388 Death Mage V13 Chapter 315

Chapter 315
Story of Another World


Randolph thought to himself, "Surely they won't come to Orbaume," referring to Vandalieu and his companions.

"I never expected them to come so casually to our doorstep."

The nobles of the Elected King's territory had the same thoughts.

In one of the meeting rooms within the castle of the Elected King of the Orbaume Kingdom, the grand nation that ruled the eastern part of the Bahn Gaia continent, Prime Minister Telkatanis and the Military Lord Dolmad gathered with other nobles for an informal meeting.

The topic of discussion was how to deal with Darcia Zakkart, and her son, who had arrived directly in their presence - in Orbaume.

"Shouldn't they be more cautious about this? Or do they think we're not worth fearing?"

"Couldn't they be doing other various things as well? Like using Duke Alcrem’s minions for gathering information, or even attempting to turn our own minions against us. There must be some schemes at play since they boldly come to us head-on!"

"That's right! Even if they were to come, it would be because they received an invitation bearing the name of the Elected King, which they couldn't refuse. They wouldn't just casually show up without a reason!"

The nobles were greatly disturbed. This was because they were accustomed to a world of conspiracies, constantly reading between the lines, where allies and enemies changed at every moment. For them, opponents like Vandalieu and his companions, who came directly and confidently to them were beyond their understanding.

"That’s right! Perhaps they have colluded with the General Officer of Duke Alcrem’s household and other nobles who have connections in the city!?"

In Orbaume, the capital city of the Orbaume Kingdom, there are mansions belonging to each Duke household. These mansions serve as places for the dukes and their representatives to stay in during social seasons, as well as where major conferences deciding the political affairs of the entire kingdom and the Elected King elections are held. The mansions also serve as embassies for each duchy.

(Note: social season - the traditional annual period in the spring and summer when it is customary for members of the social elite of (British) society to hold balls, dinner parties and charity events.)

It is an open secret that these mansions also serve as bases for gathering information and conducting political maneuvering within the capital.

The nobles in question suspected that Vandalieu and his companions might have made contact with agents within Duke Alcrem’s mansion and were collaborating with them.

"We conducted an investigation, but there were no such movements made by them. After Honorary Countess Darcia Zakkar paid a visit to Duke Alcrem’s mansion, we haven't been able to confirm any further interactions."

However, the nobles within the kingdom were unable to grasp such a move.

In reality, Kimberly, Chipuras, and the other ghosts exchanged information by carrying letters. The nobles’ intelligence organizations didn’t have anyone who were Spiritualists, so they were unable to find out.

"They might be using birds or mice for communication. Vandalieu is a skilled tamer, so we should have our spies who are tamers to investigate."

"They might be using insects as well. We've recently acquired information that Vandalieu and his sister have reported to the Tamer’s Guild that they had tamed insect monsters."

"Insects!? Is that true? If so, we should investigate immediately—"

"Do that investigation after this meeting! According to the spies we have infiltrating the Tamer’s Guild, they registered monsters that are nothing more than Rank 1 worms. The real problem is that cursed mansion!"

Although Pete and Pain were actually monsters over Rank 10, it seems the spies were not as perceptive as Orlock.

"Before we speculate on what kind of conspiracy might be at play, we should be aware of the situation at hand! They are sharpening their fangs right under our noses... in the Upper Class Noble District!"

Upon hearing the words of Earl Jetarpo, a young noble who currently held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, the other nobles who had been engaged in discussions until then frowned and fell into silence.

Orbaume, the capital of the kingdom, housed the mansions of many nobles. Among them, the district where the mansions of the upper-class nobles gathered was known as the Upper Class Noble District. It also included the mansion that was formerly owned by the younger brother of Duke Jahan, which Vandalieu and his companions had bought.

Naturally, the mansions of the nobles gathered in this meeting room were located in the Upper Class Noble District. They were close to the mansion where many powerful undead under Vandelieu’s command resided.

"If he felt like it, he could unleash the undead upon the Upper Class Noble District as well. We must avoid acting rashly out of fear of uncertain conspiracies. If we push him into a corner and he gives up, they will be finished. Honorary Countess Darcia Zakkart and her son cannot possibly defeat all the knights and adventurers in Orbaume. However, by that time, we will also suffer severe consequences."

