26 - Fics I Read 2.0

FanFiction.Net

Just In

Community

Forum

The Necromancer in Shadow by TheOminousRain

Anime » Eminence in Shadow Rated: M, English, Horror & Humor, Cid Kagenou/Shadow, OC, Words: 548k+, Favs: 386, Follows: 387, Published: Oct 27, 2023 Updated: Aug 9

768Chapter 23: Lutheran Barnett

Chapter 23: Lutheran Barnett

The barrier has been broken. Iris and the knights, now with full access to their magic, did their best to contain the monster, keeping it away from the gate and the school building, whilst other teams entered the school to fight the zombies and save as many students and school staff as they can. As Iris kept the monster at bay with her superior power and swordsmanship, a group of black cloaked men wearing skull masks appeared, surrounding the monster.

"You are… the Reaper Squad!?"

"Do not interfere, Iris Midgar." Warns one of the black cloaked men.

"What are you doing here!?" Asks Iris.

"Reclaiming what belongs to our lord." He answers as his group activated wand like Artifacts that summoned chains to bind the monster.

"Stop!" Iris was about to stop them before the school building suddenly caught in flames.

"You might want to focus on the evacuation rather than this monster." Says one of the Reaper Squad cynically, which makes Iris frown.

"Tch! I swear I'll get you all for this!" Shouts Iris as she ran towards the direction of the school to help with the evacuation.

"Beautiful sight, don't you think? My creation. Even as imperfect as she is." I say while looking out the window as Sir Gaunt, still in his armor, enters the vice principal's office from the hidden passage. I sense another presence but decided to allow them to watch. Sir Gaunt comes closer as the flames started to spread around the room.

"It is indeed. A much better work than what most Cult's researchers could accomplish even after several hundred years of research." Sir Gaunt replies as he slowly takes off his armor that's weighing him down, exposing the form of a frail and sickly old man whose eyes are filled with hatred.

"You are indeed a rare talent that the Cult desperately needed. There are even talks of how you probably could perfect the Tears. And the Rounds are even considering letting you join them as an incentive. But that is precisely why you are my greatest obstacle." Sir Gaunt… no, Lutheran Barnett the vice principal, continues ominously while putting his scarf on.

"And how do you intend on destroying me, you frail old man?"

"Heh heh heh. I know I won't be able to defeat you as I am now but that's precisely why I arranged this whole thing." Lutheran answers confidently while putting his glasses on.

"So you want to absorb a great amount of magical energy to heal your sickness and to increase your power using the Eye of Avarice."

"Precisely. I suppose an Artifact creator like you should've known about it. But it's too late for you. I've achieved my purpose." He says as he holds the Eye of Avarice, now contained within the petals of the Control Unit, in his hand.

"Too late? You fool. You only get this far because I want to watch and admire your evil plan."

"Oh? And how would you grade my evil plan?"

"I'd give it 7,5 out of ten."

"Oh. How low. Why is that?"

"I'd give you points for using whatever resources you have left and bringing so much chaos by involving my minions and the Shadow Garden but you didn't think of the aftermath, didn't you? You think Fenrir will stay silent if you killed me?"

"Heh. Lord Fenrir respects strength more than anything. If I defeat you, he will acknowledge my strength and your obsolescence, as will all of the Rounds."

"And will that strength replace all the benefit I've brought to the Cult?"

"Ho ho ho. You overestimated your worth, Necromancer. The Rounds are actually quite reluctant to let you join them because they still doubted your loyalty to the Cult. After all, you grow your faction way too quickly!"

"Can't blame me when I'm more competent than most."

"Your competence is undeniable indeed. But it is also unnecessary now. I'll have my dear daughter take over your work."

"Ah. I can understand that. You see, I also wanted her as my apprentice. After I killed you, you won't mind if I take her, would you?"

"Ho ho ho. In your dreams, Necromancer."

"How protective of you. Have you grown fond of her?"

"Ha! She is merely a tool, just like her mother, that foolish woman Lukreia Crowley who defied me."

"Heh. And you're confident she won't go against your will like Lukreia did?"

"The difference between her and her mother is that she is far more dependent on me than her mother ever did. Who helped her in her time of need? Who gave her shelter after her mother tragically died by my hands? Who guided her to be the obedient and foolish daughter that she is now? You don't have to worry about me, Necromancer. I have her completely under MY control."

"Heh heh heh. And that's precisely why it will be easy for me to manipulate her too."

"I suppose so. Now, do I get more points for how well thought out my plan is?"

"No. It remains at 7,5."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Because you're foolishly going against me. Which means you're doomed for failure." I say as I unleash my aura, filling him with dread and making him instinctively put his hand on the sword at his waist.

"Kuhh…! It appears I've underestimated you. As a former Rounds member, I acknowledge that you do have the power to join the Rounds. But don't think I'm out of options!" He says as he activates the Eye of Avarice and its Control Unit in his hand, whereupon both Artifacts merge with his chest, allowing him to absorb all the magical energy contained within the Eye.

