Who Said A Necromancer Can't Be A Priest?-Chapter 61: Extermination (1)

After facing such humiliation, the priests abandoned the investigation and left Velrune, which was a good thing because Leon was hell-bent on killing them.

He was enraged after learning what the priests did to Seraphina—so much so that he was ready to storm the temple cities and turned them into ruins. Leon only calmed down when Amara and Lucien told him what Aaran did.

At first, he couldn't believe it. A nine-year-old obliterated a three-star priest brawler in a duel? He realized Aaran was strong, even by his standards.

As much as he wanted to thank Aaran personally, Elysium's Primal Lion had to refrain from meeting him. It was Lucien's request. Leon didn't ask questions and agreed.

That was the unbroken rule of their friendship.

If one asked for something, the other would fulfill it without questions, no matter how absurd the request was.

Leon and Lucien were like brothers. While Leon knew about Lucien's dark past, the latter didn't want the hero to learn about Aaran's condition just yet.

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Lucien knew if it came down to it, Leon would choose the empire over his friendship. If they met, Leon would certainly sense Aaran's darkness and eliminate him for the greater good, as that was the value instilled in him from a young age.

Just because he made an exception for Lucien didn't mean he'd show the same consideration for Aaran. Besides, they were in Aurelia to discuss the Covenant—nothing else.

"Why are your forgotten brothers after your son?" Leon asked, resting his chin on his hand.

"Isn't it obvious?" Lucien replied, shaking his head.

"You reap what you sow, brother. I told you we should have killed them when we had the chance. But you had to be generous. Now they are coming after your son."

"Oh, please, I can make do without your sarcasm."

"Alright. What do you want now?"

"…I was hoping you could tell me that."

Lucien's words came as a surprise to Leon. In the years they spent on the road, fighting the demons, he hadn't seen Lucien be indecisive. He was the one who always had solutions for them, not the other way around.

"You want me to decide for you?" Leon scoffed. "I'm the fool, remember?"

"I'm blinded by the love and care I have for them," Lucien said, smiling wanly. "They were my family once. I know the right decision is to kill them and be done with it. But… I can't do it."

Smack!

Leon couldn't hold back and slapped Lucien. The sad, pathetic bastard before him wasn't his brother. He was acting more like the evil god-worshipper Leon once subdued.

"Do you hear yourself?" Leon yelled, grabbing Lucien by his collar. "Your son is in danger, and you're worried about a bunch of dark mages? Are you even a man?"

"That's enough, Leon."

Amara entered the room. Well, she had been listening to their conversation from outside the entire time. She knew Leon was correct.

They had ignored Lucien's past for too long. Now, his past was interfering with their son's future, and Amara wouldn't stand for it.

"If my husband is indecisive, it is my duty to help him decide," she said, looking at Lucien. "Please, for the sake of your family, give Leon the location of their hideout."

Lucien looked at Amara's resolute eyes. She wasn't backing down this time. He had grieved the loss of his relationship long enough. It was time to face the past he had been ashamed and afraid of for so long.

Just then, a servant came rushing into the room.

"I told you we're not to be disturbed," Amara scolded the young maid.

"My sincere apologies, Your Highness," the maid said, bowing quickly. "But a letter from the Emperor just arrived..."

***

A few moments ago, Aaran was also summoned to the palace. It wasn't to discuss his trial, but to punish him for what he did. That's why he was kneeling before a court full of the Emperor's ministers.

While the Emperor favored Aaran, there were things he couldn't help him with. Unfortunately, that included what he did to the priest.

"You were well within your rights to punish the priest," the Emperor told him. "However, the commoners do not feel the same. They are closer to the temples than to the crown, and if they demand something… I must give it to them."

"I understand, Your Majesty."

Aaran knew the high priest wouldn't give up so easily, but he didn't expect him to act so soon. He used his influence to force the Emperor's hand. It was quite a feat to achieve. Although, Aaran was sure the Emperor would pay it back tenfold.

The problem was the punishment they set for him.

"You are suspended from Excellence Academy until further notice."

It's alright. Not like the academy has anything to teach me.

"As a sign of goodwill, a temple dedicated to Goddess Lumen must be built in Aurelia. The royalty will have no say in its operation and won't tax it for a century."

This will hurt Father… In more ways than one.

Lucien had spent all his life fighting the temple's influence on the Aurelian populace. The high priest knew it, and that's why he was using the incident to twist Aurelia's hand into submission.

"Lastly, given your battle prowess, you'll be tasked with an extermination quest for the temple. However, the quest options will be of my choice. Do you accept this punishment as just?"

"I accept the conditions, Your Majesty."

Aaran kept his head down. If he looked up, the Emperor would see the fury in his eyes and might act against the temple. But he didn't want that. The high priest and his beloved temple were something Aaran had to destroy with his own hands.

"You're more of a man than I thought," the Emperor smiled. "Befitting attitude for the next emperor."

Aaran's eyes widened. The Emperor wasn't praising him, but making his life hell. Even in the court of his trusted people, there were many who wanted the throne for themselves.

He had already marked Aaran by announcing the engagement, and now he had outright called him the next emperor.

The Emperor's words painted a target on Aaran's back. Perhaps he wanted to test the boy, or perhaps he was punishing Aaran for keeping his gunslinging skills a secret.

Either way, Aaran knew the upcoming months—or even years—of his life would not be easy.

"May the gods be with you."