○
The takeover of Guiles was surprisingly swift compared to the size of the territory.
Those with special knowledge or skills became demons to serve me, and those chosen as 'minimum casualties' became my soldiers.
For me, a necromancer, their talents were both weapons and resources.
"William...!"
"Ugh...!"
Sometimes ordinary soldiers or servants, sometimes noble knights or aristocrats lost their lives.
They themselves would never agree, but their deaths functioned perfectly as tools of terror to prevent the deaths of many more.
A prime example was the treatment of the Count of Guiles, Guilaume Durangard.
"I hear you've already passed many things to your son, so you're already useless. Isn't that right?"
In the central banquet hall of the inner fortress.
With many watching, I spoke to the count.
"Ple... Please. Just my life...! Uhuhu!"
The count's body was trembling uncontrollably as he answered with a pale face. His eyes soaked in fear were the same.
Then, as if he had found some answer, he brightened his face and shouted.
"The right to appoint personnel for territories above the rank of count must be carried out under the presence of royal personnel! Otherwise, it's treason...!"
"Is that really true?"
At those words, I turned my head to look at my people, and Amelia and Eve immediately nodded.
"You must keep the count alive, Master."
"It's a minimum treason prevention measure."
"I see."
While passing all real power to his son, he didn't pass on a few rights, and it seems the representative of these was the right to rule and appoint personnel for this Guiles Castle.
I nodded, and relief spread all over Count Guilaume's face.
"See, see that...!"
"Yes. I understood well that I need to extend your life."
Anyway, to know the know-how of ruling a county, I needed to properly preserve his knowledge and skills.
It just included his personal safety as well.
At first, I was just thinking of extracting the desired information from his soul and then using the body for other purposes, but given the situation, I'll have to change the method.
"Bring one person."
"Yes."
Eve bowed her head once, then took out a notebook from her bosom.
It was to pick out the 'most useless intellectual' among the prisoners.
Nobles are beings with various knowledge and skills regardless of their character. To extract knowledge from such beings, it would be better if the being I'm about to create also had such talents.
Soon she brought one such person.
"Sa, save me! Please!"
The official struggled desperately while being dragged out with both arms restrained by skeletons.
His face was covered in tears and snot, and between his legs was already wet.
"Be still. The master's hand needs to touch you, yet you're dirtying yourself like this."
Eve stepped forward to wipe his face with a handkerchief, then threw it away and bowed politely to me.
"He's a court official. He was managing banquets."
"He should know how to handle etiquette then. His original power?"
"Upper level."
"Just right."
I placed my hand on the official's forehead.
At that moment, overwhelmed by my magical power, he could only look up at my hand with his eyes focused in the center, unable to move his body.
"You may not be happy, but don't be sad either. You won't die."
This was a concept weaker than death.
He won't be able to perform life activities anymore, but he'll maintain continuity as an existence.
"「Summon: Corpus Skull」."
"Ku... Kuaaak-!!"
With the spell, my magical power immediately enveloped his body and soon began to melt all flesh, internal organs, and part of the bones.
While only the central nervous system was needed to summon the lower species Cerebrum Skull, creating this individual now required all the magical power of that body.
Whoosh!
The residue made by melting the body was all absorbed into his bones, and the bones steeped in dense magical power were somewhat darkly colored.
After a moment, what remained was a 'bone lizard' made of skull and elongated spine.
-Ma, Master... I see you...
"Nice to meet you."
Although his speech was clumsy because he was newly created, it wouldn't hinder performing his abilities at all.
I gestured to him, and the lizard instinctively climbed up my arm to my shoulder.
It wasn't without weight, but my body wasn't weak enough to lose balance from that.
"No, no way. Me too...?"
Blue eye lights burned greedily in the two eyes of the gray bone lizard looking appetizingly at Count Guilaume.
It instinctively recognized its prey.
He looked towards me as if seeking permission, and I extended my hand and allowed it.