In reality, if Vandalieu and his companions were to initiate a full-scale war, Orbaume would be overwhelmed and devastated by the overwhelming difference in military strength before they could gather all the knights and adventurers to organize a defense. However, Earl Jetarpo could not foresee such a scenario.

"Indeed, you are right. They have entered the city through proper means, legally purchased the mansion, and acquired military strength in a legitimate manner... We can't counter such straightforward methods with conventional means. If only we had known beforehand, there might have been other options... But it's too late now.”

Military Lord Dolmad could only agree with Earl Jetarpo's words.

"In the first place, that Honorary Countess establishing a mansion in the Upper Class Noble District is a clear disregard for common sense. Perhaps there was some intention behind the introduction of the mansion by the Senorpa Chamber of Commerce?"

“No, if you're going to say that, shouldn't we hold them responsible for neglecting the cursed mansion for decades? If it had been purified from the beginning, they wouldn't have given the enemy the opportunity to obtain military strength and a base.”

However, the other nobles tried to change the subject, moving from escaping reality to pointless accountability. But Prime Minister Telkatanis, who was effectively leading the meeting, interrupted their words.

"We should deal with such trivial matters later. Instead, let's urge the church to purify the other cursed mansions. We’ll also subtly express our protest to Duke Alcrem and Duke Jahan."

To prevent Vandalieu's influence from spreading further, purifying the other cursed mansions was one of the few measures they could take right now. Even if they were to purify undead that resided in mansions that were not owned by Vandalieu, there would be no grounds for him to complain. After all, they were merely protecting the public order of Orbaume.

Even if Vandalieu and his companions were to voice complaints, it would be necessary to inform the relevant parties to proceed with the purification quietly. Under no circumstances should they respond with, "Then you should do something about the undead yourself."

(If all the cursed mansions and undead in Orbaume were to be tamed, it would be a different story. In that case, it might be possible to confer an honorary noble title upon him and he could help in maintaining the public order of Orbaume... But it's not that easy to tame them all.)

Engaging in a futile argument would only lead to unnecessary complications. And Prime Minister Telkatanis's judgment was correct. Vandalieu's ability to guide the undead is far easier than he could imagine.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, are you protesting against Vandalieu Zakkart for taming undead monsters?"

In response to the inquiry from the noble, Prime Minister Telkatanis frowned and replied.

"No, it is regarding Darcia Zakkart establishing a mansion in the Upper Class Noble District. We must not protest against the undead... her child's tamed monsters."

Establishing a mansion in the Upper Class Noble District as an Honorary Countess is not prohibited by the law. However, it is customary that "if an Honorary Noble establishes a mansion, it should be in a noble district that is not in the Upper Class district." Although not explicitly stated in law with no penalties for breaking it, such customs must not be disregarded in society. If customs are ignored, all rules would need to be clearly stipulated in law with corresponding penalties. If that happens, it would create an overly tense and discordant society.

However, it is only natural to protest against Duke Alcrem, who neglected to inform Darcia Zakkart or ignored the matter.

"But is it okay to freely let the undead become his tamed monsters?"

"We don't have the authority to judge that. There are no laws or customs concerning it. If the Tamer’s Guild has approved it, then that's how it stands."

Including Prime Minister Telkatanis, the nobles had no legal authority to intervene in matters concerning tamed monsters.

"But the other party is just the young child of an Honorary Countess. If we assert ourselves strongly, they have no choice but to comply, right?"

However, the Orbaume Kingdom is not a democratic rule-of-law state. While the Elected King is chosen through elections by the nobles, the kingdom is a monarchy ruled by the royalty.

As the noble claimed, even if it is not explicitly stated in the law, those in positions of power can impose their will and take advantage of those in a weaker position.

"I see, that's certainly true. You’re quite brave for saying that. You truly embody the essence of a noble of the Orbaume Kingdom. In that case, you should take the lead and order Vandalieu Zakkart and the Tamer’s Guild that they cannot make the undead become tamed monsters.'"

As soon as Military Lord Dolmad said those words, the noble in question began to panic, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Huh!? Why should I take the lead, Military Lord?"

"Isn't it obvious? Have you forgotten what I just said?" Earl Jetarpo replied.

