The Betrayed Necromancer - Chapter 17

 The Basement

"We have been eagerly awaiting your return, Crow-sama. We have received the battle report from Borut via Merlin."

Approaching Crow, who sat upon the throne, was the maid, Alicia. Once known by the moniker "Master of Maid," she was someone revered even more than a hero, despite her station as a servant and maid. Versed in all forms of weapon techniques, hand-to-hand combat, and magic, possessing high intelligence, and blessed with overwhelming beauty, there were many who wished to make her their personal maid. However, due to her excessively high capabilities, she was unable to find a master of her own before being burned by the light of God and meeting her end.

Yet, she had been resurrected, and finally succeeded in finding her true master. Devoting all of her supreme abilities to her master, Crow, she served him flawlessly in both public and private matters.

"From the capture of your arch-enemy to the acquisition of an angel, both were utterly flawless feats... As expected of you. I am truly happy to be able to serve such a great person as Crow-sama." 

"Good work on the house-sitting, Alicia. You really helped me out." 

"Such undeserved praise. Serving you, Crow-sama, is the utmost joy for us—please do not hesitate to work us to the bone in the future as well."

The heroes had been saved from the depths of despair by Crow, and given a new goal: to slay God. From that very moment, the "God" they believed in was no longer God, but Crow. If he were to order them to die, they would gladly throw away their lives. Such was the magnitude of their unwavering loyalty.

"Alicia, is the preparation in the basement ready?"

"Yes, of course. The analysis of the angel will also be completed shortly." 

"I see. Then let's head down. Prompt action is the soul of efficiency."

Crow stood up and began to walk, proceeding down the corridor leading to the underground levels of the royal castle. Following closely behind him was Alicia, and further behind her was a troll zombie carrying Gaoran.

"H-Hey, Crow! Where are you taking me?!" Gaoran shouted. However, neither Crow nor Alicia answered, continuing their walk in silence. A short while later, they began to descend the stairs leading underground. Although the royal castle was resplendent and luxurious, the staircase leading down into the depths cast a dark and cold impression. The air was chilly, and Gaoran broke out in goosebumps from the cold and the eerie atmosphere.

"W-What are you planning to do in a place like this, Crow?" 

"...Isn't it obvious? Revenge."

Crow flashed a wicked smile. Seeing that expression, Gaoran felt a sensation as though a cold blade were being pressed directly against his heart.

The group finally reached the bottom of the stairs. Lit only by a few faint candles and untouched by natural sunlight, this room contained multiple cells and chambers. The place had no official name, but to put it bluntly, it was a torture room. Equipped with various torture devices and magical tools, this room did not originally exist in Isa Ferdinia; it was something Crow had specifically ordered to be built.

"Hey, stop this...! Let me go back!" Gaoran struggled frantically. However, the troll zombie paid him no mind and locked him into hand-cuffs hanging down from the ceiling. Similarly, leg irons were fastened to the floor, completely robbing him of any freedom of movement.

Having finished its duty, the troll zombie left the torture room, and as if replacing it, an undead figure emerged from a deep inner chamber.

"I've been waiting for you, Crow-sama. Is this our newest target?" 

"Ugh..."

Seeing that figure, Gaoran scowled in deep disgust. The newcomer was an undead dressed in a white lab coat. Its body was rotting in places, with bones exposed in several areas, and tentacle-like earthworms writhed in and out of holes in its flesh. Known by the species name Dead Tormentor, this undead possessed clear, independent free will while remaining a zombie, and was well-versed in a wide variety of torture techniques.

"W-What is this creepy bastard?! Are you kidding me, hey, Crow?!" 

"How noisy... Please be quiet for a moment."

With those words, the Dead Tormentor flicked the knife in its hand with a sharp swoosh, cleanly slashing off Gaoran's right ear.

"———?! Guh, gyaaaaahhh?! You bastard, what are you doing to my ear!" 

"You are in the presence of the King. Please be a little quieter. You no longer have the right to do as you please now that you've been brought here."

The Dead Tormentor placed Gaoran's ear into its own mouth, toyed with it using its tongue to put it on display, and then chewed and swallowed it. That bizarre act inflicted deep mental trauma on Gaoran.

"I'll leave him to you for now, Dead Tormentor. Extract as much information as you can from him about the other members of Dragon's Tail, as well as about God and the angels." 

"Yes indeed~❤️Leave it to me~❤️"

The Dead Tormentor crept closer and closer to Gaoran. Placed on a nearby tray were blades, pliers, and various torture implements of unknown shapes. Imagining the tragedy about to unfold upon his own body, Gaoran turned pale with terror.

"W-Wait a minute, Crow! I'll tell you everything, everything! So please let me go! I'll talk about anything, so please forgive meee!" 

"I see. In that case, very well. I'll call off the Dead Tormentor." 

"Eh...?"

Surprised by Crow's unexpected response, Gaoran stared in shock. He never imagined Crow would agree so easily. A sudden ray of hope bloomed in Gaoran's heart. However—

"...Or so you thought I would say? Obviously, I'm lying." 

"Eh, ah, wh-what, no..."

The ray of light had been a mere illusion. Crow had intentionally shown him that glimmer of hope only to plunge him even deeper into despair.

"There is no guarantee you'll honestly tell me the truth. Besides... I have been waiting for this moment all this time—the moment when you suffer and beg for forgiveness. Dead Tormentor, inflict the maximum amount of pain and suffering upon him." 

"Understood~❤️Then let's start with the full course!"

Having received permission from its master, the Dead Tormentor eagerly began the torture. Skillfully operating a multitude of tools and magical implements, it cut, opened, and shaved away at Gaoran's flesh.

"When was the last time you met your comrades? Where are they?" 

"That is—Gyaaaahhh?! I'll talk, I'll talk so please don't open me up any further!" 

"No-o way~❤️If you don't speak faster, I'm going to cut off your other ear, you know?" 

"Let me goooo! Crow, I'm begging you, please have mercy-!"

The screams echoed relentlessly through the basement. For about an hour afterward, even after blurting out every piece of information he had, Gaoran continued to be tortured until Crow finally permitted it to stop.

Prev            TOC            Next