Chapter 72

Nightfall in Alfyro

The sun began to set and the moon began to rise as evening descended upon the city . It was twilight, and the sky was dyed in a brilliant mix of orange and black to match . Most of the city's population had retreated indoors .

Its streets weren't nearly as populated as they'd been during the day . The few people that wandered about were far less rushed . In fact, they almost seemed to blend into the backdrop . The whole town had taken on a more relaxed atmosphere . Its emptier streets and beautiful architecture came together to form a cityscape I could only describe as enchanting . The experience was so magical I could almost hear the town's evening BGM .

Like everyone else still outdoors, Lefi and I had also melded into the scenery . We walked side by side as we slowly made our way towards the the inn we had stayed at the night before .

We had already bid the hero farewell—at least for the day . Surprisingly, she seemed to enjoy her time with us . So much so, in fact, that she had happily asked us to meet her in front of the governor's manor the next morning without any sort of prompt on our parts . I guess all that hero training she's gotta do has made her so busy that she rarely ever gets the chance to kick back and relax . I should probably help her blow off all her excess stress . Guess I'll have to figure out a good way to entertain her next time she hits up the dungeon .

"I have to say," said Lefi, breaking the silence . "I cannot help but label it a shame that we are the only two of the dungeon's inhabitants to partake in this experience . "

"Yeah, true . Having them here would've made this trip a whole lot more lively . " A bit of a smile appeared on my face as I imagined the scenario . I could practically see Illuna excitedly dash around the alleyways while Lyuu chased her with a look of panic plastered all over her face all the while . Unlike the two overly energetic hooligans, Leila would probably stand by and keep an eye on them with a smile .

Rir and Shii though… yeah, no . The only possible thing I could imagine the two of them doing was causing a huge uproar . The same went for the three wraith girls .

"Heh . " I chuckled a bit as I imagined the mess they would cause .

"What is it?"

"Nah, nothing too important . " I paused for a moment . "It's just that… I really didn't expect you of all people to say that . "

"I concur . " Lefi nodded . The smile on her face was a bit of an awkward one . It was clear from her expression that even she found it strange . "Never once had I ever imagined that I would one day long for the presence of another . "

"Yeah, true . " I led my reply with a shrug . "But honestly, I'm liking this whole just you and me thing a good bit too . It's been a long time since we've had anything more than just a moment to ourselves . "

"T-That, I cannot refute . " The dragon girl stuttered as she did her best to keep a grip on her composure . "And I daresay, I find it strange that I have known you for no more than half a year . It feels as if you have been by my side for decades . "

"Right? Those are some mighty fine words right there . Almost makes me think you actually do more than just laze around all day . "

"That claim is one that you make for the sole reason that you knew not what my days were like prior to my relocation . My former nest was one in which I spent many a day naught but drifting back and forth between this land and the land of dreams . "

"Wait . You're saying you're actually being less lazy now…?"

"Precisely . I have spent my time in your presence expending much more energy than I have in the period that preceded it . It cannot be helped that I find myself too drained to assist you with the housework . "

"Talk about faulty logic…" I turned towards the dragon girl and flashed her a wry smile .

We continued our journey in silence, basking in the city's warm atmosphere as we did . But alas, the silence was broken .

By a scream .

A woman wearing clothes typical of an adult out to enjoy the city's nightlife shrieked like a banshee as she came tumbling out of a nearby alleyway . After her chased a man holding a bloodstained knife . Oh man, look at those eyes . That guy's totally lost it .

Adding to the effect were the dry groans that leaked from the man's lips . God . Fucking . Damn . It . Man, today was going so well . But noooo, this asshole has to show up and spoil it .

"Fuck you! And fuck that stupid ass bucket of cold water you ruined my mood with too!" I shouted as I picked up a nearby rock and whipped it at his face . The projectile whizzed through the air and almost seemed to dig into the side of his skull as it hit him dead on .

Unable to defend himself from the sudden attack, the man was sent flying into a nearby building, where he promptly collapsed . The wound was a pretty heavy one . There was blood everywhere . I was sure that the man had either died or suffered a concussion . But much to my surprise, he got right back up .

His head twisted towards me in an unnatural, eerie fashion as his body rose in a manner that almost made me think of a jiangshi .

"The fuck? That's hella creepy," I said .

"You would do well to activate your Magic Eye," advised Lefi .

I followed Lefi's instructions and looked towards the crazy dude with the skill active . The hell? His whole body's covered in some sort of magical energy . It almost looks like it's binding him .

"I believe it would not be incorrect to declare the man before you a corpse," she said .

"You serious?"

"Indeed . Necromancers are amongst the enemies I've faced in the past . The spirits they employ are restrained by mana . The fetters that bind him remind me much of their work . "

“I see…” I nodded . Alright, yeah . I get it now . Dude's a zombie .

Though I had labeled the man as a zombie, he wasn't operating under the influence of some sort of virus . His reanimation had instead been brought about by a magic-based means . Specifically, he had been dominated . Someone had taken control of him in the same manner I had taken control of my cursed axe . He was practically a puppet .

I knew that there had to be someone out there controlling him, but my enemy detection skill wasn't coming up with any results . Alright, enough thinking, Yuki . Deal with the zombie first . Think after .

I frowned a bit and began contemplating my next steps . It'd be easy if the guy was just infected . Virus controlled zombies can be ended with a quick snap of the neck . Or I could just flat out blow his head off and call it a day . But the fact that he's being manipulated with magic means he'll probably keep moving even if he's missing his brain .

"So how'd you handle these things anyway?" I turned to the dragon girl for advice .

"It was a simple task . I merely set the necromancers themselves ablaze . "

"I-I see . . "

Oh, I get it . You have to light filthy things on fire so you can disinfect them . Makes sense .

In the end, the only conclusion I came to in the short span of time I had was to overwrite the mana that kept the corpse moving with my own . Fortunately, it had already switched its target and began lumbering towards me . The way it walked got to me . It was disgusting, inhuman .

I immediately knocked the creature over and grabbed it by the back of its skull the moment it touched the ground . I gathered up my magical energy and immediately forced it through the man's head . The mana that already existed within resisted me . But that was all it could do . Heh . That ain't anywhere near enough juice to stop me .

The zombie moaned and convulsed as I continued to forcefully channel my magical energy throughout . But no matter what it did, I didn't stop . The man's struggle, however, did . The forces compelling him to motion were overruled . And so, he collapsed . Much like a puppet with its strings cut loose .

***

Editor's note: Hey, guys! Joker here . Man, it feels like it's been forever since I did a proper editor's note . I know you guys missed me, so let's dive right into it . Yuki's been enjoying his time in the city, which is good . If only all the crap that keeps happening wouldn't . It would make for a much more positive experience for him and Lefi . And yeah, I'd have to agree with him . Illuna would be running around everywhere while Lyuu tried to catch her . Leila would probably look at books somewhere . Rir and Shii, though, probably wouldn't be welcomed with open arms by the townsfolk . Such a shame . Rir is King Good Boy after all, and Shii is a lovable puddle of jello . He could probably clear the whole town of trash easily . He's the world's best recycle monster, after all . But it looks like our resident Demon Lord is gonna have to smash some necromancer's head after ruining his day with Lefi . Poor guy doesn't know what's about to hit him . But I guess he'll find out soon . See y'all in the next chapter!