Karnak, Monarch of Death

Leven led Karnak and his companions to a building owned by a merchant guild located at the center of Wellad City. Like in the Kingdom of Eustil, the Ethriel King’s Order often operated in collaboration with prominent local families in various regions.

”If you’ve already booked an inn, I suggest moving here instead. It’ll be more convenient in many ways, and they’ll take good care of your horses too.”

Karnak readily accepted Leven’s suggestion. After all, there was no reason to refuse something offered for free.

”That’s much appreciated. Thank you in advance.”

The merchant guild welcomed the group with the utmost courtesy. It seemed they were making special efforts, considering the recommendation came from the Strauss family.

Once inside, Leven spread a map across the table and spoke in a serious tone. ”We’ve identified the hiding place of the Black God’s cultists.”

The information Karnak’s group had gathered was shared with the Ethriel King’s Order in advance. Leven’s current findings were based on that information.

”Their hideout is the ancient ruin of Maleficus, located in the western region of Kalenta.”

***

Before humanity established its civilization, the world was ruled by mysterious ancient species. Little was known about these beings. Even the dragonkin and fairies, who possessed lifespans far exceeding those of humans, had no records or knowledge of them.

All that was known was that they were giants, averaging three meters in height, and that necromancy—now considered taboo among humans—was originally one of their technologies. Despite the scant information, their existence was never doubted.

This was because remnants of their ancient civilization, known as dungeons, could be found scattered across the world. Strictly speaking, the word dungeon simply meant prison. More precisely, it referred to a prison of the tower.

Over time, as castles began to build prisons underground, the term came to also mean underground prison. This evolved further to refer to complex ruins teeming with monsters.

The association of ancient ruins with the underground had a clear reason. Most ancient ruins were buried beneath the earth. Why? Because anything left above ground had long since been looted by humans and repurposed for construction. The structures of ancient ruins had been dismantled and used as building materials.

Another reason many ruins were underground was that necromancy, the primary technology of the ancient species, had a natural enemy—the sun. Ancient ruins exposed to sunlight had largely lost their former power, becoming nothing more than piles of ordinary stones.

In contrast, the ruins beneath the earth were different. The powers of the ancient species lingered there. Their dominance over the monsters they created and their influence over countless undead spirits and wraiths remained intact in the darkness.

While these ruins were fraught with dangerous monsters and malevolent spirits, they also held the allure of treasures from the forgotten past. It was only natural for dungeons to become objects of desire. This led to the emergence of treasure hunters who specialized in exploring ancient ruins.

Countless treasure hunters perished while venturing into dungeons. Over time, many dungeons were plundered and left empty. Years passed. Whether or not they still held treasure, a dungeon was still a dungeon. Monsters and spirits continued to emerge from them. But who would willingly risk their life to enter a dungeon if there was no profit to be made?

Such abandoned dungeons eventually faded from memory. Occasionally, when the monsters within grew numerous enough to threaten nearby villages, hunting parties would be dispatched. Even this was rare, as the cost of such expeditions often outweighed the rewards.

However, there were those who saw potential in these abandoned dungeons. Why were dungeons so dangerous? Because of the monsters and spirits that appeared there. Why did these creatures appear? Because of the lingering power of necromancy left by the ancient species.

In other words, for a necromancer, a dungeon was not a threat but an opportunity. It was a place where they could seize control of the monsters and spirits, transforming them into their own power.

Many cultists, fleeing persecution, sought refuge in ancient ruins. Across the continent, the forsaken dungeons became sanctuaries for the followers of Tesranach. The Cult of the Black God in the Wellad branch, hiding in the Maleficus dungeon, was one such example.

***

It was an enormous stone chamber. The ceiling soared over ten meters high, and the pillars were more than twice as thick as those found in the temples of the goddess’s faith. This alone was evidence that the site was an ancient ruin of the old species.

No physical records of the appearance of the ancient species existed. No one knew what they looked like. However, their architecture and tools were several times larger than those made by humans, though their forms bore little difference. From this, it was at least inferred that they were giants, likely around three meters tall.

Torches lit on all sides illuminated the interior of the stone chamber. Despite being underground, the ventilation was excellent, allowing for easy breathing and keeping the flames alive. Deep in this subterranean hall, dozens of cultists worshiping Tesranach had gathered.

”Only through death can there be resurrection. Only through the deep of night can dawn arrive, and only through destruction can creation come forth...”

A man in his mid-fifties, clad in a pitch-black robe, stood before them, solemnly leading the mass. He was Archbishop Hugot, leader of the Wellad branch of the Cult of the Black God.

”In the name of the one who governs death and destruction, darkness and resurrection, and the dawn of creation, we offer our prayers.”

The congregation murmured in unison, bowing their heads as if entranced. ”Tesranach, watch over us, protect us...”

Among the worshippers was a woman in her thirties, Edia. Outwardly, she appeared calm, praying like the others. Inwardly, however, her thoughts were entirely different.

This is absolute nonsense.

It had been fifteen days since her ex-husband, Owent, had kidnapped her and dragged her to the ruins of Maleficus. For the sake of her safety, she had been obediently playing along, but the more she listened to their doctrine, the more absurd it seemed. All this talk about destruction being necessary for creation...

