The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

After leaving the room that looked like a study, we decided to check every room in the museum with a fine-tooth comb.

We had Amako predict the room in front of the room we stopped by, and if no one was there, we went to the next room. This is a simple method, since we do not have time to search every room for Mr. Aruk, who is outside.

However, no matter where I looked, I could not find the Necromancer.

When Amako looked at the large hall in the center of the third floor, she looked slightly agitated.　But she was not there after all.

"Usato, the room you just left: ......"

"Hmm?"

"......, no, it's nothing."

I wonder if they are concerned about the hall we just saw.

I took a peek inside, but I think it was just a large room with nothing special about it.

With Amako beside me, I think about the current situation.

Maybe the necromancer has already escaped. I don't know how he was noticed, but judging from the magical equipment left on in the study, there was someone in that room, and whoever was there ran away as soon as we entered the building. It's natural to think so.

However, it is too early to say that they are already gone, so we will continue our search. .......

"So all that's left is ...... here."

The place is on the first floor.

Amako and I looked at a door attached to the floor. Was it a basement door?　I crouched down and looked at the door, which probably led to the basement, and then I looked at Amako.

It was dark and I couldn't see anything. There is no light anywhere.

"...... was it a pantry or something?　Well, whatever, let's open it."

Holding the ring-shaped metal fittings, he opens the door.

Instantly, dust, mold, and some kind of strange smell rushes up from the basement and settles on my face. The smell that comes to mind when I think of beastly smells is that of burin, but this smell is something that combines the smells of decay, beastly, and musty.

In other words, it stinks like hell.

"Geez, what's this? Is there a stuffed ...... or something in here?　Amako, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it smells a little ......

He looks at Amako, who is holding her mouth and nose with the hem of her cloak, and returns his gaze to the back of the open door.

It's dark as a flash. From the corner of my eye, the little light in the darkened room does not allow me to see how large the basement is.

Let's take a peek inside for now.

I open the half-open door to the end, and peek inside with my hand on the floor.

It is dark in the basement, and I cannot see anything even if I strain my eyes.

But..,

"There's something big in there."

I feel a kind of presence or a sign of presence. You can't see it, but it's there.

Yes, it is. Wouldn't it be better to have Amako take a look at it instead of me? She has better night vision than I do.

"Amako, look. Not a prediction, just a normal one."

Amako nodded her head and looked into the darkness as I did.

Now, I could only vaguely sense it, but what about Amako? I guessed that the large object was probably an antique of some kind, which would explain the musty smell.

As I watched Amako peering into the basement, she suddenly shook and her hand slipped.

"Oh!

I hurriedly plucked up the collar of Amako's cloak like a cat, and brought her down to the ground, where she fell weak.

What are you doing? I thought, and was about to talk to her when she suddenly hugged me in her arms.

Is hugging people popular today?　I was about to say something sarcastic and off the point when I noticed Amako's body was shaking.

"Amako, what ...... did you see?"

"......!"

It must have been quite a shock. Amako is silent, with her head pressed against her troupe's uniform.

This is the kind of thing that frightens her so much. Shouldn't we check it out?　The people in the village could be in danger.

We can get some light if we bring the grimoire from the library. As I was about to stand up with Amako holding me by the arm, she stopped me by putting more strength into her hand that had been silently holding my arm.

Her eyes seemed to be trying hard to stop me, as if she had a premonition of what I was going to do.

"Usato,......Dame,......Gotta go."

"No, I need to check this place out anyway. ......"

Our eyes met.

...... with whom?

In this case, with what?

"It's not a creature. It's something else, something terrible. I've seen a lot of things, but I've never seen anything that scary. That's why you shouldn't go to ......."

"...... okay."

I reluctantly obey Amaco's appeal with clinging eyes.

I should probably check on her sooner rather than later, but I can't just leave her there now.

He slowly closes the basement door and turns to her.

"It's all right now, ...... we'll find another place."

"............"

That was a mistake.

Even though I didn't understand, I guess I showed him something quite shocking. Despite her mature personality, Amako is still a 14-year-old girl. It is natural for her to be afraid of scary things in accordance with her age.

Although she was disgusted by her own carelessness, she stood up. Amako seemed to have calmed down a lot, and when she took her hand off my arm and stood up, she apologized to me apologetically.