"Eat him up. He'll become your body from now on."
"Ah, no... Sa, save— Kuaaagh-!!"
The lizard that climbed onto Guilaume's body slowly peeled off his flesh from the back with sharp claws.
It seemed to be torturing its prey, but looking closely at its movements, one could see it was proceeding while damaging muscles and important blood vessels as little as possible.
It was a delicate work to not damage the sacrifice that would become its new body.
"Kuuk..."
Finally, the Corpus Skull that replaced the body's central nervous system and all bones slowly rose from its place.
The sight of eyes or neck occasionally bending at angles they shouldn't was like a zombie waking up.
But Guilaume was still alive.
He just accepted a new master in that body.
"Fa, father..."
Lucian, who watched the scene from beginning to end, murmured despairingly.
As if fearing he would become like that too.
Although it was disgusting to see him pretending to worry when he hadn't even asked to save his father until now, I didn't hold onto that impression for long.
Because nobles are such creatures every time.
"Let's name you Durangard, using that family's name."
"Yesh. Master..."
"From now on, pass on all the knowledge in the count's body to Amelia. The knowledge of ruling a county."
"Understood..."
The demon that took over Guilaume's body naturally approached Amelia and stood beside her.
I looked at Lucian.
"Now it's time to decide your treatment."
"If, if you just let me live as myself, I'll do anything...!!"
"...Right. If I just let you live."
It didn't take long for Lucian, who was looking up at me on his knees, to put his arms and head on the floor.
The same was true for other officials and knights.
It was a result worth deliberately disposing of Count Guilaume in front of their eyes.
They would soon abandon themselves as humans.
○
"It's easy. Really."
I muttered while looking out the window in the lord's room.
The setting sun was shining on the fortress, and beneath that light, I could see knights and soldiers moving in groups.
They were outwardly human, but in reality had become demons.
"It's partly because they moved troops while focusing on the west, but it's certain they were generally steeped in comfort."
Eve said while kissing the back of my hand. Her eyes, still red, sparkled softly.
I looked down at her and asked.
"The imprinting on the fortress?"
"It's all finished."
She had just returned from completing the installation of magic circles throughout the fortress.
That magic circle successfully completed in Solemio.
It was a circle of mental magic that works to 'weaken vigilance against non-hostile demons'.
Before long, the residents of this fortress will not be terrified even seeing skeletons or orcs striding down the corridors.
Rather, they'll take it for granted to work with them.
I didn't need to move directly for the reinstallation of this magic circle.
Either imprinting its function, or intelligent skeleton mages could do it on their own.
It was the result of Sonia's efforts.
"I see... You did excellently today. Even better than me."
"Conquering enemy fortresses has been my specialty since I was human."
I couldn't help but smile at Eve's words, spoken with a glib laugh.
I asked while sitting on the sofa in the office, escorted by her.
"Can I entrust you with taking over nearby fortresses too?"
There were still three or four fortresses and several villages left in Guiles County. At least all the fortresses would have to be taken over before I could say I had finished dominating the territory.
"Of course."
Eve nodded confidently.
Her platinum blonde hair swayed softly, reflecting light.
There was a reason I could entrust such aggressive expansion to her. As a result of placing people among information merchants, new information came into my hands.
[There aren't many of them in southern Heisen.]
These people, who usually deal with more profitable information, seemed to have only placed informants in major cities in southern Heisen.
Originally, they additionally dispatched informants to the south due to the shaking of Michaella as bait this time, but before that attempt succeeded, the incident of Arpina's forced acquisition of information merchants occurred.
In other words, Arpina blocked their advance into the south.
'I've become grateful in many ways.'
The members of information merchants dispatched to the south now have all been replaced by my people.
In other words, the biggest eyes and ears that can dig out information in southern Heisen have all become mine.
In this situation, it would rather be foolish not to expand aggressively.
"How long do you think it will take?"
