“You will leave this place at once and never return. If you do—you will die the instant you set foot in here.”

“Of course.”

The man watched Ser Dalius very cautiously. The [Knight] hesitated. He glanced at Feremont. And had to ask.

“…Did you see a young woman on your way here, by any chance?”

“What? A young woman?”

The [Necromancer] blinked. The ghost glared impatiently.

“Yes! Her name is—she might have given you some other name. But a young woman. You haven’t, have you? She’s probably—gone.”

He saw the living man flick at his white hair. Feremont paused, shook his head.

“Not a young woman in the singular. There’s a village nearby. I passed by that. There are young women of all sorts around there. Of course—they might be in trouble.”

“Trouble?”

Ser Dalius focused on the word. The [Necromancer] nodded solemnly.

“Oh yes. A bear died and caused a minor horde of undead to spawn. They were converging on the village. I was actually on my way to quell them when I was distracted. If anyone was in the woods, well—

I hope they’re safe.”

“A horde?”

Ser Dalius couldn’t pale or change the color of his skin, but he looked past the [Necromancer]. He recalled the bone giant—and looked at the sunlight coming into the tomb. He wavered. And thought of Cara. Then he made up his mind.

“Show me this village. We are leaving this tomb, [Necromancer]. Walk ahead of me.”

“But I—”

“Turn around and move. Pick up the staff and go.”

The living man spluttered, but Ser Dalius insisted. The [Necromancer] turned. Feremont slowly picked up the staff and walked towards the opening. He saw, out of the corner of his eye, the ghost-[Knight]

staring longingly at the sky.

“Sir Knight, I really am capable of handling the horde—”

“Be silent. Walk. I do not trust you. Nor will I leave the tomb unguarded with your kind about.”

The [Knight] hurried the [Necromancer] towards the opening. He stopped, at a place where the sunlight touched shadows. Stared up at the sky.

The white-haired [Necromancer] adjusted his robes. He took a grip on his staff and saw Ser Dalius waver. The sun was already setting, but for a moment, the fall sky was full of color. The ghost began to step forwards. Into the light.

“Sir Knight. If I might say one thing?”

Dalius scowled.

“Wh—”

“[Command Undead]. [Flash Step].”

The [Necromancer] pointed his staff to one side as he stepped back. He vanished—and blurred away from Dalius. The ghost froze in midair, mid-step. He turned his head.

“You—”

He could still move. But the command had slowed him. The [Necromancer] tsked. He was still too weak to control ghosts. A pity. He raised his staff.

“[Animate Ghouls]. Sir Ghost…I wanted to just say this. Thank you for the opportunity. [Lance of Light]!”