"I'm sorry, I was being selfish."

"I don't care. I'm not so small-minded that I'd be offended by something like that after all this time."

"...... you're always mad at me for the littlest things."

That's because you're being cheeky.

She smiles at me awkwardly and turns her attention to the search for the necromancer.

There are few rooms left to search. When we've checked most of them, we'll meet up with Aruk and the others.

Where are the Necromancers?

No, do necromancers exist here in the first place?　But the situation of this house makes it certain that someone is living here.

I don't think that the stories of the villagers who suffered from the zombies controlled by the Necromancer are false. .......

There are so many things we don't know.

I was about to walk out, clutching my forehead, when I realized something.

"......What?"

What's going on?"

"Is there no sound coming from outside?"

The voices of Mr. Aruk and the villagers, who have been working as a diversion for the zombies, have somehow stopped. It's strange that we can't hear the faint sounds of battle, but not the voices.

Either the zombies have been mostly taken care of, or, as much as I hate to think it, Aruk and the villagers have been killed by the zombies. .......

Amako is thinking the same thing as I am, and she has a stern look on her face.

"Change of plans. Let's head for Aruk and the others!"

"Yes!"

We run toward the exit.

Finding the necromancer is important, but our friends and the villagers are more important!

I put my hand on the doorknob to open the door, but just as I'm about to do so, a number of dead branch-like hands are inserted through the slight opening, and a large number of zombies come rushing in from the outside.

"Tsk......!!!!"

We were ambushed!

I grabbed Amako by the collar, who couldn't react in time, and immediately kicked the zombie directly in the abdomen, pushing it through the door. It wasn't very powerful, but I succeeded in knocking it down with a couple of zombies behind it. I jumped backward while still holding Amako in my arms.

I noticed that I could hear the screams of zombies coming from all over the building.

I don't know where they were hiding, but..,

"Amaco, you're shaking a little!"

"Whoa!"

We gotta get out of here first.

With Amako under my arm, I run up the stairs, dodging the zombies coming at me from the front and from both sides.

Luckily, the upper floors do not seem to be so crowded, so we head for the door of the third-floor hall at the top of the stairs. The door looks very expensive, but I don't care, I just kick it down and jump in.

The hall is as deserted as before, and no zombies are to be seen.

"I'm trapped. ......usato

This is the third floor. There's nowhere to run.

I can hear the sound of zombies rushing in behind me, so I'm sure I'll be surrounded even if I go back now.

"Huh..."

"What are we going to do?　What if I predict the zombies and try to get out where there aren't many zombies?"

"That won't be necessary. There's a quicker way to get out of here.

The placement of the lurking zombies suggests an artificial intention, as if they intentionally created an escape route to the third floor. But first of all, there is no way I would be intimidated by something as high as the third floor.

Who do you think you are, my master?　He's the one who threw me off the cliff when I had just learned magic.

Don't think you've got me cornered on three floors. ......

"...... wait a minute."

Amako opened her mouth in a trembling voice.

I was afraid of heights......... huh, I guess you're a girl after all, you have a cute little fear of heights too. Inukami-senpai would have fainted in agony. But there's no time to stand still in this situation.

I can't land on the ground with Amako by my side, so I hold her back and knees with both hands and start to run a little further away from the window.

"Don't worry. I won't let you go. I won't let you go.

You can't say that in a nice way.

Let's go!　Amako-o!　Don't bite your tongue!

Listen to me.

He runs forward and leaps out of the third-story window with great speed.

Amako lets out an inaudible scream.

There are no zombies below her, and she lands about fifteen meters away from the building. The weight of the two zombies is too much for Amako to bear, and she feels a slightly numbing impact on her body.

"Phew......... escape succeeded."

He immediately casts a healing spell on himself and Amako, who is in his arms, while rechecking the safety of his surroundings. No zombies are visible around the pavilion or in the surrounding woods.

"It seems that most of the zombies are still inside the pavilion. Let's find the others while we can, shall we?

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... ......"

"............ poor thing."

You must have been really scared of zombies. Yeah, I can't help it.

We put down the distraught Amako and walk with her toward the road where the village is.

We find a figure lying near the woods. We rush over to him and see that it's someone we know.

"Mr. Aruk!"

There was Mr. Alc sleeping as if he had died, with a small amount of blood running down his neck.