In Eve's eyes answering my question, confidence certain of victory was already nestled.
As always.
"With cooperation from the main castle, I think I can finish other territories within 1-2 weeks too."
"I see. Don't overdo it."
I lightly placed my hand on her shoulder. I trust Eve's abilities, but I didn't want her to overexert herself for it.
"Of course, Master."
Eve gently placed her hand on top of mine and smiled while kissing that hand.
With eyes mixed with adoration and loyalty.
"I believe in you."
"Mm. Though it's regrettable I can't directly serve at the banquet."
Eve smiling bitterly and genuinely regretting.
While stroking her hair, I asked.
"What's important about a banquet of vulgar nobles?"
"Being with you is important, Master."
She seemed to restrain herself so much when we were alone in the carriage, but right after a battle, she shows a bold appearance full of confidence.
Thinking that I too find such an appearance cute, I smiled slightly.
"Someone's coming."
Right after Eve muttered as if speaking to herself, there was a presence at the door of the office.
It was the presence of my second disciple.
○
Knock knock.
"Come in, Amelia."
Amelia's face entering the office was tinged with deep perplexity.
"Master. I'm sorry, but I don't have confidence to rule such a large territory. How can I..."
The words she opened her mouth to say were not outside expectations. It was about one thing I instructed her without consultation.
"It's alright, Amelia."
As I grabbed both shoulders of her pouring out her feelings while sitting on the sofa, I could feel her shoulders stiffening.
Tension and sense of responsibility.
I didn't hide my smile.
"The actual work a count handles isn't much. What you have to do isn't much different from now. Just checking and approving."
It's true that the highest decision-maker needs various knowledge.
At least they need to know what's going wrong.
But that was enough just to the extent of not interfering with the working-level staff. Any more half-baked knowledge would only interfere.
"You can be an excellent lord. A lord of my land, that is."
In that sense, Amelia, who tries not to decide anything herself, was rather the most suitable talent to become an 'ordinary lord'.
She's just a proxy who will stamp seals on the opinions of working-level staff I designate. Of course, she knows that well too.
The burden she actually feels is not about that work.
"But... This involves many more lives, doesn't it?"
County and barony. The number of lives to manage is different.
Indeed, she was far more excellent than those 'dissolute nobles'.
At least more than those who hunt their own kind to procure 'special pork'.
"Those lives are mine. Not yours. Don't feel excessive responsibility."
Her eyes wavered for a while after that, but after closing deeply and opening again, they completely settled.
"...Yes."
She was a good and obedient disciple.
While embracing her shoulders, I whispered softly in her ear.
"Your mother and father are living well too. You should live at ease too."
"Ah..."
In fact, Amelia's parents, the Terramor couple, were adapting well to the dungeon.
It wasn't difficult.
I just maintained the luxury they've enjoyed throughout their lives, then gradually reduced it as time passed.
It didn't take long for Valeon or Grelda to settle, and I had already shown Amelia their appearance. The sight of them enjoying a comfortable life in some luxurious place.
"Yes, Master..."
After that, she truly submitted to me from her heart.
Seeing her parents, who emphasized 'noble duty', find comfort so easily.
Realizing that the values she had believed in throughout her life were nothing.
The aftermath of that frustration still remained in her.
I smiled at her and talked about one topic that just came to mind.
"By the way, how about I really become your guardian?"
"Guardian... you say?"
"Yes. I want to find you a really good groom, not a man from such a superficially flashy family."
"Uh..."
She touched her pale lips, lost in thought, as if she hadn't even considered that.
"I'm grateful for the guardian. But I have no thoughts of marriage. ...No, I'd like you not to have me marry."
Then she shook her head.
Her voice was still tinged with despair and fear.
"Is that so?"
"Yes..."
Amelia lowered her head with blurred eyes. I threw a sharp word at her.
"You have thoughts you're hiding."
"No, no! That's not it!"
