I Became The Necromancer Of The Academy - Chapter 212 - The Path Where Soul Whisperer Walked On

“I am truly grateful that an esteemed person like you has come to greet me like this.”

A man with a unique appearance, Mul, wearing an iron mask and a white robe, extended his hand towards Lucia for a handshake.

Seeing that he neither bowed nor lowered his head, it was clear that he considered himself to be equal or above the Saintess.

While anyone else might call it arrogance, the crowd following Mul observed his behavior with pride and admiration.

They truly considered their leader to be equal to the continent’s Saintess.

“I am sorry, but as a servant of God, I am not permitted to make contact with another man.”

Lucia also responded politely but firmly.

Strictly speaking, Saintess Lucia was the closest to God’s will on the continent.

It meant that she did not accept Mul as someone chosen by God.

Immediately, the crowd of followers began to murmur among themselves.

Ignoring their reaction, Lucia continued speaking.

“You have quite a large entourage. I would appreciate it if you could refrain from causing any commotion inside Graypond.”

“Did you come all the way here just to say that?”

Mul’s white eyes from behind the iron mask bore into Lucia. Despite his intimidating gaze, she nodded politely.

“Nothing about you has been confirmed yet. Like the Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi at the Great Debate, we will begin discussions regarding you under a conservative perspective…”

She subtly glanced at the long line of followers behind Mul.

“You will have to face the public all by yourself.”

Her words implied that he should not act freely within the city since it was still uncertain if he was truly chosen by God.

However, Mul slowly took off his iron mask and pointed at the followers behind him, as if he had anticipated this.

“Do you see what these many followers are holding?”

They were carrying way too much luggage to merely follow a prophet: tents, food, blankets, and bedding, more than enough for camping.

“Other than a few attendants and myself, no one else will step inside Graypond. They will simply wait for me outside the city walls.”

The followers echoed Mul’s words.

“That’s right!”

“We will not harm anyone nor will we cause any disturbance!”

“Please trust us, Saintess! Apostle Mul is truly a messenger sent by God to comfort the dead!”

“Let’s set up our tents! We will not cause any damage to Graypond!”

With those words, the followers busily set up their tents outside the city walls.

Mul then brought his hands together in prayer as he gazed at them and bowed his head briefly before looking back at Lucia.

“Those who serve God should always strive to be exemplary. They should deeply detest causing harm to others. Isn’t that right, Saintesses?”

Lucia, who had been watching the immense number of tents being set up, quickly turned her head.

Did he just say ‘Saintesses’?

“Ah, one of you is no longer a Saintess, right? The gods have relieved her of that burden, haven’t they?”

Mul was looking directly at Lucia’s side; to be precise, he was smiling at Stella.

“However, perhaps because of that, it seems that she has become quite tainted.”

Unlike his words, his kind impression seemed devoid of any malice.

His pure, harmless smile was one of the greatest weapons to gain the trust of others.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Mul walked past Lucia and headed towards the castle gates. Following him were Charlie, who was said to have been resurrected, and several other attendants.

[What if…]

Stella, who had remained silent all this while, slowly spoke up.

No one other than Lucia and Mul heard her.

However, for some reason, Mul stopped walking and slowly turned his head to look at Stella.

[What would you do if all of a sudden, God said that your mission ends here?]

Hearing that, Mul almost scoffed in disbelief but managed to hold it back.

After putting the mask back on and clenching his fist, he replied without a moment’s hesitation.

“If that is His will, one must humbly accept it and feel grateful that one has accomplished their purpose.”

Even when they saw their Soul Whisperer talking to the air, the attendants following him didn’t find it strange.

Their faith bordered on madness.

However, seeing Mul’s response and the reaction of his attendants, Stella wore a faint smile.

[It seems that you are very different from me in many ways.]

“…”

[You have an absolute divine perspective.]

Saying this, Stella turned around to look back at the horizon outside the castle wall.

Seeing that she was waiting for someone else even though he had already arrived, Mul felt a strange annoyance.

At her piercing remark that hit the core, he pursed his lips tightly and put the iron mask back on.

“Arrogant wench.”

No one knew what kind of expression he had under the mask.

***

It had been a few days since Mul entered Graypond, and he was already busy performing various acts all over.

From healing the sick to visiting cemeteries to guide the souls of the dead to God, and bestowing blessings and prayers.

