CHAPTER 61: The Wise Cultist Hunt (2)

Karnak checked his mana and smiled faintly.

"Not bad."

Until recently, he had only possessed the power of a 4th-circle mage. But in this short period, he had elevated it to the level of a 6th-circle mage.

It was all thanks to changing his approach.

Instead of focusing on refining 100% pure necromantic power into Chaos Power safely, he lowered the purity but significantly increased the mana amplification rate.

He also concealed the remaining aura of malice and evil energy by coating it with Chaos Power, like coating medicine with sugar, to hide it.

Even with this, it would still appear as ordinary mana to others, so there was no risk of his true nature being exposed.

However, Baros still seemed worried.

"Ugh, are you sure it's okay to do something so dangerous, young master?"

There was a reason why Karnak hadn't previously adopted this method.

"Isn't this beyond what your Chaos Magic can handle?"

When Karnak had just reversed time, he had avoided malice and evil energy as much as possible, focusing solely on converting all necromantic power into Chaos Power.

To compare it to ordinary people, it was like carefully selecting only healthy foods to eat in moderation, focusing on maintaining one's health.

But as the situation took a strange turn, he slightly increased his reserves of necromantic power.

This was similar to overeating to increase one's weight and body mass—since muscle growth tends to be greater when there's a bit of body fat.

This method would result in some weight gain, but it would also increase physical strength.

However, what he was doing now was closer to force-feeding himself to the point of discomfort, merely to gain weight.

While it might seem fine for now, once a certain point is crossed, it would lead to irreversible obesity.

This state of "extreme obesity due to necromantic power" is what leads to becoming "undead."

If he goes too far, he'll completely transform into an undead being.

Of course, it was a matter of stopping before reaching that limit. Karnak said he had no intention of going that far.

But…

"In our previous life, you said the same thing and ended up as a skeleton!"

"That's why I told you?"

Karnak frowned.

"We're not in a situation where I can afford to be cautious anymore."

***

The battle at Trist City, where they faced Bishop Shutraff.

At that time, Karnak wasn't too alarmed by the situation. He simply thought it wise to prepare for the possibility of an unexpected powerful foe.

However, after encountering Durald, he realized this was no ordinary problem.

After resolving the incident at the Count Brelant's estate and returning to the capital, Karnak explained the situation to Baros and Serati.

"You know Shutraff and Durald have something in common, right?"

Even after becoming a necromancer, Shutraff, who was once a priest, still retained the divine power of the Goddess.

Likewise, Durald, who had been an Aura user, could still use battle aura, even after becoming a vampire.

"Oh, yes, I do know that, but..."

Baros tilted his head in confusion.

"Is that really such a big problem?"

As a necromancer, Shutraff hardly used his holy spells. The necromancy he had gained was so powerful that the remaining divine power hardly affected anything.

Serati also wore an uncertain expression.

"Sir Durald was certainly formidable, but is it really that serious?"

Even though he remained an Aura user after becoming a vampire, making him stronger, he still ultimately lost to Serati.

Gaining the power of darkness didn't necessarily make one invincible.

"I might not be the best person to say this since I barely won, but is there really a reason for Lord Karnak to be this concerned?"

With the Darkness of Doom and the mysterious God of Destruction already causing serious issues worldwide, this seemed relatively less important by comparison.

Karnak nodded in agreement.

"Right, Durald himself isn't the issue. The same goes for Bishop Shutraff."

But then, his expression hardened.

"The fact that they didn't lose their divine power or battle aura—that's what's really alarming."

The energies of the world do not mix.

Battle aura, mana, divine power, and necromantic power—mastering one means abandoning the others.

This has always been the accepted truth.

"But that truth has been broken. If you use the Darkness of Doom, even a mage can learn necromancy, and an Aura user can become part of the darkness."

Baros tilted his head again.

"Hasn't that always been possible?"

A mage who learns necromancy becomes an Arch Lich, and an Aura user who joins the darkness becomes a Death Knight.

"You've done the same yourself, young master, so why does this bother you so much?"

"You still don't get it, do you?"

With a sigh, Karnak suddenly asked a question.

"Have you ever wondered why there are so few necromancers in the world?"

Serati responded as if the answer was obvious.

"Because they have to commit all sorts of evil deeds and end up being ostracized by the world. Isn't it stranger if there were many of them?"

"Exactly. But..."

A cold smile crept across Karnak's lips.

"Is humanity really so virtuous that they would abandon the chance for immortality and great power just because it's considered evil and would make them outcasts?"

Learning necromancy grants power easily. It allows one to grow stronger much faster than others.

Once you reach a certain level, you can dream of immortality and overcome any physical disability.

Necromancy offers the dark power to do things that are impossible under the Goddess's laws.

All you have to do is abandon morality and ethics, forsaking your humanity to gain that power.

"Yet, very few people choose to learn necromancy."

Is it really because there are so few people evil enough to pursue necromancy?

Is it just that the mage nearing death, the warrior who can no longer wield a sword due to injury, or the priest suffering from an incurable disease that even the Goddess's grace cannot heal, all refuse necromancy simply because their souls are pure and virtuous?

"There's a more practical reason."

The energies of the world do not mix.

This fundamental principle has been the greatest deterrent to the proliferation of necromancers.

"Let's say there's an Archmage who has reached the ultimate level. And let's say they grow old and begin to fear death."

Necromancy could delay death. They could become a vampire, or learn necromancy to become a necromancer and regain their youth.

But the moment they do, they are no longer an Archmage.

"Because they would lose all the mana they had accumulated over their entire life."

They would either become a fledgling vampire at the level of a third-class bounty hunter or a weak necromancer who would tremble in fear before even an ordinary priest.

