the Death King… but it was a start.

“What does it matter? It’s not like I’m planning to conquer the world again.”

Having enough power to protect the territory and handle any potential incidents was sufficient.

“What if something truly catastrophic happens that you can’t handle with that power?”

“In the first place, I shouldn’t get involved in such big events.”

After living for over a century, Karnak had learned one thing.

He wasn’t sure if great power came with great responsibility.

But he was certain that great power brought about great events. He knew this from experience.

“I’m going to hole up and live as quietly as a mouse! I’ll never get involved in the affairs of the world again!”

Karnak clenched his fists, firmly resolving to stick to his plan.

It was revealed to be a mistake about three months later.