I Became The Academy Necromancer

The execution ground, reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum had transformed into a debate hall. This was the second time I had seen this sight.

Just like in the past, the spectator seats were under the same silence spell to prevent disruption of the debate. King Orpheus and his close associates watched us from the VIP seats a level above.

The structure of the debate itself was somewhat unusual.

Rather than Lucia and I being on the same side, we were placed in a triangular formation with Mul joining us, facing each other like in a three-way confrontation.

Me, as the Soul Whisperer.

Lucia , as the Saintess, along with the bishops who supported her.

And Mul with the bishops who supported him.

However, despite being divided in this manner, Lucia and I would eventually cooperate in the debate.

“Firstly, I would like to remind everyone that the purpose of this debate is to discuss the significance and qualifications of the position and moniker, Soul Whisperer.”

The voice of the presiding moderator, Archmage Ropelican, resonated through the enchanted microphone.

“We shall now invite the reformist faction, who raised objections, to present their opinions.”

And by reformists, they were referring to Mul and the bishops who supported him.

As a blue light entered Mul’s microphone, he smiled broadly while surveying the audience.

“Greetings, Graypond—to all of you living in this beautiful city as majestic as a divine beast.”

His smile still contained the same devilish charm that could reassure others.

If things were just based on his appearance right now, one might consider him to have the upper hand.

“Today, I have come here to present the truth to you all.”

He continued speaking with a soft, mesmerizing voice as he extended his hands.

His voice was like the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning, pleasing to anyone in the vicinity.

“However, the truth is not some deeply hidden secret or a dark mystery from a continent unknown to us; the truth is a simple fact that we all know.”

Taking a breath, Mul continued his speech.

“It is none other than the tales of life after death. A glorious time prepared for us by the gods.”

For a moment, his warm smile seemed to have looked like that of a serpent’s to me.

Almost as if he was very cunning and he seemed to like enjoying deceiving others.

“Those who serve Goddess Hearthia will become beloved angels after death. Those who serve Goddess Justia will be embraced in her arms, and those who serve God Velas will enjoy banquets of pleasure in his palace!”

Life was hard.

And because of that, religion usually deluded the people by emphasizing the happiness prepared for them at the end of such hardships.

If that really was the truth, then it was fortunate.

“However, look at this man in front of you! He calls himself the Soul Whisperer! He claims to act for the sake of the dead! Yet, he guarantees you nothing after death!”

While performing my duty as the Soul Whisperer, I didn’t explicitly go around telling people that there was nothing after death. Nor did I tell them their only choices were either eternal rest or annihilation.

It was a truth that could shake the foundation of religion, and I did not want to disrupt the deeply rooted beliefs they had.

Because the meaning of religion was different for me in the first place.

Among the many interpretations, I saw it as a kind of fence.

Society functioned and maintained order through our adherence to the law, and religion was one of the strongest laws of order each individual would carry deep into their hearts.

Regardless of whether the end of their faith was true or false, I also believed that religion was necessary for the balance and peace of the continent.

Hence, I never revealed such a truth.

“Deus Verdi! Why do you not deliver them to the gods after death? No, perhaps you are not able to!”

He pointed his finger at me unwaveringly.

“Why? Were you not able to wield Holy Power? In this very place, he claimed to be chosen by the gods and could use their power. So, why would it be impossible for him to bring the dead to the gods?”

I had already anticipated this.

When I thought about what he could use against me here—what my most sore weakness might be, then it was the Holy Power I displayed during my first debate.

That was Mul’s most convincing argument today.

“The Holy Power he showed was only temporary, it wasn’t because he was chosen by the gods. At that time, he was merely deceiving you all.”

Because, in the end, Romulus himself was a god.

It was natural to expect him to grasp and focus on this point.

Lucia glanced at me discreetly.

However, I responded to her with a reassuring glance, a signal not to worry.

“Did I speak wrongly? Deus Verdi?”

Mul’s question drew everyone’s gaze towards me. It felt like the sensation of thousands of needles prickling my body.

“Do you know why he paraded around the kingdom under the title of Soul Whisperer?!”

Mul’s voice had now turned more intense. He shouted with clear hostility.

“It is because he is a Dark Mage! A vile being who controls souls as a Necromancer! That is why he deceived us all in a cunning way! He used these souls for his magic instead of leading them to the embrace of the gods, he used everyone only to inflate his own belly!”

Fortunately, thanks to the silence spell, the audience’s voices could not be heard.

If it were not for that, it would have been difficult for me to proceed amidst such intense booing.

“I believe he should not hold the position of Soul Whisperer! How can we trust a man who treats souls like this? How can we entrust him with the people he claims to have sent away?!”

As Mul openly criticized me, he fixed his gaze on me as if he was a true devoted prophet executing justice.

But, it was all just an act.

When Mul finished speaking, it was finally my turn.

Through the microphone glowing blue in front of me, even my breath would echo throughout the debate hall.

In such a situation where every word must be chosen carefully…

“That is correct; I cannot wield Holy Power.”

I confidently declared head-on.

Despite the silence spell, I could sense the atmosphere surrounding the citizens.

Amidst the buzzing scene, I continued speaking.

“The reason I could wield Holy Power back then was because I happened to obtain a relic called the Holy Grail.”

Since some had doubted the existence of the Holy Grail, mentioning it was a shocking matter.

Amidst the restless audience, I continued with more shocking statements.

“Furthermore, I have already returned it to the Saintess.”

“That’s true.”

Lucia nodded in agreement.

“I have personally verified it; Deus Verdi has returned the Holy Grail to the church.”

Mul’s forehead slightly furrowed as he alternated his gaze between me and Lucia.

Even the bishops, who were behind Mul and supporting him, seemed shaken.

