Chapter Thirteen: Expansion

The necromancer has returned from the mine!

By the time Jann once again arrived at Brandon Stone City, this news had already spread throughout the city like a bird sprouting wings. When Kadek came panting and scampering to the city gate on his short legs, Jann had already been "escorted" inside by the guards.

Upon seeing Jann, Kadek drew in a sharp breath, but his cunning little eyes merely darted around before he quickly regained his composure. Slowing his steps, he spread his arms wide, striding forward with the enthusiasm of a hospitable relative.

“Oh, Mage, you’ve finally returned. Judging by your appearance, everything went smoothly, I presume!”

Under the watchful gaze of the other gray dwarves, Kadek spoke loudly as he approached Jann. He forced himself to suppress his fear, doing his utmost to act the part of a competent "Governor of Brandon Stone City." He needed to demonstrate his attitude toward the mage in front of his people—neither overly deferential nor too servile.

Everything is under control.

“In the depths of the tomb, there was a Mind Eater.”

Jann showed little reaction to Kadek’s lack of courtesy. As he spoke, he crooked his finger, and the mercenaries behind him promptly stepped forward, opening one of the burlap sacks they carried. To the astonished cries of the surrounding gray dwarves, a blood-soaked, beaked head—taller than a gray dwarf—tumbled out and hit the ground.

“We’ve thoroughly ‘cleaned’ the tomb. It should be safe for you to resume mining there now.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful...”

Hearing this good news, Kadek’s face split into a joyous grin. This mine had been his greatest gamble; if they could successfully extract the silver there, Kadek would once again become the richest gray dwarf in all of Brandon Stone City. Not only would this secure his precarious position as governor, but it would also allow him to sweep away those who dared covet his status and power.

Even so, Kadek felt a tinge of regret. According to Jann, anything of value in the tomb had likely already been taken by this necromancer. What Kadek didn’t know was that Jann himself was equally vexed: he had gained little from this venture into the haunted tomb.

Enoya possessed a kind of necromantic divination, capable of excavating hidden secrets from the depths of one’s soul. That was why Jann hadn’t bothered with that fool. Only after Enoya extracted Landon’s secrets did Jann realize he’d essentially worked for nothing.

Admittedly, Landon had been quite cunning. From his soul, Jann learned that Landon, in life, had secreted away his remaining wealth in several hidden locations, sealing and burying it on the surface. Knowing how perilous the Underdark was, he’d hidden his treasures topside to keep them from outsiders, intending to retrieve them after his transformation into a lich. Even if he failed, he’d ensnare his soul in a diary, baiting any unlucky host to the surface with the promise of riches.

Truly a schemer—Jann now suspected that Landon had been killed precisely for being too clever. Enoya had already teased out the locations of these hidden treasures from Landon’s soul, but they were all on the surface. Jann scarcely had time to manage his own affairs in the Underdark, let alone venture to the surface.

His only consolation was that he hadn’t tried to subdue Landon; having such a “resourceful” subordinate would have been a nightmare. Most likely, Landon’s former companions had also perished because of his “ideas.”

“If not for your help, we would never have been able to resume mining. We’ve already prepared a feast... ahem...!”

Kadek, oblivious to Jann’s frustration, continued with his enthusiastic invitation. But he was abruptly cut off by the overwhelming stench of blood, which made him cough violently. He shot a disgruntled glare at the two half-orc mercenaries, but before he could express further displeasure, his eyes widened in terror.

Before seeking Jann’s help, Kadek had also contacted Verna’s mercenary band, and was well acquainted with these mercenaries led by the dark elf. But now, the figures before him were no longer the disciplined soldiers he remembered—they were walking corpses. Their bluish skin and the lifeless, shadow-cloaked eyes made clear they had departed from the world of the living and joined the ranks of the undead.

Kadek shivered and, pretending to turn away, glanced toward Verna. He found the dark elf showed no reaction to her subordinates’ transformation; instead, she stood behind Jann like a subdued servant, head bowed in dejection.

By the Stones!

Kadek quickly averted his gaze, not knowing what had transpired in the mines. The situation was now obvious: the ambitious, ever-complaining half-dark elf and her mercenary band had been utterly destroyed. Now, they were nothing more than the necromancer’s slaves and lackeys.

At this thought, Kadek swallowed hard, forcing his racing heart to calm. Gray dwarves were no strangers to betrayal and deception—indeed, those not clever enough often paid dearly for their foolishness after leaving Brandon Stone City. But necromancers were far more terrifying; they could torment your body and imprison your soul.