"The same goes for Aura users."

Even one of the four great Martial Kings, who could dominate the world, would fall to the level of an ordinary necromancer who's merely skilled with a sword the moment they abandon their Aura for necromantic power.

So, for an Archmage to retain their power while achieving immortality, becoming an Arch Lich is the only option.

Only by abandoning their living body and becoming a being with darkness flowing instead of blood can they barely maintain their existing level of power.

"And in the case of Aura users, they can't even maintain themselves."

This was true for the former Martial Kings who became Death Knights under Karnak's command in his past life.

Though they retained their Aura by converting it into dark energy, they lost their sense of self, becoming puppets that served the Death King.

What difference does that make from death?

"To a true strongman, necromancy isn't an appealing choice. It means abandoning everything they've built up and starting over from the bottom."

And that "bottom" isn't just about being young and weak—it's a cursed life, shunned by the world.

They can't even regain the strength they once had. They would have to live solely as a necromancer, rendering all their lifetime of experience useless.

"To put it another way, it's like offering an old man his youth back, but in exchange, you strip away all his accumulated wealth and connections and throw him into a slum."

That's why necromancy has historically been the weapon of the weak.

Those who have nothing left to lose, who are willing to abandon morality and human decency to seize what they want, are the ones who turn to the forbidden art of necromancy.

"On the other hand, those in power never really lusted after the power of darkness. For those who already possess strength, it's just something that disturbs the world without being of much use."

But what if there was a way to use necromancy while retaining one's existing power?

If all it took to become stronger, and possibly even achieve immortality, was to abandon one's conscience, morals, and ethics?

"My God…"

Baros's face turned pale.

He finally understood the true meaning behind Karnak's words.

"You're saying that the strong of this era could become our enemies."

Until now, Karnak hadn't considered the strong of this era as enemies. He actually saw them as reliable allies.

He had no intention of becoming a necromancer again.

The potential enemies he had been wary of were only those involved with the Darkness of Doom, but since they used necromancy, they weren't much of a threat to Karnak.

"But if necromancy can be combined with existing powers, that entire premise falls apart."

As seen in the case of Shutraff, when other energies combine with necromantic power, it creates bizarre phenomena beyond Karnak's knowledge.

If priests, mages, or Aura users could master necromancy without losing their original power, they wouldn't be so easily outmaneuvered by his past experiences.

"We're now in a situation where any existing strongman could transform into a necromancer and come after us. Although, of course, it's unlikely that the three Archmages or the four great Martial Kings would turn to necromancy…"

"But there will surely be many among the strong who become captivated by necromancy. I understand now why you're so concerned, young master."

Not only Baros but also Serati looked like she finally understood.

"And it makes sense why the cult of the Dark God has been able to grow its power so rapidly, unlike other cults."

Karnak's eyes flashed sharply.

"Up until now, I thought becoming a top-tier mage would be enough. But now, that changes everything."

He had to grow as strong as possible. He needed to become powerful enough to protect himself even in the worst-case scenario.

Serati, noticing the shift, cautiously asked,

"What level of strength do you consider necessary to protect yourself, my lord?"

Given how extraordinary Karnak's standards were, it was hard not to be concerned.

"…You're not planning to revert to the Death King of the past, are you?"

Of course, he had no intention of abandoning his living body.

"I plan to raise my mana to the maximum possible level while maintaining my humanity."

"And what level would that be?"

"I have no idea."

Karnak shrugged.

"I've never walked this path before. How could I possibly know?"

***

The news that Karnak had reached the level of a 6th-circle mage sent shockwaves throughout the entire King's Order.

"Already?"

"Wasn't he barely at the brink of the 4th circle just a few months ago?"

His level had risen drastically in an unbelievably short time.

It was growth so rapid it was hard to comprehend.

So, Karnak had prepared plenty of excuses.

"I was originally stuck in my family's estate, learning magic myself from a single magic tome. But then I came to the capital, joined the King's Order, and was exposed to a vast amount of magic knowledge and wisdom. And my god! My mastery of magic skyrocketed!"

Indeed, in the royal capital, there is the Mage Guild's library, and thanks to his status within the King's Order, Karnak has access to a wealth of information.

To support his excuse, he spent as much time as possible holed up in the library, making sure to dispel any potential suspicions.

'There's no guarantee that no one will suspect necromancy is involved.'

But when he finally tested the waters, his expectations were completely off the mark.

No one suspected him at all. No one associated him with necromancy.

Why?

Because there was no precedent.

The energies of the world do not mix. Naturally, a mage cannot use necromancy to enhance their mana. They would have to abandon their magic and become a more powerful necromancer instead.

Of course, such things are happening now, but that's a recent development. According to established understanding, there's no reason to link Karnak's growth with necromancy.

So, everyone judged based on precedent.

"A genius blessed by the heavens!"

"He must have just lacked proper education, being stuck in the countryside all this time!"

"We might finally see an Archmage emerge in our kingdom!"

"Truly a blessing from Yustil!"

It's not unheard of for those with innate talent to progress rapidly in their youth.

Usually, such prodigies either go on to become Archmages or are later said to be "a young genius but an old mediocrity," staying stuck in place.

"Well, that was a needless worry, wasn't it?"

Karnak was recognized as a high-ranking mage without any issues.

And on top of that, he achieved an unexpected promotion.

Erantel and the other captains, who held Karnak in high regard, elevated his position. Karnak was now the captain of the 7th Battalion of the King's Order, leading a newly formed battalion.

"You've been promoted, young master."

"At this point, it's not something I'd normally be excited about, but..."

Karnak smirked.

He was pleased for a different reason.

"It'll make dealing with those cultists a lot easier."

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