“Why have you not revealed such an important matter until now?!”

Simultaneously, voices of reproach erupted. One of the bishops who supported Mul couldn’t hold back any longer.

“I considered that it would cause disorder.”

Lucia responded to them one by one while maintaining composure.

“For the kingdom’s sake, he ultimately deceived everyone.”

“For the kingdom?! Are these the words that should be coming from the Saintess’ mouth right now?!”

“Y-you… Sigh!”

“What would Lady Stella have said if she were here?!”

The bishops on Mul’s side clicked their tongues, rebuking and sighing about the Saintess who sided with a Dark Mage.

While Mul deliberately said nothing, he also did not stop the criticism.

He simply continued smiling, enjoying the tide coming towards him—like a surfer riding waves. This disagreement gave him an upper hand.

[Why are you dragging me into this…?]

Stella, who stood silently next to Lucia, had a sullen expression on her face as she exasperatedly groaned.

“How can lying about wielding Holy Power be done for the sake of the kingdom?!”

“He is a fraud! Saintess Lucia! I fear that the gods will sigh when they see you!”

“He is enjoying the merits of being the Soul Whisperer without being able to handle Holy Power? That is absurd! It’s clearly a lack of qualification!”

With Mul not responding, the bishops behind him seemed more agitated, thinking it was their opportunity.

However, the bishops behind the Saintess naturally counterattacked.

“Regardless, Saintess Lucia can still wield Holy Power! Doesn’t this mean that the gods have acknowledged her choice?”

“Even if his Holy Power was a lie, we must still consider the achievements he has made so far!”

“And even after all that, the position of Soul Whisperer was bestowed by His Majesty! What does Holy Power have to do with the station?!”

Watching them raise their voices and fight among themselves, leaving the main participants of the debate alone, I felt like we were generals leading an army.

Thump!

“Order, please.”

When Archmage Ropelican, who was entrusted with being today’s moderator, gently struck the desk with his mana-infused fist. Mana scattered like ripples emanating from its center.

The hall fell silent in a flash.

Ropelican’s gaze turned slightly towards me.

“It was still Deus Verdi’s time to deliver his statement. Please continue.”

Since the bishops who supported Mul intervened in the middle of my turn, Archmage Ropelican also stated that a time penalty would be applied to Mul’s allotted time when he delivered his statement.

I leaned closer to the microphone again.

“I am sorry for deceiving you with Holy Power, but I needed you to give me a chance.”

Since I gambled with Holy Power, Lucia had also asked me if I would smoothly resolve this situation by using the Holy Grail again.

“And when I was finally given such an opportunity, I have been busy walking around this land for the past year.”

I was not obligated to do so.

Although one year has not passed since last year’s Great Debate, the position I held would have still received judgment from the citizens.

“Over the past year, while holding the title of Soul Whisperer, I have comforted many of the deceased and sent many evil spirits to eternal rest.”

Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi had tried to earn the citizens’ trust over the past year.

“I have done my best to show you everything, and now, it is time for you to choose.”

Could everything I have done move their hearts?

“Do you need me?”

This was the place to confirm it.

***The debate was actively ongoing.

Ever since it became known that Deus Verdi could not handle Holy Power, it seemed to put their side at a disadvantage.

However, many people who had received help from him until now appeared as witnesses, gradually changing the tide.

“The reason is unknown but when the academy was filled with numerous evil spirits, thanks to Professor Deus Verdi, the academy was able to return to its noble state without any casualties!”

Starting from the surprising appearance of the pot-belly Dean of Loberne Academy as a witness.

“During the invasion of the Marias tribe, I personally witnessed many souls interfering with the opponent’s Great Warrior. Not only that, I saw Deus Verdi comfort the souls all day and night.”

It was about the attack by the tribal people from the Marias Great Forest in the east.

A soldier who was on the battlefield at the time testified to Deus’ achievements.

“Saintess Stella smiled as she departed. She received salvation from the numerous people she had rescued thanks to the Soul Whisperer.”

Lastly, when the abbess of the Elia Convent testified with tears, even the bishops supporting Mul were perplexed.

The important aspect was…

No one could provide evidence that he forcibly controlled souls like other Necromancers.

Even the bishops supporting Mul had meticulously investigated Deus’ various activities, but they couldn’t find any evidence or witnesses.

Their knowledge of Black Magic was too narrow to commit perjury.

It took quite a strong resolve to present fake witnesses in front of the Dark Mage, Deus.

Otherwise, there would be an irreversible backlash.

“It finally seems we’re gaining momentum! Owen! Bring some popcorn!”

Watching the situation through a screen connected to the waiting room, Findenai made a big fuss by shouting excitedly.

Now, the situation wasn’t just about Deus Verdi defending himself; numerous people were stepping forward to actively defend him.

For Findenai, it made her feel good that the man she loved was being acknowledged.

“As expected of Sir Soul Whisperer!”

Owen, who brought the popcorn, was deeply moved by the fact that so many people had recognized the good deeds of Deus, who was akin to his teacher.

“…”

Even Aria, who was with the two of them, clenched her fists and cheered. However…

Knock. Knock.

A sound of knocking came from the door leading outside.

For a moment, all three of them simultaneously turned their gaze towards the door.

“Don’t open it.”

With her sharp senses, Findenai instinctively realized that there was an enemy on the other side right now.

Taking out her axe, she pulled Aria and Owen, making them hide behind her before opening the door.

“Hello.”

Standing there were the devotees who had followed Mul into Graypond.

All of them were women smiling pleasantly. However, there was a peculiar sinister undertone in their expressions.

“Did you come here to have your heads split open?”

Findenai deliberately growled as a warning, but the woman standing in the front reached out her hand beyond Findenai, pointing at Aria

“We have come to collect the savior of this land.”