Hope is a powerful weapon that can overcome any adversity.
However, it's also a powerful flame that can burn down the entire world.
* * *
"Come to think of it, I haven't even decided on your name. Weren't you disappointed?"
When asking this question, I was honestly worried that even a grain of negative emotion might come out.
Although it feels a bit cowardly even to myself, I thought I might be shocked if someone who had only shown positive intentions so far expressed negativity.
If it were a skeleton without any intelligence, I wouldn't worry about this, but this one seems really smart and full of emotions.
Although it's only been a few days since we met, she occupied quite a significant place for me.
-Clatter!
However, she only responded with positive emotions as always.
I even felt grateful for that consistency.
'By the way, a name…'
Various names appear and disappear in my mind.
Names of famous gods like the goddess of fate affirming future possibilities (Skuld), the goddess of moon and hunting (Artemis), the goddess of war and wisdom (Athena), and all sorts of female warriors or superheroes.
Even names of those who were actually men but became women in all sorts of media came to mind, but I couldn't decide quickly.
Whatever I choose, I didn't want to decide simply in just 10 minutes or so.
She came to me when I was on the brink of despair, brought hope, and even cleared away the loneliness that might have come in the future.
"One day."
-Clatter.
As if my complex feelings were transmitted, she looked at me carefully, and when I opened my mouth, she straightened her posture and pretended to be vigilant.
What a cute behavior.
Although the outward appearance is a skeleton, so there's a big sense of discomfort, as I watch her actions gradually becoming richer, I think this one's personality is probably like a dog.
She's even reliable, should I say she's like a large dog?
"Will you give me one day? I want to decide carefully."
-Clack!
Whether she knew my thoughts or not, she just answered my words with a cheerful sound.
* * *
Putting aside the matter of my first soldier's name for now, the first thing I did was:
『Name – Libertas (Rita)』
It was a proper check of my status window.
『Demon King Candidate – Necromancer』
『Rank – Apprentice』
『Attributes – Health 10 Technique 8 Durability 13 Magic Power 21 Resistance 14』
The primary information shown below the name was ordinary. I'm still an apprentice-level Dungeon Lord. A Dungeon Lord's ability scores are usually more than twice that of ordinary adventurers or summons.
My first soldier was clearly an irregular, not that my abilities were low.
The problem was what was below that.
『Characteristics – Alpha Tester, Nobility, Necromancy, Lord of Necropolis』
Unlike when I saw the skeletons' characteristics, my characteristic window was incredibly flashy.
The reason was the rank of the characteristics.
In MilDun, item or characteristic ranks are indicated by color. Among my current characteristics, 'Alpha Tester' was red, 'Nobility' was orange, and 'Necromancy' and 'Lord of Necropolis' were green, so it was naturally flashy at a glance.
『Necromancy – Knowledge and skills related to necromancy in general.』
『Lord of Necropolis – The highest stat of the skeleton army following you increases. This characteristic grows along with the growth of 'Necromancy'.』
Skills that form the foundation of the Dungeon Lord, such as the Necromancer's Necromancy, the Vampire's Blood Magic, and the War Chief's Intimidation Subjugation, originally grow in rank along with the growth of the Demon King candidate and dungeon core.
The 'Necromancy' I last saw in modern times was also red, so there was no need to be puzzled that the current necromancy is green.
Lord of Necropolis is also as expected, so it's the same.
The important things are the others.
『Alpha Tester – Welcome, Demon King candidate! This system's visual interface, tutorial, and growth assistance system are provided only for you in this world. Please enjoy growth through the use of this convenient and comfortable system!』
Yes.
I understand that the system is solely mine in this world. I'm not exactly happy about it, but it seems there were some benefits.
'It's good. It's good.'
Of course, I know this is a big advantage.
There's a big difference in information usage efficiency between just intuitively feeling everything and moving according to information that pops up in your head, versus having it visualized.
What it affects most is none other than attributes, stats.
Objective evaluation of combat power is one of the most important aspects of strategy, and I'll have an overwhelmingly faster grasp of that part compared to others.
That's probably why this is attached with red – mythical grade.
Moreover, although I can't feel it yet, it seems there's also a 'growth assistance system'.
『Nobility – Whether body or dress, you never get dirty, you never raise your voice, your posture never collapses, and your mind stays calmly settled. Always noble, always beautiful. Standing higher than anyone, you will draw everyone's gaze.』
In fact, this last one was what was giving me a headache.
It's shining in orange, legendary grade, but just looking at the description makes it hard to understand exactly what effect it has.
'I do know bodily how it affects me, but…'
The modern me wasn't a particularly calm or gentle person. Rather, I had a somewhat impatient personality and weak mentality.
But since coming here, I've hardly been swept up in any great emotional turmoil, except for the beginning.
Any great joy or relief gently fills my heart as if spreading warmly inside, but I've never felt a sensation that violently overturns my heart and brain.