The noble let out a groan when Earl Jetarpo answered his question. He seemed to have finally realized that Vandalieu was no longer in a weak position.

"Besides, I do not wish to get into trouble with the Tamer’s Guild. You may think of tamed monsters as mere pawns, but for tamers, tamed monsters are like the beloved horses of knights. Putting aside what would happen during war, if you were to order them to get rid of their beloved horses during peacetime, it wouldn't be surprising if they held a grudge against you for the rest of their lives."

Many tamers are strongly tied with their tamed monsters built on  their strong bonds of trust and affection with them. That is why many tamers consider their tamed monsters as family. Although Military Lord Dolmad is not associated with the Tamer’s Guild, he was able to deduce this by referring to the bond between knights and their beloved horses.

"As for the current Guild Master, Orlock, he will not easily yield to our authority. Even if he secretly opposes the idea of allowing the undead to be recognized as tamed monsters, he will likely protest on behalf of the guild. If it comes to that, depending on the situation, it might even disrupt the operation of the Dragon Knight Corps. In such a case, you will be held responsible."

"I-I never said anything about getting rid of them..."

"Protesting against allowing the undead to be recognized as tamed monsters is essentially the same as saying to get rid of them. It would be a disaster if he were to release the mansion and the undead into the wild. We are already beyond the stage of merely sealing off the mansion's premises with talismans and holy water."

The noble realized the gravity of his reckless statement, and his complexion turned pale, even whiter than before. However, Military Lord Dolmad didn't actually intend to use him as a sacrifice to protest against Vandalieu.

"Now you understand the potential dangers of protesting against his tamed monsters. We need not worry; the church should protest concerning the matter of the undead regardless."

"While they stick to conventional methods, let us also adhere to conventional methods. Of course, that does not mean we will be yielding or implicitly giving consent. It is only until the situation changes."

The words of Military Lord Dolmad and Prime Minister Telkatanis were met with agreement from the other nobles, including Earl Jetarpo. No one wanted to draw unnecessary attention.

"What about the Adventurer's School? I heard they’re planning to enroll in the Hero Preparatory School..."

"Isn't that convenient? Let's take advantage of our connections and attempt to gather information and gain influence."

"Will the Principal Meorilith and Randolph the True, or Dandolip, allow us to interfere? If they become an obstacle..."

"Well, as long as it falls within the scope of 'students’ autonomy,' there shouldn’t be a problem. After all, making connections with fellow students was encouraged at the Hero Preparatory School. It wouldn't be strange if it happened around him."

For Prime Minister Telkatanis and the others, the information they could gather about Vandalieu through the school would be more valuable than his purpose for enrolling in the Hero Preparatory School.





During that time, Katie Hartner, also known as Kei Mackenzie of ‘Urðr’ and a fellow reincarnator like Vandalieu, was feeling troubled in her room.

"Well, for now, things may not be fine, but it’ll be fine."

On a night when there were usually no maids around, Katie uttered words that contradicted herself and let out an uncharacteristically heavy sigh, unfitting for a young girl.

Duke Hartner’s household had sent their soldiers to support the former Scylla Autonomous Territory reclamation army led by Duke Sauron’s household in the north.

This was a significant problem. Katie knew from information provided by Aran and the others via Familiar Spirit Descent that the former Scylla Autonomous Territory was already a part of Vandalieu's territory.

According to convention, since Vandalieu continued to occupy Duke Sauron's territory without permission, it couldn't be recognized as his own territory. However, conventions are only effective when the parties involved share the same perspective and power.

The difference between Vandalieu and Duke Sauron’s household was overwhelming. Duke Sauron’s household should consider themselves fortunate that the former Scylla Autonomous Territory was the only territory occupied.

Unbeknownst to the Duke Sauron’s household who were unaware of these facts, the Duke Hartner family had sent reinforcements to them. From Vandalieu's perspective, this was undoubtedly seen as an act of hostility.

(But it should still be fine. Based on Vandalieu's actions so far, at the very least, he wouldn’t aggressively retaliate.)

Leading a massive army of undead to counterattack or send assassins to the various duchies to assassinate the dukes or unleash an epidemic to annihilate the residents... Such actions shouldn’t happen.

If he continues as he has until now, he will likely wait and observe how things go for the time being.