Lucia had clearly told him not to act freely within the city.

However, with the support and help of the bishops, Mul had become the busiest person in Graypond.

“The Verdi Household’s carriage is supposed to arrive sometime tonight, right?”

The bishops supporting him had gathered in the underground chapel for a meeting.

There was just one day left until the Great Debate.

They heard that the Verdi Household’s carriage would arrive in Graypond just in time.

However, they were not sure if Deus had returned.

“He has definitely returned.”

An old man with deep wrinkles, Macdoren Firenche, spoke with conviction. He was a bishop serving the goddess Hearthia, whom Stella also served.

“Otherwise, the Royal Family would not have proposed to hold the Great Debate.”

It would not make sense to hold a debate regarding the position of Soul Whisperer without the current Soul Whisperer present.

They also speculated that he planned to enter Graypond dramatically, just a day before the debate.

All the other bishops agreed with him.

Deus Verdi would arrive today. However…

“Have you deployed the personnel?”

“Yes, of course. But from what we’ve heard, his followers already despise Deus so much, that our intervention might even be unnecessary.”

“Huh, he is such a mysterious man. Could all of this be a part of his plan?”

They were talking about Mul’s followers camping outside the castle gate.

If Deus Verdi entered Graypond through the main gate, he would have to pass through the tent village erected by Mul’s followers.

It was a situation where they might not just stop at verbal abuse but could aim to harm him directly.

Still, it wouldn’t be strange because that man, Mul, had indoctrinated his followers to hate Deus so thoroughly, that they were effectively brainwashed.

And through his sermons, he was also gradually taking control of the public opinion within Graypond.

His attractive appearance.

His kind smile.

Actions that did not deviate from his doctrines.

Miracles that proved he was chosen by God.

He was a beautiful man with enough charm to captivate people’s hearts.

“And it would still look bad even if Deus enters Graypond through a different route besides the main gate.”

Compared to Mul confidently leading his followers through the main gate, Deus might be criticized for sneaking in through the back gate like a thief.

Deus could only choose between bad and worse. And no matter what he chose, Deus was bound to suffer.

“Perhaps that’s why Mul deliberately entered Graypond a step early.”

“That’s probably the case. I’ve spoken to that man a few times… he’s definitely not ordinary.”

“Because he is the one chosen by God.”

When a bishop solemnly declared this while clasping his hands, the other bishops had subtle expressions.

Considering the miraculous deeds performed by him, it could only be seen as an ability bestowed by God.

It also helped that he constantly preached about God’s will.

However, the bishops still had lingering doubts about why the gods, who had chosen only one Saintess for centuries, had selected another man out of the blue.

Although the bishops were still uneasy about this, Mul was too attractive of a card to turn into an enemy.

Compared to Deus Verdi, who wandered around using Necromancy and Black Magic, to supposedly comfort souls while solely enjoying the king’s favor, it would be much more beneficial for them to have Mul, who preached of God’s will and cooperated with them, in the position of Soul Whisperer.

It was all because the bishops’ influence had gradually diminished with the appearance of the Soul Whisperer.

Their lack of Holy Power to respond to spiritual matters made them look incompetent when compared to Deus.

“Whatever happens, all we have to do is support Mul.”

The other bishops also agreed with Macdoren’s conclusion.

Countless people had already witnessed, experienced and felt really grateful for the miracles performed by Mul.

In fact, the situation was more favorable for the bishops as they just had to recount Mul’s recent actions.

***

The sun set beyond Graypond’s walls.

Smoke from a massive bonfire rose towards the densely packed stars and moonlight.

Outside the city wall, at the center of the encampment set up by Mul’s followers, people were shouting fervently in front of the bonfire.

“Everyone, they said that Verdi Household’s carriage will arrive soon!”

“As servants of God, should we simply stand by and let a Dark Mage approach Apostle Mul?”

“This is our opportunity to carry out God’s will!”

“We must not let Apostle Mul waste his precious time!”

When someone the bishops deliberately planted among the followers raised their voices, many responded enthusiastically.

There was no need to persuade, preach, or falsify Mul’s words.

The followers, who seemed to have been waiting for this very moment, cheered and blocked the main road to stop the carriage from approaching Graypond.

The night air was still chilly.

