Chapter 1: The Cursed Book

I fiddle with book on the table. No matter how much I attempt to throw it away it would simply puff out of existence. Right now, this book is cursed to always appear at my side.

"The Necronomicon..."

I muttered, I recall the words of the creepy person earlier. I remember a simple bed time story, it was a series of heroic tales. One story depicted the fight between the hero and his enemy. The hero had difficulty reaching to his enemy's range for there were countless dead people stopping his tracks. Wielding a book called Necronomicon to raise the dead and control them, it was the most inhumane magic as it disrespects the travel of the spirit to afterlife. It was hard for me to understand as a kid, but now that I recall it I am somehow able to understand.

Society has its own rules, some are spoken and some are not. For example, like the situation with Lady Rhea. Even if we were friends, the people would frown upon a man speaking informally on a married woman. Not just to me, but to Lady Rhea as well, for her tolerance.

That is why, I have to find a way to hide this book, or perhaps even destroy it. Throwing it into a fire might help, but the smoke it will make would disturb our neighbors. Either way, I cannot let this book be seen.

"What are you staring out there, Thane? I noticed you've been in deep thoughts for the whole day. That isn't like you."

"Ah, father. It's nothing. Something unusual just happened, that's all."

"I don't know what happened but, if it is unusual how about looking at it in a positive light?"

In a positive light...the person did say I could use the Necronomicon to help, but it's dark magic. Dark magic is usually seen as taboo and the Church often hunts down practitioners of such.

"Thank you, father. I'll try looking at it in a good light."

Would I even able to help people?

With such thoughts in my mind, I left it for the tomorrow Thane.

Morning then came and it was time for me to once again head out and find work. The book sits at a small table where I left it last time, while I have no intention of bringing the book, it's not like I have a choice about it either.

Speaking of which, I haven't taken a look inside the book. Perhaps it is a bad idea to look at a book that should contain spells of dark magic. But it's not like some monster would appear out of the book.

Curious, I picked up the book and opened it, expecting its pages filled with unrecognizable words. Contrary to my expectations, it was empty, barely any page have already been used. It was like it is indeed just a newly printed book.

Huh, there's nothing much to fear about it. It's just like an ordinary book. Did that person tricked me? Yet it was such an extravagant effort for a simple prank.

Flipping the pages aimlessly, I give up and went back to its first page. It was the only one with worked on. I read the first page.

Weaken. The body and spirit are but one being. As the body moves, so does the spirit. The secrets of Necromancy underlies in understanding the connection between the two. Temporarily pulling the spirit of a living being causes its body to fall, yet the chains between the two will remain connected.

That was it for the first thing written in the book. Bored, I closed the book and left it. Of course there is nothing I can do if it pops out, but I rather have a few seconds without it than not.

"Thane, can you go to the camp just outside the town and deliver these batch of food? They're supposed to be the Eagle Knights. Say that these are from Big Plate's"

"Sure! The usual delivery, yeah?"

I picked up the crate containing bottled and packed food, then went to the place. The book is tucked under my pants and while I do worry about the condition of the book, it is better than having it float around me. Speaking of it, there was a time I threw it far, but it only floated and went back straight to my face.

"Hello! From Big Plate's! I assume this is the Eagle Knights' camp?"

As I arrived at a busy time by the moment I was there. The knights are hurrying to open their supplies and rush to somewhere. Barely anybody noticed me.

"Hey, lad! Get yourself away from here. You can drop that anywhere and just hurry up."

"Er--"

"The Captain requests the others for assistance! It seems like there were too many than anticipated and there are some that slips through the defenses."

"Tch, they really went ahead and broke the peace treaty. Her majesty perfectly predicted what those Abyssal kind would do."

Defense? Abyssal kind? W-wait, what attacked? Don't countries usually send a declaration of war first before initiating the offensive?

I'll have to leave and tell this to others! We'll have to evacuate early, why didn't the lord announced anything like this?!

"Aah, you went and spilled the beans. Hey, you!", the knight that spoke to me earlier called out.

"The situation is under control, but I can't have you making the townspeople panic either. Captain's orders, act accordingly to the situation. We'll go and help the Captain, and as for you..."

The knight took the supplies away from my grasp and exchanged it with a small bag containing vials of what seemed to be potions. Knowing its quality, it seems to have come from the apothecary in the town.

"Assist on the back lines. We will have the others retreat to be treated, but we can't have them going too far, which is why you are now assigned to go fetch potions and hand them out whenever they need. Got it?"

The chances of winning would increase even if a little if I stay and give out potions. That, I believe. In addition, I can't have the knights tire out either.

"I'll do it. Count on me.", I answered, grabbing the bag of potions before setting out in the battlefield.