(Of course, it's not that there aren't any problems. The impression of Duke Hartner’s household has worsened. While going from minus ten thousand to minus ten thousand one hundred may not seem like a significant difference, I’m sure it has become harder to recover.)

Katie contemplated the situation. Right now, she could only say, "things will be fine for now." However, the future was far from assured.

(To think that they caused dreadful acts two hundred years ago, such as the execution of the First Princess of Talosheim and her escorts, as well as the forced labor of refugees. Not just the past, even our ancestors in the present world were terrifying individuals. They continued the forced labor until just before I reincarnated, so I can't simply dismiss it as "things of the past''.)

When Vandalieu learned of those acts, she couldn't help but imagine the faces of her father, Duke Lucas Hartner, and her uncle, Belton Hartner, and how fortunate they were not to have been completely slaughtered.

Presumably it was because at that time, her grandfather, the previous Duke Hartner, had already passed away, and Lucas and Belton were not the official successors yet as they were in the midst of a succession struggle... She could only hope it was the case.

(Otherwise, my father's life, which is already precarious, would be in grave danger.)

After officially becoming the duke, Katie's father ordered his knights to the cultivation village that Vandalieu had been close with, instructing them to massacre the villagers.

Fortunately, thanks to Vandalieu, there were no casualties among the villagers. The Red Wolf Knight Corps had been annihilated, and even now, it has yet to be reorganized... But that was the best outcome for the Hartner Duchy.

If there had been casualties among the villagers, Lucas would have likely been killed long ago.

Had that been the case, Katie's worries might have been alleviated. She wouldn't have had to worry about her parents, who died before she could remember, and her uncle Belton would have taken over and become the next duke.

“But even though I can see the past, I can't change it."

To be honest, when she saw the act of her father trying to massacre the villagers in the cultivation village using ‘Urðr’, she was appalled.

However, she had experienced and witnessed various things not only on Earth but also on Origin. She knew that the world didn't revolve around idealistic notions alone. She, as a former Braver, was far from being virtuous herself.

Although she wasn't actively involved, she bore responsibility as a member of the Bravers for emotionally pressuring Minuma Hitomi of ‘Gazer’. The fact that ‘The 8th Guidance’ turned into terrorists also fell under the responsibility of the Bravers... Though the latter was more of a negligence, it had a different nature.

As a result, she could no longer respect her father as innocently as she did before regaining her memories and personality. However, that didn't mean all of her feelings and affection had completely disappeared.

"Well, I think I could’ve done more, but... It's pointless to dwell on it now."

Saying that, Katie got out of bed and activated her ‘Urðr’ ability.

For the next hour, except for herself, a phantom of Katie could be seen sleeping peacefully on her bed... She made it possible to see the past.

"It is said that necessity is the mother of invention, but... Did I say that? Anyway, thanks to my special training, things have become easier."

Katie's cheat ability, ‘Urðr’, was originally an ability that allowed her to see the past. With it, she could see what had happened in a location within her field of view.

Thanks to training during her time in Origin, she was also able to hear the sounds of the past. But that was all. She couldn't show the past to anyone other than herself, or record the images.

However, after reincarnating into Lambda and conducting secret training, Katie succeeded in projecting images of the past like illusions.

"I have this world’s Status system to thank for that. Thanks to it, I have to be careful and not overexert myself in my usual actions."

While saying that, Katie opened the window in her room and, in a manner unbefitting for a young girl, went outside and climbed up the castle walls.

"Thanks to 'Fatigue Resistance’, I can train for long hours... but I wonder what the average physical ability of an infant in this world is."

Upon reaching the rooftop of the tallest tower in the castle, Katie activated ‘Familiar Spirit Descent’ while using ‘Urðr’ again.

A pillar of light descended from the night sky, but the spectacle was only visible to Katie, who was enveloped in the pillar of light. She had hidden the pillar of light with an illusion of the past.

In this way, she was able to continue living as a duke's daughter while frequently exchanging information with Aran and others without arousing suspicion.

"...The reclamation army was defeated. There were almost no casualties, but among the Five Knights of the Alcrem Duchy, the 'Knight of Roaring Flames' from Alcrem Duchy died in battle, and the 'Thousand Blades Knight' is likely to be seriously injured, possibly beyond recovery. There is no doubt about it now. Duke Alcrem's household is working together with Vandalieu."

