The Necromancer's Church Management Manual

The snow and ice of winter howled and crashed against the windows of the Duke of Gusenberg's mansion, echoing in the empty mansion.

The Duke's mansion was much quieter today; the corridors were deserted, and not even the wall lamps were lit.

In the dimly lit study, Duke Cardissa sat in the shadows, his beard disheveled and his eyes vacant. The once spirited and dashing figure on the battlefield was now completely gone.

Some are left only with the weariness of old age.

The mountain of documents that had previously piled up on the desktop had now been cleared out, along with his ducal title and the right to govern the territory.

He was placed under house arrest in this vast ducal mansion, with several royal cavalrymen guarding the gate. Fortunately, he had sent Lucia out of Gusenburg beforehand, so she did not suffer the same fate as him.

A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes. Why would he refuse Roderick's marriage proposal?

He picked up the only ornament on the table—a family portrait in which everyone except the eldest son, who had a hole pierced through by flames, was all smiling.

Duke Kadisia gently stroked the young faces of Zain and Lucia with his fingers, a bitter smile on his face as memories flooded back.

He only stopped completely when he touched the hole, regretting why he had burned the few portraits he had left.

Eight years later, he could hardly remember what Andrew looked like anymore.

-

Lucia huddled in a corner of the carriage, her scarf covering her cheeks, revealing only her reddened eyes.

Her father refused the marriage alliance with the Roderick family, and she was sent away overnight, braving the heavy snow to her second brother's territory—the Earldom of Blacktwilight City.

This is only a temporary buffer. Once the new duke comes to power, he will surely target Zain, who is the son of the old party.

Before long, Zain will also become the son of a sinner, lose his power to govern Darkmoon City, and be reduced to a commoner.

Thinking of this, Lucia felt utterly powerless.

She is indeed largely to blame for all of this.

Although she was willing to bear all the consequences, her father still chose to protect her and sent her out of the city overnight.

But Lucia felt lost and helpless because she couldn't do anything for her father.

Perhaps, perhaps we should have the coachman turn around now and return to Gusenberg, so that she can marry Roderick's son.

But recalling that greasy, greedy, and ugly face, Lucia opened the crumpled letter again:

"Lucia, this is not your fault. The Roderick family has been coveting the territory of Gussenburg for a long time. As early as when Andrew betrayed them, they frantically created all kinds of public opinion and crisis events."

"Even if Andrew didn't do it at all, they can still turn the truth upside down and blame everything on him."

"Therefore, your marriage to him is meaningless; Gussenburg is destined to be devoured by them."

"Go, go find your brother Zain, and never come back."

She tucked the letter into her bosom, her courage vanishing once more. She could only sigh heavily, saying nothing.

Finally, she arrived at Zane's manor.

As she stepped down from the carriage, Lucia looked around.

The sky was as gray as that of Gusenberg, the fountains were frozen, and the mansion was magnificent.

Lucia thought that the biggest difference between this place and Gussenburg was probably the several alien maids who were cleaning the courtyard.

The orcs with their voluptuous figures, the tall and slender elves, and even the short and childlike miners...

It's clear how much fun Zain has been having since he left his father's sight.

However, given Lucia's current situation, there was nothing she could say to Zane. She pursed her lips and walked forward.

As she approached, she could see the melancholy expressions on the maids' faces; in fact, the entire mansion was filled with a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.

Lucia walked to the gate and put down her luggage.

dong dong dong-

Several voices came from inside the door.

"Damn it, they're finally here! These maids were all hiding from me; catching them was a real hassle!"

"Lord Zane, please, please don't sell Phoebe to slave traders anymore. You can make Phoebe do anything you want," the girl pleaded pitifully.

"Who cares about you! All I want right now is money! Can you make money for me? No! You're just trash! Garbage!"

This was followed by a beating and kicking, and the sound of being dragged.

Zane opened the door.

At this moment, he was holding a beast girl who was barely clothed. The girl was covered in bruises, her ears were drooping, and tears were hanging from the corners of her eyes as she sobbed softly.

Lucia looked up and met Zane's gaze, who was somewhat stunned.

Zain was clearly flustered, and he immediately closed the door that he had just opened a crack in.

"Get out of here! Get out of here!" This was followed by a low growl, and the beast girl ran barefoot into the maids' quarters.

After a while, Zane opened the door and looked at Lucia with a normal expression.

He looked Lucia up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment on the two suitcases on the ground.

"Lucia, why are you here instead of staying in Gusenburg?" Zane didn't give her a friendly look.

Seeing the orc girl's predicament, Lucia asked in return:

"How come there are so many foreigners here? Have you started to degenerate after becoming a count?"

Zane shrugged, then his eyes suddenly lit up:

"Let's not talk about that. Do you have any money right now?"

Are you short of money?

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Zane, like a ravenous wolf, grabbed Lucia's scarf. "Hand over all your money!"

Looking at the unfamiliar man before her, Lucia felt a surge of despair.

Was it really the right thing for her to flee to Dark Twilight City?

Lucia took out the money pouch from her waist, and Zane snatched it away, counting out the amount inside.

"Three hundred gold coins...that's enough. Sell off these alien races, then sweep away the remaining barons. That's more than enough."

Zane muttered to himself, letting out a sigh of relief. He then turned to look at Lucia, his previous indifference replaced by a forced smile.

"Little sister, come in quickly, I'll have the servants prepare a room for you."

"It takes several hours to get here by carriage from Gussenburg. My sister must not have eaten anything, right?"

"Don't let their timid appearance fool you... I'm actually quite good to them." Zane paused, then barked orders at the maids hiding in the room: "Phoebe, quickly take my sister to an empty room! Juno, prepare the meal!"

"Yes... Master Zane." The orc girl from before dared not disobey Zane's orders. She walked out of the room with her arms crossed, shrank her head, and walked to Lucia's side. She tugged at Lucia's clothes, signaling her to follow.

But Lucia didn't move. She glanced at the orc girl, then at Zane, who was smiling broadly beside her. She bit her lip and decided to explain things now.

"Zane, I have something to tell you."

As she spoke, she handed the crumpled letter to a somewhat bewildered Zain.

Zain frowned, but still unfolded the letter. The letter was short, and he read it quickly.

His hands were trembling for a moment.

"The Duke... his position... is being taken away by the Roderick family... then I, the Earl, will surely be ousted... then I'll have nothing left..."

Zain's breathing suddenly became rapid, as if what he was thinking had now become a reality.

"No...no...no no no! All of this should have belonged to me, how could it all be gone in an instant?" He grabbed Lucia's collar again, this time pulling her off the ground:

"Lucia, tell me, none of this is real...it's not real, right?"

Lucia turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.

"Zane, it's all true... Father has been placed under house arrest, Gussenburg is electing a new duke, and we will soon have nothing left."