"HA HA HA HA! INCREDIBLE! THIS POWER! MY DISEASE HAS FADED! MY POWER INCREASES EXPONENTIALLY!" Shouts Lutheran as his face became slightly warped by the energy he absorbed as he formed four wing-like black appendages behind his back and his body bursting with magical energy. I note that at this moment he has discarded his kindly old man façade (which is a 10/10 disguise in my book) and has embraced his true evil side even in appearance. It's funny how he behaves as if he has the upper hand.

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW!? YOU'RE DOOMED!" He shouts again as he brandishes his blade and charges at me, preparing a mighty slash.

"Hmph." I summon my four floating swords to parry his strike. He continues his high-speed strikes from many directions, from my left, my right, above me, behind me, he tried it all and my swords parried them all without me needing to lift a finger.

"Tch! Your runed swords are so troublesome. But you have a hard time keeping up, no? Controlling these swords while trying to keep up with me must be very taxing. Why do you try so hard? Just give up and DIE!" He shouts as he slashes at me from behind, which was once again parried by my swords.

"Heh! I can do this all day! Can you!?"

"Is that all?" I reply as I sent one of my swords to slash an opening on his left side.

"Gwahhh…!"

"Come on. You wanted better grade, don't you? Try harder!" I taunt as I send two swords after him, which he dodged as he prepares an overhead slash at the same time. I parry his slash but as he did not overcommit to his attack, allowing him to manoeuvre his blade to slip away from my sword in order to thrust at my face. I dodge his thrust by tilting my head and sent the remaining sword to stab his stomach.

"Gahhh…!" The runes on the blade that stabbed him flash red, causing him to start bursting in flames.

"UAAAGHHHH!" He screams in agony as the flames cook him alive.

"Did you know what I was called as a Named Child?" I ask nonchalantly whilst he is suffering.

"Ughh…. Living… Artifact….!" He says while frantically trying to put out the flames burning him.

"And you haven't made me use my spells, which gave me that name. You know what that means, don't you?"

"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE MEEEEE!" He shouts angrily as he takes a vial of Red Pills out of his pocket and starts consuming them hastily, which gave him another boost in magical energy and allows him to put out the flames engulfing him while regenerating his wounds. The pills also make his frail looking and skinny body form adequate muscle. No further physical transformation or signs of him going berserk though, as I expected of a former Rounds member.

"Let's start again, shall we?" He says with a grin as he unleashes several more strikes, this time aiming to keep my swords away from me as he gathers his magical energy to prepare a mighty strike.

"This is the end for you!" He shouts as he finally unleashes a mighty lunge that breaks the wall behind me.

"WHAT!?" He shouts in disbelief as he found out his lunge didn't hit me as I merely sidestepped slightly to dodge it.

"You… How did…?"

"By simply being better than you." I reply as I sent my four swords to stab his limbs and lift him to the air in a T-Pose.

"Now… isn't this familiar? Hmm… Let me think…" I say as I pretend to think.

"You… you bastard…!"

"Oh yes! This is similar to the way you killed poor Sherry's mother. A little excessive for a mere researcher. Definitely traumatized poor Sherry too."

"Urrrgh… And you're going to compliment me on that…? You Occult Killer!?"

"I'm a different breed of psychopath than you. I didn't particularly enjoy the act of murder itself. What I enjoyed is the fear I brought to the world with my name and deed. That's why when I kill, I made sure the world know it was me. I made sure the world fears me, whispers my name with dread, and send their warriors and heroes after me!"

"You… You don't fear becoming the enemy of the world!? Becoming a world hated criminal!? You're even crazier than I am…!"

"Indeed. I'm not a coward like you Rounds rats who hide in your cesspool clinging to your fake immortality and continuously spread death and disease with nothing to show for it, barely surviving in futility like a parasite. I have loftier goals. Becoming Rounds will be just another stepping stone for me."

"You… Who are you…?"

"I am the Necromancer. Ruler of Death and Master of your fates." I answer as I stab him in the heart using his own sword and twist it, giving him a painful and ironic death.

"GWAAAAAAAHHHHH!" He screams as the Artifact in his chest shatters, releasing a huge burst of magical energy that shakes the whole building. His previously muscular body also shrinks back to his original skinny build.

Sherry. This is the last generous thing I'll do for you. From now on, you will be my tool. And Cid… I'm sorry but I'm gonna take the girl you liked.

After I made sure he died, I throw him to the floor. I would've taken his corpse right then and there if not for the eavesdropper.

"Now then. Did I put on a good show for you, eavesdropper?" I say as I turn towards the window, finding a man wearing black hooded cloak sitting there.

Author's Note:

Been a long time since he uttered his catchphrase. Also the fated meeting is finally here.

Chapter 607 - 26