Even when I killed someone for the first time, I only staggered for a moment.
Even at that first moment when I realized I had lost everything, thinking about it, my reaction was quite quiet.
It seems that was the influence of this characteristic.
Probably even this articulate way of speaking I'm using now.
'But why legendary?'
However, that alone doesn't explain why this characteristic obtained such a high rank as legendary.
In the end, I have to assume there's something more hidden that I don't know.
As it's orange, it probably isn't a negative effect, but hidden information hinders objective analysis of combat power, so it's not very good in the current situation either.
"It's troublesome that I can't blame others for this."
-Clatter.
"No, I'm talking about myself."
What's more troublesome is that this 'Nobility' was a setting I was only thinking about in my mind when customizing this appearance.
Well, since the appearance is such a beautiful and cute woman.
Isn't it natural for any fan to add one or two settings in their mind?
Or not.
'Since I wasn't thinking of it as a concrete setting, I still can't know what's hidden…'
But to take what I was just thinking about in my heart and attach it to me now like this. That's equivalent to saying they were watching me even when I was over there.
I felt a creepy feeling like something was licking my back.
'Come to think of it…'
『Attributes – Health 10 Technique 5 Durability 13 Magic Power 21 Resistance 14』
Thinking about it now, it seems the attributes also took part of the setting I was thinking about.
A cold but fragile dark princess.
Therefore, as a Dungeon Lord, I'm not lacking in durability or health, but my technique is utterly lacking.
Because I'm used to being protected and cared for.
But there's no way I'd like being in that situation. I was originally a man.
"It feels unpleasant."
For a moment it seemed like the message window shook, but that must have been my imagination.
"Alright. I understand roughly."
Anyway, I've roughly completed my self-analysis.
It's a bit unpleasant that my technique and health are average or low, but in any case, it's a good thing that my magic power is extremely high. In this world, there are so many things you can do with magic power.
For example, like this now.
Rumble rumble…!!
Starting with changing the dungeon's configuration.
* * *
After roughly finishing the analysis of myself and the configuration of the dungeon.
I sat on a chair that my first soldier had made and brought from somewhere, watching what she was doing.
-Clatter.
-Clack!
She seemed happy to meet her first junior, and was in the middle of doing something similar to communicating with the skeleton that used to be Remia.
She had set up a wooden scarecrow that it had made and brought from somewhere again, and was urging the junior to try using the crossbow.
Even so, that junior skeleton would have faint intelligence and reason; would it follow the instructions of someone who isn't even a sorcerer?
Twang!
Ah, it shot.
However, perhaps because its posture was somewhat clumsy compared to its living posture, the bolt was directed far from the scarecrow that should have been the target.
Still, this result was quite excellent.
It means that my first soldier has some sort of leadership quality.
It's a newly discovered talent.
-Clatter.
Seeing that result, she shook her head while holding her forehead as if disappointed.
Her behavior patterns are indeed very rich.
Although her appearance is clean, she's still the form of a skeleton, so there's a bit of an eerie aspect, but if she were in human form, I might have been able to properly feel that vitality.
"…Hah."
It seems like I really wouldn't feel lonely at all even without meeting ordinary people if I'm with her.
Despite acting politely like a knight when dealing with me, her usual behavior seems even innocent, and she's shown only goodwill towards me since I first saw her.
Somehow, it makes me smile.
-Clack.
As if she heard my laugh in the meantime, she noticed me watching her.
Then, she seemed to urge the junior skeleton to hold the crossbow again.
It was an action full of the feeling of 'wanting to show a cool side to the master'.
It's just a pity that she can't see results.
"It will still take time for that child to adapt. It's different from you."
-Clatter.
-Clack.
Hearing my words, my soldier drops both arms to the floor and makes an action like sighing.
In front of her eyes, about ten broken bolts were scattered on the cave wall, and my second skeleton was standing blankly, not knowing what had gone wrong.
Even a skeleton standing there blankly like that would probably shoot fairly well if I gave proper instructions through necromancy.
Instructions through necromancy also have the effect of assisting undead actions.
"Alright. I've decided."
-Clatter!
"Yes. Your name."
As if knowing what I had decided, my first soldier made a cheerful sound.
I nodded to her too. Meaning that thought was correct.
Her name.
I thought it would be best to have a theme of 'hope'. That which I'm receiving the most and biggest from her.
-Clack.
She approached close and stood at attention with her hands behind her back, then soon took a prostrate position. It seems in her mind, anything worth commemorating is always received in this posture.
Placing my hand on her head while sitting in the chair, I slowly opened my mouth.
* * *
"How was my name chosen, Master?"
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. I'm curious."
Her master turned her head from the book at her question and raised one eyebrow as she spoke.
That beautiful and noble appearance that didn't wrinkle even while making such an expression was also an aspect she had always loved since she gained a feeling of reverence for her.