"Are you all right?

I cast a healing spell on him, and he showed no sign of waking up even though he was completely healed.

Every time I called out to him, he moaned as if something was bothering him. What is the wound on his neck?　They have already been healed by the healing magic, but two wounds on his neck as if he had been bitten by something.

Maybe these wounds are the reason why Mr. Aruk is like this.

What happened to him? And where are the people from the village?

Maybe they ran away. So, Mr. Alc is alone. ......"

"......"

Amako muttered bitterly, her words undeniable.

He ran away, huh?

The most likely possibility is that Mr. Aruk escaped from the villagers and was fighting alone. He is not the kind of person who would be killed by zombies, so a powerful enemy we did not expect has appeared.

But this is not..,

"......!"

Just as I'm thinking that much, I hear a rustling in the bushes nearby. Zombies?　I thought, "Zombies!" and then I saw... the villagers I thought had escaped.

Amako saw the villagers and immediately hid behind me, covering herself deeply with her cloak. I decided to call out to the village headman to get a grasp of the situation.

"Chief!　Are you all right?

"Ah, ah...... more importantly, where is Aruk-dono......?"

"I've recovered from my injuries, but I can't say for sure at this point. What happened to you?

Everyone's expression turned to a frown.

The village head said that while they were fighting off the zombies, another monster attacked them from behind. The monster was so strong and hard that the weapons the villagers had were no match for it.

Mr. Aruku, who prioritized the safety of the villagers, told the chief and the others to run away and fought the monster alone. .......

"......"

Is it true?

Mr. Alc was in charge of the gates of the castle in the Kingdom of Lingle.

He takes pride in protecting people, and if he really wanted to fight, he would use his fire magic to protect the villagers. However, looking around him, there is no sign of a struggle. Especially with that flaming sword flash he showed when he fought the zombies.

Moreover, the wound on his neck is on the side of his collarbone. If this powerful monster bit him, he was bitten from behind. It is hard to believe that he could be taken from behind so easily.

"...... leave this to us and go back to the village first. I'll carry Aruk-san.

"U, Usato-dono is ......"

"We haven't found the necromancer yet. And the monster that attacked Mr. Aruk may be wandering around nearby. It is possible that the village may be ....... So, please go back first.

When he says this, the chief and the villagers are dismayed.

I don't know if it is because they are worried about an attack on their village or because of my unexpected behavior.

...... What I have to do now is to hide Mr. Arc and Amako in the bushes where no one can find them and go to crush their limbs so that the zombies will not come to the village to retaliate, as I had thought they would if the necromancer was not there.

I don't like it, but I have to do what I have to do.

"Now, go back to your village and reassure your family."

"........."

"Hmm?"

There's no answer.

Suspicious, he turns around.

But at that moment, his torso, arms, and legs freeze as if bound by something.

"............!"

My body's stuck?

More precisely, you are immobile from the neck down.

I look at my body and see purple-glowing black patterns stretching across my torso and limbs. The patterns flowed as if they were binding my body, covering not only my group uniform but also the shoes I was wearing.

What is this?

When did you get this ......?

What?　Usato, what's wrong?

Amako notices something wrong with me and comes up to me.

But for some reason, some of the villagers nearby suddenly attacked her. Amako immediately avoids the villagers' hands with her precognition, but her expression turns to one of astonishment.

They are unconscious!

"What?　Does that mean they are being controlled?

Necromancers can only control the dead.

But the villagers and the village chief must be living people. ......?　

<>

"!!!"

A laugh that was neither from the chief nor from the village.

The voice was coming from the direction of the pavilion, from the window of the third-floor hall from which Amako and I had just emerged. A figure is sitting on the edge of the window, as if he had been there from the beginning. He is smiling at me, who cannot move, and at Amako, who is surrounded by the villagers.

At that moment, the moonlight, which had been blocked by clouds, shines on the whole western-style house. With it, the figure sitting in the window of the house becomes clearer.

Her hair is as long as her shoulders.

But the brown hair I know has been painted jet black, and her eyes have turned a suspicious red in the darkness.

"Neah, Ms. ......?"

"Yes, Mr. Usato."

She was still wearing the same clothes she had worn when she came here, but I couldn't help but hide my confusion at her change in mood and everything else.