Even the wicked gray dwarves couldn’t compare.

Kadek had originally hoped to cajole Jann into accepting a reduced payment, but that idea was now abandoned. Money was worthless if you weren’t alive to spend it, especially with a coveted vein of silver now within reach!

“Of course, Mage. We gray dwarves are known for our honesty in business. Rest assured, we’ve prepared a perfect stalactite pillar for you in the city center, where—”

“You needn’t prepare anything for me,” Jann interrupted, raising a hand before Kadek could continue. “Just give me the empty land to the east of Brandon Stone City. The rest is none of your concern.”

“The eastern lot?” Kadek was momentarily stunned. He knew the site: once a rich vein of mithril, mined out eighty years ago and since abandoned. Facing a precipice, backed by a mountain, and beyond the city’s protective bounds, it was isolated except for a narrow stone path—practically cut off from the world.

Kadek had never considered the place, but now realized it indeed suited a necromancer. There, the mage would pose no danger to the city, and his power could be harnessed to protect it. Evidently, Jann had the same idea.

“That’s no problem at all, Mage!” Years of political calculation flashed through the governor’s mind, and he spoke grandly, as if rewarding a loyal vassal. “You may claim ownership of the site immediately. I’ll have all of Brandon Stone City know that the hero who solved our crisis dwells there. I guarantee they will show you the same respect as I do.”

“Of course.” Jann nodded coolly at Kadek’s impassioned words, but his next sentence instantly deflated the previously proud governor.

“Now, I think it’s time we discuss the compensation you promised me.”

As time passed, Brandon Stone City grew quiet again. Most had retreated to their safe, cozy homes, discussing the mage’s tidings as they drifted into pleasant dreams. While greedier and more wicked than their distant kin, gray dwarves were dwarves nonetheless—nothing gratified them more than mining priceless ore with their own hands.

But none of this mattered to Jann. He now stood upon the eastern lot, quietly gazing into the nearby abyss. Around him, Verna and several mercenaries—now undead, transformed by the banshee—stood motionless, guarding ten cargo-laden subterranean lizards.

These lizards were the only means of transporting goods deep underground. Docile and obedient, their tough hides resisted blades, and their sharp claws could pierce stone and anchor themselves for stability. Their broad, low bodies made them excellent mounts and capable carriers.

Originally, Kadek and Jann had agreed on eight lizards’ worth of cargo, but Jann “generously” insisted Verna’s mercenaries had contributed significantly. By their agreement, Kadek also had to pay Verna her negotiated share. Kadek knew Jann was extorting him—after all, Verna was now completely Jann’s lackey, and no gray dwarf would honor an obligation to a defeated outcast. But what could he do?

In the end, the governor resigned himself and provided two extra lizards’ worth of cargo. Having just secured his position, he had no desire to tangle with the necromancer’s walking corpses. Unfair or not, this was the Underdark—might made right. Here, strength was law, death was punishment, and nothing else mattered.

Jann glanced at Verna nearby. Since she’d awakened, the dark elf hadn’t spoken a word to him. But Jann understood her thoughts and felt not the slightest guilt for turning her subordinates into undead. Such was the way of the dark folk: had he shown weakness, Verna would have gladly run him through without hesitation.

Now, at least, he had a capable military expert. The martial prowess of dark elves was legendary in the demon realm, and their training methods were unique. If Verna could turn half-orcs and bugbears into soldiers, Jann felt he’d made a wise choice.

“Enoya.”

At this, Jann recalled his adjutant, calling her name softly.

“What time is it now?”

Enoya took out her pocket watch, glanced at it, and replied, “Eleven fifty-eight, master. I believe they should be arriving soon.”

“They have indeed arrived.”

Satisfied, Jann turned his gaze to the nearby stone wall.

Click... click...

A faint noise came from behind the hard rock, echoing briefly in the dark, empty cavern before fading away. But Jann knew this wasn’t the main event.

The once-solid, smooth stone wall began to bulge like an inflating balloon. Pebbles started to fall, followed by larger chunks, as the sounds of mining picks grew louder and the wall itself began to tremble.

Finally, with a crash, the stone wall shattered, revealing a man-sized tunnel before Jann. Amid the dispersing dust, a small figure gleefully swung a mining pick, letting out a raucous cry.

Seeing its arrival, a trace of a smile flickered in Jann’s eyes.

The first step in conquering the North had finally begun.