"Hmm."
There was no answer from her, but her master frowned slightly, closed the book, and fell into contemplation. Although it was a sudden question, she didn't seem to have any intention of dismissing the words of her favored servant.
Then, she smiled and made a light joke.
"If I had known you were that kind of character, I would never have given you that name."
"I'm hurt, Master."
"Think about what you've done. Doesn't this evaluation of mine feel rather moderate?"
"…"
As she reflected on her actions at that time, she almost nodded without realizing it.
Although she faithfully followed her master's orders due to the influence of necromancy and her habits from when she was alive, around the time she regained her memories and could properly express her will, they had grown distant for a while because she violently expressed her hatred towards beings called Dungeon Lords.
After all, when she was alive, she was one of those called heroes of humanity.
"How stiff and how narrow-minded you were."
"Master…"
"I know. That wasn't your true intention. It was closer to the instinct right after regaining the years you had lived, rather than intelligence."
Her master smiled while tapping her lips. Forcibly fixing her gaze on her master's eyes instead of those lips, she reflected on her present and past.
The relationship between a necromancer and a summon is not one filled with unconditional goodwill.
It's just forced by contract.
If there hadn't been anything to properly improve their relationship later, their relationship would have barely avoided being the worst.
And that was due to her master's one-sided understanding, not hers.
It was something she was ashamed of. To the extent that if she could go back to the past, she would vow never to inflict such wounds on such a good master again.
"Until then, I hadn't spoken to you either. You didn't pretend to be so smart, and although you were always filled with negative feelings, I didn't want to lose you because I saw you as a pillar I could lean on."
"A pillar… you say?"
"Yes. That's why, I guess. I didn't think about your past life."
She had felt that.
While being wary of her body as a corpse, there was a hint of reliance from somewhere unknown.
Seeing that lonely appearance, she had unknowingly started to feel drawn to it and wanted to protect it. Although she couldn't restrain herself because her hatred for Dungeon Lords was even deeper.
However, her master understood her situation. And she didn't hesitate to choose to slowly get closer.
As a result.
Although it took a very long time, she finally opened her heart to her master… and now, she couldn't imagine herself without her master.
"Yes. The meaning of the name."
"Ah, yes."
"Hehe. I told you that I'm not from this world, right?"
"Yes. You did. Originally…"
"Yes. I was a man. An ordinary man whose heart was dying day by day."
It was still hard to believe even now, long after hearing about it. Her master was always noble, beautiful, and even… lovable.
To the extent that she couldn't hide her irreverent feelings.
If she hadn't realized how to hide her feelings before gaining irreverent ones, she would have long ago been caught by her master with her pitch-black heart.
Completely unaware of such feelings from her, or perhaps knowing but pretending not to know.
Her master opened her mouth again.
"In my world, there was a great female warrior. She was also considered a saint."
"A saint… you say."
"Yes. A living miracle who revived a country that was on the brink of destruction, called by God… But in the end, a saint who perished under political interests between nations. Joan of Arc."
"Joan of Arc."
Her master nodded and gestured as she repeated the name.
As she approached, bowed her head, and prostrated before that hand, her master released her hand and stroked her head as if petting a beloved dog.
It was her favorite form of skinship since she gained reverence for her.
"But that alone wasn't enough. She was certainly great, but in my eyes, she was ultimately a failure."
"A failure… I see."
"Yes. Of course, for her, everything in the material world might have been irrelevant if she had only God's love, but not for me. In the face of the shadows of numerous enemies to come, you, an excellent soldier, were hope for me."
'For someone who has lost everything once, losing everything on earth again is unthinkable,' she said, looking at her with deep purple eyes that smiled.
Looking up at that lovable and respectable figure, she gradually suppressed her pounding heart.
It was too great a price for her sudden curiosity.
"So among the various names derived from Joan, I chose one with a more meaningful meaning to me."
"What is it?"
"'Good news'. It was the meaning of the name I wanted to give you, who gave me hope even amidst losing everything."
"It sounds nice."
"More than your name from when you were alive?"
"Yes. Even more than that."
"I'm glad."
Her master stroked her head again as she nodded enthusiastically. Looking up at that revered face, she rolled her name in her mouth.
That name which sounded far more sacred to her than one of the most sacred names in one world.
Just then, her master was also speaking that name.
* * *
"Evangeline. That's your name."
-Clatter.
"Yes."
The skeleton who deeply revered and loved her master once again received her name and sent a large amount of 'joy' from the depths of her heart to her master.
"I'm glad you like it."
Then, speaking in a lower tone than her last memory, the master who hadn't been in this world for long also.
"Eve."
Immediately called her by a nickname with affection.
[I hope you use my body in the way that benefits you the most.]
With the same smile she had worn at the very end, which was very rare at this time in the 'past'.