"......, why are you ......?"

Don't you see that?

Nair is sitting on the third floor of a Western-style house.

That's where we were looking for the necromancer. The fact that she is sitting there makes me think, as much as I hate to admit it, that she is the one, or one of the ones, who has caused all this.

"Did you do it, Mr. Aruk ......?"

"Huh-huh, yes. But you're calmer than I thought you'd be, aren't you? I thought you'd be more upset. ......

I want to panic, but I can't because my body is tied up with something I don't understand.

This is not good. If the people in the village are unconscious, maybe they are being manipulated by this girl in front of them. Or, more likely, they are being manipulated.

Their eyes behind me are so vacant. .......

I look at Amako, who is diagonally behind me, and ask her to leave.

"...... Amako, run!"

"But, Usato is ......."

"Don't make me say it again!　Get the hell out of here!　With me and Mr. Aruk trapped, who else can handle this situation?

"I understand!"

Amako nodded her head in confusion and ran toward the village.

The villagers who are being controlled do not move.

Amako looks at the villagers with a sideways glance and then shifts her gaze to Mr. Nair who is sitting on top of the Western-style house in a good mood.

"Shouldn't we go after them?"

"Hmm, she can wait. I'm interested in the beastman boy, even if he has good senses."

Well, Nair, ...... Nair doesn't know about Amaco's magic.

Good thing we kept it a secret. If he had been interested, Amako might have been in danger.

So what did you do to me?

"I just blocked your body. With zombies and them, it's hard to take you by surprise."

She then proudly shows me her palm. The same patterns as the ones on my body are floating on her hand, glowing suspiciously.

"This is a binding spell, it's very, very hard to make, but the more time you put into it, the stronger and harder it binds the object. It was hard work, you know?　I had to put in six hours ............, which is just about the limit of what I can put in!　That's how long it took me to make it. Well, you have no idea what I'm talking about.

Nair suddenly extinguished the magic in her palm and lightly jumped down from the third-floor window. As she jumped down, black bat-like wings appeared from her back and she landed lightly on the ground.

At this point, I understood that this girl was not normal.

The patterns on her body are more a kind of witchcraft than sorcery. I was followed when she hugged me before I came here.

I thought it was strange at that moment. .......

"So this is witchcraft. It's not as easy to use as I've heard.

"......How do you know that?"

.............

"There was a book on witchcraft in the study, and there was even a light on, so I thought ......"

"...... lie, did you forget to turn it off?"

"What?"

"What?" "Nothing. I don't have to explain myself, do I?　Yes, I'm a demon who can do magic.

She's a strong girl, but she's out of her depth.

But..,

"Of all people, you're the demon?"

I can't hide my shock that someone who was an ordinary girl in the village is a demon.

No, even now that she has walked up to me like this, she still looks like a human being. She smiles prettily and points at herself, as if enjoying our confusion.

"There are demons that look like people, you know?　There are only a few of them.

"So you're the necromancer ......?"

"Half right. Because no normal necromancer can control a living human being.

Yes, it is.

But the book Rose gave me doesn't mention any demons that can control people.

I am half necromancer and the other half another demon.

"Ha ha ha, what's that? Don't tell me you're a vampire with a bite on your neck?"

"......"

"...... sorry."

I feel bad for Nair, who froze with a smile on his face.

I didn't think you were really a vampire. They are so rare that they weren't even mentioned in the books.

Half necromancer, half vampire. Well, if the imaginary vampires of my world and the vampires of this world are close to each other, they might be able to control people who have sucked their blood, have tremendous strength, or have some kind of shape-shifting ability.

For now, we know that they have the ability to manipulate people.

"You really are a strange person. You don't seem to be afraid of me at all, even when I'm blocking your movements like this. ......"

"Don't lift me up too much, I'm not much of a person."

As for fear, I've just developed a tolerance for it because I've lived under one roof with beings that are more terrifying than that.

But what's so funny about what I said is that Nea bursts out laughing.　

"You're not much of a person, are you?　I'm not. I'm not, because it's no small feat to defeat my servant with pure physical strength alone. And I'd have to resist my charms. I'm a mess."

"...... charms?"

"Charms. It's my vampiric ability. Most people would fall for it and become enraptured. ...... What kind of mind is that?　What kind of mind is this?