How is that the word of a god? That’s just the logic of a demolition contractor.

Even if one conceded that breaking down the old was necessary to build something new, where was the guarantee that the new creation would be better than what came before?

Then again, the teachings of cults are always the same.

Historically, cults were nothing unusual. They often featured necromancers claiming to be gods, gathering followers with promises of eternal life. Others condemned the seven goddesses’ faith as false, proclaiming their own deity to be the one true god.

The one thing these cults had in common was their promise of a new world. They all sought to destroy the current world and open the way to a new one. This narrative appealed to those dissatisfied with reality, though anyone with a shred of critical thinking would scoff at such feeble promises.

Until she had been brought here, Edia couldn’t comprehend how anyone could believe such drivel. She especially couldn’t understand why Owent had been drawn to it. Now, however, she began to see why.

The Cult of the Black God claimed necromancy to be the sacred power of Tesranach. Those who deeply believed in Tesranach, known as priests, wielded that dark power. Up to that point, the cult was not much different from others. The real problem came next.

”Devotee Dale, step forward.”

A man approached Hugot with an elated expression, his face glowing with joy.

“Oh!”

”Brother Dale!”

Cheers erupted from all sides, the crowd gazing at him with envious eyes. Hugot placed a hand on Dale’s forehead and intoned solemnly, ”Faithful servant of Tesranach, I baptize you in the name of darkness.”

A powerful darkness enveloped Dale’s entire body. Overcome with excitement, he cried out, praising the black god. ”I offer my body and soul to Tesranach!”

Yes. A mere ordinary man had gained the power of darkness with nothing more than a touch to his forehead. This was what set this cult apart from the empty promises of all the others that came before.

They truly bestow power.

Monsters that once terrorized humans in the dungeon now obeyed their words like slaves. Evil spirits and wraiths, once terrifying presences, patrolled the ruins like tame guard dogs. These acts were performed not only by the priests of the black god but also by ordinary followers. In the Cult of the Black God, even common believers could easily wield the power of darkness.

Take her husband, for example. He had subdued more than ten skilled caravan guards and kidnapped Edia without breaking a sweat.

Normally, he would have been a regular merchant and incapable of taking on even a single guard.

The cult’s portrayal of necromancy also contributed greatly to its growing influence. The seven goddesses’ faith taught that necromancy was a corrupt art. It subjugated its practitioners to death and darkness. In contrast, the Cult of the Black God defined it as a sacred power that dominated even death and darkness. The wording was similar, but the nuance changed everything.

Who in this world wished to die? The ability to dominate death was an enticing promise, and immortality was a word that always captivated.

Yet the seven goddesses’ faith offered no such guarantee. They preached that the dead resided in the goddess’ domain, where the wicked were sent to hell, the righteous to heaven, and eventually, all would be reincarnated into the world anew.

But what if someone didn’t want heaven or hell? What if they just wanted to stay in the present world forever? That was the true desire of many humans, and the seven goddesses failed to provide it. Why worship them when there was a god here who could fulfill that wish?

Wait, what am I thinking?

Edia shook her head in alarm. Her thoughts were muddled. The more she listened to Hugot’s voice, the more she felt herself being drawn in against her will.

”Spread the righteous teachings far and wide. This is your only duty. Do not be bound by the petty common sense of the mortal world...”

Edia forced herself to ignore the voice and focus her mind. There was nothing else she could do in this place but comply with what was demanded of her. So, she decided to do what she could.

Observe.

She was a merchant, and merchants calculated. They gathered data to produce results. She began counting the number of people, assessing their strength, estimating the amount of food they consumed.

Keep observing.

If she were to die here, it would simply end there. But if she got lucky and managed to escape?

This is all worth something. This information will sell for a high price.

Clinging to greed to keep her mind intact, Edia repeatedly reminded herself of her motto.

Even if the world ends tomorrow, I’ll make my profit today.

The grim voice of the necromancer clashed with her inner monologue, alternating in her mind.

”Follow, lambs. This is the truth you are meant to hear...”

***

The next morning, after a good rest to shake off the fatigue of travel, Karnak and his companions prepared to depart in earnest. Their journey would take them through the monster-infested Kalenta Forest. They they would infiltrate the necromancers’ base at the ancient ruins of Maleficus.

Milia offered a suggestion. ”Should we hire a treasure hunter, Sir Karnak? It might be helpful to have an expert with us.”

Leven shrugged in response. ”That’s why I’m here instead of Sir Stahr. Before I joined the King’s Order, I worked as an adventurer. I’ve got quite a bit of treasure-hunting experience as well.”

”Wait, you weren’t a knight?” Milia asked, surprised.

”There was no need for me to become a knight, not with my brother Emil already holding that position in our family.” Leven joked lightly, saying there was no need to call him Sir either.

Unfolding a map in front of the group, he began explaining their plan. ”If we follow this route, it should take about four days. Of course, we’ll face plenty of monster attacks along the way...”

He scratched the back of his head with a casual smile. ”But what’s the worst that could happen? We’ve got a sixth circle high mage and two aura users here, after all.”

The way Leven looked at them with admiration made Karnak and Varos exchange awkward expressions.

—Well, isn’t this something? Leven looking at us like that...

—This feels seriously weird.