Amelia's reaction was passionate.
Her eyes were now shaking much more strongly than before. Much more than when she was told to rule the county.
It was because of the 'past' between her and me.
The memories of repeatedly failing in attempts to take over Solemio weakened her.
I spoke with a reassuring smile.
"Then. Of course not. I meant to tell me if you have any worries."
"Ah..."
She closed her eyes with her head deeply lowered, then soon poured out her heart.
"I... I don't want my child to become a demon, nor to suffer while remaining human."
There was deep regret in her voice.
The memory of when her sister Yurianne decided to become a demon seemed to have become a trauma for her.
She made that choice to protect her family, but there was nothing Amelia could do for her then.
"My. Yurianne would be sad if she heard that."
At my words, Amelia's eyes shook violently.
Since becoming a werebear, Yurianne has been growing into an excellent warrior under Xue's supervision.
That choice to become a demon turned out to be right in the end.
At least for Yurianne herself.
"Is Yuri... really happy?"
There was still anxiety in Amelia's voice.
A sense of helplessness is not an emotion that can be easily shed.
"Of course."
I answered firmly.
It was an indisputable fact that she would be happy now.
Although she hasn't stopped worrying about her 'sister who still can't sincerely serve the dungeon queen'.
"If I... become a demon too, could I escape from all these doubts?"
A tone as if all the worries accumulated so far burst out at once.
I answered while stroking her head.
"If that's what you want."
I whispered in the gentlest tone I could manage.
To be honest, if Amelia became a demon, it would be beneficial for me.
The burden of entering the dungeon would be reduced, and her heart would naturally belong completely to me.
But that was only from the perspective of profit and loss.
I didn't sincerely wish for that.
"But you're beautiful as you are. Just know that such a path exists."
"...Yes."
"Right. Now, about children."
Returning to the first topic, her eyes anxiously followed me.
I nodded once again to reassure her.
"If you dislike it, of course I won't make you marry. Whether Lucian or anyone else."
"Bu, but... If I'm to become the lord."
Her words trailed off.
For her to become the lord here, she needed evidence of being connected by blood to the Durangards.
She shows responsibility while also doubting whether she can do well.
"Wouldn't a fake marriage be possible?"
"Ah... Alright. I'll do that."
Originally, marriage for nobles was a major affair with the family's honor at stake.
But it didn't take long for Amelia to accept that proposal.
Now 'herself as a noble' was no longer an identity she wanted to protect.
I threw a word like a joke to her.
"Still, don't sleep with him. We might as well make him a eunuch."
"I, I don't want that much! ...You're mischievous...!"
As expected, she was surprised with her eyes wide open, but soon realized it was a joke and relaxed her shoulders. The small laugh leaking out was tinged with relief.
I approached her and gently caressed her shoulder while speaking.
"You're more precious to me than high nobles or royalty. I can give you a position much higher than a mere count."
"I don't want such things. Just... let me stay by your side, Master."
There was no more anxiety or hesitation in her voice.
Only sincerity was contained.
"If that's what you want. I'll gladly do so. But I'd be happier if you follow my instructions."
"...I'll try."
I smiled with satisfaction while stroking Amelia's head as she nodded with her head lowered.
Amelia, who still couldn't let go of her own thoughts even after completely submitting to me.
She hadn't yet realized. That such aspects were what made her shine even more.
○
The takeover of Guiles progressed more smoothly than expected, and since Eve will handle the remaining work, it's time to think about the next move.
It's time to move south and harvest the grain I've been cultivating there.
"Master. You've come."
"Sonia. Was everything alright?"
After parting with Eve, I headed to the dungeon before going elsewhere.
There was a reward I promised to give Talhan, but I had another errand.
"Maria Olas reports to the master that she has returned from her business trip."
Maria's dark brown hair flows softly beside her black eyes as she bows her head to me.
In her eyes, achievement and hope were sparkling.