As they formed a human barrier, they felt each other’s warmth, which made them mistakenly believe even more that they were doing the right thing.

[Such pitiful beings. They have eyes but cannot see.]

Observing them from atop the city wall, Stella clasped her hands tightly.

She did so for Deus Verdi, who would soon arrive, but seeing how these people seemed to be heavily influenced, as if brainwashed by the man named Mul, she couldn’t just ignore it.

Nonetheless, Stella was pretty worried about Deus.

And what was about to happen was not just about entering Graypond.

Mul had already demonstrated his greatness and popularity by leading a huge crowd into Graypond.

It was a sort of performance before the Great Debate began.

And if Deus showed anything unseemly here, bad rumors would quickly spread among the citizens.

[Deus.]

As she longingly savored the name of the man she would finally meet after a month…

Creaaaaak!

The city gates, which shouldn’t have opened at this time of night, began to tremble.

Armored soldiers and mages wearing robes rushed out the gates, which opened with a long and distinct sound.

Not only were there soldiers, but a few knights wearing armor adorned with the red hawk crest of the Zeronia Household could also be seen.

And on the other side, were mages wearing yellow robes bearing the light sword crest of the Bright Household.

Although the mages were fewer in number, they used wind magic to gently push away the crowd of Mul’s followers.

“Clear the way.”

Stella was both surprised and relieved to hear a woman’s cold voice from beneath the city gate.

During the one month that Deus Verdi had disappeared, that woman was busier than anyone else, reaching out everywhere to find him.

As both families had promised to cooperate with Deus at their family meeting, Erica Bright, his fiancée, had mobilized soldiers from the Zeronia Household and mages from the Bright Household to search for him.

And now, she was leading those troops with eyes colder than when she taught students back at the academy.

“W-wait a minute! What are you doing!”

“The Great Debate hasn’t even started yet! Does the Royal Family sending out troops like this imply that the outcome of the debate has already been decided?”

“This is unfair!”

The followers raised their voices and protested, without considering the time.

However, golden mana gathered at Erica’s fingertips and shot into the sky.

It soon took the shape of a giant butterfly, scattering light mana everywhere.

Silence.

Under the spell that silenced the entire crowd, the followers shouted at the top of their lungs, but only the sound of crickets could be heard.

Thud thud thud thud!

In sync, the knights and mages pushed the followers aside to clear the road.

The soldiers and mages stood back to back at both ends of the road, forming a firm wall that prevented the followers from approaching the main road as they wished.

The road was completely clear.

As Erica strode down the path, she muttered in a voice cold enough to send chills.

“If you claim there is any difference in treatment, it’s obvious there will be. Currently, Mul is nothing but a mere instigator who has not been recognized in any way.”

Thanks to the silence spell, Erica’s voice resonated longer.

The followers immediately tried to rush forward, claiming that she had insulted Mul, but they were unable to break through the wall of soldiers and mages.

“Meanwhile, the Soul Whisperer was personally chosen and appointed by His Majesty to undertake important duties for this country.”

Step. Step.

He had clearly stated he would arrive by carriage, but it seemed like he had intentionally dismounted it.

Erica smiled faintly at the silhouette of him standing nearby, preparing to walk over on foot.

This meant that he also understood the importance of his entrance.

[Kii hee hee hee!]

[Ah! He has come! That person has come!]

[The one who will listen to our story has come!]

[I am weary. Now, please, grant me my eternal rest.]

As the screams of evil spirits, unaffected by Erica’s spell erupted all over, the followers began to tremble in fear.

It was the exact opposite from when Mul entered Graypond amidst praise and adoration from numerous followers.

Deus Verdi had made his entrance amidst the poignant voices mixed with the sadness of many souls, echoing pleas in the middle of the night.

[That is! That is the correct one.]

Watching from atop the city’s wall, Stella smiled broadly.

What the one who comforted souls needed was not the praise or adoration from surrounding people.

They only needed the weeping, suffering souls.

“Clear the way.”

Erica extended out her hand once more, firmly securing the path he would walk on.

“The one chosen by the King has arrived.”

Thud.

As he set foot on the ground, rather than the resentment and the curses of countless humans, the road was filled with something more significant—the sorrow and anguish of countless souls.

It was definitely the same path Mul had tread a few days before. However, it now held an entirely different meaning.

And Deus Verdi began to walk that path.