Chapter 43: Unconventional Undead Magic.
Boon found Suna’s attitude stranger than her advice.
“You know I use necromancy? …Don’t you find it repulsive?”
“Why would I?” Suna tilted her head, then realized why Boon hid his magic. “Oh, I get it. You’re worried about others’ opinions, so you focus on necromancy’s least obvious enhancement spells. No wonder you’re weaker than you should be.”
Boon lowered his head, his expression complex.
Mist, frowning and ready to defend him, was cut off by Suna’s sharper words.
“Honestly, do you think combat is a game? You’re not even facing it seriously, let alone risking your life. Hiding your true strength’s root like this is pathetic.”
“…You’re right. How can I get stronger?” Boon bowed respectfully, seeking guidance.
Suna sifted through memories of necromancer battles, tailoring advice to Boon’s personality.
“If you’re okay controlling dead remains, the fastest way is the standard necromancer path. But if that’s too much for now, try an alternative: buy calcium-alloy golems and control them. Free from biological bone limits, design them yourself. Switch your weapons and armor to calcium-alloy too.”
Boon’s mouth twitched at the odd suggestion. “Uh… really? That works?”
Suna planted her axe-spear in the sand and shrugged. “Of course. You think necromancers’ skeleton hordes are real bones? Most are pale-bone wood or mass-produced calcium-alloy. How else do they summon armies with a wave?”
Mist eyed Suna suspiciously. “Saintess, how do you know this? Necromancy research is shunned or restricted, even partially banned…”
Instead of answering, Suna sidestepped, guiding Mist’s assumptions and posing a question to Boon.
“Pfft, the empire’s necromancy rules are laughable and hypocritical. As long as you avoid three things, no one bothers you. Boon, you know them, right?”
“Yes. First, using necromancy to control or alter high-intelligence humanoid souls. Second, fusing biological materials to create new creatures. Third, using unpermitted high-intelligence humanoid corpses.”
Suna nodded. “Exactly. Outside those, necromancy’s mostly fair game. Boon, make a high-performance golem to fight alongside you and upgrade your gear for surprise attacks. Don’t neglect your enhancement magic either.”
Turning to Mist, still skeptical, Suna continued.
“Saintess, you’re weird and suspicious,” Mist said.
“Mist, don’t be rude,” Boon interjected. “Her advice and sparring are rare opportunities. Sorry, Saintess, Mist’s just…”
Before he could finish, Mist raised her voice. “Boon, she’s got ulterior motives! She’s a real saintess, but my gut says she’s shady!”
Boon rubbed his forehead, worried Suna might abandon the mission.
Golden-tier guidance was invaluable, and he didn’t want to miss it or upset Mist further.
Caught in the middle, he apologized. “Uh, really sorry, Saintess.”
Suna waved it off, unbothered, flashing a sly smile.
Though her veil and blessing hid it, Mist shivered, sensing a chill.
“Miss Mist, I’m a bit suspicious, sure. But compared to your desperate desire to get stronger, does that matter?”
Pausing, Suna’s aura grew oppressive as she continued.
“Let me guess why you want to be stronger. As noble children who’ve debuted, a strong family would give you time to grow independently. But you don’t have that luxury—you need to prove your strength to avoid an arranged marriage. And I bet you have an elder sister in a bad marriage, right?”
Suna’s rapid-fire deductions paled Mist’s face.
She hadn’t expected Suna to read her family situation so accurately.
“How… how do you know? Do you know our identities? Boon, we can’t continue this mission…”
Before Mist’s panicked words finished, Suna pressed harder.
“Hey, Miss Mist. If you cancel now, I don’t care, but are you sure you can join the hero and become his companion without proper combat training? You posted this mission secretly because your families don’t support your choices. I suggest you calm down and think carefully.”