Are you saying that my crush was all your ability?

Or rather, that embrace was also a way to put a spell on me to stop me from moving.

............ is unforgivable.

"Hey, why are you more angry than when you betrayed me? ......"

That's what happens when you play with naivete.

Anyway, from that moment on, Nair's self-induced drama had begun. She's a bad actor, isn't she?

"...... what the hell are you going to do to me?"

"You're going to have to talk to me."

"Talking to?　You?

What, you don't want to suck my blood or feed on me or anything, you just want me to talk to you?

...... No, that's not why he'd go to such lengths. There must be some other reason.

Nair, who had her hands clasped behind her back in front of my eyes, comes close enough to reach me and looks up at me with a big smile on her face.

"I told you, didn't I?　I want knowledge. I don't want it on paper or in a book, I want to know the memories that people have made on this journey called life. But not just anyone. I want to know about you. I want to know what kind of life you've led, what kind of trials you've gone through, how you came to have such extraordinary powers. ......"

I'm not necessarily going to tell you that.

"I'll tell you. I'll tell you, because I command you to tell me.

Nair peeks his fangs with a smile.

You're going to bite me and manipulate me just like you did Mr. Alc. So you mean the people of this village were bitten too?　

Wait, how long have you been doing this?

"Hmm, about 200 years ago?　That's how long I've been a village girl. ......"

"...... then, Tetra, you can go to ......"

"Tetra? Uh, it's more like I'm her parent. Rather, everyone in the village is my puppet, and their memories and feelings are mine to control. That's why it's a lie that I don't have parents, and it's a complete lie that Tetra is a surrogate parent.　She thinks of me as if I were her daughter because of the memories she has imprinted on me.

"......"

Nea's words, uttered so matter-of-factly, stunned me.

Two hundred years, that would explain the number of pieces of armor in that Western-style house. During that time, no one has noticed ...... or if they did, their memories have been manipulated or they have been enslaved, just like now, time and time again. That is the truth of the rumor that Mr. Aruk told me.

This is insane.

However, it does not mean that he does not understand me, so I try to persuade him, including "stalling for time".

"...... got it. I'll be your friend."

"Oh?　I'm glad we don't have to manipulate you, because it's quick and easy for us.

I don't mind talking to you.

But not now.

Can't we wait until after our trip?

Hmm?

We're on a very important mission. It is for the future of this continent, as I told you yesterday. So please wait for us until then. If you want, I can make a contract with your magic. I'll see you again."

Of course, they are ready to overthrow us.

I'm going to visit you with Rose, the great demon king of terror, and all his tough guys.

But I don't know how she took my words, but she started to cackle with her cheeks held back, and her cheeks stained with a stinky odor.

"I've never had such a bold confession before.

"That's not a confession!"

Am I a dominatrix if I confess my feelings while tied up?

Nair laughs at my comment.

But no... I can't wait that long. I want to know what's inside your head as soon as possible.

"...... this continent is at stake."

I'm a demon, and I don't care about the Demon Lord.

Why not?

♪ I insist. ♪

You b*tc*.

I'm gonna beat you, you little b*tc*.

What?

"What?" - "Nah, it's nothing."

I was just being myself with a smile on my face. Fortunately, he thought I heard him wrong and rubbed his eyes at my face. It seems that this girl is not going to let me go no matter what.

"......I might be able to let you go sooner if you speak up on your own volition, right?　Oh, of course, I'm assuming you're a blood sucker, so you'll know immediately if I'm lying by my implication."

"Assuming I obey you docilely, ...... how soon will you let me go?"

"Hmm, when I lose interest?"

A normal person would be happy to accept that offer, but I've been summoned from another world.

In order to tell my story to this girl, I have to tell her about the other world, no matter what. For him, the unknown is a treasure. If I tell her about the other world, I will be trapped by her for the rest of my life.

I must avoid that at all costs. .......

"...... Is there any other way?"

"Why not?　Why can't you just go along with me and I'll let you go?"

"......"

"You can't answer my question."

He grabs me by the lapels of my trousers and pulls me closer.

Nair looks up at me, perhaps because of the height difference, and her eyes turn inquisitive as she makes eye contact with me. She is not wearing the charm she says, but I can't turn away from her as she probes my inner self.