Aran and the others, who became Familiar Spirits of Rodcorte, were unable to "see" humans in the Alcrem Duchy, but they had heard that the number of humans that couldn’t be seen had explosively increased since last year.

Therefore, Katie had speculated that they were involved, but it seemed that the actual connection goes deeper than she had imagined. It is not just a relationship built on convenience; they are probably already accomplices or allies.

If that's not the case, then it's difficult to imagine why the reinforcements sent by Duke Alcrem had suffered greater casualties compared to the reinforcements sent by Duke Farzon, who has a deep connection with Duke Hartner and Heinz and the ‘Five-colored Blades’.

"The scale of the losses is a disguise. In reality, it's likely that the 'Knight of Roaring Flames' is still alive, and there must be a way to heal the injuries suffered by the 'Thousand Blades Knight’. If that's the case... it was the right decision to limit the forces sent."

Initially, Lucas Hartner had planned to dispatch half of the newly reorganized ‘Hartner's Nine Refined Spears’ from the ‘Hartner Six Spearmen’ as the elite force of Hartner Duchy to the reclamation army.

The occurrence of the dungeon outbreak in the city of Niarki aside, the disappearance of the slave mines and the rebuilding of the physically tilted castle have imposed a heavy burden on the people of their territory. As a result, in order to regain the people's trust and restore the nation's reputation, as well as to strengthen their forces against Vandalieu, Duke Hartner has increased the personnel of the ‘Six Spearman’ to nine and further honed their skills, serving as their trump card.

It seemed that he intended to showcase his elite forces’ strength to the armies sent by other dukes. If they had been dispatched, the ‘Hartner's Nine Refined Spears’ may have met a gruesome end, Katie thought.

It was Katie’s actions that led to Lucas refraining from dispatching his troops, not through persuasion.

She used ‘Urðr​’ to project illusions of past events, creating the appearance of powerful monsters such as dragons on the mountain slopes of the Boundary Mountain Range. This caused Lucas to quickly cancel the dispatch of the ‘Hartner's Nine Refined Spears’, and instead sent them to defend the Duchy alongside senior adventurers.

Projecting images from thousands of years ago was a strenuous task even for Katie. She had to use ‘Familiar Spirit Descent’ and push her mana to its very limits. However, the effort was worth it.

"With this, I can at least say that I've done all that I’ve could. After that… I just need to create achievements that my father and other nobles will recognize," Katie said.

Presently, Katie was still just a "young but responsible duke's daughter who is bright and excellent in magic." With this status, no one would listen to her opinions regarding politics and military matters. All she could do was to make demands of her maids and guards to a certain extent.

That's why she needed achievements. Katie required accomplishments that would make the adults unable to ignore her, something that would persuade her father and the other nobles.

Without such achievements, she would not be able to persuade her father to steer the Hartner Duchy away from its inclination towards its faith in Alda and towards Vida, or publicly apologize for the atrocities committed by their ancestors upon the refugees who came from Talosheim two hundred years ago.

"At the very least, I need to make them consider my opinions. Continuing to work behind the scenes has its limits. Ah, I wish I could become an adult soon."

While saying so, the worried duke’s daughter descended from the rooftop of the tower and made her way back to her bed.





While such a meeting was taking place at the royal castle, Vandalieu calmly proceeded with his preparations.

"Please! Spare me! If money’s what you want, I’ll give you all my money!"

"No! I don't want my face to be peeled off!"

Dragging the captured criminals, particularly influential figures of the underworld that ordinary guards wouldn't dare touch, Vandalieu stuffed them one by one into boxes.

"Bellmond, please assist me over here."

"Yes, Danna-sama. Now, turn into stone."

Using her Petrifying Magic Eye, Bellmond turned the criminals into stone statues. Finally, they labeled each box and finished the task.

"For labor after interrogation, for human experimentation, for human experimentation, for labor... There are more heinous individuals here than in Alcrem or Morksi, given the larger population."

The people stuffed in the boxes were among the most vicious criminals, and many of them had connections to nobles in various ways. Vandalieu hunted down such individuals, receiving information and requests for revenge from spirits of victims.

