Chapter Ten: Injustices and False Impressions
Leornars wandered through the town, observing the cheerful citizens going about their daily lives. Their peace was tangible—merchants bartered goods, children played, and laughter echoed through the streets. From atop a distant hill, he spotted the Curzon Mansion.
> "I wonder if there's a way to drive the citizens insane… cause chaos from within," he muttered coldly, descending the slope. "Sending undead to invade would be a waste. I haven't tested their capabilities thoroughly yet—what if they're weaker than infants? That would be... unfortunate."
He stopped at a fountain, eyes scanning the plaza. Traveling merchants sold household items and a mix of wheat, fruits, spices, and vegetables. Rising to his feet, he approached a nearby merchant.
"How can I help you?" the man greeted politely.
"I was wondering—where do you get your goods from?" Leornars asked.
"Most come from the countryside or the kingdom of Alvalihm. Occasionally, the nation of Seraphim. During hard times, like droughts, our lord is generous. No extra taxes—he's a kind man," the merchant replied, then continued on his way.
Leornars watched the carriage vanish.
> "So… there's another nearby kingdom. I'll need to act fast."
He exited the town and entered the forest, walking until he found a quiet clearing. Settling down on a rock, he raised his hand.
"Awaken."
His cold voice echoed ominously. Dark fog crept in as Bellian and the undead knights emerged. Leornars examined them closely, then gestured to a nearby tree.
"Bellian. Cut it down."
With a single slash, the tree split in two. Leornars smirked.
> "I wonder... does my necromancy work on monsters or just humans?"
He gave a new command.
"Kill some forest beasts. Bring the corpses back."
The knights rushed into the woods. Leornars leaned back on the rock, thinking.
> "A merchant ambush will reduce food flow. That leads to panic. Panic leads to riots. I don't know how many soldiers guard the Curzon Mansion, so I must tread carefully. My undead are valuable."
Screeches and crashes echoed through the forest before falling silent. All 138 undead returned, each carrying two slain monsters—except Bellian, who carried three.
"Good work," Leornars said, then placed a hand above the corpses.
"Awaken from death. Serve me until the end of time."
The beasts' flesh darkened—lifeless eyes turned pitch black.
"Bellian," Leornars ordered, "Ambush merchants and travelers before they reach the town. Let no one enter or leave. I want starvation and despair."
Bellian bowed and vanished into the woods.
> "He's more than capable alone. But still... better safe than sorry."
For three days, Leornars remained in town. Chaos slowly bloomed. At the inn, he glanced into a mirror and saw that his once white hair was stained blood-red.
> "No wonder no one's been suspicious of me."
Outside, townspeople gathered. A wounded man was carried on a stretcher.
"Another victim of those black demons," someone muttered.
"The lord should've sent soldiers already," said another.
"I bet he's dining in luxury while we starve," came another bitter voice.
Leornars listened quietly.
"Fourteen merchants have died in three days," said the woman who once sold him an apple. "We have just one day of food left!"
"We should march up there and confront him ourselves," someone declared. Cheers followed.
> "Yes… that's the spirit," Leornars whispered with a smile.
Citizens armed with pitchforks and tools marched to the Curzon Mansion, banging on its gate.
"Come on! Harder!" Leornars taunted quietly. A rock flew, shattering a window.
> "Perfect."
He hurried back into the woods and summoned Bellian.
"Bring me a warthog. Alive or dead."
Minutes later, Bellian returned with a large carcass.
"Good. I'll handle the rest."
Carrying the corpse, Leornars returned to the hilltop outside the mansion. The people gasped.
"He's still eating?!"
Enraged, one man grabbed the warthog and hurled it through the mansion gates.
"Enjoy your meal, you gluttonous swine!" he yelled, hurling a rock that struck a window.
The lord, sword in hand, emerged.
"Please, citizens! Let's talk calmly—"
"TALK?!" the man shouted. "We're starving while you dine in secret?"
"Dine? What are you—?"
"You're lying now too?!"
The man hurled another stone. Blood streamed from the lord's head.
"Die, you pig!"
Suddenly, screams erupted from town. Leornars' undead stormed the streets—tearing down houses, crushing stalls. They didn't kill, but they destroyed everything in their path.
"Where are the knights?!" a man screamed.
"They're… in the capital," the lord said with horror. "The king ordered them to search for a white-haired boy. I sent them three days ago."
From the shadows, Leornars slipped into the mansion. He summoned Bellian and three knights.
Room by room, they searched until—
"Are you one of those pigs outside? Or... my new puppy?" a girl's voice called mockingly.
Leornars turned. A young girl stood alone in the hallway. He walked up, grabbed her by the hair, and slammed her against the wall.
"Where's the demi-human girl your father's hiding?" he asked softly.
"Die."
His grin vanished.
Without hesitation, he stabbed her palm. She screamed. Then the other hand. Then her wrist. He slowly carved her back, ignoring her cries.
"You tortured demi-humans. Starved them. Abused them for fun. So tell me—how does that feel?" he whispered coldly, slicing her cheek.
Bellian grabbed her lifeless body and hurled it through the window.
> "Shame. She didn't talk."
Outside, the lord screamed in horror. Seeing his daughter's body, he snapped—impaling citizens near the gate in a frenzy. But the mob retaliated, overwhelming and mutilating him.
Leornars watched quietly from a window.
> "The people you protect will one day destroy you. A blind man, once he sees again, will throw away the cane that guided him."
He moved through the mansion to the basement. Bellian kicked the door open.
A girl with ashen-white hair and black horns was shackled to the wall. She looked up.
Leornars noticed a water bucket, scooped some up, and rinsed his blood-stained hair. His silver strands shimmered once more.
"White hair. Black horns," he murmured.
"Help me," she whispered.
"Good. You can speak."
Bellian entered and sliced her shackles.
"Uncle Belluan!" she cried, embracing him. Bellian patted her head silently.
Leornars cleared his throat. "We don't have time for sentiment. Let's go."
The girl stumbled and collapsed.
> "Malnourished. Her strength is gone."
"Bellian. Carry her."
They exited the mansion. The two knights cut through the remaining citizens at the gate. Once safe in the woods, Leornars summoned more undead and sat once more on his rock.
He glanced at the girl resting on a log. Bellian and the knights sank into his shadow.
> "What now? I can't afford distractions."
The girl finally spoke.
"I... I'm grateful you saved me."
Leornars handed her an apple. She took it cautiously and began to eat.
> "Why does it feel like I've adopted her?"
"I'm grateful. My name is Stacian Von Gremoriah, daughter of—"
"Where are you going?" Leornars interrupted coldly.
"I... I don't know. I've been locked up for four years."
"What use are you to me?"
"I can cook, heal, fight... and I possess light magic," she said, kneeling. "Please… don't abandon me."
> "Light magic… my only weakness. She might be useful after all."
"Get up. You'll stay with me—until you figure out your purpose."
"Thank you, Master," she said.
"Never call me that again."
She stood quietly.
"So, Gremory—"
"It's Gremoriah."
Leornars gave her a dry, sarcastic look. "Whatever."
"We leave this kingdom at dawn. Wake up late and I'll leave you behind."
With a flick of his finger, a magical fire crackled to life.
> "She's not just a stray. She's a strategic asset. And I'm still a wanted man. Staying in this rotten kingdom benefits neither of us."
He glanced at her one last time.
She sat by the fire, silently chewing her apple—her freedom, her hope, resting in the hands of a man who had no room for mercy… and yet, spared her anyway.
---