"Well, after you tell me that , I'll enjoy a tea party with you when you come back to your senses."

After what felt like an unusually long exchange of gazes, seconds or even minutes, Nair suddenly smiled a bewitching smile and came up behind me, grabbing me by both shoulders and leaning in close.

It was like a vampire sucking blood from a human being, just like in the stories,

"You've got to be kidding me. ......!!!"

He strained his right arm as hard as he could.

The inside of my arm creaks, and I feel an electric shock of pain in my arm.

But it is healed instantly by the healing magic, and he tries to move it without caring. The instantaneous intense pain and recovery is repeated over and over again, and gradually the binding of the pattern on my right arm is slowing down, and it is gradually cracking and breaking.

I can go...!　I can't move freely yet, but I manage to put my right hand on her neck where she is trying to bite me, and I let her bite my hand.

Her fangs are in the back of my hand, and the blood is drained, but there is nothing wrong with my body. Apparently, to control a human being, you have to bite her neck.

"Ugh!　Whaamde?

I'm not so naive as to let you bite me so easily!

"I'm not so naive as to let you bite me so easily!"

Nair removes his mouth from my biting hand and backs away.

I didn't think I could break the spell with brute force, but I'll give it a try. I break the restraints on both legs as well as my right arm.

"A well-trained body never fails me after all. ......!

"By force ......?　No way!

I turn my feet toward Mr. Arc, leaving Nair staring at me in amazement, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

I have to get out of here, I can't wait for any more help. The binding spell is still in effect, but as long as I can move my legs, I can move forward.

I can't let him get away!　Catch me!

I head toward Aruk-san, and the villagers Nair has manipulated jump on me. I can't move fast enough to fight back or evade them, and they hold on to me, but I grit my teeth and drag the villagers away.

Even though I am bound, do you think such a clinging will work on me, a lifesaver who carries wounded people? I've been through this kind of weight many, many times.

But it might be too much .......

As I was inwardly whimpering, Aruk-san, who was standing right in front of me, got up.

"Mr. Aruk!　You noticed!　Help me ...... and ......."

"............"

"Uh, are you being controlled?"

The reply was a tackle to my torso.

Oh no, no, no, no, no, no!　If Mr. Alc is in Nair's hands, we can't leave this place. No, even without that, I can't do anything if I can't manage this situation.

<<<<<>>>>>

"Gee ......"

And even zombies were gathering in droves from the pavilion.

If the zombies seize me, I'm finished.

Just when the words "all is not well" were in my mind...,

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

A roar reminiscent of a ferocious beast echoed around us.

Nair was bewildered by the voice, but I knew who it was.

"At last, you've brought me to ......."

Now that Mr. Aruk and I are stuck, he is the only one who has the strength to handle this situation. Understanding this, Amako left me and went to call him.

His footsteps are already close by.

Then I know what I have to say.

"Bullin!　Do it for me. ----!

"Gruaaaahhh!"

With a mighty roar, the blue monster Bulrin, the Blue Grizzly, appeared. On his back is Amako, who called him.

Perhaps hearing my voice, the blue grizzly did not slow down at all, and struck me, who was being held down by the villagers, with all his strength.

The villagers, including Mr. Aruk, and I are blown away by his powerful body blow, but just before we hit the ground, we fall on the back of Bulrin, who had moved to the landing spot in advance.

I fell on my back and thanked them both in a broken voice, with Amako supporting me.

"That's my partner. Amako thanks ...... too."

"Guh."

Of course, he is happy to hear Bulrin's voice, which makes him smile.

"Well, let's get the hell out of here."

"But ......"

Mr. Aruk---I was about to say so, but stopped myself.

I can't help Mr. Aruk now. Amako knows this and bites her lip desperately to keep her emotions from showing.

I can't help you now, but... I'll get him out.

I declare, moving only my head as I am carried on Bulrin's back, looking at Nair who is staring at me in amazement.

"Tomorrow night, I'm going to go get my friends back ...... and I'll leave Aruk with you until then. Nair."

After saying this to Néa, who instantly glares at me, Bulrin turns his back on the pavilion and runs away.

The village is in danger from the Necromancer.

It was a garden to satisfy the knowledge of a demon named Nair.

We must fight against a powerful enemy who possesses the blood and abilities of both a necromancer and a vampire.