"Yes, there are a lot of assassins and drug dealers especially. Human trafficking seems to be relatively less prevalent... although it may be because we haven’t been able to thoroughly examine the information fully."

The information provided by the spirits is often fragmentary. Moreover, they tended to focus more on their most hated targets.

In the case of spirits that were kidnapped, sold as slaves, and then killed by their buyers, they might remember detailed information about the buyers who killed them, but they sometimes forgot about the organizations that kidnapped and sold them.

"Well, Luciliano and Isla should be able to extract more information from these guys."

Therefore, interrogating the captured criminals was crucial.

"Do you think you can get away with laying a finger on me?! Not just you, your family and servants, I’ll make every person who has even the slightest connection with you regret being born!"

At that moment, one of the men Vandalieu was handling yelled in anger and intimidation. However, Vandalieu and Bellmond paid no particular attention and continued with the packaging work.

"Bellmond, bring me the smallest box over there."

"Yes, Danna-sama."

"Gyaaaaaa!"

They neatly folded the man's limbs and crammed him into the tiny box.

When such a threatening line from a villain, which wasn’t realistic whatsoever, was heard, it could be ignored... but unpleasant things were still unpleasant.

"Well, I'll make sure he suffers even more where I send them. Legion, please handle the transportation."

"Yes, to Luciliano's place."

Including the man who had been turned into an avant-garde-style stone statue by Bellmond, the stone statues packed in boxes disappeared along with Legion.

(Note: avant-garde - favoring or introducing new and experimental ideas and methods.)

There were no walls or darkness concealing this scene. This was because this was happening in one of Vandalieu's ‘Body Worlds’.

"When I’m doing this, I almost forget that I’m inside Danna-sama."

Lush green trees were planted, and crops that had just sprouted were alive. As Bellmond said, it's hard to believe that this was inside of a living being at all.

"I almost forget it myself... but if you look up, you can remember right away."

Looking up, beyond the lighting magic item installed in place of the sun, a pulsating pink ceiling can be seen.

Indeed, this was Vandalieu's ‘Body World’.

"Though I myself don't know exactly where it is in my body. Even when I asked Isis to investigate, it couldn't be found."

Even after performing a surgical examination, the location of the ‘Body World’ couldn't be found from the outside.

"This place is probably different from ordinary space. Even if Danna-sama is stabbed or beaten, there won't be any impact in this ‘Body World’. Though I can't say for certain in the case of a severe injury that would damage a significant portion of the body."

"If the ‘Body World’ gets affected every time I get hurt, it would cause operational problems, so it's fortunate."

"However, that doesn't mean you can go injuring yourself. I've given up on trying to persuade you not to cut off your limbs, but please take care of yourself as much as possible."

Vandalieu's way of fighting often relied on his high regeneration ability, discarding parts of his own body. Limbs would quickly grow back, and even if his neck was severed, it would heal if the cut ends were attached back together. Thus, what he was doing is not tactically wrong per se.

However, he is an emperor.

"If there are any reckless or dangerous actions, I will report them to Darcia-sama."

One must constantly drive the point home when it comes to Vandelieu.

(Note: drive the point home - to say something in a very strong or forceful way.)

"Please spare me. I'll brush you, so..."

"Danna-sama, that's not a bribe! Besides, now should be the time for you to sleep tonight. You made a promise with Darcia-sama to sleep together with her every day..."

"Bellmond, the me in front of you is the me inside this ‘Body World’. My main body is sound asleep."

"Huh!? Oh no!"

Within Vandalieu's ten ‘Body Worlds’, there is one Vandalieu present in each. Unlike the Demon King Familiars, they have an appearance and abilities identical to the real thing, and they can also activate the Demon King Fragments. However, it is not possible for them to leave the ‘Body World’.

Therefore, even while the main body was sleeping, there was no problem with the packaging of the captured villains in the ‘Body World’ or with brushing Bellmond’s tail.

"Well then, let's get started right away――"

Vandalieu created a brush with the Demon King Fragment and aimed it at Bellmond's fluffy tail, but he suddenly stopped moving.

"Da-Danna-sama?"

"...There seems to be a big movement in Origin. It may be time to use the restricted world."

Meanwhile, in Origin, Rokudou Hijiri was about to embark on his final plan to acquire the death-attribute magic.